Best Buy really, really, really loves money |
|
BY Dennis Lesica November 25th, 2008 |
More on: |
The official start of the Christmas shopping season isn’t set to start until the day after Thanksgiving, better known as Black Friday. That’s not stopping the blue and gold Übermensch, Best Buy, from strong arming sweet, naive grandparents looking to get their little Malachi one of those keen X-Station3s.
The services detailed on the sticker in the above image are: Setup parental controls, complete system updates, and setup user accounts for the low, low price of only $29.99. To those who don’t eat, sleep and puke videogames, it might seem like a pretty sweet deal because Lord knows those VCRs are tough bananas to work, but the rest of us are sharpening our grenades in protest.
Do you think this is a “they mean well” situation that wasn’t properly thought out and executed? Or do you join the line of thought that this is a scam to squeeze more money out of the uninformed holiday shopper? It’s a trick question, by the way.
November 25th, 2008
at 12:38 pm
I’m a bit torn on the issue. It’s obvious that it’s just a cheap ploy to get easy money (note to self, start a customization and setup business but only charge $20), but if it informs parents about the on-console parental control settings that most are so clearly ignorant of, then it can’t be too bad. Just imagine how many foul-mouthed screaming brats will be kept off of XBox Live because of this! If it’s even just one, then it’s worth it.
November 25th, 2008
at 1:49 pm
Hell I’d do the same thing if I thought of it. You don’t know what to do with this even though your kid certainly will know, no worry, hand me some cash and see if we can’t set some parental controls. Kids that want it bad enough should never let the parents go shopping for them alone or give them very detailed instructions. I’m just glad they didn’t have this when my parents got me and my brother a Playstation for my fifth Christmas, any game I wanted.
November 25th, 2008
at 4:27 pm
wow… I’d say RTFM, but I know that my parents sure didn’t when they gave me my NES for Christmas… not that there were very realistic M rated games back then like there are today.
If people fall for it, then like Dexter said, maybe it’ll keep the kiddies out of XBL games for 17+ year olds.
November 26th, 2008
at 7:38 am
Here’s the thing, if it’s a sticker on the box then I think it’s perfectly okay. After all there is a rather large update to Live that none of the boxes in the store have on it. The problem with some Best Buy salespeople, and retail in general, is that they get bonuses/rewards for selling this stuff. Some jerks will go out of their way to demand that you get this service, or you’re going to be screwed on Christmas morning. In the time it took me to go get a surge protector, a sales guy had my dad convinced that his new computer won’t work unless his geek squad had a look at it first.
November 26th, 2008
at 9:34 am
What up. I work at Best Buy. This program actualy started months ago but was in a test phase. the overall reaction to it at our store is that partents love it. The number one question that we always get is “I don’t want my kid killing people in these games” well now we have a sloution in the store. and to bskeillor there are some dirty tricks that people play out there, but most people are good and honest, best buy also has no rewards or sales goals for individuals.
November 26th, 2008
at 11:03 am
I also work at Best Buy and happen to be in the Media department (gaming, mp3, software, cd’s, movies). Just so you know, Best Buy doesn’t work on commission. That means no rewards, bonuses, or anything like that. Offering services is part of the job, whether we like it or not. Yes you will run across those unethical sales people that try to sell everything in the store, but most are not like that. Also, all we do is offer the service. The customer is in no way forced to get anything. They can say no at any time. You would be surprised at home many older people buying an 360, Wii, or PS3 for themselves have no idea to operate them. They were told that is a “neat game thing” and will blindly go out and get it. Those are people this service that is mentioned in the article is targeted at.
November 26th, 2008
at 3:05 pm
If you’re reading this, you’re a gamer and obviously the program isn’t for you. Its for all those non gamers buying a system for the first time. You have no idea how many customers will by a system and they have absolutely no idea what it can do. I’ve had customers who already own a Wii and are surprised when i mention that the Wii is wifi, that they can download demos for their ds through the Wii! I’ve sold a few setups myself and the customers were very pleased. For them it was a value for a gamer its worthless because they all ready know how. Just wanted to voice myself if you don’t work in retail let me tell you its very stressful especially this time of year. If you’re going to make a statement know your facts. Best Buy is not a non profit organization of course it has to make money. Look at Circuit City its gowing down Best Buy is always changing trying to adapt offerering new services. Sales persons are non-commission. The program is offered NO ONE is forced to buy it. Best Buy also has a program called rewardzone Gamers Club membership is free and you’ll receive a $10 reward certifiate for every $150 you spend on video games, PC games, and video game accessories also special offers like select games in store get 10% or $5 off. All of this in adittion to you’re regular reward points. If your hope is for Best Buy to go out of business then maybe your right and the company should stop trying to innovate.
November 26th, 2008
at 5:02 pm
Shoot I thought of this quite a while ago only I was going to go to a city college and try to teach parents and people who don’t know a thing about them how to use the machines by brining my own machines down and giving them a hands on experience. Hell I may still do it. I think I could make quite a nice amount of cash with all those uninformed parents.