I decided to make the switch from XM Satellite Radio to Sirius Satellite Radio. My reasons are many. I looked around and decided to buy the Sportster 5. It retails at $169 no matter what retailer you purchase it from. I stopped in at the Hagerstown Best Buy, found the unit on the sales floor, and took one up the the register at the front of the store.
The employee at the register started to go through the motions of selling me the radio unit when she asked me for my phone number. I gave her the standard fake phone number I usually give out in situations where a retailer asks for it. She typed it into the computer and told me that I wasn’t in the system. She asked for my name and address. I asked her why she wanted that information. She told me that she needed it to process the sale. I told her that I didn’t want to give out my personal information. I just wanted to buy a Sirius radio. She went on to tell me that she had to enter my personal information because it needed to be assigned to the radio. That way no one else but me could activate my radio.
This sounded like a load of crap. I never had to go through this when I bough my XM radio. I told her thanks, but no thanks. I would just activate it on my own without their help.
I was told that they could not sell me the Sirius radio without taking my personal information. It was a requirement from Sirius. This too sounded like crap. Since they were refusing to sell me the radio without giving them my personal information, I left without getting the radio.
When I got home, I called customer service at Sirius. I told them what I just went through and I asked them if there was any shred of truth to what I was told at Best Buy. They assured me that there was not. They do not require a customer’s personal information to be taken by the retailer when making a sale. In fact, they had no clue what Best Buy was talking about.
I went to Circuit City. I bought the same radio at the same price without having to give out any of my personal information. Imagine that.
I hate when I am lied to. I understand that a company like Best Buy would like to have my personal information. That doesn’t mean they have any right to it. What does it say about a company’s integrity if they will stoop to lying to get hold of your personal information?
It says nothing good.
FMR Bestbuy employee
/ May 16, 2008I used to work at bestbuy. They have to pair people with the satellite radios. The register wont let them through without it.
Usually because there is some form of rebate, or security measure (to see who will be activating this radio)
It makes it a lot easier on the consumer who will have to deal with theives.
Sirius will have your credit card and address as well, I don’t understand why you’re so paranoid.
If you sell drugs, just get another identity to but shit under.
Idiot.
Rick
/ May 16, 2008Very well said.
Gina
/ May 22, 2008Hi Rick,
I’m Gina, Community Connection Manager at Best Buy™. We frequently review our customers’ blog and forum posts to gain insight into their experiences.
I was sorry to hear about the experience you describe. According to the agreements we have in place with the Sirius satellite radio corporation, Best Buy is required to record the name and address of each customer who purchases a Sirius satellite radio from us.
I personally have both Sirius and XM satellite radio. I discussed my experience with both satellite providers on my blog: http://gina-communities.blogspot.com/. I hope you enjoy your Sirius satellite radio.
Sincerely,
Gina, Best Buy’s Community Connection Manager
Connecting with technology for a better tomorrow
Issue #48867039
Rick
/ May 22, 2008Gina, you state that you frequently review your customer blogs and forum posts. I’m not a Best Buy customer. You wouldn’t sell me a Sirius radio unless I forked over my personal information. That’s something I refused to do.
I called Sirius and told them about my experience. They told me that they have no agreement with Best Buy that requires my personal information to be recorded by you. When I bought my radio at Circuit City, they didn’t ask me for my personal information.
That makes me believe Sirius.
Ryan
/ December 27, 2008I had the exact same problem as Rick and I find it very irritating. I was trying to buy this as a gift and I did not know the recipients address and info so I just left without purchasing. Way to go Best Buy. With policies like this no wonder sales are down.