Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[SavvyShopper]

Okay -- I see your message has arrived.  I will review and get back to you.  I don't want to wait until April to replace my television......but will let you know what we decide. 

[SavvyShopper]

This is getting complicated beyond reasonable behavior.

Here is the problem: 

1. BB advertises an item that is not only not in stock, but does not allow an order.  That is in violation of federal trade laws and PA and DE tell me they allow claims for this violation.
2. BB offers to let me order, but have no definite time frame for delivery...and local salespeople tell me that item is not returning (it's still on the website for sale though.) The rain check is only good for 45 days, and there is little chance that the television will be available within 45 days.   Nice raincheck.
3. In prepartion for this purchase, I converted points to BB gift cards -- so the way I order this is basically handing over "cash" without any promises of merchandise or a timeframe for receiving this item.
4. Your email tells me that :" Best Buy® has an obligation to the customer even in the event that we cannot give you the same product.  The store should provide a comparable substitution at the advertised raincheck price. "   The store made not the slightest effort to do this -- and instead pointed out that there was a smaller version of the same set at $100 more....
5. The law stattes that No act or practice should be engaged in by an advertiser to discourage the purchase of the advertised merchandise as part of a bait scheme to sell other merchandise. Among acts or practices which will be considered in determining if an advertisement is a bona fide offer are:   

6. (c) The failure to have available at all outlets listed in the advertisement a sufficient quantity of the advertised product to meet reasonably anticipated demands, unless the advertisement clearly and adequately discloses that supply is limited and/or the merchandise is available only at designated outlets,

   (d) The refusal to take orders for the advertised merchandise to be delivered within a reasonable period of time,

7. I would like to have BB make me an offer -- to satisfy THEIR FAILURE to comply with the rules of retailing and fair consumer practices.  I do not believe I should drive to the store to give them my gift cards to order a product that does not show on the store's system as being available until at least April.  I'm not waiting for a kidney transplant -- I'm buying a TELEVISION with CASH.   I spent $200 on a stand at BB in anticipation of having this item delivered to me if I could not pick one up -- and I don't believe I should have to do anything to go to a store until such time as there is a TV that I may bring home...  The item is STILL on your website. 

[SavvyShopper]

SOLVED.  Thanks to Dorothy, BB has worked through a solution with us that is fair -- representing equal value for the advertised item that was not available.  Thank you for your attention to this matter and your fairness in resolving it.  Both sides get something -- which is the sign of a good negotiation.  Thanks!