Best Buy Planning Dedicated Games Department

[CeeKay]

just saw this article on Gamasutra that Best Buy is getting ready to show more dedication to game sales with dedicated clerks (I guess that means no more random 'you're on games today' personnel) and a gaming desk.  essentially it sounds like they are trying to replicate a Gamestop right on the sales floor.

it's been forever since I've been in a Best Buy, but I kinda liked the whole idea that you didn't have to worry about a clerk pestering you while you browsed.

[Isgrimnur]

Then you were frequenting different Best Buys than I was.  I had days where I was in the store for 30 minutes and had three people wanting to assist me and every one of them making damn sure I knew that they didn't work on commission. 

[Travis]

Hopefully this will go over better than their dedicated music instrument department.

[EngineNo9]

Yeah, the last time I went in to Best Buy I walked directly back to their games section to grab the game I wanted and had 3 different people ask me if I needed help on the way there.  And yet if you ever have a real question there is magically nobody around to answer it.  I hate that crap.  

[leo8877]

I still won't shop there!

[rittchard]

I hope they get some of the cute Best Buy boys to slavishly pander to my every whim.   

[jersoc]

cool, but i'll continue to ignore them since amazon basically gives me a 30% discount on games with 99 cent release day shipping.

[Dante Rising]

No matter what Best Buy does, Amazon FTW.

[Bob]

ok.. if they next gen of consoles really ends up being primarily download based, this seems like a really stupid investment for Best Buy to make.

Also, the idea of them hiring "gaming experts" to staff the place just makes me think it'll smell like a Magic TCG tournament.

Also: Amazon.

[Greggy_D]

I still won't shop there!

This.

With Amazon in the picture, I have no damn reason to step foot in one of BB's stores.

[Sarkus]

I read an article not long ago about how Best Buy was completely changing their approach to everything.  Their sales have been struggling and apparently focus group studies they did indicated customers wanted more dedicated staff, among other things.  And I'm sure BB will still try and push extended warranties and the like, as everyone else does anymore.

But I haven't been to the nearest one in quite a while.  

[mytocles]

I like my local Best Buy, and it's where I start if I'm looking for games/ gear on short notice.  I used to shop exclusively at EB/ Gamestop... but then Chaz left!   

I'm convinced that most of these stores are great or not-so-great, based almost entirely on their personnel and related issues like hiring practices or pay.  The only thing I worry about is if they put that one, particular, over-the-top, gaming uber-geek on patrol in the new games area.  I can see him now, cruising the newb waters like a shark in a swimming pool full of kids.  Then I can see him spotting me and pouncing, tired of the casual gamers and moving on to bigger prey.  What gave me away, the Zelda hoodie?

I'm sure it will all work out... right now I have to go check the mail, though - I'm expecting an Amazon shipment.

 

[Chaz]

I like my local Best Buy, and it's where I start if I'm looking for games/ gear on short notice.  I used to shop exclusively at EB/ Gamestop... but then Chaz left!   

Aw... I figured everyone had forgotten me by now.