Best Buy can kiss my ass

Dear Home Depot:

I'm writing to inform you that you're off the shit list, at least temporarily. I'm sure that will be music to the ears of the Home Depot employees who have been monitoring this site (yes, I know you have been, so don't act all shocked that you've been caught). Maybe it has something to do with the fact you got new employees at the Pearland/Silverlake location who have a clue and want to help; maybe it has something to do with actually having the supplies in stock that people need.

Or, more likely, it has more to do with the fact that Best Buy has, with hard work and dedication, stolen the mantle of "Shittiest Store in Town."

It saddens me to write this, but it's true. I'm actually typing this on a computer bought at a Best Buy (which I have brought back from the dead) and have another computer purchased at Best Buy (which is currently dead). I've overlooked the fact that their stuff is routinely overpriced, possibly because I'm in that precious 25-44 demographic that TV networks and certain businesses pop woodies over and Best Buy has cool electronics shit that I like.

Best Buy still does have stuff I like, but its lousy service and Geek Squad have placed it on the shit list.

The other day, I realized that it was time to pay our Best Buy credit card. We usually don't use it, but we needed some stuff after Ike when money was tight and put about $200 on it. I was going to pay it off, but realized that if I tried to send the money electronically through our bank, it would be late. So I went to the store.

Ok, every major store I know of allows you to pay your bill right then and there. A long time ago, I worked at a department store and that was one of the first things you learned to do.

Not at Best Buy. YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR BILL AT A STORE!

What the hell?

No, I was told, that was an impossibility (a very bad thing for a store that makes its living off of being "hi-tech" to admit). I had to call their bank. The girl gave me a number and shooed me away.

I went home nonplussed, but figured I'd get it out of the way. I called the number, only to find it was for EMPLOYEES TO OPEN CREDIT ACCOUNTS ONLY! So then I called Best Buy's direct number. The lady there acted like I was a moron and told me I'd have to call the bank again. I said that I had, but the number from a clueless--ERR, helpful -- BB team member had only allowed me to open a charge account for Amos D. Smuckerpants. She gave me another number.

So I called it. And got a person. Who told me, sure, I could make a payment...

FOR A $15 CONVENIENCE CHARGE!

WHAT THE F**K?

At this point, I was about as happy as a Klansman at Obama's inauguration. Instead of paying off the bill, I just paid the minimum and had them put the $15 on next month's bill -- at which time, I will pay the whole damned thing off and close the account.

See, the thing that pisses me off most with Best Buy is the fact that they find new and inventive ways to gouge you. The reason that I had to repair this computer is the fact that, if I had taken it to Best Buy, it would have cost $200 the instant I brought it in the door (for convenience, I'm sure). The laptop is kaput and, even though we had a warranty, the Geek Squad told us the last time we went in there that the problem wasn't covered. And, since we had tried to remove Vista (which blows) and replace it with XP, the warranty was void.

Not that the problem had anything to do with the OS, mind you. Then the little acne-scarred shithead tried to grab my laptop out of my hands so he could "work" on it (starting at $200). I grabbed it back and walked out of the store.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me a second time on another method and I think you're a bunch of lousy cheapskates more than happy to rip people off.

I took the laptop to a mom-and-pop down the road. He figured out the problem and should have it fixed by the end of the week, data intact.

For $149.

Now, that's convenience, wouldn't you say, Home Depot? I thought so too. Oh, and when you're in line at the overrated monolith cafeteria, will you give Best Buy a wedgie?

Love and Kisses,
Me