Anybody shops at Best Buy? Has their service been getting worse?

[SweetCosmicPope]

I personally haven't noticed a decline in customer service at any of the many Best Buys in the Houston area. In fact, they're so helpful, it's often-times annoying. They seize upon you like vultures offering their help.

Unfortunately, Best Buy, where I used to buy all my movies and computer junk, seems to be slowly drifting towards being the worst buy. I've noticed that their selection of items is going down, while the cost of them is going up.

I've been going to wal-mart more and more...and I freaking hate wal mart. Talk about moron employees with no customer service skills.

 

[XJ-linux]

I've never had any issues with Best Buy sales persons in Illinois, Michigan or Minnesota. However, I will add that I rarely go there unless: I already researched what I want, I've called ahead to confirm it's in stock, and I saw the item on sale in a flier. Basically, I run in and back out as fast as possible, and no one ever seems to hassle me. Actually, the idiot shoppers meandering around trying to buy things they didn't bother researching first are more of a hassle than any BB employee I've come across recently.

My only return experience was with a Apple MacBook Air external Superdrive I had purchased to use on a "modified" Dell Mini 9. It didn't work on the Mini 9 and they accepted my return several days later after I had opened it, tested it, and packaged it back up again. No issues.

I generally don't buy warranties from Big Box stores, so I can't comment there.

 

[bargsbeer]

Another good thing about Bestbuy if you call ahead for an item they will hold it for you behind the counter for a couple of hours. They did it for me the other night when I picked up a shuffle, they only had one manly color left Blue and my only other option was pink the girl working the phones was kind enough to hold it for me. But like XJ says I was in and out in a few minutes.

 

[DarkestRitual]

I shop the same way, and I love customers who shop like me. Anyway, when we inform you the warranty is invalid, it's never because it's what we're told to say first. 8 times out of 10, I get to give people the good news that their repair is covered under warranty, and the bad news is that to replace the motherboard through our service center can take between 1 and a half to 3 and a half weeks. It's usually closer to the front end, but I hate having to tell people they're going to be without their machine. I know how much that would impact my life.

If people have the benefit of our protection plan, all the better. I think that maybe a lot of sales associates gloss over it, but it should be stressed that the geek squad black tie protection covers hardware only. This does not cover viruses. That you can get coverage for under a separate "Vi-Spy" plan. Obviously, that part so much doesn't apply to this community, but that is the main reason that I have to tell people that their repair isn't covered.

The second leading cause of a repair not being covered when you thought it would be? Accidental damage. "My display is cracked, but I have a warranty." "Unfortunately, that warranty doesn't include accidental damage coverage, and a cracked LCD is virtually always accidental damage."

 

[iBeldar]

I've never had a problem with Best Buy workers themselves; I just get annoyed with them. When I'm out in town, I usually stop by Best Buy to kill time and just look around. I don't think I ever go a single minute without someone "Can I help you find something?" "Any questions?" I know, that's their job they have to do. It just gets annoying after a couple minutes.

 

[swan44]

In my experience, I've found the best buy employees extremely helpful & wanting to make a sale

 

[Chris H.]

It's a mixed bag in my opinion. One day you go there, and everybody is pretty good at helping you, not being rude etc. Another day you go in there, and it's like things went below.