Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[bobbyd40]

I  bought numerous computers from best buy and after just a couple of years they fail.The most recent one was a hp716n complete package and was told it was new.Just the other day started having problems with this computer.All of a sudden no monitor and no signal error so i took cover off and started checking things.Everything looked good so i removed power suppy to test and i find a green best buy sticker on power supply.If this machine was brand new and has never been taken back to best buy for anything how does it get a best buy sticker on it?

Something stinks here i would say.Didnt some one else have a class action law suit a few years back with some computer manufacturer selling refurbs as new? i think it was packard bell maybe.I went to my local best buy after finding sticker and asked a employee if best buy sells refurb computers and he said absolutly not all best buy computers are new hmmmm.

[Kreed]

Thanks for the heads-up. I have no problem considering a re-furb that is advertised as such.  In fact some retailers (R****o SH***ck, for instance) offer a deep discount AND double the warranty on refurbs (and, unlike BBY, they actually honor their own warranty quickly and pleasantly).

  

However, it should be an OPTION that is left for the customer to decide…..not falsely claimed to be new.

 

You should contact your state Attorney General. The only unfortunate thing is that thousands of BBY customers will never know that they were also falsely misled by BEST BUY.

[bobbyd40]

Kreed i also agree that its ok to buy refur if thats what your shopping for and paying for.But i believe i paid new price for that machine it was i think around 15 or 16 hundred dollars when all said and don and thats with out being talked into a warranty program.Another little tid bit ,i was supposed to get 15" flat panel with it as advertised but they only had 14" in stock so thats what i got  and wanted out of there so i did not haggle about it. But quite the bait and switch hey.

It would be interesting in knowing how many other people have been duped by BB.Also i wanted new when i walked in that store and specificaly asked if i was getting new.Oh yes we only sell new was the answer. 

[jwr5184]

Do as they said, contact the states AG's office. They will help you, or at least point you in he right direction.

[MtnXfreeride]

You cant blame best buy for your computer breaking.  Blame the manuf.  Best Buy buys them new they have no reason not to.  If they have a used/returned computer it is privacy tested (restored) and labeled as open box. 

Your sticker doesnt mean its refurb, manuf. make specific models special for certain stores.  Notice how a monitor from wa1-mart and best buy can look the exact same but the model number is 1 off.  Its probably on there becasue it was meant for that batch of computers.  Even software by trend micro and spysweeper are branded with precinct information for the geeks.

Computers break if you dont know how to take care of them, and even if you do "sh1t happens" and they can go randomly.   Live, learn and dont buy that brand again. 

Your Hp 716n is ~3-4 years old based on that case design doesnt surprise me its having an issue now.  If it isnt 3 years old, then is must have been wicked inexpensive and ifs that the case, sometimes you get what you pay for.

[Aaron-BBY Community Connector]

Hey bobbyd40,

 

Before going any further, there are a few questions that should probably be asked.  First of all, if you have never had repairs on this computer through Best Buy®, have you ever performed them on your own or requested them through a third-party company?  As MtnXfreeride previously mentioned, certain products and replacement parts sold through our stores may specifically be made for Best Buy®, some even being labeled as such.  If you – or any other party – used replacement parts purchased through one of our stores, this may explain why your power supply bore one of our stickers.

 

Second, did you purchase this computer as a factory-sealed or open-box product?  Obviously, a factory-sealed HP computer should not bear any Best Buy® stickers, but an open-box model might.  Whenever a product is returned to us and the box has been opened, our stores have an obligation to perform a diagnostic and inspection to ensure that it is fully functional and undamaged.  Typically, a sticker is placed on the outside of the product’s packaging to indicate that it passed our inspection, but it is not unheard of for these stickers to be occasionally be found on (or even inside of) some products.

 

Last, but not least, do you recall if you had requested that the store optimize your computer at the time of purchase?  If this was done, you most likely would find Best Buy® stickers inside the computer’s casing.  Our technicians often leave these stickers behind as an indication that the initial setup was performed by in-store.

 

If you’re still in doubt though, please rest assured that I would be glad to look further into this situation on your behalf.  Please keep an eye on your private messages for further communication.

 

Thanks,

 

Agent Aaron

Geek Squad® Community Connector

Go Ahead.  Use Us.

[bobbyd40]

Aaron i bought the computer in a unopened not resealed box took home from store box was not opened until i got it home best buy did nothing to it .It never was returned to best buy or anybody else.Yes i did replace a cd drive in it that failed also the A: drive that failed and dont ever use a 3.5 floppy.Other than that no one but myself has evr been in this computer.So i am as baffled as you about it just dont understand if it was a new machine how does sticker get there. Thats what made me mad not the failure of it.

Just makes me wonder now after three destops  and a toshiba laptop that thankfully still works fine what did i buy all the other times from best buy .

[bobbyd40]

Agent aaron wants me to bring my computer wich i found to have a best buy sticker on power supply on inside of encloser wich should not be there if this computer was in fact a new unit when purchased.I think that they are caught in a bad position and want to remove evidence from it. I dont think its a good idea waht do you think?

Thanks for any replys

[Aaron-BBY Community Connector]

Hey again bobbyd40,

If none of these are a possibility, then the only way to determine how this sticker came to be inside your computer’s casing would be to have it seen by one of our in-store technicians. Most stickers that are used by Best Buy® will have some kind of scannable information or identifying marks on them that allow Geek Squad® agents to determine their origin. If you are hesitant to let associates at your local store look at your computer though, remember that you may always speak with an in-store manager for further assistance.

Thanks again,

Agent Aaron
Geek Squad® Community Connector
Go Ahead. Use Us.