Best Buy Optimization Is A Big Stupid Annoying Waste Of Money - The Consumerist

[onehandle]

Over the past year, a number of you have been telling us that, due to "pre-optimization" of computers, it's difficult -- sometimes impossible -- to walk into a Best Buy and leave with the advertised deal (in effect, you would be paying a $39.99 surcharge over the computer's advertised price). We decided to look into your complaints. We sent the Consumer Reports secret shoppers to 18 different Best Buys in 11 states, and one of our shoppers was denied the price advertised for a specific model because only pre-optimized computers were available. When the Consumer Reports engineers compared three "optimized" computers to ones with default factory settings, there was no performance improvement. In one case, an optimized laptop actually performed 32% worse than the factory model.

http://consumerist.com/2010/01/consumerist-investigation-best-buy-optimization-is-a-big-stupid-annoying-waste-of-money.html

[tridim]

1. DIY is the only way to be sure you get the best.

It's cheaper too.

[thunder rising]

3. AGREED! It ain't like the old days. Just bolt a board, CPU, PS, Memory and HD

and you're in business!! Good monitors are so cheap nowadays it's a joke.
Something like $250 for the computer? A great Samsung 21" monitor is like $215?

Download your favorite flavor of Linux and make a bootable memory stick.

This way you get name brand hi-perf parts from the bleeding edge companies.

[BadgerKid]

4. Or from the manufacturer online.

so you can selectively upgrade components. To save money, I always skimp on the computer memory when I buy the computer and then turn around and buy it from a third party online.

EDIT: I'm talking laptops. For desktops, I do DIY all the way.

[tinrobot]

11. Hard to DIY a decent laptop...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. They're fiddling with CMOS/OS settings and using that as an excuse to charge more?

:facepalm:

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. You'd be shocked how many people

have no clue how their machine works.

I got my lappie from the shelf at best buy. They offered that silly thing. I laughed... started mentioning OSs I have used... they left me alone.

But you and I are not the average shoppers.

Sadly.

Hell, even kids who grew up with the technology (thankfully though, after all I have to secure machines) have no clue either.

Would you believe it if I told you that Word I tell you is far superior because damn it files from Writer (Mac) are not compatible.... bull-hockey, since all it requires is an export to either RTF (preferred these days among writers) or Word. Oh and Open Office must suck since it is free... :sarcasm:

[liberal N proud]

7. Probably not even that much

Probably have a Best Buy version of the OS like Dell does that they throw on the PC and sell it to you as "optimized". Then every time you start the PC or launch IE you get to see their flash of advertising along the way. Annoying as hell.

They will tell you it is for Warranty support should you need it.

[HopeHoops]

5. Order directly from the computer manufacturer. The stuff in the stores is old anyway.

It doesn't matter what store. You're getting old hardware for today's prices and you have to settle for whatever is in stock. I order directly from HP, customize the machine as I please and they ship for free. It takes about a week to get the machine, but it is exactly what you want, the most current technology, and you can get options that aren't available in the store (like a second double-size battery pack).

Dell sucks in just about every way a computer company CAN suck, but that's been true all along. Excluding Dell, you'll almost certainly do better going directly to the manufacturer of your choice via their web site and configuring the box YOU want. Retail computers are for the impulsive, the ignorant, or the desperate. I've been in the "desperate" category in the past so I'm glad they are there, but if you have a week to wait, build it yourself online.

[bullwinkle428]

8. They also charge $300 to calibrate your TV! "Yeah, the factory picture

really sucks. Give us 3 Benjamins, and we'll make sure it looks REEEEEEEEEAAAAAL GOOD!" :eyes:

Just do a Google search, and you can find more information about calibrating your specific model TV than you can shake a stick at!

[Jokerman]

9. Sounds more like false advertising and fraud to me.

First thing I do with a new computer is format the HDD and reload the operating system without all the extra crap the manufacturer or reseller has piled on.

I wouldn't trust Best Buy to "optimize" a freakin' toaster.

[lpbk2713]

10. Their Geek Squad is a fraud.

They are just another sales department. And they will almost always stick you with something you don't need. Or as in the OP, they will make your PC, laptop or whatever, worse off than it was when you brought it in to them.

[flamin lib]

12. If people only knew the truth about retail sales . . .nt

[cilla4progress]

13. Hysterical!

Just got off the phone with my SO discussing this with HP laptop purchase from Office Depot. They actually lied /"misspoke" about the cost of the "preoptimization" and Office software package. Anyway...like it sounds like the rest of you, we are going DIY all the way, and getting the laptop for the ORIGINALLY advertised price - $449 after rebate.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. Sam

Before I switched to a Mac, Sam built every one of my computers. Sam runs a small storefront operation. A few modest company clients, lots of small orders for two, three, six, or ten computers. I NEVER had a problem with a Sam. I screwed a few up with viruses and the wreckage of bad installs, but Sam was always able to put 'em right. And he made house calls (within reason).

Sam was always a shitload cheaper than any name brand computer and always used higher spec components.

If you want a good computer, buy one from Sam.