Issues @ Tropicare, FL store and Open box inventory not found in store but on website

Question

I went to the Tropicare, FL Best buy store on 3/2/15 to  a Vizio 65' TV that I had seen as an open box item last week on the best buy website.  I originally went on Sunday 3/1 to buy this model from the Florida city store but by the time I got there it had been sold and removed from the website. So when I get to the Tropicare, FL  store on 3/2 and show the rep the Open-Box ID: 200002100650426.  They tell me they cannot find any such listing.  I told them to check another Open-Box ID: 200002100650349 for the same item.  I figured since they have the item listed twice on the website both as Geek squad certified that there should be 1 available.  They could not find that product either.  I pulled up the information on my phone to show the rep.  He proceeds to tell me they don't use the website to track inventory and that it takes awhile for the website to update.  I found this odd since the other stores I went to on Sunday 3/1 when I had gotten to the stores the items were sold and the items were removed from the website.  So I had the rep call another store to see if the last TV only my list was available.  They told me it was not, so I checked the website and it was gone.  I showed the rep this and they blew me off once again stating they don't check inventory via the website.  I told him I find it odd that best buy wouldn't track inventory via there website.  He proceeds to show me more expensive options.  At this point I was tried of running around south Florida trying to find the Vizio model I wanted.  I purchased a LG 65' for $799 which was from the weekly ad.  But I wanted to know what the policy was regarding open box items, inventory levels,  and availability. 
I still would like to buy the  VIZIO - Open Box - 65" Class (64.5" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - Smart - HDTV - Black Model: D650I-C3 SKU: 1078018 Open-Box ID: 200002100650426 or Open-Box ID: 200002100650349.  As of 3/3 the items are still on the best buy website listing them available for purchase. I would like to buy this item and return the LG I bought yesterday since it is the TV I wanted.  BUt i'm afraid I'll run into he same situation of them not "finding" either of the items in there store in stock.
Any assistance or clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Omar

Answer 1

Hello Omar, 
Finding open-box items in fantastic condition is always an exciting purchase! To find that not only one, but two open-box items listed at the same store weren't available would be quite disappointing. I am truly sorry for any frustration that this may have caused you. 
With that said, I was able to locate the open-box items in our system, and they would appear to currently be in stock. However, it seems that these items are reserved to fulfill orders that have already been placed. With that said, the store should be responsible for updating their open-box inventory to correctly reflect open-box items available. As you seemed to experience, these inventories can change instantaneously, so stores should be vigilant with these updates. 
I apologize for any disappointment that this may cause you. Please know that I am reaching out to the Tropicaire, FL store to ensure they are updating their open-box inventory appropriately. If you should need any further assistance, please let me know. 
Sincerely, 
Tasha|Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
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