Best Buy — Attraction in Toronto

Heed my warning: do not come and shop at this Best Buy if you are not South Asian, Asian, or Caucasian.

This is what happened to me. Today, November 27, 2023, I had to pick up my online purchase for an Oral B io 10 series, which I was treated well because I purchased the item before I arrived.

But it was the second purchase; that's why I am leaving this review. I saw that Best Buy was selling the io 5 series for $99.99 (on sale), so I decided to purchase this item for a family member for Christmas. When I arrived at the checkout, the line was long. I was sixth in line, and the line was moving slowly, so two more cashiers came to the front to help move the line. When it came my time to cash out, I approached a young South Asian female cashier, and she wanted to know about my online purchase. I showed her the receipt with my ID and informed her that I was only purchasing the Oral B io5 toothbrush. Still, as I remained respectful to the cashier (from India), she treated me like I had no right to be in the store. When it came time to pay, my 'Tap' on my debit card didn't work, so the female cashier shouted, "Your card is not working; insert your card and put in your PIN." Now, this is where it gets humiliating. The cashier proceeded to take the item off the counter and place it on the floor behind the cash so she could talk to one of her colleagues. Where I was cashing out, there were two other cashiers to the left of me with customers. After I paid, the cashier returned and said, "The payment went through." Then proceeded to bend down and pick up the item off the floor. I looked dead in her eyes, "Why did you place my item on the floor?" The cashier replied, "I have to protect the item."

I snapped back, "From what? There are four people (two people at each cash), plus there are four staffers at the exit; how am I going to grab this and make a run for it?!" But I didn't stop there; I gave this cashier a piece of my mind. "Funny, I watched you cash out sets of two South Asian Families who bought a PS5 and an iPad, and the second Asian family bought a Macbook; you didn't take their items away when they were purchasing, but you took away mine. How would you feel if I treated you the same way? You came to my country, and you're probably an International student, who I am one Canadian who welcomes all newcomers because Canada is a meltpot of diversity, and you have the audacity to treat me like I'm a thief when I spent $460 with the item right in front of you?" She rolled her eyes and I snapped back, "Really, you're going to roll your eyes at me? What you did was wrong. Shame on you for bringing your racist ignorance into my country. And if the tables were turned, how would you feel if I treated you the same way? We are both women of colour, regardless of our ethnicity; how would you feel if someone, or myself, treated you the same way?"

When I said what I said, I didn't raise my voice, I didn't yell at her, but I gave her a piece of my mind... I cussed her out without disrespecting her or causing a scene. The cashier took a step back and paused. She didn't apologize, but she stood there shocked. After I paid, I found a store assistant manager who gave me a $25 gift card, but I am going to another Best Buy location and return both the iO 5 toothbrush and the gift card. Why? I don't need her negative energy to be added to this Christmas gift. Plus, as I waited for the gift card from the assistant manager, I watched that same female South Asian cashier serving other South Asian customers waiting to cash, and she didn't take away their items while she went and spoke to her colleagues. She treated customers who looked like her with respect, so this cashier is racist, simple as that.

So, to those who are reading my review, if you are not South Asian, Asian, or Caucasian. Please, go to another Best Buy; Black Canadians, all ages and genders, are not welcome at this Best Buy. Save yourself the...

If you buy in store, Best Buy is great. If not in the store, don't bother...too many strange policies. I placed an order in store and to be picked up in store... received no notifications at all. Tried calling the pick up area with hopes they can help... impossible to reach them. I went to the store finally to see if I can get anyone to tell me more. Apparently it was shipped but no tracking number. They could not tell me when it would arrive. I tried to cancel my order and get a refund...they can't help me there either. It would seem that they cannot refund my money without the product I never saw and they would receive anyways. So, to get a refund? I have to wait to if and when they receive the product and then go back to the store to receive and only then can I get a refund. Here is the kicker...if the product never arrives, then it appears you're out of luck. The best part was they charged me an extra twelve dollars for a web order...but I was able to get that money back. Moral to the story? If they don't have it in store then buy it from somewhere else. 2018-12-19 - Update - The order that I paid for and ordered in store (around Nov-23), still has not arrived. In fact, I have received no word about my order at all. I called Best Buy support last Wednesday, December 12 since they still do not see my order as shipped. I was told I would be contacted in 24 to 48 hours about my order. Exactly one week later, I have still heard nothing. Fortunately I did not spend a lot of money (around $50) but I am not holding my breath that I will ever see my order or my money. I could not even cancel my order, even though it is shipping to the store to pick it up. 2018-12-27 - Update - Best News today...I went to the store to see if there was anything new regarding my order. Unfortunately there was no news (wasn't even shipped)...but the good news was that they refunded my money. These kinds of problems do happen but what is good is that as a customer, you are not penalized for what was beyond their control. I really appreciate this. Vivian was very courteous and understanding, and made me one very happy customer! Excellent customer service and I will definitely shop there...

Hi. August 22. Plan was to check Ebike prices maybe buy one, ask aboot prices than process of how to use geek squad for pc. Walked at right side of the shop and watched ebikes. very good Ebike platform but did not see anybody there. I recommend to put a (call for help) BUTTON there with rule to get somebody there within 5 minits,(later i tell you why) i asked for help but not meet with anybody after that so i left the area with keep my money eheh..Please use narrow chifforobe to show expensive earphones,corridors looks strange labirinth now. At apple celIphone stand i asked very young pretty SARAH boss about the process of how to get help from geek squad,she was gorgeous beginner. She send me to geek squad right away, at last she was faithful to her job and was at her place,nobody perfect but she tryed to understand my poor english. Hope she will has at last a chair there she as girl deserved to not stand there long hours but sit down and jump if somebody ask.. I Checked apple phones, pls use optimal Bigger fat darker numbers for PRICE, becouse older people dont see those tiny miniature PRICE numbers ! And use narrow chiforobe there also.It has huge place while only small amount of horribly expensive products to show there. I was strugling to find prices but she was show me and i almost pass out from 1700 cad for a phone. The geek squad very very very owerworking there,specially compare to other literally boring stands, theyre need at last one more to serve clients, becouse poor guys cannot serve two in same time. Wish to give a huge to handsome 110 % iq specialist repairman, he was swat pro and told what need to tell,thx.. And at the end, I wish the shop crew not standing at entrance to talk (3 of them lol) while people waited for ebike assistance without get it within minits... The cashiers woman doing great, very informative pro people, theyre good IQ, mustbe promoted. Ps : geek squad need to be more clouse to entrance so people can easy bring their huge pc boxes to them to fix, or need and entrance to there from that corner too, becouse this very narrow corridor barricades and stands are just not the best to navigate.But its up to the manager, if its good this way, who im...