Best Buy Swindles Customers With $30 PS3 Firmware Update

[ProfessorLayton]

It isn't illegal, but it is a blatant and MASSIVE violation of the EULA. I wouldn't be surprised if Best Buy gets a stern talking to from Sony. I'm hoping the stop sending them stock for a month and I don't even own or want a PS3.

Doubt it. Even though they're taking advantage of their ignorant customers, Sony probably won't stop sending them stock. Best Buy is too big to just stop having PS3's and that would be as bad for Sony as it would for Best Buy. They definitely need to be in trouble for this, though.

 

[goodwithwords08]

This...equals......WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PettingZOOPONY]

*adds Best Buy to boycotted companies list*

Let's see the list is now...

Best Buy
Activision

And...that's it.

My thoughts exactly.

Isn't this illegal? Are they at least telling people that the firmware update is free? Is there something we're missing here? Either way, this is ridiculous.

It isn't illegal, but it is a blatant and MASSIVE violation of the EULA. I wouldn't be surprised if Best Buy gets a stern talking to from Sony. I'm hoping the stop sending them stock for a month and I don't even own or want a PS3.

Not at all, nothing in the EULA that someone else cannot install a firmware update and charge for it. This is for the people with slow DSL or no internet connection at all and does this actually affect anyone here?

 

[Worgen]

I would be more annoyed by this if it didnt seem like a tax on the ignorant

 

[cathou]

honestly, i dont see the harm. If they offer it, it's because some people had ask for it. it remind me of one of my client that asked for a ram upgrade on an imac, and he wanted a tech to come over to install it. we told him that he could do it himself in 2 minutes, he just have to remove two very obviouslly placed screw and just push the memory inside. everybody can do it. his response was : i dont care the cost, i just dont want to do it, the maid will open the door for the tech.

some people just dont care what they pay for...

 

[Darth_Dude]

I'm curious on how many people fell for this scam. Though it sounds like it is only at that one location.

Why is your profile picture so big?

 

[Something Amyss]

Fools and their money.
I am not saying Best Buy is in the right here but anyone that falls for this disserves the 30$ price hike.
The again its not like Best Buy has any form of competitive pricing plan. I enjoy the store but I never expect to find anything for less.
Fry's Electronics is where its at.

Yeah, while I won't defend the ethics of this, it almost seems like an idiot tax.

I bet even if they were up front, some people would pay. People pay me to do simple things with their computers all the time. they simply cannot be bothered to do it, or they're confused by technology. Lots of old people don't want to learn what is considered a confusing new system.

Then again, I'm up front with people about this. Best Buy is not. I'm not saying it's right, just that there is something to be said for "convenience fees."

 

[JaredXE]

Oooooold news. I saw my local Best Buy(Missoula, MT) did that months ago. Even commented on it too. The manager told me that many people don't have internet, so this was a service they provided. I told him that anybody buying a PS3 HAS internet already and that they were ripping him off. I also said that they were now selling a USED product and should knock the price down since it had been opened and used. I was asked to leave the store.

I admit I was a little vocal, trying to inform customers around me of such underhanded scams.

 

[Senaro]

I had my fill of Best Buy when they had that 150$ fee to plug your PS3 into your tv for you.

 

[Scde2]

I'm curious on how many people fell for this scam. Though it sounds like it is only at that one location.

Why is your profile picture so big?

Because I am just that awesome.
[sub]People in the Publisher's Club have better avatar limits.[/sub]

 

[SelectivelyEvil13]

First and foremost, I hate Best Buy and hope to see them follow Circuit City.[footnote]That's for screwing me over on my Legend of Zelda Masterquest deal you motherf#$%*rs![/footnote]

I'm just thinking though, if you don't have an internet connection in the first place, is a firmware upgrade going to be really a $30 big-of-a-deal to you? Buy Uncharted or Resistance, sheesh!

Hell, I'll just skip updates pretty often because I only play single player regularly.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

Is that a lawsuit I smell? Or did someone order the garlic bread?

I wish it was garlic bread.

[sub]But I don't think it is...[/sub]

Part of me thinks that's clever, but the other part of me cringes in horror at the sheer naughtiness of this.

And another part of me wants a job application.

[sub]And another part of me wants garlic bread.[/sub]

 

[TheHecatomb]

I think it's fair. They should give the customer the option of buying an non-updated version for 300 dollars though.

I don't see how it's different from programming the channels in your new TV. Typically when you have it delivered to your place you can choose to do it yourself, or you can pay 30 bucks for the delivery guy to do it. Same principle.

 

[Darth_Dude]

I'm curious on how many people fell for this scam. Though it sounds like it is only at that one location.

Why is your profile picture so big?

Because I am just that awesome.
[sub]People in the Publisher's Club have better avatar limits.[/sub]

Oh.
...
....

Lucky...

 

[NotSoNimble]

Isn't that a 2 hour update? It's probably less for most people, PS3 is notorious for longer than reasonable 'updates', unless you are a PC gamer. But it's just a service you are paying for when you buy. Yeah, it's free, but people pay for warranties on 360's when Microsoft extended them for free.

Is that the price of convenience?

People have an obligation to read. If they don't, than I say more power to ya.

 

[Gigano]

Aren't there laws against marketing deceiving consumers in such blatant ways in the US?

Offering a "service" that can easily be performed absolutely free by anyone with an internet connection without informing about this alternative is pretty gross exploitation, and even the "standard" consumer wouldn't necessarily have enough advance knowledge on how PSN works to be able to see through.

No harm in offering the service for those who aren't comfortable with the internet (or want someone to sue if it goes wrong), but doing so without informing about what you're (not) paying for is outright deceitful.

 

[Harbinger_]

I don't know if this was already mentioned and frankly I'm too lazy to read through to find out but they also used to charge 100$ to set up your X-Box Live for your 360.

 

[Lord_Gremlin]

Nice fraud.

 

[Googenstien]

This is a shame and another reason why I hardly ever go to Best Buy, one main reason is that its usually not the "best buy"

Stores that I avoid:

Best Buy (bad prices and like to rip off people)
Gamestop (95% used games and hardly ever a deal there)
BP and Exxon (Oil Spills from carelessness..been holding the grudge vs Exxon since the Valdez)
Ikea (cheapass furniture that you assemble yourself)
Any Pet Store chain (animal abuse)
Any mall based record electronics store (rip off)
Those rent to own stores like Buddys, Aarons (rip off)