Bottom Line: We should have been shown the Sony Bravia 40” KDL40EX600, not the Samsung 40” LN40C530F1F, as a replacement for our JVC 40” LCD TV. We were completely lied to that there was no other LCD TV, other than the Samsung, that would be a comparable replacement. We didn’t even know the Sony Bravia existed until we returned home after a 2 hour interrogation by our local Best Buy salespeople and manager, feeling shamed and beaten down. I don't even have our Geek Squad order number or original sales receipt, because the sales manager failed to return our paperwork after we said we were leaving and would be contacting customer service. They have promised to mail it to us, but I bet they are hoping it gets lost in the mail. This horrible experience began 3 years ago when we were convinced by a BB salesman to purchase a $2,000 JVC 40" LCD TV, which was on sale for $1,799. We were told it was a top of line TV due to its video and audio capabilities. We were also convinced that purchasing the $200 PSP was a "great deal" because it would cover all repairs or we would get a new TV. When our LCD panel went bad 2 weeks ago, we were told that the replacement was $2,500 and would not be ordered because the cost exceeds the amount paid for the TV. We were then told “it was actually a good thing because we'll end up getting a better TV because of technology changes and improvements". My husband and I were actually excited to “go shopping” as the Geek Squad tech put it, but we should have known it was too good to be true. When we got to the local BB store, before we were even shown so called "comparable" tv's, we were told to "prepare ourselves for sticker shock". The salesperson told us this before they even knew the specs of the TV we purchased. I had printed out the basic specs of our JVC TV, which the salesperson looked at, and then immediately brought us to a $674 Samsung Model: LN40C530F1F. We tried looking at other TV’s, but were told that “no other LCD TV compared to our JVC". We were also told that "we should be happy about this because it was actually better than what we had." We were repeatedly reminded and encouraged to use the $674 towards a better TV, but that was not what we were promised when we purchased the TV and PSP. The fine print says that the replacement TV must be “comparable as determined by Best Buy” but that is a complete scam. The salesperson said that she would love to offer us a better TV, but Corporate would not allow it. She said the major issue was that our refresh rate was only 60 Hz and “absolutely no other LCD TV’s other than the Samsung had specs like this. We didn’t know anything about refresh rates, but felt we were getting taken, so we asked to speak with the manager. This was useless as the manager gave us the same song and dance about there being no other TV's that were comparable. The more we asked about seeing other TV’s the more we were told that “this was our replacement offer, take it or leave it”. So we left with our JVC still in the back seat and went home feeling like shamed criminals. If we had known it would be such a belittling experience, we would have gone better prepared. When we got home, we looked at the Best Buy online store to see if the Samsung really was the “ONLY” comparable TV and of course it was NOT. Our local Best Buy had a Sony Bravia, Model: KDL40EX600, with specs just like our JVC. WHY WEREN’T WE EVEN SHOWN THIS TV? We are not idiots and realize that technology has changed and that LCD TV’s are less expensive now, but we were promised a fair exchange under the PSP, and this was not the case at all. The reason we were shown the Sony Bravia was because of it’s price, not its specs. If you compare our JVC with the Sony Bravia and Samsung, it’s obvious that the Sony Bravia fits the bill much more than the Samsung. It was a complete lie that no other LCD TV had our pitiful 60 mZ refresh rate. Best Buy just didn’t want to give us a $1,079 credit, they wanted us to be happy with $674, knowing full well we would end up paying more out of our own pocket to get a decent TV. They convince us to spend our hard-earned money on their products and plans, and then take full advantage of us when we try and get what we were promised. They say the PSP is not about the money but it COMPLETELY about the money. If there was more than one TV with similar specs to ours, why weren’t we told about it? Why were we belatedly lied to? We even checked if the Sony Bravia KDL40EX600 was available at our local store and it was. So where was it and why weren’t we shown it? Why was a $674 value placed on TV when the salesperson and manager didn't even take the time to familiarize themselves with our JVC specs? It was like saying if my Honda CR-V broke down, that I should be happy with a Hyundai as a replacement. No disrespect to Hyundai owners but we all know they are cheaper than Honda’s for multiple reasons. All we want is what was promised. A TV that is equally comparable to our original. This TV would be the Sony Bravia and NOT the Samsung model. We have nothing against Samsung TV’s but we bought our JVC for certain qualities that are not present with the Samsung’s budget model. The “no lemon” policy is a joke. They should have to tell you that you better not expect too much should anything go wrong. The fine print about the local store determining what’s comparable should also be illegal when they don’t even take the time to learn about the product you are trying to replace. Has anyone successfully sued Best Buy for this shameful practice?
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