After ThanksGiving Sale Ripoff report
This is what happened to me last year at the after thanksgiving sale. And I wanted to warn other potential buyers.
It happens every year the so called "door busters" they advertised a $1500 laptop PC for only $400 with a min of 10 in stock. Of course being #5 in line you would think you would actually be able to get a unit... Think again it's all a Scam
The store begins about 30mins before opening on black friday with sales people going out in line. Asking what your interested in purchasing. And handing out tickets for that item. This is to prevent rioting and pushing / shoving in lines. (something other stores should do) I of course asked for the Laptop and was given a ticket. During the time in Line. Sales people are filling out "order sheets" and trying to sell you Extended warranties, anti-virus, spyware and PC tune up's to build margin. All while standing outside in the cold before the store opens.
I politely refused them all... When I finally got into the store and went to purchase the unit. With my husband. I was shocked to see the store had about 50 teen girls in skimpy cheerleading uniforms from various high schools directing people and basically flirting with male customers and actually selling service plans, addon's and writing down orders on behalf of best buy. And also giving performances, cheers in the store etc. (along with free popcorn food radio stations etc.)
I thought this was highly inappropiate. Later followed up with several of the schools administration. And found out Best Buy had made a "donation" to the school's cheer squad for new uniforms for being there that day. I spoke to one of the girls on the Squad who worked that day. She said she was paid NOTHING for being there (Slave labor - it was considered a fund raising event for the team and attendace was mandatory) She also said the store management told them to be "Nice, smile" and if a couple were walking by. Approach the man. And introduce the service plan as they would be more receptive and listen... And "flirt a little" they were also told they would have a contest if they got so many. Each of the girls would get a free $20 MP3 player from the store (which they did)
I later learned from Best Buy employees... Although not offical company policy. This practice of using high school cheer squads to "flirt & help out" (unpaid labor) was a common practice and has occured in stores from Texas, NY, Calf, Florida etc.
Of course my husband was approached on the service plan by one of them. And I had to step in and say we were not interested. And firmly refused all the addon's. When I go to purchase the PC. I'm told the store has already "preloaded" the antivirus & other software on 5 of the PC's and I have no choice but to pay the extra $300... I refuse... Finally a manager agrees that I can get the PC without it. But to uninstall the software they preloaded (which I never asked for) will cost me an additional $35 (or they will sell the item to another customer) I complain again and tell them I'm filling a report with corporate. They finally agree to sell it to me at the price advertised and remove the software they should have never installed in the first place. Of course. They are too busy. To do that now. I pay now. 7 days later I'm able to pickup the PC..
In closing, Best Buy does NOT want to honor the door buster price. We were high pressured into getting extra's at every step of the way. Not to mention parking was not only a nightmare with the streets blocked outside the store. But there was an actual fight in the parking lot and the police had to be called. Always remember. You don't get something for nothing. The idea is to get you into a spending frenzy. You plan to spend $300 but end up spending $3000.. The mood is "don't think" just give us your credit card.
Anonymous
anonymous, California
U.S.A.
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