Best Buy Columbia Heights

Good

Concerning Return Experience - Maybe not a true Best Buy location? Beware of “we only give store credit” for Apple product returns within the specified return period. Store Experience: I purchased a MacBook Pro through the Best Buy website for my partner during the holidays. After some discussion, we divided to return the (unopened) model during the return period with the plan to purchase a different version later in the week. I started my return online and received a return barcode and was told through the app “Go to a Best Buy store. You can complete returns at any Best Buy location.” Once I arrived at the Columbia Heights “location”, I waited in line and was finally called up to the counter. I showed the return barcode and once the team member noticed that it was for a MacBook. I was told, “we don’t take returns on MacBooks and can only give store credit”. In response, I showed the team member the return instructions of completing a return at any store location. I was then told “my manager said no, we don’t take MacBook returns”. I then referenced the return policy. The manager refused to come to help the team member explain their decision, which was unfair to both of us. Finally, I was told go to the FedEx across the street for my Best Buy return. After expressing my concern of going to a non-Best Buy location to complete my return, the team member was then told “the store manager can change corporate policy at their discretion… even returns”. At that point, I asked to talk to the manager who changed the Apple return policy that day. After another 15 minutes of silence, another team member (not the manager) tried again to get me to take my return to FedEx. After I said “No thank you - I’d like to complete my return as I have work tomorrow”, they finally completed my return and gave me a receipt for the full amount back to my original method of payment. Conclusion: Concerning experience for the customer and unfair to put a team member in a situation where they can’t accept a return because a manager changed the return policy that day. I would avoid this Best Buy “location” for larger tech purchases. Especially if you would like to make a return within the valid return period.

Perhaps the store is understaffed on Sundays, but I experienced a significant wait for assistance and ultimately didn’t receive any. There was no one available at the phone section, and the employee at the front desk was eating.”

I'm very glad this is in the neighborhood, even if I only go a few times a year. It's great to see potential purchases IRL and ask knowledgeable folks for insights ... Without spending 30 minutes on blogs and Reddit.