Best Buy ripping off customers

Best Buy sued for 'ripping off' consumers
By John Leyden
Published Friday 20th August 2004 15:52 GMT

Giant US electronics retailer Best Buy has been sued by the State of
Ohio over alleged unfair and deceptive business practices.

Ohio's legal officers are acting on complaints that the electronics
chain sold used products as new. The retail giant also allegedly
failed to honour rebates, exchange programs or extended service
contracts on numerous occasions. In a statement issued yesterday, Ohio
said it initiated legal action after receiving hundreds of consumer
complaints over the last few years.

"The sheer number of complaints coupled with the types of allegations
my office received prompted us to file this lawsuit." said Ohio
Attorney General Jim Petro. "The primary objective of this lawsuit is
to bring Best Buy into conformity with Ohio’s consumer protection laws
and ensure that Best Buy’s Ohio customers receive the service they
deserve."

In the complaint, Petro asks the court to order Best Buy to comply
with Ohio's consumer protection laws, reimburse customers who lost
money and pay a civil penalty of $25,000 for each violation of Ohio's
Consumer Sales Practices Act. Best Buy, which operates approximately
750 stores in the US and Canada, said it was aware of the suit but
declined to discuss pending litigation. ®