Best Buy Sued Over Dual Web Sites

Electronics retailer Best Buy is facing a lawsuit over deceiving customers into paying higher prices once in store by having two Web sites, one accessed by employees and another available on the Internet.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal accused Best Buy of "bait and switch" tactics and sent a complaint to the company on May 18. If no response is received by June 13, Blumenthal said he intends to file suit against the company.

The complaint asks Best Buy to refund money to consumers, as well as pay penalities and court costs, among other remedies. Additionally, the retailer must agree to stop the practice altogether.

Blumenthal's letter ends a two month investigation into the company, which was spurred by a report in the Hartford Courant. That story recounted the experience of a state resident who paid $150 more for a laptop in store that was advertised for less on the BestBuy.com Web site.

The man said the site the employee showed him looked exactly the same as the true Best Buy site, except for the price. After the report, the Attorney General's office received 20 more complaints alleging similar experiences.

Best Buy has previously responded that the company does have two Web sites, but its policy is to offer the lowest price unless it is specifically noted as an "online special."