Best buy used to have knowledgeable people, but then someone in management realized they could fire all the knowledgeable people making $15/hr and replace them with students at $9/hr. Saved the company a lot of money, and there were some large bonuses paid out to top management for it. But now they're left with stores full of people who don't know their *ss from a hole in the ground.

I've been going to Best Buy since it was Sound of Music. Rarely, if ever, did the sales person know much. They are droids and get paid as such. If they actually KNOW something about the product they should be promoted and moved up. They are like "gas pump attendants" we had in the pre80's. I view them (and most other big box retail service staff) as being there to tell me what aisle it's on, to move the ladder to get stuff off the top racks, and to prevent the other clientel from stealing the store blind.

I've never had a good experience at Best Buy. I go there when I know what I want and they have it in stock, at a good price. The sales staff is mostly useless, and I try to avoid them. But they're really no worse than any other big chain. Pay minimum wage and you can expect minimum knowledge, attitude, and work.

Well, I say do whatever works best for you. Obviously this sort of store is severely challenged by the internet prices. Circuit City, as we know, has had recent very difficult times and had to downsize dramatically because of this. Sure, don't expect the sales staff at Best Buy to know much and you will be fine. Do your learning elsewhere and then go there if you like the product and price and convenience. They have always honored their on line price at the store in my experience.

Neil