HUELEN10
Member
Yeah, I returned my old Mini 3 to get a new one for the color I wanted since I found a good deal to PM. I was set to go, and the guy just opened the fucking box. I was like, dude, what the heck? He was all like "Don't worry sir, I'll get you set up and ready to go quickly". I was all like "I never asked for this; please ask for permission next time and give me a new, sealed replacement." He asks "So you bought it as a gift?" and I'm like "Frankly, that is none of your concern, the only concern is replacing the open product, with all due respect sir."
After a good 45 minutes or so, the manager explained that at his store, he was telling all associates to help set up their tablets as a courtesy, unless you asked not to. I called BS on that, and demanded my sealed box. He then told me they were out at his location, but offered me a refund, plus a 20 USD gift card for my troubles.
What should have taken 15 minutes took 4 hours, and now I am home remounting my backup. Have you ever had a clerk blatantly open a purchase without your consent or permission? It's infuriating.
EDIT: as suggested, here is a more detailed summary.
Today, I found out that a store which Best Buy price matches had the same iPad I bought open box, for 40 bucks cheaper NEW. Now, doesn't it make sense to you that I would return my iPad to the store I bought it from to get 40 bucks back at the end of the day, plus a warranty extension? Truly, a no-brainer.
So, I go to Best Buy with my original iPad in tow. I confirm if they price match, and tell them that since I am not swapping for an identical model, I would return it, and then buy/price match the new one; the original clerk said that is the procedure anyways with non-identical exchanges, so that's what we do.
Except not; he has to go help someone else, so he takes me to another register to do the return. I return the one I brought in, get my money back, and then buy/Pm the other one. After an override, everything went without a hitch. After I gave the clerk my money, he went to the locker to bring me the iPad. He then unwrapped it right in front of me, and before I realize it, he took the sheet covering the tablet off, making the screen protector installation that I was gonna do a headache (truthfully, I am very picky about application of such things, but I also take pride in how well I put them on; it is my right after all).
Then, after the talk in the OP, and after the assistant manager and manager came in and all that, around 45 minutes elapsed.
See, it was a legitimate return, a legitimate purchase, and a legitimate price match; nothing more. In the end, I lost 4 hours, but effectively made 60 dollars out of it and extended my warranty for free, but at the same time, I no longer wish to give places like these my business. What I wanted to know was if this was common practice now, or not; I know with a lot of phone companies, most clerks open the device without asking, but with tablets and computers? In the end, the Best Buy I did end up buying the replacement from told me that that was not a corporate policy at all, and that they always ask before opening any type of computer.
Again, there is no hidden or seedy agenda here, just bad customer service. I am honestly more annoyed at that particular store's policies and management than the clerk that unwrapped it.
After a good 45 minutes or so, the manager explained that at his store, he was telling all associates to help set up their tablets as a courtesy, unless you asked not to. I called BS on that, and demanded my sealed box. He then told me they were out at his location, but offered me a refund, plus a 20 USD gift card for my troubles.
What should have taken 15 minutes took 4 hours, and now I am home remounting my backup. Have you ever had a clerk blatantly open a purchase without your consent or permission? It's infuriating.
EDIT: as suggested, here is a more detailed summary.
This is a lot more logical that might initially seem. I bought an iPad Mini 3 open-box for a good deal at Best Buy a few days ago; it was in good shape and had 9 months of Applecare on it. Since the battery seemed less than optimal, I scheduled an appointment to swap it out to get a fresh battery, and (like always by request at my Apple Store), a sealed replacement, so I can get home in my dust-free room, install a screen protector, and not worry about it.
Today, I found out that a store which Best Buy price matches had the same iPad I bought open box, for 40 bucks cheaper NEW. Now, doesn't it make sense to you that I would return my iPad to the store I bought it from to get 40 bucks back at the end of the day, plus a warranty extension? Truly, a no-brainer.
So, I go to Best Buy with my original iPad in tow. I confirm if they price match, and tell them that since I am not swapping for an identical model, I would return it, and then buy/price match the new one; the original clerk said that is the procedure anyways with non-identical exchanges, so that's what we do.
Except not; he has to go help someone else, so he takes me to another register to do the return. I return the one I brought in, get my money back, and then buy/Pm the other one. After an override, everything went without a hitch. After I gave the clerk my money, he went to the locker to bring me the iPad. He then unwrapped it right in front of me, and before I realize it, he took the sheet covering the tablet off, making the screen protector installation that I was gonna do a headache (truthfully, I am very picky about application of such things, but I also take pride in how well I put them on; it is my right after all).
Then, after the talk in the OP, and after the assistant manager and manager came in and all that, around 45 minutes elapsed.
See, it was a legitimate return, a legitimate purchase, and a legitimate price match; nothing more. In the end, I lost 4 hours, but effectively made 60 dollars out of it and extended my warranty for free, but at the same time, I no longer wish to give places like these my business. What I wanted to know was if this was common practice now, or not; I know with a lot of phone companies, most clerks open the device without asking, but with tablets and computers? In the end, the Best Buy I did end up buying the replacement from told me that that was not a corporate policy at all, and that they always ask before opening any type of computer.
Don't know why you are assuming the worst of this scenario; this iPad is for me, and no one else. As for giving away games and receiving them, I have never sold any game I've gotten for free, only used them myself or passed the buck by also giving them away; I also like doing giveaways from time to time.
Again, there is no hidden or seedy agenda here, just bad customer service. I am honestly more annoyed at that particular store's policies and management than the clerk that unwrapped it.
