Best Buy — Local services in Oceanside

Subject: Exceptional Service from Geek Squad Team – A Grateful Customer Experience

Recently, I scheduled an in-home appointment with a Best Buy salesperson to help evaluate options for restoring or upgrading my existing stereo system. While my components are older, they were top-of-the-line when purchased, and I wasn’t convinced a full replacement was necessary without first giving the system another chance.

The proposed package was well beyond what I was willing to spend, so I reached back out to the original salesperson and requested just the preamps needed to get my system running again. Out of curiosity, I checked pricing and found the markup on the equipment was significantly higher than what I could get in-store — so I ended up purchasing the Marantz preamps from the Encinitas Best Buy instead.

Since the in-store rep wasn’t familiar with my system, we both relied on the recommendations made by the original in-home consultant. I purchased the preamps and scheduled an installation appointment with the Geek Squad.

Michelle arrived promptly, was professional, and clearly knew her stuff. However, it became clear that the equipment recommended would not work with my existing setup. With limited options, I sourced the Marantz main amp online at Best Buy myself and scheduled another Geek Squad appointment to install it.

That’s when everything changed.

Enter the Geek-Dream-Team: Brendton Brown and Alexandra Adams Perry. From the moment they arrived, it was clear I was in expert hands. Even though my 18-year-old surround system had become frustratingly labor-intensive to set up, they approached it with absolute confidence.

The previous recommendation had been to scrap the entire system and buy new — but Brendton and Alexandra saw its value immediately. They assured me the speakers were solid and that the system could not only work but be something I’d love again. And they were right.

When they finished calibrating the main system, the sound quality was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my home. It was breathtaking. Their technical skill, attention to detail, and calm professionalism made all the difference — it honestly felt like a gift.

They ran out of time before finishing the preamp zone setup (for my study and patio), but Brendton promised he’d follow up — and he did. Just days later, I got a call. They were in the neighborhood and had time to stop by.

Once again, they hit a technical hurdle — something about the main amp not communicating with the preamps. Honestly, it didn’t make a lot of sense to me, but Alexandra called it a “workaround”, and then I witnessed what can only be described as a mind-meld between the two of them. Before long, the system was fully functional, with music playing beautifully in all zones.

I’ve had Geek Squad members at my home several times over the years, and to be honest, it hasn’t always been a great experience. Likewise, this is the second time I’ve had equipment pitched by a salesperson that didn’t end up working, which has been both frustrating and disappointing.

But this time — it was different.

Michelle, Brendton, and Alexandra are hands down the best service technicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It’s my understanding that Alex and Steven are their supervisors, and I hope this message reaches them. These three individuals exemplify professionalism, expertise, and customer care at the highest level.

Because of them, I will continue working with Best Buy for both my home and business purchases.

Michelle, Brendton, and Alexandra — blessings to each of you for bringing the sound of music back into my home.

Tom Brooks CEO/President Cornerstone...

UPDATE: Best Buy responds, and does not allow for a reply, asking me to email them. You have all of my information and stopped responding to my emails and calls. So please tell me, how will this make any difference?

If buying a dryer from Best Buy Oceanside that needs side venting, DO NOT USE THE INSTALLERS THAT BEST BUY CONTRACTS OUT WITH.

I debated writing this review because our sales associate and manager did what they could to help at the store level but I felt people needed to know.

The first washer and dryer they sent out to us were both damaged. The dryer was incorrectly installed with the side vent kit. The paid for steam kit never showed up and so was not installed. The installers spoke broken English which made communication difficult. This complaint has nothing to do with race or language skills and everything to do with not knowing how to do anything but a basic install. The dryer install error was realized when our carbon monoxide alarm started blasting while trying to dry a load. Called the gas company out because I thought maybe there was a leak. There was not a leak but he realized the dryer was venting back into the dryer and not outside. Called in to complain and mentioned the damaged washer also. They told us they would exchange them. We told them we DID NOT want the same company coming back.

A week later, new washer and dryer, two different men, same delivery truck and the same language barrier. I felt they were from the same company but could not prove it. They installed the washer and dryer and left, once again without the paid for steam kit, and no steam option hooked up.

Washed a load and once again the carbon monoxide alarm went off, only this time the floor was now covered in a layer of water. Called out our plumber. They checked everything, made sure all the lines were correct, and left. We thought that hopefully this time the problem was solved. The next day, flooded floor, called the plumber back out because at this point, Best Buy kept handing us up to the customer service specialists that were doing nothing to help. The plumber realized the side vent was incorrectly installed again and it was the condensation in our new dryer that was causing the flood.

We called out an appliance repair company to correctly install our dryer vent and steam line. When he opened up the dryer, all of the parts were lying on the ground.

This error could have killed us. Not once but twice. We asked for the installer information so we could complain to them or put in a horrible review for the company. They gave us the name of the company, which was the same company that came out both times to our home even though we were adamant about not using them. The company they used was not listed anywhere on line. I tried and so did the escalated customer service personnel.

We paid hundreds out of pocket to fix the errors. Best Buy sent us a gift card for $300.00 after the 1st error. When the 2nd error happened, we told them we would never be doing business with Best Buy again and we wanted the card cancelled. They sent us a check for $100.00 which barely put a dent in what we paid. They should have reimbursed us for the installs, which was several hundred dollars. They refused. I had to purchase the steam kit on line. We were never refunded for it even though it was paid for and never delivered. Never...

Best Buy is a consumer electronics retailer. Don't expect a lot for Android Phone Accessories. I only visit Best Buy when I just can't find something at Wal-Mart. Yes...can you believe it? I bought an Inverter from Wal-Mart a few months back. You plug the device into you cig lighter and it allows you to plug in your computer printer, hair straightening iron (for those mornings you wake up late and don't have time to finish your hair at home) or blender (for all of our blendologists who love a blended frozen cocktail Friday at 5pm) or lamp...what ever you need to plug in. So I lost the adapter that you plug into the cig lighter...the other cable has battery clips. Anyway...Walmart was out of stock of the replacement item I needed. Went to Best Buy and when you enter into the store you are always greeted by a Best Buy Employee who, I thought, was supposed to stand there similar to one of those "You Are Here/Information" Kiosks you see at malls. So I walk in with my inverter and (I hate wandering around a store looking for a specific item when I can just ask and bypass the searching expedition) ask "Where's Waldo" at the front door "Can you please direct me to your Power Inverter section?" I give him an A+ for honesty when he answered...I kid you not..."What's a Power Inverter?" That's when I just want to kick myself for assuming these "Kiosks" knew more about their merchandise than me. Dear Lord!! I told him don't bother I'm on my own. Sure enough...tucked away in the far far right corner of the store with only pricing labels displayed, no merchandise, but evidence the inverter exists when shelved, I missed out on any chance to purchase a replacement part. No where in that store did they have a replacement part for an Inverter. Let's repeat the first sentence if my review, shall we? Best Buy is a consumer electronics retailer. This is not the first time nor the 5th time or the 10th time I have gone to Best Buy hoping to find an item that is consumer electronics related and not find it on the shelf to buy but only witness the pricing labels on the self. I know Best Buy is sticking to online sales but it doesn't help the consumer who needs something NOW and can't wait until tomorrow at noon. There arent any other consumer electronics stores that exist. Wal-Mart is as close to one as you can get and I swear on my mother's grave...i have better luck getting what I need as far as consumer electronics from Wal-Mart than Best Buy and at a cheaper price too. Sorry Best Buy, but if you can keep items in stick on the shelves, "Where's Waldo" will be lost and have to find himself a...