I had a very disappointing experience at the Best Buy in Tacoma (2214 S 48th St). In particular, the issue was the way a store manager named Floseta Misailegalu treated us.
My husband and I were planning to purchase about $8,000 worth of appliances, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, range, microwave, washer, dryer, and pedestals, and we actually visited the store twice over the weekend. The appliance associate who helped us, Angel, was very professional and helpful.
The problem began when we were reviewing the LG promotion offering up to $800 off when purchasing multiple appliances along with a $100 price match on the dishwasher. The discounts shown in the system appeared as small amounts spread across different products, which made it difficult to understand how the promotion was actually being applied. So we simply asked for a clear explanation of how the discount was being applied. For a purchase of this size, asking to understand the pricing structure is a very reasonable request.
However, when the manager arrived, she did not greet us and immediately dismissed our question by saying that the system could not show those details. While my husband was explaining the promotion and continuing the discussion, she turned her head away and looked elsewhere during the conversation, which came across as extremely rude and dismissive.
When I told her that her attitude felt disrespectful, she claimed that I was yelling, abruptly ended the transaction, told us to leave the store, and even called security. However, the security officer checked the situation and took no action.
At that time, we were simply expressing a complaint about her attitude, and we do not believe our behavior was threatening in any way. If the situation had truly been threatening, security would have escorted us out of the store. From our perspective, calling security felt like an exaggerated response intended to cover up her own rude behavior.
To be clear, price was not the issue. We were fully prepared to complete the purchase at that moment. However, after experiencing the manager’s attitude, we no longer wanted to proceed with the purchase at that store.
We eventually left and went to Home Depot, where we purchased the exact same appliances and completed the $8,000 purchase there. They clearly explained the promotion and pricing structure.
Best Buy did not lose this sale because of price.
They lost it because of the manager’s behavior toward customers.
Customers have plenty of other options, including LG authorized retailers and other competitors that offer price matching. It was also surprising that there is not even a clear email channel to submit a complaint. This gives the impression that customer feedback is not taken very seriously.
Through this experience, I believe I now understand why the manager treats customers with that kind of attitude. It is because there is not even a proper channel for customers to file complaints. I will not be returning to this store again.