What is Best Buy's problem?
Mar 7, 2023 10:22:57 #
Do what I did, trash your BB credit card and go to a camera store. I didn't like their return policy either. They gave you a store credit instead of crediting your card. I wouldn't use BB for anything. You will never see me in one.
Mar 7, 2023 10:32:10 #
Interesting info about the "fulfillment" model - we were in Sam's Club yesterday in Wichita looking for a UPS Backup - found them in the app with the comment "Pickup As soon as 1:00pm" - but none were on the shelves - 4 clubs in the area and they were all the same... Order it through the app and then come and pick it up - it's like they don't want you in the store - order everything and pickup... Also note: Curbside Pickup - Free for Plus, $4 for Club (See Terms and Conditions)... Not impressed. We went across the street and picked one up in Walmart... Crazy what their doing...
Mar 7, 2023 10:39:20 #
Mar 7, 2023 10:39:36 #
Trust me from being one of the pros paid by Best Buys a few years ago to help launch some better camera departments, it was always Best Buys' plan to ONLY have big camera departments in a few store locations in each region, NOT every location.
At the time the choice was to put these bigger camera departments in the Best Buy stores that had the highest traffic and overall sales in each region.
So bottom line, there will always be a huge discrepancy between size and stocking of camera departments in different Best Buys. And I am sure them moving to more online shopping and reducing in-store staffing has affected in-store camera departments.
As I said at the beginning of Best Buys' push a few years ago with some bigger camera departments in selected stores, Best Buy had actually hired some real photographers with real photo knowledge to staff these bigger camera departments. I met many of those as I helped open a couple of these bigger Best Buys camera Departments in stores in New Jersey and Maryland.
Many of those photo knowledgeable employees have been reduced and/or left as Best Buys has reduced staff and now has their reduced staff having to sell in all store departments .
If you have one of the remaining good Best Buys photo departments in your local store, that is great. But the reality is most Best Buys cant really touch the in-store selection , knowledgeable photo staff and customer service of dedicated camera stores. Buy at Best Buys online or in the store for the price, buy for no sales tax in Delaware, but just dont expect the follow up customer service as with your local mom and pop camera dealership.
And please dont pay any ridiculous re-stocking charges that some Best Buys are charging for any returns within their return period.
Here is a screen shot of one of my facebook pages when I was doing the Best Buys Photo Experience Free workshops to help open up some regional bigger camera departments. Best Buys asked us to promote these free workshops on our social media, and they were held in the Best Buys stores and were packed.
One of the shots of mine I used to talk about using on-camera fill flash. I did a powerpoint presentation, and we did some hands-on demonstrations and tutorials on different camera controls and shooting techniques with the participants using their own cameras and cameras from the store in special rooms at the Best Buys stores. All to kick off these new bigger camera departments. It was a lot of fun for all.
Cheers and best to you.
At the time the choice was to put these bigger camera departments in the Best Buy stores that had the highest traffic and overall sales in each region.
So bottom line, there will always be a huge discrepancy between size and stocking of camera departments in different Best Buys. And I am sure them moving to more online shopping and reducing in-store staffing has affected in-store camera departments.
As I said at the beginning of Best Buys' push a few years ago with some bigger camera departments in selected stores, Best Buy had actually hired some real photographers with real photo knowledge to staff these bigger camera departments. I met many of those as I helped open a couple of these bigger Best Buys camera Departments in stores in New Jersey and Maryland.
Many of those photo knowledgeable employees have been reduced and/or left as Best Buys has reduced staff and now has their reduced staff having to sell in all store departments .
If you have one of the remaining good Best Buys photo departments in your local store, that is great. But the reality is most Best Buys cant really touch the in-store selection , knowledgeable photo staff and customer service of dedicated camera stores. Buy at Best Buys online or in the store for the price, buy for no sales tax in Delaware, but just dont expect the follow up customer service as with your local mom and pop camera dealership.
And please dont pay any ridiculous re-stocking charges that some Best Buys are charging for any returns within their return period.
Here is a screen shot of one of my facebook pages when I was doing the Best Buys Photo Experience Free workshops to help open up some regional bigger camera departments. Best Buys asked us to promote these free workshops on our social media, and they were held in the Best Buys stores and were packed.
One of the shots of mine I used to talk about using on-camera fill flash. I did a powerpoint presentation, and we did some hands-on demonstrations and tutorials on different camera controls and shooting techniques with the participants using their own cameras and cameras from the store in special rooms at the Best Buys stores. All to kick off these new bigger camera departments. It was a lot of fun for all.
Cheers and best to you.
Mar 7, 2023 11:21:38 #
You have Sami's in LA, or closer, which has everything and more.
Mar 7, 2023 11:21:54 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
Mac wrote:
Best Buy isn’t a camera store. It’s a general merchandise store that has some cameras for sale.
Actually, some stores have larger photo departments than others. I mentioned two extremes of in-store displays. One may as well BE a camera store whereas the other is more like, well, we have THIS.
Mar 7, 2023 11:23:03 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
AntonioReyna wrote:
You have Sami's in LA, or closer, which has everything and more.
Yes, of course. But they’re not conveniently located for everyone.
Mar 7, 2023 11:31:58 #
Best Buy used to have sales people that knew their stuff, no more. Past Sunday I went to BB to inquire about a $2000 drone. The employee had no clue of what he was talking about. The trip was pretty much a waste of time. Then the retailers wonder why we buy online.
WJH
WJH
Mar 7, 2023 11:33:52 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
Gort55 wrote:
A "knowledgeable" salesperson at Best Buy told me that if I had the questions, he had the answers.
Just to test him I asked what the "S" was on the PASM dial. He said, "slow motion."
Just to test him I asked what the "S" was on the PASM dial. He said, "slow motion."
Is THAT what it is??? I should try that!
Mar 7, 2023 12:19:00 #
Morry wrote:
Very interesting discussion. My wife and I are loo... (show quote)
The Internet has changed everything !
Mar 7, 2023 12:30:33 #
Retail has changed and continues to change. Best Buy was a near perfect retail model about 15 or 20 years ago. The Best Buy closest to me closed last month. It was located between a very busy Home Depot and Costco. Last time I went in to that Best Buy was when I needed an HDMI cable. Prices were very high on cables!
Sears and Penny's were near perfect retail models in their time too.
Sears and Penny's were near perfect retail models in their time too.
Mar 7, 2023 13:11:00 #
Iron Sight wrote:
On line shopping is growing more everyday.
YES, The Camera store near me is closing. Last closing days are starting now! I will miss that store, as it is the last one in my area. But so many buy on line!! I do also
Mar 7, 2023 13:14:48 #
Mar 7, 2023 13:20:38 #
cjc2 wrote:
I would suggest you drive to Levittown where Allen's Camera is located and enjoy the knowledge and availability of many camera and photo related products. Your true local store. As they say "Where the pros shop". A real gem!
There are a few camera stores closer to me than Allen's, which I have been to, and they all charge 6% sales tax. I don't need a sales person to tell me what I already want. At Best Buy in north Delaware, I place my order online and go pick it up. On a $2700 lens that's a considerable savings on sales tax.
Mar 7, 2023 13:32:32 #
kb6kgx wrote:
Is it just my local store or does Best Buy want &q... (show quote)
You state there are two independent camera stores near you. Both apparently are within a 30 minute drive for you. You are fortunate. I do not think there is an independent camera store within 100 or even 150 miles of where I live. The brick and mortar camera stores are a thing of the past. The internet has taken over camera sales. Even 20 years ago the closest camera store to me (15 miles away) was recently out of business and the next closest was about 75 mile away.
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