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[Zzoram]

How did they come crashing down so hard so fast? Did they recently change something?

 

[Trigger]

How sad. I always liked the atmosphere of Best Buy.

 

[DryvBy]

I just read last night that they're hiring a CEO (or paying one) for millions more than the company is making. It's time we eliminate the "highly educated" CEOs and listen to the grunts of their company. They have more common sense than these guys.

Best Buy, want to make money? Quit paying your higher ups millions for a job badly done. Quit charging $60 for a firmware update on a PS3. Or $50+ to install a hard drive. It's little crap like that that matters. Doesn't matter to me as a customer though. If you go under, I only feel bad for the people losing their jobs.

Oh, and look at this! The new CEO will get $20 million for 3 years for a buy out on TOP of his salary. Stay greedy, corporate America.

 

[Subitai]

Page 1: relates anecdote about staff member who isn't knowledgeable and tries to get them to switch their cable service.

Page 2: Customers go to Best Buy and take advantage of their knowledgeable staff to research for Amazon.

Page 5: Reiterates that staff at Best Buy aren't knowledgeable.

Dude makes some good points but has to work on the contradictions.

Yeah, he didn't do it as nicely as I originally thought.

In any case, in my experience anyone working there who knows or cares usually is gone in 3 months. I'd say the customers coming back for help got lucky their first few times around.

 

[water_wendi]

if it were up to you you probably would have made the printing press, automobile and the assembly line illegal. You are nuts.

i dont know why you would think that. i am not against progress. Just against unchecked, unbridled progress. All the stuff thats happening now is what was being talked about in the early 90s... all that empty city talk. All the video stores, music stores, book stores, electronics stores... how many jobs have come about because of their displacement? i mean.. when the automobile put the horse and buggy out the buggy drivers became cab drivers and the stall tenders changed to repair men. Digital sales have put huge amounts of people out of a job and those people arent going to become part of Amazons 16k work force.

Nobody can give me a satisfactory answer as to how to counteract whats going on. "Something will come along to cause a boom" is usually what people say but things like that dont get invented to cause booms, they just come along. There is no guarantee that a new industry will pop up just because we need it to.

 

[RumblingRosco]

Best Buy, want to make money? Quit paying your higher ups millions for a job badly done. Quit charging $60 for a firmware update on a PS3. Or $50+ to install a hard drive. It's little crap like that that matters. Doesn't matter to me as a customer though. If you go under, I only feel bad for the people losing their jobs.

Honestly, I'm not sure that'll help them. People like you and me that are more tech-savvy wouldn't pay any amount of money to have our PS3s updated, but those less tech-savvy probably would... and if they dropped the price to $10, I doubt that'd encourage people like you or I to suddenly get our PS3s updated. Instead, it'd just cut down on the money BB makes from the already limited target audience. My opinion, anyway.

When BB goes under, I'll be very sad. I love going there to browse and pick-up things. Most of my shopping for electronics is online now adays, but it's still nice to go to physical stores. A sad day when they're gone and all those jobs are lost.

 

[demigod]

Only way Best Buy is going to survive is when every state charges sales tax from online sales. Also they need to pricematch online prices from big name competitors.

Amazon just started taxing Texas, their profit will most likely drop next year. I know I won't be renewing Prime from them next year! Will be buying less from them since Fry's here pricematches.

 

[Nyoro SF]

I remember Best Buy trying to charge me a ridiculous price for ethernet cable... went to Newegg and found it for 20$ cheaper.

 

[Rolf NB]

"Revenue declined nearly 3%"

Their business didn't actually decline much. It's just that their margins are shit.

 

[wanders]

Only way Best Buy is going to survive is when every state charges sales tax from online sales. Also they need to pricematch online prices from big name competitors.

Amazon just started taxing Texas, their profit will most likely drop next year. I know I won't be renewing Prime from them next year! Will be buying less from them since Fry's here pricematches.

Even with tax it is still cheaper to shop at Amazon.

 

[SlaughterX]

Ehh, fuck Best Buy. I spend a good amount of money there every year (though the bulk of it is spent @ Amazon), and all I've ever got was shitty customer service, uninformed sales people, limited selection, and higher prices. Spend an extra $400 for a warranty on a TV just for them to try their hardest not to honor the shit. Ask an employee a question they don't know, "ohh, let me find out". 15 minutes later you see the same dude talking to another customer, thanks for finding out the answer to that question for me! Fuck em, Amazon is better in every way, and Prime should be the final nail in the coffin for BB.

 

[Moonkeis]

Unfortunately, at the end of the day Best Buy just does not have any good deals. They seem to think they can keep making money off of consumers who don't check online pricing. Their selection seems to be more limited every time I go back.

I remember when I first walked into a Best Buy as a kid, it was like going to Disney Land..

 

[Future]

"Revenue declined nearly 3%"

Their business didn't actually decline much. It's just that their margins are shit.

People Finally stopped buying those service plans, and accessories are found cheaper elsewhere. Hardware sales make them little to no money for the most part.

Best Buy doesn't have any reason to get your business. Their prices aren't cheaper, there service is that great, their service plans are overpriced, they don't have exclusive brands worth mentioning, their cd and media sections are shrinking.

The showroom is the main thing they got going, but we've stagnated with technology a bit I think. I'm a huge gadget geek, but my tv, smartphone, camera, tablet, pc, game consoles, are all solid and I am not itching for anything new right now. So I have no urge to hit the store and check out new tech cuz there really isn't any.

 

[SlipperySlope]

Their movie selection sucks even though they have a large section for it. I don't get it. It's pointless to go to that store anymore.

I went there three weeks ago with three movies in mind I wanted to buy since Netflix didn't have them (recently I hate Netflix too). They didn't have any of the movies, so I left. Waste of time. Ordered them off Amazon.

 

[demigod]

People Finally stopped buying those service plans, and accessories are found cheaper elsewhere. Hardware sales make them little to no money for the most part.

I learned my lesson with their service plans. Bought a 24 inch LG monitor for $599 and they couldn't fix it. They let me choose an equivalent monitor and at the time their best monitor was a 22inch Dell. Good monitor but I got screwed big time since the monitor only costed $299.

They conned my mom to buy protection plan last week when she bought a camcorder, lol.

 

[Future]

Their movie selection sucks even though they have a large section for it. I don't get it. It's pointless to go to that store anymore.

I went there three weeks ago with three movies in mind I wanted to buy since Netflix didn't have them (recently I hate Netflix too). They didn't have any of the movies, so I left. Waste of time. Ordered them off Amazon.

That's actually a great point. Even if you don't care about prices or taxes, you still have to go through the pain of hoping they have an item, shit running out of stock. So even as an impulse buy experience it often fails, leading back to amazon which seems to have everything at all times. Their selection is often simply mainstream titles, which can be found almost anywhere.

They need to integrate their online experience into the store. If something isn't in stock, can still buy right then and there with quick arrival to the store with 0 shipping cost. The online store needs bigger selection available, and the in store selection should change based on trends in both their online and brick and mortar stores

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

I've thought about this predicament a lot and I think I've found a solution. Most big box stores are just too big, too big to be able to sell shit at Amazon's cost and make a profit because of overhead, but a company could do a hybrid of big box/amazon.

Make a Best Buy the same size as a radioshack.


Only put the highest sellers in the store: new releases of games, music, and movies, cheap TVs and laptops, and a geek squad service center. Have three people running the store. Cashier/Manager or Customer Service/Manager, and a geek squad rep.

Then have a website that has everything under the sun like an amazon/whathaveyou. Try to place shops within a radius of distribution warehouses so that you can deliver to the stores 2 times a week on Tuesday and Friday.

This way, people that want the instant gratification have it. Most of the things sold in a retailer are only the popular items to begin with. you don't need 10,000 book selection, you need a 100 book selection with the option of ordering from a website and delivered within adequate time to your home/store.

So they downsize everything in the retail store and upsize their warehouses, build stores only within a certain radius to distribution channels to make it easy to deliver and cheap, and make it easy to get the product delievered to a store or house within adequate time.


This allows you to have a storefront presence, but also the selection and prices that Amazon thrives off of.

Can anyone give me a number to an investor? because I want to make billions too.

 

[victreeb3l]

honestly, only time i go to best buy is to view electronics im gonna buy on amazon. there have been a few times where the prices were the same but theres absolutely no reason for me to buy from best buy these days.

not to mention my local one is run by a bunch of fucking assholes.

 

[whalleywhat]

I've thought about this predicament a lot and I think I've found a solution. Most big box stores are just too big, too big to be able to sell shit at Amazon's cost and make a profit because of overhead, but a company could do a hybrid of big box/amazon.

Make a Best Buy the same size as a radioshack.


Only put the highest sellers in the store: new releases of games, music, and movies, cheap TVs and laptops, and a geek squad service center. Have three people running the store. Cashier/Manager or Customer Service/Manager, and a geek squad rep.

Then have a website that has everything under the sun like an amazon/whathaveyou. Try to place shops within a radius of distribution warehouses so that you can deliver to the stores 2 times a week on Tuesday and Friday.

This way, people that want the instant gratification have it. Most of the things sold in a retailer are only the popular items to begin with. you don't need 10,000 book selection, you need a 100 book selection with the option of ordering from a website and delivered within adequate time to your home/store.

So they downsize everything in the retail store and upsize their warehouses, build stores only within a certain radius to distribution channels to make it easy to deliver and cheap, and make it easy to get the product delievered to a store or house within adequate time.


This allows you to have a storefront presence, but also the selection and prices that Amazon thrives off of.

Can anyone give me a number to an investor? because I want to make billions too.

You're describing Consumers Distributing. They ordered in the wrong 2600 controller for me like 3 times in a row.

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

You're describing Consumers Distributing. They ordered in the wrong 2600 controller for me like 3 times in a row.

But mine uses the power of the internet and 21st century technology instead of an outdated card system.

 

[whalleywhat]

But mine uses the power of the internet and 21st century technology instead of an outdated card system.

I apologize and do you take Paypal?

 

[thirty]

90% drop? but the gubment told me the recession is over and the ecomony is getting better!

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

I apologize and do you take Paypal?

Paypal sucks, credit please.

 

[entremet]

90% drop? but the gubment told me the recession is over and the ecomony is getting better!

Tag quote incoming.

 

[thirty]

amazon alone cannot count for a 90% drop. even if its still a combination of the 2. people need to save every penny they can. this is no longer a free wheeling economy no matter what the dow tells you.

 

[whalleywhat]

Tag quote incoming.

That link is broken and I am disappointed.

 

[LiK]

Best Buy sucks. Employees are clueless and the store layout is atrocious. They also like to put those box destroying security devices on the games do I don't even buy the LE stuff from them anymore. Shitty store all around these days. I was a loyal customer about 5 years ago.

 

[Seguin]

amazon alone cannot count for a 90% drop. even if its still a combination of the 2. people need to save every penny they can. this is no longer a free wheeling economy no matter what the dow tells you.

Corporate profits are at record levels but they aren't still aren't hiring or giving raises. Of course the middle class won't have money to spend.

 

[RoninChaos]

Best Buy literally price matches Amazon and any authorized seller now. The only thing I'm aware of them turning down is used/eBay/super shady stuff. But it's too late. They can't keep the lights on and sell things for the same prices as Amazon. Neither can Fry's. Say goodbye to big box electronic retailers, people.

If best buys out here price matched amazon I'd get everything there but the ones here don't.

I had an absolutely awful time when I got darksiders 2 as well. No codes. I had to spend over three hours on the phone to try and get help and I got nothing out of it. If amazon doesnt give me a code for something I preordered I can call them and have the code in five minutes.

 

[Comet]

After working there I'm not surprised. Awful company who prioritizes quick money over the customer's experience. Good riddance.

 

[Bladenic]

It's no wonder with all the sales they have.

No but really, please recover and don't close.

 

[RPGCrazied]

I can't remember the last time I bought something at Best Buy. I think some headphones a few years back, but yeah, I do most if not all shopping online.

 

[Lunchbox]

thier prices are always more

i go there to look at shit ill order from amazon later

 

[b3b0p]

All their prices when I go are pretty much MSRP.

Every store online I see never has MSRP.

The tax argument is dumb. I pay $80/year for Amazon Prime. It's not free.

You want me to buy your crap Best Buy here is a tip:

on that price sticker put the price after taxes.

in your ads, put the sale price low enough such that people don't care about taxes on said item vs saying ordering online without taxes and paying shipping.

Some how Amazon makes gobbs of money selling same said items yet they still have to pay for shipping, or someone does.

If the cost of the item, after shipping is involved is cheaper than buying the item after taxes it seems to me that something is wrong.

Perhaps I'm being naive though.

 

[Caoz]

It'll be very interesting to see what happens once Amazon begins collecting California sales tax in September. I would think Best Buy might get a modest boost from that. I'll be more likely to grab a game from Best Buy on the way home from work rather than just order it from Amazon.

I'll also be more likely to buy a TV from Best Buy, too.

Amazon lost most of my business with them since they started charging tax here since the beginning of july. Prior to that i had more than a hundred purchases in the year. Since the tax i have purchased like 4 times. I would like to think that at least in texas bb is doing better.

 

[dskillzhtown]

Best Buy has made many mistakes after starting out so well. But I would hate it if there was no place in the country to buy electronics in person. Having Amazon and Walmart as the only options to buy electronics is not a good thing.

 

[Zekes!]

It's kind of weird; here in my city (in Canada) they opened a Best Buy almost literally next to our newly moved Future Shop. Best Buy owns Future Shop, so...what was the point? Every time I go in to the Best Buy it's a ghost town, while the Future Shop stays pretty busy/consistent.

 

[plc268]

The only time I ever buy anything from Best Buy anymore is if I buy online and use their site to store option.

I used to love browsing the store, but at my local store, every aisle is so cramped now that it can barely fit two people in it. And forget it if someone is camped at a display console in the middle of the video games aisle.

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

All their prices when I go are pretty much MSRP.

Every store online I see never has MSRP.

The tax argument is dumb. I pay $80/year for Amazon Prime. It's not free.

You want me to buy your crap Best Buy here is a tip:

on that price sticker put the price after taxes.

in your ads, put the sale price low enough such that people don't care about taxes on said item vs saying ordering online without taxes and paying shipping.

Some how Amazon makes gobbs of money selling same said items yet they still have to pay for shipping, or someone does.

If the cost of the item, after shipping is involved is cheaper than buying the item after taxes it seems to me that something is wrong.

Perhaps I'm being naive though.

You are, read my post earlier.

The whole reason Best buy can't do these things is because their overhead is too high. They have to pay for customer service employees in the store, lights for the stores, rent, plus an overstocked inventory.

Think about it, Best Buy needs to buy enough TVs to sell to 100 peple even thought they may only sell 10 of them. Amazon doesn't have to worry about that kind of thing because they don't need to have stock on hand to make the sale.

Best Buy can't offer amazing deals on the website either because they are trying to make up for sales in their store.

So, retailer future is going to be about making smaller stores with better options to get your product in store... but they still wont have a cheaper price even if they make smaller stores because amazon doesn't have to pay tax in almost all of the states. you'll always have to pay tax in retail stores.

 

[jrDev]

Damn, I usually go there for their gaming deals.

What do you expect from a company that decided to buy out their pending CEO nearly $7 million if he cannot get a work visa and has to nullify the contract? Hell, he's making less than $2 million a year for his salary, but you don't have the brains to make sure he is legal before you hire him?

What? Link?????

 

[GloveSlap]

Between Amazon, Walmart, and Target there is virtually no room left for anyone else. Its not a good situation at all.

I knew Best Buy was in bad shape because there isn't even a loss prevention guy at the door anymore at my store. That and the store is always dead now.

 

[Anticitizen One]

Thats what you get for whoring monster cables, misinforming customers, and crapping on your employees.*

*I had the "privelege" of working in Best Buy's home theather department last holiday season.

It's a real shame too because I used to love best buy when I was little and they had demo stations for Sega CD, SNES, and later on PS1 and n64 and it had like a "e3 showroom" feel to the whole store.

 

[billy beane]

The Best Buy by my house is pretty bad, especially with their games. They have barely any new releases, and most of their stuff is used. Even though it is about 5 minutes away from my house, I take the extra fifteen minutes and go to the other Best Buy in my town because it is much better.

I'd be sad if Best Buy closes.

 

[MormaPope]

Let it burn

 

[entremet]

BB should just become a showroom store anyway. Try out the stuff there but order online. Make the stores smaller, hire competent employees, improve the floor layout, etc.

 

[DanielJr82]

This sucks. The BestBuys in Puerto Rico already went broke. There's two BestBuys in my area (Mass.) that I think have been doing OK, so it would suck if they go under as well. I know in Black Friday the lines at that place stretch for half a mile outside the store.

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

$6 to $10 Blu-Rays will always keep me coming to the store.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

$6 to $10 Blu-Rays will always keep me coming to the store.

when ever I go the cheap BluRays are either out of stock or the section is horribly unorganized. If only one of the 20 people being paid an hourly wage to ask me if I needed help finding something could get to work making sure shit was easy to find and in order.

 

[kuroshiki]

All their prices when I go are pretty much MSRP.

Every store online I see never has MSRP.

The tax argument is dumb. I pay $80/year for Amazon Prime. It's not free.

You want me to buy your crap Best Buy here is a tip:

on that price sticker put the price after taxes.

in your ads, put the sale price low enough such that people don't care about taxes on said item vs saying ordering online without taxes and paying shipping.

Some how Amazon makes gobbs of money selling same said items yet they still have to pay for shipping, or someone does.

If the cost of the item, after shipping is involved is cheaper than buying the item after taxes it seems to me that something is wrong.


Perhaps I'm being naive though.

Well, truth to be told, this quarter's amazon net profit was shockingly low.
They just made $7 million profit during 2nd quarter.

yeah. $7 million.

 

[chixdiggit]

Must admit that I am guilty of browsing Best Buy to only buy it cheaper on Amazon. Amazon's scan app makes it too easy.