NEVER do business with Bestbuy Again

[Jarhead0331]

I've been suspecting over the past few years that Bestbuy is actually owned and run by Satan himself. Tonight, my suspicion was confirmed.

My main PC rig was purchased at Bestbuy (I know, I know). I've been pretty satisfied with the rig, but it came with a norton anti-virus subscription as OEM that seemed tied through Bestbuy.  Having my anti-virus subscription connected to Bestbuy annoyed me from the get go, and was one more sign of influence of the Beast. Anyway, I never really had any issues with it so, whatever.  Not too long ago, after the free trial subscription expired, I renewed. No big deal.

Tonight, while I'm just getting ready to start a massive battle in Wargame: Red Dragon, the game minimizes and I get a message from Norton that my computer is unprotected and my subscription has expired. The message continues, stating "You must" call Bestbuy at 1-888-BESTBUY" to sort this out.  Instantly, blood started rushing to my head and I was quickly losing my temper.  I was totally unable to renew through Norton.  I thought, "this can't be right..." Why the hell would I have to call Bestbuy to renew my anti-virus subscription??? So I rebooted. Still, Norton was telling me no protection, subscription expired.  Begrudgingly, I picked up the phone and dialed the number.

After struggling through the voice activated automated menu system, I get my first idiot.  I explain the situation as calmly as possible and quickly get passed onto someone else "who can help me."  After waiting another 10 minutes and suffering through extremely loud and annoying music, I get my second idiot.  This one tells me that, I kid you not, "Norton anti-virus is no longer compatible with Windows 8, so we cancelled all of our customer's subscriptions." Dumbfounded, I told her its impossible that the largest anti-virus provider on the planet is no longer supported by the largest OS on the planet. Nevertheless, I was transferred off to another person "Who could help me." 

Idiot no. 3 then explains that Bestbuy made the decision that Norton anti-virus "does not work too good" so they have cancelled all of their customer subscriptions and have switched to a program called "Webroot."  To keep me from reaching through the phone to strangle this poorly disguised demon, she tells me they will provide me with free three months of coverage.  They will not refund my money from my norton subscription.  I've never heard of "webroot" so while I'm trying not to scream out every 4 letter word I can think of, I google it (still unprotected, mind you).  I find some fairly mixed reviews, but some seem pretty positive, so I decide, I'm not going to get anywhere further with this idiot, so I might as well take the free three months, try it out and head for the hills.

OK, so I ask her, what do I need to do to install it and get my free subscription. "Sir, I need to transfer you over to someone else who can log into your system and take care of that for you."  No f*cking thank you!!!!  Give me the God damn activation code and I'll do it myself!

Holy $hit! What a joke.  Bad credit card program, terrible rewards program, awful customer service and now this.  That's it. I'm done with Bestbuy. I have literally spent tens of thousands of dollars there. Never again! Additionally, I am going to write corporate a VERY strongly worded letter.  If you can avoid doing business with this storefront for the devil I think you will thank me when it comes to judgment time.

Norton is uninstalled and I'm running webroot secure anywhere.  I still don't really know anything about it, but unless one of you guys tells me it is really weak, I'll give it a shot for the free three months.

[Toonces]

My wife and I call Best Buy, "Worst Buy."  Their computers come with so much bloat on them, I'm sort of surprised you bought one through them.

But seriously, I'm not going to lie.  I kind of wish I could have been there and seen that...watch your face get redder and redder...oh man that must have been priceless.

Ok, really seriously, you might want to throw AVG free on your computer, at least until you get a warm fuzzy about this new AV program you have.  I actually went ahead and subscribed to AVG, but I think the free version is a good first line of defense, especially if you're not going anywhere too sketchy if you know what I mean.

[KyzBP]

All of my computers over the last 20 years have come from Best Buy.  I never had a complaint but the first thing I do is delete EVERYTHING that isn't part OS.  I despise Norton and usually add AVG as my anti-virus.  Good Luck with Webroot.  they've included it with my last couple of computers but I never activated it.

[steve58]

Did the BB Norton subscription just renew the virus signature updates to the specific version that came with your PC or was it updated to the latest version of Norton Internet Security?  If so, just delete and buy something else.

I think there is no reason to renew Norton subscriptions when you can almost always buy the latest Norton version for less than $25 or sometimes even get it for free (via rebate).

[Toonces]

Once he bought the computer, Best Buy should have no connection to his Norton subscription if he renewed it.  That's the point. 

[bbmike]

I've never been a Best Buy fan. I've also never been an anti-virus software fan. In many, many years of computer use I only used an anti-virus program one time, Zone Alarm. I don't think it ever did me any good. I only use what Windows provides and once in a while Spybot or Ad-Aware. I've never had a problem with any viruses.
Everyone I've ever known that has used Norton has problems with it. It assimilates hard drives, I'm convinced. I would never use it.
And Toonces is right. If I ever did buy a Best Buy computer the first thing I would do is wipe the hard drive and do a fresh install of Windows to remove all of that crap. I do the same thing with Dell computers.
My point here? I've had a martini and a scotch or two so there isn't one. Just my thoughts.  ;)

[Greybriar]

I uninstalled Norton on this PC (and those before it!). It's a PITA because it sometimes interferes with running PC games.

Best Buy was once a good place to buy anything. IMHO the customer service was second to none. I haven't purchased a PC from them in years, so I can't say how it is now.

Good luck with your hassle, JarHead.

[DoctorQuest]

I had not given it much thought but I don't remember the last time I was in a Best Buy. I used to cruise there regularly looking for good deals on PC games but with the advent of GoG (and other online stores) I just have no real reason to shop there any more. I either build my own rigs with online purchased parts or buy the whole rig from Dell, Newegg or Tigerdirect.

I did buy my netbook on sale there. I've had no real issues there but it probably just was not a good candidate for bloatware.

For brick and morter computer shopping I tend to use Office Depot or Office Max. I can live with out BB.

[DoctorQuest]

I had not given it much thought but I don't remember the last time I was in a Best Buy. I used to cruise there regularly looking for good deals on PC games but with the advent of GoG (and other online stores) I just have no real reason to shop there any more. I either build my own rigs with online purchased parts or buy the whole rig from Dell, Newegg or Tigerdirect.

I did buy my netbook on sale there. I've had no real issues there but it probably just was not a good candidate for bloatware and it was a while ago.

For brick and morter computer shopping I tend to use Office Depot or Office Max. I can live without BB.

[DennisS]

Back in the day, I purchased some software, and it wouldn't run.

I suspected a rare bad disc. No hu-hu, I brought it back to Best Buy, and swapped it for the same program. It took me over an hour, and a pissing match with the store manager, who all but accused me of theft.

Why the fuck would I swap a title for the same title? How could this possibly result in any gain?

Sure as shit, second copy of the program wouldn't boot either. No way in hell I was going to get my money back, and I knew it, too.

Good news is that got to SCREAM obscenities at the manager in the store, and I sailed that fucker like a frisbee every bit of half the length of the store.

I was invited to leave. Right now.     ;D

The manager still works there, and I love just glaring at him when I go in. Nothing he can do. Heh heh heh.

[bayonetbrant]

I haven't been to a Best Buy since 2002, with 1-2 odd exceptions for something like a Kindle case.  I think I've spent maybe $100 there total in the past decade-plus.  The guys at the store in Dublin, OH were assholes and when I tried to talk to the manager, he blew me off, and when I wrote a letter to corporate about getting blown off, I got a tepid generic response and no follow-up.  Never been back and never looked back.  I do miss Circuit City, though.  It was nice to be able to wander around an electronics store every now and then

[WYBaugh]

Jarhead,

Did the subscription run out during the normal timeframe (1 year) or did they yank the rug out from under you and just stop the updates?

I would just chalk it up to having Norton for 'free' (I know, it's part of the cost of the computer) and say goodbye to it and webroot. 

Please check out Kaspersky.  It's still one of the best AV's going and very reputable.  There is also NOD32, Avira, Bitdefender to think about as well but definitely wouldn't run webroot.

[Jarhead0331]

^They yanked the rug out from under me. I was still in my subscription when they cancelled it without any prior notice.

I've used Kaspersky before and I think I even still have it on one of my rigs. I'll check. 

[TheCommandTent]

I haven't shopped at BB for several years due to their horrible in-store and phone customer service.  It stinks that you had to go through this but it does not surprise me in the least.  Glad to know I don't need to be giving them a second chance anytime soon.

[GDS_Starfury]

hhgregg kicks their ass anyway for everything I can think of.