best buy cutting an additional 2,400 jobs, with about 600 of them being geek squad

[hclarkjr]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/story?Guid={45FE672C-C7A5-11E1-B856-002128049AD6}

 

[Joseph F]

Can we start an official BestBuy death watch thread?

 

[HeXen]

where will everyone go to handle the goods first hand to decide if that Amazon deal is worth it?

 

[Doppel]

Can we start an official BestBuy death watch thread?

This is long overdo.

 

[Kadarin]

Circling the drain?

 

[Perknose]

This is long overdo.

At least you didn't overdue your response.

 

[dr150]

Can we start an official BestBuy death watch thread?

Not until you start one for Barnes & Noble first!

 

[MotionMan]

I just went to Fry's and Radio Shack today for the first time in a long time. I was looking for an odd video card adapter (for the damn DMS-59 that Dell fell in love with a few years ago).

Fry's and Radio Shack use to be the places you would go for the very geeky/techie hard-to-find stuff. Now they are as mainstream as Best Buy in their selection. I have to think that has not helped Best Buy to some small extent.

But, in reality, Best Buy's problems boil down to the public becoming better educated and not falling for the high prices, poor service and useless and over-priced Geek Squad.

MotionMan

 

[nicolaskl]

where will everyone go to handle the goods first hand to decide if that Amazon deal is worth it?

Hahaha, qft.

I'll still be pretty sad though, I can wander around a BB for an hour or two killing time while the lady is off at more boring stores.

Maybe they should start selling groceries on the side?

 

[SKORPI0]

Can we start an official Best Buy death watch thread?

This is long overdo.

I'll give them 3 years to turn around, overhaul and how they do their business. They need to stop having a price difference between B&M and .com. But I don't see how they can compete with on-line retail. Most of the deals I get now have not tax and free shipping (even from Korea). Greek Squad is overpriced for their services and only needed by those you don't know how to fix stuff. Glad I'm not one of them.

 

[MotionMan]

I'll give them 3 years to turn around, overhaul and how they do their business. They need to stop having a price difference between B&M and .com. But I don't see how they can compete with on-line retail. Most of the deals I get now have not tax and free shipping (even from Korea). Greek Squad is overpriced for their services and only needed by those you don't know how to fix stuff. Glad I'm not one of them.

Are there still people in this U.S. who does not know someone who knows how to install or fix electronics, if not for free, for a reasonable price?

Who are these people who hire the Geek Squad?

MotionMan

 

[Craig234]

At least you didn't overdue your response.

Hey, don't pick on Dueppel.

 

[Imp]

Are there still people in this U.S. who does not know someone who knows how to install or fix electronics, if not for free, for a reasonable price?

Who are these people who hire the Geek Squad?

MotionMan

People I know with computer "issues" seem like they just put up with craptacular computers. It's only when it doesn't turn on anymore that they get help, and when that happens, they don't want to put anyone familiar out. They also may not trust the mom & pop store down the street. Geek Squad is pretty well known and they have the backing of a big company (or so it seems).

I should really start whoring out my subpar, but better than average, computer skills more often for money.

 

[MotionMan]

People I know with computer "issues" seem like they just put up with craptacular computers. It's only when it doesn't turn on anymore that they get help, and when that happens, they don't want to put anyone familiar out. They also may not trust the mom & pop store down the street. Geek Squad is pretty well known and they have the backing of a big company (or so it seems).

I should really start whoring out my subpar, but better than average, computer skills more often for money.

What makes me crazy is the people who, after the fact, tell me that they got rid of their old computer and bought a new one when, quite honestly, it only needed a reformat and reinstall (my specialty on Windows machines ).

What is so frustrating is that I make it CLEAR to people that they should come to me with any computer issues. I am weird in that I actually like helping people with their computer problems.

MotionMan

 

[Sonikku]

Learn how to fix 360 Fats. Then you will be a god in your community!

Or you'll quickly tire of repeat customers, whichever comes first.

 

[GoPackGo]

Best Buy doesn't even need to be the cheapest to stay alive...

Customer Service is terrible.

Media Selection is terrible. Too many "we don't carry that" or "we are still out"

I also think the overall product selection is way too limited.

People still like instant gratification...they got cocky and it shows.

 

[Imp]

Just remembered that Best Buy recently started selling everything. They have an entire "Home & Lifestyle" section with furniture, luggage, make-up, etc. Must be hurting bad.

 

[Jadow]

Not until you start one for Barnes & Noble first!

Barnes and Noble is kinda weird. They're always busy, but the checkout lines are usually empty.

I think a lot of people are like me. They enter the mall at the B&N entrance, check out stuff there for 5 minutes, then head into the mall to buy clothes.

 

[rh71]

if circuit city couldn't do it, how could they?

either they'll be another radio shack or nothing at all... actually circuitcity.com still exists... maybe bestbuy will follow suit.

 

[NeoV]

have you seen the new store format they are toying with? It's like an Apple store - with the "Genius Bar" in the center, surrounded by seats/chairs..not sure it's going to work, but at least they realize they have to change some things

 

[Crono]

Barnes and Noble is kinda weird. They're always busy, but the checkout lines are usually empty.

I think a lot of people are like me. They enter the mall at the B&N entrance, check out stuff there for 5 minutes, then head into the mall to buy clothes.

Most of the B&N customers treat it like a library and cafe.

Me, I only go there when I actually want to buy a book.

 

[Via]

Best Buy killed themselves. When Circuit City folded they could have aggressively upscaled the quality of their offerings, but instead they flooded the floor with even more unqualified, extended warranty pushers. Maybe good for short term profit, but death in the long run.

My dad, who knows little about computers, went into his local Best Buy to replace his severely outdated, dying PC. He knew I like to play games sometimes so he asked for a something that could handle that (He would never just ask me about it; he's way too proud).

You know what they sold him? An AMD 5000+ box with Geforce 6150 integrated graphics. No monitor, no speakers... just the box/mouse/kb, along with every plan they could push on a clueless old man. Total cost? around $1200, iirc. I estimate a similar pre-made PC could have been had online for around $300-$400 at the time.

I never had the heart to tell him how badly they ripped him off.

 

[shortylickens]

Thats funny cuz the geek squad has like a 10,000% profit for their services. Anybody who cant make money with that is doomed to fail.

 

[Imp]

have you seen the new store format they are toying with? It's like an Apple store - with the "Genius Bar" in the center, surrounded by seats/chairs..not sure it's going to work, but at least they realize they have to change some things

My closest BB has a vibrant phone and laptop section (w/ Geeksquad), and fuc* the rest layout.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'll honestly be sad when BB is finally gone. I still enjoy walking the aisles and looking at stuff even though the chances of me buying from them is low. It's kind of like a video store to me. We still have a local one left and I'll go from time to time just to walk the aisles since I know the model is sure to be dead dead dead very soon.