[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wdguy:
GS3 Conundrum

Good afternoon gentlemen. I have been following several threads and wish to offer input. I am a lead tier 3regional enterprise network designer and engineerfor the central and northwest regions, essentially very large corporate and collegiate network and data systems.

I too have been on the preorder list gor the GS3 for over 3 wks from BBYM in the Seattle, WA area. I echo many of the experiences encountered during this GS3 conundrum BBYM and rode the front line merry go round more than desired.

First, here is something to consider IRT mobile phone protection. (aych-tee-tee-pee):fs-fs(double U double-U double-U).

topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/1895-best-buy-mobile-phone-protection-plan-class-action-lawsuit

Best Buy is no stranger to multiple class action litigations past and present. In fact, their top management has been disciplined and resigned for a myriad of reasons and mishandled complaints from warranty, to price protection, to wrongfully and unknowingly obtaining sensitive personal information for distribution. There is plenty of dirty laundry cases in Google.

I have heard the excuse for lack of stock from their Corp office from mfr defect, to Apple litigation to customs hold to the all to familiar I don't know/email snafu. I have been told no stock is available and when confronted about online stock, they reply it is for preorder. When I tell them I am, I'm told it is for the customers ahead of me. Regardless, their managers have verified stock in multiple area stores for "preorders". I was told there is no way to discern when, where or how many devices are shipped or will arrive. One of my masters is an MBA and I can tell you a company of this statue does not rise to this level on such poor inventory control and management. As having PhD in computer engineering and electronics, I find it difficult to believe the floor rank and file are this incompetent with their data operations. The reasons are not culpable and their variance correltates a suspect capricious agenda.

One major lawsuit was of price gouging and bait and switch allegations for which out of court settlement was applied, but seems to recircumventing. After several hours of prodding at the corporate level last night from their mobile office, they are indeed able to discover where on the list I am (#1 btw). BBYM has been filling "preorders", but I was farther down the list, wink-wink.

They then blamed AT&T and eluded to "honoring an agreement" with them to not release the phone until 7/1. I conferenced AT&T corporate sales mgr with the BBYM corp floor mgr and AT&T DENIED such an agreement and stated they have indeed been shipping and releasing orders but do not have enough for general store release until probably after 7/1. It seems BBYM is hiding somthing under this smokescreen and here's why. If I order a GS3 online at the $699.99 price, I have several stores to chose a pick up from immediately with a 7 day hold. If I decide to ADD or keep my current AT&T plan, I lose the ability for pick up and go to a preorder unknown status. This gives a $499+ profit/phone, not considering most of us either have a trade in or gift card....so this is at very least a $500 liquid profit/phone.

I let them have it with several things to consider. BBYM corp said they have over 450 orders nationwide as of 6/26. Of the 10M, this equates to foughly 4/1000ths of a percent of all orders. Best Buy has roughly 1010 stores in their chain. That is one phone per every 2.5 stores. BB has over 180k employees. There are a total of "7" GS3 orders at my oreorder store including me as #1 on the list (verified). BBYM dept has 9 people, more than the 7 GS3 orders. with such a high media spotlight, I find it reasonable and in good practice to have ensure up to date status and communications between sending, receiving and consumer. BB is supposed to be the steward for the service to customer and product delivery. As far as filling orders "as soon as they come in" and the system being automated....that statement cannot be true if there are unspoken for phones at storesand BBYM claims to be "filling" only preorders. Furthermore phones shown in stockseem to magically "vanish" or a pulled or "sold" when I challenge them. How can that be if I'm #1 on the list??? My issue is NOT a missing GS3 in my hand, it is the continued practice of Best Buy consumer deception. I find it very difficult as an expert to rely on the integrity of Best Buy let alone refer the many college students that consult me. When asked yesterday "what would it take to reinstill that confidence" I quickly replied time and sustained truth without deceptions. A formal complaint has been filed for higher level CS review. I have also detailed my encounters in a BBB complaint and formal letters to the company with copies to the local media. Good luck gentlemen and I will continue to follow the endevours of this astute audience. Thank You,

Wayne