Best Buy, Brentwood, TN - at time of purchase, told could exchange memory card if it didn't work - it didn't work, but was then only given refund, no exchange - resulting in loss of $ 109 rebate

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 24, 2003:

From: bob montgomery [Email User]

RE: Best Buy, Brentwood, TN - at time of purchase, told could exchange memory card if it didn't work - it didn't work, but was then only given refund, no exchange - resulting in loss of $ 109 rebate

I added the store to the Msg. Store #170, Brentwood, TN. My complaint was also with their Customer Relations Dept at Corp. Headquarters. Thank You.

I purchased a bundled Western Digital hard drive and memory card. I asked the sales person "What if the memory card will not work"? He told me "No problem, bring it back for an exchange". The bundled rebate was for $109.00. I installed the hard drive and it worked fine. I discovered my computer could not use the memory card (pc133)it uses a pc100 . I was not really concerned because the hard drive was what I wanted anyway. I had also purchased a digital camera for my wife that same day.

The camera had a problem downloading the photos on the computer so my wife was taking it back to Best Buys to exchange it. I told her to take the memory card also and exchange it for the pc100 since the salesman said it would be no problem. She exchanged the camera BUT they would not exchange the memory card since it was a different item (pc133 for pc100). They did refund it though. Well, here is where I got screwed. She wasn't aware of a bundled rebate, got the refund, and the next thing I know I receive a letter from Best Buys stating I will not be receiving the rebate. That $20.00 memory card cost me $109.00. I returned to the store to explain what happened.

I was basically told "Can't help you here, you'll have to contact the Best Buy rebate center. I did and explained my problem. They said to make copies of my receipt transactions and they would take care of it. About 1 month later I receive another letter telling me "We can't help you". I then contacted customer relations at Best Buy. I explained my problem and was put in contact with the Best Buy rebate Dept. again. Once again I explained my problem and was told "sorry, can't help you".

I called Best Buy consumer relations one more time and attempted to explain how the sales person had told me returning the product would have been no problem and the two month headach I am now having. Actually, this time I could NEVER get the Consumer Relations Representative to UNDERSTAND all my wife had wanted to do was exchange the memory card as the BEST BUY sales representatine had informed me would be NO PROBLEM. This is why I hate rebates and dealing with companies so big they don't give a crap if you come back or not.