Best Buy — Local services in Waterloo

Today I walked into your store with my son to buy my husband a video game and a controller. We use a Best Buy credit card. We lost the card years ago and when we decide to make a purchase I usually am able to look up the card with my husband's information. Today they rejected my purchase. They did not believe that I was the card holders wife. I asked them to find me the policy that excluded my purchase based on identity fraud. He could not find it. So I asked to talk to the manager above him who happen to be gone for the day. When the manager got on the phone he seemed equally as displeased but in dutifly backed up his assistant manager. Knowing I could go-no-further I told them to hold the purchase and I would be back with my 3 children and husband to prove to them I was who I say I was. God-bless my husband who packed up our twins and drove with me a town over to prove he was the card holder. I'm disappointed because policy or the idea of policy trumped customer service. I have worked in retail and to those of you who stand behind a cash register and see a purchase as nothing other then a 5 minute lapse in time, I tell you you're wrong. We are people we have lives we have responsibilities we have a contribution to this community just like the businesses that serve us. Please remember that the ones who walk in those doors are the ones that want to be there. The ones who choose not to purchase online. You should be grateful to us because we keep those doors open. Don't ever disrespect me in front of my children again. And to the women that work there I hope that you apply for management. I hope that the men are not the only ones that are recognized for their accomplishments and their sales. Because four men in person and a man on a cell phone made me feel so small and devalued. And that's not OK. Step up Best Buy...

Best Buy has been struggling like many other brick and mortar retailers. But I'm gonna tell you this, and you might be thinking the same: There's something I realized I miss from all the online shopping: The fun of actually hunting that item, whatever it is. BB has done a good job changing with the times...they have a lot of the latest tech here, and most of the prices were comparable to what I found online. It used to be "Hey I'll save the 7% tax and buy it online." but guess what? Both Amazon and Ebay (and many others) also charge you sales tax. That's a game changer. The downside? Less inventory depth in the store. This is somewhat alleviated by the fact that you can scope the item in store and still order it on their website (sometimes they are out there too but for popular items that issue is universal). Their Geek Squad and in-home services are also something that gives them an advantage over online stores....if you are willing to pay for it. But it's there and that's what counts. The appliance portion of the store feels like a bit of an afterthought TBH and no one was around to assist like they were in TV's and computers. I felt like a Rock Star in comparison when I stopped at Lowe's after for my washer and dryer.... Damn! That's my store for appliances! Bottom line is I think it's worth a trip here especially if you haven't been in for awhile. As opposed to next-door-neighbor Staples, who I feel is at least 5 years behind the times in comparison...but that's a review for...

Bought new speakers and amp for my vehicle here. Spent a decent amount of money. Guys says he will call in a few days to schedule installations. A week later, no one's called, so I called to find out that they do not take phone calls at the store, and if I want to talk to someone there, I have to go there. UGH. Go to the store. Have to wait another week to get in. While waiting for the installation, I get several emails saying they are going to return my order because I have not come to get them installed. They cancel my order and 'repurchase' it several times while waiting for my install. Finally, I got installed and less than 2 months later my driver side door speaker quits working. Go into the store again and schedule for repair. Girl schedules me for a Saturday. 3 days later, I get a call saying she did the schedule wrong. They don't install/repair on Saturdays. Reschedule, drop van off the night before, and get repairs done. Go to pick up the van after work and pick up my keys from inside to find out I can not get into my vehicle. My key fob is not working. The horn just keeps beeping and door not unlocking. Went back inside, and they guy tells me that the 2 have nothing to do with each other. Finally, after a few minutes, he has someone look at it. They forgot to connect some wires, so I wait another 30 minutes (after working 10 hours) for them to fix it. The for the final insult to injury, THEY LOST MY CHAPSTICK that I keep in...