Except that the gyro issue is with all the phones and swapping wasn't going to fix anything. And all this "perfect screen" stuff is just people having OCD about their gadgets.
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iPad Returned iPad Air to Best Buy. They banned me for life.
- Thread starter BJonson
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Except that the gyro issue is with all the phones and swapping wasn't going to fix anything. And all this "perfect screen" stuff is just people having OCD about their gadgets.
Amen. Would rather buy directly from Apple and get an A+ service that I can rely on than go to a third party with dodgy policies.
This is exactly what happens when you try to save a few bucks and go to some "big box" store.
Always buy direct from Apple! I'm not wealthy but for big ticket items I'll spend a bit more to ensure I have the store/customer service to back it up. They've been great with any returns or issues I've had.
You pay for what you get.
Always buy direct from Apple! I'm not wealthy but for big ticket items I'll spend a bit more to ensure I have the store/customer service to back it up. They've been great with any returns or issues I've had.
You pay for what you get.
Especially when you consider that Apple fixed the gyro only a couple of weeks later with an OS update. I agree that Best Buy can be jerks, but that was an extremely weak reason to return the phone for. I honestly don't blame these stores for not putting up with the way over the top OCD that some people obviously have.
Great point!
It sounds like there's more to the story than a store just banning a nice customer who returns a couple items.
I've had no issues at Best Buy/Target/etc and have done multiple returns on large and small ticket items.
There always is more to the story. Not exonerating best buy for dodgy practices but...I dunno....
I agree to an extent, but keep in mind that hindsight is 20/20, especially on the gyro issue. Anytime there's a new problem for a new device, there's a period of time where facts and evidence come together make it clear that something is widespread. I can see a situation where someone would return a device without visiting all the forums, or even swapping it out in front of the knowledge that a device swap isn't going to fix it.
And regarding screens, there is certainly a lot of that around. However, there are also some pretty bad screens at times. It's not a simple black and white matter that they are all acceptable.
I better read more carefully, I did not catch it was a Best Buy mobile store.
The one closest to me I deal with occasionally has changed employees so many times I have lost count.
Now can that be they are transferred elsewhere, they did not cut it, they quit, etc etc.
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Say what? You are the boss, you do not have to or are forced to buy anything. Half the time I just go to play with new toys, not hassled at all.
Is the iPad they sell of lower quality than the Apple stores? As far as customer service, BB does not give a bleep why I have returned anything and my local store never even asks because it can be for any reason whatsoever.
The one closest to me I deal with occasionally has changed employees so many times I have lost count.
Now can that be they are transferred elsewhere, they did not cut it, they quit, etc etc.
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Say what? You are the boss, you do not have to or are forced to buy anything. Half the time I just go to play with new toys, not hassled at all.
Is the iPad they sell of lower quality than the Apple stores? As far as customer service, BB does not give a bleep why I have returned anything and my local store never even asks because it can be for any reason whatsoever.
Yes, I don't doubt there are some legitimate screen concerns for a small number of people. But its been getting ridiculous though for a large number of them. If you need to load an all-white screen (something one would normally never do in normal use) just to see a problem, I think that draws the line on dumb-assery.
BBB has no real power. The FL Attorney General on the otherhand could theoretically pull BB's business license which would mean all their stores in the state would have to close immediately. I'm not speaking from experience or as an insider, but I'd bet a lot of money on BB fearing an AG that represents more than 20 million potential customers over the local BBB.
Reminds me of last year when i bought iPad 3 from Staples here in Canada. The first iPad i got had some WiFi issue, so i took it back and got a replacement. I noticed that the shrink wrap on the box was odd. ( I guess after buying a number of Apple products i can distinguish the shrink wrap LOL). Once i got home and opened the box, i noticed that iPad had some marks on the back, as if some one touched it with a sticky finger. It was obvious that i was given a used iPad that was repacked and even had shrink wrap on it.
So i went back to the store right away and confronted the manager that i was given a used iPad which was repacked to look like new. She goes on to ask me "Were you wearing gloves when you opened the box". I am like i am not stupid, i know the difference between fingerprints and sticky marks that will only go away if wiped with a wet cloth.
After a bit of arguing, i was given a replacement. Which i opened on spot to make sure it was actually a brand new unit.
So i went back to the store right away and confronted the manager that i was given a used iPad which was repacked to look like new. She goes on to ask me "Were you wearing gloves when you opened the box". I am like i am not stupid, i know the difference between fingerprints and sticky marks that will only go away if wiped with a wet cloth.
After a bit of arguing, i was given a replacement. Which i opened on spot to make sure it was actually a brand new unit.
That's the beauty of free will, we choose when and where to shop........if enough do the same they have no business to ban people from
For sure.. and that's nothing new. Remember the "yellow" screen debacle with iPad3?
I just do my best to give people the benefit of the doubt b/c I've been on the other end of it, trying to help the community by sharing issues that I've had and it frustrates me to no end when the folks come out of the woodwork to call you a liar b/c they haven't personally experienced it.
And really, people are paying a premium for tablets that are among the most expensive on the market. The bar should be set fairly high in terms of quality. Not perfect of course.. but they should be pretty nice.
I agree - I wanna believe my brothers and sisters here. But, I almost wonder if after reading these threads if some people suddenly start seeing things that werent there before? Damnit...Im gonna go home and check mine now.
Seriously - if there is a problem and/or someone is NOT satsified with their purchase they should get one that does satsify them.
Show your drivers license to return something?!
The business would last about 30 seconds in the UK!
We are monumentally good at complaining and would not stand for that
Most people here in the US, would give them their Social Security number of asked for it.
Nothing wrong with that at all. If best buy can't compete, then go away. That's how capitalism works. Either price match or leave.
That goes for CS too. I just HATE poor CS!
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I guess I'll play devil's advocate here...
I bought my iPad Air from Best Buy because I didn't want to deal with Apple's customer service.
Last year, I upgraded to an iPhone 5 and my first phone had a dead pixel. Got another one - same issue. They said they couldn't open another new iPhone for me, and that I should just keep my iPhone 5 with a dead pixel. I came back a few days later and asked for a refund, and they said they couldn't cause it isn't a valid reason to take it back. I ended up keeping it (cause hey, it's only a dead pixel).
Then a few months ago, I took my iPad mini to the genius bar because it had both a dead pixel and a warm tint (but I was there more for the pixel). The genius saw the issue, took it back, and said he couldn't do anything about it because they ran some tests and it is working fine so they can't replace it or do anything about it. He called the manager and she said that not all "phones have the same screen" and pretty much told me to deal with it.
Went to the other Apple store in my city and they told me they didn't see anything different with my screen and that they can't do anything about one dead pixel. I even compared my screen to the ones on display - nothing. They didn't offer any explanation - just "we can't do anything."
I ended up selling my iPad mini and got an iPad 4 months later. Bought it at BB cause I'm a Reward Zone member and after dealing with the geniuses - why not try something different? I quickly noticed that the 4 I had purchased had backlight bleeding and took it back. They acknowledged it/noticed it and let me exchange it within seconds. My 2nd replacement had four dead pixels and again, they acknowledged it and let me exchange it. None of the "there is nothing wrong with your screen" I had gotten at the Apple store.
So my point is - both have employees that make their mistakes. It really depends - I for one encountered terrible employees from Apple and great ones from BB, so I wouldn't be so quick to put down Best Buy for this guy's case.
I bought my iPad Air from Best Buy because I didn't want to deal with Apple's customer service.
Last year, I upgraded to an iPhone 5 and my first phone had a dead pixel. Got another one - same issue. They said they couldn't open another new iPhone for me, and that I should just keep my iPhone 5 with a dead pixel. I came back a few days later and asked for a refund, and they said they couldn't cause it isn't a valid reason to take it back. I ended up keeping it (cause hey, it's only a dead pixel).
Then a few months ago, I took my iPad mini to the genius bar because it had both a dead pixel and a warm tint (but I was there more for the pixel). The genius saw the issue, took it back, and said he couldn't do anything about it because they ran some tests and it is working fine so they can't replace it or do anything about it. He called the manager and she said that not all "phones have the same screen" and pretty much told me to deal with it.
Went to the other Apple store in my city and they told me they didn't see anything different with my screen and that they can't do anything about one dead pixel. I even compared my screen to the ones on display - nothing. They didn't offer any explanation - just "we can't do anything."
I ended up selling my iPad mini and got an iPad 4 months later. Bought it at BB cause I'm a Reward Zone member and after dealing with the geniuses - why not try something different? I quickly noticed that the 4 I had purchased had backlight bleeding and took it back. They acknowledged it/noticed it and let me exchange it within seconds. My 2nd replacement had four dead pixels and again, they acknowledged it and let me exchange it. None of the "there is nothing wrong with your screen" I had gotten at the Apple store.
So my point is - both have employees that make their mistakes. It really depends - I for one encountered terrible employees from Apple and great ones from BB, so I wouldn't be so quick to put down Best Buy for this guy's case.
but it doesn't really sound like he was abusing it. Bought something with an issue, returned it. Once for the iPhone, once for the iPad
it isn't like he kept returning phone after phone to get one he felt was perfect. or the same with the iPad. THAT would be abuse.
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Can you use the card online. Do it and then be done with them.
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it's possible that it's a store by store thing. Not a corporate thing. It's possible that some stores have been getting **** about high returns and this is their asshat way of dealing with it. Rather like the rumors of some stores suddenly being out of stock on big items after someone declines getting their add on warranty.
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His loss. He just cost his company a customer. Like I said, use the card then walk away. Never go back to Best Buy. I"m sure there's a Target, Walmart, carrier store, Apple store, etc for anything you want. I wouldn't even shop online after you burn that card.
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depending on where you are that might not be true. Some states have consumer laws that state that companies have the right to make all sales final, if they have clear signs etc. But if they allow returns then any customer has a right to do so as long as the item is resellable etc.
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two items with blatant defects is hardly 'no longer wanted the product' and so what if that was the reason. If the store has a return policy that states you can return something you aren't satisfied with then they should honor it.
Reading this made me think twice actually.
I've probably bought and returned like 10-15 things at Best Buy this year alone, and never had any problems.
Granted, I wasn't returning because they were defective, but because they were things I realized I didn't like/need and returned them like the day after. That and the packaging of them were still in pristine condition when I returned it. I also never returned any big purchases either, mainly phone/iPad cases.
But still, the manager was being ridiculous and it makes me wonder what their criteria is for suspending people from returning products for a period of time.
I've probably bought and returned like 10-15 things at Best Buy this year alone, and never had any problems.
Granted, I wasn't returning because they were defective, but because they were things I realized I didn't like/need and returned them like the day after. That and the packaging of them were still in pristine condition when I returned it. I also never returned any big purchases either, mainly phone/iPad cases.
But still, the manager was being ridiculous and it makes me wonder what their criteria is for suspending people from returning products for a period of time.
Amen. I've always received nothing but excellent service from Apple. It's not difficult for them to look up my Apple ID and verify my purchase history since the beginning of time
Best Buy has been going downhill for a while...several years in fact. Honestly, I think a lot of retailers are becoming bitter over the fact that more and more consumers are choosing to either a) purchase 99% of products/services online, or b) visit a high-end retailer who offers them superior customer service no matter the cost.
Unless the OP was shouting/screaming/acting overly unprofessional in the store, I can't find a legitimate or ethical reason why Best Buy would ban him from the store. Additionally, they added more fuel to the fire by telling him that he "got what he deserved." Appalling. Absolutely appalling. I don't care what the situation was, there is NO EXCUSE for intentionally belittling a customer.
Best Buy is stupid to assume that they've simply gotten rid of one customer who keeps returning/exchanging items. That one customer is worth thousands of dollars when he gets online and starts posting his experience for thousands of readers to see.
My advice: Use the gift card on their website and call it a day. Never step foot in another BB location.
I'm also curious how they keep track of all the geeks who are now banned from their locations. Internal database with a photo of them from their security cameras? LOL. Ridiculous.
