Woman Sues Best Buy For $54 Million Over Lost Laptop
from the some-attention-please... dept
It's tough to value a lost laptop. After all, there are often all sorts of private information and content of sentimental value on a laptop. So, when a woman discovered that Best Buy had lost the laptop she gave them to fix (after repeatedly lying to her about how soon the laptop would be fixed), she decided to sue the retailer for $54 million (found via Engadget). She admits that she's not really expecting to get the $54 million, and simply chose that number to get media attention (it's working), but given the run around that Best Buy gave her, it's not too surprising that she rejected its last offer of $2500, a $900 gift card and a refund on the laptop. Originally, the company had just offered her the gift card (less than the cost of the computer). It wasn't until she filed the lawsuit that Best Buy seemed willing to offer something more. The woman also had some friends contact the store manager of the store that lost the laptop, and he responded to them by saying "we strive to deliver the experience that every customer deserves to receive" and "not every customer can be satisfied." That seems like a pretty weak response to having completely lost someone's laptop you were supposed to repair.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: laptops, lawsuits, lost laptops
Companies: best buy
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
BB GS
Paying young geeks low pay and reaping in the insane profits off of the repairs and stuff they do.
They easily charge over an average of 100$ / hour (at least here in Michigan from my estimates of their advertised prices and how long I would expect stuff to take .. if they had minor setbacks, so they are probably making more).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: BB GS
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Unlimited Days to Repair
Before buying a service contract the first question has to be: "if the computer breaks, what is the guaranteed turnaround time on getting it fixed and back to me, or giving me a new one?"
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Privacy issues as well
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Worst Buy
I don't blame this woman at all for the $54 million. Sadly, BB will continue to do what's profitable: screwing their customers.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I hope she slams best buy hard
They are designed to capture the unaware consumer, and they seem to be doing a good job at it, in the name of the bottom line and their shareholders (which is how they get away with unethical business practices - there are laws that say if things are in the interest of shareholders, which is a very low provable standard, that it is acceptable)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: I hope she slams best buy hard
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Go Geek Squad
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/07/12/geek-squad-steals-porn-from-dead-porn-star /
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Geek Squad
Same thing at Circuit City's fire dog. The Technology supervisor advised me there is no such thing as moelx connectors in a computer.
I charge 40-60 bucks to fix a PC and I know what I am doing.
If you wont let your teenage child fix your computer why the hell are you going to geek squad!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Geek Squad
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Geek Squad
1) A national ad budget to support
2) A boatfull of overpaid executives to support
3) Stockholders to worry about
And, I have customers that actually recommend me to their friends. Do you think the Geek Squad has that?
By the way, until BB bought the Geek Squad, they actually were a top of the line service & support operation.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
BB deserves to be
In my experience with them, they are the WORST. They have tactics that would make a Mafia movie seem like a kids story.
I have had some nasty experiences with them. The last happened when I tried to buy a computer with them (in Tucson), and after I refused to buy the extended service, they told me that the item had been already sold, and they didn't have any other computer like that.
Later that same day, I returned to the store, and saw them selling the same item.
I then decided that that would be the last time I would buy from them. And I have kept my self made promise without any regret.
Alberto
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
One thing to note
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
And when it won't boot.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: And when it won't boot.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: And when it won't boot.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: And when it won't boot.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
News flash
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
backup, backup, backup!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
backup, backup, backup!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: backup, backup, backup!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: backup, backup, backup!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
If YOU don;t back up your data then you are stupid. Period... Regardless that the machine is "already" broken. Relying on ANYONE makes YOU even more foolish. In this case BB is at fault for losing the Laptop and giving her the run-around. Not for losing HER data. She is the fool on that point.
That said steer very clear of BB.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Worst Buy
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Also, Best Buy really does have some good deals on equipment, if you catch the right sales. Plus, for big-ticket items like TVs and home theater systems, I would much rather buy locally so it's easy (and free) to return if there's a problem with something. Imagine what return shipping on an HDTV would cost you. And the optional 4-year service contracts are a nice touch that you may not get just anywhere.
Here's an example of one of my better experiences. Last summer I picked up a Samsung 40" LCD TV from Best Buy. For some reason they had two of the same model on the shelf, a rare occurence. The salesman said one of them had just been put out on display less than a week ago, and he could sell me that one right off the shelf with their open-box discount (which is a 10% off discount in the form of a gift card). Now, the TV was originally $1700, already on sale for just over $1600. Not only did I get the sale price, but the salesman gave me the 10% off gift card for the original price, meaning I got $170 on the card. Then, since the 4-year contract was priced at $200, I immediately used the gift card on that, reducing it to a mere $30. Additionally, I had previously purchased a Samsung up-convert DVD player which was now on clearance (less than a month later), so they refunded me the difference. On top of it all, I got in on a great free financing deal. I think I got a great deal, and was treated very well throughout the whole process. The only part where I feel I got suckered was paying about $50 for a little 3' HDMI cable, when I later found I could get a 7' HDMI cable from Newegg for $7 that works just as good.
One thing I have noticed, though, is that it's a good idea to check the Best Buy website to price-compare items online with in-store items, because sometimes the website will have a better deal. When that happens, you will need to either order it online for local pickup, or bring in a printout of the item with the price and current date shown in order for them to honor it. They appear to have access to the website at their terminals around the store, but I suspect it's an offline cache because (1) it's way faster than the real website and (2) it didn't reflect a lower online price on the same day I checked it online myself. I don't think it happens too often, but you should be wary of it anyway.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
seriously, you haven't heard about how they have a version on their intranet that has different prices then the www version?
do some checking
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
YOU should have had it already backed up... If it does not boot then you only lose up till th epoint of YOUR last backup which SHOULD be recent. If YOU dont then YOU must suffer the consequences.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Now, we can sit back and see which asswipe is going to claim she shouldn't have had her tax files on her computer.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Tax files
It's called PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY! Back it up if it's that important. Otherwise, STFU.
The only issue is the physical laptop itself (and its full cost to replace). For that nonsense, BB does deserve to pay for her lost time since they gave her the run-around.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Tax files
See, I can use CAPS too.. Does it make me look smart?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Tax files
See, I can use CAPS too.. Does it make me look smart?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Hah, well obviously a company won't take her seriously unless she takes out the big guns. Unfortunately, it had to come to a lawsuit when what they should have done in the first place was a) find the laptop, b) if not, then refund the full price + more. They didn't do the first one (stolen maybe? If so, own up to it at least...) and they didn't even refund her the full price of the laptop.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Security cannot be overlooked
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Security cannot be overlooked
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I didn't know that was their business philosophy, I'll be sure to keep that in mind.. Actually, I've heard of other companies that take customer service seriously and make sure their customers are satisfied... but then, yeah - some people can have wild expectations...
Like.. expecting a store to replace a laptop they lost. That's a bit much!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Employee Perks
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
privacy is the issue
Backed up or not, the issue is that anyone could be using the data that was on that computer at this point?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I hope the woman gets the big $$$$
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: I hope the woman gets the big $$$$
what, at the cost of a 3-4 repairs?! you paid enough money that they still honored it. (besides BB is required by law to do so if it is in their contract terms)
do you honestly think it was BB's fault your laptop came back to you like it was stampeded on? do you ever stop to think that this '3rd party' vendor or whatever damaged your laptop?
all too often, employees fall complacent with what they have to do to keep a job, and dont worry about the quality of the product.
if you've ever been through a best buy employee training process, you would know that they just don't hire people off of the street.
sorry, fortune 200 companies dont do that...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
1. Loss leaders: if there is a sale and I can walk in, buy a $10 stack of blank media, etc. and leave. They'd have to try hard to screw up DVDs (I've seen it done).
2. Big ticket items with warranties: not the service plan, a free (included in cost) warranty that lasts a while.
3. Cameras and Laptops: I almost never buy these, but it's nice to try them out before getting the same thing for 60% less online. My current laptop has some features that are somewhat rare, and I wouldn't have considered without seeing it first (including analog volume wheel on the side).
I never buy the service plan, even online. I've seen them push service plans that cost more than the item! I can't imagine paying $15 for a few years of coverage on a $10 USB->serial cable. If it's expensive and doesn't have a warranty, I look elsewhere.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
When I got to SYD I contacted US Support. They gave the address of the Australian branch. When got there and handed it over, I encountered a fool who tried to tell me it was my fault but could come up with any action on my part that might have caused the problem. So I insisted he submit it to a service engineer. I got a receipt. As a long time business man I was firm in requiring, over his objection, that the receipt be detailed as to serial number, his name, his sig and on their letter-head.
A few days later an unidentified woman left a message on the answering machine at the home where I was staying. She said they were sending the laptop back unrepaired because the issue was not covered by warranty. She was specific that the unit was being sent to the address the Sydney address I'd provided.
After a week passed without a computer, I called. I couldn't get through to anyone who knew anything about my laptop. I should mention that it also contained a great deal of software, backups, email, etc. used to manage hundreds of web sites that I host for clients in 7 countries.
When almost 3 weeks had passed and I was ready to move on, I contacted the USA support people and gave them the details of my itinerary during the next four weeks in major cities in Thailand, Malaysia and India. When I was ready to leave India for London, I emailed the USA HQ that if they failed to return my laptop by the time I got home to Jersey City in ten days, I would file a lawsuit the very next day after my arrival.
They didn't; I did.
I sent an overnight FedEx of the suit to the computer maker. I sued for the value of the computer, the software, the information, the loss of access to the data that were important to the purpose of the trip, the added expenses of renting equipment and buying replacement software, plus a fat dollar amount for the shear annoyance of it all.
Within an hour after reported delivery of the FedEx I got phone call from their corporate attorney. He asked me to drop the suit in exchange for a replacement computer. I told him to send me a settlement agreement in draft.
That launched a ballet of exchanging revised agreements that went on for ten days until I got what I wanted, including an extended warranty of all parts and labor for 2 years. Along the way, their lawyer tried every weasel-word-game in the book, including trying to date the warranty on the new computer forom the date of the lost one and another provision that, I had I signed it, would have barred me from ever again suing them again, anywhere in the world and for any reason. They wanted me to pay the shipping cost. They refused to discuss cash compensation.
On a Thursday some ten days later I ran out of patiernce demands and set a deadline saying if I did not have a signed agreement, and the replacement computer, on my terms, in hand by Saturday morning, our discussions were over and we would only talk again at trial.
They came through.
Point is, as frivolous as that woman's multimillion dollar suit may seem, a well-founded, solidly documented complaint in support of a legal action is the only thing a corporation respects. You can threaten all you want and have the most solid case in the world. But until they get served with a summons, you are just wasting time.
Footnote: two weeks after the settlement, I got a call from USA Tech Support. The lost computer had been returned there. They had no info about where my laptop had been. They asked me if I wanted the data on the drive. When I said yes, they sent me the entire drive and told me to keep it as a spare.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Too bad it's not a class-action lawsuit!!!
The *ONLY* reason they gave me cash back instead of a store credit was because I was able to argue the point that they no longer sold matte-finished screens: all they sold were glary, glossy, low-resolution junk screens.
The *ONLY* reason I didn't take them to court is because I had the foresight to swap the hard drive with a blank before I sent it off for repair. For a chance at $54 million, I wish I made the mistake of leaving them with my data!
Also beware: they decremented my RewardZone account so it would take me ~$2800 worth of purchases to start getting rewards again!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Too bad it's not a class-action lawsuit!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Too bad it's not a class-action lawsuit!!!
"I understand that I am responsible for my data, and in no way hold bestbuy/geeksquad, etc etc liable for any loss of data etc etc"
If bestbuy/geeksquad still has the signed form, she's gonna be shit out of luck.
Don't get me wrong, I abhor some of their practices, but at one point in time it was a good/fun place to work at, and i've dealt with plenty of situations/customers like this ladies. It just plain sucks, but if you want real service don't bring it to folks that make 6.00-7.00 an hour.
Oh and I bet that $900 gift card was the cost of a new computer with similar specs/slightly better specs.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Too bad it's not a class-action lawsui
* losing data in the process of a repair (perhaps the drive needed replaced or the OS reinstalled) and;
* losing data because of negligence or carelessness
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Too bad it's not a class-action la
basically put, it is the owner's responsibilty for their data no matter the circumstances. If you are not tech savy enough to handle that, you should not have a important data on a computer. period.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Too bad it's not a class-actio
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Tax Files #36
For all we know this woman does have her files backed up. The fact of the matter is her credit information (tax files) existed on the hard drive when she brought the computer in FOR REPAIR! Meaning she probably couldn't securely delete sensitive information off the computer even if she knew how.
Best Buy LOST her computer and LOST her sensitive credit information and didn't even tell her for 2 weeks.
Here's an experiment. Why don't you lose your credit cards and not cancel them for 2 weeks and see what happens?
If the RIAA can call downloading an MP3 theft of up to $150,000 per file (or whatever ridiculous total they pulled out of their asses, this womans credit info is likely worth 50 times more than that, at least.
Do you get it yet? DO YOU GET IT?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
INSTRUCTIONS: How to Remove Sensitive Data
Here is how to remove sensitive files from a non-functional computer and/or back up the hard drive:
Buy a USB to IDE connector cable. This cable allows you to connect a hard drive to a USB port. Pretty cheap on eBay, buy one today so you'll have it when you need it.
Open the dead computer and remove the hard drive.
Attach the IDE end of the cable to the hard drive. Attach the USB end to a USB port on a working computer.
You now have access to the hard drive and can erase sensitive files. You can also back up important files.
Put the hard drive back into the computer and send it in for repair.
Of course this won't work if your problem is a failed hard drive, but in that case they won't be able to get to your sensitive data anyway.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: INSTRUCTIONS: How to Remove Sensitive Data
1) Not everyone is tech savvy enough to do this and you can't always get affordable help. (yet)
2) What about the copy of the data that got lost? Where is it? Who has it? What will they do with it? It doesn't matter if you have a backup or not.
BestBuy tells you up front that they may wipe your data during repair, thus you are liable. However, they should be liable for carelessness leading to lost property and/or information.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: INSTRUCTIONS: How to Remove Sensitive Data
Bad analogy time:
You take your car in to get repaired. You leave your briefcase/purse which has tax files (and nude pictures ;)) in the trunk.
Time passes. They say they "lost" your car.
Are they liable for your missing tax files?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: INSTRUCTIONS: How to Remove Sensitive
However, I would point out the unlikelihood of a woman leaving her purse behind, especially in a car for several weeks. If she did, odds are it was empty. One could also argue that a purse is not a part of the car, whereas a hard drive full of data is certainly part of a computer. Car and PC services are different enough...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: INSTRUCTIONS: How to Remove Sensit
The purse is just one example. A better one would be the radio. A car repair facility can be held liable for the disappearance of things in your vehicle while its on their property (thats why most places have in fine writing that you acknowledge not to hold them liable if anything disappears - cause otherwise legally, they would be).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: INSTRUCTIONS: How to Remove Sensitive Data
How many people do you think would be able to remove the drive in the first place? After they do that and actually get it hooked up to the other PC, how many do you think would be able to find their documents?
My mother finds it amazing that I can view her My Documents from another login. She finds it scary when I use go2assist. Most people do not know, and do not want to know how to pull data from a drive on a dead PC. A lot of people cannot grasp why I can view someones documents from another login.
Do you really think that this person was that good at computers if she took her laptop to Geek Squad?
-July, Boycott RIAA/MPAA
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Getting your data back.
(a 1-screw matter on most laptops) and popped it into a little USB housing (not too expensive, about $20) and copied the data onto our desktop system. (You still have one of *those* around these days, I hope!) The whole process took about 15 minutes and it gave us a chance to recover her files and scratch any personal data before sending the laptop off for repair.
Google for '2.5" usb hd enclosure' to see the item I'm describing, I find them invaluable...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
#39, et al.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
They said I had to RETURN my online bought speakers from bestbuy.com and then rebuy the store one. The store speakers were 200$ more, and I asked them if they could price match their own product. They said no.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Geek Squads Horrible
In addition to that, I'll fix software problems and clean out viruses and adware and counsel the customer on preventing future problems.
Geek Squad keeps your computer for a measure of days (if not longer), simply wipes the drive and reloads the OS if there are software problems and then requests hundreds of dollars without even explaining to an interested customer what went wrong.
I just charge between 20-60 dollars - before parts.
I get disaffected chain computer repair customers all the time.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
former employee
so getting back to the article. many computers that need hardware serviced are sent out to a repair center. maybe it was not BB fault at all... maybe it was the shipping company our the repair center. stuff happens... she should have had a backup... and best buy needs to pay for a new computer for her (and not a POS celeron either!)end of story
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lost computer
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
GeekSquad == RipOff
That's right, the one that was already on their computer. They didn't do anything but take the machine, power it up, update the AV, then click 'scan computer.'
Oh and they didn't give it back for a week. He left after that, he wanted to make sure they actually got the tower back.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
As an IT consultant and computer tech, I've cleaned up a lot of messes behind the geeks. While that's good for me, they give computer techs a bad name (not so much IT consultants) -- and no telling how much business I've lost because people called them first or refuse to ever call another tech after the inevitable bad GS experience.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
going overboard
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Most of you are dumb.
On a side note, I applied for a job at Best Buy, and I am insanely overqualified. The store manager was not at all concerned with my certifications or experience, she was only concerned with my ability to sell. They offered me 13 dollars per hour. I laughed in her face and told her that she was robbing people blind and thriving off choking out her employee's salaries.
BB is not the only large company out there that practices what the general public would consider 'shady' as EVERY big business does these things, but little light is ever shed on it!
The more informed your clients are of what your intentions are, and the better you are at explaining the reasons behind the intentions will score you loads and loads of loyal customers. Some of you that have posted here should promptly have your internet cut off and have your right to speak in open forums banished for all eternity.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
RE: #52 - purpose of ending...
RE: Dr. Phil - Yes, they are liable depending on just how the car was 'lost'. You'd be surprised on just how ineffective that piece of paper you signed at the repair shop OR BB is in a Court of Law given the circumstances surrounding your case.
What we get to now is the ethics involved in the Repair Entity informing the owner of said property: 'Hey Lady, youse left your purse heah, ya might wantsta pick it up. Don' want nuthin' ta happen to it - ya might need it later. Have a nice day.' Behold the power of manners. Yes manners. Will the Lady bring her car back for future repairs? Probably. Why? Because the mechanic has shown her she can TRUST him with her valuable whatevers. After all folks that is what is 'the elephant in the middle of the room' here. Trust. We all Trust the places we RELY on to have our best interests at the core of their business, hence the importance of good to excellent customer service = repeat business. This woman trusted BB/Geek Squad to perform their job concerning her request/need with a modicum of business ethics and respestfulness to her as the customer. BB not only destroyed this woman's trust in their company, they pretty much insulted her roundly in the process and she's letting the world know it, as loudly as she can. To be warned. She's also hitting them where it counts. The pocket book you say? No. Public Opinion. This hits the BIG pocket. This will have a much longer lasting effect than if they just threw some cash to shut her up (and heck, they didn't even do that right). Does anyone remember Sony's response to being caught with the root kit? Nah, Sony wasn't hurt by the backlash from that. Whatever do you mean? There is no better advertising than word of mouth and she is getting the word out. Loudly. You go Girl.
End rant. No more fun. Gotta go home...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Been There
The first time I took my wife's ipod in for service. Waited a month for them to call with a status and nothing. Finally, they confess to losing it and offer a replacement.
The second time was with a 10" subwoofer for my home theatre. It stopped working so I took it in for replacement and they sent it to the manufacturer for repair. A few weeks later they call and tell it's in and ready for pickup. I drive to the store and when I get there they can't seem to find it. Well, I was obviously frustrated because it's seems like it would be rather hard to lose an item of this size. I let the representative know that I'm not happy and leave. My phone rings before I'm able to get out of the parking lot and they ask me to come back. I come back in and they explain to me that they re-sold my repaired item and would have to give me a new one.
On another occasion, I purchased what was supposed to be a PCI express video card. I get home and try to install the thing and it won't fit in the slot on my motherboard. I quickly realize that it's an AGP card that must have been mis-packaged.
Anyhow, I was annoyed but figured I'd just go exchange it and everything would be good to go. Well, that was not the case. I get to the store, they scan the card, and inform me that they can't take it back because it's not the card that's supposed to be in the box. I'm like WTF mate. You can sell me a mis-packaged card but I can't return it? I quickly requested a manager in hopes that they would be more customer friendly. I was wrong again. They basically called me a liar and accused me of trying to return an item of lesser value for an item that was worth more. I was furious at this point and just left the store.
I understand their reasoning and I'm sure a lot of people try rip them off by taking advantage of their return policy. However, I had spent a lot of money with Best Buy previously and they could of simple looked at my account and taken my word for it.
Long story somewhat short, I ended up contacting their corporate office and finally got one of those guys to "do me a favor" and let me exchange the item. I went in on a day the regional manager was there and luckily for me, they didn't have any of the same cards in stock say I got a refund (karma does exist). On top of everything, this dude was a complete dick and wouldn't even look at me during the entire process. I haven't shopped at Best Buy since.
I hope this women gets as much money as possible.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This woman has brass balls, bravo!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Over priced
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
best buy customer satisfaction
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
happened to my brother too
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
High Prices
I don't like Best Buy. I do not like their management, their business model, or anything they stand for. They are a horrible company to work for and a horrible company to do business with.
Things like this - frivilous lawsuits and the like are the reasons that they are so horrible.
It sucks that this lady lost her laptop. The reality is though, best buy easilty services a combined 10,000 computers a day between their stores and service centers. Mistakes are bound to happen and sometimes stuff gets lost.
Sorry, that doesn't entitle you to 54 million dollars, but a replacement and something extra for the lost time and effort should be plenty.
As far as not having any data or software backed up, and having things like your social security number and tax returns on it when the computer powered on and was working when you took it in, well, if you that stupid, you should never touch another computer again. Ever.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The Worst Customer Service: Best Buy and Gateway
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The Worst Customer Service: Best Buy and Gatew
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lost Laptop
Can a judge put a price on the time limit that a company has to inform a customer that they have lost their laptop?
Those are a few of the ethics involved in this case. It further displays a low conduct of character for Best Buy to place money into the customers account unaware. How did they get their account information to do that?
The customer should be entitled to more than the cost of a laptop, time lost, wages, conduct of character etc. But, it is her responsibility to save all of her data and files.
Eric in Victorville, CA
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I have yet to hear from them after filing complaint of the store employees playing hockey with my daughter's crutches upon me exchanging them for a store wheelchair, while shopping.
When I tried to complain to the manager, the perpetrator's approached me in a threatening manner, and a huge argument ensued.
I called the 800" to complain, received a complaint number, and have never heard from Best Buy. That was a year ago.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jon's comment
And yes I support the lawsuit. The fact of the matter is they gave her the runaround for months. I read somewhere that it was 6 months and she didn't have the computer. They kept undercutting her and did not inform her right away. I had sensitive information stolen this summer and am at risk for identity theft. Thankfully I realized what happened within a half hour and had protection set up within 3 hours. But to be unaware of what happened for months? That is a major risk and credit could be trashed and it's possible someone could be racking up thousands or hundreds of thousands of fraudulent charges in her name without her knowing it. How would you like that to happen to you?
Finally, someone else said if you don't know how to back up information to not put PERSONAL information on your PERSONAL computer? That makes no sense, would you rather have your personal information on file just lying around your house? We buy these things for our personal use. I know how to navigate on the internet but have no clue how to back stuff up. Word documents, yes, I have a USB Device. But if someone asked me to back up my hard drive and EVERYTHING on my computer, all I would be able to do is stare blankly at them and go huh? We aren't all technical geniuses and we have every right for compensation when companies are rude, insulting and lose our personal damage.
A hospital reused syringes and put 40,000 people at risk for Hepatitis C and HIV. Are you going to say it is those people's fault for going to the clinic? When we go to a certain company we expect certain services to be delivered. When a company shows complete and utter disregard for us, and places us at serious risk, we deserve compensation. End of story.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
class action lawsuit
they misrepresent. . .take money under false claims. . .mISLEAD customers. . .most Geek squad techs not qualified to work on a toaster. . .much less a computer. . . they have no standards. . .their motto is Next Man up. . .my personal email is emailboogie@gmail.com I am going to make this a Rippoff report on my Morning TV shows in Baltimore and DC and I am going to find an attorney to represent consumers and get this lawsuit going unless you have one
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Accountability
they are above accountability
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
they deserve it
these guys get what they deserve! they have been ripping off my family for years. they have never lost a laptop but they rarely get the job done right the first time and their prices are thru the roof. We stopped using them a few years ago and only use Link who do everything remotely so they cant lose anything and do it all for a reasonable price!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]