Best Buy Cancels Christmas (and Hanukkah) Orders, Causes Consumer and Analyst Backlash

IB Times ^ | 12/22/11

[null and void]

That would address the other half, the clerk who isn't a Christian, being able to recognize the reason for the shopping season.

After all, not everyone can wish you a 'Merry Christmas'...

"Saying Merry Christmas is worse than fornication or killing someone": Islamic scholar

[tioga]

A lot of these clerks are so young they never lived through a shopping season where everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas. Sad, they probably never will either.

[SZonian]

“Survive the scam” and identify the scams as well. Short “BB scam story”...

We went there to purchase a notebook for our son last week. Advertised price was around $350.

What they didn’t advertise or tell us until we were checking out was that they had their “geek squad” install anti-virus software on the machine. That was $99.99. I told them no. They said fine, they would have to send it back to geek squad to remove it. I thought about that...how long would that take and would they do anything to sabotage the machine. After some haggling, I convinced them to charge $40 for that, but they still got some of it out of me. (I’m a little ticked about now.)

Then, at check out, you had to pay to “activate” or subscribe to the anti-virus program they had installed for $99.99. (”This is insane”, I’m telling myself. They really hook the unitiated with this type of crap, and I’m getting more ticked at their attempts to manipulate me.)

I’m thinking to myself, hell, when you buy it and activate it you get at least a year. Not with this “deal”. Something like $50 for a year and $25 for 6 mos., don’t remember exactly and the paperwork is in the box under the tree. (I’m getting more ticked, wife says this is what son wants and needs, calm down.)

Then they tried to get us to buy the extended warranty. 2 years was $170. I laughed (short maniacal HAH!), told them if the damn thing broke in 2 years, I’d come back and buy a new one vs. giving them that. (Give me the damn thing and let me out of here, now!)

This purchase is the last purchase I will make in BB. Deceptive and high pressure sales tactics. Told them so on the survey they sent.

“Survive the Scam” is spot on ltm, you nailed it.

Merry Christmas!

[gopheraj]

I bought almost everything from Amazon or Wallyworld online. Went through www.ebates.com and getting about $60 cash back just for clicking an extra link.

[ace2u_in_MD]

My reply would have been, very loudly “You are selling USED products? How can I make sure your tech did not have Porn put on it?”. Since you did not open the merchandise, you cannot be sure that it has not been returned. I would have demanded an open-box disc out for 50% above the up charge...

It has been YEARS since I have given Best Buy a dime. Amazon for the win...

[SZonian]

You know, that’s a damned good point you just brought up.

Since we have the Christmas gift tag/receipt, I’m going to return the thing and demand an unopened one.

I hang my head...I should’ve been thinking about this.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[dr_lew]

They’re not ridiculing Santa, ...

Yeah, they're just kicking him off the roof.

[Churchillspirit]

I own and run a store and say "Merry Christmas" to all my customers. So far this year every one has responded in kind - not one "Happy Holidays".

Things are looking up.

[snoringbear]

“I like the convenience of buying online, but what about when you want to buy something and not generate a trail of information that isn’t any of anyone’s business? How do you handle that in an online-only marketplace?”

An interesting question. And, not sure I have the answer. But, what comes to mind is; buy cash only, buy used and do only individual to individual transactions, might be a start.

[41Thunder]

Last time i checked Best Buy was not celebrating Christmas but was celebrating the “Holiday season”...

That's interesting, I was at Best Buy this morning and was shocked when every employee I spoke to wish me a very Merry Christmas. The guy manning the front door even shock my hand on the way out, thanked me for shopping at BB, and wished me and my family a very Merry Christmas, and did it all with a smile.

[af_vet_rr]

Sounds like BB has hired some of Obama’s finance idiots. They might try hiring folks who actually know technology next time.

When I first heard about this, my first thought was that they were overselling their stock.

[EBH]

A lot of the big box stores are starting to do that. Send in a manufacture rep for sales or peak events/times.

I recently applied for one to the dog/cat food manufacturers. And you can find such positions through NARMS too.
The pay is better than regular retail too.

[ace2u_in_MD]

You are welcome. Hope things went well...