Dear Best Buy...

[Harrod]

Dear Best Buy,

It's been approximately 10 months since I visited your store in Texarkana, TX. While I was visiting my aunt, I was looking for a movie to watch at my cousins house. I went to your store thinking that you would have it in stock. Suddenly while I perused the movie isle, something hit me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to make it back to my cousins house to use their bathroom. I proceeded to the back of the store to the bathrooms. Needless to say the bathroom was a mess and there was a toilet cover stuffed into the toilet already. I proceeded to take the biggest dump ever. It was 10 minutes until closing time, so I didn't bother flushing, due to a fear of the toilet overflowing.

 

[Auric]

Sorry to hear about your experience

liar

Printer Bandit = HP shill? :hmm:

I've never encountered this at any of the Canadian Best Buys. They're like any box store. Operated by people who aren't paid enough to care. Though it's usually pretty easy to find an employee to help you, unless it's like Christmas or something.

So you've found the printer you want, just buy it online.

Even if generally still non-commission, the "store within a store" schtick may differ.

If wanting stuff the same day and/or in a pristine box, the order can be placed online for pickup.

 

[007ELmO]

who still goes to brick and mortar stores to purchase electronics

 

[Newbian]

who still goes to brick and mortar stores to purchase electronics

 

[MtnMan]

Touché. Only 35 but yeah should have just bought it online. Wife wanted to go get a printer for her classroom. Told her to see if they had any deals in the store. She dragged me with. Deal was if she came to the airport to see the B17 and B24 with me today, I'd go printer shopping.

edit
Pics of planes for those who like WWII bombers.

I won a raffle to fly in a B-17, Aluminum Overcast a couple of years ago. Beautiful clear November day, a very enjoyable 30 minutes ride. Hours in one of those unheated aluminum can's at 20,000 25,000 feet and 20- 30 below zero, the guys that flew those in WWII were made of some serious stuff.

 

[Auric]

I won a raffle to fly in a B-17, Aluminum Overcast a couple of years ago. Beautiful clear November day, a very enjoyable 30 minutes ride. Hours in one of those unheated aluminum can's at 20,000 25,000 feet and 20- 30 below zero, the guys that flew those in WWII were made of some serious stuff.

You're forgetting the slightly more bothersome hot lead.

 

[AMCRambler]

I won a raffle to fly in a B-17, Aluminum Overcast a couple of years ago. Beautiful clear November day, a very enjoyable 30 minutes ride. Hours in one of those unheated aluminum can's at 20,000 25,000 feet and 20- 30 below zero, the guys that flew those in WWII were made of some serious stuff.

Fuck yeah they were. I'm so thankful every time I think about what they went through for us. Pissed me off something fierce when I read about that Tuskeegee airmen who had his car stolen recently. Punks don't even realize what they did. Probably don't even know who the Tuskegee pilots were. Sad.

 

[KillerBee]

Walk into Bestbuy - greeter says "Welcome to BestBuy" - gee thanks

Walk over computer parts ...Can I help you? ...Yes I need a Sata cable
10 minutes later - Yes we have one - it will be $8

WTF - I can get like 10 of them off Amazon for $8 shipped to my house
(just my last experience with BB)

 

[ultimatebob]

Yeah, the Best Buy rep that I dealt with last week when I spent my $500 gift card was pretty bad. When I told her that I wanted a router with Gigabit network ports, she had no clue what I was talking about and needed to bring over a Geek Squad member to explain it to her.

That said, she didn't think twice about discounting the router (Belkin AC 1200) I bought to just $47 when I noticed that the price tag on the shelf was wrong. I can't get it for anywhere close to that price online.

 

[RossMAN]

Maybe I'll just go buy one at Staples since apparently you're all just bending me over for another $20.

If you have to buy a printer locally, Staples is the best national retailer for selection, sales, rebates and coupons.

http://www.salescircular.com/

Fry's, MicroCenter, Sam's Club and CostCo are also worth considering.

 

[Ronstang]

Best Buy was once a nice place that has turned into Worst Choice. The only time I shop there is if the sale is unbeatable anywhere, and I mean anywhere else.

 

[Staples]

Last two times I have been in BBY (over the last year), seems they managed to stay afloat by firing all their employees. The only departments that have staff are computers and cell phones. They must have someone in the TV section but I didn't see them.

Thanks to their price matching policy, I don't mind buying anything there. Just do not plan on getting help.

 

[mrjminer]

You guys must have some terrible BBs in your area. The one by me is pretty well staffed. Definitely more people in phones and computers from what I've seen. Makes sense, though, since most people are clueless about phones and computers and they can explain things to people and/or sell them based off what people are looking for. It's a lot easier for a normal person to pick out a TV than a phone or a computer.

They also do tiered membership, which increases your return period up to like 45 days. It actually is a good membership program, just the crux of having to spend $xxxx with them yearly to bump to the better tiers. Probably unattainable on a year-year basis for the average consumer:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/global-promotions/my-best-buy/pcmcat309300050007.c?id=pcmcat309300050007

Computers can only be exchanged for an identical item, though, it appears.

 

[Imp]

Last two times I have been in BBY (over the last year), seems they managed to stay afloat by firing all their employees. The only departments that have staff are computers and cell phones. They must have someone in the TV section but I didn't see them.

Thanks to their price matching policy, I don't mind buying anything there. Just do not plan on getting help.

Hey, you know what? I just realized that the store was barely staffed the last two times I went -- and bought stuff -- in the past weeks.

I have zero expectations when it comes to store staff. I know jack shit compared to people on ATOT for tech stuff, but I still probably know more than typical retail staff. Yet, despite knowing more, I still spend hours researching stuff before buying and don't feel competent enough to work at a BB responsibly. If I need that much time, there's no way part-time retail workers can know enough to be able to do more than peddle one or two products with marketing slogans... Jesus Christ, I'm still undecided on a wireless router three days after starting my research. Dafuq?

 

[marvdmartian]

Don't forget to buy a $20 USB cable, too. You'll need one, with that new wireless printer! :sneaky:

 

[Ichinisan]

I'm still undecided on a wireless router three days after starting my research. Dafuq?

Maybe just set up a deal alert on slickdeals.net for "802.11ac"

Recently got an extra TrendNet AC router because it was only $20. That was from Newegg on Amazon Prime Day.

Strange that other retailers' knee-jerk reaction deals were better and easier-to-get than Amazon's own "deals" that day. The other retailers like Newegg probably lost money. Maybe that was Amazon's plan and why Prime day sucked so much for people shopping only on Amazon's site.

 

[Imp]

Maybe just set up a deal alert on slickdeals.net for "802.11ac"

Recently got an extra TrendNet AC router because it was only $20. That was from Newegg on Amazon Prime Day.

Strange that other retailers' knee-jerk reaction deals were better and easier-to-get than Amazon's own "deals" that day. The other retailers like Newegg probably lost money. Maybe that was Amazon's plan and why Prime day sucked so much for people shopping only on Amazon's site.

Ugh, it's not really about price. I like the D-Link line of cylinder routers like the DLR-820 or 850, but it's not completely clear if they fixed some major security flaw in their latest firmware. My plan B is a T-Link C5 but I don't want/need that much range. I'd prefer another Linksys (even though Belkin runs them now) but no power buttons...

I find that Amazon here generally has slightly lower prices but not great sales with great deals.

 

[MongGrel]

Don't forget to buy a $20 USB cable, too. You'll need one, with that new wireless printer! :sneaky:

:sneaky:

 

[MtnMan]

Don't forget to buy a $20 USB cable, too. You'll need one, with that new wireless printer! :sneaky:

Well while you are there, be sure and pickup the $45 HDMI cable.

 

[Artdeco]

The sad thing is that they're worlds better now than in the past...

 

[SKORPI0]

The sad thing is that they're worlds better now than in the past...

How so? Find me something I can't find cheaper online.
I haven't bought anything from BB for such a long time. Visited a B&M recently and their prices are ridiculous.
Best Buy..... huh huh huh!!!!!

 

[Staples]

How so? Find me something I can't find cheaper online.
I haven't bought anything from BB for such a long time. Visited a B&M recently and their prices are ridiculous.
Best Buy..... huh huh huh!!!!!

They match prices on Amazon.

Fewer sales people to bother you.

They are better but for those who hate BBY, well there is zero chance of convincing them.

 

[Blitzvogel]

Nice plane pics! It's too bad we lost a Hunter last week, though even worse is all the lives lost.

On topic......

I'll be honest, I do like Best Buy for laptops and TVs. They tend to have decent deals, even if their selection is meager for most people. Their employees tend to be not all too smart, but it's nice to window shop there. Honestly I've never had a bad experience there, but I know what I'm looking for......

Microcenter is the king of PC components stores (which are already few and far between). Got my i5-4690K + Asrock H97M Pro4 mobo for about $250 on combo deal, saving me over $50 had I gone with my Newegg config which had a i5 slower processor.

 

[BUTCH1]

They match prices on Amazon.

Fewer sales people to bother you.

They are better but for those who hate BBY, well there is zero chance of convincing them.

I've had zero issues with the one in town, now I read that some people saw USB cables @$8 but you would have to be pretty dumb to buy at that price. I have bought 2 TV's at BB and had good pricing and good service. I don't care how well it's packaged there is no way in hell I'd buy a "55 TV online unless I was saving hundreds of dollars, dead pixels are not common but they do happen and if you bought it on Amazon you have to ship it back for a replacement. IDK if Amazon will pick up the tab if something like that happened since I've never bought a TV there but I'd much rather deal with a local BM because I can swap out the defective set for another one for just the price of gas driving over there and not have to wait 2 weeks or possibly pay shipping.

 

[BUTCH1]

who still goes to brick and mortar stores to purchase electronics

That's all well and good but with everybody buying online the local economy suffers.