Best Buy Performance Service Plan

[mightyjoon]

I need some help and I am not sure whether this is a right place for this type of message.

here is my story...

I bought a SONY digital camera for $649.xx about two years ago.
It is a great camera to take pictures outside but when I tried to take pictures in-doors, the flash is not strong enough to take good pictures.

When I went back to Best Buys they told me that they have to send it into service to get it fixed. But I was not is a position to send my camera off for 3+ weeks. It's been about 2 years since I bought it and now I have needs to take pictures in-doors. So I went back to BB and was about to buy a new digital camera. But when the sales person started on the Extended service plan, I realized that I had bought that service plan for my existing camera.

They say if for any reason the camera start not performing right, they will replace it for "free". But It is not TRUE. When I went to BB with my camera, they said they need to send the camera in for service again. So I did send it off and got it back in about 3 weeks. Still the same $hiT. So I went back to BB and they offered me $150 after about 45 minutes of explaining, talking, looking for manager, & looking at their computer screen.

Yes, it has been about 2 years but I did pay $649 + service plan. What can I do to get them to replace my camera or get some decent deal on a new one? When you speak to BB sales guys, they will tell you "if it breaks within x years, we will just replace it with a new one" but according to ZACK (Best Buy, Beavercreek, OHIO), they rarely replace anything unless it cost more to fix it than replacing it.

I need some help here...

Joon

 

[Sundog]

:| BB is suck!

 

[wfbberzerker]

be firm and tell them you want a replacement, and dont take no for an answer.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
be firm and tell them you want a replacement, and dont take no for an answer.

 

[ElFenix]

dude, cameras have wimpy flashes, get over it.

 

[mightyjoon]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
dude, cameras have wimpy flashes, get over it.

New once does a lot better job in taking pictures indoors.
What I am complaining about is what they tell you about the service plan is not true.
You can go to BB right now and ask the sales rep about how the service plan works and they won't think twice about saying "replace" during their service plan speech.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: mightyjoon

Originally posted by: ElFenix
dude, cameras have wimpy flashes, get over it.

New once does a lot better job in taking pictures indoors.
What I am complaining about is what they tell you about the service plan is not true.
You can go to BB right now and ask the sales rep about how the service plan works and they won't think twice about saying "replace" during their service plan speech.

they should be saying fix or replace.

whats the flash rated at in the manual?

how big a room do you have and how far is the subject?

 

[mightyjoon]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
be firm and tell them you want a replacement, and dont take no for an answer.

Thank you for the advice but I was there for 45 minutes.
Should I try calling the corporate?

 

[ElFenix]

and which camera is it?

 

[mightyjoon]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
and which camera is it?

When I take picture of an small object about a foot away from it (for e-bay listing), it won't do a good job unless I have additional light shining on top of the object.

I think the model number is DSC-50 or something like it. I can go home and check for exact model number.

 

[Imported]

Try recording their pitch about how they replace the item if it breaks if you purchase the service plan.. then use that to tell em you want yours replaced. ;D

I've been able to get Circuit City to do things they say verbally, but wouldn't if you tried afterwards by doing that..

 

[ElFenix]

what sort of lighting are you in? you have any pics uploaded?

 

[Viperoni]

Try turning up the flash brightness if your camera allows for that.

 

[Dragnov]

You're screwed.

It's a horrible ran company. The sales people have no interaction with the service people. The workers are rarely informed of any changes.

The used to replace it automatically, but no longer for the past year or so. You can always complain, but I don't see that doing much as many have done before....

 

[Emveach]

I used to work at BB. The way the service plan works, is they will replace any broken item. If the item is no longer in stock, you get a item of equal monatary value. Since your camera is not broken, just not working the best you'd like it to, they will use the repair excuse until you give up. The "no-lemon policy won't kick in until the item is sent out for repairs at the service center 3 times, and then needs to be sent a fourth. If they try to fix it at the store, that won't count towards the no-lemon policy.

Only thing you can really do is have it sent out for the repairs, or try to find a way to break the camera that won't look like an accident (such as dropping and things like that).

Calling the corparate office will get you no where. Same as complaining to store management. You'll get nothing but the run around for hours.

I can tell you, that is one of the most crooked places I ever worked, and I loved the day I left.

 

[Gunbuster]

Find out if it's devo

Try another store, the more upscale the area the better chance you have (ghetto store are used to scammers)

 

[mightyjoon]

Originally posted by: Imported
Try recording their pitch about how they replace the item if it breaks if you purchase the service plan.. then use that to tell em you want yours replaced. ;D

I've been able to get Circuit City to do things they say verbally, but wouldn't if you tried afterwards by doing that..

I would certainly try that.

 

[mightyjoon]

Originally posted by: Viperoni
Try turning up the flash brightness if your camera allows for that.

I do have flash level adjustment thing on this DSC-S50 camera that does not make a bit of differences.

 

[mightyjoon]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
Find out if it's devo

Try another store, the more upscale the area the better chance you have (ghetto store are used to scammers)

What do you mean by devo?
I went to BB in Beavercreek, Ohio which is pretty new and well off part of the town.
My wife ORDERED me not to buy anything else from BB any more... (that is very sad...)

 

[911paramedic]

I think they have to send it away THREE times, and then you get it replaced.

 

[Gunbuster]

I think they have to send it away THREE times

not send it away, it's 3 repairs, and on the 4th verifiable defect you get a replacement/no lemon

(Devo means the store can send it back for credit/ it also means the item does not go out to repair)

 

[Howard]

Might want to try hooking up leads from your power outlet to the battery terminals. WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT PROTECTIVE GEAR (i.e. assless chaps)!

 

[XZeroII]

Demand a replacement as is stated in your warantee policy. Demand to talk to the store manager and tell them that you need it now and if you don't get a replacement immediatly (as stated in your warranty), that you will buy a new one and contact a lawyer who will sue BB for the cost of the new camera plus interest, plus punative damages. Make sure he understands that you are firm and resolute and you do not want to spend any more time on the matter. Give the impression that you have already spent too much time and that he has only these 2 options...replace the camera, or be sued for the cost of a new camera plus extra costs. Be ready to buy a new one right then and there as well, even if you have to return it a few days later (because you don't actually want to pay for it).

 

[fr]

I doubt the warranty states that you get an immediate replacement. I think they only replace it if it cannot be repaired or has to be repaired for the same problem 3 times.

 

[tm37]

Threating legal action over 650 dollars is really not going to do you any good.

I would threaten to contact the local news guy that does the fruad report or investigative reporting in your area