1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,162 WWW.MY-SUBS.CO 1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:02,520 - My name is Nathan Fielder, 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:05,520 and I graduated from one of Canada's top business schools 3 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:07,520 with really good grades. 4 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,520 Now I'm using my knowledge to help struggling 5 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,520 small business owners make it in this competitive world. 6 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:14,520 ♪ 7 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,520 This is "Nathan for You." 8 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:21,520 Alen Harikian is the owner of Speers TV, 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,520 a South-Pasadena electronics store 10 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:25,120 that's been operating in the neighborhood 11 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:26,520 for over 60 years. 12 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:28,520 But ever since a massive Best Buy moved in 13 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:30,520 just minutes away from his tiny shop, 14 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,520 he's been finding it impossible 15 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,520 to keep up with their aggressive pricing. 16 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:36,520 - Their sales are ridiculous. 17 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,520 I mean, there's no way that I can compete. 18 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:39,520 - And if it keeps up, 19 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,520 Speers TV is at risk of going extinct. 20 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:44,520 So I paid Alen a visit with an ambitious solution 21 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,520 to undercut his biggest competitor. 22 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:49,640 Are you familiar with the Best Buy price-match policy? 23 00:00:49,660 --> 00:00:51,520 - Yeah. It's horrible. 24 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,520 I mean, it's bad for small business. 25 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:55,520 - One of the main reasons 26 00:00:55,540 --> 00:00:58,520 Alen has such a hard time competing with Best Buy 27 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,520 is because of their aggressive price-match policy, 28 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:03,520 which guarantees they will match the price 29 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:05,520 of any local competitor, 30 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:07,600 preventing stores like Speers from underselling them, 31 00:01:07,620 --> 00:01:09,520 but if Alen dropped his prices so low 32 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,520 to make his TVs virtually free, 33 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:14,520 according to Best Buy's own policy, 34 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:16,120 they would have to match that price, too, 35 00:01:16,140 --> 00:01:17,520 giving Alen a short window of time 36 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,520 where he could buy up all their inventory for $1 37 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,520 and then resell those TVs for any price he wants 38 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,520 to make a huge profit. 39 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,520 The plan: use Best Buy's price-match policy against them 40 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:32,520 to get Speers an endless supply of $1 TVs. 41 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:33,520 - Um... 42 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:37,520 It's a great idea. 43 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:39,560 - It might take a little bit of work and time to do. 44 00:01:39,580 --> 00:01:40,520 - Okay. 45 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:42,520 - Do you have a lot going on right now? 46 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,520 - No, I honestly don't. No. 47 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:46,520 - So you don't have commitments at home 48 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:47,520 or anything right now? 49 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:49,520 Relationship stuff? 50 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:50,800 - I'm not in a relationship, no. 51 00:01:50,820 --> 00:01:52,520 - I'm not in a relationship either, so... 52 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:53,520 - Oh. 53 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:57,520 - We can both work on this, you know, full-time. 54 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,520 - Okay. All right. That's fine. 55 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:01,520 - After a bit more discussion, 56 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,520 Alen was on board to move forward with dropping the price 57 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,520 on one of his premium Samsung HD TV models 58 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:09,520 to just $1 apiece, 59 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,520 but once the new discounted price went into effect, 60 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:14,520 people would be flocking to Speers to get the deal. 61 00:02:14,540 --> 00:02:17,520 So to help dissuade these bargain hunters 62 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,520 from buying up all of Alen's dollar TVs, 63 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,520 I implemented a strict dress code, requiring customers 64 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,520 to wear formal attire just to enter the store. 65 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,520 I then had all the dollar TVs moved to an area 66 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:28,520 at the back of the store 67 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,520 and had a new wall constructed to surround this area 68 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:32,560 that could only be entered 69 00:02:32,580 --> 00:02:35,520 through a tiny, two-foot-tall door. 70 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:38,520 Finally, in between the door and the TVs, 71 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:40,520 I added a live alligator, 72 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:42,800 which would hopefully force customers who made it this far 73 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:43,920 to reconsider their decision 74 00:02:43,940 --> 00:02:47,510 to take advantage of the great offer. 75 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:49,520 With our preventative measures in place, 76 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:51,520 I could now prepare to get Alen his TVs. 77 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:53,520 According to Best Buy's policy, 78 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,520 price-matches are restricted to one item per customer, 79 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,520 so to maximize the number of TVs I could get Alen, 80 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,520 I put an ad on Craigslist to recruit a team of people 81 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:04,520 to help make the purchases, 82 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,520 and later that week, I met with those who responded 83 00:03:06,540 --> 00:03:08,520 to see if they were right for the task. 84 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,520 So this job involves buying things. 85 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:13,520 - Okay. 86 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:16,520 - Are you good at buying things? 87 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,520 - Um, I would say so. 88 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:21,520 Like, what do you mean by buying things? 89 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:24,520 - Like, going into a store and buying something. 90 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:25,520 - Yeah. 91 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:26,520 - All right. Great. 92 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,520 [both laugh] 93 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:30,520 All six applicants seemed qualified for the job, 94 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:32,520 so after printing out some flyers 95 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:34,520 and distributing them throughout the neighborhood, 96 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:35,640 it was finally time for Alen 97 00:03:35,660 --> 00:03:39,520 to offer his $1 prices to the world. 98 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,520 On the morning of the big promotion, 99 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,520 the deal vultures were already circling out front, 100 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:46,520 and that meant we had to move quick, 101 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,520 so I met my team of buyers out back 102 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:52,520 and gave them each the dollar they'd need to buy the TVs 103 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,520 and then sent them off in a van to Best Buy. 104 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:57,560 Meanwhile, I hung back at Speers to help Alen ensure 105 00:03:57,580 --> 00:03:59,520 his inventory remained untouched. 106 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:01,520 Hey. - Hi. 107 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:02,640 - You look good. - Thank you. 108 00:04:02,660 --> 00:04:04,520 You too. - Thanks. 109 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:06,520 And once Alen unlocked the front door, 110 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,520 we were officially open for business. 111 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,520 - Wow, this is nice. - Can I help you, or... 112 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:11,520 - We're here to... 113 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,520 for the TV deals. 114 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:15,720 - Just so you guys know, we do have a strict dress code, 115 00:04:15,740 --> 00:04:18,520 as you can see on the wall, so... 116 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:19,720 - Wow. - There's no advertising 117 00:04:19,740 --> 00:04:21,520 about the dress code. - Yeah. 118 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:22,520 - Yeah. - That's... 119 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:24,520 - I mean, it's right in the front of our store 120 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,520 for everyone to see. - Yeah, but that doesn't... 121 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:27,880 - It's inside. - This is the front. 122 00:04:27,900 --> 00:04:29,520 - It's inside. We were waiting out there. 123 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:31,520 We were waiting in the front of the store. 124 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:33,520 - I knew some people might be a bit frustrated, 125 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:34,520 so I offered up a list 126 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:37,520 of tuxedo rental stores in the area 127 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,520 to show them that Speers did value their business. 128 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:41,120 Honestly, you seem like very nice people, 129 00:04:41,140 --> 00:04:42,520 and I'd love to let you in, 130 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:45,520 but I think doing so would be unfair to the customers 131 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:48,520 that, you know, chose to dress... decent. 132 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:50,520 - What the... 133 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,520 - My plan on the Speers TV side was working, 134 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,520 as 30 minutes after opening, 135 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:58,520 exactly 0 of his $1 televisions had been purchased. 136 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:00,520 Meanwhile, everything was on track with my buyers 137 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:04,520 as they were just now arriving at Best Buy, 138 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:07,520 but then, to my surprise, a customer actually returned 139 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:09,520 with attire that met our strict dress code. 140 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:11,520 Did you rent that? - Yes. 141 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:13,520 - I wasn't completely shocked that someone 142 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:15,520 would be determined enough to make it inside, 143 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:17,520 but I was hopeful that the remaining steps 144 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:19,520 would prove more discouraging. 145 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:23,520 So this is the section with those TVs. 146 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:25,520 - Okay. - Um... 147 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:27,520 - It's the premium-TV section. - Yeah. 148 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:28,640 - That's the doorway? - Yeah. 149 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:30,040 These are the more expensive ones... 150 00:05:30,060 --> 00:05:31,510 - Okay. 151 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:32,520 - So we keep them in a separate room. 152 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:33,720 That's gonna be in there. Okay. 153 00:05:33,740 --> 00:05:34,740 - Yeah. 154 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:37,520 - [sighs] 155 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,520 [breathing heavily] 156 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:43,520 [laughs] 157 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:44,520 [bleep]. 158 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,520 Oh. Okay. 159 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:51,520 That's not good. Um... 160 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,520 Yeah. 161 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,080 - The customer may have been determined, 162 00:05:58,100 --> 00:06:00,520 but once he came face-to-face with our alligator, 163 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:01,520 it was all over. 164 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:03,520 I'm sorry. I mean, I feel bad, 165 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:05,640 'cause that's a dollar we're losing as well, you know? 166 00:06:05,660 --> 00:06:07,520 My plan was a success. 167 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:09,520 The guy chose not to buy the dollar TV, 168 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,520 and every customer after that met our dress code 169 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,520 got no further than Herbert as well. 170 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,520 - Herbert? What is Herbert? 171 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:17,520 [screams] 172 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:19,520 - I'm sorry. Did you not want a TV? Or... 173 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,520 - No, I don't want to be in the same room as an alligator. 174 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,520 - Everything seemed to be going according to plan, 175 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:27,520 but then I got word that, back at Best Buy, 176 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,520 things weren't looking so hot. 177 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:31,520 After presenting the flyer to sales associates, 178 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:32,520 my buyers were told 179 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:34,520 that the company would not honor their price-match. 180 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,520 - This is a store, and this is their price. 181 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:44,520 - I couldn't understand why this was happening, 182 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:46,520 so I left the shop and headed over to Best Buy 183 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,520 to see if I would have any better luck myself. 184 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,520 I actually have a price-match for this to get it for a dollar. 185 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:55,520 - Why not? 186 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:58,920 - They are. They're within 25 miles. 187 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,520 - Even with my confidence and negotiation skills, 188 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:08,520 I was denied a price-match too. 189 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,520 I'm gonna count to three, 190 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:12,520 and if you don't do it by the time I get to three, 191 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:13,520 I'm gonna leave, okay? 192 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:16,520 One, two, three. 193 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:18,520 - I couldn't believe it. 194 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,520 How could Best Buy, one of my favorite companies, 195 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:22,520 turn their backs on the very policy 196 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:24,520 that drew me in as a customer? 197 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:27,520 It was a classic bait-and-switch, 198 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:29,640 but the one thing I knew is that when big corporations 199 00:07:29,660 --> 00:07:32,520 try to mess with regular people like us, 200 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:34,520 we don't have to take it lying down. 201 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:36,520 So, the next day, I returned to Alen's store 202 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,520 with a slight adjustment to our plan. 203 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:41,520 I'm just so sick and tired of these big companies 204 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:43,520 like Best Buy and Enron 205 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:45,680 thinking that, you know, the rules don't apply to them. 206 00:07:45,700 --> 00:07:47,520 - Yeah. Yeah. 207 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:48,520 - They can just push around the little guy. 208 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:50,520 You know what I mean? - Yeah, absolutely. 209 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:52,080 You're right. - As far as I'm concerned, 210 00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:53,520 you're entitled to those TVs. 211 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:54,520 - Yeah. 212 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:57,520 - So that's why I've decided 213 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:01,520 to file a class-action lawsuit against Best Buy on your behalf. 214 00:08:04,650 --> 00:08:06,950 - In a way, it's kind of nerve-racking, 215 00:08:06,950 --> 00:08:08,950 you know, like, going up against a big company. 216 00:08:08,950 --> 00:08:10,110 - And how is that gonna work? 217 00:08:10,140 --> 00:08:12,960 What is the process? 218 00:08:12,950 --> 00:08:15,270 - You know, I don't know what it will entail at this point, 219 00:08:15,300 --> 00:08:16,960 but we'll figure it out together. 220 00:08:16,950 --> 00:08:18,150 You know what I mean? - Mm-hmm. 221 00:08:18,180 --> 00:08:19,960 - We both aren't in relationships. 222 00:08:19,950 --> 00:08:21,550 We don't have a love life. - Yeah, but... 223 00:08:21,580 --> 00:08:22,960 That's true. 224 00:08:22,950 --> 00:08:24,950 - So you have time to do this? 225 00:08:24,950 --> 00:08:27,950 - Well, I mean, I... this is my only li... 226 00:08:27,950 --> 00:08:29,950 basically, only way of making money. 227 00:08:29,950 --> 00:08:32,030 So I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that. 228 00:08:32,060 --> 00:08:34,960 - After telling Alen I was gonna sue Best Buy, 229 00:08:34,950 --> 00:08:36,110 he was immediately concerned. 230 00:08:36,110 --> 00:08:37,150 - They got bigger lawyers, 231 00:08:37,180 --> 00:08:38,960 better lawyers, probably, more money. 232 00:08:38,950 --> 00:08:41,950 - Alen was worried that Best Buy would retaliate 233 00:08:41,950 --> 00:08:43,950 and have their lawyers come after him. 234 00:08:43,950 --> 00:08:44,950 So you're a bit worried? 235 00:08:44,950 --> 00:08:46,950 - Yeah. Not a bit. A lot. 236 00:08:46,950 --> 00:08:47,950 - I was torn. 237 00:08:47,950 --> 00:08:49,030 I couldn't live with myself 238 00:08:49,060 --> 00:08:50,960 if Alen ended up broke and homeless 239 00:08:50,950 --> 00:08:52,950 because of my actions, 240 00:08:52,950 --> 00:08:55,950 but according to my research, suing was the only way 241 00:08:55,950 --> 00:08:57,950 I could get him the TVs he was rightfully owed, 242 00:08:57,950 --> 00:09:00,950 but that's when I came across a sure-fire way 243 00:09:00,950 --> 00:09:02,950 to legally protect him from Best Buy: 244 00:09:02,950 --> 00:09:05,950 a diagnosis of insanity. 245 00:09:05,950 --> 00:09:08,950 If Alen were diagnosed as clinically insane, 246 00:09:08,950 --> 00:09:11,190 Best Buy wouldn't be able to come after him for anything, 247 00:09:11,220 --> 00:09:13,960 but to do this would take some maneuvering. 248 00:09:13,950 --> 00:09:14,950 So without telling Alen 249 00:09:14,950 --> 00:09:16,950 I was moving forward with the lawsuit, 250 00:09:16,950 --> 00:09:17,990 I booked him an evaluation 251 00:09:18,020 --> 00:09:20,960 with L.A.-based clinical psychologist 252 00:09:20,950 --> 00:09:21,950 Dr. Judy Rosenberg. 253 00:09:21,950 --> 00:09:23,950 I told Alen it was just a routine checkup 254 00:09:23,950 --> 00:09:26,950 for insurance purposes for the show, 255 00:09:26,950 --> 00:09:28,190 but I came prepared with a plan 256 00:09:28,220 --> 00:09:30,960 that would hopefully get me the diagnosis I needed. 257 00:09:30,950 --> 00:09:34,950 So I'm very concerned about my friend Alen. 258 00:09:34,950 --> 00:09:36,950 - Mm-hmm. - I believe he maybe 259 00:09:36,950 --> 00:09:38,950 has some sort of psychological issue happening. 260 00:09:38,950 --> 00:09:41,950 - Okay. What are you noticing? 261 00:09:41,950 --> 00:09:44,190 - He believes he's the manager of an electronics store... 262 00:09:44,220 --> 00:09:45,960 - Okay. 263 00:09:45,950 --> 00:09:47,950 - And has been working there for the past 15 years. 264 00:09:47,980 --> 00:09:51,960 - Okay, so this is a delusion that he's having. 265 00:09:51,950 --> 00:09:55,950 - I mean, as you'll see, he has quite the imagination. 266 00:09:55,950 --> 00:09:57,950 - Okay. - All right. You... you ready? 267 00:09:57,950 --> 00:09:59,270 - Let's go. - Okay. It'll be easy. 268 00:09:59,300 --> 00:10:00,960 Just be yourself. - All right. Okay. 269 00:10:00,950 --> 00:10:02,270 - It'll be pretty straightforward. 270 00:10:02,300 --> 00:10:03,960 Yeah. - Okay. 271 00:10:03,950 --> 00:10:06,950 - All right, so tell me a little bit about yourself. 272 00:10:06,950 --> 00:10:08,950 - Well, I work at the Speers TV. 273 00:10:08,950 --> 00:10:10,950 - Mm-hmm. 274 00:10:10,950 --> 00:10:13,950 - I've been there for, I would say, 15, 16 years, and... 275 00:10:13,950 --> 00:10:15,950 - Mm-hmm. 276 00:10:15,950 --> 00:10:17,230 And are you still working there? 277 00:10:17,230 --> 00:10:18,350 - Yes, I am. Yeah. - You are. 278 00:10:18,380 --> 00:10:19,960 Do you like? - I love it. 279 00:10:19,950 --> 00:10:20,950 - You love it. Okay. 280 00:10:20,950 --> 00:10:23,950 - Maybe ask about the alligator. 281 00:10:24,950 --> 00:10:26,950 - Okay. 282 00:10:26,950 --> 00:10:28,950 I didn't know. Go ahead. 283 00:10:28,950 --> 00:10:30,950 - Well, we did this thing where, 284 00:10:30,950 --> 00:10:33,950 you know, we put an alligator inside a small door... 285 00:10:33,950 --> 00:10:35,950 or a smaller room, basically, with a small door... 286 00:10:35,950 --> 00:10:36,950 - Mm-hmm. 287 00:10:36,950 --> 00:10:38,950 - And we would have customers coming in 288 00:10:38,950 --> 00:10:39,990 to get a $1 TV, basically. 289 00:10:40,020 --> 00:10:41,960 - Okay. 290 00:10:41,950 --> 00:10:43,950 - So... and the only thing they had to do was go... 291 00:10:43,950 --> 00:10:45,950 have, basically, a dress code. 292 00:10:45,950 --> 00:10:47,030 We had a dress code. - Okay. 293 00:10:47,060 --> 00:10:48,960 - So you have to be dressed nicely. 294 00:10:48,950 --> 00:10:49,950 Maybe a suit, you know. 295 00:10:49,950 --> 00:10:51,950 A tie. Nice shoes. 296 00:10:51,950 --> 00:10:53,950 - Wow. That is so interesting. 297 00:10:53,950 --> 00:10:55,950 - Yeah. 298 00:10:55,950 --> 00:10:57,950 It's interesting idea, and... 299 00:10:57,950 --> 00:10:59,510 - It is an interesting idea. - Yeah, so. 300 00:10:59,540 --> 00:11:02,960 - After Dr. Rosenberg was done with her evaluation, 301 00:11:02,950 --> 00:11:05,950 I excused Alen from the room so I could get her report. 302 00:11:05,950 --> 00:11:06,990 What did you get from him? 303 00:11:07,020 --> 00:11:07,960 What sense... 304 00:11:07,950 --> 00:11:10,950 - He's not rooted in reality. 305 00:11:10,950 --> 00:11:12,150 You and I can sit here and go, 306 00:11:12,180 --> 00:11:13,960 "Wow. What a story." 307 00:11:13,950 --> 00:11:14,950 - Hmm. - "Jeez." 308 00:11:14,950 --> 00:11:16,950 - Yeah. 309 00:11:16,950 --> 00:11:18,950 - I mean, read the writing on the wall. 310 00:11:18,950 --> 00:11:20,950 Alligators, little doors... 311 00:11:20,950 --> 00:11:23,950 - Is this insanity we're witnessing? Or... 312 00:11:23,950 --> 00:11:25,950 - I'm seeing psychosis. Okay? 313 00:11:25,950 --> 00:11:28,950 I'm seeing delusional thinking. 314 00:11:28,950 --> 00:11:31,150 - Is there any way you could put that in writing for me? 315 00:11:31,180 --> 00:11:32,960 - Sure. 316 00:11:32,950 --> 00:11:34,950 - With proof of Alen's insanity in hand, 317 00:11:34,950 --> 00:11:36,390 he was now immune from prosecution... 318 00:11:36,420 --> 00:11:37,960 Thank you so much. 319 00:11:37,950 --> 00:11:39,110 And knowing he was protected, 320 00:11:39,140 --> 00:11:41,960 I was comfortable moving forward with my lawsuit, 321 00:11:41,950 --> 00:11:43,190 but if I was gonna go up against 322 00:11:43,220 --> 00:11:45,960 a massive company like Best Buy, 323 00:11:45,950 --> 00:11:47,950 I would need some legal advice, 324 00:11:47,950 --> 00:11:49,190 so I paid a visit to my old pal, 325 00:11:49,220 --> 00:11:50,960 California judge Anthony Filosa, 326 00:11:50,950 --> 00:11:53,950 for guidance on how to build my case. 327 00:11:53,950 --> 00:11:56,950 - If you decide to sue Best Buy, 328 00:11:56,950 --> 00:11:58,190 based upon what you've told me, 329 00:11:58,220 --> 00:11:59,960 it's gonna be a huge battle. 330 00:11:59,950 --> 00:12:01,950 - Filosa was skeptical about my prospects, 331 00:12:01,950 --> 00:12:03,950 but he said there was one piece of evidence 332 00:12:03,950 --> 00:12:05,950 that could turn the tide to my favor. 333 00:12:05,950 --> 00:12:09,950 - If you had an insider from Best Buy that... 334 00:12:09,950 --> 00:12:13,950 that could testify as to the price-match policy 335 00:12:13,950 --> 00:12:19,950 that they don't adhere to across the board, 336 00:12:19,950 --> 00:12:20,950 that's relevant. 337 00:12:20,950 --> 00:12:22,230 - So I need info from the inside. 338 00:12:22,260 --> 00:12:24,960 - Yes, whistleblower for... type of person. 339 00:12:24,950 --> 00:12:26,950 - It became clear that without an inside source, 340 00:12:26,950 --> 00:12:28,950 I wouldn't have a case, 341 00:12:28,950 --> 00:12:30,950 but getting someone from within these walls 342 00:12:30,950 --> 00:12:33,950 to disclose corporate secrets on camera 343 00:12:33,950 --> 00:12:35,950 would be a whole other challenge. 344 00:12:35,950 --> 00:12:37,950 So to conceal my true intentions, 345 00:12:37,950 --> 00:12:40,950 I put up an ad to recruit Best Buy employees 346 00:12:40,950 --> 00:12:42,950 for a new reality show called "Retail Dating," 347 00:12:42,950 --> 00:12:46,950 where people who work at retail stores go on blind dates, 348 00:12:46,950 --> 00:12:47,950 and after a couple days, 349 00:12:47,950 --> 00:12:51,950 I got a response from a female Best Buy employee named Elle. 350 00:12:51,950 --> 00:12:52,950 - I'm 24 years old. 351 00:12:52,950 --> 00:12:54,950 I've worked at Best Buy for three months. 352 00:12:54,950 --> 00:12:57,950 - My plan was to pose as another retail employee 353 00:12:57,950 --> 00:12:59,950 who was chosen to be her date, 354 00:12:59,950 --> 00:13:02,070 and because she mentioned she liked alternative music, 355 00:13:02,100 --> 00:13:04,960 I decided to go as the manager of a local Hot Topic 356 00:13:04,950 --> 00:13:06,950 named Nathan, 357 00:13:06,950 --> 00:13:09,070 but what Elle didn't know is that my one and only goal 358 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:10,960 was to get secret inside dirt 359 00:13:10,950 --> 00:13:12,950 on the Best Buy price-match policy. 360 00:13:12,950 --> 00:13:14,230 Do you want to see a magic trick? 361 00:13:14,260 --> 00:13:15,960 - Oh, sure. - Do you like magic? 362 00:13:15,950 --> 00:13:17,950 - Yeah. Yeah. 363 00:13:17,950 --> 00:13:19,110 - It's just a little... - Yeah. 364 00:13:19,140 --> 00:13:20,960 - It's not... - Why not? 365 00:13:20,950 --> 00:13:21,950 - Okay. 366 00:13:21,950 --> 00:13:22,950 See the coin? 367 00:13:22,950 --> 00:13:24,950 - I see it. - Okay. 368 00:13:33,950 --> 00:13:35,230 - I think I've seen that before. 369 00:13:35,260 --> 00:13:36,960 - Okay. 370 00:13:36,950 --> 00:13:38,150 Now that I had impressed Elle, 371 00:13:38,180 --> 00:13:40,960 it was time to see if I could get her to admit 372 00:13:40,950 --> 00:13:43,150 that there was something more going on with the Best Buy 373 00:13:43,180 --> 00:13:44,960 price-match policy than meets the eye. 374 00:13:44,950 --> 00:13:48,950 One cool thing about Hot Topic is that, you know, 375 00:13:48,950 --> 00:13:50,950 they're pretty lax on the rules, you know? 376 00:13:50,950 --> 00:13:52,950 We can kind of do what we want a little bit. 377 00:13:52,950 --> 00:13:53,950 - Yeah. - For example, 378 00:13:53,950 --> 00:13:56,950 we have this, uh, price-match policy. 379 00:13:56,950 --> 00:13:58,950 Sometimes, like, someone will come in 380 00:13:58,950 --> 00:14:00,150 with a legitimate price-match, 381 00:14:00,180 --> 00:14:02,960 and if I'm not feeling it, I'll just be like, "No." 382 00:14:02,950 --> 00:14:03,950 You know what I mean? 383 00:14:03,950 --> 00:14:05,070 You guys ever do that? Or... 384 00:14:05,100 --> 00:14:07,960 - Oh, I've seen it happen, yes. - At Best Buy? 385 00:14:07,950 --> 00:14:09,950 - Mm-hmm. Yes. - You've seen what? 386 00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:12,950 - Other people not do it because they're not... 387 00:14:12,950 --> 00:14:14,230 - Not do the price-match? - Yeah. 388 00:14:14,260 --> 00:14:15,960 Because they're not "feeling" the person. 389 00:14:15,950 --> 00:14:16,950 - Oh, really? - Yeah. 390 00:14:18,950 --> 00:14:19,950 - That's crazy. 391 00:14:19,950 --> 00:14:20,950 - Yeah. 392 00:14:20,950 --> 00:14:23,950 - And there it was: the smoking gun. 393 00:14:23,950 --> 00:14:26,950 On-camera evidence of a culture of corruption, 394 00:14:26,950 --> 00:14:28,950 eroding the insides of one of America's 395 00:14:28,950 --> 00:14:31,950 most-respected institutions. 396 00:14:31,950 --> 00:14:33,350 But even though I had what I needed, 397 00:14:33,350 --> 00:14:35,350 I didn't want to be rude and leave abruptly, 398 00:14:35,350 --> 00:14:37,950 so I decided to stay for the private salsa lesson 399 00:14:37,950 --> 00:14:39,950 I had prearranged for the date. 400 00:14:39,950 --> 00:14:41,950 - [speaking Spanish] How are you guys doing? 401 00:14:41,950 --> 00:14:43,950 You're supposed to move your shoulders, 402 00:14:43,950 --> 00:14:45,950 your hips, and your arms as well. 403 00:14:45,950 --> 00:14:47,950 - I have to admit, 404 00:14:47,950 --> 00:14:49,270 I was a bit nervous about dancing, 405 00:14:49,300 --> 00:14:50,960 but once we got going, 406 00:14:50,950 --> 00:14:52,950 I discovered I was actually really good at it. 407 00:14:52,950 --> 00:14:53,950 - Look at his eyes. 408 00:14:53,950 --> 00:14:54,950 He's waiting for you. 409 00:14:54,950 --> 00:14:56,950 Perfect. 410 00:14:56,950 --> 00:14:59,950 - And once our date was over, we said our good-byes. 411 00:14:59,950 --> 00:15:00,950 - Nice meeting you. 412 00:15:00,950 --> 00:15:02,950 - Okay. Yeah. See you. 413 00:15:02,950 --> 00:15:03,950 - Bye. - Bye. 414 00:15:07,180 --> 00:15:09,980 - Now that I had the evidence I needed 415 00:15:09,980 --> 00:15:12,300 against Best Buy, the potential of an ugly courtroom battle 416 00:15:12,330 --> 00:15:13,980 was becoming a scary reality, 417 00:15:13,980 --> 00:15:15,980 and the only people who could screw it up 418 00:15:15,980 --> 00:15:17,020 were my team of TV buyers, 419 00:15:17,050 --> 00:15:19,980 who would have to take the stand if this went to trial. 420 00:15:19,980 --> 00:15:21,980 So I invited them to a courtroom I rented 421 00:15:21,980 --> 00:15:24,980 to prepare each of them for what they would face 422 00:15:24,980 --> 00:15:27,980 when they went head-to-head with the Best Buy legal team. 423 00:15:27,980 --> 00:15:29,180 Do you swear to tell the truth 424 00:15:29,180 --> 00:15:30,170 and the whole truth and everything? 425 00:15:30,180 --> 00:15:30,970 - I do. - Yes. 426 00:15:30,980 --> 00:15:31,980 - I do. 427 00:15:31,980 --> 00:15:33,980 - Yes. - I do. 428 00:15:33,980 --> 00:15:35,980 - On the morning of March 31, 2015, 429 00:15:35,980 --> 00:15:37,980 you entered a Best Buy, 430 00:15:37,980 --> 00:15:39,540 trying to price-match a TV for a dollar. 431 00:15:39,570 --> 00:15:40,980 Is that correct? 432 00:15:40,980 --> 00:15:43,980 - It is, although I would have to think of the exact date. 433 00:15:43,980 --> 00:15:45,980 - How did you find out about that promotion? 434 00:15:47,980 --> 00:15:49,980 - From... 435 00:15:50,980 --> 00:15:51,980 Uh, a flyer. 436 00:15:51,980 --> 00:15:53,980 It was a flyer that was in the... 437 00:15:53,980 --> 00:15:55,980 - A flyer. - Mm-hmm. 438 00:15:55,980 --> 00:15:57,980 - Did anyone tell you to go to Best Buy that day? 439 00:15:59,980 --> 00:16:01,980 - Well, yes. 440 00:16:01,980 --> 00:16:04,980 I mean, no. 441 00:16:04,980 --> 00:16:06,980 No. I just wanted to go. 442 00:16:06,980 --> 00:16:10,980 - And was the television for you, or was it for someone else? 443 00:16:10,980 --> 00:16:12,980 - It would've been for me. 444 00:16:12,980 --> 00:16:14,980 - It was for you. - Mm-hmm. 445 00:16:14,980 --> 00:16:18,980 - Then how would you explain this footage? 446 00:16:18,980 --> 00:16:21,980 What you'll be doing is going to Best Buy 447 00:16:21,980 --> 00:16:24,980 and using this flyer to price-match 448 00:16:24,980 --> 00:16:26,980 and get a TV for a dollar... - Okay. 449 00:16:26,980 --> 00:16:29,180 - And you'll bring that TV back to me for me to keep it. 450 00:16:29,210 --> 00:16:30,980 It's not yours. You understand, right? 451 00:16:30,980 --> 00:16:31,980 - Mm-hmm. 452 00:16:31,980 --> 00:16:34,980 - How do you explain that? 453 00:16:34,980 --> 00:16:36,980 - Um... 454 00:16:41,980 --> 00:16:43,980 I... 455 00:16:43,980 --> 00:16:45,980 - Right away, my buyer's lack of confidence 456 00:16:45,980 --> 00:16:47,980 began to concern me, 457 00:16:47,980 --> 00:16:49,980 and as more and more took the stand, 458 00:16:49,980 --> 00:16:50,980 it became clear that they could be thrown off 459 00:16:50,980 --> 00:16:52,980 by even the simplest of questions. 460 00:16:52,980 --> 00:16:54,980 Ms. Barcelona, 461 00:16:54,980 --> 00:16:57,980 have you ever seen a man that looks like this before? 462 00:16:58,980 --> 00:17:01,980 - [laughs] 463 00:17:01,980 --> 00:17:02,980 No. 464 00:17:02,980 --> 00:17:03,980 - And for the first time, 465 00:17:04,010 --> 00:17:05,980 I began to have doubts about our chances 466 00:17:05,980 --> 00:17:07,980 of winning this case. 467 00:17:07,980 --> 00:17:08,980 To make matters worse, 468 00:17:08,980 --> 00:17:11,980 when I showed Judge Filosa the damning evidence 469 00:17:11,980 --> 00:17:13,140 I had obtained on Best Buy... 470 00:17:13,170 --> 00:17:14,980 - A witness has to be in court, 471 00:17:14,980 --> 00:17:16,980 otherwise you can't introduce their testimony, 472 00:17:16,980 --> 00:17:18,980 'cause they have to cross-examine her. 473 00:17:18,980 --> 00:17:19,980 - But I have it on video. 474 00:17:19,980 --> 00:17:21,140 - No, that's not good enough. 475 00:17:21,170 --> 00:17:22,980 - He told me that Elle's statements 476 00:17:22,980 --> 00:17:23,980 would only be admissible 477 00:17:23,980 --> 00:17:26,980 if she agreed to say them in an actual courtroom, 478 00:17:26,980 --> 00:17:28,140 but when I arranged a meet-up 479 00:17:28,170 --> 00:17:30,980 to ask her if she would be willing to testify in person, 480 00:17:30,980 --> 00:17:32,980 she wasn't at all interested. 481 00:17:32,980 --> 00:17:34,980 - That's really weird 482 00:17:34,980 --> 00:17:37,020 that you'd take someone on a date and then ask them, 483 00:17:37,050 --> 00:17:41,050 "Hey, dude, like, why don't we sue Best Buy?" 484 00:17:41,980 --> 00:17:43,980 - Okay. 485 00:17:43,980 --> 00:17:45,980 - For all I know, you're crazy. 486 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:48,980 - Elle didn't want to help me out, 487 00:17:48,980 --> 00:17:51,820 and our case was crumbling before my very eyes. 488 00:17:53,110 --> 00:17:55,900 - With Elle and her testimony out of the picture, 489 00:17:55,910 --> 00:17:57,900 my case had taken a huge blow, 490 00:17:57,910 --> 00:17:59,900 but for some reason, once she was gone, 491 00:17:59,910 --> 00:18:01,900 I just couldn't get her words out of my head... 492 00:18:01,910 --> 00:18:04,900 - [echoing] For all I know, you're crazy. 493 00:18:04,910 --> 00:18:05,910 - And for the first time, 494 00:18:05,940 --> 00:18:08,910 I started to really think about what I was doing. 495 00:18:08,910 --> 00:18:10,030 Here was a woman who thought 496 00:18:10,060 --> 00:18:12,910 she was sharing a genuine connection with someone, 497 00:18:12,910 --> 00:18:15,900 but it was all just a calculated ruse 498 00:18:15,910 --> 00:18:18,900 to get information, a classic bait-and-switch, 499 00:18:18,910 --> 00:18:21,900 and in that moment, I realized I'd become 500 00:18:21,910 --> 00:18:24,900 no better than the corporation I was trying to defeat, 501 00:18:24,910 --> 00:18:26,900 that in my efforts to take down Best Buy, 502 00:18:26,910 --> 00:18:29,900 I became the worst guy. 503 00:18:29,910 --> 00:18:31,900 I could've kept pursuing this lawsuit 504 00:18:31,910 --> 00:18:33,910 and tried again to get the court testimony I needed 505 00:18:33,940 --> 00:18:35,910 from another Best Buy employee 506 00:18:35,910 --> 00:18:37,900 that submitted to my "Retail Dating" show... 507 00:18:37,910 --> 00:18:39,390 - You know, when you work at Best Buy, 508 00:18:39,420 --> 00:18:40,910 you're, like, in a tech playground 509 00:18:40,910 --> 00:18:42,900 with, like, CDs and DVDs. 510 00:18:42,910 --> 00:18:45,900 - But I didn't want to break the heart of another angel 511 00:18:45,910 --> 00:18:47,900 who was just searching for a real connection... 512 00:18:47,910 --> 00:18:50,150 - Admittedly, it's been awhile since I've been on a date. 513 00:18:50,180 --> 00:18:51,910 - So I decided to drop my case 514 00:18:51,910 --> 00:18:54,900 and give up on getting Alen his TVs. 515 00:18:54,910 --> 00:18:57,900 When you define yourself entirely by your successes, 516 00:18:57,910 --> 00:19:00,900 failure can leave you feeling pretty empty inside, 517 00:19:00,910 --> 00:19:03,900 but when I was reviewing the footage we shot, 518 00:19:03,910 --> 00:19:05,900 I stumbled upon a conversation I had with Alen 519 00:19:05,910 --> 00:19:07,900 on the day of his big promotion. 520 00:19:07,910 --> 00:19:09,900 - She says like, "You know, you should, you know, 521 00:19:09,910 --> 00:19:11,670 find someone and get married, so... have kids." 522 00:19:11,700 --> 00:19:12,910 - Your mom? - Yeah. So. 523 00:19:12,910 --> 00:19:15,900 - And it made me realize that my definition of success 524 00:19:15,910 --> 00:19:17,900 might've been entirely wrong. 525 00:19:17,910 --> 00:19:18,900 Getting close, or... 526 00:19:18,910 --> 00:19:20,900 - No. No. - No. 527 00:19:20,910 --> 00:19:22,900 - Just concentrating on the job, so. 528 00:19:22,910 --> 00:19:23,900 - Yeah. - Yeah. 529 00:19:23,910 --> 00:19:24,910 - I didn't see it before, 530 00:19:24,940 --> 00:19:27,910 but the truth was all over his face. 531 00:19:27,910 --> 00:19:30,900 Alen might've said he wanted some TVs at a discounted price, 532 00:19:30,910 --> 00:19:32,900 but it wasn't what he needed. 533 00:19:32,910 --> 00:19:34,900 So, the next day, I returned to Speers 534 00:19:34,910 --> 00:19:36,900 with the one thing he'd been denying himself 535 00:19:36,910 --> 00:19:38,900 for so many years. 536 00:19:38,910 --> 00:19:41,900 So I know I couldn't get you those TVs that I promised... 537 00:19:41,910 --> 00:19:43,900 - It's okay. 538 00:19:43,910 --> 00:19:45,950 - But there is someone I'd like to introduce you to. 539 00:19:45,980 --> 00:19:46,910 - Okay. - Is that okay? 540 00:19:46,910 --> 00:19:47,950 - Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. 541 00:19:47,980 --> 00:19:49,910 - Okay. One sec. - Okay. 542 00:19:49,910 --> 00:19:50,910 - Thanks. 543 00:19:52,910 --> 00:19:53,900 - Hi. 544 00:19:53,910 --> 00:19:55,900 - Alen, this is Cathy. 545 00:19:55,910 --> 00:19:58,030 - Hi. Nice to meet you. - Hi, Cathy. Nice to meet you. 546 00:19:58,060 --> 00:20:00,910 - Cathy used to work at Best Buy... 547 00:20:00,910 --> 00:20:01,900 - Yeah. - Okay. 548 00:20:01,910 --> 00:20:04,900 - And she also happens to be single. 549 00:20:04,910 --> 00:20:06,070 - Mm-hmm. That's right. - Oh. 550 00:20:06,100 --> 00:20:07,910 - So I'll let you two get to know each other. 551 00:20:07,910 --> 00:20:08,900 - All right. Okay. - Awesome. Thank you. 552 00:20:08,910 --> 00:20:09,900 - Hi. So. - Hi. 553 00:20:09,910 --> 00:20:11,900 - Hi. So. 554 00:20:11,910 --> 00:20:12,900 - How are you doing? - Everything's good. 555 00:20:12,910 --> 00:20:13,900 Yeah. So. - Good. 556 00:20:13,910 --> 00:20:15,900 - Yeah. So you worked at Best Buy, huh? 557 00:20:15,910 --> 00:20:17,900 - Yeah, I worked at Best Buy in high school. 558 00:20:17,910 --> 00:20:18,900 - Oh, you did? - Yeah. 559 00:20:18,910 --> 00:20:20,900 - Okay. Which location? Was it around? 560 00:20:20,910 --> 00:20:21,900 - Seeing Alen light up 561 00:20:21,910 --> 00:20:23,900 made me feel great about what I had done. 562 00:20:23,910 --> 00:20:25,900 - The crazy thing is, like, once it starts raining 563 00:20:25,910 --> 00:20:27,900 for a few days, everybody's panicking. 564 00:20:27,910 --> 00:20:28,900 - Oh, yeah. Then they freak out. Yeah. 565 00:20:28,910 --> 00:20:30,900 - They're like, "Oh, my God, we need the sun. 566 00:20:30,910 --> 00:20:33,110 It's California. What the hell?" Like, they can't do it. 567 00:20:33,140 --> 00:20:34,910 - As for me, I was fine being alone 568 00:20:34,910 --> 00:20:37,900 because it would give me more time to focus on my work. 569 00:20:37,910 --> 00:20:41,900 ♪ 570 00:20:41,910 --> 00:20:43,900 - So 773 is a Chicago area code... 571 00:20:43,910 --> 00:20:44,900 - Okay. All right. - But it's my cell phone. 572 00:20:44,910 --> 00:20:46,900 - It was good to meet you. - Good to meet you too. 573 00:20:46,910 --> 00:20:48,900 Thank you so much. - All right. Bye. 574 00:20:48,910 --> 00:20:51,270 I'll see you soon, hopefully. I'll give you a call for sure. 575 00:20:51,270 --> 00:20:52,910 - Okay. Bye. Yeah. Thank you. - Okay. Bye. 576 00:20:52,940 --> 00:20:56,580 ♪ 577 00:21:00,890 --> 00:21:03,190 - You have the Hot Topic look. - Oh, yeah. 578 00:21:03,190 --> 00:21:05,190 Well, employee discount, you know... 579 00:21:05,190 --> 00:21:06,710 - How much discount do you get, anyway? 580 00:21:06,730 --> 00:21:07,180 - 40%. 581 00:21:07,190 --> 00:21:09,190 - [whispering] Oh, my God. 582 00:21:09,190 --> 00:21:10,470 Wow. - That's pretty good, right? 583 00:21:10,490 --> 00:21:11,180 - That's amazing. 584 00:21:11,190 --> 00:21:12,390 - What do you get at Best Buy? 585 00:21:12,410 --> 00:21:14,410 - I think it was 40% off.