How I became Nearly banned at my local Best Buy

yamas

yamas

CAGiversary!
Feedback
14 (100%)
Ladies and gentlemen, here is the story of how I became a wanted person within the best buy store. (note each day symbolizes another visit to best buy)
Day 1:
On a hunch, I stopped at my BB to check out a clearance I bought 4 Games, including two copies of Stranglehold CE.
Day 2:
After finding out I could make a 5.50 profit by trading in All-Pro Football 2K8 to Block Buster, I return to the store and take every copy of the game up to the register. When the Manager comes to override the discount, he says, "How much is gamestop paying for these?" I say, "They're graduation gifts" He doesn't buy it. I walk away with one copy.
Day 3:
I go back to BB and much to my dismay, I found a "1 title per customer sign" Scrawled (Literally scrawled, not typed) by the display. So I take one copy and buy it and flip.
Day 4:
Rinse and Repeat of Day 3
Day 5
Not entirely sure this day happened but I think it did, anyway rinse and repeat if Day 3
Day 6 (today):
Walk up with Godzilla Wii and a copy of 2k8. When a different manager comes up (one who approved me before) I am refused the sale entirely. She accuses me of Fraud. I explain to her how it isn't fraud and I wanted to bitch her out for being a dumb piece of shit manager on a fucking power trip but I am a nice little boy so I left the store. After telling my family (I'm 16 BTW and turn 17 on the 24th (get me some presents)) what had happened, my Dad decides to come into the store since we spent $3000+ there this year. So we go and talk to the manager and he explains how it's not fraud and we find out I was brought up in a manager's meeting and they decided to refuse clearance sales to me. (I'm fucking famous but this sucks). So he tells her how he'll be writing to corporate and we probably won't be shopping there anymore.

So yeah, I am an official wanted person in the store (sucks but kinda cool) I know you guys are gonna flame me anyway but keep in mind the only reason these games are moving is because of me.
Discuss:
 
While you're being an asshole, you're completely within your right to purchase those games from Best Buy and to sell them to Blockbuster. There's nothing wrong about that. Conversely however, Best Buy has the right to refuse sale to you or anyone else for any reason they see fit.
 
Yep. You're both within your rights. Just comes down to who flinches first. You might even be less in the right because you're technically a reseller now, which gives them even more of a leg to stand on when banning you. I'd vote with the retailer in this case.
Of course,
"my Dad decides to come into the store since we spent $3000+ there this year. .....he tells her how he'll be writing to corporate and we probably won't be shopping there anymore [because I can no longer buy cheap games for resale]" sounds like a bit of a power trip as well. It's funny, I've worked in retail, and even now I'm tangentially in retail (people buy stuff from my company), and we'll get customers who call up and demand service for free at midnight on Sunday or Christmas, then when we decline them, they're like, "I'm taking my business elsewhere!" Our response? *wave* Bye! The customer is not always right, and some customers we don't want. (This is not to say in any way that a company should cheat or defraud its customers, just that there's some responsibility on each side.)
 
Stores suck.

I had a coupon or something that said "Only one... blah blah". So I bought one thing at the mall entrance, two at the entrance to the parking lot, they never noticed. Then a friend wanted something and he used the coupon. The whole time no one noticed besides this one useless asshole who never came over but gave me dirty looks.

In short you should just do what shoplifters do. Buy one thing, and stick 10 other things in your pants. That way when you leave you bought something, and they are too stupid to notice.

And how do they know he's a reseller? He could be giving them away for all they know, could be party favors for a birthday party, they don't know shit.

However you should apply for a job there, that would be funny. :)
 
I understand, but yeah everyone was within their rights. Anyway, we're taking our business elsewhere mainly because they were flat out rude. And it was a CLEARANCE sale meaning they were trying to get the stuff out of the store. And yes Makler, I am being an asshole but when I have to deal with a micromanaging parent who barely lets me touch the money I honestly work for, I have to make funds somewhere. It's really just playing the market
 
[quote name='bigdaddy']

However you should apply for a job there, that would be funny. :)[/quote]

I've defintely considered it. And I just might. I'd love to see the look on their face when I hand in the app or even better, the interview.
 
Just seems stupid to me that a store would blacklist you for buying "too much" of their product. The store shouldn't care about what you do with the product after you purchase it.
 
I always find it funny how people hate the hoarders. What kid is going to go home crying because he wasn't able to get a copy of All Pro Football 2k8 (which IIRC isnt even NFL teams). Businesses should be happy they're getting any money at all and that they are still in business with the Bush Economy. Refusing sales to people is just going to make the customers angry, word of mouth spreads and people will start avoiding the store.

I think the manager just had too much free time.
 
[quote name='dopa345']Just seems stupid to me that a store would blacklist you for buying "too much" of their product. The store shouldn't care about what you do with the product after you purchase it.[/QUOTE]

This.


Those managers stink.
 
This is Best Buy we're talking about. I've been refused service there for much lesser reasons than yours. Best Buy managers are the dirtiest lying scum in all of retail.
 
How much you and your dad spent in the store doesn't mean anything. All that's going to do is cause Best Buy to tell you AND your dad to fuck off. That one manager recognized your hustle. That's all there is to it. You should have been more subtle and either had some buddies buy some of the copies, or wore a fake moustache.
 
[quote name='crunchb3rry']wore a fake moustache.[/QUOTE]

Fact: The bigger the mustache, the more people you can fool.
 
[quote name='crunchb3rry']How much you and your dad spent in the store doesn't mean anything. All that's going to do is cause Best Buy to tell you AND your dad to fuck off. That one manager recognized your hustle. That's all there is to it. You should have been more subtle and either had some buddies buy some of the copies, or wore a fake moustache.[/QUOTE]

Are you kidding me?

The asshole manager was trying to wave their dick around and dictate what the kid did with his games after he bought them. The manager is in the wrong.
 
[quote name='Temporaryscars']Submit your story to www.consumerist.com. You can just email it to [email protected]. Throw some egg in Best Buy's face.[/quote]

Oh boy another billg type story to consumerist because he didn't get his way.

[quote name='Moxio']Why would you do that much work just for a $5.50 profit each?[/quote]

I think it's because the extra 10 for every 2 he trades in. However unless the gamestop and bb are right across the street from each other, he is wasting a lot of gas to do this.

I don't see this as "Fraud" and the management clearly doesn't know the meaning of the word.

It's none of BB's business on what you buy as long as you pay for it. The excuse of "we can deny business to anyone" is complete bullshit as management has to answer to HQ if a customer complains about this and the MOD can't give a valid reason for denying service.

I think the reason why they are giving you hell is because your under 18.

BTW you might want to change your title from WANTED to BANNED from bb... wanted means they want you (your business)..banned means you can't enter or buy stuff from the store.

I really thought that this was about doing something really good in the store that management offered you a job as a manager in the store.
 
Anyway, the BB is a few miles from my house and the Blockbuster is literally 100 feet away. And now, I only stop to do this when I'm in the area and my car gets 30-40 mpg.
 
Flipping is a douche move, but Best Buy is making zero sense. They choose their own price... it's dumb for them to limit sales at a price they chose (with the exception of doorbusters, advertised products sold at a loss to increase store traffic... but clearances aren't advertised, so that's moot).

Verdict: you're both dumb.
 
[quote name='Koggit']Flipping is a douche move[/QUOTE]Why? He doesn't owe anyone shit; he can buy as many copies as he wants and do whatever he wants with them.
 
[quote name='Koggit']Flipping is a douche move, but Best Buy is making zero sense. They choose their own price... it's dumb for them to limit sales at a price they chose (with the exception of doorbusters, advertised products sold at a loss to increase store traffic... but clearances aren't advertised, so that's moot).

Verdict: you're both dumb.[/quote]

[quote name='Liquid 2']Why? He doesn't owe anyone shit; he can buy as many copies as he wants and do whatever he wants with them.[/quote]


He is buying some sports title... it's not in high demand nor it's popular game right now. If he wants to flip let him do it. It's his time and money let him do whatever he wants with it. Is he hoarding copies of COD4, GTA4, RB6 Vegas that were marked clearance by accident for 9.99 each at that best buy? no.

Simple solution OP, just go with a family member, give them the money and see if they stop the family member from buying it. I seriously doubt the manager is going to stop what he is doing, have his power trip and say "YOU (the family member) CAN'T BUY THIS GAME BECAUSE I KNOW HE (you) ARE GOING TO FLIP IT!!". I also take a digital recorder and put it into your pocket or jacket so it can pick up anything. If the management is loud enough, the recorder will pick it up along with any other noises in the background. Once you got the accusation recorded without evidence, then by all means contact consumerists, contact bb consumer relations,contact the BBB and tell them you have evidence of the abuse by the manager, get an email to send it to and then sit back and wait for the shit to hit the fan. Most likely you will get a call back from BB CR department with an apology and the manager will either get a reprimand or a transfer out.
 
If they see me at the register, they'll refuse the sale. I'll probably just send in my brother adn have him buy them for me.
 
[quote name='yamas']If they see me at the register, they'll refuse the sale. I'll probably just send in my brother adn have him buy them for me.[/quote]

Don't let them intimidate you. Just go with an older family member (got one who is a cop or a lawyer? ;)) and have them buy it. They may have a "Do not sell to this kid" directive given to all the cashiers about you, but it doesn't mean they can't refuse the sale to the adult because he hasn't done anything.

If they do get in the adult's face, the adult will most likely challenge the accusation, demanding proof that the game is not for him but for you. There is no way in hell they can get proof unless the manager is some nut job and follows you to your house and peeks inside your window to check if you are playing the sports game or flipping it. If they do let your adult family member buy it, you could rub it in their face by having him say "Here, hold this for a second while I make a phone call on my cell.." and just walk out holding it (then you can do your victory dance once your out the door.)
 
Why should they care what you do with the games? You're giving them your money.
 
Not really asking sympathy and I do understand why you don't like me. Just sharing a story of managers on a power trip
 
[quote name='yamas']Not really asking sympathy and I do understand why you don't like me. Just sharing a story of managers on a power trip[/quote]

Nothing wrong with that, but don't post the part about how your family member spends 3500k with them a year and you deserve better treatment because of it. To them that's either a really big screen tv or a high end computer. Now if you dropped 3500k a MONTH, that's a different story. Heck BB just started a new Platinum program for RZ Members if you drop that much a year you get like extended return windows, and so on.
 
Personally I think whomever is the manager at that best buy should be fired asap.

The reason why the BB is there is to sell things for money, that is their purpose. Whomever wants to buy something from the store and pay money, they should let them. Either way as long as someone is paying the price they ask and not stealing it they should be happy. If he is refusing to sell you clearance games (which are on clearance because no one is buying them) then I really think something is wrong and he doesn't understand his job.

Now limits of 1 are good when a product is in high demand, but things in clearance aren't in high demand, or else they wouldn't be clearance in the first place.

Too bad I'm not like the regional manager of that guy or I would fire him ASAP. Of course in my job I'm not high enough up yet to start firing people (I'm just 1 year out of college and every job requires college degree in my company), but I suspect that once I get up there I'm gonna be a hard@$$ boss :p
 
I buy and sell games for a living. If BBY tried to pull that crap with me i whould make it my mission to hurt their buisness. Once you buy something its YOURS. If you choose to resell it thats your buisness. Go back in. Let them kick you out. Just cause a big scene.
 
[quote name='konamifan2002']I buy and sell games for a living. If BBY tried to pull that crap with me i whould make it my mission to hurt their buisness. Once you buy something its YOURS. If you choose to resell it thats your buisness. Go back in. Let them kick you out. Just cause a big scene.[/quote]

If you are causing a disturbance, then yes they have the right to kick you out. If your in to buy whatever then you have the right to be there.

This ain't sam's club so it's not like they won't let you in without a membership ID.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']If you are causing a disturbance, then yes they have the right to kick you out. If your in to buy whatever then you have the right to be there.

This ain't sam's club so it's not like they won't let you in without a membership ID.[/quote]

Im saying cause a disturbance after they tell you to leave. make a call to their GM. Then make a call to their DM. Climb the ladder.
 
I don't know what a person has to do anymore to get good treatment from a retail store, they really just do not give a damn anymore. Thats one reason why i order as much stuff as i can online, no douchebag employees.
 
[quote name='konamifan2002']Im saying cause a disturbance after they tell you to leave. make a call to their GM. Then make a call to their DM. Climb the ladder.[/quote]

I think I said this in a previous post.
 
How would they enforce something like that? Just lay low for a while. I'm pretty sure that in a year from now, if not a few months, the cashiers will all have been replaced, and nobody will remember your face.

Or, why not just shop at another Best Buy, assuming there's more than one where you live?
 
OP, I'd ask for the regional manager's name and info, though I'd call another BB in your area to get it. If they ask why you need it, tell them you have an issue with another store and don't think you'll get it from them.

Also, stores do have the right to refuse you service, so it is their powers to do it. It's a completely dick move, especially when you're moving clearance product out of their store. That gives them more space for non-clearance product, plus it's none of their concern about what you do with their items you're buying from them. Once it's purchased, it's not their concern unless you try to return it within their return period.

I'd talk with the RM / DM and explain the situation to them. If that doesn't work, call their main office and register a complaint. Again, it's in their powers to refuse you service, for any reason at all, so you might not get any love from them.

As someone suggested The Consumerist, that's an option, though I'd also toss a BBB complaint out there as well.

Unless the info changed semi-recently, here's their corp headquarters address and phone #:

Phone #: 612 291 1000

Address:
7601 Penn Avenue S.
Richfield, MN 55423

Also, here's their corporate relations phone # and address, also assuming it hasn't changed semi-recently:

Phone #: 888 237 8289

Address:
Best Buy
Consumer Relations
PO Box 9312
Minneapolis, MN 55440

And for amusement value, the BBB info on Best Buy:
http://www.mnd.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=7663&language=1
 
Shrike is right, but I think you should have your dad do it for you. There's something I've noticed in my 10+ years of dealing with customer service representatives is that once they discover you're a minor they are really no longer interested in talking to you. Once your an adult however, they seem to view you as suddenly more important. Plus, your dad will probably be able to articulate the situation to the manager then you. No offense, he's just older.
 
[quote name='Nikadimas']Shrike is right, but I think you should have your dad do it for you. There's something I've noticed in my 10+ years of dealing with customer service representatives is that once they discover you're a minor they are really no longer interested in talking to you. Once your an adult however, they seem to view you as suddenly more important. Plus, your dad will probably be able to articulate the situation to the manager then you. No offense, he's just older.[/quote]And likely to cause them financial pain at that store in the future.

Unfortunately, I think you're right that it needs to come from the OP's dad and not the OP.
 
What you should do is try and prove discrimination.

Have an older friend/relative (the older the better) go in and try to purchase the same amount/titles that you purchased. I am almost certain they will let an older more "mature" "respected" adult do what they are refusing to do for you.

Then you have two things being falsely accused of fraud and age discrimination.

Since they are aloud to refuse and limit sales, for whatever BS reason they can think of. They are not however aloud to this on the basis of gender, race, or age.
 
[quote name='Liquid 2']Why? He doesn't owe anyone shit; he can buy as many copies as he wants and do whatever he wants with them.[/quote]

Yeah, and Best Buy can choose to refuse service to whoever they want for whatever reason. So it's a wash.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top