I am not sure if you have any Best Buy stores in Canada. But, if you do a word of warning...

I bought a new computer from them on July 20 of this year. After about two weeks of an awesome new computer it started to go crappy. The thing would freeze up and not work.

I took it into Best Buy where I had to leave it for a week. At the end of the week they said that it had some viruses on it which obviously are not covered under warranty. They tell me if the viruses come off the computer will work fine. So I pay them 40 bucks to remove viruses. I bring it home and still having the same problem with it.

I bring it back to Best Buy, they say that a system restore will surely do the trick. Since I am wiping the whole thing clean it will get rid of any issues. I couldn't do the system restore myself because the computer kept freezing. Hence, why I brought it back to Best Buy the second time. So for a small fee of 60 dollars they will restore it. Great! I pick the computer up 2 days later. They didn't call me either when it was done. I called them and it was finished. That was a nice touch of customer service.

I bring the computer home the second time and guess what... Not only does the computer still freeze... but, the mouse and keyboard ports do not work anymore. So I have to use USB mouse and keyboard. Oh yeah this is really cool.

So I take it back to the store. And I have a little mini bitch fit to one of the guys working there. They take the computer and tell me that it will need to go to their service center to be repaired. OK Fine. So it goes out. Over the next three weeks and two days I call on and off to see how progress is coming along. Most of the time the kid on the Geek Squad team can't even give me straight answers about what they are doing to it. I ask them if there is a direct number I can call to talk to guys at the tech center that are actually doing the work. They tell me that there is no direct number to the center. hmmmm... that is odd that they don't have phones at the tech center... [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] Obviously they just don't want people asking questions...

So three weeks and two days later the computer comes back... with a new motherboard. I am thinking OK well, they replaced the motherboard to combat the mouse and keyboard ports not working. Regardless of whether they found the freezing problem or not you'd think it'd be taken care of since they just replaced the heart of the computer that everything plugs into.

I get the computer home for the third time. Total time I've owned the computer... Four days shy of two months. Total time the computer has been in my posession... about 15 days... three of those days in which the computer was not working... so 12 days with the computer actually functioning... Anyway, I get the computer home the third time... The mouse and keyboard work... but, it still freezes... this is odd because it worked fine for the first two weeks that I had it, and it had been restored... what the hell is still the issue?

I call the tech center... because low and behold on my receipt there is a phone number directly to the tech center... well, strike me blind and call me Charlie, they do have phones there... Unfortunately, the guy that worked on my computer is gone until tomorrow... They take my name and will have him call me... OK...

But, wait that is not enough for me... so I am going to talk to the guy tomorrow and what is he gonna say??? "Well, bring it back to Best Buy and they will send it out to us again" Hmmm... So I can wait another 3+ weeks to use a computer that is brand new that I just paid 1300 dollars for... Not good enough for me.

So I call the store and ask to speak to the manager. After waiting on hold for about 15 minutes and being asked by about three different people why I wanted to talk to the manager, AND listening to the muzak version of Muskrat Love, I get through to the manager. I explain to him my situation, and how upset I am. He tells me "Well, bring her on in and we'll look at her" Well, ya know I really don't feel like waiting another three weeks to get this thing back. Well, it is store policy and there is nothing he can do. So I will wait until tomorrow and I will chat with the tech that actually worked on my computer. If I am not happy with the resolution that has been reached after that... I will be going to Best Buy and I feel sorry for whoever is working the computer dept when I get there.

I ask if you have Best Buy stores around your area to boycott them. Just for me. This is absolutely ridiculous! Or if you know anyone down here that may shop at them.. pass this story along. I certainly suggest that nobody buy a computer from them if this is how they treat people that have a brand freakin' new one! [img]graemlins/gunsarecool.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/banghead.gif[/img]

 

I would be really, really pissed.

I got mine at Futureshop and it says on my warranty receipt that if the computer needs to be repaired more than twice while under warranty the third time they have to give me a brand new unit.

Futureshop and Best Buy are under the same owner's I thought.

 

^^^ Yes this is Best Buy's policy. However... after I read fine print... If your unit requires that something be fixed three times, you will get a new one. The thing is... something actually has to be physically replaced. And since the first two times they didn't actually replace anything... it doesn't count. So I am up to one actual physical repair. [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img]

 

Wow. I'd be taking hostiges by now.

 

i'd ask them to replace it or you will deliver it through the biggest plate glass window you can find
and say oops sorry i missed

[ September 16, 2004, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: pinhead ]

 

I'd say screw em, take it back and get your money back and buy from somewhere else personally!

Thats ****ty service! Especially since after not fixing the problem the first time they wanted more money to try again (only to fail).

Then i'd write a letter to some higher up guy....maybe there's like a city manager just to raise **** and see if they'll hook you up or compensate you somehow. If not screw it, go to circuit city or something.

 

wow man, that sucks the fat sack. I would have went in and talked to the manager directly. Maybe you should do that instead of going to the computer dept.

 

And people ask why I always suggest a small local independant computer store.

With the rate computers are improving you can always get a better computer somewhere else. What really matters is the after sale service.

 

I would almost agree except for the fact that I've seen too many of these open one day and gone the next.

 

In my experience if you want a decent computer, build it yourself. If you cannot build it yourself,
1.Buy a Falcon NW, Voodoo or equivalent if you are a hardcore gamer and can afford it.
OR
2.Buy a Dell.