On 10/30/04 I purchased a Sony Viao desktop PC (model # VGC-RA820) computer from Best Buy (Pasadena #125 store) along with an extended warranty through Best Buy at an additional charge. The computer box, as well as the website describing this computer and the serial code on the computer all advertised that the computer should contain a windows media edition for 2005 as well as an increased processor speed. Once home I realized that the computer had problems related to the software. I called Sony corp. several times and received step by step information to get the software working. For example, when I tried to use the windows media player it said that I needed a new partition to work when the computer should have came with this advanced software.
At this time, I decided to use my additional warranty purchased from Best Buy. I also realized that the windows media edition was that of 2002, with a lower processor speed. This is unfair business practice to advertise one service and sell another.
I called Best Buy corporate and they agreed, saying to take it back, and if my claim was true it could be exchanged. I took it into Best Buy on 4/4/05 to the Geek Squad counter. The computer tech verified that the computer had the wrong windows media edition with the lower processing speed and the wrong inlet chip. At my request he called the general manager, Mr. Forrest Taylor. I requested a computer of equal value as replacement with the appropriate software. Mr. Taylor indicated that my 30 day return period had expired and did not honor my extended warranty I had purchased for the computer.
I am seeking exactly what I paid for, a Sony computer with the updated windows media software and increased processor speed. This is unfair business practice, and incredibly deceptive on the part of Best Buy.
(Vgc-ra820 Sony vaio (cpu) val#1371-5495-8725-1729 d.o.p 10/30/04 Forrest Taylor GM. $1699.99+3year extended warranty plan 249.99+ tax 139.99=2089.97)
(Note: This computer is in fact a 2002 windows media edition with a lower processor speed when it is supposed to be a 2005 windows media edition with increased processor speed.)
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Best Buy --Buyer beware \SONY
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I read the agreement here and one of the passages allows them to exit the agreement if they refund the purchase price of the PC and the policy.
No where did they claim they must replace the unit at the purchase price.
Clever, are they not?
Bob
unit with full credit on purchase price of old, but the extended warrantee lapses at that point. You must buy a new warrantee on the new unit. I insisted that they fix the old unit until they sweetened the deal by keeping the extended warrantee in effect on the new unit.
BTW, I had to videotape the old unit failing to get them to admit that there was a problem. To be fair, it was a portable PC whose processor was probably overheating on certain intensive games and other activity. On lesser activities, the air conditioning in Best Buy was cold enough to keep it cool. It did not do as well in the real world.
the service plan covers hardware damage and not software. Since there was nothing wrong with the hardware, its not best buy's fault. If the serial on the box matches, then the fault is to Sony. Best Buy doesnt control what goes in the box from sony, so dont blame it on Best Buy.
what was advertised inside the box, it's Best Buy's problem. They can take it back to Sony, but they can't shift the responsibility to the consumer. It's their business to know, and guarantee, what's in the box. They don't promise that Windows will work, but, if the box says XP and it's Win 95, it's Best Buy's responsibility.
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