Best Buy — Local services in South Salt Lake

Buying my first camera was supposed to be a milestone moment. Armed with my Affirm card and high spirits, I walked into Best Buy, ready to embark on my new photography journey. Little did I know, this day would take a dramatic turn, revealing the best and worst of customer service.

I was greeted by Oliver, a sales associate, who initially seemed helpful as he showed me various camera options. Excited about my choice, I headed to the checkout, ready to use my Affirm card via Apple Pay. However, the transaction didn't go through. As per Affirm’s procedure, the card needs to be input manually when this happens. When I explained this to Oliver, his demeanor changed drastically.

"You need to come back when you have the money," he snapped, refusing to input the card manually. Shocked and confused, I calmly asked him to verify this with a supervisor. His response was not what I expected. He cut me off mid-sentence, his voice rising to an aggressive pitch, "I told you I can’t do this, you’re not gonna tell me how to do my job!" His loud and disrespectful outburst drew the attention of other customers and associates, leaving me and everyone around stunned.

I attempted to stay calm, hoping to de-escalate the situation. "Please, sir, find a supervisor who can verify this," I said. But before I could finish, he yelled again, "I TOLD YOU IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!" His loss of emotional control and public display of aggression made me deeply uncomfortable. A family nearby whispered amongst themselves, visibly shocked by Oliver's behavior.

Just when I thought the situation couldn't get worse, Jasper, another associate, stepped in. He immediately confirmed that Best Buy accepts Affirm and that the card could indeed be manually input. With a calm and professional demeanor, Jasper apologized for Oliver's behavior and reassured me that he would handle the transaction.

Jasper's intervention was a breath of fresh air. He expertly completed the transaction and took the time to explain the features of my new camera. His kindness and professionalism turned what could have been a thoroughly unpleasant experience into a memorable one for the right reasons.

As I left the store, camera in hand, I couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between the two associates. Oliver's aggressive and disrespectful behavior was a stark reminder of how critical emotional control and respect are in customer service. On the other hand, Jasper's dedication and empathy highlighted what true customer service should be.

In the end, Jasper made my day special, ensuring my first step into photography was filled with excitement and knowledge. Best Buy, you have a gem in Jasper—he turned a nightmare into a dream.

If you find yourself at Best Buy, look for Jasper. He exemplifies the best of customer service, ensuring that every customer's experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Thank you, Jasper, for making my first camera purchase a day...

BEYOND FURIOUS with Best Buy (Long Read). Purchased a gaming PC for my partner's birthday. I purchased the PC on Sept 12 and it stated it will arrive at the store on Sept 19. The day before, I checked and everything was still as planned. By the arrival date, I arrive to the store just to be told it's delayed and no idea of when it'll get there. I understand delays happen. Out of the blue, I received an email threatening to cancel my order within 23 hours if I don't pay. I had no idea my initial transaction cancelled. I repay for my order. By Sept 24, I chat online asking about my order and that I need it no later than Sept 29. I am told not to worry and that another store shipped it and it'll arrive before Sept 27. On Sept 28, I chat in AGAIN. (My second transaction cancelled at this point). I am told not to worry, it was shipped by another Best Buy store and will arrive tomorrow (Sept 29). It is now Oct 1. I chat online and I am told it IS at the store, ready for pick up and that the store just has not updated the status online. The online rep encouraged me to go pick it up now. An hour later, I get to the store just to be told no, it's not ready. That the truck (happened to arrive as I got there) is outside unloading my order now and that it'll be several hours before it's ready. Additionally, I am told that just because online says it's ready for pick up, doesn't mean it's ready for pick. What's the point then?? Fast forward seven hours later, I call the store. Apparently the Best Buy employees don't take phone calls, so whatever store you call routes you to Customer Service only. No update, so I ask to cancel my order. They escalate me to a supervisor. She then tells me the order isn't actually at the store. That it still hasn't even shipped out. So I was lied to 5 different times. The phone call disconnected and I get a new agent. He tells me my order CANNOT be cancelled. That it's out of Best Buy's hands because they bought directly with the manufacturer (lied to again). I'm told to wait until it shows up to the store and then cancel. While talking to this rep, I go to Walmart to purchase a better PC same day. Apparently Best Buy decided to charge me a THIRD time for this PC after I JUST asked to cancel and it completely depleted my entire Checking/Savings account with this crap. At this point, screw Best Buy and it's entire lying...

Have you ever needed something from a store but didn't want to drive around checking to see if they had it in stock? So, you call the store and ask, hoping someone in THAT department could walk over, find the item you need and actually put their hand on it! Well, don't plan on calling Best Buy and having someone help you in that way! In fact, don't plan on talking to ANYONE locally at a Best Buy! They no longer have phones in their stores for incoming calls AT ALL! Unless you have a computer issue, and need a member of the Geek squad! Because those are the only phones in a Best buy store, period! After calling a local number given to me by Google, several times, and getting someone who I had a really hard time understanding, in Pakistan, who, God bless him, really tried to help, told me they had the item I needed in stock! Hallelujah! He told me, after asking him several times, that I COULD call the said store and confirm! Hallelujah AGAIN, I was getting somewhere! Using my zip code as his reference, he reads me the "local best buy number" off his computer screen. It starts out "715"......... after he reads me the complete number, I asked him AGAIN, "are you SURE" this is the member?! "YES SIR" absolutely sure, my system is telling! So, as my hopes sunk, I thanked him, hung up and googled the number he had just given me..... Beat buy in KENTUCKY!? So after spending over 45 minutes on hold, then talking, trying to explain what I needed, several times, because the first 3 times he got it wrong, I was given a number for a store in KENTUCKY!? But, all was not lost! I'll call the store in KENTUCKY and ask them!! So, I dial the number, hoping to speak to someone in Kentucky. And..... after 3 or 4 rings I again, got someone at a call center across the ocean, who I could NOT understand. So I get in my car and drive, walk in, very frustrated but hopeful that I could get a local number from a local store, surely THEY would be able to provide that for me!? NOPE, they confirmed that in fact, no such member was available! If you want to check an item, you have to physically drive to each location and walk in and check. I've been to 4 stores and still haven't found the item, because I'm told at each location, their computers aren't always correct. And THAT'S...