I was eye-balling the Yamaha 7.1 and the Sony 7.1 receivers. And the Kliptch small speakers to go with my Corner Horns purchased in 1965.

JJK

Best Buy prices are so high you can take the 10% off and still pay hundreds more than if you went with, say, B&H video.

"Best Buy prices are so high you can take the 10% off and still pay hundreds more than if you went with, say, B&H video."

I beg to differ...even though I sometimes buy from B&H.
Randy

Try returning a television to B&H 30 days after you bought it and see what happens.

John

>>..."Best Buy prices are so high...

In my opinion, here in the Chicago area, Best Buy prices are often pretty decent.

Best Buy is a great store with respect to prices.

Just make sure you know your stuff before you get there because their service is absolutely awful; some of the worst.

Some time ago, I worked a second job to put my wife through college. During my orientation/training at this "national, major store," Best Buy was literally held up at length, as part of the training, as the way to *not* do things. No joke.

With respect to the Return Desk Gestapo, I've actually had pretty good experiences...except for the time in 1994 when the returns guy accused me of stealing RAM out of the computer I was returning. Of course he saw that I didn't, but never apologized...

I never cease to be amazed at how people try to rip off stores...I almost can't blame them for being pretty jaded behind the returns desk counter...

Plenty of meat here for one whopping thread.
One thing I'd like to know is the truth behind this recent (no longer new) spin that the BB sales associates are there to help you, but not on commission. I know that CC also dispensed with commissioned sales "associates" as well.

Service at both superstores is terrible - probably because the earning's potential no longer attracts quality, career oriented types.

I've nothing against young people (was one myself, once), but these stores are manned by young, inexperienced types, many of whom, apparently, have no interest in product or knowledge of same.

I use Digi8 equipment, and wanted to archive a 1hr-23min piece without splitting it up. Went to CC and asked for Sony's long digi8 cassette. Salesman told me the longest available was the Hi8 120 minute cassette (1hr if used in a Digi8 cam). No, I replied, Sony makes one that will record 1hr 30min. No way - if you're getting 1hr 30min, then your cam is slowing down the tape speed.

He then gave me a look as though he didn't have time for someone so mis-informed. I left the store, went around to BB, found the desired tape without assistance, purchased it, and returned to the CC store to look the guy up and show the tape to him.

He used the store computer system to look this "model" up on the CC inventory list, found it, and told me it's not a stocking item. No hint of apology for being incorrect or having insulted a customer. Obviously, this guy isn't on commission and has no clue that his paycheck comes from CC's customers, not from CC.

I see that same low level of service and product knowledge at BB, too. If you need one more of this or that type of connection cord or whatever, and if it isn't in stock, you're as likely to be told that it doesn't exist as that it isn't in stock at present.

One BB guy tried to tell me that Music (audio) CDRW's don't exist. Only Music CD-R's and data CDRW's. My insistence that I use them all the time did not convince him.

As for pricing, I remember the days when we used to have 'fair trade' laws - when the mfr basically told the retailer what to charge for an item, unauthorized discounting could cost the dealer the product line. I also remember when CompUSA first came to town (they didn't call themselves CompUSA at first, but I've forgotten what the name was). I remember how shocked I was at their attractive pricing compared to the specialty stores that owned the market in those days. Also, they instituted a liberal return policy (even on opened software) in order to build traffic and gain market share.

These days, however, if you compare prices, it amazes me how similar pricing between these three big rivals is on similar/same items. Always within pennies. You can usually trace any significant pricing difference to some difference in features or equipment. So, in the 'fair trade' days, mfrs were setting the price. I wonder who's controlling it now?

As far as B&H goes, I've never purchased computer stuff from them, but have used them plenty over the years as a source for AV and Photo equipment. Their return policy has always been fair, and their pricing is competitive.

As a previous poster mentioned, you need to be knowledgeable about what you're trying to buy - steer clear of the B&H kits - name brand main item at a good price and a box full of private label collateral items that are priced to cushion their margin.

Ok, I've rattled on long enough. Will look to see what others have to say.

Caruso

>>...have no interest in product or knowledge of same...

I really have no problem when a salesperson says, "Ya' know, I really don't know this very well, but I have the manul here if you'd like to see it."

In fact, the only question I ever ask anywhere is, "may I please see the manual?"

It's the people who try to act like they know what they're talking about, and really don't, that cause trouble.

Here's my recent BestBuy horror story. My 11-year old son wants to buy his first camcorder (with his own money.) We researched it, picked one out, but it was on clearance and they didn't have any more. He can't afford the next model he liked. Disappointed boy. I tell him wait, the holiday weekend is coming up and stuff goes on sale.

Luckily, this thread comes up and we get the coupon for 10% off. We go there this past Sat (probably a mistake, Memorial Day weekend) and can't find anybody to help us. Lots of employees walking around, talking to each other, or doing other stuff like giving soda away. I stop by the lone guy working in the digital camera dept and he tells me that someone will be right with us. 10 minutes later, I go to the front desk and ask them if someone will please sell me a camcorder. Guy tells me it's not his department, but he'll try anyway. Gets the camcorder, but we're not allowed to just pay for it at the register like everyone else - we have to go over to the Refunds/Exchanges/Pickup counter. Reasoning that this is a "pickup" and not a "refund/exchange" we stand in that line.

And stand. And stand. Employee behind the counter takes forever with some guy buying a laptop, then LEAVES despite the fact that we are standing right in front of him. Begin to realize that the cloak of invisibilty has descended upon us because no one acknowledges our presence. Meanwhile, refund/exchange line starts looking like a better bet.

Then an employee comes along and picks up our camcorder from the desk behind the counter. I am elated, figuring that after 15 mins in line, we can finally buy this thing. HE DROPS IT ON THE GROUND. I insist he get us a new one, and send my boy to follow him to make sure he doesn't just turn right around with the dropped one. He DOES get a new one, but my boy points out that he just put the dropped one BACK ON THE SHELF and how do we know that the new one wasn't already dropped by someone before?

Finally we get a turn at the register. The girl is TALKING ON THE PHONE. And talks. And talks. I finally grab a different cashier and plead for her to sell me this thing so we can go home.

Surprise! Besides 10% off, we get a free $25 gift card. They don't have any behind the desk, so the girl disappears for two minutes looking for one. I ask if we can use it towards this purchase. No, it's only good for a future purchase. Another surprise: the final total looks strangely like it's $25 more than what it should be.

She discovers that the computer can't handle giving us a free gift card and the 10% discount, so she gets out a calculator to adjust the price of the camcorder so we can get our free gift card. Everything gets done, and the last thing she gives us is a register receipt with a web-site survey on customer satisfaction. We can potentially win a $500 gift-card just for giving our opinion!

Guess how I filled out the survey?

Instead of (or in addition to) filling out the survey, I would print or email a copy of this thread to the district manager under which your BB falls. He/she would be interested in knowing this information. The local store will give you the DM office address and phone.

Best way to buy at Best Buy is to know what you want, go to the shelf, take it off the shelf, put it on the cart, go to the cash register, pay for it then leave and make sure you talk to no one.

JJK

Best Buy averages about $300 more on DV cams. Plus you have to pay sales tax. You might pay about the same as other places on small items- but then you have to deal with their return policy. Games for example- if I buy a game from GameStop and don't like it I can return it- Best Buy? Nope...your stuck with it.

Best Buy is one of the most EXPENSIVE place to buy higher end electronics.

>>Best way to buy at Best Buy...talk to no one

Precisely!

Problem is, you can't take camcorders off the shelf - they're locked up. So, you have to get someone to get you one. Then, they don't let you just pay for it at the register - you have to have "customer assistance" to do all the paperwork.

We almost bought our camcorder from B & H because they had a good price. But with the 10% off coupon from Best Buy, it was a few dollars cheaper, and my son could get it right away.

Be advised that on a camcorder there is only a 14 day return policy at Best Buy. 30 days on most other stuff.
Vanns.com (an authorized Sony dealer) used to be the only authorized Sony dealer that gave you a 30 day return policy. Unfortunately, they went the way of all the others. At least they aren't like many NYC vendors who give you a return of 14 days, delay the shipping, and then tell you it's 14 days from the date of the sale.

John

The last time I was at CircuitCity, the CCdroid tried to sell me an extended warranty for $15 on a $50 speaker set (center channel and 2 surrounds). He just wouldn't give up, even when I pointed out to him that it would be like paying $15,000 for warranty insurance on a $50,000 car. His reply to that? "But it covers all 3 speakers." How can one argue with logic like that?

As to BestBuy? I periodically check prices in their sale circulars for items where I know the going market price. Seldom do they have the Best Buy.

Since I got ripped off buying my first camcorder at CC (a Sony Hi-8 in 1999), the only thing I buy at BB or CC anymore are movies on DVD. They usually have the lowest prices on new releases for the first week they come out. (Okay, so maybe an occasional cord or hard drive that's on sale...)