Comments on: Best Buy, the end of big box and the future of retail http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/ Thu, 23 May 2013 05:18:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: BL Frierson http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-830097 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:19:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-830097 Per Jon/Rip/Nick/lolo… Mr. Dunn got canned for screwing the help. While you all may be correct on minor points. The fact remains. Management at all levels of this corporation need to be trimmed. You are defending a company that has serious problems and an uphill fight against both a more dollar savvy consumer and a changing retail landscape. Other companies can easily poach their customers while they are reeling.

http://m.gizmodo.com/5901903/is-this-the-mistress-who-took-down-the-ceo-of-best-buy

]]> By: Jim Karras http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-826503 Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:11:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-826503 Completely, One Hundred Percent, agree.

In retailing, or really any large successful business on the upswing, if Wall Street comes calling, either
a. ignore them, and stay private, or,
b. invite them in, but keep them at extreme arms length, ignore what their analysts tell you, and focus on running your business right.

]]> By: lolo http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-825604 Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:03:04 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-825604 BEST Buy emplyees don’t work on commission.

]]> By: Eric Lindgren http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824621 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:11:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824621 Best Buy employees are the most apathetic and least knowledgable of any retail store I’ve ever been to. If you disagree w/that, you sir, are a moron.

]]> By: Nick http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824531 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:53:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824531 Three things I must point out:
1. There is a price matching policy.
2. As far as synergy goes, Best Buy just hired a former Starbucks executive as a SVP to assist in the deployment of a seamless user experience in the utilization of the current system applications. In fact, this week, some enhancements were already added to bestbuy.com and their order management systems.
3. Best Buy has been noncommissioned labor since 1988.

]]> By: John Proffitt http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824489 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 06:44:58 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824489 Best Buy is following the well-worn path to extinction trampled by Circuit City, CompUSA, and others. The plan works like this:

You build big stores and do a good job for a while, with good discounts and relatively good service and selection. But then Wall Street comes calling, asking for higher and higher profits. So you startup a high-pressure extended warranty game. You pay staff less or care less about the quality of staff you get, and when they arrive, you fill their heads with lies about competitors and encourage them to sell stuff with tiny cash bonuses for tricking you into buying stuff. Your prices, which used to be reasonably discounted, go up — sometimes even above MSRP. You create a tiered pricing system — you list it online at one price, a higher price in the store, and customers only get the lower price if they “catch” us in the act. You create crazy rebate games and tinker with return policies. You do everything that is good for Wall Street and nothing that is good for the customer.

Then Wall Street figures out you’ve had a good run, they short you to make some money on your way down, then you’re out of business or sold for scrap.

And all the while you can comfort yourself in the knowledge that it was all Amazon’s fault, that there was nothing you could do. You tell yourself that sure, Apple can make a killing in retail, but they’re just lucky — they didn’t really work at creating their retail experience, or their customers are all idiots anyway.

Yep. CompUSA and Circuit City? Welcome your new cell mate. And check him for an extended warranty.

]]> By: Rip http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824447 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:44:05 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824447 Wow, you might benefit from doing just a little research. 1. Best buy has a 30 day price match guaruntee far exceeding the limitations of their competitors
2. The most knowledgeable staff you can find in retail, this can be argued of course (but aside from constantly seeking to improve the employee knowledge base the article clearly states that they are adding 40% to existing training protocols)
3. Best buy abandoned commission well over 10 years ago
4. And maybe you should get started on the geek squad

]]> By: Jon http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824437 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:00:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824437 Shot? You sir, are an idiot.

]]> By: ksprangers http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824387 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:44:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824387 How is this different from all the mom and pop places these big box stores put out of business?

]]> By: BL Frierson http://gigaom.com/2012/03/29/best-buy-the-end-of-big-box-and-the-future-of-retail/#comment-824357 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:22:27 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=505202#comment-824357 I’m having a really hard time feeling pity for this corporation. No price matching, limited knowledge of technology and trends, lack of synergy between retail and cyberspace and sales associates chasing after commission instead of getting you in and out the door with your product in hand and a smile on your face. Shall I start on Geek Squad? I make more money off working class referrals because some big box retailer sold them a service package that doesn’t include a service. I give them five years at most. I can’t wait personally because I buy all my hardware at a local wholesaler at typically 60% off MSRP. Their Management Team should be shot. Unfortunately, only their workers will suffer.

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