Recently I wrote a blog about Firedog and the Geek Squad. I need to put this subject to bed so I can get on with better things. But I did learn something.
First - promotion wise Circuit City (Firedog) is way ahead of Best Buy (Geek Squad) in advertizing and promoting the service. After visiting both, the in store emphasis reflects the ad space. Firedog is way ahead, "it has it all" - I love that line.
Going to both stores was problematic - in the spirit of providing the best info for these blogs, my wallet eventually came out. All three stores got into my pocket. Did I say 3? Yes, CompUSA actually got most my cash and even haggled several hundred dollars less than BB & CC. Highly recommended for hagglers - as I now struggle with 120hrz.
Now price points for a flat screen TV installation/theatre co-ordination (Oh yes CompUSA has TECHPRO, which by the way, reminds me of Chuck and his buddy Morgan).
- Geek Squad - Figure $500
- Circuit City - Around $450
I opted for spending Thanksgiving weekend learning about and installing my new toys (Which can only be described as a custom job) and figuring out why Best Buy does not push the Geek Squad.
Why isn't the Geek Squad pushed by Best Buy? Best Buy is in it to make money. At $500 a pop it is just too labor intensive. Magnolia - a humbling experience.
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My experience is that CompUSA's flate labor rate on repairs means no surprise charges. Also they have a large talent pool; they installed my TV with the cables hidden in the wall, wired my network to all the rooms (I prefer wired over wireless) and installed and setup the server at my business with a Cisco and MS certified tech.
Geek squad is more gimmick than anything else, I gave up on them a long time ago.