What could you possibly be doing asking questions in a Best Buy?
"Hey I need a bridge LAN"
"...we don't sell that"
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A-"
"We don't sell it. Everything here is pre-built, there is nothing technical you could ask that would accomplish anything, **** off"

Well, training every tech clerk and phone salesman in it and embedded electronics is impossible imho. Takes other people several years to only skim the surface and another decade to master one of its branches

I worked at sears and most of the dudes in hardware knew more about tech stuff than the dudes in electronics, including the manager.

I'm going to challenge this here as I am a current computer salesman at Best Buy. Of course we are taught on how to sell protection plans and **** like that, but product knowledge is a huge ******* factor on how well you do. It's true, Best Buy and places like them do not hire for product knowledge first. Reason being, product knowledge can be learned. I would rather hire someone who is friendly and provides customers with a great experience and teach them the product knowledge, over someone who knows everything about the tech but treats customers like assholes.

You also need to realize that our customer base isn't the super techy people who can do everything themselves. We have to explain complex solutions to people who next to nothing about electronics. Or try to explain to a guy that a 250$ laptop will not be able to handle Fallout 4 on Ultra but still buy it and return it the next day telling me I sold him a ****** laptop.

I received a **** ton of training through BBY, they send me to vendor market training twice a year where we receive pretty much one on one training with different vendors representing a variety of customers to learn all about the new tech. I wasn't even allowed to talk to customers for my first week on the floor because we have to shadow people for that long.

Seriously, I know not all stores are like mine and believe me, we ******* know protection plans aren't for everyone, but for some they actually really help. In the end, my store ******* rocks because we care about actually giving the best experience possible over selling as much as possible. But to each their own.

Also, ask away any questions you would want to ask a BBY employee and I will be completely honest.

what is bestbuy?

This is super accurate. Former best buy salesman for computers here. Our training literally consisted of watching little best buy videos that were remarkably similar to ads. Got paid for it too. I think it was like 2 - 4 hours a month <spoiler> or something </spoiler> like that that you could spend literally just watching little ad like videos and taking tests and get paid. It was about 2 years ago so the details were fuzzy. Either way, I was a computer science student and even their HARDWARE knowledge was next to nothing.

I can understand a BB techy not understanding linked lists, because they're hired to sell hardware ( and rarely software ). But that being said, BB employees are vastly undertrained.

Weird. I work at BB now and our training did consist of those videos but also our managers and supervisors always train us on the newest tech coming out. Our managers go to seminars and meetings on said tech to learn how it works and learn how to train employees how it works as well. Hell, when Windows 10 was about to be released, Microsoft gave anyone willing to check it out a whole week of training on how it works.

I don't know how it is in other stores, but being one of the biggest stores in the midwest, it's pretty much implanted in you from day one that product knowledge is the key to successfully assisting customers in finding exactly what they're looking for.

This is accurate for many stores I'm sure, but I'm just north of chicago, and a lot of the best buys around here are not quite.... satisfactory. The minority of knowledge about tech here is a big deal. I have about 5 bestbuys within a half hour from me, and whenever I stop in I like to ask questions about whatever I'm getting (I don't actually work at best buy anymore). The people there are usually pretty under educated about whatever isn't the newest thing on the block.

used to work in future shop, which was obtained by best buy, we were all commission based and there was actually a not terrible training program if you actually spent the time doing it. that being said, the vast majority of my coworkers knew very little and relied on buzzwords and lies to sell a lot of product. also, the service plans payed like no other, I might make 10 bucks on the 600 dollar laptop, but the service plan made closer to 30.

******* hate Bestbuy. I can never find anyone to help me find an item and when I do they are always ALWAYS talking to each other about some drama and **** and act like it's my fault for them to work.

fun fact #2 Best buy makes almost no money off of computers, most of the money is made via accessories and service plans.

for example, they might make $20 off a $500 laptop, but they'll make $46 off a $50 cable

This is most retailers that sell computers. They are almost always sold at a loss which is why they push so hard for the attachments and services.

Yeah people who know about RAID also know about google and don't go into Staples for help. You're better off on sales

Although I'd like to offer a flipside that I cna bet you are all too aware of - the more complex the item you install, the larger the pool of problems you get blamed for.

As a techie I just KNOW you've had at least a few instances of repairs that have come back to you and blamed you for the toolbars THEY installed ;)

They don't really for basic jobs. And if they do it probably depends more on the area you live.

Perfect example. If they are actually knowledgeable, its because of a personal interest, not store training

Aye, I worked in Toys R Us about 15 years ago, and started on the console/PC aisle, but was moved to bikes because I kept telling people to not buy the PCs ha. They were ***** though Way overpriced, and the laptops were returned pretty much 100% of the time.

I'd give people my details and build PCs for em, I only made £50 off em because back then I still found it fun and my soul hadn't been beaten down by a thousand questions. But a supervisor overheard me one day and reported me. They couldn't prove anything so just changed my section

This may be the most autistic comment i've ever read on this website, that's saying a lot. Seek help my autismo friend.

How is it autistic ? Christ you ***** like to throw that word around, I think you've gotten to the point where you think simply invoking it gets you brownie points.

Oh and coincidentally, you saying that over a work anecdote just makes you sound like some sad little basement dweller of a teen

I have a job, and do not live at home.

"I kept telling people to not buy the PCs ha."
"They were ***** though "
"my soul hadn't been beaten down by a thousand questions"
"They couldn't prove anything so just changed my second "

You actually sound like a basement dweller of a teen.

You know what, **** it. You're gonna see what you wanna see, you're gonna try twist **** no matter what I say and I'm having a good xmas so feel free to call it what you want, the more I defend myself the more you think you've accomplished something.

And **** you, the basement is too cold in the winter, I'm allowed in the attic

**slothboner used "*roll 1, cah answer*"**
**slothboner rolls A pile of squirming bodies.**You sound like you thrive in social situations.

I was trying to lighten the situation, but I guess you're just a prick

**slothboner used "*roll 5, cah answer*"**
**slothboner rolls Clenched butt cheeks.**
**slothboner rolls Old-people smell.**
**slothboner rolls Vehicular manslaughter.**
**slothboner rolls Onaholes.**
**slothboner rolls Emotions.***roll 1, cah question*ok