Best Buy — Local services in Port Charlotte

We made two visits here recently to purchase a new Lenovo laptop. My daughter and I came in early when the store opened at 10:00 and unknown to us we didn't have any idea that it was necessary to make an appointment. We signed in and it wasn't too long of a wait before we were helped. We had a very nice lady from the appliance department. She was very knowledgeable and my daughter knew this brand of computer because she had one and liked it very much. That's why I purchased this brand. We had to leave the computer to get pictures downloaded from my old computer onto the new one and the micro soft office we purchased needed to be up loaded. My daughter thought it was a good idea for me to purchase the service plan that you could get your questions answered 24/7 so we paid extra for that also. I was called 3 days later to come for pick up my computer as it was ready. I asked if it was okay to do the pick up in one or two days. I was told yes. I received and email stating I need to make an appoinment, it gave me the time frame of 4:00 to 4:30. I made the appointment online and came in 5 minutes till 4:00 but was told by the person at the customer service desk that they had a computer issues that day and they were running about 45 minutes behind. So if we wanted to shop around come back and maybe 20 to 30 minutes and take a seat. The waiting area was packed with people. We still had about a 45-minute wait on top of the initial 30 minutes. Noah was the one that helped me and did the explanation of my questions. He was thorough and bc didn't rush and answered all my questions. However, we had ordered a keyboard and mouse which was not given to us that day. I called the store the next day when I realized those items weren't with the computer they gave to my husband as I am in a wheel chair. He was not able to push me at the same time with the merchandise. I wanted to make sure the store knew we had not received those 2 items. He said no problem just come in as soon as you can. I was I'll the next day and today we had a previously scheduled appointment. I hope when we return things will go much smoother and I won't have any future problem getting the balance of my paid merchandise. I am praying for the best outcome. It seems like people just don't want to work or those who do don't care about the customers service they give...

I've had a problem with the iPhone13pro Camera and the Apple Tech Support in Cali couldn't figure it out. Instead they wanted to have me go to an Apple Store but the nearest was in Sarasota. Instead, Apple booked an appointment with a "supposed" Apple Certified Geek at 11:00am.

I go to the store and check in at the Customer Service line. The gent confirmed my appointment and had me sit along the wall in the Geek Squad Section. Ok, no problem so far.

My appointment was at 11:00, the Geek counter was void of any signs of life. It was 11:16 and then I noticed the appointment screen they have on the wall was all screwed up (see photos). The first appointment displaying was at 11:40. Another individual was seated by me and his appointment was at 11:20. Still no signs of life at the Geek counter.

At 1130 I got up to leave. Went up to the girl who stands at the entrance and told her what was happening. She saw that I had an appointment and apologized because they were "understaffed". Typical canned response. If that were the case , they would have told me it might take a little longer instead of me sitting there for 30 mins waiting. A few times the customer service desk looked down our way, and didn't even make any effort at all to see what was going on. Including the dude with the donut holes in his ear lobes. This character (with a Geek Squad shirt) clearly saw that there were two of us sitting there waiting to be seen. And frankly, I was beginning to have reservations about him, or anyone else for that matter, touching my phone.

Best Buy's method of checking in and their lack of monitoring the situation, especially with customers waiting in a sitting area with nobody at the Geek Desk, equates to that of both a train wreck and dumpster fire. I won't be going back in there for anything. I will be communicating this to APPLE and hope they will pull their merchandise from this loser operation.

Zero Stars if it...

Back of story is this…. My mom passed away 3/19/24. I knew we were going to have to travel to Indiana to bury her ashes with my dads…. I just wasn’t sure when we were going to be able to go because I had to have 2 eye surgeries. I went in to Best Buy 4/11/24 and explained that I needed to have a camera and hotspot for my dogs for the trip. The sales guy showed me what to buy and I did. I was finally cleared to travel and got the items out to set them up a few days before we were leaving. I couldn’t get the hotspot activated because I didn’t have a pin #. I called the phone number for help and was told I needed the pin on the back of the card or on the receipt . There was no pin on either. I went into Best Buy the next day (July 4) to seek help. The condescending guy behind the counter told me to call the number… I said I already did that. I explained that I needed a pin#. There was no pin on the card, receipt or in any email to me. He basically said it was over 15 days and nothing they could do. I explained that I bought it, knowing I would need it and was trying to get everything done that I needed to do prior to surgeries and hitting the road. I asked them to exchange the data card so I could get one with a pin. I wasn’t asking for a refund . It was clearly that Best Buy did not provide the PIN number on the receipt. Meanwhile, conversation behind the counter was between employees discussing what they were going to do later and dissing me for the items I bought! I said “your salesperson told me to get this!”. Two hours later, the manager finally agreed to exchange it. Everyone of of the employees behind that counter needs a class on respect, treating customers like they mean something and realizing they can be replaced. I did write the guys name down, but won’t put it on here. Let’s just say it starts with a J. I have spent a lot of money at that Best Buy, but...