Best Buy Seeking Game-Dedicated Employees

For the record, I don't ever ask anyone in Best Buy anything. But maybe others will have more incentive to approach employees in the video game section.

The retailer has revealed that they're "looking to establish dedicated sales counters and staff" specifically for games. They're saying this is part of their "drive toward number one industry position," and they intend to fill their stores with "dedicated, informed, and engaged employees focused only on gaming." So by the end of the year, you should be able to go to a special game-specific desk and get your questions answered...correctly. Basically, Best Buy wants to hire the same people who end up in GameStop, although we all know that can be a bit of a crap-shoot. Most hardcore gamers just say, "yeah, I know what I want," but we have to remember that times have changed; the casual gamers dominate the market, and they have plenty of questions.

Will you be more likely to get your games at Best Buy once this change occurs?

Tags: best buy, games industry, game sales

4/15/2011 12:05:11 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (52 posts)

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Geobaldi
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:20:47 PM
Reply

I'll continue to buy the majority of my games online. For the most part it's cheaper that way and I don't have to worry about traffic and crowds. And if Gamestop employees are any indication, the people who Best Buy hires for these positions aren't going to be of any help to me at all. The less Xbox products I have recommended to me, the better.

17 up, 0 down

Cpt_Geez
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:26:59 PM
Reply

The guy at my local best buy said they are thinking about buying gamestop out. Last time I walk in best buy the had a magazine subscription and they were asking me if I buy alot of games. Best buy also buys back used games also, they are turning into another gamestop.

1 up, 0 down

t4_robz
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:31:03 PM

Best Buy (& Future Shop here in Canada) are a lot more fair than gamestop when it comes to trading in games, i dont know about you guys but gamestop always trys to rip their customers off by paying them less for their traded in games than what they are worth, every time you go to gamestop (no matter where) they give you a different price for your used games... its like whoever is working just comes up with whatever value they want (usually extrememly low, shitty and undervalued) as when you go to Best Buy they have a trade in chart and the values are all printed on the chart... what they value is on the chart is how much you get! and almost always they are preety generous and fair with the amount they give you for your used games...
Best Buy is definetly better for trading in games

4 up, 1 down

PANICinc
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:47:36 PM

@t4_robz
GameStop's trade in values are decided by their national databanks based on a large matrix that looks at the sales figures for the first 48 hours after a game launches, how many were traded in during the launch month, how many sequels have released since launch, etc...
The only factor that is up to the employee is whether or not the disc is in good enough shape to resell, if it's not a disc they would be comfortable purchasing and putting in their console, then you are docked a "resurfacing" fee.

Trade in values are the same no matter what store you visit. But they can change from day to day!

2 up, 2 down

Mr Bubbles IGR
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:32:00 PM
Reply

i always buy my gaming stuff at bestbuy....each and every time i go to BB an employee comes up and asks do you have any questions about the product? I think to myself, "Dude, i would be the one teaching you about this" ;)

10 up, 1 down

DazeOfWar
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 2:04:23 PM

I know how you feel. The last time I went in to a BB for a game I got in an argument with a guy there cause he was trying to tell me what I was looking for didn't exist. I think it was a accessory. He realized he was wrong when he looked it up.

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:33:16 PM
Reply

Honestly I see Gamestop and Best Buy losing this battle. The online market is pure convenience at its best. I don't have to leave my house or worry there won't be a copy for me when I get to the store. Amazon has release day delivery for a buck. My game usually arrives around 1pm in the afternoon. There is no need to waste gas at $4 a gallon or deal with traffic. Best Buy's prices are always high anyways. I never shop there for anything I need. Epic Fail.
Edit - Also, Amazon doesn't charge tax and Best Buy does. $5.00 savings right there!

Last edited by CrusaderForever on 4/15/2011 12:35:28 PM

9 up, 1 down

Jiggy
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:58:32 PM

Totally agree with you. And on Amazon you can usually get the game for $5 cheaper right when it comes out. I save nearly $15 online rather than going to the store to pick-up a new game (if they even have it in stock).

4 up, 1 down

PAKINIPS
Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 5:58:56 AM

Over £5 a gallon here.
Even more reason not to leave the house.

0 up, 0 down

slugga_status
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:44:14 PM
Reply

Means nothing to me. When I'm ready to go buy a new game, I already know what I want...If I don't see..well the only question I'd ask is "Do you more copies in the back?"

1 up, 1 down

BTNwarrior
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:52:56 PM
Reply

great now every time I go to best buy I will have to argue with their employees about how god of war will not be coming out on the 360 eventually

9 up, 1 down

main_event05
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 12:57:01 PM

that's the best time to drop some science on them.

7 up, 2 down

Danny007
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 1:11:02 PM
Reply

Someone please get me an application.

2 up, 1 down

GuyverLT
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 1:40:22 PM

Just go check out they're website and click on careers at the bottom of the screen because you know everyone is basically doing applications online nowadays.

2 up, 2 down

Scarecrow
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 1:44:11 PM

Their jobs applications are some of the most bastardizing job applications I have ever seen.

They put you through like an hour of endless questions and bullshit every time you want to apply to a new job posting.

I will never apply to such stores again.

Unless the pay for these "game professionals" pays around $15+ which is actually very doable considering the profits these companies make.

1 up, 1 down

kraygen
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 1:59:31 PM

I applied once, after being interviewed by 3 different people over the course of 3 weeks they all said they were passing me up the line to the next guy.

When it came time for my 4th interview the guy was supposedly on vacation and then after I had waited 2 weeks for this final interview they told me they lost my application and even though the 3 people who interviewed me,remembered me and liked me, I would have to fill out a new application and start over.

5 up, 0 down

GuyverLT
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:42:44 PM

@Scarecrow
You know almost all application that use online (which is pretty much every company nowadays) is that the days of simple walking into a certain business asking for an application is slowing fading.

@Kraygen
Wow! I went through experience similar to your own only it for Firehouse Subs down the street from my Art Institute. I did 3 different interviews within two days for a position called a meat slicer and they told I was too nonchalant (I'm not BTW).

Last edited by GuyverLT on 4/15/2011 4:48:13 PM

2 up, 1 down

Scarecrow
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 10:10:09 PM

Guyver, I know, I apply to 20 jobs per week online.

Best Buy's job application system is t he worst I've seen in the HISTORY of job applications.

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 10:20:56 PM

Thats just sad Kraygen... pity you had to go through that hey.

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 1:40:47 PM
Reply

Amazon

11 up, 0 down

Sir Dan
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 1:47:29 PM
Reply

I've never had a problem with employees at Best Buy or Gamestop. I do all my own research on games by reading this site and others, posting on message boards and picking up magazines for my train commute. Then I know exactly what I want to buy so by the time I grace their presence in the physical form I am simply walking to the stop the game is waiting for me at and have only sometimes to ask where that might be. I do this with all electronics and most other products. If you are asking an arms length of questions in the store, for any item, you are asking to be corn holed by some kid who's got one eye on you and the other eye on the clock.

Edjamcate yourself and all will be fine.

Last edited by Sir Dan on 4/15/2011 1:54:02 PM

1 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 2:02:30 PM
Reply

I see a very serious problem with their line of thinking. How are a bunch of people who know nothing about video games supposed to hire video game experts. How are they supposed to know if they know what they're talking about.

This is like saying sea horses are looking to hire professionals to teach desert survival.

7 up, 0 down

Pandacastro
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 3:33:50 PM

Hey you like two worlds 2 rigth?
http://www.ps3trophies.org/news/news-3332-Two-Worlds-II-Getting-its-Pirate-on-in-September-2011.html

0 up, 0 down

PANICinc
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:54:15 PM

The employees get their training via a web based "learning center"
Sony calls theirs the RLS (Retail Loyalty Site)
Microsoft call theirs the "Expert Zone"

Both sites have a wealth of information to make everyone who uses them an "Expert"

Plus when you complete the tests, you get points for discounted products from the site.

1 up, 0 down

kraygen
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 9:29:29 AM

pandacastro

Hey thanks, that's pretty awesome. Yeah, I'm loved it and once I finish Hyperdimension and ar tonellico I'll go back and play it a couple more times.

0 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 2:05:55 PM
Reply

I'll still use Amazon and the Gamestop by my house. The only reason I really go into the GS is because I'm friends with the people that work there. A lot of times it's the only place I can get some real game discussion going on besides the internet. My doesn't like gaming and most of my friends don't game like I do or don't at all.

Last edited by DazeOfWar on 4/15/2011 2:06:30 PM

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 2:33:06 PM
Reply

And with it all of the biases and personalized ideological values of a pubescent teenager. Who feels under paid and then must make it their duty to shape the minds of others to their own superstructure of fanboyistic ideals.

Oooh there's some pessimism for ya. =p

3 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 3:01:42 PM

lol, if only they'd pay well. I think it all starts there.

1 up, 0 down

th3_bLy
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:03:33 PM

I can't remember how Best Buy's pay system works, but at the one I worked at, when you started off you got around $13 CDN starting.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 3:09:22 PM
Reply

That's nice. I'll still be buying my games from Amazon. BesyBuy is a rip off. They have only gotten worse since places like Ultimate Electronics and Circuit City went out of business.

2 up, 4 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 12:45:23 AM

Jawknee,

Circuit City's been back in circulation for a while now, only they're operating under a different ownership.

I get their daily email sales ads

http://www.circuitcity.com/

0 up, 0 down

Aranha
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 11:43:20 AM

It's a hit or miss with Best Buy vs Amazon. Sometimes they're on par, sometimes one has the better price than the other. Although 9/10 times I purchase from Amazon. Although I must admit, the deals that do beat Amazon's are Best Buy Online anyway, lol.
Circuit City was taken over by Global Computer (which also owns Tiger Direct). All 3 sites are identical, except for the colors, to make you feel like you're actually on their site, lol.

1 up, 0 down

kellett007
Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 9:59:37 AM

R.I.P ccity. I used to work there until they went under and it was a awesome job

0 up, 0 down

kellett007
Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 9:59:47 AM

R.I.P ccity. I used to work there until they went under and it was a awesome job

0 up, 0 down

I007spectre
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 3:09:35 PM
Reply

I have applied their many a time, but alas they would rather hire people who kno absolutely nothing about electronics.

4 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 9:14:52 PM

I would make sure you get the various homonym's right on your resume. ie. the difference between there, their, and they're.

:p

0 up, 0 down

AnonWTF
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 3:19:41 PM
Reply

I'll go anywhere the price is cheap

4 up, 0 down

mexgeo86
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 3:41:14 PM
Reply

Like a lot of people here, I chose Amazon.com for most game purchases. The last time I went to Best Buy was when they had the buy 2 get 1 free deal a couple months back. Other than that, Amazon can guarantee most titles on day 1 and offer credits towards future titles depending on your purchases.

0 up, 0 down

th3_bLy
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:02:18 PM
Reply

I remember Best Buy's online application lol. You just have to remember each question is just testing to see if you'll steal. I worked at one and I wanted to go to my store's gaming department, but they hired people who knew nothing about the products =/ now I'm working at a Gamestop where customers chastise me for being open minded and telling customers my personal opinions on 360 and ps3 games.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 4:04:17 PM
Reply

I could do that, dunno if I have the time though.

0 up, 0 down

Oyashiro
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 6:58:23 PM
Reply

In my experiences. Never talk to a employee about anything... no matter where you are and what your shopping for. Do your own research and decide ahead of time.

5 up, 0 down

FxTales
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 7:13:22 PM

If only every innocent customer knew that, but it's worth doing.

0 up, 0 down

hadouken
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 11:55:53 PM
Reply

I wonder if Best Buy is ready for me.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 12:49:00 AM
Reply

The only answer I would want to hear from a BB employee, is where that new store's bathroom's located.

0 up, 0 down

DirtySkillzHD
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 12:59:27 AM
Reply

Well hell, sign me the f**k up for this god d**m job!!

0 up, 0 down

Jed
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 2:07:58 AM
Reply

I'll take it!

0 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 11:32:08 AM
Reply

Ugh, Best Buy. I know more about everything in the store than all of their employees combined yet they wont hire me.

2 up, 0 down

Aranha
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 11:55:34 AM
Reply

Not to knock them, but Besy Buy hiring Game-Dedicated employees will do for gaming what The Geek Squad have done for pc repair: leave people more confused than ever about what their getting, and what they get is not what they need or asked for, not to mention the crapload of money they'll probably spend with extra accessories, warranties, wrong gaming system, and/or games. Don't wana knock them, because when I need something right away and can't wait for it to ship from Amazon, I got to Best Buy, but I've had my run-ins with the Geek Squad (I'm an IT Tech), and I feel like something similar will happen. Also, and not to knock them either, but you practically took the words/writing(?) out of my mouth/hands(?), but yeah, I feel like we'd get GameStops leftovers or those who ended up there, and I don't know what it is, but they seem anti-PS3 and pro-360. Not cool when you have uniformed buyers looking for a balanced opinion and reliable information. If someone goes into the store looking for a game system, I feel like they'll immediately try to swoon over the customer to get a 360, without asking how they plan to use the system or what they're into. Sure at the heart of each system they're made for gaming, but nowadays, they do so much more, espcially the PS3.

0 up, 0 down

Aranha
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 1:53:47 PM
Reply

Getting hired by Best Buy would be a downgrade for me (due to my field of work and salary), but I do like being able to inform others about the product in question, so I know I'd be good for it. Besides, I worked at Radio Shack and people always came to me for being so informative. It's like, who wouldn't wana get paid to talk and sell games and game systems? Combine that with my salary and I'd be employee of the month every month!

1 up, 0 down

Minishmaru
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 2:34:32 PM
Reply

I work at Best Buy and the people I talk to in the gaming section 80% know about actual gaming. The other 20% are people that just have to fill in when the other 80% aren't working that day.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 9:16:39 PM
Reply

If they can offer a competitive wage and benefits package to what I'm getting now, then sure.

:p

0 up, 0 down

huh1678
Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 9:41:19 PM
Reply

Amazon/Newegg/Ebay is where i shop, Best Buy is really hit or miss, Best Buy has failed me one time too many by not having the game i look for.

I wouldn't mind working there part time though, given that the pay is good and the hours are flexible

Last edited by huh1678 on 4/17/2011 9:42:19 PM

0 up, 0 down

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