Comments on: Best Buy: Computers, But No Experience http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/ news and information about Apple Inc.'s retail stores Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:32:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: dbldbl http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5834 dbldbl Thu, 17 May 2007 22:40:56 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5834 Maybe it's a slow roll out here in the San Francisco Bay Area, but the Union City/Union Landing has an Apple Sales Rep available. My cousin bought her MacBook from there, had a problem with the motherboard fitzing out and the ASR helped her out by checking out the problem and promptly replacing with another MB. Of course, this was on Monday, on the eve of the new speed-bumped 'Books. The store was completely out of stock Monday night, but managed to find a open-stock returned MB (no problems, just an open/returned item) and Best Buy refunded her $100 for taking the open box in lieu of getting a brand new MB. She also mentioned that the staff, ASR plus the blue shirts and the Geek Squad staff were very helpful and accomodating. I'm sure everyone's experience may vary, but this was quite a surprise for a Bay Area Best Buy. Maybe it’s a slow roll out here in the San Francisco Bay Area, but the Union City/Union Landing has an Apple Sales Rep available. My cousin bought her MacBook from there, had a problem with the motherboard fitzing out and the ASR helped her out by checking out the problem and promptly replacing with another MB. Of course, this was on Monday, on the eve of the new speed-bumped ‘Books. The store was completely out of stock Monday night, but managed to find a open-stock returned MB (no problems, just an open/returned item) and Best Buy refunded her $100 for taking the open box in lieu of getting a brand new MB. She also mentioned that the staff, ASR plus the blue shirts and the Geek Squad staff were very helpful and accomodating. I’m sure everyone’s experience may vary, but this was quite a surprise for a Bay Area Best Buy.

]]> By: curmudgeon http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5687 curmudgeon Tue, 15 May 2007 15:48:54 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5687 I've had some problems with Best Buy over the years, but less than with Apple stores in Minnesota and California. The arrogance and cluelessness of some Apple sales people matches the worst I've seen from BB. Two examples: the Apple store genius' process for resolving a minor problem with my iPod was to wipe it clean to diagnose the problem, then reload 20GB of music. The Apple expert at a CompUSA correctly identified it as an iTunes problem without touching the iPod. In the other case, the "genius" incorrectly assured me my Mac Pro speakers would work on my new iMac...the only problem is that the only way to do it is with a Griffin iFire adapter that hasn't been manufactured for years! Gimme a self-aware techie over a genius any day. I’ve had some problems with Best Buy over the years, but less than with Apple stores in Minnesota and California. The arrogance and cluelessness of some Apple sales people matches the worst I’ve seen from BB. Two examples: the Apple store genius’ process for resolving a minor problem with my iPod was to wipe it clean to diagnose the problem, then reload 20GB of music. The Apple expert at a CompUSA correctly identified it as an iTunes problem without touching the iPod. In the other case, the “genius” incorrectly assured me my Mac Pro speakers would work on my new iMac…the only problem is that the only way to do it is with a Griffin iFire adapter that hasn’t been manufactured for years! Gimme a self-aware techie over a genius any day.

]]> By: estelle http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5653 estelle Tue, 15 May 2007 02:33:04 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5653 personally, i WOULD NOT BY ANYTHING from BEST BUY after an experience i had with them trying to buy a new tv. the price was right, the price for the mounting bracket was right. i asked how much to deliver it, mouont the bracket and hook it up. $165.00. fine, sesnd i'll sign on the doted line. then the clerk camae back and said, i'm sorry, i made a mistake, it will be $650. i couldn't believe it, so i talked to the fella who was supposed to do to the job. "well we need to wire for it" this wiring will be in the wall. " i already have a tv mounted there, the wires ARE inside but this new one different a new bracket" "but we have to use special hi def cable." a later phone call to comcast and i was informed i didn't need special cable. i bought the tv elsewhere. my son put up the bracket and plugged it in and it worked just fine. a few days later i phoned the store to speak to the manager, to tell him why i didn't buy my set there, and when he heard my story he said " but we never charge more than $350. for that service. i will be happpy to do the job for $350." he just didn't get it. so when ever the namee BSET BUY comes up, i tell my story. it doesn't have anything to do with macs but caveat emptor personally, i WOULD NOT BY ANYTHING from BEST BUY after an experience i had with them trying to buy a new tv.

the price was right, the price for the mounting bracket was right. i asked how much to deliver it, mouont the bracket and hook it up. $165.00. fine, sesnd i’ll sign on the doted line. then the clerk camae back and said, i’m sorry, i made a mistake, it will be $650. i couldn’t believe it, so i talked to the fella who was supposed to do to the job.

“well we need to wire for it” this wiring will be in the wall.

” i already have a tv mounted there, the wires ARE inside but this new one different a new bracket”

“but we have to use special hi def cable.”

a later phone call to comcast and i was informed i didn’t need special cable.

i bought the tv elsewhere. my son put up the bracket and plugged it in and it worked just fine.

a few days later i phoned the store to speak to the manager, to tell him why i didn’t buy my set there, and when he heard my story he said ” but we never charge more than $350. for that service. i will be happpy to do the job for $350.”

he just didn’t get it. so when ever the namee BSET BUY comes up, i tell my story. it doesn’t have anything to do with macs but caveat emptor

]]> By: schmitty http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5632 schmitty Mon, 14 May 2007 20:47:20 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5632 "Oh, you want someone to help you understand, demo, and help you buy the best computers in the world? Go to the Apple Store!" Oh yes, I love going to a place where some kid who worked at the Gap last week shows me how 'pretty' the computer is. Sorry, staffing your store with kids making $7/hour does not result in the best shopping experience, no matter the company. “Oh, you want someone to help you understand, demo, and help you buy the best computers in the world? Go to the Apple Store!”

Oh yes, I love going to a place where some kid who worked at the Gap last week shows me how ‘pretty’ the computer is. Sorry, staffing your store with kids making $7/hour does not result in the best shopping experience, no matter the company.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5624 Jerry Mon, 14 May 2007 16:22:36 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5624 "But he tried to sell me a damn Dell that I told him that I didn’t want twice." I know that Dell has been experimenting with changes to its direct sales model, but I'm almost certain that Dell has never sold its products in a Best Buy. “But he tried to sell me a damn Dell that I told him that I didn’t want twice.”

I know that Dell has been experimenting with changes to its direct sales model, but I’m almost certain that Dell has never sold its products in a Best Buy.

]]> By: JOEB http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5612 JOEB Mon, 14 May 2007 12:04:40 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5612 BOO! Keep Macs out and as far away as possible from Best Buy and other retailers. You want to buy a box, an awful operating system and get the worst or no service? Go to Best Buy. Oh, you want someone to help you understand, demo, and help you buy the best computers in the world? Go to the Apple Store! Apple: You've got amazing stores, with great concepts and the best shopping experience. Keep it the way it should be. Don't whore around the Mac like you do iPods. Keep the Mac an Apple Store exclusive!! BOO! Keep Macs out and as far away as possible from Best Buy and other retailers.

You want to buy a box, an awful operating system and get the worst or no service? Go to Best Buy.
Oh, you want someone to help you understand, demo, and help you buy the best computers in the world? Go to the Apple Store!

Apple: You’ve got amazing stores, with great concepts and the best shopping experience. Keep it the way it should be. Don’t whore around the Mac like you do iPods. Keep the Mac an Apple Store exclusive!!

]]> By: Derik http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5529 Derik Sun, 13 May 2007 04:28:40 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5529 You said: "Best Buy has been selling iPods for almost two years, but has NEVER sold Apple’s computers." (emphasis added) It's kind of hard for Best Buy to dump iMacs over color issues if they never sold them, don't you think? http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-514401.html?legacy=zdnn You said: “Best Buy has been selling iPods for almost two years, but has NEVER sold Apple’s computers.” (emphasis added)

It’s kind of hard for Best Buy to dump iMacs over color issues if they never sold them, don’t you think?

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-514401.html?legacy=zdnn

]]> By: Former MG http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5528 Former MG Sun, 13 May 2007 04:19:06 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5528 Yeah…I was at a Best Buy a while ago asking about a Mac mini seeing what kind of service I would get. Some kid responsible for the area could only tell me that the mini was not compatible with the Windows machines. He souldn't tell me anything about the Mac mini other than that. But he tried to sell me a damn Dell that I told him that I didn't want twice. He didn't seem to get why I would want the Mac instead of the PC. Best Buy seems to be a good place to buy something if you know what you want before hand, get it and get out. Yeah…I was at a Best Buy a while ago asking about a Mac mini seeing what kind of service I would get. Some kid responsible for the area could only tell me that the mini was not compatible with the Windows machines.
He souldn’t tell me anything about the Mac mini other than that. But he tried to sell me a damn Dell that I told him that I didn’t want twice.
He didn’t seem to get why I would want the Mac instead of the PC.
Best Buy seems to be a good place to buy something if you know what you want before hand, get it and get out.

]]> By: Alfa http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5523 Alfa Sun, 13 May 2007 03:31:56 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5523 "but has never sold Apple’s computers" Not exactly true. A few years back they did indeed sell Apple computers. Infact, the first iMac I ever saw was at a Best Buy. “but has never sold Apple’s computers”

Not exactly true. A few years back they did indeed sell Apple computers. Infact, the first iMac I ever saw was at a Best Buy.

]]> By: Lon Sioning http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5522 Lon Sioning Sun, 13 May 2007 03:02:40 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5522 Best Buy + Apple = "Oh no he di'nt" We've been this way before, with disasterous results. Best Buy + Apple = “Oh no he di’nt”
We’ve been this way before, with disasterous results.

]]> By: schmee2 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5517 schmee2 Sun, 13 May 2007 01:13:30 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5517 I visited several BB's and they kick butt with Apple there. The Apple rep who set this whole experience up must be one cool and smart person! Great experience, but still not the 'Store'! I visited several BB’s and they kick butt with Apple there. The Apple rep who set this whole experience up must be one cool and smart person! Great experience, but still not the ‘Store’!

]]> By: Thinkman http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5501 Thinkman Sat, 12 May 2007 22:00:47 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5501 In response to Thomcarl - how is it possible that anyone would refuse to sell you whatever RAM configuration you asked for, assuming they had it in stock? And if this is true, why on earth didn't you seek out the manager? I used to be a Best Buy detractor (way back when I was in competition with them), but now they are my favorite destination. Does it make sense to punish yourself and Best Buy because of a "pimple faced high school kid"? In response to Thomcarl - how is it possible that anyone would refuse to sell you whatever RAM configuration you asked for, assuming they had it in stock? And if this is true, why on earth didn’t you seek out the manager? I used to be a Best Buy detractor (way back when I was in competition with them), but now they are my favorite destination. Does it make sense to punish yourself and Best Buy because of a “pimple faced high school kid”?

]]> By: MacBill http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5499 MacBill Sat, 12 May 2007 21:21:13 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5499 Wow! Big surprise!! Wow! Big surprise!!

]]> By: Thomcarl http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5496 Thomcarl Sat, 12 May 2007 19:37:35 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5496 If their sales staff is as screwed up as it used be (5 yrs ago). I'll stick with the local Apple distributor or Comp USA, they at least are fairly knowledgeable about the Apple line. I worked for Apple for over five years as a Service Repair Tech. fixing broken macs. I was trying to buy ram for an old 8100 that I was rebuilding, and the pimple faced high school kid behind the counter insisted on trying to sell me the wrong kind of ram, he finally refused to sell me what I needed, so I haven't been to a Best Buy for along time and don't plan on ever returning, no matter what kind of eye candy they decorate with. If their sales staff is as screwed up as it used be (5 yrs ago). I’ll stick with the local Apple distributor or Comp USA, they at least are fairly knowledgeable about the Apple line. I worked for Apple for over five years as a Service Repair Tech. fixing broken macs. I was trying to buy ram for an old 8100 that I was rebuilding, and the pimple faced high school kid behind the counter insisted on trying to sell me the wrong kind of ram, he finally refused to sell me what I needed, so I haven’t been to a Best Buy for along time and don’t plan on ever returning, no matter what kind of eye candy they decorate with.

]]> By: John Smith http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5486 John Smith Sat, 12 May 2007 16:12:43 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2007/05/12/best-buy-computers-but-no-experience/#comment-5486 I know of Best Buy Apple Sections that have an Apple Employee stationed there and it is a very nice place to shop... I have seen much interest in the product. I am glad to see it here.... I know of Best Buy Apple Sections that have an Apple Employee stationed there and it is a very nice place to shop… I have seen much interest in the product. I am glad to see it here….

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