Best Buy blu-ray buyer beware

[philsags]

This is my first post on this site but I have been buying blu-ray discs for quite awhile. However, just recently I purchased Shoot Em Up blu-ray at a Best Buy location only to find nothing in the case. I returned to the store only to find that they would not give me a copy of the movie nor would they provide me store credit or a refund. They told me I had to contact New Line Cinema. The service associates at the store didn't even know how to go about contacting the manufacturer. If anyone has ever experienced such a ridiculous policy or has even heard of this please just let me know. And next time you buy at Best Buy open your packages at the cashier's desk to make sure before dropping cash on anything.

Phil

[BStecke]

Try another Best Buy.

[Brian Cash]

never had that problem was the package completely sealed or did someone slice the bottom and steal it

[Supplication]

This happened with me as well at Best Buy - League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The long edge security sticker had a razor cut (which I noticed after the fact). The tops and bottoms were fine. But, I couldn't prove my case so I was SOL.

That night I opened an Amazon Prime account...

[dwil80]

I can understand Best Buy's position on this. I mean anyone could take it home open it up, take the movie out and return it to the store and say it wasn't in there. I'm not saying thats what you did, but you got to think about how much money they would lose by allowing ppl to return open product with nothing inside.

[Supplication]

I was disappointed, but totally understood their position. I still do shop at Best Buy. But I'm a lot more careful about the inspection and "shake test". LOL.

[Blu Tiger]

Originally Posted by philsags

This is my first post on this site but I have been buying blu-ray discs for quite awhile. However, just recently I purchased Shoot Em Up blu-ray at a Best Buy location only to find nothing in the case. I returned to the store only to find that they would not give me a copy of the movie nor would they provide me store credit or a refund. They told me I had to contact New Line Cinema. The service associates at the store didn't even know how to go about contacting the manufacturer. If anyone has ever experienced such a ridiculous policy or has even heard of this please just let me know. And next time you buy at Best Buy open your packages at the cashier's desk to make sure before dropping cash on anything.

Phil

Had this happen to me 4 different times at Best Buy over the last five years, once with Silent Hill on blu-ray, but everytime I took it back, they gave me another copy. Try another Best Buy or another employee. They should take it back. Be insistent.

I said, "Look at my reward zone or credit card history. You'll see just how much money I spend here." That seemed to work.

[Kratos3]

Originally Posted by Supplication

I was disappointed, but totally understood their position. I still do shop at Best Buy. But I'm a lot more careful about the inspection and "shake test". LOL.

Ah yes, the "shake test." I've been burned once or twice by not doing that. It is unfortunate about your BD, but you have to understand their position. Unfortunately, being a very large corporation, they need to have these types of policies. I used to work at a BB, and I can't tell you how many visibly upset ppl I've seen up at the Customer Service desk when trying to return something. Just one more reason I didn't want to stick around to be a BB Manager. They have a tough job. I once had a guy who wanted me to take 10% off the TV, receiver, and speakers he was buying. He thought that since he was buying so much that he deserved a price break.

[mdm1699]

Originally Posted by philsags

This is my first post on this site but I have been buying blu-ray discs for quite awhile. However, just recently I purchased Shoot Em Up blu-ray at a Best Buy location only to find nothing in the case. I returned to the store only to find that they would not give me a copy of the movie nor would they provide me store credit or a refund. They told me I had to contact New Line Cinema. The service associates at the store didn't even know how to go about contacting the manufacturer. If anyone has ever experienced such a ridiculous policy or has even heard of this please just let me know. And next time you buy at Best Buy open your packages at the cashier's desk to make sure before dropping cash on anything.

Phil

Big thanks for the heads up.

[Moefiz]

What I tend to do is once I get back to my car I usually open the disc and check if it's in there.

[mike79]

That happened to me with the heroes box set. There was not 1 disc in the whole set. After arguing, they took it back.

[wem003]

Originally Posted by Kratos3

Ah yes, the "shake test." I've been burned once or twice by not doing that. It is unfortunate about your BD, but you have to understand their position. Unfortunately, being a very large corporation, they need to have these types of policies. I used to work at a BB, and I can't tell you how many visibly upset ppl I've seen up at the Customer Service desk when trying to return something. Just one more reason I didn't want to stick around to be a BB Manager. They have a tough job. I once had a guy who wanted me to take 10% off the TV, receiver, and speakers he was buying. He thought that since he was buying so much that he deserved a price break.

I got into the shake test habit years ago because I was tired of buying a DVD and having the little spindle that holds the disc being cracked and chunks flying around in the case.

I've never experienced and empty case - but that would have caught it I guess.

[sssick]

I've purchased so many DVD's in my life that I can tell instantly if it has a disc in it.

[sygnus]

Didn't get an empty case but:
I tried to return a defective SD season one Miami Vice set as a shipment had bad discs, and I was one of the unfortunate Wonka ticket holders this time around. I brought it in and they offered an exchange. I said fine, but wanted them to check it in front of me as I had read about the defective discs sent to my state and knew the whole shipment was bad. They rolled their eyes, stuck in the disc and...didn't work. I asked for my money back. They refused. I told them to test another one. That set didn't work either. I told them I had all day so let's open a crate of these puppies up (almost verbatim). After a while the manager, who had been remarkably smug up to that point looked at me nervously and asked under his breath, "so do you think we should pull all the sets off the shelves?" After I reminded him that I was neither a)the manager or b)an emplyee there of any kind he went and got my cash. As I'm waiting another saleman comes up and asks if I need help. Told him the situation but he firmly stated "we don't give refunds on open media, even if it's defective". "Okay," I said, "then let's try some sets out and see if we can find one that works." The salesman sticks a disc in...and it worked. Then I reminded him he had the wrong disc. Switiching them out we found that it was another defective set. "Let's try another," I suggested. "And another." As he opened the third or fourth set his manager comes out with my cash, looks at the guy and goes "STOP! Don't open any more!" "I tried to tell him," I shrugged. Not a great but still a very true story.
If it's defective or missing they need to just give you the cash or refund. They do like to make it difficult though don't they?
This is my first post here...so please be gentle.

[Wreck]

Originally Posted by dwil80

I can understand Best Buy's position on this. I mean anyone could take it home open it up, take the movie out and return it to the store and say it wasn't in there. I'm not saying thats what you did, but you got to think about how much money they would lose by allowing ppl to return open product with nothing inside.

Actually a retail store of that magnitude can "damage" it out and return it, where they get credit for it from their suppliers.

[cartier]

If you made your purchase on a credit card try taking the situation up withe the credit card company. They usually have a policy regarding lost or stolen merchandise. If not then going back and talking with the manager is a good way to go. Also try calling customer support.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Moefiz

What I tend to do is once I get back to my car I usually open the disc and check if it's in there.

I think they'd view that the same as if you went home!!! Otherwise they'd just think you popped the disc in the car, and brought the empty case back in....

I've never had this happen to me in all my days of purchasing DVDs/Blus.

[Blu Titan]

I had never checked the case before buying. I will keep an eye out for this from now on.

[ManUtd]

I have not experienced the bad luck of buying empty cases but I understand that it can happen. Actually when I buy a BD I prefer one that doesn't shake (maybe less chances of scratches) and so far it has worked out fine. BTW, thanks for all the great advices in this thread if this unfortunate event happens to anyone.

[jmtaylor200]

While I have never had this happen to me, this apparently was a problem at my local Best Buy as well. So much so that they put every blu-ray into individual locked cases, like the games. Makes browsing through the movies a real pain in the ass.