Best Buy's Shady Pricing Scam Unravels

Fri Mar 2, 2007 6:49PM EST

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Reading stuff like this makes me lose what faith I had left in corporate America. You probably won't believe it, but here goes.

Many big box retailers let you use "price matching" when you come into their store, a policy which lets you get the same price that a competitor charges or, in the case of Best Buy, pay the same price in the store that Best Buy charges on its website. Sounds great, but customers were finding themselves puzzled when they checked the price of something they were about to pay for at a Best Buy store. When using the store's in-house computers, the prices on bestbuy.com didn't look quite as low as they remembered at home. In other words: Web prices were somehow higher when you were shopping inside Best Buy.

The answer to this riddle has finally turned out to be something quite noxious: Best Buy has been using a secret intranet site inside its stores. It's a private version of its public website that looks identical to bestbuy.com, with one key distinction: The prices are considerably higher. George Gombossy of the Hartford Courant sussed this out with some old-fashioned in-store sleuthing and reports on it in detail here.

Best Buy has finally admitted that the secret site exists, and it's facing formal investigation by the state of Connecticut. However, Best Buy says it never intended to mislead anyone... perhaps claiming that the prices on the intranet were just mistakes, not intentionally inflated. Hmmm, sounds fishy to me. What do you think?

Comments on Best Buy's Shady Pricing Scam Unravels

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  • 26 Posted by rorbincalendar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    Caveat emptor! If you always assume they will try to screw you, you will always be prepared.

  • 27 Posted by coqui10711 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    the best way to deal with a store like that, is not to buy from them any more, hurt them where it hurts the most, in there wallet. posted by coqui10711

  • 29 Posted by krijama19 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Now that I have my smartphone, I always comparison shop prior to puchase using that as my tool, but previously with my cell I could do the same thing using Google's Froogle. Word of warning though. You need to check the EXACT Manufacturer's number. One of my top 10 best tools. I clipped this from their helpdesk: With Google SMS, you can do price comparisons on Froogle literally while you're standing in a store. Simply type a text message query with 'price' along with the product name and send it to the 5-digit US shortcode 46645 ('GOOGL' on most phones). To get price comparisons for a 20 gigabyte iPod, for instance, send the following message: 'price ipod 20gb'. You can learn more about Google SMS and get search tips at http://sms.google.com. If you're able to access the mobile web on your phone, you can also visit the Froogle site by directing your mobile web browser to http://wml.froogle.com/. Visit http://labs.google.com/frooglewml.html from your home computer to learn more about this option.

  • 30 Posted by pham_d_thang on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I haven't bought anything from a store like Best Buy and Circuit City in a long time because the price sucks. I only used them to check out the stuff that I want to buy to see if I really like it. I buy everything on Newegg.com or Tigerdirect.com. Their service are the best.

  • 31 Posted by moonshot21us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Once again Corporate Greed at the Highest Level in America! No Shame CEO's & Manager's making their Hundreds of Thousands / Millions of $$'s for "Themselves" who don't think of Nothing Better to do besides giving their Own Faithful Customers the Royal Shaft! It is this Type of Corporate Greed and Lack of any type of Loyalty to This Country and it's Citizens, that is and Will Destroy our Country One Day! Best Buy, another Retail Giant that just show's us again How LOW Corporate America will go to Take Every Single Penny we own, regardless of whether it's Legal or not because they think their just not making enough Money / Profit for all those Share holders who are wanting to just make a quick Buck no matter who they hurt! I have purchased many an item at Best Buy, and Now I will be one who is very Reluctant to enter their doors again. Everyone needs to send them as well as All of Corporate America a Sign that we won't tolerate their arrogance and help to reduce their profit margin by boycotting their stores until they get the message! BEST BUY, You OWE US, the Citizens and Customers of Your Store, especially Everyone that has ever Purchased an item via your In House Scam Retail Computer/ Secret Site the difference in extra monies paid for your arrogance! How should it be paid back, so as not to hurt the "Shareholders", well let's just take away all the BONUS money paid to the CEO, and ALL HIGH Level Management for the NEXT year or Two, whatever it takes for allowing this Rip Off and I Might Add STEALING of Hard Earned Money from their Loyal Customer Base! I can never understand why Business's think they have to stoop so LOW to have ridiculous gains on their bottom line. They Need to do as Our Fore-Fathers & Mothers have done in building this Great Nation of Ours and do it a little at a time. Patience is a Virtue, something that it seems Our Business Leaders and those shareholders who care nothing about the Average workers out here have seemed to forgotten. Wake Up America, Wake Up BEST BUY! We want more than a Full Page apology from You, that is not enough. We Want CEO's who Can and Are HONEST In Their Business Dealing's with The Citizens of this Great Nation! What are You Going to Do BEST BUY?? Gary Shivel Taylor, Michigan

  • 32 Posted by gjkupsky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    I haven't bought from Best Buy for years. I bought a computer from the Best Buy in Crestwood, MO. And as soon as they rang it up, they said, "oh, wait. You don't actually get this rebate, or this one, or this one." And the computer ended up being a few hundred dollars more than I had been quoted on the intranet system. Of course, the guy didn't bother to point this out to me until after he had swiped my credit card. When I asked to return the computer immediately, I was told that it was "already in the system," and couldn't be returned until the computer arrived at another store. The people at the other store told me this was a bald-faced lie. I've always assumed it has something to do with the "commission system" they assure you they don't have.

  • 33 Posted by metaldale on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    A BB scam I ran acrossrecently involved a portable DVD player that I bought in 2005 after turkey-day. I got a really good deal. I even bought a service contract. When the unit began to have problems this Jan. I took it in to be repaired/replaced. The GEEK said yeah go to customer service they will give you a new one, since this are worth repairing. The service bimbo says I can't have new since the model# is different(everything on product exactly the same by the way). I said I want a replacement since I got a good price on it and can't buy another that low. After much verbal abuse, I got a new unit by refusing to leave until I got one. Sad, since BB used to be reasonable to deal with.

  • 34 Posted by tngstubbs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have ALWAYS had problems with BEST BUY! Their Customer Service stinks at ALL LEVELS including Corporate, I honestly can't believe they are still in business! Anyone who actually purchases anything from that store is seriously unaware of what this company stands for!

  • 35 Posted by articsilverdragon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think that best buy should be fined in relation to the amount of excess profits that were made by stealing from there coustomers. I also think that something of this nature needs to be looked at by the IRS to see what other shady bussiness practices are being persued. make an example of these guys. If some one really wants to win elections in the coming years investigate these guys and others like them Walmart Exxon etc.

  • 36 Posted by dunnedidit on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    ....it's just another example that, perceptually, to these dishonest companies, that they have more to gain, and therefore less to loose, in parlaying dishonest business practices into a 'better balance sheet'. It will only change when the penalty is too severe for these companies to indulge in "flexible accounting practices." - Or call it, False advertising. Here's an example: Hands Free Cell Phone Use: Let me ask; "Is it more dangerous to drive an automobile while using a cell phone, (especially with stick-shift automobiles), OR, ...not wearing a seat belt?? Sooo, if the lawmakers really wanted to do something constructive for auto safety, the they'd levy a fine that would have everyone afraid to use a cell phone without it being a 'hands-free' phone!! ....let say, $500.oo for first offense. - $1,000.oo for second offense. You'd see alot more people go out an buy 'hands-free' devices, and therefore, have a higher level of safety on the road. *When the penalty becomes greater than the reward/ risk of a situation, then people will abide by the law." - Simple.

  • 37 Posted by robslobb on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    It is about time this gets out to shoppers of best buy, I had this happen to me I seen a laptop on their website at home, went to the store and inquired about the item I seen at home and the sales guy went over to instore pc and the item was not there for the price.so thinking, I was going crazy,I left the store without buying.I went back home looked item up again,and there it was on sale.noww I was aggravated to no end. so I went to another best buy store 40 miles from my house.this I brought my smart phone with the best buy web page in the store with me.went in found the item asked the sales person they tried the same thing there,then I showed them my phone with the item for sale, she was playing dumb and said she will have to call her manager,then she came back with some bull that this was a online item only,I pointed out to her that is not what it say,s on the web site.well she sold it to me for the sale price,but I had to purchase item online.well I dont have a credit card so I had to buy a gift card from her then buy online and pickup in front of store.it was a total waste of half my day.the only good thing for me was there was a elderly couple buying a laptop for there grand daughter and she was trying to rip them off. then I was talking to them while she was calling her manager and I talked them into buying the same laptop I was buying,and she had to give them the same price she gave me.they were very happy the sale,s lady was not to happy with me.but to bad for best buy.as far as I,am concerned they should send me the gas money I wasted trying to buy a item from them.or maybe change there name to worst buy! this clearly illegal to do as a retailer.and the sale,s lady tryed to sell me all the extended plan,s warranty,virus software. dont think for a minute these people are noy out to scam you for all they can.I hope they change there way,s still have 22 dollars on the stupid gift I had to buy.and still have not gone back to worst buy and I doubt I will ever go back.

  • 38 Posted by the_black_sorcerer1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    no suprise after having worked for them. they treat their people like crap just like the majority of retail america. Only stands to reason they would screw customers over as well.

  • 39 Posted by gohdla on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    probally the best solution for this problem would be to audit the company going back 3 yrs and find all the price differences and then acess a fine of 3 times as allowed under terms of fraud and false advertising laws.In turn consumers would be given refunds under a class action lawsuit . speaking from personal experience I had the same problem resolved by speaking to the manager at an expense of my time. but think about all the customers who did not $$$

  • 40 Posted by rsp_1163@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I had this problem with a competor of Best Buy I wanted a Radar Detector that was listed online for $59.00 but at the store it was for $99.00 The associate looked online and low and behold I proved that I was right I also printed a copy of what I wanted I was told it was altered prior before the associate looked online ..

  • 41 Posted by groldies@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    I buy a lot of stuff from Best Buy, but I'm going to stop going to thier i-store & there brick and motor stores for the rest of 2007 to punish them. M.A.D. from Michigan 3.11.2007

  • 42 Posted by mad-dog9659@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    that's why it pays to shop around, take notes, record prices. It can be tough deciding to buy online and possibly save money after paying shipping or buy local and pay sales tax. Do your homework before visiting any retailer, there are good deals to be had at BestBuy and there are some products i would never buy from them. refrain from making a same day purchase, go home and double check prices then make your decision.

  • 43 Posted by hockeyhotshot_23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've heard alot of these stories. It depends on the stores that are run by the right managers. I know, thru some good friends tat work for the company, even have stated they had no clue about the site. Also, I dont know if anyone has shopped there on Sundays, but I dont feel bad for any customer who is waiting, when there are over 100 ppl in the computer department alone, and only 6 or 7 employees. Also, I bought a computer there from Best Buy. The warranty, virus and anti spyware r to help the customer. It is pretty stupid to take out ur fustrations of the company on a employee who probably only make $11 an hour, but tat just my opinion

  • 44 Posted by paultech6 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Funny I should come across this .It happened to me. Will take advice thou on printing out the page and taking it with me and when this happens complain loudly enuff that everyone hears and gets to see the copy I made

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