Best Buy Customer Purchases $300 Hard drive, Receives Oodles of Dried Beans

[Jagi]

No, this isn't the first time we've heard of innocent consumers snagging some new kit only to find random bits of unwanted garbage in place of the actual product, and unfortunately, we've all ideas it's not the last. This go 'round, a couple waltzed into Best Buy, snagged a "brand new" $300 hard drive and zoomed home to start packin' those platters. Much to their dismay, no HDD was found inside the box -- rather, three bags of dried beans weighed it down enough to not seem suspicious. As expected, Best Buy wasn't about to refund any money for fear that the actual purchasers could be the culprits, and while that's certainly understandable, we're quite relieved to know that a little outside intervention netted the two a $300 gift card to the retailer. We bet they'll inspect that package a bit more closely before taking it home next time (sad though that may be).

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/best-buy-customer-purchases-300-hard-drive-receives-oodles-of/

__________________

‘I got a box of beans instead of a hard drive!’​

Question: My husband and I bought a $300 hard drive from Best Buy, but when we opened the box, it was empty except for three bags of dried beans! We immediately called Best Buy, but the manager said the store wasn’t responsible and I should call the manufacturer. When I did, the manufacturer pointed blame back at Best Buy. Finally, I called Best Buy’s corporate office; the customer service manager said there was nothing he could do. Ugh! Can you help? - Maja Chiesi, New York City

Answer: A box of beans, huh? Sounds like a booby prize from Let’s Make a Deal - only less funny, since you’re out $300. You’ll probably never know what happened here; perhaps an employee stole the hard drive or maybe someone else bought it, kept it, returned the box and got his money back. Best Buy likely took a hard line because it had no way of knowing if you were the responsible party. Not that that excuses the retailer’s behavior: As an innocent victim and a good customer, you shouldn’t have been left holding the beans, so to speak.

In a rare case like this or the more common scenario of realizing an item is defective or is missing parts, you want to deal with the store, not the manufacturer. (Legally, you entered into an implicit contract with Best Buy that it would sell you a functioning hard drive.) You were right to start with the manager, then move up to a customer service supervisor. In such interactions, it’s crucial to be polite but firm: “I’m prepared to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and I may be forced to consider legal action.”

Next step: Send a written complaint by certified mail to the customer service manager, with copies to the CEO, the BBB and the state attorney general. Meanwhile, dispute the charge with your credit-card issuer, which will investigate. Generally, cards side with consumers.

Understandably frustrated, you came to us after being batted back and forth. When we called Best Buy on your behalf, it wouldn’t cop to responsibility or refund your money. But it did offer a $300 gift card to cover a new hard drive. (You can keep the beans.) Fingers crossed, this time you’ll get what you paid for.

Tip: Many merchants require electronics to be returned in the original packaging. So don’t chuck the box till you’re sure the item works.

http://moneyhelps.blogs.money.cnn.com/2008/03/04/i-got-a-box-of-beans-instead-of-a-hard-drive/

 

[SLAP]

$300.00 gift card? What about sales tax on the original purchase?

 

[MissMighty]

Even walmart looks in the boxes of stuff you return I would be pissed.

 

[furlough]

damn

 

[half_dead]

Thievin ass mexicans traded beans for a harddrive

 

[bigblackafrica]

nah, there's a hustle, best buy only checks the contents of opened returns (they deduct a restocking fee on this). if you say you never opened it, and it looks like it was never opened they won't open it, because then they have to offer an open box discount to the next person to buy it. there's a special type of steamer some of these cats have that will let you open adhesive taping without leaving a mark or water damage (depending on the type of box). cats in philly were runnin' this hustle with best buy last summer.

 

[lightbright]

nah, there's a hustle, best buy only checks the contents of opened returns (they deduct a restocking fee on this). if you say you never opened it, and it looks like it was never opened they won't open it, because then they have to offer an open box discount to the next person to buy it. there's a special type of steamer some of these cats have that will let you open adhesive taping without leaving a mark or water damage (depending on the type of box). cats in philly were runnin' this hustle with best buy last summer.

 

[vabrotha2]

Its a hustle, but damn this just helps with the declining US economy

 

[swiftandsilent]

This reminds me of the time a bought a printer from Sears and when I got home, it had an older model in the box. At the time, Sears and a few other store were buying the packing tape from the manufacturers and repacking returns to look like new. It took awhile but I did get a refund.

 

[HALO2]

This reminds me of the time a bought a printer from Sears and when I got home, it had an older model in the box. At the time, Sears and a few other store were buying the packing tape from the manufacturers and repacking returns to look like new. It took awhile but I did get a refund.

I'm glad, most companies Especially BEst buy. They do not like to give money back at all.

 

[jblaque]