- Report: #2315
Complaint Review: Best Buy/E-Machines - Grand Rapids Michigan
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Best Buy/E-Machines
Grand Rapids, 49508 Michigan, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-369-5050
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Best Buy/E-Machines Partners in CyberExtortion.
Best Buy + E-Machines = partners in CyberExtortion. Ever wonder why companies like Best Buy sell extended service plans? As I found out its not for your protection but for their excuse to ripoff their consumers. I bought an E-machine computer from Best Buy in Oct. 99.
After 3 weeks of owning it I found out that a simple program like scan disk would not function properly so I contacted E-Machine, INc. Well with getting useless information like reformatt your hard drive after the third time I knew they were lost so I lived with it.
About a month ago my modem then started dropping offline after 2-3 minutes and then just today...May 24, 2000 it has totally passed away. (Services at 11:00). Since E-Machines can now only say... thanks for your patience and your suggestions I contacted Best Buy(Alpine Rd, Grand Rapids Mi) and their corporate office about replacing the machine.
I was told there was nothing they could do. Yet I was told that if I had purchased the extended service plan that it would be covered. Yet since their return policy on computers is 14 days I would have to deal with the manufacturers. If you don't know this means that Best Buy fixes your computerized corpse and you hope that E-Machines authorizes the repair or its at your cost. So lets add this up... E-Machine sells the defective computer to Best Buy... Best Buy sells the defective computer to the consumer...Best Buy then only guaranties the computer for 14 days unless you buy the extended service plan then its for 1 year.
Good thing this isn't the 1920's... usually this kind of service would have been paid under the table so nothing gets accidently burned down. So if the next time you go to Best Buy to purchase a computer be carefull when the sales pitch starts out with... "I gotta offer you can't refuse" my suggestion is DUCK.
After 3 weeks of owning it I found out that a simple program like scan disk would not function properly so I contacted E-Machine, INc. Well with getting useless information like reformatt your hard drive after the third time I knew they were lost so I lived with it.
About a month ago my modem then started dropping offline after 2-3 minutes and then just today...May 24, 2000 it has totally passed away. (Services at 11:00). Since E-Machines can now only say... thanks for your patience and your suggestions I contacted Best Buy(Alpine Rd, Grand Rapids Mi) and their corporate office about replacing the machine.
I was told there was nothing they could do. Yet I was told that if I had purchased the extended service plan that it would be covered. Yet since their return policy on computers is 14 days I would have to deal with the manufacturers. If you don't know this means that Best Buy fixes your computerized corpse and you hope that E-Machines authorizes the repair or its at your cost. So lets add this up... E-Machine sells the defective computer to Best Buy... Best Buy sells the defective computer to the consumer...Best Buy then only guaranties the computer for 14 days unless you buy the extended service plan then its for 1 year.
Good thing this isn't the 1920's... usually this kind of service would have been paid under the table so nothing gets accidently burned down. So if the next time you go to Best Buy to purchase a computer be carefull when the sales pitch starts out with... "I gotta offer you can't refuse" my suggestion is DUCK.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Mino
Grand Rapids,Michigan,
Let the buyer beware
#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, November 19, 2002
First, you get what you pay for. In researching E-Machines for a potential purchase I found that the bulk of the parts inside and outside can only be replace with ones from E-Machine (and they charge tripple the price of the generic ones on the shelf). Also they only cover parts and labor under the warranty. Yep, that means I have to pay to ship it to California-both ways! Second, they are cheap and disposable. Just like inexpensive cars. You buy them, use them, and then replace them. Don't expect the get the same performance from a $500 computer that you would get from a $2000 machine. Where's your head? Third, Best Buy, Circit City, and the rest of the people who sell computers don't build them. They aren't dealerships either. Yes they are pushy about the service plans, and no doubt that they make money on them. Again, they don't make the computer. They just sell it. Lastly, Performance has gone up, and prices continue to come down. You have to ask yourself how they can do that. The answer is reliability isn't what it used to be. Cheap computers are made to wear out just like cheap car tires. Buy better quality like Sony or Compaq and you may have better luck, and for what it's worth...I buy the service plans and have used them, they work.
Elke
Kent City,Michigan,
purchase the extended warranty
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 12, 2002
I recently bought my second computer (an e-machine) from Best Buy, and a t.v. and a dvd player and I purchase 4 yr warranties for all. I have found their customer service excellent. My suggestion is buy the warranty. You wouldn't buy a house without insurance, nor would you buy a car without a warranty. Why not your investment in electronics? EP from GR
