Bust Buy

paymontana

Just a heads up on Best Buy and their "extended wanranty program." Here is the letter I emailed to them. Their policy is 4 attemps to fix it and then they have to replace it. I recently discovered that the ac adapter did not work on my Nikon CoolPix 5000 after I dropped the battery in a puddle. I know it is a factory defect and they probably do too. I just don't want to be jerked around 4 times before they have to replace it.



My inquiry is specifically related to: Repairs & Parts

.

Questions or Comments: I have previously sent my Nikon Cool Pix in for repair. It was returned to me in the same condition that it was sent out. Dipite the fact that "All systems were returned to factory specs." I find it very hard to believe it broke in shipping. The camera will not work with the AC adapter. I can not use it without the adapter in a studio setting. I have waisted two 1.5 hr trips to the N. Strabane store and spent three weeks w/o my camera. Which is understandable if they would have fixed it. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the B.B.B. I refuse to spend anymore time and effort due to your negligence or deliberate deception. I spend thousands of dollars at your store and have an open account. I request that you send me a shipping label so that I can give percision one more chance to fix my camera. If it does not come back this time, nothing short of a full store credit for the camera and the insurance policy will restore my faith in your products or services. A copy of this email has been sent to the BBB. I would respect an immediate response to this complaint. Please restore my faith in your company. Sincerely, Chris
The following was their response! **************************************************** Chris,

Thank you for contacting Best Buy about your recent experience. I'm Kathy with Customer Care.

We realize it can be frustrating when you do not receive the service you expect, and we are disappointed we did not meet your expectations when you had your camera repaired. To better assist you, we encourage you to contact your local Best Buy store directly. A store associate will be happy to assist you.

Thank you for sharing your comments with Best Buy. Please don't hesitate to contact us with additional questions or concerns.

Best wishes from Best Buy,
Kathy and the Customer Care Team
****************************************************
Their store told me to contact their corporate office.........go figure! Well anyway just a heads up anyway make of it what you want. Anyone with any suggestions or similar stories speak up. Did I say "It was good to be back?"



CJ

mrmusicman

F*ck Best-Buy.:mad:

goingganzo

i am using their return polocy to get a i pod for my trip to china so i am not bored out of my mind

bknauss

Sheesh, its like you guys don't like being told lies by 16 year olds... *sigh*

I went in a couple months ago before I bought a refurbished LCD TV and wanted to check out the quality of the thing new. I also had some questions about DirecTV. Here were a list of problems I had:
1. The TV was hooked up to the cable feed, and they couldn't find the remote to switch the TV to the component feed. They switched the cables, but couldn't show me the true loveliness of the TV.
2. I was told LCD has burn in problems, so I needed to buy from them and get the warranty.
3. I was also told the bulb life was around 2-3k hours, unlike the 6-8k hours I've seen plastered over almost every website I've done research on. Oh yea, that was another reason to get the warranty.
4. When I asked the kid about DirecTV, he had no clue, but tried to play it off like he knew. The conversation went a little like this
-"So how many rooms of installation come free?" (knowing it was 3 at the time)
-"None"
-"So I don't get a refund or anything for the equipment and installation???"
-"eh... yes you do!"
It went on like that for a while. He looked like he was about to cry once I started asking about HD broadcasts, the equipment prices, and what would be the cheapest way to get local channels (OTA or $5 a month).

And their CD collection blows! I can't find somewhat popular CDs, but I can find rack upon rack of Alicia Keys. Just what I wanted! (sarcasm)

Bonham

My understanding is it's not possible to burn an image into a LCD. That's one of their selling points. You can use the thing as your TV, video game monitor, computer monitor... etc. A plasma it is possible, but not a LCD. And do LCD's HAVE a bulb? (Maybe you were looking at a plasma?).

Also, while I would by no means defend a Best Buy employee (cause I think most of them are clueless based on my own experiences there - and just as you say their CD selection sucks, so does their video game selection) you shouldn't be surprised that they don't know anything about DirectTV. They know very little about Comcast too even though they are actively trying to sell Cable Internet and Digital Cable to customers through Comcast. It's not their product. Besides, I'm sure if you call DirectTV themselves and don't prompt them on advertised information you'll get around at least five variations from ten different sales reps (same with Comcast). And while a Best Buy employee ought to be at least be knowledgable on your options in getting HD, they aren't going to be able to tell you the cost unless it's something that they themselves sell. DirectTV started somewhere around $700 for an HD box and are down to like a third of that now I think. Comcast you just pay a few bucks more a month (and can get locals from them). As far as which is better... it's kinda like audio equipment, it really just depends... on where you live, what you watch, what you want to pay, etc. Sometimes cable is superior and sometimes satalite.

TheReaper

Originally posted by Bonham
... And do LCD's HAVE a bulb?

Yes LCDs have a bulb, they do not generate their own light. If it is a flat panel LCD, it is usually a florescent bulb that lasts for years (40k hours). If it is a rear projection LCD, then it is your typical 2k -> 5k hour projector bulb.

Bonham

Originally posted by TheReaper
Yes LCDs have a bulb, they do not generate their own light. If it is a flat panel LCD, it is usually a florescent bulb that lasts for years (40k hours). If it is a rear projection LCD, then it is your typical 2k -> 5k hour projector bulb.

Ahhh ok. I knew they had to have some kind of light source, but wasn't sure if it would truely be a bulb.

I've been waiting on the costs for decent sized LCD's to come down to use as a second television (in an office/den). But even now I'd pay the same for a 22" LCD that I did for a 52" Rear Projection.

sowen010599

FP LCD displays have what is called a "cold cathode" back-light. The LCD is nothing more than a filter for the white light shining through from behind. It is very similar to a florescent light. The do go out albeit very rarely. Usually back-light failure is cause by the failure of the inverter (the device which generates the voltage required for the cathode). In most quality displays, the cathode and inverter are easily replaced, and quite cheap. Cathodes usually run from 50-150 bucks and inverters are in the ~$70 range. LCD's do not suffer from "burn-in" in any way.

PolkThug

Originally posted by sowen010599
LCD's do not suffer from "burn-in" in any way.

I've read about some rare burn-in like problems on lcd's over at avsforum. don't have a link handy right-now.

*Sharp Aquos 30" LCD had some burn-in problems.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3661342#post3661342

Bonham

Well, when I saw some reports of burn-in claims I was a bit worried (cause I've been telling a lot of customers that is can't happen), but if you look into it the problem with what people were believing is burn-in on the LCD's it doesn't appear to be perminent. I haven't verified it myself (cause I can't and don't know anyone who has had it happen) but if you leave the thing off for a few days or have the screen cycle between black and white (filling the entire screen) for a while it will get rid of the static images (perceived as burn-in).

So, from what I've seen it's rare... but it's also not really 'burn-in' as we define it (perminent damage).

sowen010599

They don't burn in, but there is such a thing as "image persistence" with LCD displays. It has to do with the liquid crystal remaining polarized after current to the sub-pixel is turned off. It looks identical to burn-in on phosphor based displays (crt's and plasma), but the difference is burn-in is permanent, image persistence is not. If an LCD exhibits symptoms of burn-in, turning the display off for an extended period of time will cure it. Where as a plasma, or CRT display will never be cured, short of replacing the panel, gun, or tube.

Burn-in is caused by a static image exciting phosphor long enough so that the phosphor does not fluoresce as brightly as it used to. The symptom of this is called burn-in, as a shadow of the image is literally burned in to the phosphor.

There have been some problems with permanent image persistence with LCD displays. I have only heard of, or seen this happen, with cheap displays on computers (ie: desktop monitors and laptops). It happens when the switching transistor on each sub-pixel is on for so long, it begins to leak voltage causing the LC to polarize. The problem appears as burn-in. But I have only seen this on displays that are on 24/7 w/o out screen saver and things like the start button appear as shadows during movies and games. Good transistors don't leak voltage regardless of use. It's not "burn-in" or even "image persistence" really, it's just a cheap display with bad transistors.

Toxis

Best Buy is good for buying CD's and DVD's. That's it. Anyone who buys other goods from them are the same people who go to WalMart for a Home Theater.

kberg

Originally posted by Toxis
Best Buy is good for buying CD's and DVD's. That's it.

Agreed!

Toxis

Originally posted by anonymouse
I prefer Borders for CDs and DVDs. Far better atmosphere.

far more expensive though, at least here in Kansas City.

bknauss

I've found that Borders, unless you find some rare CD that they're ready to get rid of, is generally $5 more than most other stores. Yup, the atmosphere is a million times better, but I'm not going to pay $5 for it DVDs there are ridiculously priced also. I don't think I've ever seen a DVD there for less than $25!

Mike682

Originally posted by Toxis
far more expensive though, at least here in Kansas City.

Same here in NY, most of their CDs are $17.99 and up. Although they do have some really good sales on new releases from time to time.

wlrandall

Originally posted by Toxis
Best Buy is good for buying CD's and DVD's. That's it. Anyone who buys other goods from them are the same people who go to WalMart for a Home Theater.

Not totally true, I have bought a couple of cordless phones there. But not much else...