GU
Google User
Jun 27, 2026
This review is for the Best Buy at Scarborough Town Centre Location on Progress Avenue.
This was one of the most disappointing retail experiences I’ve had, especially because this used to be my go to Best Buy location for years. I used to enjoy shopping here because the staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. Unfortunately, over the past few years, it feels like all the good staff have left, and the customer service has seriously declined.
I came in on Saturday, June 27, 2026 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., fully prepared to buy an iPad. I had already done my research and found the exact same model on sale at Walmart, both online and on their flyer, and simply wanted to request a price match. Instead of getting straightforward help, I was met with confusion, dismissive attitudes, and inconsistent information.
The first employee seemed uninterested and began looking at third party listings that were actually more expensive than the regular retail price, which made no sense. I was then directed to the Apple representative, who gave vague explanations about “new policies” that supposedly prevented the price match and affected student discounts. None of it added up, especially since I’ve purchased Apple products before using the Apple student discount without any issues.
What made the situation even more frustrating was that I had just watched South Asian customers ahead of me receive price matches and leave happy, while my own experience was completely different. They were helped quickly and smoothly, while I was met with hesitation, vague policy explanations, and refusal. As someone who was polite and respectful the entire time, the difference in treatment was noticeable and left me feeling unfairly treated.
On top of that, there were multiple staff members standing around talking, gossiping, and on their phones instead of helping customers, which looked incredibly unprofessional.
The most frustrating part is that this was a guaranteed sale. Best Buy lost a loyal customer that day. Within five to ten minutes of leaving, I went directly to the Apple Store, explained the exact same situation, and everything was sorted out immediately. I bought the exact same iPad, got an even better deal using the Apple student discount, and had zero issues. The Apple Store staff were helpful, professional, and even contradicted the “new policies” I was told at Best Buy.
That confirmed for me that the problem was never the product, the price, or the discount. The problem was the service. I used to be a loyal Best Buy customer, but after this experience, I will no longer be supporting Best Buy. Their prices are often marked up anyway, and you can usually find the same products for better or similar prices at Amazon, Costco, or other retailers.
It’s disappointing to see how far this location has fallen. Management seriously needs to review staff behaviour and improve accountability because this level of customer service is unacceptable. 😡