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Earlier in the week I received the TV Digital Converter Box Coupon.  So I looked around at what box I would buy.  In my area there were two places I’d want to go, Radio Shack and Best Buy.  The only website with good detail of their products was Best Buy.  So I called my local Best Buy (Store 400) 2130 State Route 35, Holmdel NJ and got put on hold waiting for the video department (I wanted to know if they had any boxes in stock).

I was never put on hold, the reciever was placed on the desk so I was privy to conversations I shouldn’t have been.  When the young lady picked the phone back up she asked me who I was holding for and I responded, “The TV slash Video department”

“What do you want?” She asked

“Wanted to see if you had any of the Insignia Converter Box…” I replied

“We have 58 of them”, she answered with a slight pinch of frustration in her voice.

“So the answer is ‘yes’, you do have them, thanks for the help.” I added with a bit of snark to my response.

Now I pack up the fam an head out with my $40 coupon.  When I get to the store I head right to the aisle where I’ve seen similar devices before.  In Store 400 it’s to the right as you enter and on the 2nd to last aisle before appliances.  With two kids in tow I have to quickly scan for the Insignia NS-DXA1.  It’s not there.

So I head to the counter inthe video department and ask the associate, “Do you guys have any of the Insigina DTV converter boxes?”

The associate that seemed oddly out of the kahki uniform replied, “You have to wait a month.”

I’m thinking to myself, “A month, that girl on the phone said you have 58.”

“You need to get a coupon to buy it.” He said to help quell my unrest.

“I have the coupon.” I replied.  Now I just want it on principle.

“They’re up in the rafters, you’ll have to wait.”  He told me as my kind smile was turning to a frown.  “We’ll get some down for you.”

Now I’m starting to get the impression that Best Buy doesn’t care about these boxes.  After all studies have shown that people with low-incomes need these boxes (which retail for about $60).  I’ve also heard statistics that people of color are more likely to need these in 2009 than their white counterparts.  This is all going through my head as my wife takes the kids for a walk and I’m staring at the lone employee who can use the movable staircase gets my box.  The nice area for the TVs happens to have a register.  Since I want to get out in a hurry before someone blows up in frustration (hopefully my kids) I ask if I can get rung up in the TV area.  The out of uniform associate assures me I can.

The stock guy/qualified stair man gets down and starts to walk way from the register where I’m standing with my wallet in hand (literally).  “You can follow me sir, you’ll have to pay up here anyway”, he instructs me.  So I follow them up to a ad-hok conference with the stair man, out of uniform, and new walkie talkie associate.  This is all due to a tiny little sticker on the box that says that special return rules apply to this box.

I’ve done my homework to make an informed decision on how I want to spend my $20 (after the $40 coupon) and I want to get out.  They say how it’s not returnable after 30 days hand me the box and I’m on my way.

I’m not really one to complain about experiences like this.  I understand that the employees working at night in these types of stores are mostly high school & college kids making enough to pay off their car, gas money, or even school.  I was there myself.  But being friendly, understanding, not easily frustrated, and just nice should be standard operating procedure when working anywhere.

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Earlier in the week I received the TV Digital Converter Box Coupon.  So I looked around at what box I would buy.  In my area there were two places I’d want to go, Radio Shack and Best Buy.  The only website with good detail of their products was Best Buy.  So I called my local Best Buy (Store 400) 2130 State Route 35, Holmdel NJ and got put on hold waiting for the video department (I wanted to know if they had any boxes in stock).

I was never put on hold, the reciever was placed on the desk so I was privy to conversations I shouldn’t have been.  When the young lady picked the phone back up she asked me who I was holding for and I responded, “The TV slash Video department”

“What do you want?” She asked

“Wanted to see if you had any of the Insignia Converter Box…” I replied

“We have 58 of them”, she answered with a slight pinch of frustration in her voice.

“So the answer is ‘yes’, you do have them, thanks for the help.” I added with a bit of snark to my response.

Now I pack up the fam an head out with my $40 coupon.  When I get to the store I head right to the aisle where I’ve seen similar devices before.  In Store 400 it’s to the right as you enter and on the 2nd to last aisle before appliances.  With two kids in tow I have to quickly scan for the Insignia NS-DXA1.  It’s not there.

So I head to the counter inthe video department and ask the associate, “Do you guys have any of the Insigina DTV converter boxes?”

The associate that seemed oddly out of the kahki uniform replied, “You have to wait a month.”

I’m thinking to myself, “A month, that girl on the phone said you have 58.”

“You need to get a coupon to buy it.” He said to help quell my unrest.

“I have the coupon.” I replied.  Now I just want it on principle.

“They’re up in the rafters, you’ll have to wait.”  He told me as my kind smile was turning to a frown.  “We’ll get some down for you.”

Now I’m starting to get the impression that Best Buy doesn’t care about these boxes.  After all studies have shown that people with low-incomes need these boxes (which retail for about $60).  I’ve also heard statistics that people of color are more likely to need these in 2009 than their white counterparts.  This is all going through my head as my wife takes the kids for a walk and I’m staring at the lone employee who can use the movable staircase gets my box.  The nice area for the TVs happens to have a register.  Since I want to get out in a hurry before someone blows up in frustration (hopefully my kids) I ask if I can get rung up in the TV area.  The out of uniform associate assures me I can.

The stock guy/qualified stair man gets down and starts to walk way from the register where I’m standing with my wallet in hand (literally).  “You can follow me sir, you’ll have to pay up here anyway”, he instructs me.  So I follow them up to a ad-hok conference with the stair man, out of uniform, and new walkie talkie associate.  This is all due to a tiny little sticker on the box that says that special return rules apply to this box.

I’ve done my homework to make an informed decision on how I want to spend my $20 (after the $40 coupon) and I want to get out.  They say how it’s not returnable after 30 days hand me the box and I’m on my way.

I’m not really one to complain about experiences like this.  I understand that the employees working at night in these types of stores are mostly high school & college kids making enough to pay off their car, gas money, or even school.  I was there myself.  But being friendly, understanding, not easily frustrated, and just nice should be standard operating procedure when working anywhere.

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