Customer: Excuse me, sir. Do you still have Sixteen Candles and Weird Science in stock?

Employee: Let me check. (Looking on shelf. Under comedy, then action, then drama) You said Sixteen Candles, right?

Customer: Yeah, and Weird Science. They're the ones from the ad for $6.99

Employee: Oh, you must be thinking of Circuit City, cause our dvds are never that cheap.

Customer: Really? I saw the ad on Saturday and it was Best Buy.

Employee: (walks away)


After doing a thorough search, these titles were by themselves along with other Warner HITS. Thank you Best Buy.

I had a similar encounter this weekend.

Me: Do you carry the Canon AC Adapter and Battery charger combo DK-110 that works with all Canon digital cameras?

EMP: We sure don't. (Without looking around on the shelves or even moving period). You should try canon.com or even bestbuy.com.

Me: Uh...sure.

I turned around and there were six of them on the end-cap.

To Best Buy...Your customer service is greatly appreciated. F--K you very Much.

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To Infinity and Beyond!

best buy employees are rude, and smell bad too!!!

.

[This message has been edited by fdbowie (edited October 08, 2000).]

I'm not sure, maybe last week or the week before, I was watching one of those Dateline undercover shows.....the topic was customer service quality at retail stores, and amazingly Best Buy was one of the stores that was "interviewed" - from what I remember, Best Buy did'nt fare very well, apparently the sales rep on the floor didnt know where one of the products was (a toaster was the test product, I believe), and he looked pretty stupid.

Now, I like most people go into these stores with not one but MANY grains of salt. Keep in mind most of these retail store employyes are being paid minimum wage, are young, just wanna make a few bucks, and couldnt really care about helping you or saving you a buck or two - I should know, I was one of them not very long ago. Point is, as the saying goes, noone looks out more for you than yourself - be informed and knowledgeable about the product youre looking to buy, whether it be movie or 65" HDTV ready television. As all of us here are obviously here via an ISP of some sort, we can all just as easily do research on products and make our own decisions on what to buy - now as far as getting info from the employee regarding store price policies, guarantees, warrantees, etc, caveat emptor - make yourself aware.

Sorry if this angers anyone, just my two cents - I NEVER ask anyone in these stores for any help other than to point out an open register.

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"Nice Beaver!"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by NOFX:
Customer: Excuse me, sir. Do you still have Sixteen Candles and Weird Science in stock?

Employee: Let me check. (Looking on shelf. Under comedy, then action, then drama) You said Sixteen Candles, right?

Customer: Yeah, and Weird Science. They're the ones from the ad for $6.99

Employee: Oh, you must be thinking of Circuit City, cause our dvds are never that cheap.

Customer: Really? I saw the ad on Saturday and it was Best Buy.

Employee: (walks away)


After doing a thorough search, these titles were by themselves along with other Warner HITS. Thank you Best Buy.<HR>

I went to Best Buy Today to buy these exact Same Titles. I found them immediately - they were in the Under $10 section. I'm assuming they were there because, well, they were Under $10. There were also some copies In the comedy section Under "S" and "W". I'm assuming they were there because, well, they were comedies and they started with the Letter "S" and "W". I really don't think It can get much simpler than that.

It amazes me that some people have to have their hand held to be able to perform even the simplest of tasks.

You need to move to a college town where people fight for jobs at Best Buy. We have excellent service and a well run store. Heck, you even get your meal at Checkers in under 3 mins.(thats unheard of)

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My Dvd's

And I have news for you, they hire the same people for Customer Service of the online Store. Be sure you don't try to cancel an order placed online. And thats all I'm going to say about it.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Roy28:
I went to Best Buy Today to buy these exact Same Titles. I found them immediately - they were in the Under $10 section. I'm assuming they were there because, well, they were Under $10. There were also some copies In the comedy section Under "S" and "W". I'm assuming they were there because, well, they were comedies and they started with the Letter "S" and "W". I really don't think It can get much simpler than that.

It amazes me that some people have to have their hand held to be able to perform even the simplest of tasks.

<HR>

Roy, thank you. I know where things are located in this store. I've been in here many times. I went directly TO the COMEDY section looking all through the "S's" and "W's." NOTHING. There is no "Under $10" section at this store. The employee I asked said there were 5 left. He just didn't know where they were. They're all "mixed" up supposedly. Nice customer service.

I don't like asking for help like the rest of you, all I wanted were these 2 titles and after searching for at least 5 minutes it is irritating, especially when you have to ask for assistance and the employee has no idea whats going on. My excerpt is from a different location and just goes to shows that certain employees don't know s**t about their merchandise or even where its located.



[This message has been edited by NOFX (edited October 08, 2000).]

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Rabel316:
I really take offense to a lot of the things that are being posted. Just about everything written about Best Buy has been negative, and the same goes for the employees there. I work for Best Buy, and I am very knowledgeable. I started working there because it was non-commision and I could really help the customer. I am one of those young people working there, but I don't make minimum wage, I'm not doing it to just make some money, and I definitely know what I'm talking about. To generalize every employee of Best Buy because of a few bad ones is wrong. I'm sure if you came to my store and had me help you out you'd be very satidfied, and the same goes with every employee we have. There are only 2 out of the 95 employees we have that I don't think should be doing what they're doing. That's not perfect, and it should be better, but I'm sure they'll be gone soon so it will be. Thanks for listening.


<HR>

Good for you! Stand up to those who can't help themselves and then bitch because an underpaid, overworked and probably un-trained employee can't get them in and out of the store in 60 seconds.

Bottom line...there will always be useless employees, as sure as there will be rude & stupid shoppers.

We've heard stories of both here in this thread. I've made dozens of major purchases at Best Buy, including a refrigerater, computers, DVD players, TV's and (forgive me) VCRs (love those open box mark-downs). Nine times out of ten, the people have been friendly and helpful. Probably because I go in there and don't look down on them. I treat them with courtesy, patience and a friendly face.

To those who have had a bad experience, try going in with a better attitude, and a little more patience. You may enjoy shopping a little bit more...not only at Best Buy, but everywhere.

Those of you defending BB have to remember that those of us who hate their customer service are basing it mostly on personal experiences. The BBs in the L.A. area have some of the most lazy, non-caring, rude employees I have ever seen at any retailer.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Rabel316:
I really take offense to a lot of the things that are being posted. Just about everything written about Best Buy has been negative, and the same goes for the employees there. I work for Best Buy, and I am very knowledgeable. I started working there because it was non-commision and I could really help the customer. I am one of those young people working there, but I don't make minimum wage, I'm not doing it to just make some money, and I definitely know what I'm talking about. To generalize every employee of Best Buy because of a few bad ones is wrong. I'm sure if you came to my store and had me help you out you'd be very satidfied, and the same goes with every employee we have. There are only 2 out of the 95 employees we have that I don't think should be doing what they're doing. That's not perfect, and it should be better, but I'm sure they'll be gone soon so it will be. Thanks for listening.


<HR>

Yeah well I used to work for Best Buy so I know for a fact that your store is an exception to the rule. I quit b/c I got sick of the manager chewing me out every time I didn't screw over a customer by selling them a worthless extended warranty with their over-priced computer. My general manager said I should lie about the computers if I have to, whatever it takes to sell them, but that I should NOT sell one if it isn't going out the door with an extended warranty. He also said the extended warranty on the computer used to be a year longer but they cut it (and kept the price the same) b/c they realized most computers were breaking down in that final year of the warranty. Yeah, Best Buy employees don't work on commission, they work on "extended warranty sales." My store printed a list every hour of who sold warranties and if you weren't on it then you got chewed out... even when you sold more computers than anyone... and 99% of my fellow employees were utter morons. Be thankful that you have a uniquely decent Best Buy in which to work. Now I go there only to shop for DVD's that I'll go home and order online.

I have had a similar bad experience with a CS rep from Best Buy and it has only been open a week where I am. But I would much rather get cheap dvd's from stupid people then have to pay retail because of over paid employees.

MH

quote:<HR>Originally posted by QuAcKeR:
Yeah well I used to work for Best Buy so I know for a fact that your store is an exception to the rule. I quit b/c I got sick of the manager chewing me out every time I didn't screw over a customer by selling them a worthless extended warranty with their over-priced computer. My general manager said I should lie about the computers if I have to, whatever it takes to sell them, but that I should NOT sell one if it isn't going out the door with an extended warranty. He also said the extended warranty on the computer used to be a year longer but they cut it (and kept the price the same) b/c they realized most computers were breaking down in that final year of the warranty. Yeah, Best Buy employees don't work on commission, they work on "extended warranty sales." My store printed a list every hour of who sold warranties and if you weren't on it then you got chewed out... even when you sold more computers than anyone... and 99% of my fellow employees were utter morons. Be thankful that you have a uniquely decent Best Buy in which to work. Now I go there only to shop for DVD's that I'll go home and order online.<HR>

Thank god, someone finally addressed this problem. Read my post in this thread: http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/009911.html

raytrade, I agree with you, but have you seen the bottom feeders at Fry's in Redondo Beach, especially the checkout counter. they make the BB team look like they got their masters from MIT.

When employees at Best Buy tell you they are not on commission is that supposed to make you think they know what the hell they are talking about? When was the last time you told a customer what you got paid at your job? Is it really relevent? All I want to know about is the product, not how Best Buy pays its employees. Geeze...I get more info reading a box of Cracker Jacks.

...cos there just aren’t enough Best Buy threads.

Please continue this "fun" in the On Line Store forum.

Was in my local Best Buy looking for a DVD Rack (Atlantic):
Employees (2 in fact) - Can I help you find anything?
Me - Yeah, I really want this rack but I want it in black. Do you have any more in the back?
Employees - Turn and look at each other and say ugh, no.
Me - Then don't ask to help me if you are not willing to take a minute and go look.

Maybe I was cruel but I also went in there a year ago to buy a $1300 refrigerator with one of those 10% off coupons and couldn't get anyone to help me. So I went across the street to Circuit City and they took the coupon. I just think the labor market is so volatile the BB managers don't take the time to train these teens and of course probably don't pay them enough either.

I'll chime back in since it seems some Best Buy people were offended by my assertion.

First, I worked at Best Buy a few years back when I started college. I worked in the music section. It's one of the tougher areas because of the wide variety of stock. I don't listen to -every- artist. Still, I made it a point to try and help find whatever the customer was looking for. My complaint above was the fact the guy acted like his feet were stuck in cement and couldn't help me locate it. Normally, no, I don't ask for help. They had just re-arranged half the store, however, and I wasn't as acclimated. Nor did I feel I should take 10-20 minutes at the time to reacclimate myself. So I asked the employee for help. That's why he's standing in that section, correct?

The like to tout the fact employees don't work on commission because then there's the essence of "no pressure". At the store I worked at you could be fired for physically gretting a customer (i.e. shaking a hand).

But here's a tale for you. My parents bought me a stereo system for graduation (January). I started working at Best Buy that November in college. The receiver blew a fuse and was under warranty. I waited in line at the Customer Service for an hour. Finally got to me and she kept skipping to the people behind me. I said wait a minute, I'm next. Her response was that policy dictated she couldn't help me unless there were no "customers" in line since I was an employee. My brother, who was with me, flipped and bitched her out and she went whining to the manager. I wasn't on the clock and I wasn't even working that day. I was not an employee when the purchase was made. This was Christmas rush season and there was NEVER not a line at customer service because of it. Yet she didn't want to take 5 minutes to fill out my return form and give me a little service...and that's for an actual employee.



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To Infinity and Beyond!

Several years ago, I had the displeasure of working for a discount retail store similar to Best Buy, and I know this from experiance: Management hires people that will work for cheap. Knowledgable people command more money, that's why you don't see them at BB. Secondly, there is minimal, if any training. The only training we ever received was if a rep from the manufacturer went out of his way to host a seminar. Even then, people would usually only attend if food was being served, and in many cases this counted as our lunch hour! Typically, a new employee is hired, told where the timeclock & lunchroom is, then let loose on the retail floor. "Good Luck!"
A final point, we never kept any inventory in "the back". Everything made its way to the retail floor the same day it came through the warehouse doors. People would get all pissed at me for not checking to see if we had any in the back. There is NOTHING back there!

PS: I think the line "We're not on commission" translates to "I have no incentive to give you any useful information, nor should I be bothered to find out."

quote:<HR>Originally posted by H8nXTC:
raytrade, I agree with you, but have you seen the bottom feeders at Fry's in Redondo Beach, especially the checkout counter. they make the BB team look like they got their masters from MIT.<HR>

I'll second that... I'd take the BB in Torrance over that Fry's any day.

One of the reasons I enjoy shopping at Best Buy is that you aren't being bothered buy some salesman who is working on commission and harrasses you wherever you go. I absolutely hate walking into Circuit City because there are always salesmen by the door ready to tell you that you don't want to buy that model thats 200 bucks. You'd be much more happy with this one for 700 simolians. Usually before I make a purchase I comparison shop (whether online or in a retail store or through co-workers/friends. Typically Best Buy has the best prices and the least hassle. Also I have never had any problems with the Best Buy around the corner. Whenever I have asked them questions they are very well informed.

I would just like to reiterate that in my (above) post, I did say MOST of the employees were young dudes getting minimum wage. Granted, it may have seemed as a generalization, but sadly, at least here in the 'burbs of NYC, this is the type of sales rep you encounter. Its also not meant to be EXCLUSIVE to BBB, as currently, there are none open yet here (tho one is opening in a few weeks, and I plan on heading right for it). I'm sure there are retial stores where the employyes are fully knowledgeable and courteous - my intent was not to demean or generalize, but to suggest a look at the "relaity" of the situation - that most of them really dont wanna be there for 8+ hours firlding questions for $5-$7/hour - I didnt at the age. And yes, I try to be understanding should I need to deal with a sales rep, I just make it more of a personal policy to look into things on my own, as ultimately, I am the one doing the spending, not the sales rep, commission or not.

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"Nice Beaver!"