Recently I purchased 2 Lcd Tv’s and several audio components. Bestbuy had a 15% to 20% higher retail. I am an audiophile, Bestbuy also did not have the components I was looking for available.

For me the best online retailers are “Amazon” very efficient and good customer service. Audio Advisor” for audiophile equipment and accessories,
“Cryo Parts’ for Hi Fi computer audio and accessories.

I refer to Best Buy as the best of the worst as far as retailers go.  However, there are advantages to the fact that the staff have little to no training:

I went to BB to look at a Panasonic plasma.  BB was out, so the sales guy showed me the Pioneer Kuro for twice the money.  He said “We never sell them, because they are overpriced and not as good as the Sony LCD’s.”, and then ” It’s discontinued now, so I can basically knock the price in half if you want one of these instead of the Panasonic.”  Who was I to tell the poor guy that the Pioneer was a superior television?

I didn’t do my happy dance or even crack a smile until I was safely out of the store with my ‘inferior’ tv.

I had the exact same experience as steveo in my local bestbuy/magnolia. I recently moved and was putting together a new system for my living room and was trying to do everything under about 15k. Went to my local BB/Magnolia and stood in the demo room for a good 15-20 minutes testing different receivers and speakers. Not once did anyone come in to ask if I needed any help. I decided to just go online to see if I could find some products cheaper. I found the help online was absolutely incredible from a few different vendors. I did actually end up going to a local CI and it was the best decision I could have made. Customer service sometimes is worth a whole lot more than saving a buck and unfortunately I have had many bad customer service experiences in big box retailers.

Last year I did my 20 year speaker upgrade. Had a $5k boundary and went to a Best Buy-Magnolia. No one even bothered to acknowledge I was in the area, despite no one else shopping, and two people at the counter inside the Magnolia zone.

I got a lot more for my money, and much more attention online - through a small independent who got me the Definitive Tech. system I was looking for.

That Best Buy is more popular is surely an accident of ignorance and convienience. And occasionaly loss leading pricing.  Most of their pricing is high, and their exclusive pushing of vastly overpriced HDMI is an insult/exploitation of the customers.

Oh, and I have NEVER gotten a close-to-accurate answer to any question except to be directed to something I could not find.

It’s depressing. There is an independent Magnolia near me, they are much better. But never the same saleman twice. I have to guess they are abusive to those employees.

Hi! Miguel
I do accept what you wrote is true. Gone are the days there were employees who were working for the establishment for years and they knew the product they sell. Now sales attendants are recruited from college guys on a temporary basis that they are there for the extra $s.
But I found a few who were helpful !