Wow, those "Best Buy" "CompUSA" electronics stores are such rips.

[DS1]

I have proof

$375 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=317362&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

$411 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16828102142

$499 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6666271&type=product&id=1083710084540

$499 http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=311911&pfp=SEARCH

[Fenris]

1. Best Buy is a misnomer.

I've never found a good deal at Best Buy. I've has slightly better luck at Circuit City, but they have a worse selection.

It's becoming more and more important to shop around, especially for high-end electronics.

[realisticphish]

2. not to mention

their customer service sucks ass. The employess know next to nothing if you aren't asking about video games

[flvegan]

3. I made the mistake of looking there first for my last video card.

They wanted $300+ for a PNY nVidia 6600. I went to newegg.com and bought a 6600GT for $150.

Sure, I'm going to upgrade in another year or so, but for now it runs pretty good.

I would buy higher end electronics there, though. I appreciate the "no questions asked" warranty deal. I break stuff.

[DS1]

4. I was in there a few weeks ago looking for DVDRs

And when I walked past the computer section some salesman asshole was trying to convince a guy that is you spend less than 600 on a video card you're wasting your money. Which is totally bullshit, and if I wasn't so pre-disgusted with the prices on DVDRs I'd have bothered so call him out on it, but I was already hightailing it out of there.

[flvegan]

8. Ah, yes...the "pro-gamer" Best Buy flunky.

"Hey dude, um, if you're THAT well-educated and intelligent in all things computer/gaming, why are you slinging 17" monitors when you could be banking large dough for a software company?"

I love the ones that play the fear card, and tell buyers of new rigs that they MUST buy the Best Buy adblocking and spyware sweeping software to stay safe. It's ONLY $75. Yeah, cuz the free Adaware and Spybot S&D just don't live up to your crap...

[DS1]

16. wa wa wath!!!!

OMFG

They don't really do that do they?

[flvegan]

18. They tried it with my mom.

The kid reminded me of a Doogie Howser IT intern. He was like, "you don't want this software? do you know what can happen OUT THERE on the net?" I told him my first trip would be to Lavasoft, at which point he just looked down. When I mentioned AVG, I thought I was going to have security escort me out of the building.

[DS1]

21. argh!

I hate them

Fine, I'll give you updates of my hardware stalking!

[asthmaticeog]

12. I don't even understand why they do that shit.

There's NO WAY they're on commission, are they? Seems to me that if they were, you'd be able to find someone to answer a friggin' question. So why the aggressive upselling? :shrug:

[LeftyMom]

13. Because if you don't do it

Some manager drags you aside and harangues you for ten minutes, in front of another employee if possible, but if you do they give you enough hours you just may be able to pay the bills this month.

God, I hated working for them.

edit: No, no comission. The reason you can never find any help there is they simply don't schecule enough staff hours for to provide adequate help.

[DS1]

17. Fuck that action

I'm spending my Sundays off in the computer department, telling EVERYONE that the BestBuy salesperson is full of SHIT!

[flvegan]

19. I need to stock up on popcorn and lawn chairs.

Let me know what branch. I'd love to see that.

[Swede]

5. They have no local service,they just ship it god know's where.

You'll get it back god knows when.

[LeftyMom]

6. Back when I worked for them Circuit CIty had local service,

but that was six or seven years ago and it wouldn't surprise me if they don't anymore.

I know at Best Buy they don't do any repairs in house that a reasonably bright child couldn't do on thier own- everything else gets shipped out and usually they fix one thing and break two more.

[NewJeffCT]

7. I despise Best Buy

last time I checked, I was not invisible... and my wife is a rather attractive woman. Yet, if either, or both, of us go into Best Buy, we have trouble getting service. I mean, we literally have to spend several minutes tracking down an available person to ask questions.

Comp USA is at least easier to get help.

The best luck we've had is one kid in Circuit City who seems unusually helpful.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

9. Costco $429.00 (before and available $30.00 rebate.)

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=10047580&whse=&topnav=&cat=2486&hierPath=84*2148*2486*

[Maddy McCall]

10. I bought my son a keyboard a couple of years ago...

I bought it from a mom-n-pop on the net. Got it, with the stand, all the accessories, and even a set of headphones for HALF of what Best Buy wanted for it.

Also, I have a Canon G2 that's several years old. Best Buy wanted $1,000 for it. I bought it from www.pictureline.com for $599, and it came with extra memory cards and a case. (If you've never looked at pictureline, check them out.) Pictureline even called a week after delivery to make sure that my camera arrived safe and sound and to remind me to fill out their on-line warranty card.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. And BH Photo is just a totally fucking cool place to shop

I love the conveyor belts the most!

But also the love the fact their faith is in action, and they shut the whole thing down on Jewish holidays and for the Sabbath.

It's one of the places I miss. It's so hard to find a camera store outside NYC that has 120 and 220 slide and B&W film just hanging out and handy...

[Gatchaman]

15. B&H Rocks

Just got my new Bogen 745b tripod and 503 head yesterday. Super service and the best honest* pricing around for camera gear.

*You'll find plenty of places selling cameras cheaper than B&H. Just try getting one from them.

[DS1]

20. Fucking RIGHT it is!

BH Photo don't work on Saturday!

SCHOMER SHABBOSH!!



and btw, dude, they rock

[Deja Q]

14. Try talking with their "knowledgeable floor staff"...

They're about as knowledgeable as used kleenex, apart from the most mundane questions.

It's fun, trying to get a job there too. :D (I couldn't. May have been too much experience with electronics or because I failed their personality profiling nazi propaganda form, which is easy (and fun!) to do... :D )

CompUSA in particular overprices things. Especially cables and PDA accessories. But print cartridges and software titles are usually a fair value... But with poor help staff, nobody should be surprised I've had to make a few product returns. :(

But CompUSA and Best Buy are tangible stores. Newegg and bhpphoto are internet-based.

BTW: I pieced a motherboard combo pricing on newegg.com and mwave.com... mwave saved me the greater amount of money. newegg.com, now that it's known, wants people to act on the premise they cost the least. That's because they used to cost the least and that's when they got popular. Once you're in, they'll raise prices and few will notice. Oops, I noticed for some items. (other items are still dirt cheap... but the cover-all catchphrase is not valid.)

After shipping, those internet stores' final price goes up as well. And they have the disadvantage of different return policies or if something goes wrong. Something breaks? Best buy, et al, are ~8 miles away. No need to pay $20 or whatever to ship the thing back to the company...

If you know what you want, internet is the best way to go. If you're not sure with something, I stick with local chain stores (mom'n'pop stores are as dead as the Charleston :cry: ) and swallow the cost.

Besides, best buy, et al, are social outlets or at least ways to say "I'm in public and I'm doing fine!". Can't do that with newegg... :rofl: