iPad Returned iPad Air to Best Buy. They banned me for life.

[s2mikey]

Returns do suck for stores. But, what are they gonna do, eliminate returns altogether? That won't work either. I dunno, kind of a mess. Everyone knows that there are sheisters everywhere looking to take advantage of everything they can in life. You also have those that use retail stores as showrooms for amazon and other online shops. That's brutal too.

But, they can't blame people for defective merchandise. There is no way that should count against anyone. I don't see how it hurts them, they just send it back to the manufacturer, right?

Personally I've rarely returned non defective items anywhere. It's like, why can't you determine that the item will work for you ahead of time? How do you get something home and suddenly you decide you don't want it anymore? That never made sense to me. Oh well.

 

[cdmoore74]

This thread brings back old nightmares. I got red flagged too because I was trying out tablets for my wife as a birthday present. This was right after they ended their restocking fee policy and the bestbuy reps "flaunted" their return policy. Luckily they accepted my last return but if I had anything else I needed to return I would have been screwed. That was over 2 years ago and I never buy anything high priced from them unless it's too good to pass up. They use a formula and I know tablets are at the top of the list. It does reset after 3 months but you only have 1 time. I returned a otterbox case and they red flagged me again. So once your on their naughty list you stay on for a period of time.
So the moral of the story is that I'm afraid to shop at bestbuy but it did teach me a lesson on buying/returning items. I don't recommend buying tablets especially Apple tablets from bestbuy unless your 100% sure your going to keep it. Even if the tablet was clearly defective it still counts against you. I'm super anal about dead pixels and I've return 2 or 3 iPads on that alone in the past.

If you guys bought an iPad Air from bestbuy and your planning on returning it for a retina mini maybe have a relative/friend use their drivers license (that's how they track you). Technically it's called "wardrobing" and that's what their fighting against. Today I'm wiser so I know better now. The issue I had with bestbuy was how they blindsided me.

 

[thekev]

Faulty products should be going back to the manufacturer. I'd agree that "I just don't like it" stuff is an issue that's tough for the retailer.

The problem that I have with Best Buy is that they aren't really honoring the spirit of the return policy that they want to keep posted on their wall. They claim to use The Retail Equation service to eliminate stuff like people returning TVs after the Super Bowl, but in reality they have it dialed up to weed out just about everyone.

I haven't run into it, but I've only returned a couple lower ticket items. It is absolutely justifiable to filter out people who try to return TVs right after the Super Bowl. There are rental options for such use, but they're expensive. My suggestion is just figure out who will be watching and pick the house with the best TV in the group.

 

[cdmoore74]

Does this apply to exchanges as well or just returns? I have exchanged the Air 3 times at Best Buy and was not warned, but I know about this policy so I asked the customer service rep about it and I hadn't been flagged yet. My current (4th) Air has 2 dead pixels and I'm really angry. I don't want to exchange again because I don't want to be banned. I plan on selling this Air and re-buying to avoid any hassle. Lesson learned, buy from Apple always.

Your screwed especially if you used your I.D. during the returns. It's some goofy formula that Bestbuy can't even explain to you. My advice is to try to return it for all your money back and take your business elsewhere. Your going to either deal with bad pixels by keeping it, resell it (don't like this option) or get it swapped out at a Apple store. The worst that bestbuy tells you is that your going to be banned for 3 months. When this happened to me they still took the tablet back but that was 2 years ago; things my have changed.
Or better yet use a different form of I.D. like a state I.D. card. 2 years ago you could trick the system by using a different form of I.D. I don't know now because I know better to shop there.

From bestbuy's website.

What type of ID is required for returning or exchanging an item in store?

We accept the following forms of identification: US, Canadian or Mexican driver's license; US state-issued ID; Canadian province-issued ID; Matricula Consular; US military-issued ID; passport; US Laser Visa; or US permanent resident ID.

Why does Best Buy require an ID for returns and exchanges?

To help keep prices low for all our customers, Best Buy tracks exchanges and returns on an individual level. Information is electronically secured for the purposes of returns management, in accordance with state and federal laws regarding consumer privacy.

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It's not only bestbuy people.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2013/08/chronic_returners_beware_best.html



I find this paragraph funny. 99% my a$$. I'm leaving this thread because it's getting me worked up again.

-The Retail Equation catalogues return activity by the shopper and creates a "return activity report" on him with his returns at the store. If TRE determines that there's a pattern of questionable returns that suggests potential fraud, it would notify Best Buy, which could then deny returns by that shopper at the store for a period of time.

The threshold for too many returns is determined by each retailer. TRE says the vast majority of returns -- about 99 percent -- are accepted.

 

[hugodrax]

I wouldn't care about ever going to best buy again because quit frankly they are rude at that store but to hand me a gift card and tell me to never shop there again is BS.

they don't want you to return. You are considered a loss on the balance sheet, not a profit.

No one wants to keep giving access to people that only result in losses.

 

[kdoug]

Your screwed especially if you used your I.D. during the returns. It's some goofy formula that Bestbuy can't even explain to you. My advice is to try to return it for all your money back and take your business elsewhere. Your going to either deal with bad pixels by keeping it, resell it (don't like this option) or get it swapped out at a Apple store. The worst that bestbuy tells you is that your going to be banned for 3 months. When this happened to me they still took the tablet back but that was 2 years ago; things my have changed.
Or better yet use a different form of I.D. like a state I.D. card. 2 years ago you could trick the system by using a different form of I.D. I don't know now because I know better to shop there.

From bestbuy's website.

What type of ID is required for returning or exchanging an item in store?

We accept the following forms of identification: US, Canadian or Mexican driver's license; US state-issued ID; Canadian province-issued ID; Matricula Consular; US military-issued ID; passport; US Laser Visa; or US permanent resident ID.

Why does Best Buy require an ID for returns and exchanges?

To help keep prices low for all our customers, Best Buy tracks exchanges and returns on an individual level. Information is electronically secured for the purposes of returns management, in accordance with state and federal laws regarding consumer privacy.

----------

It's not only bestbuy people.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2013/08/chronic_returners_beware_best.html



I find this paragraph funny. 99% my a$$. I'm leaving this thread because it's getting me worked up again.

-The Retail Equation catalogues return activity by the shopper and creates a "return activity report" on him with his returns at the store. If TRE determines that there's a pattern of questionable returns that suggests potential fraud, it would notify Best Buy, which could then deny returns by that shopper at the store for a period of time.

The threshold for too many returns is determined by each retailer. TRE says the vast majority of returns -- about 99 percent -- are accepted.

This.
I've also been on BB's naughty list for about 2 years now and it all started with iPads, thanks Apple! I still buy from them just not nearly as much and I try to be a little smarter. BTW, Amazon Prime is awesome.

 

[Slow Programmer]

There are people that are victims of Best Buy and people who will be victims. It is only a matter of time. Deal with them enough and they will get you. They have always been a shady company and now they are desperate to find a new direction to keep from going under. The thing that could have keep them out of the mess they now find themselves in is remembering the customer is the one paying their bills and the customer is always right.

 

[mtneer]

Oh Amazon can track you. Address and email obviously, credit card, IP etc.

I mentioned previously that one will lose all purchased digital contents and any balance from a gift card if Amazon closes the account, forgot to mention that you even lose your credit card reward points if you have an Amazon.com Visa card!

Amazon is virtual, so I can see them easily tracking an online account. Best Buy is real - with humans walking in and out. How can they enforce a ban on window shopping without some kind of physical identity check? That was the basis for my earlier question - do they have mugs of banned people, cameras to track people entering the store? Face recognition software?

 

[hugodrax]

I know nobody reads the fine print, but this should be on the back of your receipt:



If you are going to ban BB because of this policy you should keep in mind that many major retailers have the same policy and even outsource to the same third party tracker "The Retail Equation" (TRE). For sure Sports Authority, J.C. Penney, Victoria's Secret, Home Depot, and Nike. Those are just the ones that have been made public. Almost certainly there are more. If you care, check the back of your receipts.

There is also a theory going around that TRE data is shared among their clients. If true, it's possible that BB's rejection is based off of more than just your two returns there, and might be based in part off of returns and exchanges elsewhere.

This is why stores are requiring photo ID for returns now instead of just receipts.

From what I heard the nation wide tracking system is being tested in some areas. So in a couple of years TRE will have shared data amongst retailers and repeat offenders would get red flagged.

Similar to equifax etc... For credit you would have a score. And business has a right to refuse service based on the criteria they see fit in regards to the score or if you end up red flagged in the nationwide wide shared system.

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Yes, I have heard that in this thread and elsewhere. My question was "how would they enforce a ban"?

Right to refuse business, and if you refuse to leave they can trespass you and call the police.

Remember the store is private property.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Went through two or three iPhones with nicks and scratches last year.

Then returned something else smaller just because I changed my mind. On that return, they said I was banned from any returns for 90 days. Not shopping, but just returns.

That was the last time I set foot in a best buy. I was considering buying my ipad air from them, but just didn't want to bother with the hassle. It's been about a year now.

Their return policy isn't really no questions 30 days. It is more subject to the managers whim. And they treat you like they are doing you a favor even for legit returns on defective merchandise.

This is why big companies have no questions asked return policies. Apple has made much more money on me dealing with my returns than best buy has, and best buy has likely lost my business forever.

 

[Radiating]

You abuse it you lose it. They are a business that tries to make money, not a free rental service.

What part about being sold defective products did you not understand? Or do you think we should overturn laws holdings retailers liable for the sale of defective products?

 

[Tgrey]

I worked for a company sells products to retailers like Walmart and Bestbuy, they ship back all customer returns and unsold items to us, our company even pay shipping for returns, retailers don't loose any money in this case, but maybe it's different for hot products like ipad

 

[mtneer]

?..

Right to refuse business, and if you refuse to leave they can trespass you and call the police.

Remember the store is private property.

The store has a right to refuse business, no doubt. My question is how do they identify a physical human walking into a store, seemingly staffed by 17 year olds, to figure out who is on the "no-shop" list and who is not. The last time I went in, best buy did not require an ID check to enter their premises.

 

[keatth]

damn. I must be pretty close to being banned for life also.

 

[mso4]

I usually try to stay away from Best Buy. If this is how they treat their customers, I'll do my best never to buy anything from them again if I can help it.

Seriously tracking customer returns and banning them. Are we living in a communist country or what!? Exchanges and returns are just the cost of doing business. If they can't handle that they should be out of business.

 

[erawsd]

But, they can't blame people for defective merchandise. There is no way that should count against anyone. I don't see how it hurts them, they just send it back to the manufacturer, right?

Depends. Supposedly, Amazon and Nintendo had a falling out over a similar issue. Amazon was losing money shipping back 3DS to Nintendo due to a scratched screen issue since console margins are razor thin. Nintendo didn't appreciate all the returns and they butted heads over it. Amazon stopped selling the 3DS through its own store for a long time and they have never sold the WiiU directly.

 

[BJonson]

The store has a right to refuse business, no doubt. My question is how do they identify a physical human walking into a store, seemingly staffed by 17 year olds, to figure out who is on the "no-shop" list and who is not. The last time I went in, best buy did not require an ID check to enter their premises.

To answer your question its a Best Buy mobile store. They are small. They notice you as soon as you walk in. This particular store here is part of the exterior of the mall. You can't enter it from inside which is lame. Everybody in town I have told this story to didn't even know they were there. Every time I have been in there it is completely empty hence the manager remembering my every move. I have been there 5 times and only once was there another customer in there. Biggest mistake I ever made was trading in my old iphones to them.

 

[master-ceo]

Last thing I remember buying from best buy was a PS2 fat when it first came out.

 

[kdoug]

I usually try to stay away from Best Buy. If this is how they treat their customers, I'll do my best never to buy anything from them again if I can help it.

Seriously tracking customer returns and banning them. Are we living in a communist country or what!? Exchanges and returns are just the cost of doing business. If they can't handle that they should be out of business.

Even though I'm on BB's "limited return" list, I really don't blame them. Returns are a considered a courtesy not a right. I think their service has much improved over recent months, it had to.
BB's high return problems were based on their outdated price matching policies.
They just recently announced they'd price match bigger online retailers which might make them more competitive.

 

[Hitch08]

I truly despise Best Buy. In the couple of years I spent thousands of dollars there. Refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc. I also bought a couple of TV's, receiver, surround sound system (via Magnolia). A few of the employees would recognize me and say hi.

One day I bought a pair of ear buds. When I later opened the package, the box was empty. I went back to the store and the MOD all but called me a liar. She said she would give me 15% off another pair. After all I spent, she thought I was trying to get one over on them with a pair of ear buds?

I now take my money elsewhere. IMO, way too many of their CSR's do not have the knowledge they need to truly assist. At best, they are a showroom. However, it bothers me to just walk in there.

PS - I don't recall returning anything over $100. I did have them do a warranty exchange on a Sirius radio. Yes, I even bought their warranty on occasion.

 

[Mak47]

I don't buy this story. I'm sorry, I can see being unjustifiably banned, but there's no way OP is encountering so many rude and nasty people in one location. Seriously, they told you to "piss off"? Sorry dude, don't buy it.

This is either a blatant exaggeration or you're not telling us the whole story.

Retail employees don't talk to people that way without a reason. I'd bet that you gave them one. A store manager doesn't tell someone to never shop in his store again for no reason--and a return, even a BS nitpicky return--isn't that reason.

There's some part of this interaction you're leaving out. If they really treated you this way I'm betting you came in there and acted like a jerk. Did you yell at anybody? Curse anybody out? Talk to anybody like they're beneath you? Throw any form of a hissy fit or other behavior not fit for a grown up in a public place?

If the manager and other employees remembered you enough to treat you that badly even after you'd left the store, then you must've made a memorable impression.

 

[palpatine]

I've returned plenty of items at best buy, and kept a lot as well. I've had no problems, I've always found the staff to be courteous, and I would have purchased my iPad there if I lived close to a store (I recently moved and the closest one is over an hour away).

The OP and others may have had bad experiences. I don't know. However, I'd rely on your own experience and judgment.

As for those wishing for best buy to fail, think about the implications. Thousands unemployed, Amazon with a virtual monopoly, and no more hands on experiences to shop and compare. If they fail, they fail. So be it. But I hope people will not wish for such a thing or spread unsubstantiated rumors.

Yes, it's ironic that I'm criticizing rumors on Macrumors

 

[BJonson]

I don't buy this story. I'm sorry, I can see being unjustifiably banned, but there's no way OP is encountering so many rude and nasty people in one location. Seriously, they told you to "piss off"? Sorry dude, don't buy it.

This is either a blatant exaggeration or you're not telling us the whole story.

Retail employees don't talk to people that way without a reason. I'd bet that you gave them one. A store manager doesn't tell someone to never shop in his store again for no reason--and a return, even a BS nitpicky return--isn't that reason.

There's some part of this interaction you're leaving out. If they really treated you this way I'm betting you came in there and acted like a jerk. Did you yell at anybody? Curse anybody out? Talk to anybody like they're beneath you? Throw any form of a hissy fit or other behavior not fit for a grown up in a public place?

If the manager and other employees remembered you enough to treat you that badly even after you'd left the store, then you must've made a memorable impression.

LOL. If my story sounds ridiculous, well now you know how I feel.

 

[edhchoe]

For warranty issues I go directly to apple store no matter where I purchased the device. Apple has been awesome with replacing defective iDevices.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

To answer your question its a Best Buy mobile store. They are small. They notice you as soon as you walk in. This particular store here is part of the exterior of the mall. You can't enter it from inside which is lame. Everybody in town I have told this story to didn't even know they were there. Every time I have been in there it is completely empty hence the manager remembering my every move. I have been there 5 times and only once was there another customer in there. Biggest mistake I ever made was trading in my old iphones to them.

Best buy mobiles stores are far worse than regular best buys. They are run by scumbag managers who skirt corporate policy and only seek increasing store profits.

I met one in West Covina that tried to pawn off used merchandise on me. They also did not try to honor best buys return policy when I tried to return scratched iphone 5s that arrived damaged out of the box.

Stay away. A warning to everyone.

If you have problems, call corporate and report them.

It's like having a bad experience at a small Toyota used car lot. They basically run themselves, but have to deal with corporate if there is a serious complaint / violation of their charter/ franchise agreement.