Best Buy Free XBox 360 with PC Purchase: Bait and Switch or Bad Business?

The Best Buy store located on Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga had a fabulous deal displayed May 31, 2011, giving away a free XBox 360 with a PC purchase. The display explained that there were stipulations to this promotion. The buyer had to prove that they were a student, or provide proof that the PC was being purchased for a student. Additionally, the purchase price had to exceed $699.00 dollars. My son qualified hands down to receive the free XBox gaming system based on the list of criteria, or so we thought. We were informed when getting ready to purchase our PC and free XBox 360 from this Best Buy Store that there had been a correction to this promotion. However, at the time this correction was not displayed in the computer area, or on the bigger than life display touting this too good to be promotion. This sneaky play on words made me feel like a victim of bait and switch and bad business by this Chattanooga Best Buy.


Our Salesperson at Best Buy was named Abby. He explained that even though the display provided by the company said "PC", it really meant "laptop". I looked the display over from top to bottom, and on both sides, and saw nothing about laptop anywhere. I saw no correction either. Our salesperson then went on to explain that a correction was posted. When I inquired where I was told that it was in the front of the Best Buy store. I felt deceived and also felt this was a form of false advertising, and possibly bait and switch by Best Buy. I was also left to question the motives by store representatives since the correction was not even displayed in the computer department, much less on the free XBox 360 display.

Discussions with the Best Buy store manager only left my party more frustrated and frankly did not go well on either side. Angrily, we took pictures of the free XBox 360 display and were stopped before we left by the store manager. He sounded very pleased and with much sarcasm, he told me that I should come back and be sure to get pictures of the front of the free XBox 360 display. As I turned back he pointed out a newly added correction. Attempting to contradict what I had already observed on the free XBox 360 display, and the statement made to us by the original salesperson, he wanted us to now believe a newly added correction had been there all along.

The whole situation equals bad business and the actions from Best Buy management speak of poor character and unscrupulous practices. However, through this process I do have to give props to the Best Buy salesperson Abby that originally helped my party and answered questions. He handled the difficult situation with professionalism and the decorum that was not found in this member of management. I hope Best Buy takes notice because I believe him to be more suited for management with his level of people skills, handling of difficult situations, and respectful treatment of customers.

I let Best Buy in Chattanooga keep the new computer that I wanted to purchase and the free XBox 360 as well. Costco warmly greeted me at the door, and for the same purchase price I bought a computer with higher specs all around. To make my deal even better the monitor was included saving me money. Special thanks to the Best Buy Manager. I would not have saved money on my new computer without you!

The Federal Trade Commission is a consumer agency that looks into complaints when you feel you have been wronged by false advertising or unfair business practices. Interested in pursuing a complaint? Check out the FTC website. https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/



Resources:

Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/

Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/