Best Buy, Nashua, NH - Unprofessional Customer Service - not able to use traveller's cheque

# 15 for April 2, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on April 1, 2002:

From: Pratip Kar [Email User]

RE: Best Buy, Nashua, NH - Unprofessional Customer Service - not able to use traveller's cheque

Hello, I went to Best Buy outlet at Nashua, NH to buy a cordless phone with answering machine on 30th March. After selecting the model I took it to the check-out counter to pay for the item.

The item cost price is around $180. I wanted to pay by a traveller's cheque (TC) of $500 value. So, before the sales-person at the counter started processing my payment, I asked very specifically whether they accept TCs and that too of such a high value.

I was promptly told that they do accept TCs and $500 value is not a problem at all. So, I asked to go ahead with payment processing. I counter-signed the TC and wrote the name of the merchant (Best Buy) also in the cheque, and put the date as well. After all these things are done, I was told by the person at the counter that they do not have enough cash and hence they cannot accept the $500 TC. But by this time, my cheque is already signed and I have made it payable to Best Buy. At this point one store manager appeared in the scene whom I explained the entire incident stating clearly that the amount of difficulty I have to face to use the same cheque at some other place or else even to get a replacement from the bank. But, I was very promptly refused this time to be offerred of any help regarding this situation. I went to the Customer Service section after this but only to get the same reply. My question is that, why was I not told in the first time, that they cannot accept $500 TC when I had specifically asked about it.

And even otherwise it's hard to believe that such a big shop cannot take my TC simply because they are not having $320 cash to return as change, which would have saved me from all the hassle of getting my TC replaced. Thanks,

Pratip Kar

Comment On This

I had a terrible experience with their customer support too...

I ordered a laptop online and received their mail for pick up. I went there and they could not find it. They had me wait for 1.5 hrs and finally said, laptop is unavailable, I have to cancel my order and reorder it.

Frustating as it was, I ordered it again. I got email about pick up again but this time I wanted to confirm it on phone before I drive 15 minutes...I kept dialling the CR 5 times without a response....I have never seen such a bad service