Best Buys Will Be Closed

Tom Ritter March 29, 2012 at 07:48 pm

I used to work at the Tinley store, and getting people to buy product that was in the store was the biggest challenge. Even back in 2008-09, when I was there, people would often say "I'll buy that (item) online." Fact is, things like cables, TV wall mounts, and other "accessories" are significantly cheaper on Amazon or NewEgg or other online electronics retailers (not to mention the savings in not paying sales tax back then). Of course, if you're like me, you want that video game or new gadget to take home and play with right after you buy it.

Richard DeVries March 29, 2012 at 07:51 pm

I still have the tv i bought from circuit city 9 yrs ago. i dont but to many high priced items

Joe March 29, 2012 at 07:53 pm

1.7 billion dollars based on which set of books?? Anybody bother to check off-shore accounts of the executives? Criminals, besides, with the great (lol) level of service and attitude (high & mighty after circuit city went belly up), now they are losing their asses. ha ha ha aholes.

Richard DeVries March 29, 2012 at 07:54 pm

I mean really who can afford all tat type of stuff anymore. I am not into blue ray or hd tv. To me it's all a waste of money. Needs over wants.

Steve Burke March 29, 2012 at 10:26 pm

I haven't shopped at Be$t Buy in years, but I recall you could get a 20' "GeekSquad" branded network cable for about $18 versus about $7 on amazon. They don't even list their own network cables on their website-- it's all 3d party vendors.

sophie Y March 30, 2012 at 01:58 am

I went to the orland park location on the day that the new iPad was released. The store was empty. Places like Walmart released the iPad at midnight. They're losing their edge. I prefer online retailers (free shipping, no tax). I still can't believe how empty it was on the day of such a huge product release.

CHeryl Keyes March 30, 2012 at 02:34 am

memoreis....
A&B Sound Allied Radio — Chicago, Illinois, acquired by Radio Shack Circuit City — now reopened online through CompUSA/Tiger Direct Computer City CompuAdd Crazy Eddie Douglas TV — bought out by Tweeter Egghead Software Electric Avenue - Operated by Montgomery Ward Erol's Federated Group — bought by Atari Fretter Fred Schmid — Operated in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. Purchased by Fretter. Good Guys — purchased by CompUSA Incredible Universe Lafayette Radio Lechmere McDuff Mars Music On Cue — operated by Musicland in small towns and micropolitan areas, but closed before the Musicland/FYE merger Pacific Stereo Polk Brothers Schaak Electronics Silo SoftWarehouse — predecessor to CompUSA Sound Advice — Florida[26] SoundTrack Steinberg's (electronics store) Sun Television and Appliances — bankrupt and liquidated in 1998 Tech Hifi — co-founded by Sandy Ruby at M.I.T. in 1964[27] (Nobody Beats) The Wiz Tweeter The Warehouse Video Concepts Ultimate Electronics

alski March 30, 2012 at 02:32 pm

I agree with Tom. If you are willing to wait a couple days and do a little online research. Almost anything you get at Best Buy can be gotten online for a fraction of the cost. One of the other problems with Best Buy is that different makes, models, styles, and the technology that go along with them changes at such a mind boggling pace that they are afraid to stock too much of one item for fear that hours from now it will be yesterdays news. Case in point....two years ago my wife and I went shopping for laptops as Christmas gifts for our daughters. Okay yes it was Christmas I'll give you that. However we were prepared to purchase two laptops that night. After spending what was literally hours in the store we left empty handed. Model after model. Brand after brand. They had nothing. What really shocked me though is that they didn't even offer to try and get what we wanted. They let us flip flop from model to model even though the prices were quite a bit less. Sure they called other stores to see if they had what we wanted initially but warned us that if they did we would have to drive there to get it and they could not hold it for us.They said we could try to order it via Best Buy.com but they would not be able to guarantee that we would get it by Christmas.

alski March 30, 2012 at 02:32 pm

Something else that bothers me about buying an item such as a laptop there at that time of year is that the Best Buy warranty goes into effect at the time of purchase. So say it's a thirty day and you buy this on Black Friday..Your warranty is ticking away while your purchase is in your closet hidden behind some boxes until Christmas morning arrives.

freddie March 30, 2012 at 02:42 pm

The problem with buying online is that you can't check out the product before you buy it. I just purchased a new video camera from BB. I was unsure as to what model to buy. My wife and I went to BB to check out the cameras. We held them, we checked out the features and saw how easy it was to do the functions and then made our decision on which camera to buy and bought it. As Brick & Mortar stores go away, the ability to do this will dwindle and people will be returning products at an even higher rate to the sellers as the online description cannot give enough details to make sure the product is what is actually wanted.

frank March 30, 2012 at 03:15 pm

Thanks for posting Allied Radio in your list. What memories from the 50's.
Have a nice day! NO FOOLING! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

alski March 30, 2012 at 03:35 pm

That's a very good point. There are many people myself included who like the whole "hands on" of shopping. You want to touch it. Check it all out before you spend big dollars on it. We need an electronics store that strikes a happy medium with all consumers. Who remembers the Service Merchandise stores of yesteryear? We need an electronics store that would model themselves after that.
Whatever they had.... they had one on display....you could check it out..If you liked it you filled out the order sheet. You could also check prior to completing your order form whether or not they even had any in stock. Most of the time wasted by my wife and myself that particular holiday season. Was spent listening to a salesperson describe the model. The features it had. Advantages over disadvantages....blah blah blah..Only to find they didn't have it and had no idea when they would get it.

Moe March 30, 2012 at 05:14 pm

They are not very customer oriented. Their Geek Squad is so expensive. They charge to much, for what they deliver. I beleive they take advantage of the older customers that are not as informed as they should be on on HD tv's, computers, etc.

zula 5 April 1, 2012 at 02:54 am

You have to relax Joe.

Rcgorman April 1, 2012 at 10:45 pm

Wow, great list...thanks.

Sara Waters April 1, 2012 at 11:13 pm

I worked for Best Buy back in the early 90's. It was before the age of everyone having access to the internet and internet shopping. There is too much competition out there. Today, the market is too big and Best Buy prices are much higher than anywhere else. When I worked for Best Buy the largest department was Music. Today, it's the smallest.
After Borders closed I will not shop at Barnes and Noble as Amazon is way cheaper with free shipping. It's sad I cannot go out and look for books, but it's the sign of the times.