larrymoencurly said:Get stuff made by Whirlpool -- Roper, Estate, Kenmore (most but not all -- some Kenmores are Frigidaire, GE, and now even China'a Haier -- Consumer Reports recently rated a couple of Haier-made chest freezers Not Acceptable), and Costco's Kirkland.
Costco is definitely another option for me. That is where I originally going to buy because of their return policy. However, they only sell electric dryers at my local warehouse so I might just buy the fridge at Costco and maybe get a matching washer and dryer at best buy. i still have to figure this all out.

Lawlis1,

Is there anything special to note when using these tactics when purchasing big ticket items like HDTV Plasmas with or w/o home theater systems? IE: spending anywhere from 3k-6k and up?

Thanks!

bingboong said:Got a quick .. unrelated question.

A couple of days back, I went to the best buy store to get a copy of my PSP (which I had lost) .. and after I got it, I noticed under the comment field was "ICE" .. wondering if the term "ICE" has any significance for the type of customer?In
Case of
Emergency

You are the type of customer BB calls on in case they can't make their profit forecast.

k00k said:Lawlis1,

Is there anything special to note when using these tactics when purchasing big ticket items like HDTV Plasmas with or w/o home theater systems? IE: spending anywhere from 3k-6k and up?

Thanks!


As there will be more profit dollars in a more expensive set you need to add more Monster accessories to make sure they eat up as much discount on the TV as possible. Just make sure you purchase with a 5 year warranty, a few hundred in cables and a $400 range surge protector (also Monster). The basics are the same, negotiate the hell out of the package price.
Tell me which TV you are considering and I can give you approximate cost.

L.

lawlis1 said:A word of advise (sic) to you though; don't buy the 'cheapest' plasma. A plasma television is a substantial purchase even for a low-cost model. Longevity and picture quality will be poor on a low-end model. You'll still spend $1400 or so on a Maxent, Visio, Akai or similar panel. You would be better served either spending the extra for a Hitachi, Panasonic or Samsung model.I've read that at least one Japanese brand is made by Taiwan's Tatung, and the Tatung brand is substantially cheaper. Who really makes the more respected Japanese brands?

I'm also interested in knowing the real makers of various digital cameras. Last Black Friday, while I stood in line, I heard somebody list several, but I forgot what they were.

Also ICE is a national Cell Phone Trick. What you do is store someone number in your phone that you would want paramedics or doctors to call in case of emergency. Example your wife or mother store there numbers and use the name Ice, and Ice1 etc etc..

Kairi said:dam, Mr. Anderson is rolling with nightmares on this one ...
The worst devil/evil customer is a former BB employee that has defected to the FW side, spilling all secrets and tips.

Excellent thread lawlis1! ))

Thank you!
Yup, my boy Brad is probably not a happy man if he's gotten wind of my postings.
If you knew exactly how they think of customers and break them down into groups by purchase habit you would know they deserve it. They want maximum profit but offer marginally trained help to the customer when you can wave one of them down.
They did treat me badly but they also are hurting an industry I love.

Again, thanks for the kind words - I assure you accuracy in my answers or a simple 'I don't know' if I don't...

L.

whitehorse said:Excellent job, lawlis1! Informative and entertaining thread. I wish I knew this useful info earlier, but it'll come in handy too when shopping for our new house.

I do have a question however... Will you advise if complaining to a district manager or CEO really works if you have some issues with a product or is it just a waste of time? The problem is that I spent $1600 to buy a "lemon" (Kenmore Calypso washer & dryer) 3 years ago and didn't buy the warranty. Not only the washer is unreparable, it has ruined lots of clothes. Store manager offered a ridiculous 20% off a new washer. Lots of pissed customers at BB and Sears, since all of them have the same problem with their washer. Although it happened to me in Sears, your advise would really be of a great value. Who can be more helpful in this situation? DM, CEO, Attorney General? Does it help filing complaints with BBB, FCC, FTC, Planetfeedback, Ripoffreport? What is the most effective way to get any form of a refund, if possible at all? Does any form of a complaint work at all? Any advise is very much appreciated! Thank you!

Wow...
First off, thank you very much for the kind words. After reading that it's hard not to try to be more helpful with your question then I can be.
As much as I'd love to point the finger at Best Buy it would not be fair to do so. Any concession they offer you at the store level is optional and voluntary. They are an authorized dealer but they do not build or personally guarantee the products.
I am truly not qualified to answer this but will offer opinion on a friendly level only. As I wouldn't expect much by letter writing to the DM or CEO of Best Buy (though you should 'cause you never know) I would take my complaint primarily to the manufacturer. They would be your only real support this far after purchase. I would write them a letter explaining what happened and how upset you are. I would not threaten or demand, but rather ask what if anything they are willing to do to help you out.
I have no clue if you have legal recourse. My limited experience makes me think that if enough consumers are affected then maybe a class-action suit is appropriate? Again, sorry to not be more help but I'm not a lawyer.
If they do refuse to help you further you might pay an attorney a consultation fee to find out if you have rights beyond my knowledge. Worst case scenario you have to bite the bullet, grab consumer reports and make your most informed purchase of a new one.

Sorry I can't be more specific. If you have any more questions feel free to write them and I'll give you my honest opinions.

L.

I would really like to buy a subwoofer. Something decent, but under $250, prefferably much lower. Klipsch, polk, athena?

Wow, after reading all the wonderful advice in this thread, my gf's dad went to BB to get a tv. he decided on the Toshiba 50 inch, for around 2500. Then they offered him the usual, warranty, surge, cables etc. He then said if you can give me 10% off the tv then i will take it. They shot him down saying they dont give discounts on tv, he replied by asking for 5% off. still no luck. Then he said he didnt want the tv anymore and he started heading out where they stopped him and let him get the tv without warranty. no discounts. Is this common? this was a BB in fort meyers, FL. didnt think they would be that stingy there