Best Buy is Thriving in the Age of Amazon

AyaisMUsikWhore · Jul 19, 2018

Its amazing, but since the Lost of GCU, i haven't had any reason to go there. I still walk in to check things out but I don't shop there. However with the way Amazon is treating their employees that aren't in offices, I'm definitely going to be going there for price matches tho

Hippopuncher12 · Jul 19, 2018

I love Best Buy and would go in all the time with GCU. However, mine expired last month so I won't go in as much once I get the 50 or so games I pre ordered before it expired haha. I usually would pick up a 4k movie or two when I went in as well. So it's not like I only bought the games.

KillingJoke · Jul 19, 2018

Best Buy is essentially my local amazon store for electronics thanks to price matching. Amazon only comes in handy for random stuff and cheap cables.

zychi · Jul 19, 2018

They get paid by the FBI and US govt to go through people's computers. They're not going down anytime in the immediate future, despite their stores being tvs, overpriced computers, and appliances

Dark Ninja · Jul 19, 2018

They have been adding "collectibles"(junk) like Gamestop did to their stores which I don't know makes them come off as sad to me.

Brandon · Jul 19, 2018

Hippopuncher12 said:
I love Best Buy and would go in all the time with GCU. However, mine expired last month so I won't go in as much once I get the 50 or so games I pre ordered before it expired haha. I usually would pick up a 4k movie or two when I went in as well. So it's not like I only bought the games.

Wait, that works?

x3sphere · Jul 19, 2018

Best Buy was my go to for video games thanks to GCU but since that's gone I have no real reason to go there anymore. Just use Amazon for almost all my entertainment shopping needs now.

EnronERA · Jul 19, 2018

zychi said:
They get paid by the FBI and US govt to go through people's computers. They're not going down anytime in the immediate future, despite their stores being tvs, overpriced computers, and appliances

so you are one of those guys that thinks the FBI and CIA are funding a billion dollar company just to snoop through people's machines as they bring them in eh

Mr Spasiba · Jul 19, 2018

If I can buy something at BestBuy I usually will because they've got such a lax return policy. Only issue is them not having the variety so you either have to go with Amazon or compromise on something else that BB does have, and I don't usually go for the latter.

studyguy · Jul 19, 2018

Man ran into Best Buy for a USB cable, shit was like 15 dollars. Nope.

iverron · Jul 19, 2018

As long as my GCU still works I'll shop there but I'll go back to using BB as a last resort after that's done.

I will say after about a 50/50 dud rate on cables for my USB C only MBP from Amazon I did just break down and use BB's overpriced shit because I was so tired of not being able to immediately return a bad item for something better. Amazon's ratings system is completely out of control.

Synless · Jul 19, 2018

What changed? I walk into Best Buy today and it is the same as a decade ago.

Deleted member 17092 · Jul 19, 2018

Huge mistake to get rid of gcu then.

Derrick01 · Jul 19, 2018

They were one of the best ever during the time of GCU for buying games but once mine ends in december I'm done with them. No malice or anything, I just won't have any reason to buy anything from them anymore. I know GCU came out of their 30% cut so it's not like they were making a lot of money from people like me to begin with but I always looked at it like getting some money is better than nothing. I guess I don't think big enough or irrational enough to run a business.

WiiDSmoker · Jul 19, 2018

TrademarkTM said:
it sucks they are getting rid of gamers club unlocked. i probably wont shop there as much now

I'm curious to see how their video game market share is impact. When my GCU runs out I won't be buying from them anymore. With Amazon cutting back prime discounts...well my purchases on games will drastically decrease and become extremely limited.

Amory · Jul 19, 2018

They price match, so it's basically an Amazon pickup center for shit I want today

Cruxist · Jul 19, 2018

Best Buy was the MVP for me several years ago looking for a new Vita. They had like 2 of those Borderlands bundles in stock and I managed to nab one.

zychi · Jul 19, 2018

EnronERA said:
so you are one of those guys that thinks the FBI and CIA are funding a billion dollar company just to snoop through people's machines as they bring them in eh

So you're one of those guys that thinks the CIA, FBI and NSA are always being good.

Very easy too Google(the irony) of all the corporations these government entities pay and work with. You think Best Buy magically turned their fortunes around in the past ten years as their store sells dying physical media and Apple takes up 1/4 of their stores?

EnronERA · Jul 19, 2018

zychi said:
So you're one of those guys that thinks the CIA, FBI and NSA are always being good.

Very easy too Google(the irony) of all the corporations these government entities pay and work with. You think Best Buy magically turned their fortunes around in the past ten years as their store sells dying physical media and Apple takes up 1/4 of their stores?

We all know the FBI and other alphabet agencies do shady shit but spending billions just to get data off the handful of people who bring their laptops in when they have a problem? Come on dude, take off the tinfoil hat. I have no doubt those agencies do some cloak and dagger but they aren't going to prop up a giant failing retail operation just to get at 20k people's data a year. There's much more cost efficient ways of doing that (which im sure they probably do).

zychi · Jul 19, 2018

EnronERA said:
We all know the FBI and other alphabet agencies do shady shit but spending billions just to get data off the handful of people who bring their laptops in when they have a problem? Come on dude, take off the tinfoil hat. I have no doubt those agencies do some cloak and dagger but they aren't going to prop up a giant failing retail operation just to get at 20k people's data a year. There's much more cost efficient ways of doing that (which im sure they probably do).

I dont know why you think theyre spending "billions." Its enough to keep the lights on. Google it man. I'm sure they make enough money to pay their understaffed store employees minimum wage by selling overpriced laptops and hdmi cables to boomers

Edit: i should clarify that i buy my (very rarely) new game purchases at best buy and take advantage of their rewards program all the time, but theyre not really making any money off me

Hippopuncher12 · Jul 19, 2018

Brandon said:
Wait, that works?

Of course. I have already picked up several games after it expired and still got the discount. I have games pre ordered that aren't even close to being released like Death Stranding and still got the discount. Obviously anything that is announced from now on I am out of luck but whatever.

turbobrick · Jul 19, 2018

Best Buy is useful when I need something and I don't want to wait a couple days for shipping.

Bman94 · Jul 19, 2018

I like Best Buy because I hate waiting for shit online plus the GCU and award program. But once GCU is done for I definitely will be there a whole lot less. That 20% off games was a godsend.

Deleted member 23212 · Jul 19, 2018

Wow, I had no idea they were doing that well, I had always assumed that they were doing poorly and on the brink of having to significantly downsize.

Deleted member 24907 · Jul 19, 2018

zychi said:
So you're one of those guys that thinks the CIA, FBI and NSA are always being good.

Very easy too Google(the irony) of all the corporations these government entities pay and work with. You think Best Buy magically turned their fortunes around in the past ten years as their store sells dying physical media and Apple takes up 1/4 of their stores?

I mean you COULD read the article in the OP.

But I will have to say, this conspiracy theory is new to me and is massively entertaining.

TheBeardedOne · Jul 19, 2018

That's good. Competition is needed, and it's nice to have a bricks and mortar option for those of us who don't like shopping for expensive things online. Or doing much online shopping in general.

zychi · Jul 19, 2018

Eatin' Olives said:
I mean you COULD read the article in the OP.

But I will have to say, this conspiracy theory is new to me and is massively entertaining.

The brands essentially pay rent to Best Buy (it's cheaper than building stores) and either send in their own salespeople or train the blue shirts. No one at Best Buy would offer details about these partnerships.

These deals with Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung, along with the government payments is whats keeping them afloat. The article doesnt delve into any specifics besides a fluff piece of new management, and looking at their financials, they seem consistent for a company losing their accessory sell ups to the internet and renting out floor space to other companies.

If they were a real estate company, sure this sounds great, but they're not making profits off these items theyre selling.

SlickShoesRUCRazy · Jul 19, 2018

I buy all my steelbooks from them haha.

mmazurkiewicz · Jul 19, 2018

Synless said:
What changed? I walk into Best Buy today and it is the same as a decade ago.

complete BS. dont post if youre gonna bullshit.

Biggersmaller · Jul 19, 2018

Relix said:
Best Buy and Target are my to go brick and mortar Stores.

Minneapolis thanks you. I'm the same way.

TAJ · Jul 19, 2018

Best Buy is a lot less appealing to me lately. Their video game and physical media selections are pathetic.
GCU was almost worthless because there was rarely anything to use it on.

Futureman · Jul 19, 2018

zychi said:
So you're one of those guys that thinks the CIA, FBI and NSA are always being good.

Very easy too Google(the irony) of all the corporations these government entities pay and work with. You think Best Buy magically turned their fortunes around in the past ten years as their store sells dying physical media and Apple takes up 1/4 of their stores?

Physical media is almost non-existent at Best Buy now and the Apple section is tiny compared to a normal, large sized BB.

I think a physical big box electronics store will always be popular but it seems like more than one is too many. They kind of won by default.

PurpleMoustache · Jul 19, 2018

Kendrid said:
Many years ago, When Best Buy sold extended warranties on CDs, I overheard a manager talking to a new employee.

"You have to try to sell the warranty three times. Usually by the third time the customer will give up and buy it." The girl looked mortified.

I stopped shopping there for a long time after that.

Home Depot has now adopted that exact same behavior. They have HVAC sales people walking around the store trying to sell "HVAC tune-ups." They do not take no for an answer. I was doing a large project and I was in the store three times in one week and all three times they harassed me. I set down my basket in the aisle and walked out. I won't be back for a long time.

I worked at Best Buy this last holiday.
You'll be happy to know that quote, in nearly exact words is in the examples of what NOT to do.

They switched the pressing strategy on the Credit Card though, which didn't sit well with me.

MaxEverblack · Jul 19, 2018

I've worked at Best Buy in the Geek Squad for about 5 years now. Started off full time to get some experience with troubleshooting tech issues and now I'm part time GS doing the actual repairs. It looks great on my resume and helped me get some experience while working through my ITNA degree and to my current IT full time position. i used to hate Best Buy before I worked there because I thought they were overpriced and I could buy things online for cheaper. I see the value in getting to see a product before I buy it and getting to talk to others about products I'm interested in and like. Joly is a great leader and I definitely think he's made some positive changes the past few years.

bionic77 · Jul 19, 2018

I am old. I remember when Best Buy was the place I went to buy CDs.

zychi · Jul 19, 2018

Futureman said:
Physical media is almost non-existent at Best Buy now and the Apple section is tiny compared to a normal, large sized BB.

I think a physical big box electronics store will always be popular but it seems like more than one is too many. They kind of won by default.

The few I venture through have dvds, bluray, games(biggest section) and physical pc games near geek squad. One has started getting vinyl, but theyre one of the test stores where all the silly failed stuff shows up

Synless · Jul 19, 2018

mmazurkiewicz said:
complete BS. dont post if youre gonna bullshit.

How has it changed? I worked for Best Buy for 4 years while in college just over a decade ago. Very little has changed for customer experience. The layout is damn near the same, what's bs about my statement?

TAJ · Jul 19, 2018

bionic77 said:
I am old. I remember when Best Buy was the place I went to buy CDs.

A decade ago their CD section was bigger than their current music, movie and video game sections combined.

Noire · Jul 19, 2018

GCU sucked me into shopping here, but once that's gone, I am gone as well.

t26 · Jul 19, 2018

Synless said:
How has it changed? I worked for Best Buy for 4 years while in college just over a decade ago. Very little has changed for customer experience. The layout is damn near the same, what's bs about my statement?

For one thing you would notice they almost stop selling music CD now.

Nappuccino · Jul 19, 2018

My hometown Best Buy is kind of amazing. Lots of options, tons of movies and games. You'd never think physical media is said to be on the downswing.

The Best Buy where I live right now, however, might as well be a near-vacant lot with a mild selection of cellphones.

Kendrid · Jul 19, 2018

PurpleMoustache said:
I worked at Best Buy this last holiday.
You'll be happy to know that quote, in nearly exact words is in the examples of what NOT to do.

They switched the pressing strategy on the Credit Card though, which didn't sit well with me.

That is great to hear it is a corporate policy. I just bought a new monitor last week and the sales person asked nicely and when I said "no thank you" that was the end of the discussion. That is how it should be at all stores.

Darknight · Jul 19, 2018

Synless said:
How has it changed? I worked for Best Buy for 4 years while in college just over a decade ago. Very little has changed for customer experience. The layout is damn near the same, what's bs about my statement?

No it's not the same. They've gone to more specialized areas and displays. They've also shifted focus on the types of products they are carrying. Saying it's the same as ten years ago is just wrong.

TAJ · Jul 19, 2018

Synless said:
How has it changed? I worked for Best Buy for 4 years while in college just over a decade ago. Very little has changed for customer experience. The layout is damn near the same, what's bs about my statement?

You had a huge cell phone store-within-a-store in the middle a decade ago? Receipts, please.

night814 · Jul 19, 2018

My guess is for higher priced electronics like TVs and Computers people would rather go to a real store and walk out with it immediately then order it online and risk either getting the wrong thing or have something happen to it during transport.

SlothmanAllen · Jul 19, 2018

I can remember the predictions about Best Buy's demise about eight to ten years ago in the Washington Post, New York Times, etc. Interesting to see how they turned it around.

Mastamind · Jul 19, 2018

I would actually go to best buy if they didn't close the one that was 15 minutes away from my house. Never going to travel over an hour just to go to to a best buy.

skeezx · Jul 19, 2018

you'll always need brick and mortar no matter what. Prime Now cut my Best Buy trips in half but i'll still need to run down there now and again

Jazzy · Jul 19, 2018

I try to buy less from Amazon now knowing how scummy their company is. I'll never fully quit 100% though. If there is something I can get at BB via better price or by price matching Amazon I will do that instead.

Deleted member 40133 · Jul 19, 2018

I always felt it was a matter of what the market could support. Amazon + more than one big box electronic store? Remaining slices of that pie are too little to be tenable, but only one big box store? It's doable. Basically the market has "thinned the herd" of what was unnecessary

Best Buy is Thriving in the Age of Amazon

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