* only seems to stock the cheap crap with high markup. You quickly learn to avoid this (looking at you, monster cable.)
* Staff is not knowledgeable. There is not a lot of imperative to buy at Best Buy, since you get the same level of help as you do at an online retailer - at best, none. At worst, misinformation. You generally figure it out based on reviews and research either way.
* The corporation aggressively pushes things that will cause ill will. Lying about HDMI cables, high warranty costs, upselling way beyond the customer's need, etc.
* Its usually more expensive than an online competitor.
I still think that there is a place for a brick and mortar retailer of electronics. In fact, done well, I think it could thrive. I'd pay a couple of extra bucks to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about, and to be able to get something I want now. But Best Buy is predatory. Somehow treating your customer shitty while charging more isn't sought after. Odd.
Frye's is a brick and mortar retailer of electronics and they seem to be doing pretty well. Granted, they're in the same boat in terms of customer service, but they've at least found a market for themselves.
Comments
I think there are several problems with Best Buy.
* only seems to stock the cheap crap with high markup. You quickly learn to avoid this (looking at you, monster cable.) * Staff is not knowledgeable. There is not a lot of imperative to buy at Best Buy, since you get the same level of help as you do at an online retailer - at best, none. At worst, misinformation. You generally figure it out based on reviews and research either way. * The corporation aggressively pushes things that will cause ill will. Lying about HDMI cables, high warranty costs, upselling way beyond the customer's need, etc. * Its usually more expensive than an online competitor.
I still think that there is a place for a brick and mortar retailer of electronics. In fact, done well, I think it could thrive. I'd pay a couple of extra bucks to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about, and to be able to get something I want now. But Best Buy is predatory. Somehow treating your customer shitty while charging more isn't sought after. Odd.
Frye's is a brick and mortar retailer of electronics and they seem to be doing pretty well. Granted, they're in the same boat in terms of customer service, but they've at least found a market for themselves.