Best Buy should just close...

[Art&Science]

Remember how cool Best Buy was in the 90s and 2000s?

I went in yesterday looking for a Roku... it looked like a Radio Shack - it was DEAD. The entire front section was cell phones. The section which *used* to have Roku, Chromcast, etc, etc was empty... a BB employee said they weren't carrying those anymore.

It was depressing. I made a small tour, saw an RGB-VGA cable for $39. LOL.

Just die Best Buy.

 

[Svnla]

Once in a while, BB does have some good sale. Last month I purchased a HP brand 27" ISP LCD screen for my desktop computer. Price was $150 plus sale tax, cheapest price even comparing to online sites.

 

[gorcorps]

I've noticed that there's a bigger disparity in locations than you'd expect for a large chain like that. There's definitely some terrible best buys out there, but they aren't all like that. I've done a lot more shopping at BB since they've started price matching amazon without issue, and I know their gamer's club unlocked breathed a little life into them.

I am surprised how terrible the home theater section is in several of the ones I've visited recently. Home theater stuff is one of the few things I'd like to demo in person that I wouldn't trust just buying blindly online, and they aren't even trying to upkeep that one section of their store that has a leg up over shopping online.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Remember how cool Best Buy was in the 90s and 2000s?

I went in yesterday looking for a Roku... it looked like a Radio Shack - it was DEAD. The entire front section was cell phones. The section which *used* to have Roku, Chromcast, etc, etc was empty... a BB employee said they weren't carrying those anymore.

It was depressing. I made a small tour, saw an RGB-VGA cable for $39. LOL.

Just die Best Buy.

I actually have the opposite opinion. In the late 90s and early 2000s I used to routinely call best buy "worst buy," well, because it was. Now that they price match most major online retailers, I will routinely go there to pick something up rather than wait a couple of days to have it shipped to me.

That said, I still wouldn't buy computer components there, and there are still a number of items in the store that are massively overpriced. But the latter point could be made of any store, online or B&M.

Also - the best buy near me is routinely packed.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

As long as they carry top notch stuff like Bose, Beats and Monster Cable, they will be the go to place for morons.

 

[Sonikku]

I love Best Buy. Gamers Club unlocked saves you 20% off all new games. It pays for itself in no time at all, all the better when you're racking up points for purchases and getting in on the $10 preorder bonuses. Coupled with power rewards at Gamestop you can get your gaming software practically for free by leveraging trade in promotions and flips.

 

[pauldun170]

I've been going to best buy more often nowadays.
Their web prices can be pretty good and they match in store.

I have picked up a few items where the OTD price at best buy beat out buying online.

 

[holden j caufield]

I'm not of fan of BB but it's a huge presence in a lot of malls and if it goes the surrounding mall starts to go and looks like a ghost town. I saw it with a few montgomery wards, jc penny etc that used to be around. I want them stay around for the jobs and for the community.

 

[foghorn67]

Best Buy earned my trust back. The stores around me are very nice and usually crowded.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Gunbuster]

Pretty good experiences there lately buying a Roku stick and Lumia 640's for cheap. Cant see how they can maintain the staff and property on that meager profit though. I do the internet order/pickup to minimize interaction with workers that know nothing about the product they are selling.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I am constantly buying stuff from Best Buy. I have been an Elite member three years running. Best Buy is magical because they will Price Match Amazon and then add reward points back on top. Plus they give you reward points for reviews, which is sweetens the deal.

Just this month I have bought a PSU from there cheaper than anywhere online, a Chromecast Audio for $5 off regular price, and a pricematched GPU that I then stacked all my rewards from reviews on top to make it even cheaper.

You just have to know how to play the "Lets Drive Best Buy into Bankruptcy" game properly.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Best Buy doesn't typically have anything I want to buy. Selection is too limited.
I always assume they don't stock the model I'm interested in.
But then our local BB store is pretty small.

They should mainly stock stuff people need hands-on: monitors, keyboards, mice, phones, speakers, etc.

I was in a Dallas Fry's a week ago and they had the USB flash drive I wanted for $60. Trouble is, my online source says it's only worth $33 - so Hello Amazon.

 

[KeithP]

a BB employee said they weren't carrying those anymore.

Interesting because all the stores in that area show the new Roku 4K model in stock. It is surprising someone as obviously technically sophisticated as yourself didn't order it online for store pickup. Your problem would have been solved.

Of course this assumes the story you presented is accurate and you aren't just some wack-a-doodle with a axe to grind with Best Buy…but what are the odds of that?

-KeithP

 

[clamum]

I hardly ever go there but the last two Best Buys I've been to (Ann Arbor and Novi, MI) have been busy and well-stocked. That said, I think normally they're pretty expensive so I don't go there unless there's something particular I need and don't wanna wait to order it online and get it shipped.

 

[Raduque]

I have 3 Best Buys I frequent. The one in Corpus Christi, the one in Midland, and the one about two miles up the street from my house. All 3 are very nice, brightly lit with tons of staff and tons of stock.

With Best Buy being fairly competitive with various online places (and price matching them!) most of the time, the difference comes down to shipping cost or convenience. For example, this same GTX970 is $279 two miles away. With taxes, it's about $300. It's worth the extra $20 to not have to wait. It's not even worth doing a price match over $10.

 

[dainthomas]

The only reason I go there is if I need something and don't have time to order off Amazon.

Last time I went in I did notice their music and movie selection has markedly improved. A few years ago they had maybe a couple racks of each.

 

[soulcougher73]

I'm lazy with Amazon Prime. I think ive been inside a BB like twice in 5 years and it was only cause i was killing time for whatever reason. I prefer to have it shipped to my house in 2 days vs. dealing with them to price match Amazon.

 

[rh71]

Their tv, laptop, and cell phone sections still get plenty of foot traffic from what I've seen. Maybe people are just trying before they buy online... can't tell for sure. I've seen their cellphone lines go pretty long though, as in people activating, etc.

At least their online presence is doing ok too. They have their purpose, but I'm not quite sure how they're staying afloat.

 

[gorcorps]

I hardly ever go there but the last two Best Buys I've been to (Ann Arbor and Novi, MI) have been busy and well-stocked. That said, I think normally they're pretty expensive so I don't go there unless there's something particular I need and don't wanna wait to order it online and get it shipped.

That's the thing though, it doesn't matter how expensive they are normally as long as Amazon's price is what you're looking for. As long as it's sold by amazon, it's a very easy price match at the register. I think that's the best move they've made in a long time.

 

[Midwayman]

Got our washer and dryer there. Had the best policies with install and haul away. They price match now so I've bought a few things I need right now from them like power supplies when mine died. Still generally would rather order online and have stuff just show up at my door though. Can't be bothered to drive to a brick and mortar store and deal with poor selection and wasting time getting there.

 

[gorcorps]

I'm lazy with Amazon Prime. I think ive been inside a BB like twice in 5 years and it was only cause i was killing time for whatever reason. I prefer to have it shipped to my house in 2 days vs. dealing with them to price match Amazon.

There's nothing to deal with... show them your phone on the amazon page and they adjust the price to what's shown. No getting a manager, every person at the register has authority to do it.

 

[ElFenix]

went into one the other day and it looked like a lot of brand showcases. very weird experience from the old rows of CDs and DVDs that it was in the late 90s and early 2000s.

their return policy blows, though.

 

[nakedfrog]

I got a TV from them earlier this year, I felt more comfortable about having it delivered from a local store versus traveling through FedEx/UPS. And it was on sale for a competitive price.

 

[13Gigatons]

They are hit or miss.

Sadly buying at the store is nearly impossible for some items.

3 stores here:

1. New Neighborhood mediocre store.
2. Older Neighborhood pretty good store.
3. Oldest Neighborhood lousy store.


They only item that BB does well is HDTV selection.

 

[Zee]

they pricematch most online stores. they are just fine