We’re hearing a few interesting things about Best Buy these days, especially when it comes to selling iPads. While many of these are isolated incidents, they all point to a general nastiness on the part of Best Buy employees and management who know a good thing when they see one.

First we have Best Buy employees holding back iPads 2 during periods of high demand and now we have managers essentially blackmailing customers into paying for service plans before they’re allowed to touch available stock.

A reader writes:

I was at Best But yesterday while my girlfriend was buying a new pc and asked if they had any iPad 2 in stock and I was told no. As I strolled around I looked up and noticed at least 40

In an overhead lock up area so I inquired about them. I was told by an associate that they were all sold. Two minutes later a manager walks over and says the only way I could have one is if I puchased a 109 dollar Best Buy protection plan.

I said that doesn’t seem right. He then told to try and find one somewhere else they can do what they want. To make a long story short I purchased it just to find out if that was policy. I just went to another store spoke to a manager and was told that is not policy and should have not be forced to but the coverage just to purchase an iPad. After reading the story on CNN I just wanted to follow up with you guys. After my experience I think you were correct about they way they are distributing iPads . Thanks for the time. If you need anything else just let me know.

I asked for a receipt and you see it there. It’s clear someone is using high demand to boost their sales numbers and they’re taking it out on folks who are looking at iPads. Incredulous, I emailed the readers back.

“So, to be clear, you couldn’t buy this without buying the service plan?” I asked.

“That’s exactly what the manager said. There were witnesses,” he said.

It’s not a crime, obviously, but it’s a nasty way to do business.