Best Buy — Local services in Burlington

I was in the Burlington, Wa Best Buy location on 1/5/22 at approximately 11:00 am. I needed my phone screen repaired (my phone was not operational) In a confrontational tone I was informed by the shift manager (girl at the front of counter)

“That I had to call and make an appointment” “I couldn’t make an appointment in store” in a condescending voice stated “That’s always been our policy”

Since I was unable to use my phone and couldn’t make an appointment in the store, I had to drive home and make an appointment online. I began scheduling my appointment at 11:35 and my appointment was scheduled at 11:40-12:00. I quickly drove to my local Best Buy.

I arrived at exactly 11:40 for my appointment. I was told by the Geek Squad employee that I needed a “Diagnostic check” it should take “15 to 20 minutes” I said “perfect” I had to go pick up my wife (whos pregnant) from her doctors appointment. I was then informed “I had to be present in the store for the diagnostic check”

I then informed the Geek Squad employee that I had “to pick up my pregnant wife.” “ I would be back before 12:00 to complete my appointment” (11:40-12:00)

The Geek Squad employee then said “I will check with my manager” I was then told that “My phone could not be fixed” because I needed to leave and come back, even though I was still in the aloud timeframe I was given for my appointment. They claimed they also had “staffing shortages” “It would take two hours” (which I’m assuming was too long)

“They had other appointments.” “I should go across the street and have a rival company fix my phone.”

If there were other appointments why was my appointment created within five minutes of me scheduling it?

In conclusion my first trip to the store I had to make an appointment (on a phone that didn’t work) I couldn’t make an appointment in the store. I made the appointment (at home online) and was scheduled five minutes after making the appointment. I came back for my appointment and was told they couldn’t fix my phone because they were “understaffed” even though I could be back to the store in aloud timeframe I was given. 11;40-12:00 And the Geek Squad employee was standing around (doing nothing) prior to my conversation with her.

The employees were argumentative with no sense of customer service. While insisting I spend my money elsewhere.

I also asked a floor sales person if “They had any Oculus Quest 2 accessories” The sales person abrasively said “Go online” clearly she was being inconvenienced and was unwilling to offer any assistance for me to order any products online at the Best Buy website. I’m capable of ordering products online, I would have purchased the items in store and had them shipped. The fact she didn’t offer to provide assistance and was so negative, Ill just order from Amazon.

Best Buy probably lost $300-$400 in sales from me on this one particular day. I’ll probably never shop at Best Buy Burlington again after...

Not all of this experience is specifically about this store, but this store did make a bad situation even worse, with rude dismissive service.

I bought a computer through the website. The computer threw an error 47days after arriving at my house. Naturally I called the 888 customer service number. I was instructed to bring the computer to this store the same day. I was assured 3 separate times during the call that there would be no charge, and that should the store not be able to fix it, they would handle the boxing and shipping out of the computer for repair/replacement. It is an hour drive one way to get to this store.

Once at the store, I was told "ummm actually we are appointment only. The 888 number doesn't know that, and I'm fully booked for the day." So then I had to wait in a different line to schedule an appointment, but decided to just ask for a refund or exchange instead but am told no, because it's been more than 14 days since I clicked the purchase button. (It took 15 days for the computers to arrive) I ask the cashier what I can do and he starts mumbling something about how he can't do anything and that it's above his pay grade. (The cashier was extremely rude the whole time I was there. Not just to me but also to a lady who just wanted to buy an Apple watch that was in stock, all because she was sent up front to buy the watch and didn't know that the watches came in different styles.) So I ask for a manger to find out what can be done.

They don't actually get a manager. They send back a dude who says he spoke with the manager and that they can't do a return or exchange, but if I pay the $50 for the Power membership then I can get a refund because that membership has a longer refund/exchange window.

The guy kept saying that it should work, but that it might not, but that I should try it anyway. They seriously wanted me to pay an extra $50 just to see. I refused and asked if they could check without me paying anything, they did and it didn't work. So I was almost out $50 for no reason. I'm further told that the store does no free repairs of any kind ever for any reason and that the 888 dude didn't know what he was talking about, but that I should call the 888 number again anyway.

The rest of this story has nothing to do with this store, so I'll leave it off.

Edit Why on earth would I want to reach out on a social media platform to discuss this review? That's the dumbest thing. I called corporate number that the 888 gave me about this and the parts of the story that didn't involve this store and the rep just kept repeating the same question "do you have a protection plan." So why would I reach out on social media platforms? Just take the L and maybe make sure that the stores match the 888 information. Especially since you can't even call the store...

Had to stop in to the store for two things: End my Geek Squad membership Look at washers for daughter.

Woman greeter was behind her huge computer and did not offer any greeting, although I did a small one.

Stopped by to check out washing machines for daughter. I also wanted to cancel my Geek Squad membership, that I did not use last year.

I used to love this store. The county used to love this store.

I proceeded to the washing machines. I pretty much knew what I needed to look at but always want to talk to a sales person for more info: delivery, customer complaints/compliments, availability, etc. I generally do computer research after seeing what I am interested in. Maybe I like the personal interaction.

After viewing what I had interest in, I went back to the 'greeter" and asked for a salesman, and I also asked how to cancel any renewal on my Geek Squad membership. OMG. There was no interest on 'greeters' part to interact. I urged her to look up my membership. Gave phone number and she gave me my expiration date. Asked her to cancel the upcoming renewal. She told me to do it on their app.

OK I get it apps are evidently the best thing since sliced bread. I don't wish to download an app everytime I interact with a business. Well, she replied to my hesitation with 'This area is way behind. The world has moved on to digital." I can't quote this sentence but this was her response for the most part. Our area is behind S?! Seriously? She obviously doesn't know her population. She then highlighted a phone number on a piece of paper , I could call to take care of my business. I guess she is just a body that can come to the store and sit behind a computer to do nothing except be rude. Very exceptionally, I might add.

I did manage to talk with a wonderfully kind man named Jim. Nowadays these guys aren't' an all around sales person for every product, and I have accepted it. I do my own research. But there is nothing like talking with someone to get their personal perspective, if they have one. His forte was home theater. But he talked with me and gave me as much info as he could. I appreciated him.

so I did find out. The store 'greeter' was the STORE MANAGER. Her name is Alisha. Rude, not interested in her job, bored, and irritated that someone actually asked her to do something.

Not sure I can ever go into this store again. Used to be a favored spot. I guess it is 'our area'. Right? I can go to Bellingham. I can go to Smokey Point. Or dare say, into the Seattle area. I bet I would be treated with respect. I sure was on my visit to Texas.

Then I saw some of the reviews here. Guess I am not the lone ranger in...