Best Buy — Local services in Champaign

I gave this store 3 chances for the GM to respond to me. With that being said, I had one of the worst experiences of my life at this Best Buy store. We came in to buy two Theragun products on Black Friday after we got the prices from the store (even took pictures of the cost). When we came in to purchase the products a gentleman helped us track the product down. Once we got to the register one of the products was $80 more than the price on the tag. So, we asked the teenager at the register to grab a manager for us to discuss.

A long story short: the first manager was immediately defensive to us. We only pointed out that the price tag was wrong and wanted it to be changed (we took a picture of the price tag). As I’m talking to the manager “calmly” my mom noticed the guy who was grabbing the product changed the price tag quickly thinking we wouldn’t see him do it. The manager at the register continued to be rude expressing that there is nothing he could do even though it was their mistake. Once I realized he wasn’t going to help I asked for the GM of the store.

Another manager came to the register (not the GM) and was immediately defensive as well. At this point we are simply confused by the aggression for no reason. He argued with us continuously telling us there was nothing he could do and that the tag was just placed wrong even though Theragun is a “specific” area with only their products. I asked him to talk to the GM and he proceeded to tell us that he was not in the store. However, we know what the GM looks like and had just seen him in the back of store helping someone (so he lied to us). After telling him we wanted to speak to the GM many times he called him on the phone to discuss the situation. The GM refused to take care of the situation, and said he could only give us $15 off (which is not ok). At this point it was starting to become a waste of our time, so we took the $15 off, and paid for the product.

Then it gets worse…the teenager didn’t know how to ring up the gift card and stormed to the back upset on his walkie talkie. At this point we asked to see the manager again. The first manager came up to help again and was once again defensive for no reason acting like we were inconvenient. He rang up the gift card and walked away with no acknowledge whatsoever. At this point I’m upset because they are doing all this in front of my mom who is 68 years old.

We left the store in absolute confusion. The next day I called the store to talk to the GM to discuss the situation. He never returned my call even though I talked to customer service multiple times. The day after I went back into the store to talk to him, and he was off. So, I discussed it with another Experienced Supervisor who seemed understanding. He took notes, apologized to me and assured me that the GM would call me in the next couple of days. It has been a week now without a phone call.

Not only is the management staff and register workers completely rude. I believe they have no leadership in the GM whatsoever. He doesn’t care to take care of issues, his staff is obviously not trained properly, doesn’t return phone calls and has an overall lack of care for his store! It was an absolute embarrassment for my mother and me. I will never step foot in that store ever again. I hope that the corporate can see this review and give that store a full audit. You should never treat any customer that way when they are there to spend their hard-earned money. The store made a mistake, tried to cover it up, didn’t make it right and has 0 customer service. If I could give zero...

I drove 180 miles round trip yesterday to buy a laptop at Best Buy. Part of the reason being that I know Best Buy is in trouble on the market. Over the past many years, I went to the Champaign Best Buy and it was a crowded, well staffed, and well stocked store. After I finally decided on which machine to purchase, I asked the service person to get my laptop, which I needed today. I heard the clerk say they were only showing one item. He searched the store from top to bottom with no luck. After waiting something like a half hour he returned and said that the item was not in stock. At this point, I was exasperated, and even offered to purchase the display model which is evidently not allowed. Had they offered me a few bucks off on my 2nd or 3rd choice, or some minor perk, I would probably still made a purchase. This too is evidently not store policy so I left disappointed and with a somewhat negative opinion of the store.

While waiting for the laptop, a friend that accompanied me looked it up online and it clearly stated out of stock in Champaign, and several other area stores. This was not a low priced special sale item which would have been more understandable if not in stock.

As I waited for the futile laptop search I started looking around and it became apparent to me that this store is trying to get by on minimal stock. Some racks were empty or partially empty and some under counter storage cabinets were empty or had maybe one, two or three items.

On the positive side the employees I dealt with were knowledgeable, considerate and extremely helpful. I asked about their commission, and was told they receive none. I think even a minor commission for the sales people would be a really good thing. As it stands right now, the people that bust their butts helping you out, are probably receiving the same wages as those that don't. I think this would be something the corporation could and should address. I would think even a minimal bonus/commission for sales people would be warranted.

Bottom line is, If Best Buy wishes to stay in business, They are going to have to have merchandise available when folks come in to make a purchase. If the item is not available, they sure aren't going to sell it.

While I am not a huge fan of Walmart, on a number of levels, I have to admit that when I go there to purchase and item, it will be there. The same is true of Sam's Club and a number of other major retailers.

In the end, I stopped in at the Sam's Club in Champaign, purchased a bit nicer computer and paid less than the similar item at Best Buy. If Best Buy management does not change the way they do business, there will be some super deals when the Best Buy company closes its doors for good.

At this point in time, I would recommend shopping anywhere and everywhere else prior to going to Best Buy. This is a shame as Best Buy used to be a great place to do business. Hate to say it, but they may be going the way of...

On July 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. my two daughters and I came into this store to purchase my daughter an MacBook Pro for college. We were dropping her off for her first semester at school, she attends UIUC. She worked all summer to save up and she was coming in to see her hard work rewarded by buying her own computer. Sam helped her, and as she was checking out he told her she could try the Plus program for free for two months and if she liked it she would be charged after the two months. A manager stepped behind the register because we were having some issues, but got it figured out. Well when she gets back to her dorm and looks at the receipt she sees that Sam actually charged her for the program. On July 22, 2025, at 3:40pm she went back into the store to get it worked out. She spoke with Geo, the Geek Squad Supervisor, and Tim, the Sales Supervisor. She tried to politely explain what happened and was met with EXTREME rudeness, callousness, sarcasm, and lack of empathy. They told her she must have misunderstood Sam and refused to help her. When she asked for their employee number, they refused to give it to her. When she asked if they could contact Sam, they refused. When she pointed out that a manager was present during the transaction and asked if they could find out who they were and ask, they claimed it wasn’t a Manager. She told them the guy was dressed in all black and had an ear piece, Geo told her that could have been anyone. And refused to help her any further. I was on the phone with her the entire time and was so disappointed. We love 2 1/2 hours away and there is nothing I can do to help her. She plans to come in and return EVERYTHING! I have never seen such disregard for a customer. These people are just there to make a check, that’s it! When she asked what would happen to Sam and how could he just tell someone misinformation, Geo said Sam will simply get a “coaching conversation.” And when she walked off, Geo very loudly and sarcastically said “ Have a nice day.” She wasn’t walking out, she was heading to see if she could find the Manager that was there that day, so there was no need for him to say that. It was like he was baiting her, trying to get her to respond aggressively. I won’t rest until this is properly addressed. This is not how you treat someone. And I’m sure she’s not the only one they have...