Black Tie Service

What is the difference between Black Tie Service and the Manufacturers warranty on a cell phone when the cell phone has warranty service issues?

Manufacturer's warranty covers everything that could possibly be the manufacturers fault.  Defective parts, etc.  It should cover what you are experiencing.  The manufacturer's warranty is, of course, free.
The Best Buy plan is $10 a month and covers a couple things that the manufacturer wouldn't, like damaging it in the course of normal use.  Neither the mfg warranty or Best Buy will cover a phone that is lost, stolen, dropped in water, dropped from extreme heights, dropped out of a car, etc (damage that would not be caused by normal use).
The manufacturer will typically be a bit more responsive with repairs.  My experience with best buy is a minimum of 3 weeks and I have had one repair that is currently at 7 weeks and counting - and yes, during this time you're continuing to pay for the service plan even though they have possession of your phone.
In my experience, your best bet for cell phone insurance is your mobile service provider - Sprint, Verizon, etc.  It is about half the price of Best Buy's plan, covers the same items, and they will replace your phone on the spot instead of having to wait 3-8 weeks (and realistically, who wants to bring their phone in and then wait 56 days to get it back).  The downside is you have to pay a ~$50 deductible, but the difference in plan price between Best Buy and Sprint/etc makes up for that pretty quickly.
There is, quite literally, no reason to ever buy the black tie protection plans.  Despite whatever claims the employee may make, they will not exchange your phone in the store.

Similar Messages

  • Anti viru/spyware included or not with premium black tie?

    Just purchased an acer laptop ,and premium blacktie protection,was told if i wanted to purchase trend product with install for 120.00 but also told if black tie premium was purchased 120 was included and comp would come with protection  any way didnt come with antivirus/spyware(so  I'm told)had to purchase seperately. All paperwork i recieved (black tie service brochure and geek squadnew computer setup form(yellow), clearly state "one year security software included in all security&performance packages". manager said i was wrong, confused, wouldnt listen, while at the service desk  I was told that the computer does come with it but you have to subscribe to it... everyone I spoke with in this matter was perplexed ,but moreso uptite with me for bringing the whole thing up.  seriously, geek squad employees should at least be on the same page, thier confusion as well as the managers scares me as these are th people I may have to deal with if a problem should occur with my laptop.. please i spoke to terry at corporate he didnt have a factual answer to give me ,people lets clear the air

    in order to get the full benefite of the Geek Squad Black Tie Protection, the associate need to charge you:
    advance security & protect
    number of years of VI-Spy corresponding to the number of years of the black tie premium you choose
    Antivirus/Antispyware software with the coressponding of the years of subscription
    plus the amount on the screen.
    usualy for an acer it goes around 400-500 total, including the software, the labor, and the protection.

  • Black tie plan/customer service nightmare

    So I bought an htc g2 last year with 4g, microsd card slot, keyboard etc.  I have black tie protection plan drop the phone and break the screen.  It gets sent out for repair and comes back 3 weeks later with a working screen but broken headphone jack and keyboard.  It also resets itself once an hour.  Send it back out get rapid exchange. Refurbished phone screen goes black the next day.  Rapid exchange again-same problem.  Go to get another refurb phone and they dont have g2s anymore so they offer me the nexus which is 3g, has no keyboard and no slot for my 32gb microsd card.  They cant even send my phone out for repair.  I talk to the manager at my union square store who says he will send an escalation.  Never hear back from him.  Go to the mobile store across the street where a woman helps me and sends a new escalation.  I call back a week later and she says they never got back to her and says she will call me back.  She calls back and tells me they said its out of their hands.   I call 1888 best buy the next day and get a great customer service rep who understands that im being downgraded and says his supervisor will send an email to my local best buy store to allow a "junk out" .  I think wow this is great and go to my store where the manager says he knows of the issue but hasnt gotten the email.  I wait 5 more days and try to get back in touch with the missouri call office i spoke with.  After finally finding someone who can transfer me there i leave a message because the person i spoke with and his supervisor are in a meeting.  I am promised i will get a call back.  Never happens.  I again am lucky enough on the 4th call to get transferred to the same office and am told that the email was sent.  I call my local best buy and am told there is no email.   I cant believe the frustration. 
    what do i do next?  after 3 crapped out phones and a month of not being called back and told misinformation I still have a brick that was sent to me defective.

    They don't honor the black tie policy at all I haves asked for a junk out and the offer me a $75 gift cars instead the whole thing has become a joke.

  • Mobile Phone Black Tie warranty Issues.

    In Short: If a Best Buy sales associate tells you that they "simply replace your phone if it is broken" if you purchase the Black Tie warranty - it is most likely a lie.
    I purchased a Droid X on 8/12/10 at the Margate FL(Store # 1424), Best buy Mobile. While the phone was being activated, the salesperson told me that I should purchase the Black Tie warranty. I was told verbally that it was a bit more expensive than the carriers warranties, but that the advantage was that if the phone was badly broken (not wear damage like scratches or battery failure) they would simply replace my phone and I would not have to go through the normal hassle of sending the phone out for repair.
    On 9/6/10 (less than a month after the purchase) the phone stopped charging. There was nothing wrong with the charging port itself - it just seems the charging circuit stopped functioning. On 9/7/10 I took the phone in to Best Buy in Boynton Beach (Store #00808 as it is closer to my home) to see what my options were for service. Juan in the Mobile department was very helpful, but told me right away that they do not replace smartphones under any circumstance (only certain low end pay as you go phones) and that the sales associate in Margate told me something that was definitely not the policy of Best Buy's Black Tie warranty, no matter what I was told in order to get me to purchase it..
    The phone was sent out on 09/07/10 (The Service Order is 00808957341909 with 33461 as the zip) I have called Juan at Best Buy mobile several times - and though he has been exceptionally professional and help and I was told the issue would be escalated to the manager for review several times - it is still out "awaiting parts" nearly a month later.
    Best Buy has now had my phone (which suffered from a manufacturers defect) longer than I have. Add to that I believe I am paying $9.99 a month for the WORST possible warranty option (compared to the manufacturer or carrier) and was lied to by the sales associate who sold me the warranty. 
    I am pretty sure the sales associates replacement reference when I bought the Black Tie warranty is considered an 'oral contract' in the State of Florida and as such I will be contacting the Attorney General with this information as 3 others in my office all purchased the Black Tie warranty from Best Buy with their phones and all 3 were told the same thing about the phone being replaced with the Black Tie warranty.
    I would like the manager from #00808 or  #01424 will contact me about this issue, and make good faith efforts to get it resolved amicably.

    Greetings all,
    I just wanted to pass along some information to you concerning the Black Tie protection plans that may help clear some things up. Phones are only replaced instore under exceptions generally decided by a manager, every phone for the Black Tie protection plan needs to go to the service center first. They attempt to repair the phone, and if it's not reasonably repairable it is posted for "junk out." At that point your recieve a store credit for up to the full retial value of the phone. With that store credit you can purchase another phone - doesn't have to be the same phone, it could be a different phone. This is a BRAND NEW PHONE!!! Never been used by anyone. Any service provider insurance policy provides you with a referbiushed phone which, many times, have problems of their own - not to mention the deductable you have to pay in some cases.  The service center has to do something with the phone whthin 30 days of recieving the phone...ie: it needs to be shipping back ot you or approved for junk out etc. If not, the store can make a request to have the phone junked out anyway. Then you get your store credit and your new phone.  Please keep in mind it's 30 days from the time the SERVICE CENTER recieves your phone, not the store.  Also during the time your phone is out for repair the Best Buy Mobile location has loaner phones available. You'll want to check with the specific location on what phones they have available etc...
    If you want to discuss the issue with a manager I would recommend stopping in or calling the store to speak with them, many times detials that are helpful can be skewed or not explained correctly when they go through multiple people. I know they would want to deal with the entire issue to make sure that it was 100% resolved.  
    I hope this info helps. Please let me know if you have other questions.

  • BLACK TIE PROTECTION WARNING

    I originally posted my experience in the forum for mobile devices as well as for cell phones. It seems *someone* deleted the post that was in the cell phone department. Maybe it was a repost, but it's still relevant to those who are even consdering an investment in the black tie for their mobile devices.
    Whatever, conspiracies aside, see the original post HERE.

    zildjian215,
    This board is for product discussion, as the post where your issue was assigned is for customer service.  That was the reason your post was moved.  Doug will be reaching out to you on your customer service thread. 
    Ryan|Senior Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
     Private Message

  • Black Tie Warrenty

    I purcahsed a Macbook air from apple store in September. I was interested in the Black tie Warrenty can I purchase this with out buying the product from bestbuy

    Looks like this was already answered in your other thread : http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Manufacturer-Warranties-and/Black-Tie-Warrenrty/m-p/438059 ... products must be purchased from Best Buy to add the service plan.
    Although I do work for the Geek Squad, all comments and opinions are my own.

  • Black tie Protection and Trading phones

    I had bought a LG Rumor Touch with Virgin Mobile coverage in the summer and I had gotten it with the Black Tie Protection. Since I have had it, it has gotten a scratch down the middle of the screen and it randomly turns off for no reason. I was wandering if your aloud to trade the phone in for another more expensive Virgin mobile phone but pay the difference of the two?

    If the store determines that the scratch does not void the coverage, yes.

  • No More Black Tie Phone Insurance!​!

    Phone I bought @ BB got crushed yesterday- Filed Claim with Sprint Insurance online got phone today!!! So glad I cancelled Black Lie Protection and it only cost $50.00

    Ya that is what I was told when they 1st sold me the Black Tie, later went to store and asked more in detail after reading that Crushed phones ARE NOT covered due to beyond normal wear & tear. Cancelled Black Lie Protection Plan was able to back on Asurion cell phone insurance and Now I wont spend another dollar at a Best Buy due to being called a liar by management at Reno Store Because Dominique would NEVER say that if the phone was lost or stolen I would just have to walk into store and get another phone out of the Box. I found this forum and and see many people are told many lies to buy this protection plan. I find that I/'m a much happier consumer if I don/'t step foot in BB & tell everyone I know, but low and behold most of them have horror stories from Best Buy too!

  • Re: Geek Squad Black Tie Protection complaint

    I too was unaware that loaner phones were no longer offered. It was a major selling phone when I signed up in the first place. After this weeks experience, I will be canceling my coverage as I don't feel very "protected" at all...
    I took my iPhone 5 to Geek Squad because the battery was going (dying at 30% sometimes higher) and they ordered me a new phone. It arrived and when they went to activate it they could not turn it on (it was sent uncharged which they said was unusal, but not a big deal) so they could not activate it for me in store. I was told that the process was easy and that I could do it at home.
    I took the phone home and charged it. It booted up with "invalid sim". By this time the store had closed. I brought it into the store first thing the next morning and 2 hours later they finally deturmined that this phone was also broken. So now, through not fault of my own, I don't have a phone (I can't even check my voicemail as no phone is registered under my number right now) and I have to wait.
    This was Best Buy's error - sending me a non-working replacement phone and sending me phone with it. It should have never happened and I should not be made to go without a phone when I am not at fault.

    Hello malitina,
    After the poor experience you had surrounding your Geek Squad Protection (GSP), I can understand your lack of confidence with your plan. I hope I can help provide you with some insight to how this plan can still benefit you by protecting your device.
    The Rapid Exchange program is an enhancement to GSP with the intent to provide customers with a faster turnaround time when needing service on their phone. Once your original phone is checked into our system for service, a refurbished replacement can be sent without waiting to receive your faulty phone. However, the store should not have let you leave with a replacement phone that hadn’t been activated. They could have offered to charge the phone up a bit so they could power the phone on and then perform the activation. Even if the phone was still not functioning after this had been attempted, this could have saved you an additional trip back to the store.
    This experience is not at all what our customers should go through when trying to receive the benefits of their GSP plan. If you could please inform me of the store at which you received this service, I will ensure their leadership is made aware of how your visit transpired.
    I look forward to your response,
    JD|Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
     Private Message

  • Black Tie Insurance Blues

    I purchased the insurance with my phone, Dell Streak.  Dropped the phone one month after purchasing it.  Took my phone in on the 28th of March and was told it would be 10 to 30 days.  I have gotten a few update emails from the Geek Squad but nothing since 4/14.  All they can tell me is that it is in repair and they can't do anything until it has been there for 30 days.  The 30 days doesn't start until 6 days after you drop it off to give it time for shipping.  Well the store messed up my shipping and mine didn't go out until 4/6 which makes my start date 4/12. So that means they have had my phone for 15 days before the 30 day clock starts ticking.  The store takes no responsibility for not shipping it within the first 6 days.  Neither does their corporate office.  So I am very frustrated and have lost all confidence in this program and the fact that I am paying out $9.99 a month for something that is not very dependable.  I was told by Best Buy corporate that they couldn't even contact the repair center until it had been 30 days.  I am in the customer service industry and if my employees make a mistake, we don't make the customer pay for it and we do whatever it takes to make the customer happy.  I guess not all industries operate like that...

    Thanks.  And the sad part is you may not have it back for well over the thirty days.  With my experience so far I would be willing to bet that once "their" 30 days has passed for my phone and they contact the repair department it won't be anything quick either.  I didn't even get offered the $25 gift card, was just told that if they could give me any peace of mind it would be that their process would be better and quicker in the future.  Well I have dropped one phone and broke it in my 20+ years of using a cell phone.  I hope I am good for another 20 something...Good luck to you too!!!  Wish I would have thought about driving over mine too...  I always believe that honesty is the best policy but this sure makes you wonder in this situation..

  • Apple Care vs. Geek Squad Black Tie

    Hello, I am entering college in this fall, and as a gift, my mother has decided to purchase a MacBook Pro for me. Through connections at her workplace, she is purchasing the laptop through a co-worker's relative at Best Buy. Honestly, I would rather that the laptop be bought straight through Apple, but her co-worker gave a generous offer, it would have been very rude not to accept it. Plus, possibly an employee discount may be used? It was really nice of her to do it, so I accepted the offer.
    Now, looking at the warranty that Best Buy offers, my mother and I decided that both the 2-year standard protection plan, and the 2-year accidental protection plan would be best.
    BUT, I know deep down that buying a warranty through a third-party dealer is the worst deal that one can make. I had the worst experience with the warranty service for my HP Laptop that my father purchased through P.C. Richard. After numerous times of having to send out my laptop to repair a crashed hard drive, my screen came back busted... OFF THE HINGE. I had to reprimand the manager at the repair service center for his incompetent employees. I also had to tell him that whoever touched my laptop, obviously did not receive proper training to become a technician and that their company is pure trash and unreliable.
    I do not wish to have this same experience with Best Buy. I understand that if a MacBook is bought through Best Buy, we are automatically given 30-day phone support and the standard Apple 1-year limited manufacter warranty.
    --Is it possible that I can ask Best Buy to give a FULL refund on the service plan?
    --Do we have to wait for the laptop to arrive BEFORE or AFTER to ask for a refund?
    I know that AppleCare doesn't cover accidental damages, but I'm looking into dorm insurance policies, and I've already inquired about using the homeowner's insurance with my mother.

    Haha, I'll be rolling in mud before I let them touch it. I tried to get transferred to the Geek Squad department to ask questions and I swear the operator was trying to give me attitude when I asked about refunds on the service plan.

  • Black Tie Prortect and LCD

    My Samsung LCD burnt out, as I have no picture only sound.  Im wanting a XBR7 lets say for some odd reason the screen goes out while still under bbys btp warranty, will it be replaced?

    The GSBTP provides for repair of problems due to manufacturer's defect, dust, heat, humidity, power surge, and normal wear and tear. If the product is economically unfeasible to fix, it is replaced.

  • Black Tie cover RAM/HDD in Optical Drive Upgrades?

    I recently upgraded my macbook pro to 16gb of ram and a seagate momentus xt 750gb in the hdd bay and the original 5400 rpm 750gb hard drive in the optical bay drive with a caddy. I have the BTP Accidental coverage. Everything went well, it is in there safely MBP running good, only a few screws missing in the bottom, but that's just because they were stripped. Part of the bottom is raised a little in one corner, not sure why but it is and everything is running good. If I crack the screen, will they cover it? Or if something happens, will they not fix it because of the upgrades, or the loose/uplifted back?

    You'll need to ask AppleCare.

  • MBP Bad Display? Goes black randomly.

    I am having an issue with my Macbook Pro display which I have seen many variants of surfing the intertubes here. The screen goes black more or less at random. I am hoping to avoid having it serviced as my black tie service plan expired last november (bought this at Best Buy.) When the screen is black the computer is still running.
    This has been happening intermittently for a while now, and in the past week has rendered my MBP effectively unusable.
    Before making any suggestions, please read this list of commonly suggested ideas I've tried which did not solve the issue:
    The power saver/display sleep is set to 1 hour, it is not coming on.
    The screen saver is set to “never”.
    I ran a software update a couple days ago.
    Shutting the lid and waking the machine back up doesn’t matter.
    F2 (increase screen brightness) doesn’t matter.
    Dimming the screen (holding F1 for about 10 seconds) before increasing screen brightness also has no effect.
    My external display WORKS, I can shut my lid and use my computer normally with external display, keyboard, and mouse. I believe this rules out the display board issue: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377
    Holding a LED flashlight up to the screen does not seem to matter. I’ll try again in a darker setting (it’s very bright right now) to rule it out definitively but I don’t think the backlight is affected (you can see a slight glow in the dark.)
    I already reset the PRAM.
    I already reset the SMC.
    I already reset the PMU.
    I already attempted the MBP pro video update http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088 which said it is not supported on my system (I was pretty sure it wasn't applicable but worth a shot.)
    I don't *THINK* it's the inverter cable as wiggling the display lid does not APPEAR to affect it, which leads me to believe the cable is still flexing without a problem.
    Doesn't seem like the display is bad as it comes sometimes on and the backlight still works, but I don't know. Since the MBP is no longer under warranty, I am not necessarily opposed to getting under the hood and replacing something as long as I know what to replace. The inverter cable looks easy (ish) but I don't know if that's the answer.
    Have I effectively ruled out everything other than the display? Any insight?

    Hello, I dont know if might be of help to you. The 17" early MBP had a problem with the onboard Graphics Processor overheating. A fix for this is to have the GPU remounted ( I think the tech term is "reballed") there are a number of companies who can do this for you, you will need to search for a local one to you. I dont know if this was a problem with the 15" version.
    Hope this helps
    David

  • Plasma needs new capacitors

    I have a Magnavox 42" plasma with 5 capacitors swelled. I was wondering what the price range is to fix this issue. I am currently in a area where the nearest best buy is a bit of a drive to so before I jump in my car and waste all that gas going to be disappointed by over pricing I am asking here to maybe give me an idea of what I may need to take with me to get the job done.

    Most repair companies won't replace individual capacitors on a circuit board if they are soldered on. They usually order a completely new board with all new pieces, and send the bad board in as a core to be refurbished for the next customer that needs one.
    Do you have a GeekSquad Black Tie Service Plan on this TV? If so, I think that it's a big enough TV that Best Buy will do all of the repairs in your home, rather than having you lug it in to the store.
    If you don't have a GS BTP, you can either call Best Buy, Magnavox, or a local TV Repair company to find out what your options are. Most of the time, on a 42" TV, they'll come to your house, as I mentioned above.
    *disclaimer* I am not now, nor have I ever been, an employee of Best Buy, Geek Squad, nor of any of their affiliate, parent, or subsidiary companies.

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