The Ultimate Poll: Best Buy Vs. Circuit City

[Ornery]

"BB's return policy has NOT changed significantly over the past X years, yet you made the point of the "hassle" of returning something to BB lately."

I can only assume people who prefer Best Buy, must have returned something there years ago, because returning something there today is a major PITA!

When our BB first arrived, years ago, it was duck soup to return anything and everything. The CC nearby was just the opposite. Returning crap there required signatures from 3 different managers and a long form filled out in triplicate, as well as the item being thoroughly inspected, even if it was still sealed! Now, BB and CC have completely reversed. I can return a package to CC, that's been opened and missing packing material, and it only takes a couple minutes. BB gives you grief even if it's unopened!

If what Deeko says is true, it's news to me. Doesn't matter. BB won't be getting any more of my business, so I won't be able to try and make a return there for a very long time. CC is going to have to really screw up, to force me back to BB.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: iloveme2
I like Circuit City better but Best Buy has better prices.

Since when? CC always has better prices here, if they don't they price match.... but 95% of the time their TV prices are better, Im unsure about PCs, but I doubt there is much of a difference there. CDs and games are usually the same price at both. As for overall associate knowledge... CC usually is better, but both companies have good and bad stores also.

 

[VietDude]

Gotta say best buy, seems like a much friendier store.

 

[oogabooga]

i enjoy bestbuy more since the store is much larger and it's much easier to walk in and not have to deal with any employee- save the cashier -.

With Circuit City i find their employees arn't as pushy as the best buy employees. both stores have a buncha people who really don't know what their doing (and also have some that do, but these are kinda rare), but at best buy, i feel they are really pushy. Telling me i can't leave without it today, or i can't come back and get it later, etc.

I like Bestbuy's stores, it justs seems cleaner, and brighter. I've found returning to bestbuy a lot easier than circuit city (i'm not sure this holds the same). And BB has built in Magnolia HiFi, that alone makes going there worth it

 

[Tremulant]

I like CC better, even though I've shopped/browsed more at BB. I just don't like buying stuff at BB.. and it's farther away from my house.

 

[YetioDoom]

Dead even at 66 all.

 

[sniperruff]

whoa it is 50:50 as i vote...

b&m-wise bestbuy is better than CC

i like CC's website better than bestbuy.

bestbuy often sells out and then cancel your order without telling you

CC has nice in-store pickup option.

bestbuy has better sale prices usually.

 

[Wheatmaster]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
whoa it is 50:50 as i vote...

b&m-wise bestbuy is better than CC

i like CC's website better than bestbuy.

bestbuy often sells out and then cancel your order without telling you

CC has nice in-store pickup option.

bestbuy has better sale prices usually.

good list, but CC does have 110% pricematching

 

[Ornery]

"CC has nice in-store pickup option."

Yeah, they do. I've done it twice, of which, one item was EASILY returned. Also returned a two week used digicam without a hitch.

Their rebates are easily tracked and paid in a timely fashion as well.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"CC has nice in-store pickup option."

Yeah, they do. I've done it twice, of which, one item was EASILY returned. Also returned a two week used digicam without a hitch.

Their rebates are easily tracked and paid in a timely fashion as well.

BB has an in-store pickup option as well.

Only used it once, but it seemed painless

 

[Freejack2]

Circuit City by far. They have way better customer service. Picked up a $22 Canon Lide 20 on clearance for the wife today.

 

[Wheatmaster]

yeah CC rebates seem to come faster.

 

[BuckNaked]

Best Buy is Ass Clown Grad School....

 

[nuonce]

thats like comparing poo to poop

if i had to choose, id say CC is better, the drones that work there are less annoying

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: nuonce
thats like comparing poo to poop

if i had to choose, id say CC is better, the drones that work there are less annoying

Not all of us are drones Some of us actually know WTF were talking about, most the people at my store know their stuff, if not I teach them, and always correct them when I hear misinformation. Now I have worked at both companies and CC is much more enjoyable. Knowing your stuff and being friendly helps quite a bit, Ive always pulled top sales in the district we are in, and get nothing but praise from customers. There is a reason I picked them to stick with, and it is because I think they take the best care of customers. Of course this varies store to store, there are always going to be some moron managers who do a bad job, along with sales people. The reason CC employees are in general more knowledgable is because CC actually does train associates for a few weeks, much more so then BB employees.

Overall there is no question that BB is larger when it comes to stores, but your fooling yourself if you think their cheaper, usually it is pretty even, but I know we commonly shop them and all other local stores to make sure we have the lowest price. I was really happy when Fry's opened 2 weeks ago here... our store has done more sales then usual even with them opening and had some beyond good deals. I know they have hurt BB sales quite a bit, but they havent touched us, and overall I think it is due to the customer service the store provides.

 

[dr150]

I say BB...........ONLY because of the of the $5 gamers coupon.

 

[dr150]

dp

 

[LordMorpheus]

In my area, CC all the way (I work at one, as a warehouse guy). All the people I know are cool, honest, and knowledgable.

They only time someone at my store gets an employee who doesn't know whats what about whatever, its because they asked me when I'm trying to stock the floor on a truck day. Usually I help them if I can, and if I can't I find someone for them.

We run a nice store. I think it all depends on the particular store, though.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
best (worst) buy is the lesser of two evils. circuit city screwed my brother over on a 38'' WS HDTV. *bastards*

38"? I never knew that dimension existed. tube?

God, I hope not, 36's are heavy enough!

 

[element]

Where I'm at, BB has a larger store so a bit more selection but CC staff seem more knowledgable. Never had a problem at either store though, and shopped at both often.

 

[hysperion]

I picked best buy simply because the staff at both stores is a waste of time and 90% of them don't know what the hell they are talking about and the 10% that do don't care because they make peanuts an hour. Basically the reason I picked best buy is because the only good thing best buy carries is software and dvd's, luckily their staff doesn't bug you too much when you're buying that and they can't offer you their overpiced warranties. (best buy does have other good stuff but better off with newegg)

 

[nageov3t]

I've heard of more bait-and-switch experiences at Circuit City than at Best Buy.

personally, I just go to BestBuy for CD's and DVD's; everything else comes from New Egg, Amazon, or the mall.

 

[Ronstang]

Asking whether BB or CC is better is like chosing a politician in an election.....it is never really a choice of who is better but rather a choice of the "lesser of two evils".

 

[Wheatmaster]

looks like BB took over CC.

 

[Muse]

Neither is great. I don't go there unless I have a specific reason to. If it's a special, I know about it before I get there and I do my business. If I want to check something out, I might go there and find out what I want to know. Sometimes you are researching something and that's different. I suppose CC would be better for that, but the people who "help" me don't usually know a heck of a lot about what they are selling. I can usually find out more on my own than with their "help," however I will talk to them up to a point. Case in point, I went to both CC and BB looking at front projectors. Neither place had anybody who knew what they were selling. They had one I was interested in, but neither store was willing or able to demo it for me and the most expert person was clueless about how useful/good the item was. I got to see it, big deal.

As a general rule, I prefer a free-for-all place like BB because you are less apt to have a salesperson come up to you if you don't want one. It all depends on the situation.