Geek Squad

[Maleix]

I just served four years in the Air Force and I am getting out to persue other interests. I was browsing through the guantlet of job postings online and came across a small blurb for Geek Squad, so I checked them out and went ahead and sent in an application.

I am just curious if anyone has used their services or ever worked for them? Just curious how they are to work with/for. Thanks.

 

[Juice Box]

I am told their prices suck a$$ but thats about it

 

[imported_Kensai]

:shocked:

 

[imported_Stratago]

My friend's cousin works for the geek squad and he told me that they have treated him better than any other job he has worked for.

 

[Maleix]

For the majority of people that visit these forums I know the tasks they charge for are expensive to us. But to the non saavy it probably isnt that much. Pretty much along the lines of car maintenance or home repair. Easy once you know how but Greek to others who haven't had the oportunity to learn. You charge for your experience, service and convienence.

I sure know that when I take my car in to get fixed I have no idea what a fuel injector is or where the heck my air filter is at. But put a computer in front of me and I am 'golden'.

I have been fixing friend's, family and co-worker's computers for free for years. I figure why not earn a living doing it.

 

[chowmein]

funny, i applied today as well.

 

[Leper Messiah]

You guys aren't going to get paid crap. Its like $9 an hour or something.

 

[chowmein]

Originally posted by: L3p3rM355i4h
You guys are going to get paid crap. Its like $9 an hour or something.

yea, i know. but i need extra pocket change during summer.

Fixed for Grammar

 

[Maleix]

Originally posted by: L3p3rM355i4h
You guys aren't going to get paid crap. Its like $9 an hour or something.

Then I probably won't be getting hired because I am asking $20 an hour. All they can do is "not" call me. But thought I would give it a shot.

 

[Maleix]

*bump from yesterday*

No one has worked for Geek Squad here ATOT?

 

[hzl eyed grl]

How long have they been around? They *just* started advertising over here. (Northern Virginia)

 

[Scarpozzi]

I heard they were a better company before best buy bought them out.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: chowmein
Fixed for Grammar

Fixed for spelling.

 

[jamesbond007]

I guess Best Buy bought out some 'once-was' computer company and have been using their tactics and deploying them in their stores dubbed Geek Squad.

Personally, the whole setup, especially prices, are a joke. They're almost double of what competitors here in town offer. That doesn't stop the average joe from leaving there with an empty wallet, though. (they just don't know any better) The whole Geek Squad thing is a joke, really. I use to get calls from a few friends that worked there asking me questions that they were approached with and were unable to answer them for the customer. Enough was enough and I eventually just told them to shove it until they started paying me for my services and technical answers.

I know plenty of people from my workplace who have taken their machine there for repairs only to come home to things not working and broken. One guy came back and his DVD player no longer functions. Another co-worker came home only to find that the drivers for their NIC had been removed. Needless to say, I get a lot of word-to-mouth in relation to how poor Geek Squad is and that I can fix their mishaps for half the cost and send them home woth a working unit.

 

[Nocturnal]

I was hired but I decided to not take the position. After reading many horror stories at www.bestbuysux.org from previous employees, I decided that working 75% of the time with customers and 5% fixing computers and the other 20% being a cashier that I'd be better off at my current job.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: L3p3rM355i4h
You guys aren't going to get paid crap. Its like $9 an hour or something.

Thanks for sharing what you don't know.

It seems like some of you don't realize that Geek Squad is owned by Best Buy now, haven't you seen the commercials yet?
Your pay will depend on (A) experience {somewhat} and (B) your position (mainly).
You basically do one of two things: either work in the store (either BBY store or stand-alone G.S. unit) or are the "Double Agent" who goes to people's houses. The DA's get paid nicely, $20/hour+ last I heard. The in-store techs, it kinda depends on experience. If you've got a lot of experience, you should be able to break $10/hour. $20 is out of the question for an in-store tech (CIA Agent as they call 'em :roll. Don't be afraid to ask for too much (even tho $20 is too much), a lot of people ask for too little when apply @ BBY. That said, don't let 'em hit you with a lowball offer. I know the BBY managers can be stingy when offering a position and they are definitely stingy w/raises, so get all you can at the start.

In regards to the company, I know the Geek Squad separately is awesome. BBY overall isn't a horrible company to work for, just be prepared for the same ol' corporate BS and don't let them trample over you. More than once they tried to have their way w/me (NOT like that ) and I had to bitch-slap 'em into doing the right thing for their employee (me).

Give it about 48 hours after you submitted the application and go visit the location you applied to, dress nicely (khaki's, polo/shirt w/tie, etc) and find a manager. They pull online applications into their system and you want to make sure they notice yours, so go talk to them and ask about the position. Hopefully that should help you get an interview.

If you don't have any IT/tech support experience they will be less likely to interview you, but you don't need any format training or experience to really join (unless you're a DA, then you have to be A+ certified I believe; maybe Net+/CCNA too).

 

[Turkish]

Well he is not applying to work for Bestbuy, he is applying to work for Geeksquad.

Good luck Maleix :beer:

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: Maleix

Originally posted by: L3p3rM355i4h
You guys aren't going to get paid crap. Its like $9 an hour or something.

Then I probably won't be getting hired because I am asking $20 an hour. All they can do is "not" call me. But thought I would give it a shot.

LOL they aren't going to call you, trust me. There are a lot of other kids out there willing to take 9.00-10.00 bucks an hour and they'll surely take them over someone asking $20.00 an hour. Good luck, if you actually get called and interviewed and offered $20.00 an hour, let me know.

 

[Achtung]

Used to be there were a whole bunch of small, mom and pop shops that would do the work for you and charge a reasonable price. I'm not surprised Best Buy is taking over and putting them out of business, just like with the small record shops and electronics stores. Oh well, I guess that's capitalism.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: The Boss
Well he is not applying to work for Bestbuy, he is applying to work for Geeksquad.

Good luck Maleix :beer:

Best Buy bought out Geek Squad a while ago.

 

[xospec1alk]

i was looking around on the site, where/how do you apply?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I was hired but I decided to not take the position. After reading many horror stories at www.bestbuysux.org from previous employees, I decided that working 75% of the time with customers and 5% fixing computers and the other 20% being a cashier that I'd be better off at my current job.

Actually if you work in a BBY store @ the GeekSquad now, most of the time you fix the computers. They created a position for a person to deal w/all the customers so the technicians can fix computers instead of deal with the idiots that bring them in.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
I guess Best Buy bought out some 'once-was' computer company and have been using their tactics and deploying them in their stores dubbed Geek Squad.

Personally, the whole setup, especially prices, are a joke. They're almost double of what competitors here in town offer. That doesn't stop the average joe from leaving there with an empty wallet, though. (they just don't know any better) The whole Geek Squad thing is a joke, really. I use to get calls from a few friends that worked there asking me questions that they were approached with and were unable to answer them for the customer. Enough was enough and I eventually just told them to shove it until they started paying me for my services and technical answers.

I know plenty of people from my workplace who have taken their machine there for repairs only to come home to things not working and broken. One guy came back and his DVD player no longer functions. Another co-worker came home only to find that the drivers for their NIC had been removed. Needless to say, I get a lot of word-to-mouth in relation to how poor Geek Squad is and that I can fix their mishaps for half the cost and send them home woth a working unit.

You need to keep this guy's post in mind:

Originally posted by: Maleix
For the majority of people that visit these forums I know the tasks they charge for are expensive to us. But to the non saavy it probably isnt that much. Pretty much along the lines of car maintenance or home repair. Easy once you know how but Greek to others who haven't had the oportunity to learn. You charge for your experience, service and convienence.

I sure know that when I take my car in to get fixed I have no idea what a fuel injector is or where the heck my air filter is at. But put a computer in front of me and I am 'golden'.

I have been fixing friend's, family and co-worker's computers for free for years. I figure why not earn a living doing it.

You may hear horror stories, but I'm sure me and everyone else here hear's horror stories about the companies & businesses that you like & support. Overall, its a good company to work for and they provide decent service. If your particular experiences are all bad (or your friends' for that matter), then they have some problems at their particular location that should be taken care of. Instead of bitching on an internet forum, go in & complain; get something done about it instead of whining. It may seem stupidly expensive to you, but then again you know about computers (supposedly). I sure wouldn't complain about the prices of a doctor if he was operating to save my life (different situation, same idea).

 

[Qwest]

Originally posted by: Maleix

*bump from yesterday*

No one has worked for Geek Squad here ATOT?

i thought we were the geek squad.

 

[Bumrush99]

Best Buy is rapidly expanding their business services division, I know several people that are making between 40-50k doing business sales inside the stores. I actually interviewed for a Segment Manager, who is in charge of setting up the business locations, but I?m on the fence as to how the program is going to work. They are targeting the SMB market and when I say SMB I mean REALLY SMALL businesses.
Now may be a good time to go in as an agent, especially if they are willing to pay you $20 an hour. If the business model takes off and they gain marketshare in the SMB market you could move up quickly.