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

[applegeek25]

All he kept saying was it's the rules and he don't have to justify them. (It was one of the most ridicules conversations I had in a long time) Finally realized there was no talking to him so I stood in front of him called American Express and disputed the charge right there in the store. Never paid for the item, they never got the item back, I never used the item and I haven't stepped in a best buy again.
Cased Closed!
P.S.
By the way at one point I asked him how they handled returns for people that didn't have a drivers liscense and he said those people can't get their money back. So I asked if you don't drive you can't get your money back he said yes that's correct, but you can get a store credit. LOL

This is why I never leave home without my AmEx card. Never. They're probably the only card issuer out there that still defends the consumer when it comes to disputing charges. I'm willing to bet if every issuer implemented the same behaviour as AmEx, you'd see less retailers willing to chance that the customer might actually be smart enough to know how to file a dispute.

 

[ldburroughs]

They are cracking down, and everyone gets treated the same. It's partly there fault: I went to a Best Buy a year ago, and wanted to buy some headphones. They didn't have that model on display, but they were pricey. The salesperson told me to return them if I didn't like them. I thought that was nice, and began going there more often. It seemed like every visit resulted in a salesperson saying, "If you don't like it, just return it." I haven't had too many returns, but it have taken them up on that offer.

Don't worry about being banned. Just have a friend or family member make your purchase or exchange. Best Buy is often nearby to many, making it convenient. Don't buy an 80" TV for Super Bowl Sunday, and return it on Monday, however.

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You would have been warned after your last return. If you weren't, no problems.

The downside to having a friend or family member do it is that you won't qualify for Rewards for your purchases. What other reason would there be to shop at Best Buy? Other than it being one of the few dedicated brick and mortar tech stores remaining, I see no reason why you would waste your time or money on them. Online shopping is getting better and there are other limited places to get your Apple fix nearby, I'm sure.

 

[s2mikey]

Other than it being one of the few dedicated brick and mortar tech stores remaining, I see no reason why you would waste your time or money on them. Online shopping is getting better and there are other limited places to get your Apple fix nearby, I'm sure.

I dont feel its a waste of time to shop at an actual store where you can see the products and all that. Thats still worth something to me and Im sure some others. Yeah, I use Amazon too and various other online shopping channels. But for some purchases, like elecetronics, TVs, stuff like that, I LIKE buying them locally.

As Ive said, this is clearly a "careful what you wish for" scenario. Everyone will miss local stores if they should all disappear.

 

[Angler]

This is why I never leave home without my AmEx card. Never. They're probably the only card issuer out there that still defends the consumer when it comes to disputing charges. I'm willing to bet if every issuer implemented the same behaviour as AmEx, you'd see less retailers willing to chance that the customer might actually be smart enough to know how to file a dispute.

Agreed, I always use my AXpress card for any purchase unless they store does not accept them just for that reason. It's amazing how they defended me over the years when issues like this have come up. Love them!

 

[applegeek25]

Agreed, I always use my AXpress card for any purchase unless they store does not accept them just for that reason. It's amazing how they defended me over the years when issues like this have come up. Love them!

This probably comes across a bit stubborn, but I refuse to shop anywhere that won't accept either AmEx or Discover. I've run into very few places that only accept Visa and MC.

 

[ZipZap]

Most people here in the US, would give them their Social Security number of asked for it.

Hence the problem. We should all be concerned about the data being collected and how it is being used.

If they want to see my id that's fine...if they want to type in my Soundex number...not fine

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I dont feel its a waste of time to shop at an actual store where you can see the products and all that. Thats still worth something to me and Im sure some others. Yeah, I use Amazon too and various other online shopping channels. But for some purchases, like elecetronics, TVs, stuff like that, I LIKE buying them locally.

As Ive said, this is clearly a "careful what you wish for" scenario. Everyone will miss local stores if they should all disappear.

For me this only applies to things I cannot move myself (Fridge, Stove), or are super costly to ship back, everything else... online.

 

[legioxi]

This probably comes across a bit stubborn, but I refuse to shop anywhere that won't accept either AmEx or Discover. I've run into very few places that only accept Visa and MC.

I'm the same way for big ticket items. However for small things, a lot of stores in my area only accept Visa/MC. So I use cash at those places.

Anywhere I can I use AMEX for points and protection. They've saved my ass while traveling internationally too.

 

[Angler]

This probably comes across a bit stubborn, but I refuse to shop anywhere that won't accept either AmEx or Discover. I've run into very few places that only accept Visa and MC.

I agree, I will not buy any big ticket item without using my AX card. Only small items at local stores that don't take the card for expense reasons will I use a different card. Love that company!

 

[ldburroughs]

I dont feel its a waste of time to shop at an actual store where you can see the products and all that. Thats still worth something to me and Im sure some others. Yeah, I use Amazon too and various other online shopping channels. But for some purchases, like elecetronics, TVs, stuff like that, I LIKE buying them locally.

As Ive said, this is clearly a "careful what you wish for" scenario. Everyone will miss local stores if they should all disappear.

I personally miss them already. They weren't perfect, but at least there was competition. Now, with less competition, service can be an afterthought. I also miss instant gratification for some things.

 

[garya73]

They have horrendous service. About two years ago I bought a Zagg shield for my Iphone not realizing that my wife bought one for me on her way home from work. So I went back to the store that night with receipt in hand to return the item. They would not let me return it for my money back because I did not have my drivers license with me. They would give me a store credit but if I wanted them to credit my credit card I needed to give them my drivers liscense. Didn't have it on me, so I asked to see a manger and he wouldn't give me my money back without my liscense as well. I asked him where it said that anywhere in the store or they didn't require me to present my liscense when buying the item. I also asked him why they would give me a store credit without the liscense but not my money back even though I had the receipt in hand? All he kept saying was it's the rules and he don't have to justify them. (It was one of the most ridicules conversations I had in a long time) Finally realized there was no talking to him so I stood in front of him called American Express and disputed the charge right there in the store. Never paid for the item, they never got the item back, I never used the item and I haven't stepped in a best buy again.
Cased Closed!
P.S.
By the way at one point I asked him how they handled returns for people that didn't have a drivers liscense and he said those people can't get their money back. So I asked if you don't drive you can't get your money back he said yes that's correct, but you can get a store credit. LOL

You should never go anywhere at any time without identification on you. You never know what could happen. So you were driving without a license? That doesn't sound like a good idea, either.

 

[Gix1k]

They are known for this BS. Last Black Friday I bought a MacBook Pro in the state I was in for the holiday. Decided I wanted the MacBook Air. Returned the pro for the 11" air. After I got that home I decided I wanted the 13". They exchanged no issue. Few weeks later I bought a galaxy tab 7". Realized it was a piece of junk. Went to return it and was told they would not take it back. Receipt was spit out that told me to call a number. I called and was told I returned too many things in a short period. I had to keep that galaxy. I got on Facebook and blasted their page. I got a message to give someone a call. They took it back. I wrote them off and only go in there to see what I want from another store. You should be made aware of this before you are stuck with a product.

 

[stephen1108]

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

They are known for this BS. Last Black Friday I bought a MacBook Pro in the state I was in for the holiday. Decided I wanted the MacBook Air. Returned the pro for the 11" air. After I got that home I decided I wanted the 13". They exchanged no issue. Few weeks later I bought a galaxy tab 7". Realized it was a piece of junk. Went to return it and was told they would not take it back. Receipt was spit out that told me to call a number. I called and was told I returned too many things in a short period. I had to keep that galaxy. I got on Facebook and blasted their page. I got a message to give someone a call. They took it back. I wrote them off and only go in there to see what I want from another store. You should be made aware of this before you are stuck with a product.

Well, in this situation I see why they did that to you. You made several returns on big-ticket products that they now have to sell as "Open Box" losing several hundred dollars on each device.

That was low-key abusing the system to be honest, the MacBook fiasco that is.

I've made 4 returns the past three weeks, but they were products they can still sell as brand new and they were just some cases for the iPad tbh. I think I'm figuring out exactly what flags someone in the system.

 

[Nautilus007]

They shouldn't advertise no hassle returns as a benefit of shopping there if this kind of thing happens .

 

[maximus5403]

The returns are tied to your drivers license, so if you have been banned for "abusing" you can have someone else return it for you under their drivers license. And if you used credit card it goes straight back to it. No need to present the card.

 

[Rodster]

The returns are tied to your drivers license, so if you have been banned for "abusing" you can have someone else return it for you under their drivers license. And if you used credit card it goes straight back to it. No need to present the card.

It maybe tied to the name so if the OP is banned it doesn't matter who returns it. The system could reject it.

 

[Jnava420]

I'm not gonna lie I've returned a bunch of stuff to Best Buy just because I wanted to try out for a few days being a Elite member I got 45 days now just 30 but recently I've returned a surface a S4 and Note3 with gear both phones at the full retail price I've never been banned or told I couldn't make future returns there.

I use best buy for the points and that it is pretty much the only big tech retailer here in Lincoln Ne

 

[ZBoater]

Are you sure he was middle eastern? Could have been Puerto Rican. We kinda look alike...

 

[Buck987]

They are known for this BS. Last Black Friday I bought a MacBook Pro in the state I was in for the holiday. Decided I wanted the MacBook Air. Returned the pro for the 11" air. After I got that home I decided I wanted the 13". They exchanged no issue. Few weeks later I bought a galaxy tab 7". Realized it was a piece of junk. Went to return it and was told they would not take it back. Receipt was spit out that told me to call a number. I called and was told I returned too many things in a short period. I had to keep that galaxy. I got on Facebook and blasted their page. I got a message to give someone a call. They took it back. I wrote them off and only go in there to see what I want from another store. You should be made aware of this before you are stuck with a product.

I'm with BB on this one.

 

[stephen1108]

Best Buy THEMSELVES, won't ban you for life from returns.

I suppose a specific store can ban you from making returns or even shopping there, but that's a per-manager thing. The limit of their system is 90-days if you're flagged as potential fraud. It's not even a Best Buy controlled thing, it's a third party that does that.

I've honestly never had any hassles returning anything at BB thank God.

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The returns are tied to your drivers license, so if you have been banned for "abusing" you can have someone else return it for you under their drivers license. And if you used credit card it goes straight back to it. No need to present the card.

I was thinking I could have someone do that for me! Thanks for reaffirming that

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I read an article recently where Amazon were doing a similar to Best Buy over there in the States where shoppers are banned for too many returns. Seems crazy to me, and not something I had ever heard of before. I think I'd be furious if that ever happened to me as my statutory rights allow me to return a product if it is defective or not entirely satisfactory.

With Amazon it annoys me because they are an American company trading also in the UK with a huge infrastructure, and massive profits, yet they swindle their tax (like Starbucks) and pay very little into the UK economy apart from being an employer. They can more than afford to cover the costs of returns.

They are supposed to be a terrible company to work for too and have been had up for mistreating workers in their Swansea depot, so at least customers are not the only ones.

 

[maflynn]

With Amazon it annoys me because they are an American company trading also in the UK with a huge infrastructure, and massive profits, yet they swindle their tax (like Starbucks) and pay very little into the UK economy apart from being an employer. They can more than afford to cover the costs of returns.

Don't blame them for taking advantage of the existing rules/laws. While I don't condone such acts clearly they're not breaking any laws because they'd be hauled off into court of they did.

As for the OP, you have too many returns and its a retailers pejorative to say thanks but no thanks to you. As others stated, they are in existance to make a profit and if they think a given customer is abusing the return policy they have no problems saying you are not welcome here.

Its funny, I see threads here in the forum where people rent a computer,tablet or product, for a purpose and then return it. Yet now retailers see an excessive return rate, they choose to shut that down.

 

[JackieInCo]

I'm a silver rewards member at best buy and I've returned tons of things. I've never been banned. This sounds pretty crazy.

You bought that benefit by spending what you did to get that status. I almost made that status one year by buying an iMac, Apple Cinema Display and some other things.

You too can spend several thousand and get silver status and the right to return anything.

 

[Velin]

BestBuy is a private business. They don't have to transact with you, just as you don't have to transact with them. They can refuse you service, you can refuse them your business. I see no problem. None.

Further, look at the thousands of postings through the years on this site of people buying an Apple product for a week, then returning it for something else. Scores of posts about someone buying a new grey iPhone 5s to "use" until the gold 5s becomes available. People returning three, five, even ten iPhones or iPads because of some absurd screen "defect" that exists only in their own minds, or a blemish so small you need an electron microscope and red circles to see what the hell they are talking about.

I'm glad the retailers are cracking down. Return policies are being tightened precisely because of the massive time and money waste due to this BS. Yet people on this very site will tell you its perfectly O.K. We'll see.

And my fondest hope is, for the serial return abusers, they refuse your business and kick you out of the store, permanently and for life. You have no right to transact there. They don't have to sell to you. And your "business," such as it is, simply is not worth the repeated aggravation. Glad they are showing you the door. Now get out, stay out, and move on.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Don't blame them for taking advantage of the existing rules/laws. While I don't condone such acts clearly they're not breaking any laws because they'd be hauled off into court of they did.

I'm not blaming them because they have forced the laws to be changed by their actions. Both Starbucks and Amazon had a very bad press concerning tax and Google also got drawn into it. They won't be able to exploit UK tax laws for much longer.

 

[ppenn]

Thus why I hit Apple stores for exchanges :x They don't resent their customers.

Not entirely true. The store I used to work and I know of other store have refused service to "customers" who try to abuse the system. I'm not saying that the poster was abusing Best Buy's policy but if we had a guy coming in 3 or 4 times demanding trade outs, eyebrows would be raised.