Recently we heard that Best Buy was withholding iPad 2 stock from customers, and folks who wanted the Apple tablet from the big box retailer were infuriated. It turns out, however, that Apple gave Best Buy its blessing to withhold iPad 2 units for an upcoming promotion. Was that promotion, by any chance, the practice of forcing customers to buy a protection plan in order to nab one of the iOS tablets?
According to a CrunchGear reader, a Best Buy manager said that the only way an iPad 2 could be pulled out of storage was if the reader was going to purchase a $109 Best Buy protection plan. Weird, I wonder if the manager had any Rowlex watches for sale in his coat pocket, too.
According to the reader:
I was at Best But yesterday while my girlfriend was buying a new pc and asked if they had any iPad 2 in stock and I was told no. As I strolled around I looked up and noticed at least 40
In an overhead lock up area so I inquired about them. I was told by an associate that they were all sold. Two minutes later a manager walks over and says the only way I could have one is if I puchased a 109 dollar Best Buy protection plan.I said that doesn’t seem right. He then told to try and find one somewhere else they can do what they want. To make a long story short I purchased it just to find out if that was policy. I just went to another store spoke to a manager and was told that is not policy and should have not be forced to but the coverage just to purchase an iPad. After reading the story on CNN I just wanted to follow up with you guys. After my experience I think you were correct about they way they are distributing iPads. Thanks for the time. If you need anything else just let me know.
Best Buy isn’t known for having employees with the most pristine records of service, but this is pretty low. It would be nice to get a response from Apple regarding the mega-retailer’s use of the iPad 2 for leverage in selling protection plans.
[Via: CrunchGear, image]