Best Buy — Local services in Oxnard

I've always loved going to Best Buy growing up here in Oxnard. It was the place I'd go to so I could wander around and read about all the fancy gadgets I'd probably not ever buy or just play the newest video games that they had on display. This is the place where I learned all about computers, car audio systems and how to build and install them both at an almost professional level; or at least I thought so and I was proud of what I had achieved after numerous trips there just to learn and see and ask questions. But man, this last trip I made there to explore like I have so many times throughout the years gone by I was quickly reminded of why I order online and have only gone into the store to pick up what I order. Today my childlike wandering of the aisles and curious touching of products to read there descriptions and check out there features was met with a prompt "security check all departments" and a "can I help you find something?" at least every other aisle. However when I did actually have an honest question about something which I was going to purchase but all my questions were met with a sort of condescending puzzlement and a response of "why don't you look on Amazon". I mean if you're looking for a VCR to watch old home movies from the 80s and 90s the logical place to look would be to go to Best Buy since Fry's no longer exists in Oxnard. And how am I to know that VCRs are no longer sold almost anywhere. So, hey I'll just go check out the miniature arcade version of mortal Kombat that's on display. Only to find that the machines controls don't work and the demo on the screen just plays over and over. So sad! I actually left there missing the Best Buy of 20 years ago. The only place I know that the curious question asking will always be met with warmth and knowledge furthering is their mobile install department, whom have taught me many things over the years. So, long Best Buy I'll leave you in my fonder memories of growth and exploration of a technological world in which not even my parents could fully fathom or advise me on making me the household expert and ambassador to all things shiny and delicately expensive performing non-essential tasks with a simple-seeming complexity that forced you to truly consider purchasing the add-on warranty and need for a geek squad repair, replace or installation package that only costs you an additional 25-35% more and would most likely only be needed around the time it expires unless there's an accident due to manufactures defects, a force of nature or an act of God. Man, I wonder who came up with that, selling a product that you can't touch nor see or may not even ever get to use. Touché. Pure genius,...

This is why the company is faltering. Poorly led staff makes for poor customer experiences, which leads to stores closing and people losing jobs. Went there because they were the only place locally that had an iPad accessory in stock. Inquired about a price match, as I've had done countless times in other markets (my first time at this location or in this part of the state). I know if it's not on their magic list it's at the managers discretion.

Before i could even get to that part of my visit, I had to get an employee to interact with me. Three separate staffers turned away from me, actively ignored me, or just looked like they were were dead and left standing. The person who helped me the most was a Microsoft rep who stepped in to make sure I got help. Got to talk to a manager, a woman with dual tone hair (not a judgment, just a description, it actually looked pretty cool). She quoted policy with the fervor of reciting the latest terms of service you've read. When I asked if it wasn't managers discretion, she said it was. Then I asked wasn't she a manager, she said it's policy, and turned and walked away. Literally cut off the rest of the questions I had about the rest of my purchases that day and walked off after pointing me to the register.

Then when I got to the register, I watched a crowd of staff and reps grow at the security checkpoint as the line to check out stagnated and pressed on the lone employee at a register. I had to raise my voice to get attention and get help to the registers. It was embarrassing more for them than me. The person who rang me out identified themselves as a supervisor. When I voiced my displeasure, making sure to point out my problems were with the store and not her personally, she took a distant, snippy and defensive tone. Zero empathy or giving a crap. They could do no wrong, but I could.

Honestly the worst best buy experience in years. Will not be back. Would rather wait days for delivery than support this store or a company that puts this attitude as their center of customer contact.

I did end up getting my accessory price matched to something on their list, out of spite. And the I went to the Apple Store and bought the iPad I was going to buy there, along with the Apple Pencil and AppleCare.

I'm also gong to add that I used to be a platinum rewards member. Every year. The experience ladder that has descended into this review across Best Buy is why I'm not anymore. They'll likely be long out of business before they could or would try to earn my...

I only give BB 3 stars because the sales people appear to determine by how you look, whether or not you are worth dealing with. So if you look like you have money to spend they will ask if you need help, if you dont then you can walk in front of them several times and then have to disrupt their conversations before you can get any help. I usually order online so I dont have to deal with these kind of people and I get a little satisfaction from walking in dressed in old clothes and take the long route with an empty basket to see if any sales people will ask if I need help, window shop for 15-20 minutes without putting anything in my cart and watch as they basically ignore me. Then go to the pickup window and get my order which is usually substantial and then go for one last cruise around the isles with a basket full of merchandise that I have a reciept for and "NOW" the sales people pay attention and trip over themselves to ask if there is anything else they can help me with. I just politely say no thank you and stroll out the door with my order. I dont understand why people are the way they are but if they worked for me and ignored one of my customers, they would be really close to having to find a new job. I remember when Frys was the go to place for electronics, and their sales people would treat potential customers the same way. I used to walk up and ask those people that obviously needed help but couldnt find anyone if I could help them. I would answer questions and help people find the items they needed, not because I was mr nice guy but because I was at Frys literally everyday and knew the store. I remeber thinking back then that Frys needed to train their employees how to interact with the public to generate sales and that if they didnt do something they were going to lose all their customers. People go into stores because of sales and discounts but only return if you treat them right. Pay attention BB or you may suffer the same fate as Frys did. Just because you are the only Electronics chain left in VC doesnt mean you got it all locked up. Walmart and Target are starting to carry TVs, Computers and electronic goods......