Best Buy experience drives home why I buy online
Just when I thought that buying a new PC was no longer as daunting of a task for noobies as it used to be, I find out I’m wrong once again. I discovered this when I went to Best Buy recently to purchase a new PC for my dad.
Before I tell you my story, let me set the record straight. I’m not a walk in to Best Buy and pick a computer off the shelf kind of guy. I prefer to custom order all of my PCs and usually order them online. But like I said, this computer was for my dad, I was in Wisconsin, it was Saturday and I was leaving the next day. I’m fairly certain no online store could have met my needs of delivering the computer that day.
Back to my story. When I walked in to Best Buy that day I already knew what computer and monitor I wanted. That’s because I had already done all of the price and feature comparisons online. Unfortunately for me, knowing exactly what I wanted didn’t give me a free pass from escaping a Best Buys sales representative.
A conversation I didn’t need to have
Here’s a bit of how our conversation went. If you are a noobie, read these carefully and see how many of these questions you would have answered the same. Or just for fun, count how many times I had to say “no”.
Best Buy Sales Rep: “Can I help you find a computer?”
Me: “No, I’m already set on this one, thanks.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: (pointing towards a more expensive computer) “Will you be watching a lot of DVDs on your PC?”
Me: “No, and besides this computer is for my dad and he won’t watch even a single DVD on his PC.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: (now walking towards the largest monitor) “Do you want a bigger monitor?”
Me: “No, I’ve already picked out the 22″ one that fit best in my budget.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: (admitting defeat on trying to upsell me) “Alright, let me help you with that and I’ll check you out up front.”
Me: “OK, thank you.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: (now at the checkout counter) “Do you want me to add the protection plan on the computer?”
Me: “No.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “OK, do you just want it on the monitor then? It’s only $40/year.”
Me: “No.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “How ’bout virus protection?”
Me: “I already have it.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “Is it up to date?”
Me: (now rolling my eyes) “Yes.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “Is it compatible?”
Me: “Yes.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “Do you want me to get a surge protector?”
Me: “No, I’m good there too.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “How long have you had it? You know they should be replaced every 1-2 years.”
Me: (now shaking my head) “I’m fine, thank you.”
Best Buy Sales Rep: “Will you be wanting our black tie service plan on this computer?”
Me: “No, what I really want is for you to ring up the computer and monitor that I pre-selected before I ever walked in this store when I still hoped that I wouldn’t have to deal with you, let me pay for it without any other questions and then let me leave.”
OK, I really didn’t say that last line. At least not out loud. But you get the idea.
