# There should always be a Best Buy ranting thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 26, 2001, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960 "2001-09-26T18:46:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2001, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/21 "2001-09-29T22:45:39Z")
I’ve never had a problem being a customer there. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I just got a job at my local Best Buy. They usually have the latest releases of everything (Yes, they have all the TMBG CD’s). And the employees there know EVERYTHING about every product in their respective departments. I was very impressed. Now that I work there, I get to buy stuff at 5% above wholesale price. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/22 "2001-09-29T23:03:54Z")
I hate our local Best Buy. Same complaints as the other posters–bad service. Bad, bad, bad service. Ugh. We’ve got a Circuit City here now, and like **dropzone** said, the service there is outstanding (although I didn’t get the icemaker). I’m one of those that will pay a bit more if the service is good, especially when I’m purchasing something that I know I’m going to need help with. Got my cell phone there. Told the guy I needed a cheap phone, no frills, and no plan. Just a cell phone with a minutes card. Guess what? He gave me what I asked for. No fooling around. No trying to talk me into something else. And then, once he remembered that they didn’t have the phone cards for the phone I wanted, he listed several places where I could go to get one. OH yeah. I’m a CC convert. ---
**Author:** ![hegel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cab0a1/32.png) [@hegel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hegel)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/23 "2001-09-30T00:11:25Z")
I work in retail, and I’ve noticed people become overly-emotional about products. It’s not the end of the damn world becuase the cd player isn’t in stock, or the store doesn’t carry the exact model you want. Get a damn life, people. American consumers are coddled. I say no more. ---
**Author:** ![Hibbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ce73a5/32.png) [@Hibbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hibbins)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/24 "2001-10-02T16:48:03Z")
Hey! Someone gets it! > [@](#): > > I’m one of those that will pay a bit more if the service is good, especially when I’m purchasing something that I know I’m going to need help with. Thanks Persephone! That’s the wonderful thing about competition and capitalism, there’s usually somebody out there to cater to your “wants” if they aren’t being met by brand “X”. Unfortunately no business can be _all things_ for _all people_. The consumer has to decide what is most important to him/her. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/25 "2001-10-04T15:21:20Z")
Wasn’t sure if I’d reply or not; but, since you asked… 🙂 > [@](#): > > Best Buy, whose idea was it that your receipts have to go in this stupid envelope? Was there not enough wasted paper for you, that you hadd to add this to the crap I get? The idea is from the geniuses at the Corporate Office. At first I thought it was a bad idea, as well, but upon dealing with several customers who “didn’t understand all the terms of the return policy” (which is also plastered on the wall in the largest font imaginable), I think it’s an okay idea. > [@](#): > > Never mind that your so-called coupons are also a waste of paper. When they’re not misleading, they’re useless. “Get 1.5% off nothing you want between 6:02pm and 6:04pm on one day out of the year!” Coincidentally, I recieved yesterday in the mail several coupons for Best Buy promotions this weekend. Included were 10 and 20% off coupons for most merchandise. > [@](#): > > Sadly, in my podunk town, you’re my main option for new games and music, even though you suck at actually getting both of those. If I want the new They Might Be Giants, I’m shit out of luck, because we can’t have that release taking up valuable Staind space. More popular music is given the spotlight, of course. Your favorite CD may not be on and end cap, but I’m positive you can find any TMBG CD in the appropriate section. Here in Richmond, that’s the case. > [@](#): > > What’s that you say? The new computer game that lots of people are looking forward to didn’t come in? And you don’t know when it will? Oh thank you for being so helpful. If a shipment is delayed for whatever reason, it’s NOT the store’s fault. Gripe to the district warehouse, or the game’s distributor. God forbid we don’t dissemenate false information. Quite often, if a shipment IS delayed, we don’t know exactly when it’ll be in. That’s life. Deal. > [@](#): > > If only I could have purchased it at one of the two checkout lines that is open, despite the 500 customers. Weekday staffing for up-front lanes is minimal due to a fairly normal distribution of customers throughout the day. Quite often you’ll find that there are times when 2 checkout lanes is 2 more than are needed, for up to an hour. Best Buy uses computerized scheduling based on customer populations. As customer populations vary, so does the schedule. > [@](#): > > And then, after giving my money to Surly McEyeroll, the cashier, I could tell her that I don’t need an envelope for my receipt and have her sigh about that as well. Surly McEyeroll is going to get bitched at for not giving you one of the receipt envelopes if she is being evaluated at the time. Big whoop- it doesn’t cost you jack shit for a receipt envelope, and if you really have such a distaste for them, you can make a point of throwing it away as soon as you get out the door. Better yet, tell someone who cares that your receipt envelope is useless to you by tearing it to shreds in the presence of a store manager. Then you might stop getting them. > [@](#): > > No wonder people like online shopping. So do that. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/26 "2001-10-04T15:33:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pepperlandgirl \* > \*\*I went to Best Buy yesterday to buy my husband Unreal Tournament for his b-day. It wasn’t there, and nobody was there to help me look for a similar game that he would like. I mean, I don’t know _anything_ about computer games, I’m not even entirely sure what Unreal Tournament _is_. All I needed was a little help. \*\* [http://www.compuexpert.com/html/productinfo/unrealtournament.shtml](http://www.compuexpert.com/html/productinfo/unrealtournament.shtml) I know you don’t know me and have no reason to trust me, but I order frequently from CompuExpert and have never had a problem with an order. I almost never buy a game in a store and almost exclusively order from CompuExpert, EBGames or sometimes [Buy.com](http://Buy.com) or [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com). Usually I just see who’s the cheapest, but all are legitimate retailers. If you want any more help, email me. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/27 "2001-10-04T15:42:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Case in point. My in-laws want a computer, so we go comparison shopping. At Best Buy, I’m asking some standard questions, like, “What warranty comes with this system?” He responds by trying to sell me the 50-year extended super duper parts-labor-and-a-blow-job deal. “No, I don’t want that. What warranty is included?” “Sir, for only umpty billion dollars, you can get blah blah extended yada yada in home blah blah…” > > I swear, these salespeople are just programmed with canned responses to keywords. I shudder to think of them in real life. Before I worked at Best Buy, I disregarded the offers for extended warranties, as well. Then I began to notice that the manufacturer’s warranty tends to be limited in terms of service and length. It probably sounds like I’m praising the warranties for the sake of doing so, but honestly I buy one with every purchase I am able to. > [@](#): > > I will be making another purchase at Best Buy soon, car stereo, since BB offers free installation on any purchase over $100, so we’ll see how they do with this. Yet another great thing going for BB purchases… especially with car stereo. It’s pretty much every other week that there’s an advertisement for free installation of any car audio purchase. > [@](#): > > Because the GM and Store Managers Bonuses are based upon moving a certain number of them (or so I am told). So the Store Managers lean on the employees to make their numbers. Any wonder service isn’t the “Best”? The other reason they push the “warranties” so hard is that they are obviously high margin (I’ve heard on the order of 60-80%). The margin on the warranties is extraordinarily profitable, in theory. A shame, though, that the ideal is wasted by goods that actually **do** break and need service. Then $25 doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. GM and Store Manager bonuses are more based on sales overall than on PRPs and PSPs. > [@](#): > > Yes, you can tell they aren’t on commission. Go to appliances at Circuit City (commissioned sales, unlike home and auto electronics departments) and they offer discounts, oral sex, AND a free ice maker to make the sale. That’s shopping! I like making sales and will encourage customers to do so. Best Buy’s price is usually much lower than competitor’s prices, so I don’t feel the need to offer a discount or oral sex and whatever. It sounds like you’re more trying to see how far a salesperson will go to make a sale, when it’s really up to you as far as whether or not you want the damn product. > [@](#): > > I don’t know why the morons at BB push the extended warranties so hard. Because they’re terrific deals. I don’t know of a single employee who doesn’t take advantage of them when available. Some may call it brainwashing, I call it good shopping skills. That, and having to watch so many malfunctioning products returned daily with customers wishing they invested in the plans. Hell, I’ve had to use my 4 year service plan twice thus far on my digital camera. Generally, you can even go as far as hurling the thing off of a cliff and BB will still replace it for you. > [@](#): > > They don’t even get a spiff! Don’t be so sure. > [@](#): > > Christ, at Rat Shack it was like 30%! We WANTED to sell warranties. We do, too. Because we don’t want people to come back bitching in 6 months when their computer overheats or their printer screws up. > [@](#): > > The service is usually terrible, but NOT because the clerks/salespeople are rude. On the contrary, most of them are very nice- they just don’t know anything about appliances! The guys working there could just as easily be working at Wal-Mart, Target, or Home Depot. This is more attributed to faulty hiring. At my store, at least, this is unheard of. You either know what you’re doing or you don’t. If you don’t, you’re generally out the door. > [@](#): > > If all you need is someone to tell you where this-or-that stereo component is, they’ll help you quickly and courteously. But if you have a question about that stereo component, you’re likely to get a blank stare. You should make sure you’re asking the right people. It’s not a good idea to ask someone working in media (CDs, software) a question about car audio, for example. Generally, if they don’t know, they’ll find someone who does. After reading all these Best Buy horror stories, all I can say is damn, no wonder our store is so high in the region. ---
**Author:** ![JuanDeCuba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JuanDeCuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JuanDeCuba)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/28 "2001-10-04T16:10:00Z")
Not much of a rant but last December Best Buy refused to accept my passport as ID when I was writing a check. To a 20 year old without a license who lost his debit card and has to finish shopping for Christmas, that’s irksome. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/29 "2001-10-04T19:08:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Not much of a rant but last December Best Buy refused to accept my passport as ID when I was writing a check. To a 20 year old without a license who lost his debit card and has to finish shopping for Christmas, that’s irksome. Passports are considered valid forms of ID for check purchases at Best Buy stores. If you have a problem getting the cashier to validate your ID, speak to a supervisor. ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/30 "2001-10-04T20:01:05Z")
Just something to ask really quick…what day do you go to Best Buy? If it’s any time during the weekend, you’ll have a very difficult time getting service, simply because most stores are completely swamped. During weekdays at my store, customers who need help get any bit of help that they can, simply because we are available to do so. ---
**Author:** ![JuanDeCuba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JuanDeCuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JuanDeCuba)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/31 "2001-10-05T00:30:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Not much of a rant but last December Best Buy refused to accept my passport as ID when I was writing a check. To a 20 year old without a license who lost his debit card and has to finish shopping for Christmas, that’s irksome. > > Passports are considered valid forms of ID for check purchases at Best Buy stores. If you have a problem getting the cashier to validate your ID, speak to a supervisor. \*\* Probably just an isolated incident, I got over it and have returned to the same store a few times when I was at home over the summer and haven’t had any problems 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/32 "2001-10-05T02:52:47Z")
The particular cashier who didn’t accept the passport might have been a new employee. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/33 "2001-10-05T04:13:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Go to appliances at Circuit City (commissioned sales, unlike home and auto electronics departments) and they offer discounts, oral sex, AND a free ice maker to make the sale. That’s shopping! A marketing professor in college told us that Circuit City employees are directed NOT to approach the customers. They don’t want to be pushy. That is what he said, at least. The only evidence I have to support that is when I tried to buy a TV for my dad and had to get the girl myself. I ususally give the retail workers the benefit of the doubt. Retil doesn’t pay squat. Training on anything besides how to punch in and how to use the register is non existant. Blame the company for not providing training or attracting qualified employees. Would you rather have that ‘idiot’ home collecting welfare or working as a telemarketer? I worked at a sporting goods store in college for 6 months. I was brutally honest with my customers. People would come in to buy a treadmill and I just KNEW it would end up as a clothing rack in 3 months so I wouldn’t pressure them. I’d hate to see them waste $500. ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960/34 "2001-10-05T06:01:35Z")
While Best Buy the company does not provide training, individual stores have different training procedures. My particular stores has trainees act like full employees, but they wear a white collared shirt. That way they don’t get swamped. The other employees in my section are all really friendly and give me good advice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-should-always-be-a-best-buy-ranting-thread/83960.md?page=1)