Tekkaraiden
Posts: 996 +93
I only buy the occasional Movie, Video Game or CD at Best Buy. I do enjoy killing time there when I have time between appointments.
Best Buy to follow Circuit City's demise?
- Thread starter Matthew DeCarlo
- Start date
Wait they are called Best Buy? I thought it was Worst Buy...
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Guest
When you buy at "Best Buy" you are paying for their rent, electric, water and their so called expert in each department.. But you do get the option to return certain items. And their losses on that gets reflected in their retarded prices..for most items.
I must be the only one who has not had a problem at Best Buy, aside from the occasional one store not having an item in stock when I get there and having to go to another one near by. Granted I buy a lot of things online simply because Best Buy does not offer the kind of things I am buying (as far as electronics are concerned), but the few times I HAVE gone recently, I haven't had issues. Likewise, aside from prices it is easier to buy large or big ticket items from brick and motar stores, Best Buy included. If something DOES go wrong with the product you can take it back for refund or exchange, no dealng with sending an item back through mail.
And that "same day" receiving from 10AM-8PM (ish) can't be beat, since you're picking up an item. I've never ordered online for pickup, but I always call ahead to see if they have it in stock, usually saving me time and effort if it is not.
Granted most of these statements are directed at Brick and Motar stores in general, but yeah, I haven't had issues and I knew three people who have worked there over the years who other than the regular "damn the manager" banter never said anything completely damning, so I guess I'm just missing out on the "whole experience."
Ultimately, I'm waiting for the whole Transmetropolitan deal, where you can order a product off the TV and get it delivered in 10-20 minutes. *rolleyes*
And that "same day" receiving from 10AM-8PM (ish) can't be beat, since you're picking up an item. I've never ordered online for pickup, but I always call ahead to see if they have it in stock, usually saving me time and effort if it is not.
Granted most of these statements are directed at Brick and Motar stores in general, but yeah, I haven't had issues and I knew three people who have worked there over the years who other than the regular "damn the manager" banter never said anything completely damning, so I guess I'm just missing out on the "whole experience."
Ultimately, I'm waiting for the whole Transmetropolitan deal, where you can order a product off the TV and get it delivered in 10-20 minutes. *rolleyes*
LightHeart
Posts: 155 +0
I have never liked Best Buy even when there wasn't all this online competition. I only ever went to BB as a last resort. Their customer service is lacking and the prices are too high.
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Guest
If Best Buy employees didn't make stuff up when they don't know an answer (and they rarely have correct information, if any at all), I would shop there.
I haven't had any problems with in-store pickups at Best Buy for games I've purchased. I also occasionally buy Blu-ray movies but nothing else. The thing is they own Napster-whose service I subscribe to-so if they were to die I would hope they'd sell them first (or maybe someone would make an offer before that happened).
That said I think it'll be a while before Best Buy, or any electronics retail chain, disappears completely (if it ever happens).
That said I think it'll be a while before Best Buy, or any electronics retail chain, disappears completely (if it ever happens).
I've bought many of my larger electronic purchases at Best Buy, but there are somethings I just wouldn't go in the store to get. However for the most part I do hate walking into the store and being pestered by their employees all the time, for the most part though this doesn't differ from MOST retail stores, with the exception of Wal-Mart, but it doesn't seem most of their employees give a crap if you find what you want.
I've used Best Buy as a test warehouse on some occasions, but mostly will make larger purchases there (usually waiting for then to drop to a great sale price).
CS there has actually improved at Best Buy since I have started shopping there, but not that much. Granted I'm from Minnesota and they are Headquartered here, so the threat of management dropping in at any minute could make that all the more a reason.
Like other retailers, Best Buy will have to adapt to a world with a digital market place or die out, like the others who haven't.
I've used Best Buy as a test warehouse on some occasions, but mostly will make larger purchases there (usually waiting for then to drop to a great sale price).
CS there has actually improved at Best Buy since I have started shopping there, but not that much. Granted I'm from Minnesota and they are Headquartered here, so the threat of management dropping in at any minute could make that all the more a reason.
Like other retailers, Best Buy will have to adapt to a world with a digital market place or die out, like the others who haven't.
MrAnderson
Posts: 488 +10
There are people that will always need the instore experience. BestBuy might have to close stores and beef up it's online experience to stay in the game. But stores are not going away, as a large part of the population needs a sales person or a friend to help them pick out a product.
In my experience instore purchases will not go away overnight, as I have tried to convence many a friend to buy online and save big. In spite of my efforts, they want to go to Best Buys and the J&Rs because they have a perception of having the product now and seeing it in person.
So I don't think that kind of consumer is going anywhere in the near future. That is not to say that the online competition could take away enough customers to influence future sales tactics in the marketplace.
In my experience instore purchases will not go away overnight, as I have tried to convence many a friend to buy online and save big. In spite of my efforts, they want to go to Best Buys and the J&Rs because they have a perception of having the product now and seeing it in person.
So I don't think that kind of consumer is going anywhere in the near future. That is not to say that the online competition could take away enough customers to influence future sales tactics in the marketplace.
Taxes are a good argument to shop outside your state (this may not be the case forever), but Worst Buy doesn't charge you random, mysterious fees. The exceptions being extended warranties, protection and anti-theft plans etc... They'll push them on you, but they don't automatically sign you up for these things by default. If someone did, they made a mistake.
What probably happened is you live in a state (Read: CA) where there is a state-mandated "eWaste" fee of about $30 for LCDs screens larger than 34". Add local and state tax from the upper end of taxes in the US (10% or higher), then you've got yourself about $100 extra. Definitely not $200 though. If you were charged $200 extra, then you should definitely figure out why and get a refund for the difference.
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Guest
Without a Best Buy there wont be a New Egg or a Amazon... I need them to be around so the others can keep being better.
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Guest
i personally work at best buy, and yes some of the prices are over priced but we do not charge extra "fees" for a tv that is $599. Depending on your state and your source, he or she may want to check with the states sales tax as that is not a fee, its a tax.
Vrmithrax
Posts: 1,609 +679
I'm one of those "on the fence" guys with Best Buy... I tend to go check out stuff at the local store, have some hands-on time with products, controllers, etc. But the big purchases usually end up online, since the pricing is just outrageous on some items when compared to online. Still, I would hate to see the chain fold, because sometimes you just can't beat the touchy-feely physical inspection of a product (case in point: I was really intrigued by the Razer Naga, until I put my hands on one at Best Buy, and found it was far too clumsy to use with normal to large hands).
Would love to see someone like NewEgg snag up Best Buy, and use their stores as show fronts and shipping/support centers. Best of both worlds there, as long as NewEgg's pricing stuck, not Best Buy's inflated ones. But, alas, can't really see that happening, as the overhead costs to keep a Best Buy store running are typically a big reason for the higher costs. They tend to be in prime locations, which means huge leasing fees, among other things.
Would love to see someone like NewEgg snag up Best Buy, and use their stores as show fronts and shipping/support centers. Best of both worlds there, as long as NewEgg's pricing stuck, not Best Buy's inflated ones. But, alas, can't really see that happening, as the overhead costs to keep a Best Buy store running are typically a big reason for the higher costs. They tend to be in prime locations, which means huge leasing fees, among other things.
matrix86
Posts: 852 +39
I forgot to mention that I had a friend who worked at BB. He had 3 or 4 computer certs and actually knew what he was talking about, yet he was underpaid and under scheduled. He was fired one day when his manager was helping a customer and giving out the usual bull crap when my friend stepped in and pulled the manager to the side and asked his he could make the sale as the manager was giving out incorrect information. The manager said he had no problem with that, and my friend ended up selling a cheaper computer to the couple because they didn't need what the manager was trying to sell them. I guess the manager was thinking my friend would close the sale or sale a more expensive computer. My friend was later fired. Get this...for "insubordination." The manger claimed my friend rudely interrupted him and down talked him to the customers. And did the head manage even check to verify it? Nope. Even despite my friend requesting the cameras to be checked and to ask surrounding associates what happened.
Luckily, my friend got some common sense and realized he was stupid for trying to get his job back. He now makes about 50k a year at a company that actually respects him.
God forbid you work at Best Buy and actually listen to your customers needs to figure out what they NEED as opposed to what they WANT.
Luckily, my friend got some common sense and realized he was stupid for trying to get his job back. He now makes about 50k a year at a company that actually respects him.
God forbid you work at Best Buy and actually listen to your customers needs to figure out what they NEED as opposed to what they WANT.
Vrmithrax
Posts: 1,609 +679
IMO, only electronic noobs go to bestbuy whenever Fry's is available locally. Price is most of the time much cheaper at fry's (since BB always has much better/pricier locations)
But yeah, tigerdirect and newegg usually beats most of the local stores prices and works when you can wait for the shipping.
oh btw, fry's is now matching online prices!! at least in my area.
Man, I miss Fry's... I used to live in range of the Oregon store, and hit the Vegas and Chicago stores whenever I'm in the areas. But I really wish there were more of them peppered throughout the country, rather than mainly clustered in Texas and Cali.
whiteandnerdy
Posts: 69 +1
unless they hire people who actually know technology and have competitive prices with online stores, BB is going to go the same route as CC. but i will miss being able to go and waste some time if needed if they do go under.
example1013
Posts: 263 +0
I was about to say I found a CD that I'd wanted there the other day for cheap, but then I realized I actually bought it at FYE...
TorturedChaos
Posts: 836 +43
Only thing I use BB (and Vann's) for is a viewing room for Newegg and Amazon - for things like monitors or TV's. I wan see them before I buy them. Then I go home and order it online.
Is kinda amusing to listen to the BS they try to pass off their tho - but sometimes they take it so far its really hard not to step in and point out all the BS they just spouted out. I have done it once or twice now and I now am not liked much at BB.
Is kinda amusing to listen to the BS they try to pass off their tho - but sometimes they take it so far its really hard not to step in and point out all the BS they just spouted out. I have done it once or twice now and I now am not liked much at BB
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captaincranky
Posts: 19,684 +8,825
Well Whitey, why you do think you're entitled to online pricing, WITH free tech support, plus walk in convenience? Let me guess, because you just are, right?
Newegg, specifically states that they DON'T give give tech support, and even that the parts in their own combo deals may not be compatible with each other. That said, their prices are great.
After a certain period of time, and with some software, tech support costs, big time. If you don't believe me, call "Answers by Gateway" and boor a** them for a while.
You might try telling them the you're "whiteandnerdy". See if they recognize the importance contained in that title. If I were CS in India, I'd tell you that being, "whiteandnerdy", you should already know the answer as I was hanging up on you.
As for the rest of you, need, greed, and impatience, make poor shopping companions. Any brick and mortar retailer will screw you when you walk in, pick something up, and take it to the register. It's not BB's fault that YOU didn't do your homework.
I could go on, perhaps about the convenience of not having to deal with having to ship RMA merchandise.
And cut BB's sales force a break. Sometimes it's hard to determine if you actually do know more than somebody else, or you just think you do. And just suppose that you actually do have a degree in IT, would salesman at BB by your first choice of entry level positions?
I only go to BB once a year. That would be at around 5:00 AM, Black Friday. I hope they stay around just for that. And yes, I realize that I don't fit in to their "preferred demographic", since I have no intention of trying to help keep them afloat the other 364 days a year.
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