Update:
So I contacted them as they requested. Asked some questions, got some answers.
Yes, he lied. He's not the manager.
They don't believe the product was sealed in store. Instead, they think they failed to notice it was being returned as unopened.
They have said it will be fed back to the store. With the additional information about the indifference and basic poor manners.
I'm dubious.
And since I was asked this by friends, no they didn't make any goodwill gesture for my time, my treatment, or the additional costs.
Now I'm down to one star.
Original review. This branch.
If you don't want the details. Customer service is great when it's going well, but when it's not, then you'll be expected to solve the problem and find your own resolution.
They avoid 1 star because the first gentleman was lovely.
First visit, I was waiting a while for a pick up, and a warehouse staff member came to help. There was an issue, and he worked hard to get help to solve it because he was unfamiliar. He was polite, friendly, and apologetic to the point that I kept reassuring him it was all fine.
But! I got home to find my headphones already linked to another person. They had been sealed, so I couldn't understand it. Chat spent some time before saying call this number. Called that number for one of the most infuriating customer service calls I've experienced but basically, whatever you want to do then go do it yourself because I can't arrange a mail pick up, can't contact Sony, can't find someone to help and so on.
More time with Sony customer service, again they were lovely, offered to escalate when they couldn't resolve. I decided I'd buy them elsewhere and get a refund.
I did, and that's when I knew I'd been sold a used item as new. The second one was sealed differently.
Back to Best Buy customer service. Ignores that I asked to make a complaint / feedback. Asks me what happened, has me go through every detail. Then proudly informs me that he knows what the issue is. The issue I just described is repeated back to me. I point that out and ask if he can help me with what I actually wanted. To log the complaint.
He advises that he's done it. Great, can I get contacted once they have it so I can pass on my praise and confirm they have actually been made aware because it's the second time I have bought a used "new" item.
At that point, suddenly only the manager can take the complaint. He ends the chat on writing that line.
So, when I can, I go 40 minutes back to the store. Ask to speak to the manager. "What's it regarding?" Common enough so they can let the manager know, I've done it when working retail.
Get a refund, and give my praise and feedback. Then ask if I can speak to the manager now (edit, as in this point in time not NOW Karen style lol).
He advises he is the manager and thought it was implied. I advise, no, see above, plus your badge is covered. He didn't know when he looked at his chest, his badge showed supervisor. Maybe that's how they do shift management, idk. I didn't bring it up.
Basically, he says it wasn't sealed in store, though it was a perfectly fitted, heat sealed plastic piece. And oh, sorry.
So basically, their mistake cost me hours in time trying to get it resolved, risked my details being shared (a warning that came up when I tried pairing the device). Extra expense to replace it elsewhere. That bit was my choice but shouldn't have been necessary, and after the "diy" approach to customer service, I wasn't risking it again!
So moral of my essay ... when things are great, then it works. If you have a problem then you have to be prepared for you to have to problem solve and reach your own solution.
Response from Best Buy
January 07, 2025
Hello.
Thanks for reaching out and providing your feedback. We are saddened to hear that this was your experience with us. We would love to document your experience and help any way we can. We'd like the chance to follow up on this. To continue, please contact us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/BestBuy), Twitter/X (@BestBuySupport), or Instagram (@BestBuy) for further support. Please start your message with "This is in regard to my Google review: 64653988" and share your full name, email, and phone number.
Thanks,
^Jacob