Disclaimer: I’m not telling this story to toot my own horn, I’m doing it to expose a serious problem in stores like Best Buy.

A few weeks ago I told you a story about a sales rep in the Braintree Best Buy who convinced this middle aged man that he needed to get these fancy HDMI cables for his 4K TV when in actuality the cables he had lying around his home would’ve been perfectly fine. I really wanted to help the guy and let him know that he was getting screwed, but the dude stayed with him all the way up to the register to make sure he got that commission.

I drove home that day feeling so defeated because I so badly wanted to help him out and make sure he got only what he originally planned on paying for. God can clearly read my heart better than I give Him credit for because an opportunity to save someone from getting screwed fell right on my lap. I was in the computer section of that same Best Buy with my mother when at the corner of my eye, I hear this sales dude try to convince this black woman (mid 30s) that all schools require computers with an i5 processor or higher for school.

Now for those who know their computers, there are three common processors; i3, i5 and, i7. Anyone who simply wants to do school work and check social media can easily get by with a cheaper machine with an i3 processor. Yet this dude was really trying to convince this woman she needed a machine with specs reserved for those who game and do any sort of graphical work.

Thankfully, she had her mind set on the more affordable machine so the guy left her alone. After the dude was out of sight, I found her as quickly as I could and started inquiring about the whole exchange. She was apparently convinced that the machine she was looking at was out of stock. I explained to her that she had been lied to. I asked more questions just to get a gauge of the nature of the work of the person she was buying the computer for, just to be sure that the machine she was looking at was the correct one for her.

Afterwards, I helped her find the machine she was looking at and double checked the serial numbers. She thanked me and walked away. It felt pretty good knowing I was given another opportunity to prevent someone from getting screwed.

I write this as a warning to people who are going to shop for big box electronics. Be firm about what you’re looking for and stick to that item/price point. If you’re looking for a particular item type but don’t have a specific model in mind, then bring along someone who knows their shit. Fuck it, I’ll go with you if you ask (seriously, I’m more than glad to go to a store with you). Just don’t get screwed this holiday season for the sake of someone’s numbers.

Stay Classy…

 

Flemmings Beaubrun is an avid gamer and lover of music. When not working, Flemmings likes to spend his time whipping up dank beats for the masses. He also spends his weekends thrift shopping for rare video games and obscure electronics. Other times he’s in front of a TV with a giant bowl of cereal enjoying shows from the 90s.