What is the name of your state?
Connecticut / Massachusetts
My wife and her friend recently "attended" the mass hysteria during the Black Friday morning deals at Best Buy in CT. The objective was to buy some computers that they had on special sales during this time. The first computer was a desktop for $150. However, they were told that the store had no more "base" systems available, but they had a "special" version where they preinstalled some antispyware and antivirus software for $118 extra. Given the still-good price on the product, and the lack of any other options, they took the offer even though it seemed fishy (besides which, after waiting for 5 hours in the cold, dark night, they certainly didn't want to lose the still-pretty-good price on the system).
After that the other 2 systems were laptops. The laptop they planned on buying was about $400, but again, they pulled the $118-extra deal on these too. However, instead of getting these laptops, they were recommended a $579 Gateway laptop which was certainly a better equipped computer, and since it was $579, they figured it was certainly a better deal than the $518-ish Toshiba. So, they both bought one of these.
Now, here's where the fun starts: After checking the receipts at home, we noticed that something didn't make sense. Sure enough, without telling them, both laptops also had the $118 additional put on them. Again, they were familiar with the matter, and never were told about this additional cost for the laptops, yet they were charged.
For now, we have kept the machines, and the friend is going ahead to use it anyway, since she needed it sooner than later. However, doesn't this seem like a bait-advertising scam that is illegal? Is there any legal foundation for this to be allowed?
Now, here is where more of the fun starts. So, with my laptop in hand, I went to my local Best Buy in MA to return the machine, as I don't feel it was a good value for $579 + 118 since I already have antivirus/spyware software and I am certainly more than capable of installing it. (Note also that during this sale, these items were also available free after rebates, and I actually purchased a package for my other computers anyway.)
Upon trying to return it, I was told they would not accept it for the following reasons:
1) "Labor" for installing the computer is not refundable.
2) Since the computer was bought in CT, the MA store could not accept it because the tax rate is different, and the purchase was greater than $1000 (the TOTAL purchase was greater than $1k, but the computer was not, fyi). Since the CT store is about 3 hours away, I offered ot take the MA-tax refund instead (giving up 1% to CT) since it would cost me more in gas to get there... yet they refused this too. Is this even remotely excusable? Sounds like their system is incapable of reconciling this matter, but that's not my problem.
3) Since the store we bought from in CT gave us a printout-receipt (the paper in the register ran out) they would not accept this printout in my local store since it was not official. Sure, I could argue with them about this, but given the former matter, I gave up and left with the computer.
So, the questions are:
1) Was this $118 "feature" a method of bait and switch? Obviously, they had the advertised merchandise, but purposely loaded it up with $118 of crap that can be had for free during the very same sale.
2) Is it legal for them to refuse my return in MA for tax reasons from my purchase in CT? Is this even an acceptable excuse?
3) What are my options for recourse, should I decide to threaten legal action? Small claims court in CT, I assume? Maybe small claims in MA against my local store (assuming the above issue is not legal, of course)?
Any other ideas? I just hate that so many of us got screwed that morning.
Connecticut / Massachusetts
My wife and her friend recently "attended" the mass hysteria during the Black Friday morning deals at Best Buy in CT. The objective was to buy some computers that they had on special sales during this time. The first computer was a desktop for $150. However, they were told that the store had no more "base" systems available, but they had a "special" version where they preinstalled some antispyware and antivirus software for $118 extra. Given the still-good price on the product, and the lack of any other options, they took the offer even though it seemed fishy (besides which, after waiting for 5 hours in the cold, dark night, they certainly didn't want to lose the still-pretty-good price on the system).
After that the other 2 systems were laptops. The laptop they planned on buying was about $400, but again, they pulled the $118-extra deal on these too. However, instead of getting these laptops, they were recommended a $579 Gateway laptop which was certainly a better equipped computer, and since it was $579, they figured it was certainly a better deal than the $518-ish Toshiba. So, they both bought one of these.
Now, here's where the fun starts: After checking the receipts at home, we noticed that something didn't make sense. Sure enough, without telling them, both laptops also had the $118 additional put on them. Again, they were familiar with the matter, and never were told about this additional cost for the laptops, yet they were charged.
For now, we have kept the machines, and the friend is going ahead to use it anyway, since she needed it sooner than later. However, doesn't this seem like a bait-advertising scam that is illegal? Is there any legal foundation for this to be allowed?
Now, here is where more of the fun starts. So, with my laptop in hand, I went to my local Best Buy in MA to return the machine, as I don't feel it was a good value for $579 + 118 since I already have antivirus/spyware software and I am certainly more than capable of installing it. (Note also that during this sale, these items were also available free after rebates, and I actually purchased a package for my other computers anyway.)
Upon trying to return it, I was told they would not accept it for the following reasons:
1) "Labor" for installing the computer is not refundable.
2) Since the computer was bought in CT, the MA store could not accept it because the tax rate is different, and the purchase was greater than $1000 (the TOTAL purchase was greater than $1k, but the computer was not, fyi). Since the CT store is about 3 hours away, I offered ot take the MA-tax refund instead (giving up 1% to CT) since it would cost me more in gas to get there... yet they refused this too. Is this even remotely excusable? Sounds like their system is incapable of reconciling this matter, but that's not my problem.
3) Since the store we bought from in CT gave us a printout-receipt (the paper in the register ran out) they would not accept this printout in my local store since it was not official. Sure, I could argue with them about this, but given the former matter, I gave up and left with the computer.
So, the questions are:
1) Was this $118 "feature" a method of bait and switch? Obviously, they had the advertised merchandise, but purposely loaded it up with $118 of crap that can be had for free during the very same sale.
2) Is it legal for them to refuse my return in MA for tax reasons from my purchase in CT? Is this even an acceptable excuse?
3) What are my options for recourse, should I decide to threaten legal action? Small claims court in CT, I assume? Maybe small claims in MA against my local store (assuming the above issue is not legal, of course)?
Any other ideas? I just hate that so many of us got screwed that morning.