Best Buy trimming Geek Squad
(Associated Press)
Best Buy’s Geek Squad is among the next to feel the brunt of a major restructuring as the electronics retailer tries to regain its footing to battle fierce competition from online retailers.
The Wall Street Journal reports that about 600 techies will be laid off in the retailer’s services division. In addition, 1,800 other store workers are expected to get pink slips in the weeks ahead, the Journal reported, citing someone familiar with the plans.
The Geek Squad layoffs represent 3 percent of the 20,000 workers in the services division, spokesman Matthew Furman told the Journal. The division helps customers with installation and staffers offer advice before and after purchases. Some observers say the squad is what differentiates Best Buy from its competitors.
The latest round of layoffs are in addition to the pink slips that went out earlier this year when Best Buy, which has 167,000 workers, launched plans to close 50 of its stores. The retailer announced in April it was closing two stores in metro Atlanta, one in Fayetteville and in Loganville. Best Buy had 30 locations in metro Atlanta at the time of the announcement – 22 big box stores and eight standalone Best Buy Mobile stores.
The chain, which has 1,400 U.S. locations, is testing a smaller store concept to improve the relationship customers have with the floor staff and the Geek Squad.
The retailer’s founder and former chairman, Richard Schulze, 71, is considering selling his 20 percent stake, but reportedly also may try to take the company private by teaming up with potential buyout partners, the Journal reported earlier. Schulze resigned abruptly June 7.
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74 comments Add your comment
God
July 6th, 2012
7:24 pm
Cancel Christmas
Son of Sammy Davis Jr, Jr
July 6th, 2012
7:30 pm
People still shop at Best Buy?
Peter
July 6th, 2012
7:57 pm
If you live in metro Atlanta, and in the Lawrenceville area, World Technology on Hwy 120 in L’ville is where I take my computer. They are fair, nice and more knowledgeable than the idiot and overpriced geek squad…….GS is a dinosaur….be thou extinct
Wally
July 6th, 2012
8:03 pm
Best Buy has terrible customer service.
Konway
July 6th, 2012
8:15 pm
Enter your comments here
Konway
July 6th, 2012
8:17 pm
Bought a Mac book, geek squad talked us into support, you go for help, and the squad responds…….you need to call apple. LOL!
ImITButNoLove
July 6th, 2012
8:25 pm
I thought about hiring GeekSquad when I had a catastrophic crash of hard drive and wanted to recover data. Then, I saw their prices! No thank you! I understand the whole IT thing because I am myself. I think they’re raping people with their pricing structure. And with that, I say “good riddins, adjust with the times”. VERIZON WIRELESS, YOU’RE NEXT!
adam
July 6th, 2012
8:31 pm
a salseman at Best Buy last year told me NOT to buy one of their products and to shop elsewhere for better products. LOL
Bob Smith
July 6th, 2012
8:39 pm
I use Geeks To Go. They have a similar name, but are more reliable and affordable. I think they service all of Atlanta.
spaceman109
July 6th, 2012
8:50 pm
now we see best buy slouching along toward irrelevance and eventual disappearance….just like circuit city.
spaceman109
July 6th, 2012
8:53 pm
best buy will get rid of people who cost too much in terms of pay and benefits and bring in part timers who know next to nothing. those part-timers will get little training before being thrown to the sales floor. once again….just like circuit city.
all of this so that management can act like they are doing something while they collect their free health care and massive bonuses.
Customer Satisfaction
July 6th, 2012
9:17 pm
NOT.
fromdekalb
July 6th, 2012
9:17 pm
“good riddins” ?? man o man – maybe you could use whatever cool computer you have to look for an online dictionary (or use the one that’s included with Mac OSX) – try: riddance
Dondee
July 6th, 2012
9:18 pm
While this has nothing to do with the Geek Squad, I was in a store last week to make a purchase. I knew what I wanted, so all I needed was someone to wait on me. I walked around the area where I wished to make the purchase looking for someone to help. Everyone was busy talking or going somewhere else instead of asking if help was needed. I have been shopping at BB for over 17 years. I think this was my last trip there.
RollTide in 12
July 6th, 2012
9:19 pm
We just got electricity in my town in northwest Alabama and now you’re telling me Best Buy is going away?
Mike
July 6th, 2012
9:19 pm
I remember when Atlanta was in general excited about a Best Buy opening off Steve Reynolds or Beaver Ruin or whatever years ago. Media Play as well. I more or less have both stores sitting 3 feet away from me with my ipad.
Glancing at the Geek Squad site, it appears they charge 50 bucks for complicated things like installing an inkjet printer or a mp3 player. I didn’t want to look at the more complicated options like wifi. One might guess they priced themselves to death with very simple things and especially mildly complex things that local places would do for far less.
Old Timer
July 6th, 2012
9:20 pm
I used the Geek Squad exactly once—big mistake. For a 15 minute visit to get rid of a persistent virus, the bill came to $185. I then moved to a one-man private firm called cheap geek. I got everything I needed there for half the price. Best Buy needs to fire the entire squad, then go out of business itself as a service to humanity. If you’re looking for quality and customer service, avoid Best Buy.
peco bill
July 6th, 2012
9:24 pm
best buy’s business model—obsolete—they may not last 4 more years. Mediocre service, high prices, out of stock on basic stuff. They don’t get it. Buy online or at stores that understand price + service.
Christine
July 6th, 2012
9:43 pm
Geek Sqaud charged $50 to make your computer “take home ready”. When I questioned what all was involved, the response I received was, “oh its deleting the shortcuts on your desktop and things like that.” Geek Squad was just an overpriced scam if you ask me.
JJ
July 6th, 2012
9:49 pm
People need to learn to shop aorund. I never pay full price for anything. If your dumb enough to use Geek Squad. You got what you paid for haha.
Scott Anderson
July 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
I bought a refrigerator from Best Buy 10 years ago. Their credit cards are run by a terrible company. When I called to discuss a mix up on a bonus I was due they totally told me to jump in the lake. I called Best Buy Mgt and they were not interested. So for 100 dollars or less that I was willing to negotiate, they lost all of my business for the last 10 yrs. Just horrible customer service in the store. Lucky to track someone down that will talk to you.
See ya Best Buy ………. And take that credit collection card co with you.
gave up best buy long time ago
July 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
I remember quite clearly my last shopping experience at Worst Buy. Got a CD “the animals greatest hits”. If you don’t know, they have a very distinctive sound. The CD was sealed and have never been opened. Listed on the label were all the songs on the CD, 13, I think. I popped it into my CD player on the way home and heard music I had never heard before. It was like thinking you were getting Abba and getting Johnny Cash instead. Turned around and went back. Explained to the clerk the CD was not the Animals. She wouldn’t take it back. Got her manager, same thing, wouldn’t take it back. She acted like I was some kind of idiot. Store policy was, if it was open they couldn’t take it back. It was like trying to buy a dish washer, getting home and it is a refrigerator. Got the store mgr involved and heard the same story again. I became such a pain in the ass, that they finally gave me my money back. Never set foot in a Worst Buy again.
Mr. Thomas anthony Jones, SR
July 6th, 2012
10:16 pm
Best Buy is still the best place to buy electronics. i like the service I receive at Best Buy. \They to open more Best Buy outlets.
Chuckles™
July 6th, 2012
10:18 pm
It’s sad to see a potentially valuable resource like Best Buy start to implode. There are parts of the country (like, say, south of Atlanta until you get to Jacksonville) that Best Buy is your ONLY local source for techie stuff. They are dying because they did dumb things (like tell Apple to get lost back when the iMacs 1st came out – then had to watch as the PC industry became a commodity & lost their shirt until they came back to Apple in 2006)
As for the Geek Squad – that wasn’t even an original idea! They stole the idea of a ’secret agent geek’ look & branding from a tech company in California. They hire folks at $10-20 an hour, give em a Bug to drive in, and tell them to go fix what they can, and send off your broken PC to a centralized location in Cleveland when it involves anything complex.
There are GREAT local resources in the Atlanta area for support. If it’s an Apple system, visit an Apple Store (just NOT on the weekend). PeachMac has been expanding recently & they’re very knowledgeable. Need on site tech? Onyx has been around forever & can do PC stuff as well.
Broken iPhone? There are several repair spots (like CPR – Cell Phone Repair) here that can get you up & running cheaply.
The best store to buy PC stuff from? Micro Center. Great prices, and decent in-store support.
Dead drive? Data Savers near Emory. Superb job, nice folks.
(For purposes of objectivity: I own a technology company locally & I have no financial interest in any of the above resources. I just shop there just like you do.)
OldGold
July 6th, 2012
10:22 pm
Well, it’s way past time. Only thing the “GeekSquad” ever did is nothing. Oh yeah, I forgot, the Northlake crew did do something — they always parked their cars on the sidewalk, blocking pedestrian ways and making it dangerous.
Why would anybody shop at Best Buy when we have Frys as an alternative.
A.B. Normal
July 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
I sure hope Best Buy doesn’t go out of business altogether. It’s a great hands-on showroom for all the stuff I buy online!!! Oh, and by the way . . . Geek Squad BLOWS!
Billy
July 6th, 2012
10:56 pm
I got 500 Mbps power socket networking plug ins frrom them. No one else had them in stock. True, service should be excellent, but try to remember that BB does not pay that well. I would like good service when I go to fast food, but if I don’t get it, I understand the low wages paid. Not to make excuses, but how would you perform under those circumstances? Half the people that bellyache about service probably treat people like crap, even those close to them. It’s a “reap what you sow” principle. BTW, if I use an anti-virus, then F11 if that doesn’t work; between those two, unless you frequent porn sites half the day, you should be able to fix most computer problems…
SC
July 6th, 2012
10:58 pm
This is very disappointing; Geek Squad is the most dependable department in Best Buy! They are dependable, always gives good service, and never leave you disappointed. They have even grown into home stereo/high tech installations. Now BB on the other hand (the retail division) does not always have the best service; sometimes customer service reps are hard to find, sometimes when staffing is low, it’s hard to find a sales person to commit to giving customers dedicated time, and Magnolia Room operates under the guise that if you are spending big money w them, they are more than happy to help. But if you need to return something or are not fully happy, all of a sudden they are “separate from BB”, one “must return to the original store”, blah, blah, blah. I’ve become more and more frustrated with them over the years. Still not late to turn things around; just show a little care for your customers and we’ll flock back!
ImITButNoLove
July 6th, 2012
11:09 pm
Well @fromdekalb
Maybe you could just pull the stick out of your 4$$ and realize that sometimes people use phoenetic spelling to project a speech pattern or “accent” (e.g. caricature). Go someplace else to nitpick loser.
Harry Hippie
July 6th, 2012
11:10 pm
Best-But in Douglasville is a class act.. Far superior than the other “Prima Donna” stores. Touch this store and I may have to call in the “A Team”..
Put down the pipe, Harry
July 6th, 2012
11:28 pm
Douglasville? You’ve got to be kidding. Put down the pipe, Harry.
I tried to buy a $300 laptop there. I walk in, show them exactly what I want…”Oh, we are out of stock, but I can sell you the exact same model that has been ‘prepped’ for $400.” (That’s where they remove all the bloat ware from the computer.)
I drove the 4 minutes back home, ordered it online for $300, and picked it up from the same person.
I had been shopping there for many years. That was the last time I went.
Geeks
July 6th, 2012
11:31 pm
I’ve used the geek squad recently due to an appliance I purchased. They were very friendly and fixed the appliance. Even though it is recommended not to buy extended warrenties and I usually don’t, I did this time and it saved me a couple of huindred dollars. They may not be the cheapest for computer repairs but I have not had a problem with them for many years and I would continue to buy from them. If someday all that is left is on line or discounters where can someone go for assistance?
Why It' A Ruger, Thank You!
July 7th, 2012
12:01 am
Recently bought a new laptop from BB. Was told that the laptops did not come with recovery discs anymore. I said “No problem, I’ll make them myself”. The salesperson and tech said that that couldn’t be done…but for $60 they would create a set for me. When I got the laptop home it sure enough said that you can make your own…Last time you fool me Worst Buy!!
scott
July 7th, 2012
12:15 am
fryes electronics…way cheaper with better customer service..best buy too pricey and employees unknowledgeable
Hmmmmmmm
July 7th, 2012
1:16 am
HHGreg is worse…..
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July 7th, 2012
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David Hoffman
July 7th, 2012
2:42 am
BB sent me a survey asking in about 50 different ways how much I would pay for Geek Squad prepaid service for a new PC, tablet, or smartphone. $0 is what I answered to each version of the question. If there were a million of those surveys taken and they all answered as I did, GS is going to be reduced significantly.
finally
July 7th, 2012
7:08 am
We lived in Cherokee County and had a warranty on the vacuum so the Kennesaw location replaced the vacuum no questions asked, then we got to Gwinnett vacuum died again, well the Pleasant Hill Rd store screwed up that repair 6 ways to Sunday, it was going to SUWANEE 8 miles up the road and it took over a month missing the promised date repeatedly. I complained to mgt and the corporate # and they could not care less, it is really sad that they absolutely do not care about the customers and l hope they do close down. We went in for the advertised refridgerator years ago in Dunwoody and even after calling to make sure they had the model and the 20 min drive there they were mysteriously “sold out” and tried to do the old bait and switch and l was raising so much hell they actually did give us another model for the same price, but they certainly don’t do that now. Go to Staples for a computer they are super nice and efficient, go to Fry’s and Brandsmart for everything else. Hell you can find things on craigslist not pay retail at ALL.
Bathsheba
July 7th, 2012
7:12 am
Best Buy is going the way of Circuit City. Probably some of the worst service I ever received. Try calling on the phone; WHEN someone answers, you are transferred to someone else who knows nothing. They won’t be missed.
Randy
July 7th, 2012
7:21 am
Just this weekend I bought a Netgear router at Tigerdirect/CompUSA while in Jacksonville Fl.
Best Buy wanted 49.99 Model: WNR2000-100NAS SKU: 8998506
I bought it for less than $25.00 at the Tigerdirect store, no shipping, no hassle and it works exactly the way it’s supposed to.
It was refurbished but it has the same warranty as a new one and if it didn’t work they will give you a refund.
BestBuy’s problem is the result of failed policies of our government.
For those who cry it’s republicans fault for outsourcing jobs try understanding the purpose of being is business is to make money and become successful. When your government taxes you to the extent you cannot make money and then uses that money to give away in the form of welfare, food stamps and free health care it’s no wonder they flee overseas.
For those who say it’s democrat’s fault try understanding the people need a decent wage and benefits to survive, you can’t live off minimum wage. You need some type of health coverage because (as above) businesses are in business to make money.
Quit slinging blame around to republicans and democrats and start realizing they are all in the same bed and we suffer the fleas and we are left to suffer the consequences it will never change.
Our political parties have us at each others throats. Nobody wants to be on welfare, food stamps and government handouts. (Well almost not everyone, there are always going to be those lazy shiftless useless people who thrive off the labor of others) But until this country has a viable third party, term limits and make it a Federal Criminal Offense to accept money from outside interests things will never change.
In other words get used to the same.
Yall aint right
July 7th, 2012
7:35 am
Geek squad is a total rip off, I bought a wireless router and one of them tried to charged me $200 for installation. Long story short, I installed it myself in 10 minutes.
Ray
July 7th, 2012
7:45 am
Some years ago, I used the the extended warranty on a computer I puirchased from BB. They told me the only way to fix it is to wipe the hard drive clean and I lost all my data. When I described the problem and what the BB tech did to one of the IT guys at work, he informed me the issues could have been resolved without wiping the drive clean – that was the easiest thing form them to do. That was the last computer I purchased from Best Buy.
Koz
July 7th, 2012
7:50 am
BEST BUY = TOO EXPENSIVE
BB gone
July 7th, 2012
8:06 am
best buy kennesaw–filled with clueless employees and rude managers. They tried to sell me an audio cable for $19.99 that I got online at monoprice for $1.19! It’s amazing that this place is still in business. Their hiring policies–very questionable. But, they will be out of business in 5 years–book it.
No You Di'int
July 7th, 2012
8:45 am
“I say “good riddins” OMG! Pal you need the kind of help the Geek Squad could never provide. You need a remedial English course STAT! LOL
Ohno
July 7th, 2012
8:59 am
Peachmac is lame. The send thir repairs out to the same place Best Buy does.
red herring
July 7th, 2012
9:04 am
best buy in macon and warner robins are a joke—will not honor their price match policy—always have tons of employees standing around talking amongst themselves and none helping customers—-they all look at the customer as if he/she is a nuisance. good riddance.
Fair Witness
July 7th, 2012
9:05 am
Hey ImITButNoLove —- maybe YOU need to realize that sometimes people use proper spelling and grammar to project intelligence. What is the purpose of trying to emulate the “speech pattern” of the illiterate hip hop culture other than trying to make yourself sound like an idiot on purpose? Exactly what kind of a statement are you trying to make? How is anyone even supposed to know that you’re “caricaturing” proper grammar (again, why?) instead of just assuming that you must have dropped out of school in the 3rd grade?
Linda
July 7th, 2012
9:22 am
I have had the Geek squad internet service now for over a year and what a lifesaver! My hubby and I both have used it. Talk about easy. They stream into your computer and we must have called them at least 4 times this past year for different things. Has saved me $$$$ because I work from home using my computer and it is a have to thing with me. Our anniversary is coming up to renew and this year it is half as much as when we first got it, $99 for this year and when you stop to think, no taking my computer in, no having computer man come over anymore and really charge the $$$$$. Thanks, but I’ll just stay with what works well for me. I never sit around waiting on an actual person to come to my door anymore, just a quick phone call and we’re in business!
GTBob
July 7th, 2012
9:54 am
NOW where am I gonna work