Kelly Clarkson goes to buy ipods for orphans, best buy "Sorry those are for other customers"

[The Straight Story]

Here's a familiar story to readers of Consumerist: Customer goes into a Best Buy to make a purchase. Best Buy staffer gives customer incorrect information. Frustrated by the situation, customer vents about it online. Of course, when that customer is big-time pop star Kelly Clarkson, Best Buy actually fixes the error.

On Tuesday, the original American Idol champ posted the following on her Facebook page:


“So I'm in Best Buy... literally trying to buy iPod shuffles for orphans and they won't sell them to me because they're saving them for other customers. Thank you Best Buy for all of your help. They wouldn't let my friend buy the rest either haha! What the hell is wrong with y'all?!”

She was later able to purchase all the iPod Shuffles she needed at a Best Buy across town, where no one tried to enforce the company's nonexistent limit on the number of Shuffles a customer can buy.

http://consumerist.com/2011/03/even-celebrities-get-crappy-service-at-best-buy.html

[trotsky]

1. OK, I understand the frustration.

But what if the device in question was an iPad, and it was on the first day of sales? What if some mega-millionaire camped out to be first in line, bought up the entire stock, then set up a table and re-sold them in the parking lot? What if the millionaire said he was buying them for orphans? The rule is there for a reason. Does it need to be applied to every single item they sell? Probably not, and in a case like this, it definitely shouldn't be enforced.

[jeff47]

24. What you fail to understand

is that Best Buy has no such rule. As such, the rule is not there for a reason.

[marmar]

2. I hate going into Best Buy......

Nobody ever knows anything about any product, because "they don't normally work in that department." Plus I prefer to shop where there are no receipt Stasi at the exit.

[FormerDittoHead]

8. You should also buy a Best Buy Omni-protection warranty!!!

Went looking for a fridge, and the guy went on more about the fucking warranty than any of the fridges.

I go http://www.newegg.com - where I am I usually can expect next-day delivery for the regular shipping cost.

[madrchsod]

3. i went into a best buy twice since they were busted for their business practices

both times the store still sucked.

[MilesColtrane]

4. But, did they check her reciept on the way out?

:hide:

[eilen]

5. For orphans? Really?

Where?

How will they upload their mp3s?

Is she buying computers for them too?

[Ilsa]

6. Maybe she's trying to do something nice.

Maybe she hasn't thought it all the way through, but until there is news that she's being a manipulator of some sort, I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt.

[eilen]

10. Maybe she just wanted to buy a lot of shuffles.

I guess the Nintendo DS' were too expensive.

[The Straight Story]

9. Orphan don't mean poor:

[NeedleCast]

30. No Good Deed....

[democrat_patriot]

7. How about donating $$ to an orphan college fund? Shuffles? Really?

How about food, clothing, improvements to their living conditions.

[Orangepeel]

11. Orphans shouldn't have any fun?

I have no idea who/where these orphans are, but I don't see a reason to presume they are starving.

[GodlessBiker]

12. Can't a kid just have a little bit of fun?

[Patiod]

14. Rich or poor, that's what kids want

We had a Christmas tree in the lobby at work, and a local DHS office had put up construction-paper "ornaments" with gift requests from kids in their care (from families that were getting help from DHS).

The little ones requested toys, but the kids 10+ asked for low-priced MP3 players. These kids had clearly researched which were most affordable - no one asked for an iPod or shuffle.

I bought one. Why not? I remember having my little portable Sony radio practically tied to my head at that age (yeah, I'm old). DHS is making sure there's a roof overhead and food on the table.

Why not provide a little escape - many of these families are living in crowded conditions, and it might be nice to have a chance to get away without leaving the apartment.

I see a lot of kids at my local public library on afternoons and weekends, often wearing headsets, so I assume that's where those without computers of their own are charging up and finding music.

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. I get what you're saying, but having volunteered with an orphanage for

girls ages 10-17, they do get the basics provided. It's the extras that make life more fun they rarely get unless its donated by someone or some group outside of the institution. The little luxuries everyone else takes for granted can go a long way in making the marginalized among us feel a little bit better about being handed a crappy life situation through no fault of their own.

[trumad]

26. Jesus some on this thread are major dicks.

The girl tried to do something nice and the dick brigade jumps in to knock her down.

[dkf]

27. I have to admit that listening to music can change my mood and make me happy

Energized etc.

Sometimes you need emotional pick me ups too. And I think you can load a bunch of shuffles off the same computer so there may not be the 5 computer restriction you see on the bigger devices like iPod touches or iPhones.

[WolverineDG]

28. That's right! No one is allowed to have any fun

at any time! Especially orphans! They're supposed to sit around & mope about how crappy their lives are! No fun for you! It's all your fault you lost your parents! And besides, don't those uppity orphans know that there are horrible things happening all over the world? How *DARE* they want to be happy & have fun!

:crazy:

dg

[RaleighNCDUer]

38. Hey, if they want music, they can damn well make it themselves.

It's a hard knock life
For us
It's a hard knock life
For us!

[NeedleCast]

31. A New Ipod Shuffle Would Improve My Living Condition

Just sayin...

[WildEyedLiberal]

34. Yes, orphans don't deserve to listen to music or have something fun

Stupid kids, don't you know you're POOR??? God forbid any charity thrown your way be spent on something as trivial as FUN.

[girl gone mad]

36. Maybe because music changed her life in a major way..

and she wants these kids to be able to participate in that human endeavor.

[Dappleganger]

37. Of course, fuck the orphans who can't get into college.

[MadBadger]

13. Hope the orpans have access to a computer and itunes

Seriously, they're probably gonna need it

[NYCGirl]

15. Perhaps her staff will burn some MP3s from CDs to the

players. It can be easily done.

[eilen]

18. You can play music on the DS and PSP too.

music can be downloaded wirelessly.

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. The orphanages and group homes for teens with which I am familiar...

do have computers the residents can use. This really isn't an impediment.

[Lochloosa]

16. Before people slam her for buying ipods you might want to learn a little about her charity work.

I watched an interview a few years ago with her. She supports a LOT of good causes.


Abuse
AIDS
At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths Children
Creative Arts
Disaster Relief
Family/Parent Support
Grief Support
Human Rights
Poverty
•Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
•Charity Projects Entertainment Fund
•Kids Wish Network
•Little Kids Rock
•Live Earth
•Love Our Children USA
•Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
•MusiCan
•Save the Children
•UNICEF


Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/498-kelly-clarkson#ixzz1GxUBTzOm

[eilen]

17. Maybe she should have just contacted Apple

and ordered in bulk --she probably could have gotten a discount.

I am cynical. Sue me.

[Lithos]

20. I think it was an impulse on her part

Dealing with corporations usually takes a fair amount of planning.

[Erose999]

25. Corporations would want to be in on something like this because its good PR, and a tax write-off.

One would think so, anyway.

[The Straight Story]

23. I am all for her doing, think best/worst buy was wrong here (nt)

[DainBramaged]

19. Newegg, solves purchasing pain and better prices than Pest Buy

[calimary]

29. Well they opened up a can o shitstorm with that one.

WUNNNNNNNderful PR. All over all these websites now - going viral. Best Buy's management must be having apoplexy over the bad publicity. Well, as boner would say - " SO BE IT."

[Snoutport]

32. prices on japanese made goods are going to sky rocket...they probably are saving them

for a big price hike.

[Beaverhausen]

41. I think those are made in China

[Xenotime]

33. classic example of corporate greed.

[WolverineDG]

39. Since she was able to buy them at another BB in the same town

I think it was more of her having to deal with a stupid person than "corporate greed."

dg

[cleanhippie]

35. Best Buy was doing a community service...

She was going to put her music on the shuffles then give them to orphans. Thats fucking torture, I tell you! TORTURE!!!!

[Modern_Matthew]

40. +1 Where does the cruelty end and charity begin?! nt

[cleanhippie]

42. A world without music would be better....

than an ipod with Kelly Clarkson songs on it. :puke: