If you thought the
death of Circuit City would lead to even higher prices at
Best Buy, you're obviously not considering the Bentonville powerhouse in your calculations. Since the downfall of one of America's most well-known electronics retailers, Best Buy has now refocused on rivaling Walmart, who has done
quite a lot over the past year or so to become a serious venue for buying new HDTVs. Granted, most of Walmart's offerings boast labels like VIZIO and Emerson, but that's beginning to change. In a new piece from the
Wall Street Journal, incoming CEO Brian Dunn asserts that he's planning to "match" Wally World's famously low prices while making Best Buy stores more of an "experience." How exactly it plans to lower TV margins while sprucing up retail space is beyond us, but maybe it's looking to those
$150 Monster-branded HDMI cables to pick up the slack.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chance @ Mar 17th 2009 1:49AM
Honestly, the amount you guys dis monster and their prices is really turning me off the site. I could care less what your opinion is when i come here to try and get somewhat non-biased news on tech as possible. I'm not saying i'm pro-monster or anything like that, I'm saying lay off always commenting negatively on the brand. It's bordering on sleazy journalism in my opinion.
Nick @ Mar 17th 2009 2:28AM
Personally, I think it is funny. I think its funny when 1 group of people has a vendetta against another group of people. In this case, it is definitely warranted. Monster has shady business practices (suing any company with MONSTER in their name) and they overcharge for their products.
I actually do hate Monster, and I make sure to tell all my friends about their scams as well. Gizmodo rules. They are one of the few sites willing to stick up to Monster and make fun of them.
Nick @ Mar 17th 2009 2:31AM
Oops, meant to say Engadget rules. But Gizmodo is good too :) Another website with a vendetta against Monster Cable. :)
Streaker @ Mar 17th 2009 2:56AM
Oh, boo hoo... if it's that difficult for you to deal with, just go someplace else. Honestly, who cares what your opinion is of Engadget's commentary?
Charles @ Mar 17th 2009 2:26AM
You clearly don't know enough about Monster's sleazy lawsuits.
Gil @ Mar 17th 2009 4:43AM
I buy all of my hdmi cables from monoprice.com. Why spend 150+ on a cable when a 5 dollar cable will do just fine? Monoprice rocks even with its shipping charges :)
blackloti @ Mar 17th 2009 11:57AM
Indeed. We went looking for one in town and the cheapest was $39 at WalMart. Best Buy had them as high as $149. I know this is where they make the bulk of their money, but this is ridiculous. We ordered one online for $6.
kevinm @ Mar 17th 2009 4:38AM
It's a great idea to have a technology store look the part. Being surrounded by tech is nice but I would like to see them use technology in innovative ways.
chuckdaly @ Mar 17th 2009 8:38AM
Bestbuy plans to use Walmart like tactics with Manufacturers. Bestbuy will force manufacturers to sell them their products at a cheaper prices or else not put them on store shelves. Given the lack of retail outlets, Manufacturers will have a hard time saying no.
Despite Bestbuy's best efforts, in the end, they will get crushed by Walmart. Walmart is much larger and has greater buying power than Bestbuy. Within the next 2 years Walmart will start carrying brands like Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, etc and put the hurt on Bestbuy. It will be "Back to the future". Remember, Circuit city had knowledgable salesman and more upscale products, while Bestbuy offered dumb salemen, but cheaper prices. Now Bestbuy is the oneoffering knowledgable salesman (Magnolia/Geeksquad) / upscale products, and Walmart will offer dumb salesman, but cheaper prices. We know what the public cares more about.
MFfan310 @ Mar 17th 2009 9:15AM
Walmart already carries Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sharp, among others. Granted, it's the lower-end models from those brands, but it's still much better than the subgeneric junk.
That being said, I just picked up the exact Dynex (Best Buy store brand) 32" HDTV that the guy is hauling out in the picture at Best Buy for $399. We didn't need much more, as it was replacing a 20-year-old SD set in a small bedroom setting that broke. And the picture quality is fine for what we need it for... the Sony and LG sets weren't worth $150 more for a somewhat better picture. I'll save the big name brand expense for when our other, bigger SD sets go kablooey...
Cap BD @ Mar 17th 2009 9:17AM
Circuit City's problems started when they fired all of their most experienced salespeople to keep costs down. I have a buddy who worked for CC, was fired, then offered his old job at a lower pay rate. He now works for Best Buy.
Best Buy probably hopes to make their money back on Geek Squad Install Services and private label products. While they stock Monster cables, they actually make more margin on their house brand cables. So expect to have Rocketfish pushed on you instead of Monster.
serge @ Mar 17th 2009 10:57AM
@MFfan, I totally know where you are coming from with spending less money. BUT, statistically cheaper brands break faster because they are made with cheap components in Malaysia. So although you save now, you'll end up buying a new tv in 1 or 2 years. Although Sony may make its TV's in third world countries, the components tend to be better quality so they last longer. that's my opinion at least.
Aaron Smith @ Mar 17th 2009 10:01AM
You mean trying to beat prices like this? http://hdguru.com/recession-pressures-national-retailers-not-honoring-sale-or-price-match-policies-what-you-can-do-to-beat-them-hd-guru-investigative-report/399/
Brent @ Mar 17th 2009 11:42AM
Does this mean Best Buy's inventory is going to look even more like Walmart's?
Andy Sullivan @ Mar 17th 2009 12:26PM
I'm not sure you will see a big difference in peoples buying habits. If you go to Best Buy you are looking for electronics. Specifically TV's, cameras, computers, receivers, speakers etc. Even though you can find those items at Wal-Mart there is usually no one trained enough to offer you much technical help. Also no one to deliver and set up. And for sure no one you can go back to and ask questions after the sale.
chumley @ Mar 17th 2009 2:52PM
I would argue that the same is true of many, if not most, BB employees. I've heard those guys say some of the dumbest things to cover up for their lack of any real knowledge. I'm sure there are a few exceptions to this generality, but going to BB certainly doesn't ensure that you will find competent technical help.
Brent @ Mar 17th 2009 3:39PM
I have to agree with chumley. I once heard a Best Buy employee tell a customer that HDTVs were DVD quality. From what I've seen of Best Buy, most of their employees look like high school and college students that are basically telling people what's been rehearsed to them. Then they try to push their extended warranties on you that are often full of loopholes in their favor. I'm sorry but with Circuit City gone, I think Amazon is going to be where I buy most of my electronics now.
Loban @ Mar 18th 2009 3:58PM
The real questions is: Who buys electronics in a store anymore? I'll take newegg or Amazon over a B&M store any day of the week. Unless you enjoy overpaying, there is not much reason to go to Best Buy anymore.
Jason H @ Mar 17th 2009 3:41PM
Anybody who pays a whopping $150 for an HDMI cable obviously deserve to be ripped off. I paid $7 for my HDMI cable. Even at Wal Mart the cables are a rip off.
Loban @ Mar 18th 2009 4:11PM
Wow, you overpaid. Got my 6' HDMI cables for 75 cents.
Monoprice.com for cables FTW!!!
ricky @ Mar 17th 2009 7:51PM
Most customers buying tvs especially could care less about technical help until after the fact they want the cheapest thing they can find. Best Buy has no chance of competing against Wal Mart
Alex @ Mar 18th 2009 1:47PM
I used to work at BB for Geek Squad ( i know you all hate me) And i will agree with some of teh statements about high school kids working there and such. but for the most part the sales people are well trained BB offers lots of tools and "eLearings" to better educate the sales people.
Also the warranties do have "loop holes" so to speak its a lot of common sense if you spill water on it or run it over with your car that your own fault. Now they do offer accidental damage warranties on certain products that can come in handy.
And to the point when it comes to technology you get what you pay for. If you're buying a 399 tv expect just that and nothing better. The Dynex brand is TERRIBLE we would send at least 5-10 of there tvs to service a week. just my 0.2