What a comedy of errors! Best Buy advertised 18 months "free" financing and drew me into their noisy hell where I spent hours and several trips.
I selected a stereo and DVD player — then spent lots of money upgrading wires and cables because the "boys" in the audio insisted that the wires that came with Sony system were "junk". What do I know? I bought into that.
I then chose a G E gas range from among pretty limited stock. You couldn't see the range from a distance, so I didn't realize that it stood up on little plastic legs that would be visible across my kitchen floor (more about that later).
The appliance salesman offered me a $200 discount if I took MSN Internet service for a two year commitment. Yes, I should have known better. He said to take it home and read it over and if I changed my mind, they would be happy to "take the MSN off — Just bring your paperwork back in — NO PROBLEM!"
My husband was distressed over the MSN so the next night, I took it back. I stood TWO FULL hours at customer service while they tried to get the MSN "off" my account. They had to call others up there to try and they say it is off, but in order to re-charge the $200 discount, they had to refund then recharge my stereo, so I'm not sure I have a good record of what has been done. Meanwhile, MSN has my Visa number and email address and I am holding my breath. The kid in "customer" service says MSN is VERY difficult to get rid of once you have it.
Next it was time for delivery and installation of the gas range. They were supposed to deliver the stereo and DVD player at the same time — we'd waited almost a week to get it all together. The delivery truck arrived WITHOUT the stereo and the guys said, "We forgot to load it. Would you mind "running by the store and picking it up?"
At 5:30 that afternoon (a Tuesday) I called the store and got a recording that the store was closed. I had wanted to ask that they locate my stuff and have it ready as I now had spent at least 4 - 5 hours in their store with rap music banging in my ears. I had to call another store to get a number to call the store to tell THEM they had their "close" message on their main phone. I picked up my stereo, but first they told me someone had failed to tell me I needed an entertainment center surge protector and gold clips for the wires — another $100 (Yes, I'm stupid!)
On Wednesday, the installer showed up — Mr. Personality — and installed the range. Immediately, I notice the thing is up on two plastic "legs." I said what on earth is that? I've never seen a range that didn't come practically to the floor. That looks awful! He said (as he packed up and prepared to leave) those are levelers. I asked if they couldn't be leveled lower than that (of course, this would have required it to be pulled back out and lowered back and front)
He responded that if I was not happy with the range, call Best Buy and he was sure they would be happy to come pick it up. I stopped by Sears on my way home that night, checked their policies for return, charges, etc. Found them favorable, found beautiful ranges — including the one I bought. The Sears salesman pointed out the "sitting up" thing to me!!!
Then I called Best Buy. I was told very rudely that "some ranges sit high, some sit low, it's a very good range." I said, "but I don't like the way this looks. I would like another range or I would like to at least return this one. He told me that "possibly" the manager would approve picking it up, but it was now installed and I should have decided on this before I had it installed. He said IF I could return it, I would have another delivery charge ($34.00) to pick it up and if I traded it out, I would pay another $74.00 connect fee for the replacement range. I asked if their store policy wasn't to please the customer and he said "Best Buy paid the person to install your range. Why should we pay for another installation?" The point is, Best Buy DID NOT pay for installation — I PAID for it.
I know they assume that I will tire of fighting this and let it go. I know they are banking on it. And I might. But please, if you read this report, GO TO SEARS or somewhere where they don't treat you rudely. AND don't be foolish enough to sign up for an internet contract for a little discount, because no matter what they say, they will have a very hard time and do a lot of finagling (2 hours) to get it off — and whether they did, one kid told me, remains to be seen!!!
Margaret
Little Rock, Arkansas
U.S.A.
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