Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[OLM]

So I called my local Best Buy (Milpitas) today asking if they had any iPad 2's in stock, the lady on the line told me that they did so I headed to BB about 20 minutes later and guess what? They DID have iPad 2's in stock. But you know what? They WOULD NOT sell it to me because there's going to be a special ad for them on Sunday. Really Best Buy? Here I am, a customer willing to give you money but you refuse because you have something else planned for them and expect me to come back on Sunday morning? Nope not gonna happen. I knew a friend working at the time and he wanted to sell the iPad to me on the spot but someone else said (rudely) they can't sell it to me because of an ad this coming Sunday. This guy looked like a regular employee and also looked like he was having a rough day. My friend couldn't do anything even though he wanted to make the sale. I'm about to email Apple and tell them what happened and exactly what Best Buy is doing to the iPads that they're getting, this "ad" nonsense has to stop and I really hope Apple pulls all their products from Best Buy. I wasn't the only one there asking for iPads either, you guys cannot have stock and refuse to sell them to customers. I'm sure Apple won't be happy. Not a fair way to treat a long time Best Buy customer at all and I'm sure the others there with me felt the same way but few are willing to speak out about it. I will never step foot into a Best Buy again until they learn how NOT to treat willing and ready customers. 

[Ryan-BBY Senior Social Media Specialist]

Hello OLM-

Sarah, from our Community Connector team, will be reaching out to you regarding your concern.  Thank you for your patience until she is able to connect with you.

[Walrus Valued Contributor]

This happens all the time in every business. For some reason or upcoming event, the company gets a product in ahead of time, but doesn't sell them until that event or reason occurs. Its entirely possible that Apple has instructed Best Buy that they cannot sell the iPads until the ad is run. Most likely Apple will simply tell you to go to one of their own stores and buy one directly from them (they get to keep all the profit that way, and assuming there is one near you). They won't pull product from one of their largest customers though. Even if Apple doesn't have a contract with Best Buy preventing them from selling, and the decision is entirely Best Buy's, they aren't going to do anything in response to this common occurrence.

At Walmart for example, on Black Friday they have all kinds of product on the floor wrapped in plastic that they refuse to sell prior to a specific time, as specified in their ads. It doesn't prevent a customer from tearing into the wrapping and taking one, walking around the store waiting for that specified time, but they are still unable to purchase it until that time period occurs. The difference for you, is days as opposed to hours.

[shoup]

So now there is another ad coming where most stores have none in stock and have many, many people waiting for iPad2's they pre-ordered?

[bamcal07]

"If only you knew some of Apple's tactics"

^^That's coming from a friend of mine that works for Apple.

[kst8no1]

According to BB they have to hold 5 of the 16gb wifi models "by law"...but every other model is fair game

[QuantumThunder]

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kst8no1 wrote:
According to BB they have to hold 5 of the 16gb wifi models "by law"...but every other model is fair game

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Actually yes that is true. If best buy is advertising that a store will have a minimum amount of something on a given day but does not that is a bait and switch. Because best buy cant excactly poop ipads out of its rear end like you think they can with the most in demand electronic on the market right now it has to be smart about how it offers what it can get. 

[Sarah-BBY Retired: Community Connector]

Hi OLM,

Like others have mentioned our stores may reserve items if advertised as having limited quantities in upcoming weekly ad.  There are many reasons for this but the most common is due to the agreement that we may have with the manufacturer.  Also, while I am unaware of the specific reason that our store was unable to allow the purchase at that time, I can certainly understand how frustrating this must feel, especially if you have been waiting for one for a long time, and if you are still hoping to purchase this product with us I would encourage you to keep checking back with store regarding availability.

Thank you and best wishes,

[moonlightj]

How are we going to know when the next shipment of iPads are available for sale? I refuse to drive 45 miles to ask if they are in stock.

Will there be an announcement? Will we be able to purchase one online (even if we have t pick it up at the store?)

I keep looking for answers and I'm not finding any. Maybe there should be a sign-up list for notification so we don't all lose our minds.