Best Buy The Worst Buy For The Consumer
phillip
Here is a snip:
Our employees are driving this excellent performance through a
number of initiatives to limit gross profit drains from markdowns,
product returns and exchanges .....
In other words, prices are going up, returns are becoming more difficult for
consumers to make, as are exchanges. This bears out the post that Best Buy
is becoming more and more difficult for consumers to deal with--- their
prices are higher than the competitors, their price matching sucks, and they
are refusing more and more returns on a number of different grounds. With
policies like that, projected profits will be up in the short term, but
putting all the goobledy-gook and double talk aside from company
headquarters, just visit their stores- they are making more money with less
customers, and that's not good if you are a consumer.
"John Navas" <spamf...@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
news:Hxx_a.11457$dk4.4...@typhoon.sonic.net...
> [POSTED TO rec.photo.digital - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <M2_Ya.1334$7z1...@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net> on Sat, 09 Aug
2003
> 03:40:28 GMT, "Mike & Jane" <xx...@xxxxx.com> wrote:
>
> >They have definately become more strict over the past several months,
which
> >is why those long lines at the cash registers has been dwindling, at
least
> >here in the New Jersey area. Don't believe me? Look at their shelves.
> >More and more they are out of stock on popular items- word around the
stores
> >from the sales personnel is that they are hurting financially. ...
>
> Quite the contrary:
>
> Best Buy Raises Diluted EPS Guidance From Continuing Operations to 37-42
Cents
> for Second Quarter and $2.27-$2.32 for FY04
> MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2003--
>
> Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) today raised its estimate for
> second-quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
> to a new range of 37 to 42 cents, compared with analysts' consensus
> of 30 cents per share. The Company's prior guidance, which was
> originally provided on June 18, was a range of 27 to 32 cents per
> share for the quarter which ends on Aug. 30, 2003.
>
> The Company reported earnings from continuing operations of $79
> million, or 24 cents per diluted share, for last year's second
> quarter, which ended on Aug. 31, 2002.
>
> "Strong comparable store sales growth, increasing gross profit rates
> and diligent cost controls all are contributing to the higher
> earnings guidance from continuing operations for the second quarter
> and for the fiscal year," said Darren Jackson, executive vice
> president and chief financial officer.
>
> "Our employees are driving this excellent performance through a
> number of initiatives to limit gross profit drains from markdowns,
> product returns and exchanges while delivering on cost-savings
> programs. In addition, consumers continue to migrate to higher-margin
> products, such as digital TVs," Jackson added. "The gross profit rate
> from continuing operations is the largest contributor to the improved
> outlook. The gross profit rate is expected to increase by at least 70
> basis points for the current period, compared with 24.9 percent of
> revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2003."
>
> [MORE]
>
> --
> Best regards,
> John Navas
dfld1222
anything to do with the vendor dishonoring a perfectly submitted rebate
(Sony of all companies!). I've since bought tons of goods from competitors
(including a recent purchase of a 50" plasma), even tho' Best Buy was a bit
cheaper. I don't deal with cheats and thieves. Best Buy is off my list for
good.
SBrown
*************
"phillip" <ablen...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ATy_a.3781$Nf3....@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
beatrice p.
own on-line price. The manager said that Best Buy On-Line is a completely
different company not related to the Best Buy retail operation. I looked at
him like he had three heads, thanked him for his lucid explanation and
hi-tailed it down to Circuit City, where THEY matched the Best Buy online
price plus 10%. Imagine that- Circuit City matches Best Buy online, but
Best Buy stores do no. Shame on you Best Buy.
"dfld1222" <dilbertz...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:o5D_a.13097$BC2...@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> I agree. Best Buy screwed me on a rebate deal when they refused to have
> anything to do with the vendor dishonoring a perfectly submitted rebate
> (Sony of all companies!). I've since bought tons of goods from
competitors
> (including a recent purchase of a 50" plasma), even tho' Best Buy was a
bit
> cheaper. I don't deal with cheats and thieves. Best Buy is off my list
for
> good.
>
> SBrown
"marlinspike" <marli...@erols.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:bhg3s4$igg$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
> "Singha_lvr" <singh...@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:0001HW.BB60FD170001EA78F0284600@news-> .... and pay the best buy
> restocking fee. (Which can be a considerable amount
> > on a laptop.)
> > (I also doubt that they will refund his money for the service.)
>
> Oh damn, you're right, I forgot about the restock fee. Next time he should
> buy from circuit city- a real 30 day price match and no restock fee for 14
> days.
> Richard
>
>
"dfld1222" <dilbertz...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:o5D_a.13097$BC2...@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
David Chien
friend went in to buy a digital camera. got a lame kodak that gobbled
up batteries after 7 shots, clearly defective. went back to return and
exchange - was told by the manager at first that it wasn't their
problem, go deal with the manufacturer - in the first week! had to
fight like crazy with them, only got the offer to exchange for like or
more expensive camera. what a pain!
---
went in to buy a laptop. silly boy said just wait, have to work on
something first. started talking to his buddy - had to listen to his
crap on how he was screwing his even younger girlfriend since he was 18
that lived down the block, maybe he should try to get two gals at once
since she's far enough away he could do it, etc. for the next 15
minutes. then, tried to get me to fill out a form (for dsl
qualification, but they don't tell you) for no reason - ask them why,
they just answer, because. Yeah, like a laptop requires a form! just
give me the damn laptop, stop talking to the buddy, don't screw around
w/yo girl, and stop wasting my time even tho yo all on commission.
BB sucks!
peter
shelf for him - every employee that was asked basically replied "It no my
yob". He finally ended up standing on a box and fetching it down himself.
As he did, salespeople rushed over and promptly chastised him for his
actions. Before departing, he let the manager know why he was going across
the street the Circuit City to make his purchase. The manager couldn't have
cared less. Looks like Best Buy has a growing problem on their hands with
employee morale. Now that the price matching and returns policy is
basically in the crapper, I guess employee attititude is also heading down
the tubes.
"David Chien" <chi...@uci.edu> wrote in message
news:bhghr2$ogo$1...@news.service.uci.edu...
Doug
they get paid whether you buy something or not.
"peter" <ple...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:BGg%a.4879$Nf3....@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
callsignviper
"Doug" <certd5REMOV...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:jup%a.43268$qg3.2...@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
> Thr folks at BB aren't on commission, that's why you can't get any
help.....
> they get paid whether you buy something or not.
Ummm.........I guess that means that most Best(?) Buy employees are there
just to collect a paycheck?
That's a bad reason to have a job as one of my daughter's co-workers found
out recently. The co-worker was on a break and mentioned to the wrong person
that he was there just to collect a check. He was FIRED about an hour later.
Seems he said that to one of the companies vice presidents. Oooops!!!
--
callsignviper
The truth is out there. You just have to look in the right places and ask
the right questions.
Arthur Entlich
commission sales help. I get greeted by 10 salespeople all drooling to
"help" me out of my money. They will sell me whatever they think will
make them the best "points" on the sale, and they "don't know me" after
I leave the store. The turn over rate is very high because the
salespeople who are truthful often make lower sales and can't afford to
remain.
Art
robert sims
what most of us in this group are concerned with. For the average shopper,
perhaps, but I place most of the folks in this group at least as
knowledgeable and generally more so. I don't need the sales pitch from
anyone- I go shopping knowing what I want (having already done my homework).
I am looking for the best price and the best return policy. This is where
Best Buy is sorely lacking. Their price matching policies are draconian
(bring in a printed store flyer for them to match-- my God, somebody tell
them this is the Internet age), and their return policy is basically the
pitts. (Restocking fee unless defective- no wonder everything comes back
"defective"). The biggest joke going is that the Best Buy stores DO NOT
MATCH their own online prices--- if you go the Circuit City, the will bring
up the Best Buy website and match the price-- it's the biggest laugh going
in retail sales right now.
"Arthur Entlich" <artis...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:b4K%a.752545$3C2.17...@news3.calgary.shaw.ca...
Arthur Entlich
having commissioned sales help make for a better shopping experience
overall. Besides which, a good, knowledgeable and helpful sales person
is worth being paid for, even if you don't think so.
Based upon what you are saying, why do you even go to a bricks and
mortar store? Is seems to me you are the perfect client for buying on
line. You've researched what it is you want and you know which brand
and model you are after, you know the price you want to pay, you want
the lowest price, and you don't need any customer service, other than
when you want to return something (which I assume is only when the item
is defective, since you research everything so well, right?)
Since you admit the pricing is better on line, even at Best Buys (and it
should be, since no one is needed to serve the clients) then what the
heck are you complaining about? BUY ONLINE!
I'm not defending Best Buys or any other retailer, or their policies.
But I have worked in retail over the years both on the floor and in
management, and I believe that people who spend 8-10 hours a day on
their feet flogging goods and learning product features, deserve to be
paid for their time and work, and shouldn't have to demand customers buy
something to make their living. I have found commissioned sales staff a
bad business model, in that it forces people to sell items they may not
believe in and to mislead customers to survive. It doesn't benefit
anyone but people like you who "know what they want when they come in
and want to pay as little as possible for it" and want people to snap to
attention when you arrive waving your wallet. In spite of the fact that
I'm one of those very well informed consumers in high tech (and other
areas), and often end up educating commissioned sales staff about things
they try to mislead me about (often because it was the company line they
were told, not because they want to lie). It disturbs me when I have to
catch the arm of a dear old lady or some person who is being sold a
"bill of goods" by a commissioned sales person and warn them they are
being led down the garden path.
Not everyone has the time or technical background to be fully informed,
and that doesn't mean they have to be cheated because of it. What I
hear you saying is you basically don't care about them, as long as you
are getting the attention you demand, and the cheapest price, you are
quite content to allow others fare for themselves, and to let the sale
staff work for free if they can con a sale.
Maybe all commissioned sales based stores should just have a notice in
front indicating:
"WARNING: our sales staff makes their wage by selling stuff to you (we
don't pay them much or maybe anything); if you are not very informed
about your purchase, you should be aware our staff may have to deceive
you to sell you something so they can put food on their table and pay
their rent. As a result, we are able to have double the sale staff, and
it won't cost you a penny more than other stores for that, in fact, it
might even cost you less, but you may end up with something you neither
want or need. If you are a neophyte in this product area, you should
probably try a store than has a paid and more knowledgeable staff. Some
may not be as hungry as our staff, and some may be less responsive as a
result."
Not the world I want to live in, sorry.
Paid sales staff needs to be kept on their toes by management simply by
emphasizing customer service over sales. The sales will come by an
honest, attentive sale staff, and a paid sales person who is regularly
inattentive should be let go. If a store has poor management and this
is cascading to the staff, then a letter to the head office is the
answer, not commissioned sales staff.
Art
Art
net...@gmail.com
one person accountable for the entire company. I have had a great
experience with Best Buy and I continue to support them a 100%. Yes,
we all have had a bad experience, but can you think of one company that
doesn't have their problems?
net...@gmail.com
Okay, so Best Buy doesn't match their online prices? Have you tried
asking them to allow you to go to one of the terminals they offer IN
THE STORE to get on BestBuy.com and making the purchase IN STORE and
arranging for PICKUP in the store? Maybe you should try that before
you slam Best Buy. Additionally, this is the Internet Age? Have you
went to Walmart and asked them to match Walmart.com? Have you tried
asking Walmart to use the internet to match a price? Look at other
companies before you slam Best Buy!
Jimmy
<net...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1102492248.1...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
competitive price match that was simply a reduced price of the same SKU at
CompUSA, but Customer Service at Best Buy wanted me to take a rebate to
settle the difference. Getting a match 4-8 weeks later isn't what I would
call price matching. I let them the score, left the store and drove miles
across town to CompUSA to pick up the product. This was 6 months ago, I
haven't stepped in a Best Buy store since. They can't even match
competitor's store prices without screwing it up much less matching their
own internet pricing.
Brad Bishop
> competitive price match that was simply a reduced price of the same SKU at
> CompUSA, but Customer Service at Best Buy wanted me to take a rebate to
> settle the difference. Getting a match 4-8 weeks later isn't what I would
> call price matching. I let them the score, left the store and drove miles
> across town to CompUSA to pick up the product. This was 6 months ago, I
> haven't stepped in a Best Buy store since. They can't even match
> competitor's store prices without screwing it up much less matching their
> own internet pricing.
A rebate isn't price-matching in my opinion. With all of the screw-ups with
rebates I wouldn't accept that as a price match from a competitor.
Of course, I've also given up on price matching because of these very games.
I just purchase from whomever offers it at the best price and leave it at
that.
Brad
Doug Cutler
My son wanted a computer game,CompUSA had it for $20 less (Instant rebate)
than anywhere else in the neighborhood however when we arrived they were
sold out. Took the flyer with the advertised price to CircuitCity. They
price matched with no question asked. My son said that they quickly trashed
the flyer!!
Doug.
"Brad Bishop" <bsbi...@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:cp78f...@news1.newsguy.com...
Brendan R. Wehrung
I haven't stopped shopping there, but the day after Thaksgiving, when I
had to fight my way in to the parking lot to get a couple of DVDs
advertized at "5 for $25" I was advised that I had to buy *5* movies to
get the price, otherwise they were at tagged retail price. I drove half a
mile to Circuit City, which didn't advertize the title I wanted but had it
in their $4.99 sale. Since many computer items are price-fixed and it
doesn't matter where you buy them, I'll buy my peripherals somewhere more
trustworthy. I don't like stores that play games with my expectations.
Brendan
--
Don Allen
says...
www.newegg.com is one of the best online stores. No connection, but a
sometimes frustrated Best Buy customer. I used to patronize Best Buy
quite a bit, but anymore, I give Circuit City the benefit of the doubt,
and look there first. But, for best price, and somtimes free shipping,
www.newegg.com in California can't be beat.
Don
Jimmy
"Don Allen" <w9...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1c22110e1...@netnews.insightbb.com...
>
> www.newegg.com is one of the best online stores. No connection, but a
> sometimes frustrated Best Buy customer. I used to patronize Best Buy
> quite a bit, but anymore, I give Circuit City the benefit of the doubt,
> and look there first. But, for best price, and somtimes free shipping,
> www.newegg.com in California can't be beat.
>
> Don
I have purchased from Newegg and from Mwave, positive experiences always.
Vic Dura
The Consumer "Jimmy" <whok...@whocares.com> wrote:
>I have purchased from Newegg and from Mwave, positive experiences always.
Ditto
--
To reply to me directly, remove the XXX characters from my email address.
brim...@yahoo.com
peripherals from them for a couple of years and have never had a
problem. In fact I just purchased a replacement Canon PIXMA 8500 photo
printer from them this morning for $308, which is $40 less than retail
and less than most other online stores. They are located in Southern
Calif. so I usually get the item by Fed Ex Ground within 2 days...
highly recommend newegg.com
Bob Kos
"Brendan R. Wehrung" <ck...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
news:cp8hjt$52o$1...@theodyn.ncf.ca...
> I haven't stopped shopping there, but the day after Thaksgiving, when I
> had to fight my way in to the parking lot to get a couple of DVDs
> advertized at "5 for $25" I was advised that I had to buy *5* movies to
> get the price, otherwise they were at tagged retail price.
<SNIP>
Wait a minute.... You said the advertised price was 5 titles for $25.
That's pretty self explanatory, isn't it??? Do you also expect to buy 6
cans of beer instead of 24 and pay the case price? I don't understand your
gripe.....
Brendan R. Wehrung
3 lemons for $1 = one for .34 and two for .33; they have a unit price.
5 DVDs for $25 should mean I can buy one for $5, not the $13.99 tag
price. The Best Buy ad this week makes it clear you have to buy 2 to get
the sale price, the ad in November did not. The store clerk stated a
policy not presented in the ad.
Brendan
--
Bob Kos
That's not the way that it works. The stores in my area are set up to scan
at regular price till you hit the proper quantity. Then your bill is
adjusted to reflect the advertised price. Lemons $.49 each or 3 for $1.00.
1 lemon costs $.49. Two lemons cost $.98. Three lemons cost $1.00. Four
lemons cost $1.34.
5 DVDs for $25 should mean if you buy 5 you can have them for $25. If you
want two, they're 2 X ( regular selling price ). Buy 5 and they'll give you
a deal. Sounds fair to me.
Arthur Entlich
Bob Kos wrote:
>
> That's not the way that it works. The stores in my area are set up to scan
> at regular price till you hit the proper quantity. Then your bill is
> adjusted to reflect the advertised price. Lemons $.49 each or 3 for $1.00.
> 1 lemon costs $.49. Two lemons cost $.98. Three lemons cost $1.00. Four
> lemons cost $1.34.
>
> 5 DVDs for $25 should mean if you buy 5 you can have them for $25. If you
> want two, they're 2 X ( regular selling price ). Buy 5 and they'll give you
> a deal. Sounds fair to me.
>
>
>
You don't by chance have a Canadian Superstore or Loblaws in your area.
They started this ridiculous system up here in Canada which I am glad
at least for now, no other store has followed. Although in principal
the ad's meaning is open to interpretation, since the standard for many
years has been you could purchase less than the multiple and still get
the unit price based upon the multiple cost, some retailers have
recently gone to taking it quite literally.
Because the issue is open to interpretation, the ad should probably
state the details, so it is clear.
It reminds me a bit of a local photocopy shop in my town, where, because
of quantity discounts it was actually cheaper to ask them to use a black
page as an original and get the same number of copies as the rest of the
pages photocopied than it was to run what you actually needed. So,
that's just what I did, and I got to take the blank pages home and use
them for other things. They claimed under their contract with "X" they
had no choice but to price it as they did, in spite of their recognizing
how silly it was.
Art
Pittman
bought a logitech netplay keyboard controller for PS2
it arrived defective they would not exchange and only refund
they said to order another - ok so I did IT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE
the second arrived with THE SAME PROBLEM
I am now out the cost of both and neither works
They are not returning my emails and now I have spoken to 3 customer
service folks
and I have more than 3 incident reports
one month and still unresolved!!!
BESTBUY.COM is BAD
Newegg is an excellent company!!! I have built 3 computers from parts
from them
DONT USE BEST BUY THEY ARE HORRIBLE
E Jones
had to go through a royal fight with Palm to get them to honor the rebate
they were offering at the time. They (Palm) said that Newegg.com was
somehow not an "authorized" reseller. I eventually got the rebate, but
would double-check the next time I bought something from Newegg that carried
a rebate offer.
- ESJ
"Pittman" <pit...@cybermesa.com> wrote in message
news:1106586750.5...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Kevin
with your order as what you describe is not consistent with the policies or
people at Best Buy. Call again and this time insist that they take care of
your problem. Exchanges are handled via a pre-paid return shipping
container. Of course, a merchandise return authorization is required, this
is an industry standard procedure for returning defective merchandise. The
exchange should have been at the purchase price of the original, defective
product. If not, you should have been informed of the difference in cost
before agreeing to the exchange. Make sure you have all your documentation.
"Pittman" <pit...@cybermesa.com> wrote in message
news:1106586750.5...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Capt Nud
Pete
months and took it back and had now problems exchanging it. Great Service.
Pete
"Capt Nud" <cap...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20050124213053...@mb-m02.aol.com...
Randy Oxford
"Capt Nud" <cap...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20050124213053...@mb-m02.aol.com...
Arthur Entlich
not on either? Did you send them both back with RMA numbers from Best Buys?
Most retailers supply some period of time for exchange. Could you have
waited for the refund on the first before buying the second?
Did you pay via a credit card? You can contact your credit card and ask
them to hold both payments until the situation is resolved.
Lastly, the manufacturer should supply some type of warranty. It would
seem to me you should be able to at least get the second one (if you
still have it) repaired or replaced by the manufacturer. I assume you
returned the first one, and if it was accepted by Best Buys (with an RMA
number) you should have proof they received and authorized the return.
Definitely call your credit card company.
I am not defending Best Buys. I've certainly had my trials with Future
Shop online here in Canada which is owned by Best Buys, so I don't doubt
the quality of customer service, but you need to be proactive now and
get this matter resolved, for your own peace of mind, and so the
retailer doesn't benefit from defective merchandise or bad service.
Art
Arthur Entlich
pete wrote:
> On 24 Jan 2005 09:12:30 -0800, "Pittman" <pit...@cybermesa.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I just had a horrible experience with bestbuy.com
>>bought a logitech netplay keyboard controller for PS2
>
>
> which of these two things is a printer?
Gee, I don't know Pete, which of these are:
pete wrote:
> Typical top poster attitude
>
> sad git
>
> You are a looney
>
> Move along, little troll.
>
> Hey troll, you know what you can do with your effing sponge?
> ... and leave it there.
>
> You are simply very boring.
>
> Please don't feed the troll, it's already full of shit
>
> - I told you so
> - Definitely?
> - Yes
> - Are you sure?
> - Because postings are reversed and one doesn't know what you are on about
> - Why is top posting a pain in the butt?
>
> His problems started long before.
> Please don't top post.
>
> Typical of a clueless fuckwit, you respond aggressively.
>
> I've gone more than a month without driving and had no car breakdown
>
> No, spam off.
>
> Kindly troll off.
> Buy yourself a pencil and a ream of paper.
>
> Do I smell a troll?
>
> You know shit.
Bottom posted, just for you.
Art