Best Buy discontinuation of Insignia Connect: Difference between revisions
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On November 6, 2019, [[Best Buy|'''Best Buy''']] discontinued support for its Insignia Connect app.<ref name=":0">[https://web.archive.org/web/20241124004857/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/brands/best-buy-brands/pcmcat1596746025285.c?id=pcmcat1596746025285 Insignia. "Insignia Connect Product Validation Site." November 5, 2019.]</ref> This resulted in major functionality losses for affected Insignia products that used the service.[https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6] | |||
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==Background== | |||
== Background == | |||
Insignia is a private label brand that Best Buy uses to stock its own items alongside name-brands within its stores.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20241124004857/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/brands/best-buy-brands/pcmcat1596746025285.c?id=pcmcat1596746025285 Best Buy. "Best Buy Brands."]</ref> | Insignia is a private label brand that Best Buy uses to stock its own items alongside name-brands within its stores.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20241124004857/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/brands/best-buy-brands/pcmcat1596746025285.c?id=pcmcat1596746025285 Best Buy. "Best Buy Brands."]</ref> | ||
== Affected | ==Affected products<ref name=":0" />== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|Insignia WiFi Freezers | |Insignia WiFi Freezers | ||
| | |NS-UZ14XWH7 | ||
|"[A]ffected products will still function at a basic level, but any features that rely on its Insignia Connect app and platform will no longer work."<ref name=":2" /> | |"[A]ffected products will still function at a basic level, but any features that rely on its Insignia Connect app and platform will no longer work."<ref name=":2" /> | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Consumer | ==Consumer harm== | ||
=== Compensation | ===Compensation with a catch=== | ||
Best Buy did provide compensation to customers affected by the discontinuation, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.<ref name=":1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130853/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ#collapseNine Insgnia. "FAQ." December 12, 2019.]</ref><ref name=":0" /> Customers were also only able to redeem up to 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more affected products.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days after the discontinuation date.<ref name=":3">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191209200148/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/ Insignia. "Insignia Connect Product Validation Site." November 9, 2019.]</ref> | Best Buy did provide compensation to customers affected by the discontinuation, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.<ref name=":1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130853/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ#collapseNine Insgnia. "FAQ." December 12, 2019.]</ref><ref name=":0" /> Customers were also only able to redeem up to 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more affected products.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days after the discontinuation date.<ref name=":3">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191209200148/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/ Insignia. "Insignia Connect Product Validation Site." November 9, 2019.]</ref> | ||
=== Harm to | ===Harm to consumer ownership=== | ||
Consumers were left with products bought full-price, but with altered or reduced functionality. Companies being able to remotely and unilaterally alter the the functionality of products they sold undermines the ownership the consumers has over its items. | |||
=== Generation of E- | ===Generation of E-waste=== | ||
== See Also == | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Retroactively amended purchase]] | *[[Retroactively amended purchase]] | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Best Buy]] | |||
[[Category:Discontinued products]] | |||