Photo Equipment and Best Buy

Wow that is suprising.. the only L I have ever seen here at BB is the 70-200 F4 L. But if I remember they will order in anything you want and match the local shops pricing. But if thats the case I'd rather support the little guy!

Armitage wrote in post #7701690
I went to get a cheap tri-pod today and the camera guy there said they are starting to stock more professional camera items. Honestly where I live there is like nothing left to buy from or even rent.

They just got in a 70-200 2.8L . He didn't even know, we both double taked when we saw.

Mine has a Bogen 190XPro for $150 with a basic head..

I paid over $200 for mine, $70 of which was the head, I think it came out to $220...

Here's a couple tips to make your best buy shopping a little more pleasant:

1) don't shop at best buy
2) don't shop at best buy

I work at a Best Buy in California. We get stock in every single day. It depends what size DI (digital Imaging) department you have for which stock you get. Also we have types of stores based on the area it is in that stock different items. If your store is in a low spending section of the city, you would see more point and shoots and low budget cams. However, if you are in a extremely rich neighborhood and maybe even a smaller store, you will stock better equipment.

For example, I worked at a small store in a rich city/neighborhood that sold (offered) Apples more than Dell's, and more DSLR's than P&S. However, I transfered to a store around my college and they sold more lower end equipment geared towards the students. No L lenses there.

Also, to all you BB haters, we are a booming company. One of the FEW that are actually doing BETTER in this economy. Honestly, because I am a student, we do have our times when we are lazy, and would rather be doing other things, but Besst Buy has a VERY strong customer service education program. We do our best, but sometimes are absolutely swamped with customers. Every single day 5-10 people call in sick, and we gather people from Home Theater to work in Computers and people from Computers to work in appliances. So take it easy on them. If they have a "specialist" they will be there, but usually we have to make due with what we have and even I have been put in Appliances before. (I work in COmputers) and believe me, I don't know **** about a fridge or washer, but it is more about the customer service than trying to sell you something. We don't work on commission at all. It kinda sucks.

However, even with my employee discount (we don't get **** off DSLR equip) sometimes prices are lower online. So I would look online for stuff.

Zebceponaf wrote in post #7719039
Here's a couple tips to make your best buy shopping a little more pleasant:

1) don't shop at best buy
2) don't shop at best buy

Now see my more realistic advice is:

1. Be prepared to leave if the associate starts pushing any BS

2. Know what you're there for, know what you're getting

3. Be nice to them, a lot of the people in my stores are actually nice knowledgeable employees who sometimes, they're really REALLY sick of dealing with the idiots, I think Best Buy has greatly improved their hiring qualifications in the last couple years...and I've found by being a NICE KNOWLEDGEABLE customer, they laugh and we have a grand old time having a -conversation- about a product

I for one never got why people hate Best Buy so much, maybe I'm just gifted with 3 rather good ones in my area and would rather enjoy working at one (Except they dont seem to hire often/their application process is a bit of a PITA)

and avoid weekends and rainy days - thats when our store is at its busiest!

Artisticmind wrote in post #7721010
I work at a Best Buy in California.

Are you English working in Bestbuy?

You know what I work at a smaller camera store here in buffalo and alot of times it's cheaper for us to buy equipment online than to buy them through the store. I wonder why that is? don't you agree that shouldn't be the case?

Artisticmind wrote in post #7721045
Also, to all you BB haters, we are a booming company. One of the FEW that are actually doing BETTER in this economy. Honestly, because I am a student, we do have our times when we are lazy, and would rather be doing other things, but Besst Buy has a VERY strong customer service education program. We do our best, but sometimes are absolutely swamped with customers. Every single day 5-10 people call in sick, and we gather people from Home Theater to work in Computers and people from Computers to work in appliances. So take it easy on them. If they have a "specialist" they will be there, but usually we have to make due with what we have and even I have been put in Appliances before. (I work in COmputers) and believe me, I don't know **** about a fridge or washer, but it is more about the customer service than trying to sell you something. We don't work on commission at all. It kinda sucks.

However, even with my employee discount (we don't get **** off DSLR equip) sometimes prices are lower online. So I would look online for stuff.

hmniphoto wrote in post #7767380
You know what I work at a smaller camera store here in buffalo and alot of times it's cheaper for us to buy equipment online than to buy them through the store. I wonder why that is? don't you agree that shouldn't be the case?

Which one if i may ask? We've probubly met...

Josh_30 wrote in post #7649915
Best Buy here is rockin', even though their customer service absolutely sucks. I once spent 45 minutes in there standing next to the $1500 computer I was going to buy, and nobody even spoke to me. The first 30 mins I was there I was going to buy the darn thing, the last 15 minutes was just to tell whoever talked to me that I was going to go buy the exact same PC at Circuit City. Anyways, the BB here is doing well, in fact they opened another store within a 10 minute drive of the current one (that now sits across the street from a closed Circuit City).

Just to clarify this, the reason they probably didn't want to help you with that $1500 PC is that they probably assumed you weren't going to buy anything else with it, and they would've lost around $300 just by selling it to you. Not to mention bosses who yell at them afterwards. I can't honestly say I've ever seen someone I knew wouldn't buy a single thing (warranty, etc) standing next to a computer and been thrilled about helping them when I know I'm going to get chewed out for it afterwards.

/retail

I have a very, very, VERY hard time believing that any company selling electronics is "losing money" when selling you a product whether it is a computer, cell phone, came console, camera, whatever. And even if they are loosing money, refusing to help you is ridiculous. If they don't want to sell them, don't stock them.

I quit going into Best Buy the 2nd day in a row that they couldn't find a key to open a case so I could buy something. I'll rater wait for it to be shipped.

I heard (Famous last words i know) From a family member that works at BB. That they are trying to shot for more online purchases.
One reason i believe him is because when i dont find it IN store, i hear one of two answers, "we could order it for you' and or "Im sure you can order threw our website."
what i find funny is when CC went out of business, BBs online prices for CF cards went threw the roof.
And about the staff knowing what they are talking about. When i was looking into buying my 40d i wanted to see it hands on. So the sales clerk got the "camera sales persons" for me. She recommend i "wait for the XSI which has 12mp thus making it a Better SLR all around."

Our BB is carrying the 5d2 kit and body only, as well as d700s.

Former BB employee here, from back when they went through a "transition". When I started there they really cared about customers and employees, but soon after they wanted to take over the world and now all they care about is those stinkin' warranties and the bottom line. The customer service is terrible! I have too many stories to tell.

I will say this though, the reason for no stock on video cameras is due to a new product line from just about every vendor out there. Canon, JVC, Sony, Panasonic have all released new camcorders. It is taking a while to get them to the stores. That said, I still bought mine online from Beach Camera. 10% less than BB, SD cards were FAR cheaper and had a mail in rebate to boot and shipping was about the same since I upgraded to second day.