Wait a minute.. For how long did you own that open box ipad? Why did you want to return it?
So basically you bought an used item with a rebates, kept it, tried to return it to get a new one and are now mysterious pissed off and waited 4 hours over this bs?
Were you planning to resell the unopened ipad on ebay or something? Are stores rental services to you?
Having the dude removing the wrap is no big deal, lots of people do struggle with setting it up.
Why wait 4 hours?
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.
My theory is that the op was planning to get a new device and resell it, having paid the original open box price first, for max
Profits. Nobody else would care enough about a wrap if it was for personal use.
But for someone planning to resell it, the fact that it was opened is a big problem..
Also I believe Huelen has a history of being ... Very active... Ub that old "free to a good home" thread where gaffers would give away old games for free.
I hope you didnt resell those games too....
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.
