If you’re looking for a Nintendo Wii, Best Buy has them but refuses to sell them. Being a previous employee of Best Buy, I know how their inventory system works. I know Best Buy likes to hold new systems to make sure they’re able to sell them with the proper accessories and warranties. We all heard the stories of Best Buy forcing customers to buy bundles of the Xbox 360 last year. They were sued and many employees were fired. Best Buy has come out and said they have changed. THEY HAVE NOT. Let me tell you why!
I went into my local Best Buy today. It is Best Buy store #153 which can be reached at phone number (513)671-4305 They are located in Springdale, Ohio. I went to inquire about their next shipment of Wii’s. I approached the employee in Media and asked him if they knew when they were getting or if they already had Wii’s on order. He proceeded to tell me that they had no idea when they were getting them in, they were not able to check that kind of information. I informed him that I used to work with Best Buy and have an understanding of how their inventory system. He consistently assured me that he could not check and they had no idea of when they were getting them in. I informed him again of how I know Best Buy works and I guaranteed him that they were holding them for “Black Friday” on purpose. I told him Best Buy was more concerned about accessory and warranty sales because that is where they make their money. He just started laughing and assured me he knew nothing about the Wii’s coming in (Best Buy is now telling employees to purposely lie to customers). I asked him to look up on the computer and physically show me that there were none on order. I told him I wanted to see for myself that they had none. He started to stutter and acted like he did not know what on order was. He told me the system was not capable of checking that kind of information. He told me again he did not know and asked if I would like to speak to a Manager. I informed him I would.
While he was trying to find me one I talked to an old friend who is a current employee of Best Buy. He graciously and honestly told me that he just pulled 30 Wii’s off the truck, but Best Buy was intentionally holding them for the add and for “Black Friday.” He said there was no way that he could get me one. I understood and was glad he was able to tell the truth. We continued to talk about Best Buy until the General Manager and Ops Manager came up to me.
I asked the GM why they were holding they were intentionally holding the Wii’s. He first started to tell me that he is not holding anything and that they do not have any. I nicely informed him that I used to work for Best Buy and understood how Best Buy worked. He told me “We are not the old Best Buy anymore”. He then went on to tell me that he did have them in and he is holding them till Sunday with a minimum qty of 12. So, they’re not the same company anymore but yet he lied and just went back on his statement of not having any in. He told me that they only have 12 and will not be selling them till Sunday. He just lied again because they have 30, so where are the extra 18 going? I assume they’re going to be selling them on Friday and heavily pushing Wii accessory and prp’s for the systems. Best Buy has not changed and still believes in deceiving the customer. I understand this system is a hot commodity but to intentionally lie to me 3 times in one conversation is unacceptable. This was coming from a General Manger who I guess believes in deceiving customers. So what I have I learned from this Experience today:
1) Best Buy’s have already received their second shipments of Wii’s, but refuse to sell.
2. Employees are being told to lie to customers about any Wii related shipments.
3. Best Buy has not changed their practices and still believes in deceiving paying customers.
4. Best Buy will have a minimum of 18 Wii’s for “Black Friday” and 12 for Sunday.
5. Upper Management will lie right to your face about any information regarding the Wii’s, but they will then go back on that statement but then lie again about actual qty.
Best Buy has not changed their practices and will not until their practices are brought out into the open. I understand a company needs to make money, but it does not need to lie to get there.
