Griping at Best Buy employees (was "Panny RP-62s Release Date at Best Buy") (1 Viewer)

[Kelley_B]

I was at my local Best Buy today buying some DVDs(even though I am DVD player less) and asked one of their blue shirt idiots to check on the RP-62 for me and after about 15 minutes the idiot finally found it.

According to the Best Buy Computer System the player will be in store at 6.2.2002 and will cost $199.99.

 

[KeithH]

Kelley, thanks for the info. Will the 'RP62 do DVD-Audio or is it a strict replacement for the 'RP56? For $200, it would be nice if Panasonic combined the progressive-scan capability of the 'RP56 with the DVD-Audio capability of the 'RA60. Thus, will the 'RP62 be the 'RP61 we never had?

If the June 2nd in-stock date is accurate, then I am surprised that Crutchfield hasn't put the 'RP62 on its web site yet. Crutchfield it taking pre-orders for some items that won't be available until July.

 

[Tim Baldwin]

You could infer from the statement contained in here that "DVD-Audio playback is featured throughout the line" that these new models will include it.
http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_el...=12&cont_id=69

 

[Matt DeVillier]

everything I've seen so far suggests that the '62 will not have DVD-Audio (it's strictly a replacement for the '56); the '82 adds that feature (and a few others) for about $279

 

[Duke H]

Kelly-

Ouch! Best Buy idiots? I'm assuming that you are quite familiar with using an outdated inventory system that crashes AT LEAST once a day. If you were, then you'd know that 15 minutes isn't that bad of a time frame. Just think...in the 15 minutes that "idiot" spent helping you, he/she/it could have been doing something more useful with their time, like dragging their knuckles and chasing golden butterflies up and down the isles of the short bus, as one would assume based on your post. Furthermore, I see that you reused the word "idiot," as opposed to substituting it out for, say, "retard." With such a short post, one would think that doing so would mask the redundancy a bit more adequately.

Also, one might assume that such a broad generalization of knowledge and/or character could only be safely made by a home theater guru. As the number of Best Buy employees is in the tens of thousands (including Big Blue affiliates), couldn't it be safely assumed that at least a handful might actually know more than you about the product they peddle?

One question, though: "Idiot" is such a broad term that I wonder whether you are using it to refer to character, intelligence (acquired or inherent), or both? Just curious. I apologize if that is an idiotic question, but I'm not very bright, or so I've been told by those who adhere to generalizations, stereotypes, and the like.

 

[Jason Caudill]

You called this person an idiot but you were buying software in a format that you admittedly cannot play? I have some pre-recorded mini-discs (Mariah Carey, if I recall) and a few Betas you may be interested in.

In the future I would suggest that you not ask someone for help, receive it, and then belittle them.

Jason

 

[KeithH]

Duke,
Let me guess, you work or worked at Best Buy, or perhaps someone close to you who works there.
I wouldn't go so far as to label anyone who works at Best Buy as idiots, but I rarely have ever come across anyone there that I would call highly competent either. In fact, I can remember talking to just one employee there who actually knew about high-end audio, SACD, and DVD-Audio. My girlfriend and I wondered why he was there. It wouldn't surprise me if he eventually wondered the same thing and quit. I haven't run into him in that store in the year or so since.
Tim and Matt,
Thanks for the (conflicting) info. I guess we will have to wait and see what the 'RP62 offers.

 

[Tom Johnson]

The DVD-RP62 is not a DVD-Audio player.

 

[Han]

Okay, I'll admit to working at BB. I worked there for 4 months to earn some money while I was out of work looking for a new software engineering job. Fortunately or unfortunately, I was in the computer sales department.
I don't claim to know that much, but I can honestly say, I had more knowledge of computers, software, and home theater than practically all the reps that worked those respective departments. So, I'd assume most people on these forums know more than them as well. There were a couple of guys in my store that knew high end home theater. One works in the home theater department whom I hung out with a bit during breaks, and the other worked in media.
There are basically three types of people who work at BB. The career type, who are there to "move up the ranks" of Best Buy and just care about selling those damn service plans. The arrogant "above all this" type, like me , who are there just to supplement their income and get the nice discounts. Those are the ones that actually know their stuff, but are rarely there for more than a couple of months. Then, there are the "kids" who don't know anything and make up the majority of the employees there. The technical conversations I've had with some of those guys would make you swear off ever asking for help from there again.
At BB, it's all about selling service plans. Anything else is secondary.

 

[CameronS]

At BB, it's all about selling service plans. Anything else is secondary.

Sad, but true. I also speak from experience.

I totally agree with your categorization, Han. Never thought of it that way. Compared to others who worked there, I'd say I fell into the 2nd group, while many of the friends I made were of the 1st.

 

[JohnnyG]

At BB, it's all about selling service plans. Anything else is secondary.

And they've done a marvelous job brainwashing the public. I actually lose sales sometimes because I don't sell extended warranties.

 

[Jason F.]

I personally love Best Buy, I could spend hours on hours in there and walk out with a 15.00 DVD. I have had nothing but great experiences there. My on minor complaint is the lack of help sometimes during peak hours. But retail is retail, it's all about getting the maximum out of your payroll while paying the minimum. If I want information about a product that best buy carries I come here.

 

[Kelley_B]

You called this person an idiot but you were buying software in a format that you admittedly cannot play?

I have about 125 DVDs...I currently DO NOT have a stand alone player, I am in the market for one as I gave away my old Pioneer DV-525 to my fiance's parents when we got our Mits HDTV in March. After that we tried a couple progressive scan DVD players and decided to wait on this generation from Pannasonic, as we liked the RP-56 the best but didn't like the flicker problem.

Now about calling BB employees idiots, that just happens to be what me and my friends call them, BSIs, just like we call CompUSA, KompUSSR and their employees are bolshiviks(sp?). I realize there are some intelligent people that work at Best Buy, I just never see them. For instance the woman who was in front of me got told by the BSI that Indian Jones is avaliable on DVD, just in Texas, not Oklahoma.....I kid you not.

And yes I work on an old Unix system that is about 13 yrs old at its heart and goes down all the time, I was at work for an extra 1.5hrs tonight trying to get it back up.

 

[Duke H]

To stay on the subject, the above posts are correct. The Panny isn't a DVD Audio player. I'm not sure when Panasonic will released a DVD-A player in the under $250 range, but I hope it's soon. I have the Toshiba SD-4700, but I'd definately go for a Panasonic, if it would play DVD-A, and match my budget.

As far as whether I work or worked at Best Buy, the answer is "yes." I'll agree that there are a lot of salesmen out there who don't have a clue as to what they're selling. In fact, I work with a couple. I also work with a couple extremely knowledgable guys, who more than make up for the proverbial "Idiots." I don't claim to know everything, but I learn a bit more every day. I guess I would prabably fall into a forth catagory, as the above three don't really apply to me. First-off, I work at BB for the discount, for college money, and to keep my car running (I'm not very successful at the last one). Second, I don't pressure people into service plans. I mention it because that's what I'm paid to do. Third, I don't bullshit. If I don't know something, I say so. Then I go home, log onto HTF, and look up the answer, so I'll know next time. I realize that I could get a better job (ie, commission-bassed), but I usually like work, and most of my coworkers.

getting back to the subject, the above posts are correct. The Panny isn't a DVD Audio player. I'm not sure when Panasonic will released a DVD-A player in the under $250 range, but I hope it's soon. I have the Toshiba SD-4700, but I'd definately go for a Panasonic, if it would play DVD-A, and match my budget. Although most DVD-As will play in any DVD player (DD 5.1), I really like MLP format.

 

[Randy B A]

I have not had a problem with BB employees. They for the most part are not trained for high end home theater but if that is what you are in the market for I don't think BB is the place to shop.

 

[KeithH]

Randy, I understand what you are saying, but all too often, I have found that Best Buy (and Circuit City) employees know little about the products they sell, which obviously aren't high-end. I made a point in an earlier post here about encountering just one Best Buy employee over the years who knew high-end audio. My point was that he was knowledgable. My philosophy is don't go to Best Buy or Circuit City with questions. Research the product(s) on web sites such as the HTF or via magazine reviews. Then go to the store to buy.

 

[Kelley_B]

Yes but when you ask a very simple question and they give you this blank stare like a deer in headlights....thats what I have a problem with.

Now on to DVD-A, isn't the Panny RP-82 supposed to be basically a RP-62 with DVD-A and Zoom added on?? And its got a MSRP of $274.99, so I bet it will sell for less than $250 at the stores.

 

[PhilS]

The lack of respect and compassion we have for our fellow human beings these days (even those who work at Best Buy or the local gas pump) is truly disheartening.

 

[Duke H]

Humm...I'll have to check that out. I did a quick check on Panasonic's website a while back, and there were only 3 DVD-A players, the lowest of which was in the $400 ball park. I'll check up on that later and post what I find.

 

[JasonKrol]

observation: its funny how people constantly get upset/mad that people who work at Best Buy (et al) dont know anything about Electronics etc.

but, its ok that people that work in grocery stores (teenagers, similar to Best Buy) arent obligated to know anything about food/cooking?

why the double standard?

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now, I understand that some time (maybe even most of the time) Best Buy workers (et al.) will provide misinformation, and its sad to see that happen..but the old saying goes: "buyer beware"