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Do people really get angry about this? Are people really so self-absorbed that they get offended by this? Also, did this have to be typed out, is it not obvious what the purpose of the checker guy is? Sheesh!
I often wondered why they did this.
http://consumerist.com/2011/01/best-...t-checker.htmlo Consumerists. I am a fan with a minor beef. I work retail, performing practice you revile that I see as necessary, quite apart from my paycheck. I check receipts when you leave.
So here's the deal, with a reasonable degree of transparency. I don't want to reveal my name lest I be fired or otherwise disciplined. I work part time for Best Buy, one of the oft cited offenders on this site. I'm the loss prevention guy. I wear yellow, and check your receipt when you leave. I don't have any special loyalty to the company; I'm part time and in an off year between college and graduate school. I've been there less than six months, and won't be there six months hence. For the record, I am speaking on my own behalf, and do not represent the views of the company, my particular store, my management, or anyone else of note.
To put it simply: checking the receipts makes sense, and it actually is to your benefit. I know most of you are rolling your eyes at this, but please allow me to elaborate.
I wish to forcefully reiterate my commitment to honesty, and am therefore obligated to inform you that receipt checkers are often encouraged to say things such as "I'm checking to make sure we billed you for the right model." That's garbage. Ninety-nine percent of our customers are smart enough to realize it. It's patronizing, and you deserve to feel insulted by statements like that. Unfortunately, in a busy retail environment, we don't often have the time to be honest and to explain the reason we check receipts and why it is good for you, allow a rebuttal, and pass it along to the management. We'd be fired if we did, so vapid pla udes abound.
I cannot emphasize that enough how big a problem theft is for us. I live in a very low crime region of the country, but our store, other Best Buy's in the area, and other retailers in the region have had significant thefts in the past few months and years. There is an implicit assumption that when a greeter asks to see your receipt that he is accusing you of theft. The actuality is that we are using your cooperation as a vaccination. The simple act of asking to see receipts on high valued products stops a huge portion of thieves from even trying brazen thefts at our store. I've never caught anyone trying to walk out with a television that they never paid for by checking receipts. I am sincere in my belief that if I did not check them, people would try it. The model is designed to catch only paying customers and thieves who were too stupid to read up on shoplifting (there are forum posts, really), and the former are few. Frankly, it works. Asking to see your receipt prevents theft, just not the one that you imagine we are suggesting when you are accosted by our burly yellow door guy.
By protecting our products from theft, and therefore our revenue margins, there are so many things we can afford. Sheer profit is one of them, absolutely. I am not going to deny that. It is far from the last of them though, and many other benefit you as a customer. We can keep our prices lower, or keep more employees on the floor for more adequate customer service, or pay for more training to the same end. The benefits really are there. By taking four seconds to stop and show your receipt, we are working together to provide all those things.
Many checkers use their pseudo-authority to intimidate customers because they like the power. That's not okay. I hate the ones that do. They make me look bad by association, and frankly that is a stress that I don't need; really my best days at work are the ones where I can direct customers to what we offer or give them directions around town. However, a sincere and kind request to check your receipt should be tolerated. For one, in the end, it helps you. For two, do you really want to be the guy that causes a minimum wage employee to be fired in this economy for doing what his boss' boss asked? If you are really offended the practice, or about how you were asked, ask to speak to a manager. Better yet, contact the corporate office, as they are the ones that dictate these policies.
Do people really get angry about this? Are people really so self-absorbed that they get offended by this? Also, did this have to be typed out, is it not obvious what the purpose of the checker guy is? Sheesh!
Agreed.
They do this at Costco too. Ain't no thing.
And this guy is assuming that I've met very few Best Buy employees who didn't make me want to punch them in the face. If anything, I'd prefer a line of barely-functioning, electronic help kiosks to the average fleet of idiot Best Buy employees.We can keep our prices lower, or keep more employees on the floor for more adequate customer service, or pay for more training to the same end.
If I am going to buy something at best buy, it is only because I have already thoroughly researched the item, settled on the specific model, and am too impatient to wait for it in the mail. When I walk into the store, the only thing I need from the employee is to point me to the department where the item is located (and most of the time, not even that much). Therefore, i have always had a pleasant shopping experience at BB. (LOL)
So what about the literally thousands of stores that don't do this? Are they all OK with "brazen theft" or does it just not happen?
I don't think it's any big deal but it seems sort of silly.
really? ...REALLY??I often wondered why they did this.
The only thing I don't like about Best Buy is when they talk down to me. I only go in there when I know exactly what I want. I research it and I go in to get it. No ifs ands or buts.
A year ago I went in to get a game that came in a Wii and a computer version. I wanted to computer version not the Wii version. The guy was like "Are you sure it's not a Wii game?" I was like "Yes/. I don't even own a Wii. Find me the PC version. I'm not that dumb."
But that happens at all electronic stores, not just Best Buy. And receipt checkers? Really? Why get upset? If you are carrying out something without a bag of course it could be seen as su ious.
Circuit City didn't do this, Comp USA didn't do this. Sooooo......
as long as they don't try to give me a pat down, I'm cool with it.
Nah, just messing.It makes sense why they do it at Wal-Mart.
In my first post in this thread I felt a little twinge of guilt calling out people who don't understand this because of what you wrote in your OP. Then I thought, there is no way she is stupid enough to not understand the concept, and if she is that stupid, then she won't understand that I am insulting her. LOLNah, just messing.
I hate Best Buy and like others here, I only go there as a last resort. Now I hate them even more because of that whiny essay. What a crybaby.
no
Other than the completely inept employee's, what is to hate about Best Buy? I dont get it.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 isn't made for pc
Yeah. I was wondering that myself. I don't bother with any employee there unless I ask if there's more stock in the back if something's out or to help me carry my purchase to my car. I always, politely, tell the employees that ask if I need help to piss off.
I don't mind it when I get asked if I need help what pisses me off is when they won't help or act like it is a hassle if you ask for help.
Well mine is a personal comfort thing. I'm a "browsing" shopper---I've usually researched what I want and know what I'm going to get when I get there, but I still like to look at everything in a store. I walk in and every tv and stereo volume is maxed out, I just can't wait to get the out of there. If they only cut down on the number of items they have blaring at once by just 25% or so, I think the shoppers who like that sort of thing could still be satisfied and a shopper like me would be more likely to drop cash on incidentals that catch my eye. It's like escaping the sensory assault becomes even more important than whatever I want to buy
As much as I dislike certain aspects of Best Buy, it's only about a million times better than going into a freakin' Gamestop.
I bought my last laptop there and it's probably the last bigger purchase that I ever make there.Well mine is a personal comfort thing. I'm a "browsing" shopper---I've usually researched what I want and know what I'm going to get when I get there, but I still like to look at everything in a store. I walk in and every tv and stereo volume is maxed out, I just can't wait to get the out of there. If they only cut down on the number of items they have blaring at once by just 25% or so, I think the shoppers who like that sort of thing could still be satisfied and a shopper like me would be more likely to drop cash on incidentals that catch my eye. It's like escaping the sensory assault becomes even more important than whatever I want to buy
I just wanted a cheap 2nd laptop, no frills, no geek squad no nothing but the computer in the box.
They kept me there another 20+ minutes giving me a rundown of "are you sure you don't also want....?" questions before they let me purchase the damn thing.
I bought my last laptop there as well. They didn't try talking me into extended warranties because I told them my husband would fix my computer.
What did we do before Best Buy?
I told them the same thing that I would mess with everything myself and I didnt want any extra customer service fees or warranties or add ons or carrying case and he kept going, saying they make him ask all the questions before purchase can be made.I bought my last laptop there as well. They didn't try talking me into extended warranties because I told them my husband would fix my computer.
What did we do before Best Buy?
I guess I just got a jackass for a sales associate.
You need to work on your telling them to piss off a bit more. Kinda like what you do here
Take your keyboard, if that'll help
yah, the kid was with me though.You need to work on your telling them to piss off a bit more. Kinda like what you do here
"Daddy I don't think the geek squad can fit up that guy's butt"
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