Best Buy doesn’t mean BEST SERVICE
Tonight I was completely disgusted by the lack of customer service I received at Best Buy; specifically the Best Buy on Harbison Blvd, Columbia, SC Store #264. Normally I wouldn’t use my blog to discuss things like this but I am very angry about the lack of who the customer is at big box stores I have to put fingers to keys.
I returned an FM transmitter to Best Buy tonight and decided to look at car stereos. I was willing to spend about $250 on a new stereo and installation. No, not the top of the line but in this economy any spending is GOOD spending. When I walked in to the car audio section there was a young lady working. I thought she was helping customers at first but it ended up she was just yucking it up with two boys. I was looking through the different stereos and turned to look at her. She didn’t even ‘notice’ me. So I turned back and thought I will give her a few more seconds to notice me. Well, the conversation with the little boys who can barely shave became more in-depth. She was very interested in where they went to high school and what kind of cars they drove. I decided to turn myself in her direction. I was practically in her conversation circle. The boys finally became uncomfortable enough with me giving the teacher stare that they decided to go. Of course it took 5 MINUTES for them to go! The young lady then turned to me, smiled, and said, “How may I help you?” I looked at her and said, “um… there is nothing you can help me with now.” I walked myself straight to customer service.
At this point I can almost excise teenage customer service… (almost) but then when the manager came to me I explained to him what happened. He looked concerned and I told him the store lost a $250 sale tonight because of her lack of action. He told me thank you and he was going to take care of it right then. I thanked him and began to walk to the door and he began to walk towards car audio. But instead of leaving the store I decided to go in to the CD area just to see if he was actually going to say something to her. Guess what? When he thought I was leaving the store he did a b-line towards the front of the store! He never had any intention of talking to her.
This angered me and that is why I am hear writing. Both of their actions made it very clear to me that customer service means NOTHING at Best Buy. It also showed me that the customer is an inconvenience for their time at work. It doesn’t matter that I drop 12 miles to the suburbs (I live in the city) to their store and chose them over other electronics stores or even online shopping.
My experience at Best Buy tonight is just furthering my determination to help the local small business owner who cares who their customers are. Maybe I should thank Best Buy #264 for their actions tonight because now maybe I can help someone on Main St. stay open a little longer.Best Buy don’t expect my business anytime soon….
3 comments November 3rd, 2009
