Here Comes Best Buy...

[mattsmusic]

Best Buy's MI Stores: This Is Not a Test


As first reported in MMR , in late 2005 Best Buy quietly dipped its toe in the waters with a test market of six MI "stores within a store." It now seems the tests have succeeded, and now with great fanfare, the chain is rolling out a pair in the Chicago area, with more reportedly on the way.

The Naperville (Ill.) Sun reported Tuesday that blues legend and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy will perform at Best Buy's Downers Grove store this Saturday, and Grammy winner Jim Peterik will perform at the Aurora location on Sunday.

"We are trying some new things in different product categories that we've only dabbled in before," Best Buy's Jennifer Rudin said in 2005. "You'll see guitars and amps aren't new--we've had those products for years. But now we're offering more brand names that our customers will more likely recognize, and at higher price points." High-end products from Fender, Gibson, Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Line 6, Drum Workshop, Shure, and Zildjian will be featured. One thing that has changed from the tests is that both of these new Chicago operations will be offering lessons and doing in-store repairs.

So serious is Best Buy about its expansion into MI that going forward, all new Best Buys will be configured around and emphasize the store-within-a-store format.

[chaos731]

Originally Posted by mattsmusic

Best Buy's MI Stores: This Is Not a Test

As first reported in MMR , in late 2005 Best Buy quietly dipped its toe in the waters with a test market of six MI "stores within a store." It now seems the tests have succeeded, and now with great fanfare, the chain is rolling out a pair in the Chicago area, with more reportedly on the way.

The Naperville (Ill.) Sun reported Tuesday that blues legend and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy will perform at Best Buy's Downers Grove store this Saturday, and Grammy winner Jim Peterik will perform at the Aurora location on Sunday.

"We are trying some new things in different product categories that we've only dabbled in before," Best Buy's Jennifer Rudin said in 2005. "You'll see guitars and amps aren't new--we've had those products for years. But now we're offering more brand names that our customers will more likely recognize, and at higher price points." High-end products from Fender, Gibson, Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Line 6, Drum Workshop, Shure, and Zildjian will be featured. One thing that has changed from the tests is that both of these new Chicago operations will be offering lessons and doing in-store repairs.

So serious is Best Buy about its expansion into MI that going forward, all new Best Buys will be configured around and emphasize the store-within-a-store format.

They're testing a few of those Best Buy's in my area, as well (Northern VA, suburban DC).
I'll be interested to see what kind of selection they have. It would be nice to be able to only have to go the 1/2 mile from my house to the best buy to get strings.

[mattsmusic]

They'll have more than just strings. You can expect it to be a like a mini Guitar Center with plenty of higher end gear by top names. They're staff will be trained just like the high end home theater guys are.

[chaos731]

Originally Posted by mattsmusic

They're staff will be trained just like the high end home theater guys are.

I was going to say something snarky about that part, but really...do I even need to?


Whatever...I'll reserve judgment until I see this concept in action. Who knows, it may be a very very good thing.

[GLG421]

I work in IT, and the Geek squad dorks know squat all about real IT stuff.


I expect their Guitar Squad to be comparatively knowledgeable.


Able to talk circles around a 12 year old boy, but don't ask them a real question.

that said, Like Chaos, I live 1/2 mile from a Best Buy. It would be nice to pick up some cords, strings, picks and stuff.

[mattsmusic]

I guess all they have to do is be better than GC. And even if they're not alot of people will probably buy gear from them simply because of the convenience factor. If you're already there buying a camera and can get the same guitar or amp at the same price... chances are BB will get the sale.

Originally Posted by chaos731

I was going to say something snarky about that part, but really...do I even need to?


Whatever...I'll reserve judgment until I see this concept in action. Who knows, it may be a very very good thing.

[chaos731]

Originally Posted by GLG421

I work in IT, and the Geek squad dorks know squat all about real IT stuff.

Me too, and I agree completely. It's laughable, actually. The funniest part is that it's a running joke at Best Buy HQ (or at least it used to be...this was several years ago, after all). If anyone in the corporate offices had a tech problem, the joke was "Why don't we just call the Geek Squad?" Much hilarity and jovial (if sarcastic) laughter ensued.

Originally Posted by GLG421

I expect their Guitar Squad to be comparatively knowledgeable.

Would they still drive the little faux-beetles? They should put them in '78 Pacers and get it over with.

Originally Posted by GLG421

Able to talk circles around a 12 year old boy, but don't ask them a real question.

ABSOLUTELY! They just look at you blankly...like deer caught in headlights. Then they dig their holes even further by trying to spew technobabble at you, hoping you won't notice that they're completely clueless.

Originally Posted by GLG421

that said, Like Chaos, I live 1/2 mile from a Best Buy. It would be nice to pick up some cords, strings, picks and stuff.

...and that was the point...it'll be good as another quick-fix resource, and (as with all things at Best Buy) if you know EXACTLY what you're looking for BEFORE you go into the store.

Not being cynical (ok, well, maybe a little)...just realistic.

[GLG421]

But getting Reward Zone points for pedals and stuff is fairly intriguing.


And personally, I'd like to see them in VW Beetle vans. With some spicoli like dude popping out.:

Spiciloi: Dude, I'm like here to fix your amp and stuff! Thwap Thwap Thwap. That was my skull, I'm so wasted!


I'm sure sending "guitar" guys driving around town is going to work swimmingly for them!

[gu1tar]

I look forward to anyone competing against GC because they pretty much have no local competition; just internet competition. And their selection is weak. It would be awesome to have some music superstores but GC certainly is not that.

Let's get Matt's Music put in WalMart's everywhere!

[mattsmusic]

Hey, I like that idea!!!!!!

Originally Posted by gu1tar

I look forward to anyone competing against GC because they pretty much have no local competition; just internet competition. And their selection is weak. It would be awesome to have some music superstores but GC certainly is not that.

Let's get Matt's Music put in WalMart's everywhere!

[Lefty Robb]

So not only will you have Lil' Gang banger pimp my Ride wannabees cranking rap tunes in the car audio section, there's now gonna be Emos randomly hitting strings on a loud stack in another section, while someone is randomly pressing the play buttons on the computer speaker section and little kids playing Guitar hero in another.

Wow, the Suck-o-meter just hit another low for Best Buy. I mean, those stupid little 16 y.o. Best Buy workers already know crap about anything inside the store now, imagine asking a question about guitars.

whats next? Testing out the waters to make a Home Depot inside Best Buy? Maybe a Waldenbooks and a CVS too?

I already live less than 1/2 mile from best buy, is this going to make me want to get strings and stuff there? hell no, in the exact opposite direction and the same distance I have a real music store, and at least there not going to look at me like some down syndromed 8 y.o. when I ask if they have any 1x12 cabs with celestions in it.

[Rich]

Increasing the exposure of music and musical instruments in more generic outlets can never be a bad thing. Except for the "crap packs" available at Sears or Wallmart etc., there is no availability of instruments where people would generally be shopping. Otherwise they're going to a regular instrument dealer, which somebody with a casual interest might not do. This actually puts quality gear in a setting that someboidy with a casual interest might peak and take a more serious look. I can't see this as being anything but positive for the industry.

[gu1tar]

Originally Posted by Rich

Increasing the exposure of music and musical instruments in more generic outlets can never be a bad thing. Except for the "crap packs" available at Sears or Wallmart etc., there is no availability of instruments where people would generally be shopping. Otherwise they're going to a regular instrument dealer, which somebody with a casual interest might not do. This actually puts quality gear in a setting that someboidy with a casual interest might peak and take a more serious look. I can't see this as being anything but positive for the industry.

+1

I'd like for Sears and Walmart keep the "crap packs" and for Best Buy to take over the lower end stuff so that a Guitar Center could have less of that "beginner" stuff and stock more high-end things we more selective players would be interested in. <sigh> Ok, I know, that's delusional and I'm dreaming.

[gu1tar]

Originally Posted by GLG421

I work in IT, and the Geek squad dorks know squat all about real IT stuff.

I expect their Guitar Squad to be comparatively knowledgeable.

Able to talk circles around a 12 year old boy, but don't ask them a real question.

So you are going to hold yourself up against an untrained 16-year-old who has never worked in IT and say, "these dorks know nothing compared to smart, wonderful me"? That's pretty weak. Uh, they are 16, how/why would they know "real IT" stuff? And once they do learn more, why would they stay there working for chump-change? And their job is not to know "real" IT stuff, it's to know more than the average Joe or Mary who comes in the store and to be able to set up a computer or TV at someone's home.

Same thing with any music store. Do you think their screening/hiring process is to find people who are experts in equipment or, hey!, maybe they are just looking for anyone who knows the difference between a guitar and an amp and is willing to work for chump-change.

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by gu1tar

So you are going to hold yourself up against an untrained 16-year-old who has never worked in IT and say, "these dorks know nothing compared to smart, wonderful me"? That's pretty weak. Uh, they are 16, how/why would they know "real IT" stuff? And once they do learn more, why would they stay there working for chump-change? And their job is not to know "real" IT stuff, it's to know more than the average Joe or Mary who comes in the store and to be able to set up a computer or TV at someone's home.

Same thing with any music store. Do you think their screening/hiring process is to find people who are experts in equipment or, hey!, maybe they are just looking for anyone who knows the difference between a guitar and an amp and is willing to work for chump-change.

I agree. At least they have a job and are putting the effort in to do work. Most of the kids I know are too lazy to get a job.