Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[idahofalls]

I'm not sure there's anything I can do, since I'm not returning anything...  I was just appalled at the disorganization and how unprofessional the Idaho Falls store in Idaho was.  

I was scheduled for a job interview at 11:00 AM.  I live half an hour away so I left at 10:30 and didn't get home until 1:30.  

I arrived at 11:00 and checked in with the customer service associate and he said "well...there's 4 job interviews scheduled for the same time so you'll have to wait." 

I understood and looked around the store and kept myself busy.  After 40 minutes, an associate tracked me down and suggested that I sit down while I wait.  I sat and watched the same commercial loop over and over for another hour.  

At 12:45 pm (after waiting an hour and a half) another associate asked if I needed help.  He tracked down the manager for an interview, the manager apologized and then ...He asked me what position I was applying for.

Firstly, you could have told me to reschedule, if you are that unorganized.  Secondly, you should know the position I'm applying for as you are the one with the opening.

During my interview with both the general manager and the manager it went well, I signed papers, and then at the end he asks "will you be asking for anytime off from November to January?"

I explained I planned on visiting home for Thanksgiving.  He said that's not what they're looking for and ended the interview.

Why is this the last question asked?  Why make me wait an hour and 45 minutes, waste my gas, and THEN ask me if I'm planning on being out of town?  If that's what you're looking for you should ask when you call to set up the interview, or ask it on the application.

I feel I should be compensated for my gas money, and paid minimum wage for my 3 hour process.

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

Ultimately, you did choose to go to the interview, with the knowledge that you might not get anything.

Although it stinks that you had to sit and wait, if you had gotten the job would you be complaining?

Other than an apology for the wait, I don't see Best Buy owing you anything.

[idahofalls]

I guess I shouldn't expect anything since interviewees aren't as treated as important as customers.

But I am also a customer and they won't be getting my business anymore.

I guess they'll just also have to accept that as a consequence.

[CrystalWoW Valued Expert]

Honestly, you aren't an employee so your time is not paid. As far as asking that question, it is important because that is what they are hiring for. Occasional Seasonal employees for holidays like the day after Thanksgiving.

[idahofalls]

Just to clarify, I don't really expect compensation, I am just really upset by the lack of communication.  

[idahofalls]

And I understand that question is important, but if it's a deciding factor then why waste my time and ask it after the whole process is over?

[SpyderBite]

Retail positions usually require working during the holidays. And, even if they don't, a new hire is not likely to get any time off during the limited time off slots available during the holiday season.

To be honest, if the manager hadn't asked me about my holiday season availability for a retail position, I would have interrupted him/her and asked myself to prevent them from wasting their time if I had needed the time off.

Also, I usually note any time off I'll need that has already been planned on the application when I first fill it out. That saves everyone a waste of time if its an issue.

As for your wait in the store and the disorganized managers.. sounds typical to me. Most retail managers are being pullled in 25 different directions at all times especially in a big box store like Best Buy. Not making excuses for them.. but it is a pretty common occurance to go from the top of a manager's priority list to the bottom of it in a matter of minutes.

[CrimsonRain]

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idahofalls wrote:

And I understand that question is important, but if it's a deciding factor then why waste my time and ask it after the whole process is over?

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I completely agree with you. I think the manager should have asked you that within the first few questions. As for your wait, 3 hours does suck. I've been on both sides of that as the interviewer and the interviewee. All I can tell you to sum it up is that it's retail. This is the case at any retail store. Unnpredictable things happen in the store at any given time and you have to prioritize.

[SlimJim77]

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idahofalls wrote:

I'm not sure there's anything I can do, since I'm not returning anything...  I was just appalled at the disorganization and how unprofessional the Idaho Falls store in Idaho was.  

I was scheduled for a job interview at 11:00 AM.  I live half an hour away so I left at 10:30 and didn't get home until 1:30.  

I arrived at 11:00 and checked in with the customer service associate and he said "well...there's 4 job interviews scheduled for the same time so you'll have to wait." 

I understood and looked around the store and kept myself busy.  After 40 minutes, an associate tracked me down and suggested that I sit down while I wait.  I sat and watched the same commercial loop over and over for another hour.  

At 12:45 pm (after waiting an hour and a half) another associate asked if I needed help.  He tracked down the manager for an interview, the manager apologized and then ...He asked me what position I was applying for.

Firstly, you could have told me to reschedule, if you are that unorganized.  Secondly, you should know the position I'm applying for as you are the one with the opening.

During my interview with both the general manager and the manager it went well, I signed papers, and then at the end he asks "will you be asking for anytime off from November to January?"

I explained I planned on visiting home for Thanksgiving.  He said that's not what they're looking for and ended the interview.

Why is this the last question asked?  Why make me wait an hour and 45 minutes, waste my gas, and THEN ask me if I'm planning on being out of town?  If that's what you're looking for you should ask when you call to set up the interview, or ask it on the application.

I feel I should be compensated for my gas money, and paid minimum wage for my 3 hour process.

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CrimsonRain has nailed the gist of this, although not respecting your time is far from professional. Best of luck on the job.

[CrimsonRain]

Thanks SlimJim! I try.

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idahofalls wrote:

 During my interview with both the general manager and the manager it went well, I signed papers, and then at the end he asks "will you be asking for anytime off from November to January?"

I explained I planned on visiting home for Thanksgiving.  He said that's not what they're looking for and ended the interview.

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To elaborate a bit more on this, I'm sure you know that the holiday season is the busiest time for retail and any industry that sells products in general. The time period between November and January is known as the blackout period for Best Buy employees, which means that any time off requests would have to be directly approved by the general manager. I believe the exact time frame is like November 12th through January 2nd. Pretty much, if you are looking for more than 2 days off in a row, it's probably not going to happen. The day after Thanksgiving is Black Firday/Green Friday (depends on which side of the fence you are on). It is the single busiest day for retailers. At one of the Best Buys I worked at had customers lining up for the doorbuster sales on the Sunday before Black Friday (read: 5 days before the sale). They had a table set up for Thanksgiving dinner right in line I kid you not. But that's retail America for ya.

I hope this experience has not entirely soured you from exploring future possibilities of seasonal employment with Best Buy.