Sue Best Buy?
 

Well guys, I think I might quit my part time Best Buy job and sue the company, I'd like some input from anyone that has any type of knowledge about corporate lawsuits. I'm going to consult a lawyer tomorrow, but I'd still like to get as much as possible from everyone I know. Anyway, here's what's up ...

Last Tuesday I took in my parents' 03 Ford Escape to get a remote start put in. At employee price it ends up being a bargain so I figured why not while I still got the job. So that same night, I go to pick up the car and the installer tells me it's in anti-theft mode and they'll need to have the dealer take a look at it. I asked specifically "am I going to have to pay for that?" They said, "No ... Best Buy is covering it because it's a part of the install"

Sounds good so far right ... until today. Well it took the dealership almost a whole week to get the problem fixed (imagine that) and they call me today to let me know it's been resolved. The problem was a bad ground wire that was out of harness and got rubbed to hell so it was in pretty bad shape. Well, the dealer claims that it's not something Best Buy caused, so it's not necessarily their fault, even though the car would've been fine if they hadn't fucked with it.

So now Best Buy is telling me that I have to pay $240 for dealer charges plus $65 for installation of the remote start, which they never made me pay in the first place even when I insisted on doing so right away when I brought the car in. As for the dealer charges, I can file a claim with Best Buy's insurance and if the insurance consults the dealership and finds Best Buy to be at fault I will be reembursed, but that's not very likely. Those were the exact words of the installer at Best Buy.

Now I have to pay the dealer $240 to get my car back because Best Buy refuses to take responsibility, even though the car broke when they were installing the remote start they say it was a "pre-existing condition" that could've been triggered anytime, it just happened to do so at Best Buy. But in their eyes there doesn't seem to be any correlation between installing a remote starter and dinking with that little wire. My point is that I brought the car in perfect condition and it worked fine until they got the starter put in, when they tried using it, it went into anti-theft ... so I honestly don't see how I can be at fault about all of this in any way.

My only course action will be a lawsuit if the store manager doesn't do something about this because I believe there's a number of things I can battle them on. First off, nothing was paid for or signed at Best Buy to do the remote start, even though I insisted on paying at least 3 times. Second, nothing was documented where it states that me or my parents approve the car being taken to the dealership for servicing, I was told so but nothing was ever told to me or shown on paper that I may need to take responsibility for the charges. Third, I was told Best Buy would cover the dealer charges, therefore I was lied to, and the installer completely disregarded the fact that there's a reembursment procedure involved in getting this paid for ... as his exact words were "Best Buy is gonna pay for it, don't worry".

So there's my dilemma guys, I know it's a lot to read but for those of you that have done so and decide to respond, thanks a million.

Sounds like you got urself a good claim there, sounds like Best Buy is about to be screwed.
I'd get a lawyer, b/c I think what they did is illegal isnt it?

You'd better brush up on your law, because a lawyer will cost you a damn sight more than 240 dollars.

I know that ... $240 isn't what I'd be going after. If I'm gonna sue a big corporation like that I'd go after bigger bucks than that.

Problem is, you never got in writing that Best Buy would cover any dealer cost.
Personally, I feel bad for you, but you haven't got a chance.
You could try small claims court but even that will cost you.

Don't quit, even if you sue, they can't fire you because of the lawsuit...

However a lawsuit is unlikely to go anywhere but deeper into your wallet...Unless you have in writing that best buy told you before hand they will cover the dealer charges, you don't have a leg to stand on....

Wow, that is a shame! I am sorry it happened to you. However, I've found in the past with these sort of occurrences that it often costs more not just in money but also in patience, aggrevation, and a lot of time before anything gets close to resolution. I would do everything you can to report BB and make it known that they wronged you and won't take responsibility, and I'd definitely file that claim with the dealer. Maybe you can talk to someone at the dealer who can attest that BB was the reason for the faulty wire? In regards to your taking them to court for "big money" because they are a big corporation... I'm personally against that (again, unless something was done that cost much much more, hurt me, publicly humiliated me, or wrongfully accused me etc...). I mean, these days, I guess suing is the "American Way," but I grew up with a family member who would sue for every little thing, at the drop of a dime, just to get the money. That really got to me and made me feel as if she didn't want to take responsibility for anything, and was just in it for the money. That is definitely not the kind of principles I want to have or have my future children grow up with. On the other hand, it's as if sticking it to big business gives us satisfaction and reassurance and lets them know that we, the consumers, are the reason for their being in business in the first place, and they shouldn't forget that. So, before I keep going on with these ramblings... I hope your situation gets resolved sooner than later, no matter which route you decide to take. You definitely should NOT be held responsible for the $240 mistake! Best of luck to you and let us know how it pans out!

they got you. without writing that states they will cover it..... wait

when the "deal" was made

would you consider it a type of verbal contract (if above 18 can be recognized by the court)

unless the company rules and employee goods are different from what you were told

somethings wrong

"Second, nothing was documented where it states that me or my parents approve the car being taken to the dealership for servicing, I was told so but nothing was ever told to me or shown on paper that I may need to take responsibility for the charges."

^ shouldnt that account for something?

the only state that recognizes a verbal contract is California, I believe

Thanks for all the replies everyone, everything all of you have said are things I've already thought through, I mean sueing was gonna be my last option. I talked to my store manager and told him all about it, and I brought up how I was given all sorts of false information and I feel treated unfair as both a customer and employee. Then I just reminded him that his store is located in a pretty heavy Bosnian community in which his store isn't very much liked to begin with and he knows it. He also knows I'm pretty well known around the community as I've done a lot of good things for him by making advertisment in Bosnian to attract the customers he would usually never get close to his store. Then lastly I had to remind him that something like this going public through a lawsuit would be a disaster, and I did this all while smiling because I knew he can't fire me because of it. Well in the end he looked at me and gave in, and dished out $240 to cover my lost money, appologized for his employee's wrong doing and assured me nothing of the sort would happen to anyone again.

unless the words "...Best Buy is covering it..." came out of the mouth of a manager, you're usually out of luck. my friends have had nothing but trouble with BBY's car install bay, and we've all been employees at one point or another.

basically, don't trust anyone with your car or computer unless you know the person youre handing it off to. if you dont know the supervisor/senior, dont bother bringing it in to best buy. one of my co-worker/friend found out the hard way when he brought his girlfriend's car in for install. my other co-worker & friend brought his car in for an install and they broke off a trim piece on the door handle. luckily he got it in writing that BBY would reimburse him and they did a cash-out. one of my friends and i pretty much ran the techbench after our supervisor quit. because nobody else wanted to learn how to do their jobs, they started "fixing" computers while i was stuck fixing their problems. i dont know where BBY finds these monkeys but they couldn't tell a RAM module from a sock puppet. now our install bay is run by a really honest and hard working supervisor, but our techbench (or geeksquad precinct) is a mess. i'm just glad my friend and i got out before holiday season.

if you had sued BBY, i woulda wished you good luck and get in line. in addition to several class action suits in NJ and OH, there is a suit brought on by employees regarding racial treatment. luckily there are some managers that will take care of its employees.

I completely agree with you on Best Buy's inability to pick properly trained employees. You can make anyone a salesman, but when it comes to service you gotta be a little more picky. As you said "monkeys" describes it pretty good, and I'm quite fed up with that place after being there for about a year now. As of now, I simply retain my discount there because I'm on good terms with the GM. He practically lets me never work (I haven't been to work there in over 2 months) and I can still come in and use my discount and all. I work at a local credit union that pays about 3 dollars an hour more, gives FREE health insurance to part time employees, works around your schedule, and just about anything else you can name off. Still though, even though I don't work much I'm still listed as an employee and I know what you mean about there being a crapload of lawsuits out there, I've been hearing all about them throughout the time I've worked there.

ive learned that bby will find a reason to fire you if they dont like you. if they are still keeping you on their payroll its usually cuz you are an HR disaster waiting to happen or you are one of their better employees. my last year i started coming in later and later cuz of finishing university & starting my 2nd full time job. they never once told me they had any problems hehe. only time i really pissed them off was sleeping during a saturday morning meeting. i was sick, i had already worked 45 hours that week, and it was my birthday. they sent me home but i still had a job.

i'd stick with your credit union. credit unions rock. you cant beat their benefits, plus its not retail! besides, i rarely ever bought stuff with my discount...before i quit, i bought a crapload of accessories i dont even need cuz i didnt want to pay full price if i ever need them. good luck.
-meGrimlock