When I was working at Sam Goody, we used to hear about games that were played with the customers. We always had our regulars that would come in and browse pretty regularly. It was told that some stores, when it was real slow would see how many times the employees could approach someone before they flipped out. Of course it was corporate policy to ask everyone if they needed help. When I got to be a manager I modified the policy for my store to just that every customer had to be greeted when entering the store. Additionally, when customers were browsing, the employees were to be available nearby, if the customers needed anything.

I did hear about one store manager that liked to paly soemthing he called "the cat game", where he counted the number of times he was able to insert the word "Meow" into a conversation with a customer. But I never saw that in action.

^Wrong. The game was to see how many times you can call the customer a 'chicken fucker.'

I thought everyone in retail had played the meow game.

= J

I never suggested that the staff thought he was stealing. I said they were messing with him. I don't believe store employees are always saints at their job with the customer's best interest at stake. I've had staffers run for cover the moment I look up at them to ask a question. With that, I've had employees go way above and beyond the call of duty to help me out. Going by his story, I believe they were screwing with the guy.

Me-e-e-o-w-w.

No wonder they're doing so well now...

I never thought you did.

The horse put the words in his own mouth.

I bought my first HDTV there years ago. The manager noticed I was waiting to be served and came over to help me out. He checked stock and began entering the sale and then started in with the service plan. I was ready to say "no" and it was like he anticipated the "no" and said... "I'll just discount he price of the plan from the TV and it's like having it for free." Won me over as a customer. Especially since i did take advantage of the plan.
I never go into Best Buy expecting employees to be able to bend over backwards or be super knowledgeable about thousands of products, I'm not usually disappointed shopping there.

Also, being able to return my HDDVD player and discs 3 months after buying them was above and beyond.

When I went shopping for a laptop I did ask an employee questions and got obvious bullshit from him.

Ha. I spent $36,000 there last week and they didn't push any service plans.

My only complaint is that their fax machine is constantly busy.

I'm rather curious to know what you bought that totaled $36,000.

A plasma for every room in the house?

meh, my money is on business expenses. for the rewardzone points

Not sure what Best Buy stores you guys and gals go to, but the ones in South Florida SUCK as far as finding someone to help me. I always have to go find somone and then they say they don't work in the dept. and they have to find someone that does. It usually takes like 10 extra min. to do this and it is annoying. I wish I had BB associates asking me if I needed help rather than tracking their lazy asses down. Just my 2 cents.

It's been a while since I've stepped foot in one. The last time I went was several months ago when I needed a new mouse and I went in, walked straight to the computer department, grabbed the mouse I wanted and went to the check out. I didn't linger around to see if anybody would ask me if I needed anything.

What you describe sounds like stores cutting hours...it could be the result of the poor economy and Best Buy just using the excuse to cut hours.

But I guess I just wonder why the people you do find can't call somebody who works in that department?

And it's very poor customer service to say (in essence) "that's not my department" and leave you be.

I went to BB to do a price match and also had a manufacturer's coupon.

The cashier told me they could do the price match or the coupon--but not both. They said it was "double dipping." Since the manufacturer would reimburse BB whether I got the price match or not, it just didn't make any sense.

Instead I went to another BB and they were able to do the coupon and the price match. To be honest, this is just a typical story in the life of BB!

Yes! And, of course, one to mount on a shoulder-rig in front of me. Missing a good TV show is a crime.

I did, actually, buy 20 plasma TV's (I have my own business ... not for home).

20 plasmas?

Are you accepting applications?

You purchased 20 plasmas at Best Buy?? At Best Buy? Not that BB is overpriced or anything.... but I would think you could certainly do better somewhere else.

Did the Home Theater blue shirt call the manager back there so they could both faint at the same time?