SMH @ Best Buy

[carter6739]

Went to Best Buy the yesterday to exchange my phone for one without the sprint logo, and they were trying to tell me that they dont make these phones without the sprint logo. You know they have these people selling people phones that dont know what they are talking about and it's a joke!!!!

 

[Leslie Ann]

You act like you expect the employees to know what they are selling. They don't.

Most people in sales don't really know their product unless they are head salesman. This goes for almost any industry. Sales people are hired for their ability to sell, not their knowledge of the product. A good sales person can BS their way into selling almost anything.

 

[OverByter]

Especially in this instance, how many other times in history has a device been dual labeled on the same carrier? Might I ask you why it's important to have a Virgin branding on your phone?

 

[metsfan99]

I would never rely on anything a sales associate at BB tells you. The majority of them know very little, if anything, about the products they sell. What's worse is many of them act as if they know what they are talking about, and will give you the wrong information as if it was fact.

 

[carter6739]

You act like you expect the employees to know what they are selling. They don't.

Most people in sales don't really know their product unless they are head salesman. This goes for almost any industry. Sales people are hired for their ability to sell, not their knowledge of the product. A good sales person can BS their way into selling almost anything.

Then give someone the job that knows what they're talking about, you want someone who's acting like a mechanic to do work on your car??

 

[carter6739]

Especially in this instance, how many other times in history has a device been dual labeled on the same carrier? Might I ask you why it's important to have a Virgin branding on your phone?

.

It's not important, I just had to return the phone for the 2nd time, and both of the phones had sprint logos on them. I figured hell, let me try to find one without the sprint logo to see if it has any of the same problems. I've had none...... so far, just trying to get my moneys worth ya know!!!

 

[Faydes]

You act like you expect the employees to know what they are selling. They don't.

Most people in sales don't really know their product unless they are head salesman. This goes for almost any industry. Sales people are hired for their ability to sell, not their knowledge of the product. A good sales person can BS their way into selling almost anything.

I worked at a circuit city actually one of the regions highest grossing ones as I was going to college at mit, so that is basically a stereotype, however the average employee does know next to nothing, keep trying and you'll get someone with a brain.

 

[acharlest]

Went to Best Buy the yesterday to exchange my phone for one without the sprint logo, and they were trying to tell me that they dont make these phones without the sprint logo. You know they have these people selling people phones that dont know what they are talking about and it's a joke!!!!

As a BBYM employee of 2 years, I completely disagree with this statement. I am sorry that your EVO V 4G had this issue and I am also sorry that you were misinformed. As an EV4G owner and BBYM associate, I have never seen an EV4G with Sprint branding on it. That is unfortunate for you. On another note, as a BBYM associate, all employees are required to go to a one week induction that trains us on selling techniques, cell phone networks, and cell phone technologies. I didn't want to work at BBYM because I am a good salesman. I work there because I am passionate about cell phones. And so are all the other employees that I work with. We read up on cell phone news everyday and we all are whizzes at rooting and/or jailbreaking our phones. We show off our new roms to each other all the time. Just because you had one misinformed associate help you out, doesn't mean the rest of us are like that.

 

[OverByter]

Then give someone the job that knows what they're talking about, you want someone who's acting like a mechanic to do work on your car??

Wrong analogy, it would be like asking the salesperson which brake pads are better, not the mechanic.

 

[carter6739]

Wrong analogy, it would be like asking the salesperson which brake pads are better, not the mechanic.

What?? These people are claiming to know about phones, just like a mechanic claims to know about cars!! This ain't school my g, please don't try to correct me

 

[Leslie Ann]

Then give someone the job that knows what they're talking about, you want someone who's acting like a mechanic to do work on your car??

They don't want to pay someone who knows what they are are doing, that goes for Geek Squad as well. In fact, you should see what Geek Squad people make, for I.T., it's nothing... But it makes sense, since they aren't trained I.T. people.

What?? These people are claiming to know about phones, just like a mechanic claims to know about cars!! This ain't school my g, please don't try to correct me

Of course they claim to be experts, in sales you act like you know what you are doing, even when you don't. No one buys from someone who has no answers.

They know what they are told and what they learn on the job, that doesn't mean they know much (this is also how Geek Squad is trained, on the job). They are trained on how to sell you something... Anything. You have to act like you know what you are doing and that you are selling them exactly what they want, even if it's a steaming pile of dog poo...


Mechanics take tests, are certified and have others who make sure they know what they are doing up until the time they have proven that they know what they are doing. It's a trade that requires skill. You pay mechanics a decent wage for that very reason. The same can't be said for Best buy employees. Mechanics at a dealership often make $40+ per hour, Best Buy sales people are well below that.

If you want skill and knowledge you have to pay for it.

 

[qu4ttro]

I have to agree, while some Best Buy employees may be knowledgeable, it is not a trait that BB values or promotes. Some years ago, I applied there for Geek Squad. During the interview, the manager told me "I don't care how much you know about computers, I could teach my sister to clean spyware. I just need to know that you can sell." With an attitude like that towards a position that is SUPPOSED to be tech savvy, I wouldn't expect their sales employees to know any more than how much the warranty costs.

 

[wncken]

Okay, mine of course has the Sprint logo - and I'd rather have it that way. I get so sick and tired of people seeing my phone and saying, "Oh... Virgin Mobile? You can't get a 'real' phone?"
Really?
Once I explain that I get 2.5GB of data, unlimited texts and 300 minutes for $35/month (used to be $25 of course until 3 days ago), they have a change of heart. I know a guy who's paying $80/month for his precious iPhone. Why would I want to throw over $500/year away? Seriously, why?

Now, as to the quality of the blue shirts? Ugh. Five years ago, I used to brag about Best Buy and the blue shirts. Of course, fifteen years ago, I used to brag about Radio Shack employees as well.
I simply refuse to let a blue shirt touch my phones. I have activated all of them. I sold my Moto Triumph yesterday and I met the guy buying it at a local Best Buy. A blue shirt then spent nearly an hour trying to get it activated. It took me literally nine minutes to switch my number over to the EVO and activate it.

How about this one?
Two weeks ago, I walked into my local BB and asked a wandering blue shirt where the bluetooth keyboards were. He showed me and then stated, "But all of these are just for the iPad." I have an HP Touchpad with ICS and I just wanted a decent BT keyboard. I picked up a Zagg and said, "This should work." He actually argued with me that it was ONLY for a iPad and simply would not work.
I ended up buying it and actually walked out to the parking lot, got my TP and went back in and showed him. He just shrugged and walked away.
Frustrating.

 

[carter6739]

Okay, mine of course has the Sprint logo - and I'd rather have it that way. I get so sick and tired of people seeing my phone and saying, "Oh... Virgin Mobile? You can't get a 'real' phone?"
Really?
Once I explain that I get 2.5GB of data, unlimited texts and 300 minutes for $35/month (used to be $25 of course until 3 days ago), they have a change of heart. I know a guy who's paying $80/month for his precious iPhone. Why would I want to throw over $500/year away? Seriously, why?
Y7i
Now, as to the quality of the blue shirts? Ugh. Five years ago, I used to brag about Best Buy and the blue shirts. Of course, fifteen years ago, I used to brag about Radio Shack employees as well.
I simply refuse to let a blue shirt touch my phones. I have activated all of them. I sold my Moto Triumph yesterday and I met the guy buying it at a local Best Buy. A blue shirt then spent nearly an hour trying to get it activated. It took me literally nine minutes to switch my number over to the EVO and activate it.
&t
How about this one?
Two weeks ago, I walked into my local BB and asked a wandering blue shirt where the bluetooth keyboards were. He showed me and then stated, "But all of these are just for the iPad." I have an HP Touchpad with ICS and I just wanted a decent BT keyboard. I picked up a Zagg and said, "This should work." He actually argued with me that it was ONLY for a iPad and simply would not work.
I ended up buying it and actually walked out to the parking lot, got my TP and went back in and showed him. He just shrugged and walked away.
Frustrating.

Reminds me of when i went BB to see if i could find some blank cd's with more than 750mb of space on them, and the employee handed me blank dvd's saying that I could record music on them and actually argued with me about it. I get that BB employees are only trained to sell, but if you don't know what you're talking about and you sell me the wrong product, i'ma be pretty mad thinking about the time and gas wasted driving here only to get the wrong stuff

 

[Leslie Ann]

Reminds me of when i went BB to see if i could find some blank cd's with more than 750mb of space on them, and the employee handed me blank dvd's saying that I could record music on them and actually argued with me about it. I get that BB employees are only trained to sell, but if you don't know what you're talking about and you sell me the wrong product, i'ma be pretty mad thinking about the time and gas wasted driving here only to get the wrong stuff

Why do you think they are going bankrupt.
If you have to make 3 trips, you may as well just mail order it.

They completely lost sight of everything.
They price gouge on accessories, have tons of employees who hassle you to hurry up and buy what they recommend (which won't work because they don't know what they are selling), and then get angry when you return too many items (because it didn't work). And then they wonder why no one wants to shop there?

It's not a store, it's a torture chamber.

 

[Faydes]

Whenever I go to a best buy I make a a point to educate the employees when they attempt to sell me something they know nothing about and if they argue it with me I will talk to a manager and if the manager does nothing I will call corporate. I dont come in as an asshole but I will leave as one if an employee gets ornery

 

[OverByter]

What?? These people are claiming to know about phones, just like a mechanic claims to know about cars!! This ain't school my g, please don't try to correct me

I stand by my statement, when you talk to a blue shirt your getting your information from an under trained salesperson, not the technician/mechanic who actually works on these devices. Hence "my" analogy being more appropriate to the situation stated in your post.

 

[metal571]

Whenever I go to a best buy I make a a point to educate the employees when they attempt to sell me something they know nothing about and if they argue it with me I will talk to a manager and if the manager does nothing I will call corporate. I dont come in as an asshole but I will leave as one if an employee gets ornery

That's exactly what I would do. People need to be set straight. Lying about what you know and trying to use that knowledge to sell people tech is criminal.