Best Buy and Dead Pixels

[Penooker]

I received a 64GB iPad from Best Buy as a gift, but it had a dead pixel. I took it back to Best Buy to see about an exchange or return. First they had a geek squad "nerd" examine the iPad, who cleaned the screen down pretty thoroughly, and was maybe looking for scratches. This nerd approves the return / exchange. Then we get to do the actual paperwork, and Best Buy wants to charge a restocking fee of 15% for an exchange or a return. I point out that the return policy says no restocking fee if there is a defect. They claim that there is a policy requiring five or more dead pixels to qualify as a defect.

I state this is quite unfair, since people who bought at Apple Stores can get replacements. They reply that this was a Best Buy policy they just put in place for the iPad to discourage people who buy and return the iPad just to play with it. I insist on this being unfair. Then, they do their "escalation", where unseen people chat and discuss on the walkie talkie. They finally decide to "make an exception" in this case and waive the restocking fee. At this point, of course I want a return to avoid dealing with Best Buy in the future.

In short, don't buy Apple products from Best Buy. Even, if they are the only stores within an hour drive who has the 64GB iPad. But, hey, at least I have $50 worth of iPad accessories that I can stare at until the local Apple store gets more in stock.

P.S. Yes, I'm one of those picky people who can't stand dead pixels. I've even purposely bought used laptops and monitors, just so I buy it from a seller who warrants no dead pixels.

 

[Alucardx03]

I received a 64GB iPad from Best Buy as a gift, but it had a dead pixel. I took it back to Best Buy to see about an exchange or return. First they had a geek squad "nerd" examine the iPad, who cleaned the screen down pretty thoroughly, and was maybe looking for scratches. This nerd approves the return / exchange. Then we get to do the actual paperwork, and Best Buy wants to charge a restocking fee of 15% for an exchange or a return. I point out that the return policy says no restocking fee if there is a defect. They claim that there is a policy requiring five or more dead pixels to qualify as a defect.

I state this is quite unfair, since people who bought at Apple Stores can get replacements. They reply that this was a Best Buy policy they just put in place for the iPad to discourage people who buy and return the iPad just to play with it. I insist on this being unfair. Then, they do their "escalation", where unseen people chat and discuss on the walkie talkie. They finally decide to "make an exception" in this case and waive the restocking fee. At this point, of course I want a return to avoid dealing with Best Buy in the future.

In short, don't buy Apple products from Best Buy. Even, if they are the only stores within an hour drive who has the 64GB iPad. But, hey, at least I have $50 worth of iPad accessories that I can stare at until the local Apple store gets more in stock.

I avoid purchasing large-ticket items at Best Buy whenever I can. I've had nothing but bad luck returning products, even if they're obviously defective. I've even had the Geek Squad terribly damage my iPod (the second gen, which was A LOT of money back then) and then refuse to give me a new one after it was unusable!

 

[ClaireL]

The manager waived the restock fee immediately for me when I exchanged mine with one small dead pixel. No problems whatsoever and never been charged a restocking fee ever over the many years I've been a customer at BB. I never have any hassles with BB and I have 3 near me.

It's who you talk to and the way you say it that sometimes makes a difference. I somehow got the customer service young man to actually put an iPAd 16 gb on hold for me on launch day! The 2 other BB stores refused so I happened to get lucky when I begged him.

 

[Thedeathbear]

They didn't check for me. They made sure everything was in there and gave me another one.

 

[Maaz]

Why woukd it matter, you can take it to apple either way.

 

[Penooker]

Why woukd it matter, you can take it to apple either way.

Are you sure about that? I read on this forum that Apple stores only do replacements if you bought in the store. If you didn't you would have to go through the warranty channel.

 

[Penooker]

It's who you talk to and the way you say it that sometimes makes a difference.

Yep, definitely. Unfortunately the hit-or-miss is nerve wrecking. I only dealt with BB this time, because my wife wanted to surprise me with the iPad right away and the Apple Store was/is sold out.

Alas, at this point, I might as well wait for the new Android phones and tablets. At least then I won't feel like I've been playing with a dead hooker, each time I indulge in an iPad.

 

[Soulcrux]

Are you sure about that? I read on this forum that Apple stores only do replacements if you bought in the store. If you didn't you would have to go through the warranty channel.

No, Apple stores are a general place to go for "instant" troubleshooting. Since they're all part of the company, that's why they can do this. For example= I bought my iPhone at AT&T...but i don't take it to AT&T for exchanges, did I? nope.

Alas, at this point, I might as well wait for the new Android phones and tablets. At least then I won't feel like I've been playing with a dead hooker, each time I indulge in an iPad.

What does this even mean? "Dead hooker"? One dead pixel, really?

Also=do you really think that just because you get an Android tablet, it will be impervious to the effects of....random malfunction? All touch screens are made in china, ya know.

 

[Zepaw]

This might be reason enough to avoid buying it at my school's bookstore. They have some damn strict return policies. Would I still be able to take it to a genius bar to get it fixed/replaced?

 

[Penooker]

What does this even mean? "Dead hooker"? One dead pixel, really?

No, that's from the knowledge that I'm contributing to a highly restrictive platform. That's why I wish someone else would create a good alternative to the iPad or iPhone.

 

[drew0020]

Best Buy took all of my ipads with dead pixels back no problem. They couldn't believe the units had soany dead pixels (as few as 4 and as many as 6). After my experience I feel like dead pixels and dust is the norm

 

[ArcAngel66]

Best Buy took all of my ipads with dead pixels back no problem. They couldn't believe the units had soany dead pixels (as few as 4 and as many as 6). After my experience I feel like dead pixels and dust is the norm

Without a doubt it is... I've had more iPhones than you could count. All returned due to defective screens.

Apple seems to really suck in this arena... I've played with 5-6 ipads in various stores and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them has had a dead/stuck pixel. C'mon!

I guess apple is fine with this however... Most people don't notice them, and those who do easily return them and thus are happy in the end... So it's a win-win

 

[barkomatic]

I think the experience is hit or miss whether its Apple or Best Buy that you take your iPad back too. There is an applestore in NYC (Soho) that is very difficult to deal with when seeking an exchange or return for a defective product. The rest in the area are fine.

 

[Aduntu]

I returned an iPad for a stuck pixel at the Apple store (bought from there), and they tried to charge me a restocking fee twice. I argued that it was insane to pay a restocking fee on a defective item. After getting two managers involved, they conceded.

 

[antiprotest]

A dead hooker is still better than a live monkey.

Um...is it? I don't know. lol

 

[zepharus]

The manager waived the restock fee immediately for me when I exchanged mine with one small dead pixel. No problems whatsoever and never been charged a restocking fee ever over the many years I've been a customer at BB. I never have any hassles with BB and I have 3 near me.

It's who you talk to and the way you say it that sometimes makes a difference. I somehow got the customer service young man to actually put an iPAd 16 gb on hold for me on launch day! The 2 other BB stores refused so I happened to get lucky when I begged him.

Bingo. If you are a Pompus ass as most of the Apple fanboys are, you will be met with the same amount of negative energy. Act professional and respectful and you will receive the same in most cases.

Also consider becoming an BB Premier Silver Customer.. no hassles ever.

 

[MICMAC247]

Best Buy Sucks

Best buy customer service is pitiful to say the least. I've had on a few occasions where the "Geek Squad" has made it their personal goal to make me miserable. Two short stories:

1 - iPod with their (at the time) 4 year warranty. Brought it in for service, they sent it to the wrong store waited a couple of extra days got it back iPod wouldn't charge, sent it back, charged me a "diagnostic fee" because they said nothing was wrong with it, brought it back, finally got a new iPod but they made me purchase a new protection plan for it because "they were giving me a $500 iPod" (80GB classic, don't think it was ever that expensive but oh well).

2 - Purchased an Insignia LCD TV (sucks, don't ever buy one) had issues with it, called the tech (Best Buy tech as Insignia is Best Buy's brand) to come out and look it over. He agrees it needed to be replaced, calls me gives me a code to get a new TV, store says "I need to have my Geek Squad look at it" they send the TV, takes a couple of weeks, they bring it back after "sodering some wires" which of course ultimately didn't fix the issue.

To sum it up... they suck. Any Connecticut residents reading, DON'T go to the Trumbull store for customer service. They may be the worst Best Buy in the country.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Apple Roulette.

 

[Revelation78]

Without a doubt it is... I've had more iPhones than you could count. All returned due to defective screens.

Apple seems to really suck in this arena... I've played with 5-6 ipads in various stores and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them has had a dead/stuck pixel. C'mon!

I guess apple is fine with this however... Most people don't notice them, and those who do easily return them and thus are happy in the end... So it's a win-win

And I have never had issues with the screens on my iPhones, maybe you just have bad luck!

Bingo. If you are a Pompus ass as most of the Apple fanboys are, you will be met with the same amount of negative energy. Act professional and respectful and you will receive the same in most cases.

Also consider becoming an BB Premier Silver Customer.. no hassles ever.

Why should someone become part of a "premier" membership to receive proper customer care? If I shop at your store, I don't care what level of memberships you have, treat me like a paying customer and address my concerns or you lose my future purchases.

That's what happened with my local BB, and I generally spend in excess of $5k per year on electronics. BB used to see that until they gave me ***** for a simple $49 wifi router that was defective. So BB lost $5k per year over $49, yeah they do care.... /sarcasm

 

[Aduntu]

Best buy customer service is pitiful to say the least. I've had on a few occasions where the "Geek Squad" has made it their personal goal to make me miserable. Two short stories:

1 - iPod with their (at the time) 4 year warranty. Brought it in for service, they sent it to the wrong store waited a couple of extra days got it back iPod wouldn't charge, sent it back, charged me a "diagnostic fee" because they said nothing was wrong with it, brought it back, finally got a new iPod but they made me purchase a new protection plan for it because "they were giving me a $500 iPod" (80GB classic, don't think it was ever that expensive but oh well).

2 - Purchased an Insignia LCD TV (sucks, don't ever buy one) had issues with it, called the tech (Best Buy tech as Insignia is Best Buy's brand) to come out and look it over. He agrees it needed to be replaced, calls me gives me a code to get a new TV, store says "I need to have my Geek Squad look at it" they send the TV, takes a couple of weeks, they bring it back after "sodering some wires" which of course ultimately didn't fix the issue.

To sum it up... they suck. Any Connecticut residents reading, DON'T go to the Trumbull store for customer service. They may be the worst Best Buy in the country.

Your story sounds like every experience I've ever had with Geek Squad/Customer Service at Best Buy. I despise them.

 

[mrcc]

dude. u have a 1 year warranty with apple. just take it into a apple store and thats it. ive bought my itouch from bb. And apple store was happily able to exchange it for me no questions asked.

 

[soxfanreggie]

Bingo. If you are a Pompus ass as most of the Apple fanboys are, you will be met with the same amount of negative energy. Act professional and respectful and you will receive the same in most cases.

Also consider becoming an BB Premier Silver Customer.. no hassles ever.

While I have the Silver status now, it's hard to maintain it if you don't spend big bucks every year on electronics. I ordered my iPad online from Apple, so there is $829 I'll be spending on electronics that I wouldn't get "credit" towards for Silver status.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

The fine print of almost every Best Buy warranty states that their actions are entirely at their own discretion. If they want to waive the restocking fee, they can. If they don't, they won't. For that matter, they have the right to either repair or replace an item, at the sole discretion of their 'Best Buy technicians.'

There was a thread on here last week from some loser who was going to trash his brand new MBP just so he could try and scam BB for a new one covered under the replacement warranty. I'm not sure what happened to that but more than likely, they took his old one and sent it out for repair.

Sometimes you get a nice BB manager to intervene and rule in your favor. But not usually.