Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    People do say that Best Buy is horrible but I can't say that I can agree. I haven't had any real complaints about them and there prices are competitive,

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Well when I was buying this laptop they did ask me if I wanted one that they already set up and created recovery disks for for an additional $99 and they did offer an extended warranty/insurance. But it was a simple ask with no pressure and a very quick acceptance of no.

    Plus their treatment of me was very nice.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    do you think the salespeople can make a difference in how people perceive the Best Buy experience? Or is it something else, like extended warranties, selling up, pushing mop n glo.

    It's both, and it's both for any retail sales business. At the best Buys by me the sales staff are pretty good, not the best but not sloppy either. I can't say how Best Buy in general is. They did do some up selling of services but it was just "hey we have it if you want it", not pressure and a quick acceptance of "no thank you". Again the one I go to might operate a bit differently than most.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Since it is a little slow around here at Thanksgiving time, you may like reading this little story...that is a car sales story.



    1950 Chevrolet Club Coupe - 437 original, actual miles!
    Now here is a car with a story…

    Purchased new by Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Trueblood of Modesto , California . Shortly after purchasing this car, Mr. Trueblood took a day off to go fishing. While waiting for the “big one” to bite he witnessed a woman fall out of her boat. Mr. Trueblood jumped in to help, only to fall victim of a fatal heart attack. Mrs. Trueblood returned the car home and placed it in the garage for the next 12 years. The odometer reading at that time (1962) was 413 miles.

    Mrs. Trueblood lived next door to a used car lot owned by Mr. William E. Wilson (now 81 years old). Mr. Wilson spoke with her frequently and often told her he would like to buy the car for himself to keep. In 1962 the time had come. Mrs. Trueblood told Mr. Wilson she needed a car for her bookkeeper who didn’t really care for the ol’ Chevy and would prefer a Rambler. No problem. Mr. Wilson went down to the local Rambler dealer and bought a brand new one for $1,650.00 ($100.00 over cost) and made the swap.

    He then took the car home and parked it with 433 actual miles. And there it sat for the next 45 years, occasionally being started and moved in and out of the garage. In 2007 Mr. Wilson decided to sell the car and started spreading the word around Modesto that the ol’ Chevy with 433 miles on it was for sale. Many had heard about the car, but hardly anyone had ever laid eyes on it. In fact, according to Mr. Wilson he believes he only showed the car to about 5 people in 45 years. Word spread quickly about the car and soon a buyer arrived ready and willing to pay the $60,000.00 asking price. When Mr. Wilson told me the story of this car he complained heavily of the “capital gains” tax he was required to pay and wished he had never sold it. As of this writing, Mr. Wilson is still alive and well in Modesto and can verify the miles and originality of this car. Simply put, this is a true 100% factory original survivor (that includes the air in the tires).

    This ol’ Chevy now has 437 original miles and is most likely the world’s lowest mileage 1950 Chev.
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • crkyolfrtcrkyolfrt Member Posts: 2,345
    Cool story, driver.

    But there is one slight poetic license embellishment. Rubber permeates air...so very little, if any, original factory air would have been retained in those tubes.

    Many years after my father died, I recall one just like it (same colour even) went to the cruncher along with many other field 'scrap' cars :(

    Hindsight is always so acute..
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited November 2010
    I've seen that Chevy story before along with a bunch of other photos of it.

    Truly amazing but what would you do with it?

    It would almost be a shame to make it a "driver". It would require new tires and the replacement of all of the rubber brake parts, fluids and no doubt, all of the gaskets and seals would soon start leaking.

    It's a Powerglide and my guess would be that all of the transmission seals and o rings would need replacement.

    Still, what a find!

    As far as Best Buy, I have no experience but it seems that people either love them or hate them. No middle ground it would seem.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,437
    I have a 60" Pioneer KURO plasma in my home theater room. By far, it's the best TV I've ever seen, bar none.

    I agree- I have a PRO-111FD. My viewing distance is under eight feet so a 50" monitor is more than adequate. My Best Buy/Magnolia sold it to me for 40% off. Woo-Hoo!!! :D

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    We arrived at Costco when it opened yesterday and picked up a Vizio 32 inch LED for 269.00. Put it in our bedroom and I put the 27" Sharp in the garage to replace an elderly 13" non Hi Def.

    But I'm having trouble. If I stand too close to it it blurs and I may have to relocate it now.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    I have a 50 in Toshiba Plasma HD that I bought back when $3k was reasonable.

    My buddy, contemplating one asked me what was the difference between LED and Plasma. The best description I could come up with is Plasma is like looking through glass and LED is like looking through plastic.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Take it back --- you can get a much better picture for 1-200 more. Lcd is the way to go for a midsize set. Don't be so price bound on something you will enjoy for years. [wink]
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I know, I should have posted that in one of the Prices Paid Forums.

    Someone would have told me.." YOU GOT RIPPED OFF!"

    And someone else would have told me that they bought the same set for 100.00 less than Costco paid for it.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    The color looks to be pistachio green. I thought the only color available back in the olden days was black or black. :confuse:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I'd be miffed by that too. The same thing sometimes happens with a car warranty if you have a problem shortly after it expires.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    The color looks to be pistachio green. I thought the only color available back in the olden days was black or black.

    I am not sure if it is a light lime green or cream colored. I think I remember this light shade of green. I think it is real because I got it as an email, but there are lots of sites that feature this car if you google "1950 Chevy 437 miles"

    I think it is all for real....lots of color pictures too but I can't make out the actual color too well...but I do seem to recall a very light green shade.
    More pictures 1950 Chevy

    Henry Ford said "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black", but that was describing the Model T way back in 1909
    .
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,355
    "...I haven't set foot in best buy since..."

    I had a similar experience with K-Mart about 40 years ago over some kitchen cabinets they put on sale the same day I picked mine up. I vowed to never do business with them again. Sure enough, about 30 years later they filed for bankruptcy.

    Mess with me will ya? :mad:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,355
    "...very little...origional factory air would have been retained..."

    Maybe he paid the dealer an extra $80 and got the special Nitrogen filled tubes. :)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • crkyolfrtcrkyolfrt Member Posts: 2,345
    yes, he might have, lol
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    edited November 2010
    Ah, the wheels of justice grind slow....but exceedingly fine..... :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,714
    >you check out the Best Buy reviews, they are HORRIBLE!

    It's a store I hate.

    Bought our last TV at H H Gregg. Would probably consider an internet TV purchase before buying at BB.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,714
    >"I am the highest ranking manager at this store, if you have a problem with me or the return policy, call 1 800 Best buy."

    Did you call 1 800 Best buy? I did long ago. If I recall it was a useless experience.

    That lack of customer orientation was part of why I hate the store.

    As GG said, the people at HH Gregg tend to be pushier because they are on commission. But I believe they also have some leeway and also have some goals for sales each day or week and they work to hit and top those. Your purchase is important to them. BB's teenagers seem to be on something other than commission.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Henry Ford said "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black", but that was describing the Model T way back in 1909


    Actually Ford didn't produce any black Model T's until 1913. In 1909 you could get the Model T in a variety of colors.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    BB's teenagers seem to be on something other than commission.

    The sales staff at Best Buy is paid an hourly wage and get no commision which I tend to like because they don't have a vested interest in me buying the higher priced version simply because it is "better".

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,885
    The 2003 100 year Ford anniversary Taurus was only available in black.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Yeah, and they are quick to tell you they don't work on commission.

    Maybe the profit margins are so slim that they can't afford to "eat" anything that is out of warranty to them.

    And maybe they don't care about reviews. A lot of buyers couldn't care less as long as it's the cheapest place to buy something.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Maybe the profit margins are so slim that they can't afford to "eat" anything that is out of warranty to them.

    Well out of warranty is out of warranty, but I do think that they extend the warranty period as much as anyone else.

    A lot of buyers couldn't care less as long as it's the cheapest place to buy something.

    Yes it's natural for people to seek out the stores that charge more for the same thing. Also as some here have mentioned that they have had good experiences with them.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Man, if you check out the Best Buy reviews, they are HORRIBLE!

    My favorite source for tech purchases is Newegg.com, which started out selling computer components to geeks who build their own but which has branched out into consumer electronics. Not only are Newegg's prices lower than Best Buy's, but Newegg doesn't charge sales tax on shipments to most states.

    Newegg's web site contains an abundance of customer reviews & their shipping is the fastest in the biz. I often get next day delivery, even though I always specify standard shipping & never pay extra for overnight.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,589
    To follow up, I never called the toll free number. I did write a fantastic letter that I was about to print, then the power went out & it was gone (I didn't save).

    Now on the flip side, my wife really likes this red coach bag she saw on Oprah's favorite things last week. It retails for about $400. She gets these loyalty gift cards from coach a few times a year for maybe $50 off your $150+ purchase. Now she would never go out and buy a new bag on her own, but Hanukah is coming up, so why not. I walk into the coach store in the mall after work today. I'm asked if I need any help. I point to the bag & say "yes, Id like this one in red.".

    Sales associate: "Ah, the Oprah bag. I'm so sorry sir, we're sold out and ding know when the next shipment is coming in. It also comes in this really deep blue or this beige."

    "No, my wife flipped over the red & that's not something she normally does. Anyway you can locate one here in Southern CT, if not NY, Long Island, North Jersey...?"

    "The computers aren't showing anything anywhere remotely close. I can call around the country & have one shipped to you. Let me take your number & call you later."

    I get a call about an hour later. Hi, this is Laura from COACH. Great news, we found a bag for you en route to one of our stores in lower Manhattan. It is due in Tuesday & will be overnighted to you. You'll have if Wednesday afternoon."

    Wow! Thank you so much!

    "You're quite welcome. Now you said you had a gift coupon?"

    "Yes, for $50 off."

    "I'll give you 25% off instead, that'll save you some more money. We'll overnight it to you at no charge. I'll just need to take your credit card over the phone."

    Guess who just earned themselves a customer for life?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    Not only are Newegg's prices lower than Best Buy's, but Newegg doesn't charge sales tax on shipments to most states.

    I'm in one of those states where Newegg does charge sales tax. :cry:
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    "I'll give you 25% off instead, that'll save you some more money. We'll overnight it to you at no charge. I'll just need to take your credit card over the phone."

    That is exceptional service and smart. You're going to tell 20 people and they'll tell more people. My favorite rule in retail is "surpass your customers expectations" and you will be a winner.

    I bought a $90 item at The Bay - Canada's oldest retailer. The woman on cash made a mistake, rang it in as a cash transaction instead of a credit card. She asked her supervisor to correct it. Took about an extra 4 minutes...not a big deal. She gave me a $25 off coupon for being so patient....I thought that was nice!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,162
    nyc....funny you should mention COACH stores. There's one of those outlet malls that just opened up just north of me. They have both a COACH and a COLE HAAN outlet store in it (among many, many others). I'm a big fan of both. Even though they sell their brands at big discounts, their customer service is outstanding. I get a nice little hand written note from the sales people all the time telling me about a pair of shoes, a briefcase, etc that I was looking at which has now been price slashed again,

    They're always extremely helpful when I shop in either store....even though they're discount versions of their regular stores.

    Newegg.....I like them, too. Big electronics....I usually don't buy on-line. Whenever I've ever had to return something to Best Buy or HH Gregg, it's always been a simple matter of going into their store and telling customer service I want to arrange a return (within the return period). No problems.

    Shipping a 75 lb TV to return it to Newegg would be something I don't think I'd want to try. Small electronics? I'd buy from them.

    Back to cars (and customer service), my Acura sales person just sent me a Christmas card with a hand written note to come talk to him for a free detail job for the holidays. I'll pay him a visit in the next couple of weeks. :)
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Not only are Newegg's prices lower than Best Buy's,

    Just for gritts and shins I checked out their site, while they didn't have the exact same model as mine (exact model number) but one very close to mine specs (Same memory, hard drive, screen size ect. model number just a couple of numbers off) that was $150 more than what I paid.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Back to cars (and customer service), my Acura sales person just sent me a Christmas card with a hand written note to come talk to him for a free detail job for the holidays. I'll pay him a visit in the next couple of weeks.

    The dealership I bought the Sebring from (as a used car) sent me a Christmas card with a $25.00 off any service coupon.

    On a side note there is a Honda dealership here advertising no payments until March, it's a special deal through their preferred lender.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    The problem with outlet stores is they stock a lot irregular stuff. They also have goods made just for the outlet market and it's not the same quality as the the first line stuff.
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Nine times out of ten, Newegg will be cheaper than Best Buy, but that's not to say that there won't be the occasional exception.

    Here's a recent (October 2010) example: Best Buy's price for a Canon MX870 printer/scanner/copier/fax was $149.95 plus tax, which would be $12.93 for residents of my county.

    Newegg's price was $129.95, with free shipping & no tax for customers in my state.

    I've been making these comparisons for the past 5 or 6 years, & that's typical. Once in a while, BB will come out on top, but that doesn't happen often.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,355
    edited November 2010
    When I sign in all the emotorcons for the page I'm on disappear. Is that a glitch in the Edmunds system or has my old computer gone bonkers again? :confuse:

    To make it more confusing I see the emotorcons from previous pages are OK. :confuse:

    EDIT: Now all the emotorcons are gone from all pages. :confuse:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Some people will put up with almost anything if they think they just might be able to save a few dollars.

    It's no different in the car business where loyality seems to be a vanishing thing.

    People will put up with poorly trained salespeople and bad service and then come to forums and complain instead of walking out.

    In the end, they usually don't save anything but it's the perception.
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Emotorcons have been appearing & disappearing for the last few months. No one knows why & no one at Edmunds seems to know how to fix this.

    This doesn't bother me - I've never liked the emotorcons because they're too bloody cute for my tastes - but I'm clearly in the minority. Lots of people have been complaining, but the problem continues.

    Sometimes, refreshing the page helps. Sometimes it doesn't.
  • crkyolfrtcrkyolfrt Member Posts: 2,345
    I'd like some advice from those who know about this.

    I haven't sold anything 'privately' for years and years. I think back around 2001 or so I had, and at that time, later found out my email and phone number had spread all over the net and became spam tarket, but worse... my phone became useless due to telemkters. After registering to remove it from lists, I was then inundated with even MORE. So FF to 2008, and after many many MANY:( pleas to Bell Canada to save me my sanity and give me at least the service I was paying for (which was to be able to make and receive calls on my line {I had to literally leave the phone off the hook in between using it to call out} I cancelled it. That's right, I do not have a landline phone, and yes it is a pain at times, mostly when stores ask u for your phone number, their brain shuts down and their hands freeze up when all of sudden, they can't fill the form out without a phone number. So I get by with email.

    So my question is, what are the negative ramifications in todays online private sale approach of a car, and where do you recommend selling? I have heard that Kijiiji, Craigslist can be bad, and others. Even Auto Trader, the Super Shopper etc. Some of these are Cdn only I think and my question is for selling here in Canada thru Cdn sources. So my plan so far, is to create a new email address just for selling the car. Any other ideas? What are the pitfalls people make when they sell online? I have thought of joining eBay, but am not sure, again, how much of my 'real' info do I disclose? Like do I use my real, usual email that friends and family have? I guess because I had so much grief over my landline phone and email back then, I am admittedly a bit paranoid (and ignorant) about what to do and not do.

    - so any advice from eBay experts in creating an account?

    - and any advice on best way to sell car privately using email as the first means of contact, and which places/publications should I avoid?

    - what should I not put/how to avoid pitfalls in ad etc?

    Thanks.
  • crkyolfrtcrkyolfrt Member Posts: 2,345
    Got a low price on some small ones that Sears were clearing out.

    After a few attempts at getting them to order me one had failed, we finally had success. I think the local Sears guy might be in early stages of Alzheimers disease, the poor guy :(

    So anyway, it finally comes in...1 of 5. In order to fit it in my car we unboxed it there at the store. Lucky we did as it was crunched and left front corner. Really crunched. Like a packaging person dropped it from about 3 or 4 ' before it even being in the carton. So we open another, same only not as bad. Same location on freezer. And another..... all five eventually and only ONE was not crunched. Coincidently a neighbour was there picking one up also. He had already loaded one of the five on his truck, and when we told him he better check his, sure enough his was crunched too. So because he had already paid, he got the uncrunched one and i bought the least crunched one for a 25 buck, that became 30, discount. The area of the crunch doesn't seem to have affected any seals or insulation, or any other part of freezer operation, strictly cosmetic or I would have left it.

    So, I get it home, wreck my barely healing back and pinched nerve getting it out by myself, but still, basically a happy camper as it quickly transformed my bulk buy on chicken breasts to hard pucks of whiteness.

    But get this...as I am paying for it, they want my phone number and address. Why? Wty they said...but little did I know the real reason was revealed weeks later when I got some new junk mail from CAA (like your AAA in the USA) giving me a pre-approved card and so called "once in a lifetime deal" etc etc

    So damn Sears, the bastards. First time I bought anything from them for over 10 years when they screwed me on a generator that wasn't putting out enough voltage and I didn't discover it until it was 6 mo past wty.

    THEY SOLD MY FRIGGIN' ADDRESS! I know it was them, due to the timing and the fact that I had been enjoying a lack of crap in my small mail box that I went to the trouble and expense of changing to get rid of old junk mail.

    So Sears, you're banned! For life..hope it was worth it. Why the ban? Because they lied to me. Getting my address had nothing at all to do with wty. My receipt is my wty. It was strictly so they could sell my info. Thank goodness I didn't have a new unlisted phone number to give them or... guess what? The phone would have been ringing off the hook at dinner time with...you know what..

    Hence my question in my post above..
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    edited November 2010
    OK, Challenge accepted.

    The main issue with doing comparison shopping for electronics is that the same (or very close comparable item) item might have a slightly different model number as many are retailer specific.

    I found a Toshiba laptop L675D that both had Newegg has on sale at the same price.

    A 55 inch LED 3-D ready Sony TV that Newegg has for $1 less (big deal on a TV thats almost $2,200)

    And a Sony home theater tat Newegg has on sale at $349 (down from $549) that Best buy has at $399 (down from $499) so Best buy has a lower regular price but a higher sales price.

    Just a few things I looked at real quick and it doesn't look like they are that much less expensive. Plus it doesn't matter since Best Buy will match prices. Officially they only match prices that are in print ads, but I have had them match prices on the internet and at least once on my word on what another stores price was.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I don't think this is an issue of putting up with anything to save money. But it is a good ideal to do some comparison shopping. The internet is great for doing this.

    A few days before Friday I did some research to see what computers would fit my wants and needs then checked prices at a few stores. I also picked 4 computers that were being promoted as a sale. If I couldn't get the first one I would get the second, and if I couldn't get the second I would go for the third and so on.

    I don't think I went through a lot to save the $150.00, I have done a lot more to earn $150.00.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,355
    Thanks, at least I know it's not just me. :)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,355
    ."...email and phone number had spread all over the net..."

    Wow, that stinks. Do they have a "do not call" list in Canada? It worked quite well for me as far as getting rid of the telemarketers. The few that still call I have fun with by telling them I'm dead or on welfare.

    Craigslist has a feature that allows you to block all personal information. Buyers have to post an e-mail to you through Craigslist without seeing your actual address. That would offer you the most security but in my experience it will discourage many people and you would still have to call or e-mail them at some point.

    I think your idea to create an address just for sales is a good one. I'm really dumb when it come to the internet but I bet some of the other people have some clever ideas.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    The "do not call" list has effectively stopped at least 95% of the bothersome calls we used to get. They may not have such a law in Canada?

    Junk mail doesn't bother me at all. I just toss it.
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    I found a Toshiba laptop L675D that both had Newegg has on sale at the same price.

    A 55 inch LED 3-D ready Sony TV that Newegg has for $1 less (big deal on a TV thats almost $2,200)


    I live in a jurisdiction with a high sales tax, which I can't escape if I buy from Best Buy. That gives Newegg a big advantage. If both stores are charging the same pre-tax price for a $500 item, then Newegg's price is actually $43 lower. (Newegg usually, but not always, waives shipping charges on sales items or charges a nominal $1.99 fee.)

    The sales tax on a $2200 purchase in my county is over $180. That's a significant amount of money for me. So it's not enough for BB to meet Newegg's advertised price. If BB wants my business, it has to meet Newegg's delivered price to my door for that item. That means that in effect, BB has to be willing to eat the sales tax.

    To be honest, though, I'll admit that I'd hesitate to buy a TV from any Internet retailer because I'd worry about shipping damage. When I bought our Samsung 2 years ago, I wanted to buy it from Amazon, which had the lowest delivered price for the model that I wanted. (Newegg didn't carry it.) My wife didn't want to purchase it online & insisted that we buy it locally, so I successfully challenged a local appliance retailer to meet Amazon's price. Unfortunately, Amazon had started to collect sales tax for shipments to my state earlier that year. Otherwise, I would have asked the store to eat the tax.

    Newegg's strength lies in computers - particularly in computer components for those of us who build & upgrade our own. If you want to swap out your rig's power supply unit for something with more guts, BB will offer you a grand total of 3 to choose from. If you're lucky, your local BB might even have one of them in stock. Newegg, on the other hand, offers several hundred different PSU models, most of which are available for same-day shipment.

    I'll admit that if you're not a geek, then you probably won't get Newegg. You'd be better off shopping in a big box store.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Isold a set of factory wheels on ebay. You set up a paypal account --- all contacts are through ebay so no one has your phone or email unless you post it. Never had any issues with spam from that sale. There are fees of course and as an individual you don't get the cost breaks of the big guys. Also, if you don't have a record of positive buys or sells, you are viewed suspiciously and bidders will shy away. May sell my Jeep that way next year --- or not. Dealers will give you nothing for one owner - all records -- etc. But from my perspective I feel it counts for something. I think I could really sell someone on my Jeep --- might be worth the effort -- or not.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    The problem with paying no sales tax is that a portion of that savings is eaten up by shipping charges. Add that to the fact that in most cases I can have the item today from Best Buy and that I get 18 months intrest free from Best Buy you really don't have much of an advantage.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Bought our last TV at H H Gregg. Would probably consider an internet TV purchase before buying at BB.

    I wrote off HH Gregg about 14 years ago when buying a home computer. They advertised in Sunday's paper,"priced too low to advertise". Yeah, sounds like sales b.s. So I call them up, and they still won't give me a price on a computer I was interested in. They say I have to come in to get their best price. Hmmm... sounds familiar in a bad way.. So after a 20 minute drive to their store, I find out their "too low to advertise" price is like $8 off a thousand dollar computer. What an insult. I ask to speak to their manager... blah blah blah. HH Gregg reminds me of a poorly run car dealership with the screamer ads. :sick:

    Best Buy? They're okay. Don't love em, don't hate em. A nice clean semi friendly store. Buy most of my electronics from them.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,355
    "...sold a set of factory wheels on ebay..."

    I just sold a set of old steel wheels off the old Chrysler on Craigslist. I had just switched the tires on to my van and so the wheels were nothing but scrap to me. Just threw them up as an afterthought because I'd never done it before.

    Got a bunch of calls and sold them to a teacher at the school I work for (small world).

    I worry now that because I posted my phone number I'll be getting heavy breathing calls in the middle of the night.

    Hopefully, that won't happen and I can get rid of lots more junk instead of paying to dump it.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,714
    > my county is over $180. That's a significant amount of money for me.

    It is for the State also. That's why states require you to pay the use tax for items purchased on which you didn't pay the state sales tax. It's equal to the sales tax. Ohio has it on the income tax return form. :cry:

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

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