My husband purchased a new, Top of the line, Sony laptop for our child that was going away to college (Sept. 2010). Additionally a three yr. extended warranty was purchased. The laptop developed a issue with recharging the battery. When our daughter came home during Christmas break, the laptop was taken to the service department at Fry's at the Renton WA location. The Service manager accused her of breaking out a small part where the cord connects to the computer by dropping it. She told him the computer came the way he was seeing it now, and she was unaware a part was missing. Furthermore he could tell the laptop had never been dropped... as it had NO dents and NO scratches on it. The laptop was ONLY THREE MONTHS OLD and in pristine condition. The Mgr. quoted a down payment toward service of over $80 and six to eight weeks for repair. If Sony felt the issue was under warranty then you might get the money back.

At the initial time of purchase, since we were purchasing the extended warranty, then if the laptop needed to be serviced, a loaner would be provided. DON'T BELIEVE THIS FALLACY. The very rude Service Mgr. stated we would NOT receive a loaner. What is more frustrating is our paperwork/invoice from Fry's lists under the 3 yr. warranty "with loaner upon request"! Do you feel a college student could do without a laptop for six to 8 weeks? Thus the reason why we purchased the extended warranty, she would have a loaner if it needed to be serviced. We decided to go to a Sony Store in the University District in Seattle WA. The representative examine the laptop, and he stated that he could tell she took excellent care of it as it was in superior condition (no marks, scratches, or dents), and they were sorry the part was missing. There would be no problem in getting it fixed. IT TOOK SONY LESS THAN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS to have the computer serviced. Since we were looking to purchase another computer for ourselves, thus of course, we purchased it from the Sony Store due to their Professionalism, Excellent Customer Service, and how they back the warranty on their products. In the future, we will NEVER PURCHASE ANY ELECTRONICS FROM FRY'S!!! Additionally, we will be telling all of our friends, relatives, and coworkers about what happened to us. Buyer beware of Fry's.

On 09/18/10 i took in my laptop for repair. I waited for some one to call me and tell me what the problem was but no one called so on 10/18/10 I called and they told me that they were very busy so they had not had a chance to look at it but like 20 min later they called me and told me that had to send it in because they did not know waht was wrong with it. So on 11/18/10 I called they said it still out there and they did not know what was wrong with it jet. So I still waited for some one to call me no one did so on 12/16/10 I called again and they told me that it had liquid damage and that warranty would not cover it and that I had to pay $600.00 to get it fixed so I was upset and asked to talk to the manager Robert Walker and Down Houston they said they would look at my info and call me back but they never did so on 01/03/11 I called Mr.Houston was really mean to me and hung the phone so I called the main office and they said there was nothing they could do for me so on 02/19/11 I went to pick up my laptop and now they want to charge me $75.76 because they found out it had water damage i talked to the manager on 02/20/11 and he was going to call me back but they don't care about customer service he did not call me back I dont think I sould pay anything I will tell all my freinds and family never to buy at Fry's again. the service request order is # 00001234058-23 the invoice # when I purchased it is 6836755 and the fry's I bought it at 10241 N. Frwy I-45 Houston, TX 77037

I consider myself an average consumer. I needed to purchase an i-touch 32gb, and 2 laptop computers. After scanning the internet for deals, I found the older model i-touch at Fry's for $249. (checked availability at my local store 8 in stock) and got the name of the representative who confirmed stock. Best Buy had a great deal on a laptop, but I felt that Fry's would likely have the same computer at the same price. Drove to Fry's and went straight for the i-touch; only to be told they haven't had it in stock for 2 weeks. Gave the name of the sales rep who said it was in stock, I was told no such person exits there. I didn't want to pay $299 (their price now) So on to the computers. Found the same computer as Best Buy, as I expected. Asked the salesperson to match price per company policy. I was quickly told that the products were not the same as 1 single number of the product was different. I asked to confirm stock on hand, and was told they had 3 units. I went to the store general manager. After waiting for 45 minutes I went over the i-touch issue and the computer. He acknowledged that the computers were the same and the single digit difference is their "out" so they can avoid price matching on small margin items. I pressed the issue until he finally agreed to meet the Best Buy price (a $89 savings per computer) I asked him to call the laptop supervisor and bring 2 of the 3 computers in stock up front so I could purchase them. The supervisor then informed the store general manager that they could not find any and must be out of stock. The manager offered to sell me a lesser computer at an inflated price $120 higher than advertised around town. I decided to take my business elsewhere and have purchased the i-touch from Amazon.com ($20 below fry's price, free shipping) and both laptops from Best Buy (store 3 blocks from Fry's), instock and with a special so I also got a $25 gift card. Again, fry's fails to deliver.

I agree to a certain extent about the terrible customer service at times, and especially the lack of product knowledge.

But the majority of complaints I hear about Fry's is utterly fruitless.

First of all, the people checking the receipts at the door: They are there to essentially fact check. They are to make sure the idiots at the registers have rung you up correctly. They actually get paid on the amount of 'catches' they get from the registers and returns. Also, just because you see someone at the returns counter 'just standing there' doesn't mean they are in returns, or are even allowed to help you. If the person is the 'person in charge' or the courtesy associate especially, they are there to double check the work of the returns and password the transaction.

Of course the fry's card is a scam. Seriously? What credit card isn't??

Please don't complain about black friday. While you and I get to go shopping on that day, and be neanderthals about our sales, these schmucks have to wake up and work the whole long day, not to mention, DEAL WITH US!

I've seen a lot of poor service from fry's, but I've seen WORSE treatment directed AT EMPLOYEES with seemingly little or no cause. Please keep in mind that just because you view someone helping you as 'beneath you' or 'less knowledgeable (which isn't usually the case)', that doesn't give you the green light to barate, harrass, or yell at!!!

If you can't follow the rules for a return, don't return it! However, if something is truly defiective and you are not given your refund, speak with the 'person in charge.' If that does not work, request to speak with the store manager, or the assistant store manager immediately.

Lastly, rebates are handled by the manufacturer. Not through fry's. If your beloved brand didn't give you your rebate, blame the brand, not the supplier. It has nothing to do with the retail store itself. The store does not lose money with rebates, the manufacturer does. Please inform yourself.

And, as a truly final last bit of advice, when you come into Fry's Electronics, literally a wasteland/wonderland or technology, please do not ask where the 'electronics are located' or continually refer to where you came from as 'the electronics department.' The whole fuckin' store is full of em.

Sincerely,
A past Fry's associate, tellin it like it is.

Shopping at Fry's today reminded me why I never shop there, even though it is the only electronics store around. Why should I shop at a store that automatically assumes I am a thief? I pay for an item why do I have to show the looser at the door what I bought? It is mine now not the stores.

Never never never again. Thieves automatically assume every one else is a thief. I can safely assume that this store is run by thieves.