Connecticut Attorney General Announces Lawsuit Against Best Buy

When planning to purchase a new computer, HDTV, or stereo system, many people turn to websites of major retailers for the most comprehensive comparison of prices, models, and features. But as The Associated Press reports, once you step inside your local Best Buy, you may not get the same deal advertised on the Best Buy website.

On Thursday, Attorney General of Connecticut Richard Blumenthal revealed plans for a lawsuit against Best Buy Co. Inc., for deception of customers. The lawsuit details discrepancies between deals found at the Best Buy Internet website and "deals" found at in-store kiosks. Blumenthal noted instances of employees of the country's largest consumer electronics retailer charging higher prices for items by using its look-alike internal website.

According to The Associated Press, Blumenthal commented, "Best Buy gave consumers the worst deal - a bait-and-switch-plus scheme luring consumers into stores with promised online discounts, only to charge higher in-store prices."

The lawsuit would call for refunds for consumers, in addition to civil penalties, an end to the sales practice, and court costs. At least 20 complaints from Best Buy customers surfaced after a reporter for The Hartford Courant related one man's experiences at the store. According to the reporter, the Connecticut man found a laptop online at the Best Buy website for $729.99, then visited his local Best Buy store. At the store, an employee seemed to check the price of the laptop on the same Best Buy website and told the customer the price of the laptop was nearly $150 more at $879.99.

Best Buy company officials confirmed the existence of the internal look-alike website that employees have access to in-store. However, Best Buy also noted their policy is to give customers the lowest quoted price, unless specifically labeled as an online-only special.

As reported by The Associated Press, Blumenthal added, "There may be people who are entirely unaware they may have been overcharged."