Why I won't shop at Best Buy anymore.

[steve s]

I've been in the market for a new computer for a while now, looking to replace my Win98asaur. Two weeks ago I went to Best Buy and found one that I liked for $830. I decided to wait until after Thanksgiving, hoping that the price might go down. At worst, it would still be the same price, right?

So this afternoon I stop by the store and found that the price had gone up by $84. And they had the audacity to have a yellow tag on it saying "Instant Savings!" to make it appear as if it were discounted. And at the bottom of the tag it said "Price good thru 11/24/07." So does this mean it would go back to being $830, or are they going to increase it again?

The sales guy came over and asked if I had any questions. When I asked about the price increase he said "Yeah, they raised the price on all the computers." Only the few that were advertised in the flyer were discounted. No wonder they can afford such deep discounts on a handful of items. Just increase the price of everything else and convince people they're saving money. Well, they won't be getting my money any more. What's discouraging is knowing that this is probably typical behavior in the industry. I'll probably look online from now on. Anybody got a favorite e-store they shop at for computers?

Steve S.

[Lisa Simpson]

I don't know how their computer prices are, but I've bought computer components at newegg.com and been very happy with the price.

[steve s]

Thanks for responding. Newegg has the same computer for $730 (less shipping.)


ETA: And there's apparently a $30 mail-in rebate on top of that. Though it says "wait 10-12 weeks" for the rebate to arrive. It never ceases to amaze me how long rebates take. Every other form of transaction can happen in days, or maybe a couple of weeks. But rebates?! 3 months!!!


Steve S.

[DoubtingStephen]

Newegg is a great place to shop for computer goods, fast shipping, low prices, no dirty tricks.

[Just thinking]

My experiences at the local Best Buy ...

Their prices and model selections were NOT the best.

[Just thinking]

... And there's apparently a $30 mail-in rebate on top of that. Though it says "wait 10-12 weeks" for the rebate to arrive. It never ceases to amaze me how long rebates take. Every other form of transaction can happen in days, or maybe a couple of weeks. But rebates?! 3 months!!!


Steve S.

One reason I've heard for the long rebate delay is that they wait for the money-back return period for the item to expire. Otherwise things can get a bit hairy for both you and the manufacturer (and sometimes the store).

[Terry]

I don't generally have a good impression of Best Buy, but I have to say I did have a reasonably good shopping experience there recently, when I bought a HP A6230n desktop computer. They had it, at the advertised price, and we had little to no hassle obtaining the item, paying, and leaving.

[Hokulele]

My last 3 computers have all been purchased online. I doubt I will buy a computer from a bricks-and-mortar establishment ever again. Peripherals, media, and other doo-dads are a different story.

[Slimething]

I mostly build my own. If you want to buy an off-the-shelf system, go to www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) and find the system you want. The price you find there is usually the lowest price being offered by any vendor who cared to "bid". Said vendor will gladly take your money and you'll never see the machine. So, you have two options:

1. Click on the machine and you'll get the list of vendors from lowest price to highest. You can painstakingly go through each of the vendors to find out which vendor has the lowest price and a decent reputation (I use www.resellerratings.com (http://www.resellerratings.com)).

2. Or multiply the lowest price by 1.5 and order it from newegg.

Do some research and make sure you're getting the components you want. Your pc should be able to grow with you.

[WildCat]

Newegg is a great place to shop for computer goods, fast shipping, low prices, no dirty tricks.
Yes, Newegg is great! I once bought a memory card online on a Saturday afternoon, and chose the free shipping option. Somehow, the card arrived Monday! Great store.

[fuelair]

Yes, Newegg is great! I once bought a memory card online on a Saturday afternoon, and chose the free shipping option. Somehow, the card arrived Monday! Great store.


Just curious - is Avery actually capable of debating the finer (or grosser) points of fart jokes? I ask as I was under the impression his mind was on a 2nd or 3rd grade level - allowing him to appreciate such jokes, but not to discuss context, delivery, level of sophistication, etc.

[steve s]

1. Click on the machine and you'll get the list of vendors from lowest price to highest. You can painstakingly go through each of the vendors to find out which vendor has the lowest price and a decent reputation (I use www.resellerratings.com (http://www.resellerratings.com)).



I'm familiar with resellerratings.com. Photography is a hobby of mine and that is one industry where scams are rampant. It's amazing what some online stores get away with. You'll often have several "companies" being run out of one location. And when their reputation is lower than Bush's approval ratings, they just change their name and pop up anew.

Steve S.

[Prometheus]

A few weeks ago I was shopping for a portable stereo, and a few other things. There happens to be a Best Buy and a Walmart just down the street from each other nearby, so I went to both and took notes. All but one of items I looked at was available at both stores, and Walmart was cheaper on everything, by an average of about 10%.

On the other hand, Best Buy does seem to sell a lot of "big-ticket" items that I've not noticed for sale at Walmart or other discount stores.

The thing that bugs me most about BB and other similar stores is the prevalence of "mail-in rebates". I will never purchase any item from anyone if they offer me the opportunity to give some Fortune 500 company an interest-free loan, that's up to me to act as a collection agency on.

[Trifikas]

I don't know where you are, but I went pricing around computers recently and had a good experience at Microcenter. I ended up not purchasing any machine anywhere, but the sales guy was helpful and not in a "Pushy" way. He also told me that they check online prices and adjust CPU prices daily to be inline (if not outright match) major online sellers. Note that that is "CPU" prices, not necissarily computers in General

As always, your mileage may vary.

Trifikas

[steve s]

The thing that bugs me most about BB and other similar stores is the prevalence of "mail-in rebates". I will never purchase any item from anyone if they offer me the opportunity to give some Fortune 500 company an interest-free loan, that's up to me to act as a collection agency on.


Ditto. And for large-ticket items, you're paying tax on the full retail price, not the rebated price.

Steve S.

[HarryKeogh]

I don't buy big ticket electronics at Best Buy (I'll pick up CDs, DVDs, videogames there though). I usually go with Amazon as the price is usually great, love their service and really love not paying sales tax.

I bought my HDTV there. It was 2500 there (of course today, 1 1/2 years later similar TVs are half the price) with free shipping and no tax. Best Buy had it for 3200. With the tax I would have spent about a grand extra than Amazon.

Judging by the reviews here for New Egg I'll have to give them a shot in the future.

[Tokenconservative]

I've been in the market for a new computer for a while now, looking to replace my Win98asaur. Two weeks ago I went to Best Buy and found one that I liked for $830. I decided to wait until after Thanksgiving, hoping that the price might go down. At worst, it would still be the same price, right?

So this afternoon I stop by the store and found that the price had gone up by $84. And they had the audacity to have a yellow tag on it saying "Instant Savings!" to make it appear as if it were discounted. And at the bottom of the tag it said "Price good thru 11/24/07." So does this mean it would go back to being $830, or are they going to increase it again?

The sales guy came over and asked if I had any questions. When I asked about the price increase he said "Yeah, they raised the price on all the computers." Only the few that were advertised in the flyer were discounted. No wonder they can afford such deep discounts on a handful of items. Just increase the price of everything else and convince people they're saving money. Well, they won't be getting my money any more. What's discouraging is knowing that this is probably typical behavior in the industry. I'll probably look online from now on. Anybody got a favorite e-store they shop at for computers?

Steve S.

I worked retail computer sales for a time, part time...what an eye-opener.

This was back in the days when these things were flying off the shelves (I made damn good money!). We had one rising start Ass. Mgr who came up with the bright idea (corporate LOVED it, and promoted him almost immediately) to keep system component prices "low" (they were okay) but to jack the price all all the "extras" a bit...a buck here or there for cables and mouspads and ink and all that stuff (keep in mind, this was when people weren't usually replacing an old system but buying their first system and NEEDED all this stuff).

I found it apalling. Not enough to quit and give up those juicy commissions...but hey, I'm a capitalist first and foremost.

Tokie

[Starthinker]

The last time I was in Best Buy (and this was some time ago) I was looking for a hard drive and picked one out and proceeded to the checkout when I noticed the barcode was cut out. So I went back and found that about half the boxes had the barcode cut off. I asked a nearby associate what the deal was and he said people buy them, cut the barcode off for the rebate then bring them back. I asked him why they would accept, as a return, a box with the barcode cut off, you'd think they'd tell the person to bug off. He said it didn't matter to them as long as it sold again and that few people ever get their rebates anyway.

Rebates, along with "suggested" retail price (the price they use to make you think things are on sale) and "going out of business sales" that places have every week are just retail scams. And don't get me started on gas adding a penny on the end of every gallon with their 9/10 scam.

[Tokenconservative]

The last time I was in Best Buy (and this was some time ago) I was looking for a hard drive and picked one out and proceeded to the checkout when I noticed the barcode was cut out. So I went back and found that about half the boxes had the barcode cut off. I asked a nearby associate what the deal was and he said people buy them, cut the barcode off for the rebate then bring them back. I asked him why they would accept, as a return, a box with the barcode cut off, you'd think they'd tell the person to bug off. He said it didn't matter to them as long as it sold again and that few people ever get their rebates anyway.

Rebates, along with "suggested" retail price (the price they use to make you think things are on sale) and "going out of business sales" that places have every week are just retail scams. And don't get me started on gas adding a penny on the end of every gallon with their 9/10 scam.

You can't be serious about this last...

You must know that the tax. The gas sellers don't add that...your government does.

Tokie

[Just thinking]

The 9/10 of a cent on the pumps is there for inspection purposes --- to see if your pumps are metering correctly. By having it measure to the nearest 1/10 of a cent, one can pump out a measured volume of 10 gallons (exactly) and see if the pump price reads correctly.

Example: The price is $2.87 + 9/10 a gallon. You pump out 10 gallons (into a calibrated volume), and the price had better read $28.79 exactly.

I do, however believe that rebates are a pseudo-scam and should be outlawed. You want to sell an item for less? ... put it on sale!

[Starthinker]

Thanks for the education on 9/10ths.

Locally, the police were called to the Best Buy to prevent people from cutting in line. I think they could have hired a kindergarten teacher to do that.

[EatatJoes]

I went there recently because I had a gift card. I was looking for a high quality battery charger. The sales people were idiots as well as worthless. The one sales person was trying to flirt with me. I found it contrived seeing as how I looked like *****.
I won't go there again for anything. Amazon is awesome for music, movies and such. Wal-Mart is great for some things. I purchased memory online and everything went very soothly.
Anyway, BB sucks.

Do not use alternate spelling to get around the auto-censor.

[Tokenconservative]

I went there recently because I had a gift card. I was looking for a high quality battery charger. The sales people were idiots as well as worthless. The one sales person was trying to flirt with me. I found it contrived seeing as how I looked like *****.
I won't go there again for anything. Amazon is awesome for music, movies and such. Wal-Mart is great for some things. I purchased memory online and everything went very soothly.
Anyway, BB sucks.

Do not use alternate spelling to get around the auto-censor.

LOL. Yeah, but if the clerk had been cute...diff'ent story, eh?

Sheesh. I don't know how many women hit on me when I was working PT for a big computer store back in the mid-90s....lots.

And lots of the guys I worked with would hit right back. I only flirted with a couple of the reps (I am married..not dead).

That's what people do. It's not a reflection on the store (that kind of store, anyway). Even ugly people, by the way.

Tokie

[Tokenconservative]

The 9/10 of a cent on the pumps is there for inspection purposes --- to see if your pumps are metering correctly. By having it measure to the nearest 1/10 of a cent, one can pump out a measured volume of 10 gallons (exactly) and see if the pump price reads correctly.

Example: The price is $2.87 + 9/10 a gallon. You pump out 10 gallons (into a calibrated volume), and the price had better read $28.79 exactly.

I do, however believe that rebates are a pseudo-scam and should be outlawed. You want to sell an item for less? ... put it on sale!

Really? Well, that makes sense. I always thought it had to do with the taxes.

Anyway, yeah...those rebates are indeed a scam. Mfg'r and stores like them because people rilly, rilly believe they will use them...then don't, so the price can be jacked up but hey...there's a rebate!

It's like grocery coupons. These are essentially ads designed to get people to say "hmm......yeah, now that I have a coupon, I'll give that brand a try...). Most grocery shoppers are women and they use SOME of these. Male shoppers almost NEVER use them.

I am a different study...

I go grocery shopping "big" maybe once every 2- 2-1/2 months or so. When I do, I bring along enough of these to choke a moose. I was told I held the record for number used and $$ saved at a Wal-Mart (before I stopped patronizing Wal-Mart) Supercenter. I don't remember the count, but I pulled back $200 from the bill. Not a bad day's work IMAHO.

Did this just before T-day a week or so ago (local grocery chain) and saved over $50 on a $400 bill. I don't get people who don't use these things. It's like they send you money in the mail and the newspaper every day, and you just throw it away....

Tokie

[bigred]

Rebates, along with "suggested" retail price (the price they use to make you think things are on sale) and "going out of business sales" that places have every week are just retail scams. And don't get me started on gas adding a penny on the end of every gallon with their 9/10 scam.

First re Best Buy, I can't stand them either, but mostly because half (give or take) their employees look like something that just crawled out of a dumpster and their attitudes often are just barely polite enough to not get them fired - and good luck getting someone who really knows their stuff about (whatever). My experience has been better at Circuit City, but they can be much the same sometimes. Anyway...

Re the rebates, I hate them too, but what really drives me nuts is they're right. They've done their homework and know most people won't bother filling out and/or sending in the 1500 things you need to send it to get your freakin rebate as it's a royal pain, esp for smaller rebates. Hell I've blown this off myself and kicked myself for it later. But it totally floors me that they would accept something back with a barcode chopped off. Hey let's enable more public fraud, good idea. There's the REAL scam. POSs should be fined. Heavily.

[Starthinker]

We had a local grocery store proudly announce that it would no longer accept coupons. It said it would just lower it's prices so everyone could save! Must not have struck the right nerve, though, because they now accept coupons again. This goes along with my earlier post, people just need to see that 4 cents taken off the bill to believe they got a deal.

[bigred]

yep, the whole coupon/rebate/grocery "cards" exist for only one reason: they work. :mad:

[Tokenconservative]

We had a local grocery store proudly announce that it would no longer accept coupons. It said it would just lower it's prices so everyone could save! Must not have struck the right nerve, though, because they now accept coupons again. This goes along with my earlier post, people just need to see that 4 cents taken off the bill to believe they got a deal.

Oh yeah...our local chains did that one, too. Lasted maybe a week. I called and told each one of them I would be shopping at Wal-Mart. One of the managers sent me a $10-off my next purchase right then and there.

Tokie

[Tokenconservative]

yep, the whole coupon/rebate/grocery "cards" exist for only one reason: they work. :mad:

Not sure I follow you.

I save about 10% (avg.) by using the "card" and coupons. I save on gas, too, by using the card....$.03/gal. normally, then when I spend $200 (which I would anyway, wouldn't I?) I get $.10/gal off on my next gas purchase. When I spend "big" on groceries, we line up all three of our cars and fill them when I am going to get the .10 off.

Coupons: I use them a lot. And I save a lot. Given, it HAS to be on something you want/use. I don't just, as some radical couponers insist, buy just because I HAVE the coupon. Look at flour: this stuff is dirt cheap already. They jack the price up on the high-end brand (if you know anything about baking you know that flour is flour...the only difference is the package) and put coupons out this time of year. I buy the cheap stuff...10# for like $2-3 bucks. Lasts me at least 6 mos. I could buy the $5lb bag for $5 with a $.50-off coupon, but does that even make sense? Sure it does to someone who thinks that having that particular brand of flour bag in his or her pantry says something about what a wonderful baker he or she is. I have a canister I keep flour in and it says: this guy bought me at a garage sale and in another year or two, the smell of whatever solvent I used to hold, will have worn away!

Coupons are not intended for shoppers like me. In fact, mfg'rs HATE shoppers like me. Coupons are ads. Otherwise, why make them so purty? They are intended first and foremost to "hook" someone into using the product and perhaps switching to that product from another. The mfg'r doesn't really want to save you money. If they did, they'd just forego the coupons and lower their prices by that amount.

But if you are smart about these things, you can save a lot by using them.

Tokie

[JonnyFive]

I'll chip in another recommendation for Newegg.com, and Tigerdirect.com is a decent place to buy computer stuff as well, although their selection is a bit more limited than Newegg.

I've gotten to the point where I'll got to Best Buy to check the stuff out in person (it's nice to look at some goods in person, although I don't bother for computer stuff as I buy components these days and know what I'm looking for), and then go home and buy it on Newegg. I buy a lot of computer components and some consumer electronics from them, and I haven't had any issues with them. Never bought a pre-built, but I see no reason why the experience there would be any worse.

I haven't really had any profoundly negative experiences with my local Best Buys, but I don't really see any reason to buy anything more involved than a DVD from them.

[TjW]

The thing that bugs me most about BB and other similar stores is the prevalence of "mail-in rebates". I will never purchase any item from anyone if they offer me the opportunity to give some Fortune 500 company an interest-free loan, that's up to me to act as a collection agency on.

You realize the rebates aren't being offered by BB, but by the manufacturer? You would rather they simply didn't tell you about the opportunity to pry some money out of a Fortune 500 company? Why?

[TheAnachronism]

They've done their homework and know most people won't bother filling out and/or sending in the 1500 things you need to send it to get your freakin rebate as it's a royal pain, esp for smaller rebates.

These huge, multi-million dollar electronics companies purposefully created the rebate process to be as complicated as possible in the hopes that you'll either (1) decide not to go through the trouble or (2) miss one of the steps and be exempt.

They make you feel like you're saving money when you buy it, then 90% of the time you don't even get the rebate because of (1) or (2).

Last time I bought a computer, it was a huge package deal (printer, speakers, tower, monitor) with EACH ITEM having its own rebate that needed to be sent in with a photocopy of its bar code, serial number, receipt, and my signature. Not only that, but they had to be sent by a certain date, while they had no obligation to send me the rebate by a certain date.

[Tokenconservative]

These huge, multi-million dollar electronics companies purposefully created the rebate process to be as complicated as possible in the hopes that you'll either (1) decide not to go through the trouble or (2) miss one of the steps and be exempt.

They make you feel like you're saving money when you buy it, then 90% of the time you don't even get the rebate because of (1) or (2).

Last time I bought a computer, it was a huge package deal (printer, speakers, tower, monitor) with EACH ITEM having its own rebate that needed to be sent in with a photocopy of its bar code, serial number, receipt, and my signature. Not only that, but they had to be sent by a certain date, while they had no obligation to send me the rebate by a certain date.

Agreed in spades.

I remember sending in for the rebate on some software and not getting the rebate back for something like 18 mos. Of course, _I_ had to make sure I jumped through all THEIR hoops w/in 30 days of purchase.

Processing these things today, costs these companies more than the rebate, typically. So I make sure I send in everyone I can, and if they find a glitch to exempt me, I fight it. If nothing else, to cost them more.

Tokie

[tripi]

I believe BB has gotten rid of their own rebates and that only manufacturer's rebates are available from their stores.

[bigred]

oh undoubtedly.

And I'm surprised you could use a photocopy - most I've seen you have to cut out the $#%!@ original off the box.

Anyway all that said, I still bought my PC local. I tried mail order twice for PCs - once it came damaged, once it was mailed to wrong address. ROYAL pain to return first one, told the 2d don't bother going for a 2d mailing attempt, just take it back.

At least w/local purchase I can return if there's an immediate problem.

[steve s]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up ordering a computer directly from HP.com rather than Newegg, mainly because I could configure it the way I wanted. I upgraded the monitor and graphics card, and saved some bucks by deleting the pocket media drive (already have a portable HD) and the secondary CD player (already have a spare from my current computer. In all it came to $780, with free shipping. I'm glad I didn't buy that computer the first time I went into BB.

Oh, and the monitor should be here tomorrow.:)

Steve S.

[DoubtingStephen]

Enjoy your new computer!

[Slimething]

I hate to admit it but the pc I'm using I bought off the shelf. I was in dire need as my old pc (nothing new enough to be salvageable) died without warning and I needed something way before I could do my research and get all the components together for a new one. Anyway, it's an HP and it works very well. I'm not happy with the MB but I can always replace it. Anyway, HP makes good pc's. Good pc makers used to abound but not no more.

Enjoy!

[steve s]

My current PC is also an HP. It's nine years old and it has served me well. We tend to hold on to things for a long time in this family. Did I mention I recently got rid of my 14 year-old Chevy Cavalier for a new Honda Civic? And the Chevy was still pretty young. I once kept a Mustang past its 20th birthday.

My main reason for upgrading is that Win98 isn't being supported by a lot of newer software. I find myself not being able to run certain things. Also, I've got the RAM maxed out at 384megs and the graphics card is ancient, an ATI All-in-Wonder with a whopping 8megs :wide-eyed The new card has 512MB.

Steve S.

[Jeff Corey]

Agreed in spades.

I remember sending in for the rebate on some software and not getting the rebate back for something like 18 mos. Of course, _I_ had to make sure I jumped through all THEIR hoops w/in 30 days of purchase.

Processing these things today, costs these companies more than the rebate, typically. So I make sure I send in everyone I can, and if they find a glitch to exempt me, I fight it. If nothing else, to cost them more.

Tokie

It's good to see you are fighting these ripoff capitalistic bastards, Komerad. Soon you get an invite to join us in the International Socialistic Rebate Revolution.
All hail Lennon and Marx! Moose and Squirrel moost die!

[quixotecoyote]

I enjoy buying parts and computers from specialty stores. The cost is a little higher than online, the same or lower than the Big Boxers, but you get the best service.

[rob_hebert]

The one thing I like about Best Buy is that in Manhattan, they happen to have some of the larger stores. I'll usually go in and try stuff out, compare brands, whatever, before deciding on a product. Then, as long a I don't need it immediately, I'll just order online.
Also, I've had a lot of trouble in the past getting rebates; even if they come through and I get paid, it's not often worth the hassle. Best to just find the lowest price.

[JonnyFive]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up ordering a computer directly from HP.com rather than Newegg, mainly because I could configure it the way I wanted. I upgraded the monitor and graphics card, and saved some bucks by deleting the pocket media drive (already have a portable HD) and the secondary CD player (already have a spare from my current computer. In all it came to $780, with free shipping. I'm glad I didn't buy that computer the first time I went into BB.

Oh, and the monitor should be here tomorrow.:)

Enjoy! Sounds like you got a pretty good deal on it.

[The_Animus]

www.ibuypower.com has some decent prebuilt prices and you can configer the specifics of everything too.

[anticonspiracy911]

Eh, I haven't had any problems with Best Buy. I usually find what I'm looking for in there.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Newegg is a great place to shop for computer goods, fast shipping, low prices, no dirty tricks.

I agree.

Bought a Brother laser printer a few weeks ago, and the were about $80 cheaper than other places. I got the 3-5 day shipping, and it was here the next day.

[SoBitter]

As far as coupons go....you're not saving money if you're buying something that you didn't intend to buy in the first place. Example: you get 50 cents off a box of kleenex, but you wouldn't have bought those in the next 3 months anyway, or, you could have bought the generic for a dollar less.

Coupons only actually save you money when they are off of items you would have bought anyway, on this shopping trip.

The amount that you save with your store card is contrived also. Chances are, you could find that item for the same price or less, at the store down the street. You're also giving them marketing info on every one of your shopping habits, and now your re-fueling habits also, which is worth way more than the perceived savings. I still use the store card, because if I'm there, I'm going to pay the prices anyway. I never use the store card price to determine if I'm going to buy something or not.

As far as Best Buy goes, I hate them. Here is an excerpt from an old blog which I wrote about them:

"I take my purchase to the checkout. There are two lines open. I pick the one that has only one person in line over the one with two people, including a man with a cart. As I get in line, the kid whose hourly rate barely covers his hair gel expense for the day, asks, "Are you paying with credit or debit?" I say, "Cash", and he's all, "I can only do credit or debit." I roll my eyes, and get in the other line, behind the guy with the cart.

Then I realize that the people in front of him have already been rung up, but there is some kind of problem and the cashier is on the phone, which will no doubt take at least 5 minutes.

I roll my eyes again and walk over the customer service desk, hoping they can ring me up. After watching two people talk to each other for a minute or two, they notice me, and the girl rings me up (while having someone else watch her take my cash).

Is paying cash some kind of crime or disease? I know money is kind of dirty, but JC, if you can't competently take my money, then you don't deserve it. I hate Circuit City, but I will shop there in order to spite Worst Buy."