Just wondering. I'm thinking of putting in an application, though I'm already waiting on a temp job at a local book store. I was just kind of wondering what the benefits were and I don't care too much about working holidays or anything because I likely wouldn't be working long-term. I'm just sort of exploring my options right now because I need the money.
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Anybody worked at Best Buy?
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The stupid customers didn't bother me nearly as much as my stupid coworkers. I can understand if somebody in there can't find a CD or wants to know about video games... but when your coworkers dont know, it's annoying as shit. it's their JOB to know, for fucks sake.
I didn't mind it at all, but I get on well with other people. I'm one of the few people who enjoyed talking to customers for the most part. The discount is fucking sweet depending on what you get... videogames is iffy. Can be awesome, can be schite. DVDs are usually 2 or 3 bucks. Car stereo equipment though is usually phenomenal, cuz the markup is sooo high.
go for it if you think you can handle the people. just be prepared to either sell a ton of shit you know is shit, or get yelled at. (I did the latter... I could sell a replacement plan for every videogame system, cuz generally they're a good deal, but I refused to sell a single EW/SI subscription. Probably why they didn't hire me back this summer... top PRP numbers in the store don't mean shit when compared to like 3 EW/SI subs over 2 months, hahaha. Even had a competition with my buddy there over who could go the longest without selling one. I won with like a 2.5 week span between subs.)
I didn't mind it at all, but I get on well with other people. I'm one of the few people who enjoyed talking to customers for the most part. The discount is fucking sweet depending on what you get... videogames is iffy. Can be awesome, can be schite. DVDs are usually 2 or 3 bucks. Car stereo equipment though is usually phenomenal, cuz the markup is sooo high.
go for it if you think you can handle the people. just be prepared to either sell a ton of shit you know is shit, or get yelled at. (I did the latter... I could sell a replacement plan for every videogame system, cuz generally they're a good deal, but I refused to sell a single EW/SI subscription. Probably why they didn't hire me back this summer... top PRP numbers in the store don't mean shit when compared to like 3 EW/SI subs over 2 months, hahaha. Even had a competition with my buddy there over who could go the longest without selling one. I won with like a 2.5 week span between subs.)
Escape Goat
Member
they do applications online. I've submitted a few and I swear they dont go anywhere.
AlteredBeast
Fork 'em, Sparky!
Best Buy was cool when I got hired. More thana year later, it got gay. Really gay. It`s not worth it...
The discount is only worth it if you're looking to buy accessories, like cables and such where you're generally looking at a 50% discount. CDs, games, and movies are generally better with the sale price they give to everyone, and at the typical discount is only $1-2 on CDs and movies, and $5-7 on games. You also get a real discount off the service plans but they've really become stringent on what applies to the point where the service plans are useless. As for the actual experience, it's alright, but they're very performance aggressive and sales pushers, and it's not a terribly rewarding job.
Ninja Scooter
Member
retail is retail. If you don't let yourself get too involved, you should do fine, especially if you're just looking for something short term.
Like I said, this wouldn't be a long term job. Maybe a few months. I think I could handle at the departments I would most likely be working in are obvious. 
Anything other than, say, appliances, would be OK with me though.
We'll see. Either way, I'm not even sure if I'll have the time once school starts up, hence the temp job at the bookstore right now.
Anything other than, say, appliances, would be OK with me though.
We'll see. Either way, I'm not even sure if I'll have the time once school starts up, hence the temp job at the bookstore right now.
WrathOfOtaibah
Banned
All of the dicks I hated in High School somehow all work at the closest Best Buy :lol I don't know they pulled it off but it happened. So I avoid that place after finding out how it was when it opened.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Miguel said:RETAIL!
*Mig after 5 months of retail*
do you still have your job stalking David Car-errr, i mean working at Reliant stadium?
Well, I had an absolutely horrible time there. I, too, kinda went in thinking it was just temporary, something to do to keep me busy until school, etc. Instead, I left with a shitload of regrets about all the other things I could have done with my time.
And actually, it wasn't the retail angle that bugged me - it was everything else. This quote will pretty much sum up your entire experience there:
And actually, it wasn't the retail angle that bugged me - it was everything else. This quote will pretty much sum up your entire experience there:
whytemyke said:
5{\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0st]Like I said, this wouldn't be a long term job. Maybe a few months. I think I could handle at the departments I would most likely be working in are obvious.
Anything other than, say, appliances, would be OK with me though.
We'll see. Either way, I'm not even sure if I'll have the time once school starts up, hence the temp job at the bookstore right now.[/QUOTE]
Wouldnt be so bad if you got into appliances. On truck loading nights it sucks since you'll need a machine to put the fridges and other things up, and since you'd be temp, I bet that's what you'd be doing most of the time.
Anything other than, say, appliances, would be OK with me though.
We'll see. Either way, I'm not even sure if I'll have the time once school starts up, hence the temp job at the bookstore right now.[/QUOTE]
Wouldnt be so bad if you got into appliances. On truck loading nights it sucks since you'll need a machine to put the fridges and other things up, and since you'd be temp, I bet that's what you'd be doing most of the time.
Nintendo Ate My Children
Member
I came out of lurking to post this.
FUCK NO! DON'T DO IT!
Best Buy has got to be the worst place to work retail, and that's saying something. Fuck, go to Wal-Mart instead. The discount can be nice, but only on certain items, mainly car stereo and home stereo equipment. The discount on games isn't all that great, generally a $50 game will cost you around $42-$44.
If you do decide to work there, prepare for monthly (or twice monthly) 7 AM brainwashing sessions on Saturday mornings, where you get to watch corporate DVDs and go over sales strategies and the like, as if your shit job working retail was somehow difficult or important. Of all the stupid bullshit you have to put up with at Best Buy, those goddamn meetings are among the most annoying, because they're so pointless. Conning a 70 year old grandma into buying a $2000 PC package so she can e-mail her grandkids at least makes sense from a profit standpoint, but the meetings accomplish nothing.
If you want an image of the work environment, rent Office Space. Best Buy is the retail version of Initech, your boss is the manager of Chochkies, and the ideal Best Buy employee is the annoying waiter dude. Don't do it, for the love of God, don't do it.
FUCK NO! DON'T DO IT!
Best Buy has got to be the worst place to work retail, and that's saying something. Fuck, go to Wal-Mart instead. The discount can be nice, but only on certain items, mainly car stereo and home stereo equipment. The discount on games isn't all that great, generally a $50 game will cost you around $42-$44.
If you do decide to work there, prepare for monthly (or twice monthly) 7 AM brainwashing sessions on Saturday mornings, where you get to watch corporate DVDs and go over sales strategies and the like, as if your shit job working retail was somehow difficult or important. Of all the stupid bullshit you have to put up with at Best Buy, those goddamn meetings are among the most annoying, because they're so pointless. Conning a 70 year old grandma into buying a $2000 PC package so she can e-mail her grandkids at least makes sense from a profit standpoint, but the meetings accomplish nothing.
If you want an image of the work environment, rent Office Space. Best Buy is the retail version of Initech, your boss is the manager of Chochkies, and the ideal Best Buy employee is the annoying waiter dude. Don't do it, for the love of God, don't do it.
Nintendo Ate My Children
Member
This is no time for laughter! In the name of Christ, someone is actually thinking of working at Best Buy!
Everytime someone fills out a Best Buy application, an angel loses its' wings.
MrAngryFace
Banned
If you want good retail work try out Staples. the employee bonus wont kick in till youve worked for 3 months, but the bonus system IS very sweet. Part time benefits are available too.
almost at 4 years with staples, lately they've helped me out quite a bit. IF all things keep going well ill probably go management.
You still have PRPs n crap, but no magazines n shit. 90% of what staples does currently is on the level. 10% accounts for shit I probably dont know about.
almost at 4 years with staples, lately they've helped me out quite a bit. IF all things keep going well ill probably go management.
You still have PRPs n crap, but no magazines n shit. 90% of what staples does currently is on the level. 10% accounts for shit I probably dont know about.
I worked for around 10 months. First as a part time in store tech, then full time in store, then when it changed to GeekSquad I did the in-home stuff.
I bought a lot of stuff there, like a lot. It was my temp job until I got a "real" job, so what I did was bought car stereo equipment (massive discounts there!), and TV stuff (again, massive discount), with lots of accessories (lots of discount) and I bought it on my Best Buy card. Most of the stuff I got on the 1 year plan, as I couldn't afford it with the wage I was getting, so now I work at my real job (making 5 times more) and paying that stuff off.
I didn't let anything bother me while I was there. I found some of the stuff funny (pushy sales managers in a "no commission" environment, dumb meetings, some employees who actually like EA's NHL games, management getting pissed at me because during my last month they knew I was slacking and dragged our #2/3 store down to #15 of 30 heheh).
People couldn't understand why I was always so relaxed, and while I'm usually like that all the time, I think the fact that I had another better job lined up made it easier too.
I bought a lot of stuff there, like a lot. It was my temp job until I got a "real" job, so what I did was bought car stereo equipment (massive discounts there!), and TV stuff (again, massive discount), with lots of accessories (lots of discount) and I bought it on my Best Buy card. Most of the stuff I got on the 1 year plan, as I couldn't afford it with the wage I was getting, so now I work at my real job (making 5 times more) and paying that stuff off.
I didn't let anything bother me while I was there. I found some of the stuff funny (pushy sales managers in a "no commission" environment, dumb meetings, some employees who actually like EA's NHL games, management getting pissed at me because during my last month they knew I was slacking and dragged our #2/3 store down to #15 of 30 heheh).
People couldn't understand why I was always so relaxed, and while I'm usually like that all the time, I think the fact that I had another better job lined up made it easier too.
About two weeks into working at Staples (still in training), i realized something -- i fucking hate retail. i also hate my customers, who lack the active listening skills of my Best Buy customers in Michigan. The probationary period is utter bullshit. i'm already one of the best salespeople in electronics, i don't need to wait for three months.MrAngryFace said:
Overall though, the job's pretty good. There's not a lot of pressure to sell and they give you plenty of training.
MrAngryFace
Banned
Staples training isnt THAT hardcore, ive been with the company near 4 years and just made lead and the only REAL training ive had is for Copy Center.
The sales pressure is only there if you dont sell at all. If you ask everyone and present it in a manner that doesnt seem rehearsed to based on fearing them into a sale it can often go very well.
All of this pressure stuff differs district to district and manager to manager.
This time of year is the hardest if youre a BM associate tho, aside from made for college student PC bundles and Calculators, Plan eligible shit wont hit till christmas and everyone coming in for 10 cent crayons dont wanna splurge on the 80 dollar printer.
The three months is there for everyone tho. I started as a 3 month BTS probationary hire, it doesnt mean anything its just the way staples works. Consider your three months ample time to get even better. Once your three months are up you will benefit during the time of year it matters most for you.
To be honest tho, you dont want to become JUST a salesperson, and this goes for ANY retail store. Try to learn the entire store. If you arent cross-trained, when numbers get weak youll catch way more flak if all you can do is sell.
The sales pressure is only there if you dont sell at all. If you ask everyone and present it in a manner that doesnt seem rehearsed to based on fearing them into a sale it can often go very well.
All of this pressure stuff differs district to district and manager to manager.
This time of year is the hardest if youre a BM associate tho, aside from made for college student PC bundles and Calculators, Plan eligible shit wont hit till christmas and everyone coming in for 10 cent crayons dont wanna splurge on the 80 dollar printer.
The three months is there for everyone tho. I started as a 3 month BTS probationary hire, it doesnt mean anything its just the way staples works. Consider your three months ample time to get even better. Once your three months are up you will benefit during the time of year it matters most for you.
To be honest tho, you dont want to become JUST a salesperson, and this goes for ANY retail store. Try to learn the entire store. If you arent cross-trained, when numbers get weak youll catch way more flak if all you can do is sell.
Ninja Scooter
Member
wtf Maf. You've changed your avatar like 4 times today. Now im jetlagged.
MrAngryFace
Banned
I have a dynamic avatar.
MrAngryFace
Banned
I believe any retail outfit offering that kind of service demands at least A+ certification.
For me it was $15 Cdn an hour. You do get to drive the car to and from work (saving on gas and stuff), and they give you a BlackBerry...some people consider them benefits, I didn't (Geekmobile had crap stereo no CD player and BlackBerries wasn't useful outside of the job).
Yeah you need your A+ (but I didn't have one). You'll be dealing mostly with virus and spyware issues really.
Yeah you need your A+ (but I didn't have one). You'll be dealing mostly with virus and spyware issues really.
MrAngryFace
Banned
The A+ is actually more for legal reasons I believe.
Work at Best Buy as a customer service rep currently.
I'll be hitting my second year with them the week of Thanksgiving this year.
I've also had the opportunity to work at a handful of other retailers. Most notably Target and Home Depot.
I'd say that when it comes to pay and benefites, Home Depot shit over everything else. Target was middling, Best Buy is also middling. Considering that as a part-timer I don't have access to health benefits, I'd say Target is probably a bit better with benefits. Although if you're buying the right things, the employee discount system at Best Buy can be pretty damned sweet.
That being said, my last job was at Home Depot and I took almost a 40% pay cut to work at Best Buy. Granted that I didn't choose to jump ship (I was fired), I still am happy it happened. I absolutely hated working at Home Depot. I hated my coworkers. I hated my management. I just had absolutely no respect for any of them at all.
Meanwhile, at the Best Buy I'm working at now, I mostly like the people I work with. While I have minor problems with a few of them, on the whole, they're all good people, and the co-workers and management I deal with on a daily basis I get along with really well. That really makes all the difference in the world.
As for the monthly meetings someone mentioned. I think everyone (including much of management) hates them, and realizes that they're not very useful, but at the same time, I really don't mind, since I usually get a free breakfast and I get to sit on my ass and watch a DVD for an hour or two and I get paid for it. No big deal.
After much experience in several stores: Retail sucks. Everywhere. No exceptions. Whether or not you can stand it depends largely on your own personality, and how well you get along with those working with you. Ultimately customers are customers and there will always be stupid ones. It's the ability to pal around with your co-workers and laugh about those idiots that makes it all just a wee bit more tolerable..
I'll be hitting my second year with them the week of Thanksgiving this year.
I've also had the opportunity to work at a handful of other retailers. Most notably Target and Home Depot.
I'd say that when it comes to pay and benefites, Home Depot shit over everything else. Target was middling, Best Buy is also middling. Considering that as a part-timer I don't have access to health benefits, I'd say Target is probably a bit better with benefits. Although if you're buying the right things, the employee discount system at Best Buy can be pretty damned sweet.
That being said, my last job was at Home Depot and I took almost a 40% pay cut to work at Best Buy. Granted that I didn't choose to jump ship (I was fired), I still am happy it happened. I absolutely hated working at Home Depot. I hated my coworkers. I hated my management. I just had absolutely no respect for any of them at all.
Meanwhile, at the Best Buy I'm working at now, I mostly like the people I work with. While I have minor problems with a few of them, on the whole, they're all good people, and the co-workers and management I deal with on a daily basis I get along with really well. That really makes all the difference in the world.
As for the monthly meetings someone mentioned. I think everyone (including much of management) hates them, and realizes that they're not very useful, but at the same time, I really don't mind, since I usually get a free breakfast and I get to sit on my ass and watch a DVD for an hour or two and I get paid for it. No big deal.
After much experience in several stores: Retail sucks. Everywhere. No exceptions. Whether or not you can stand it depends largely on your own personality, and how well you get along with those working with you. Ultimately customers are customers and there will always be stupid ones. It's the ability to pal around with your co-workers and laugh about those idiots that makes it all just a wee bit more tolerable..
I worked at best buy as a Senior Sales Specialist in the PC department. But I got fired when I bought a memory stick with half cash and my friend helped me pay for the rest with his debit. Reason for the Firing: Abuse of Employee discount.
When they knew fucking damn right that the stick was for me and my friend just helped me pay for it. And my immediate manager didnt know I was getting fired and he was the one who checked me out. On top of that the same day I got fired I was told they are gonna let me go full time and benifits and I got a $1.06 raise.
When I looked in our employee packet it said no where in there that I could have a friend help me pay for an item or another credit card be used in a purchase.
I even went to my district manager and she just was a cunt and kept telling me that she verbally said that we couldnt do that. Bitch I wasnt at that meeting because you hired me afterwards and I want that shit on paper I dont give a fuck what comes out of your mouth.
Anyways... sorry for the rant, Its a great place to work if you make it that like I did. If you know your shit and you enjoy having people leave with a smile on their faces then go for it. Otherwise stay away.
BTW FUCK YOU BEST BUY.
When they knew fucking damn right that the stick was for me and my friend just helped me pay for it. And my immediate manager didnt know I was getting fired and he was the one who checked me out. On top of that the same day I got fired I was told they are gonna let me go full time and benifits and I got a $1.06 raise.
When I looked in our employee packet it said no where in there that I could have a friend help me pay for an item or another credit card be used in a purchase.
I even went to my district manager and she just was a cunt and kept telling me that she verbally said that we couldnt do that. Bitch I wasnt at that meeting because you hired me afterwards and I want that shit on paper I dont give a fuck what comes out of your mouth.
Anyways... sorry for the rant, Its a great place to work if you make it that like I did. If you know your shit and you enjoy having people leave with a smile on their faces then go for it. Otherwise stay away.
BTW FUCK YOU BEST BUY.
I'll second that.AlteredBeast said:
If corporate stays out of your way, and you have a good solid core group of co-workers in your department that you can get along with and trust, then it can be pretty fun, as far as retail jobs go.
If corporate decides you're not trying hard enough, though, then it gets very unfun very fast.
Late Stage Marxist
Member
What a shit reason to get fired. Whatever happened managers giving their employees a warning or (at best) '3 strikes'?
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
I see we've met our quota for our monthly "Should I work this shitty retail job?" thread. I think we did a good job this month guys, but next month, let's try to raise our thread percentage a bit more. I think next month we could easily get five of these threads going and become regional retail thread leaders. You wouldn't get any bonuses or incentives for doing so, but at least you'll keep your user account.
EclipseGST
Member
yeah I work at a best buy and well the atmosphere will depend greatly on how well you get along with the managers. yes they are pushy and all but it's what they live off and they need to do good (numbers) to keep their jobs. i worked on the sales floor as a Home Theater specialist until i recently got promoted to mobile installation senior.
I've been to a couple of BB stores and well my store has one of the best environments i've seen. So i guess it all depends on the people who run the store.
I've been to a couple of BB stores and well my store has one of the best environments i've seen. So i guess it all depends on the people who run the store.
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