Best Buy Bellevue

I had a very disappointing experience at the Best Buy in Bellevue, WA this morning during the Pokémon TCG release. I arrived early and waited in the rain for an hour before the store opened, looking forward to securing products for my three boys and self to enjoy. When I reached the counter, customers were being allowed to purchase up to eight sleeved boosters per set (16 total). Each set has four different pack artwork designs, and I simply asked for two of each artwork from both sets, something I’ve done at every other store without issue. Based on the packs I was handed, this would have required them to switch out 4 of the 16 packs I was originally handed. One employee was kind enough to start helping me, but another stopped him and said they “don’t do that.” I explained that I had waited in line for an hour and could clearly see the artwork variations on the shelf, but they refused and told me they didn’t have time to “mess with that.” I was put off by the dismissive attitude. My request would have taken less than a minute to fulfill and would have meant a lot to me and to my child, who loves Lucario and was excited for that specific pack artwork. Instead, I was left feeling like my time and effort didn’t matter. I spoke with the manager on duty, hoping for some understanding, but he offered little help and simply said he “understands both sides.” It felt like my concern was brushed aside rather than addressed. Even if the employee/manager doesn't understand why I want a specific artwork pack, they should still be kind enough to help, especially when it is such a simple ask. If someone requested a phone in a specific color, would you tell them no and that you don't have time to "mess with that"? I also witnessed two other customers receive poor service while I was in line—one who made the same simple request for artwork packs, and another who was trying to ask about preorders but was told the staff were too busy to help. I completely understand that releases can be busy and that staff are under pressure, but waiting an hour in the rain and being treated as an inconvenience over a one-minute request is disappointing and unprofessional. I hope this store takes this feedback seriously and considers a more customer-friendly approach in the future. Pokémon fans, collectors, and parents alike deserve a little more respect and understanding for their enthusiasm. This store will no longer be receiving my business.

The store was decorated nicely.

Went in to buy a television. There was nobody to help. Had to go to another department to ask them to page for help. No response. The person the other department finally came. He was very helpful and provided great service. But, still 🤔

Why I Will Never Shop at Best Buy Again, and Maybe You Shouldn't Either If you’re considering buying AirPods, electronics, or literally anything from the Best Buy Bellevue, WA location, allow me to save you time, money, and the slow, sinking dread of being treated like a cash delivery device. I purchased Apple AirPods on 9/19/25. A week later, the right pod began screeching like a banshee (truly an immersive horror experience unless you’re into that kind of thing). Due to, you know, having a life and responsibilities, I wasn’t able to return them until 20 days after purchase. Apparently, Best Buy's return policy only applies if you pay them for the privilege via a $60 My Best Buy Membership. Which, if you ask me, is like charging for use of the emergency exit on a burning plane. But wait, surely the human trained customer service staff can help navigate such an inept corporate greed policy I thought. Enter "Riley the Manager," who letting me wait for 20 minutes (I assume he was consulting a Magic 8-ball), tells me: “I do [have the power to override the policy and] refund you… but let me be clear I’m not going to. That would be spitting in the face of our paying members.” Spitting. In the face. Of people who paid to… return broken products? Well friends, if you enjoy customer service delivered with the same warmth as a DMV striving for Soviet prisoner comfort and want to be told your money means nothing unless you have paid extra to be treated like a human, Bellevue, Washington's Best Buy is the store for you. Otherwise, go literally anywhere else. Even RadioShack's ghost might treat you better. Keywords for those Googling before they suffer: Best Buy AirPods return policy, Best Buy membership scam, Best Buy Bellevue WA customer service, Best Buy won’t refund broken product, Best Buy Riley manager review, AirPods screeching problem, Apple product return nightmare