A Best Buy worker has gone viral after highlighting an unusual business practice by tech vendors. In the viral video, Nick (@auglocqnuk) shows viewers items from an old JBL display. It which includes two sound bars, detachable satellites, and two subwoofers. The items, which were replaced with a display TV, are “perfectly fine,” according to Nick.
“They’re in demo mode, but you can take them out,” he said. “They’re telling me to throw them in the trash. That right there is about $1,400 worth of electronics that I’m being told to throw away. That’s despicable.”
The clip has amassed 124,600 views. Nick didn’t respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
Commenters were bamboozled
Many commenters were puzzled. “You used to be able to buy the display models for massive discounts, but they stopped that years ago,” one wrote. “I’ll buy them for $75,” another quipped. “Most bigger stores and chains don’t have accessible dumpsters these days,” a third added.
Several others discussed the ethics of taking items like these home.
“So what you’re telling me is that Best Buy is the best place to dumpster dive,” a fourth joked.
“I threw them out… into my trunk,” a fifth echoed.
Responding to a similar comment, Nick explained, “As much as I wanted to, that would then be considered theft, because permission was expressly denied.”
“When they tell you to throw them away that’s literally a ‘wink wink’ to you saying you can take them home and do whatever you want dude,” a sixth claimed. “Seriously, some people’s kids.”
To which Nick replied, “No, that’s them telling me to throw them away. They tell me to take fixtures home all the time.”
Things then descended to a back-and-forth, with the commenter insisting, “Screw it, just take them home.”
Which led to Nick respond, “I’d prefer to not be charged with theft and lose my job, which is what the punishment would be.”
@auglocqnuk Corporate waste is disgusting. @JBL Audio told me these models couldn't be taken out of demo mode, but the instructions I had gave crystal clear instructions on how to do exactly that. #ewaste #corporateamerica #waste #jbl #bestbuy ♬ original sound – auglocqnuk – aka Nick
What did Best Buy say?
The ironic thing about all of this is that, since 2009, Best Buy has touted an e-cycling program. This program encourages customers to bring in their old electronics for free recycling, as well as offering incentives like gift cards.
“Once the recycled items are dropped off at a Best Buy location, they are sent to recycling partners, who either refurbish, repurpose or safely recycle the parts by removing environmentally hazardous materials and chemicals and disposing of them using the best and safest practices available,” the website reads. “Salvageable materials like metals, plastics and glass are then recycled and repurposed.”
In a further comment, Nick claimed that he was asked to put the electronics in a compactor, which leaves us with one question: does Best Buy practice what it preaches?
Best Buy and JBL didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s requests for comment via email.
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