However, I did initiate an Activation Unlock request with Apple, sent them Best Buy store information, photos of receipts and the box, etc. The rep there was surprised that Best Buy wouldn't take it back considering I had proof of purchase. Geek Squad Manager offered to sell me a new one for a discount due to my troubles, but I'm hesistent to invest more money until this is resolved. Confirmed serial numbers match, etc., but Best Buy won't exchange or refund my money. After somewhere between 45 and 60 minutes I was sent home explaining that I had to contact Apple to get them to remove the activation lock. I waited, and waited, finally spoke to the Geek Squad Manager. The next day, Friday, March 4th, I brought the Mac Mini in its box back to the Kennesaw, GA location where I bought it. I eventually got to a screen that let me know there was an 'Activation Lock' on the Mac and it referenced an Apple ID with an unfamiliar email address - basically, the person who originally bought the Mac had associated the device with their Apple account and forgot to unassociate it before they returned the device to Best Buy. Then, I tried to go through the process of setting it up - picking location, keyboard, etc., and creating local accounts on the Mac. A little time-intensive, but I do this stuff all the time. Used the Mac disk utilities to wipe the hard drive and reinstall the OS. Then when I got the Mac Mini home and plugged it in, I realized it wouldn't boot up.

I was able to pick one up cheaply and resolve that myself. I picked it up that evening, and saw it was missing the power cord. Last Thursday, however, I ordered an open-box Mac Mini that was supposed to be in 'Excellent' condition. I have bought in-store, online, mostly new, occasionally open-box. Normally, I've been pretty pleased with Best Buy. So, Best Buy and the backers of my Best Buy credit card get a lot of my money.

First, let me state I'm a very long-time customer of Best Buy.

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