Best Buy Experience

Why not go and check it out for yourself when the store opens?

I used to live under a mile from merry hell, and go there sometimes.  My dad is going to the store today to have a scout around, but I am going tomorrow, so will report back.

Andy Clough:

Why not go and check it out for yourself when the store opens?

Oh, I intend to do so.  However, I was curious as what others have experienced to-date.  I further presume that the Thurrock store, as 'flagship' is going to be in some way a grander affair than we can expect in the humble Black Country.

I hope it's better than the "e-brochure" on their website, it's unreadable.

Just had a look at where the Bristol store is going to be, if it's accurate to the building then that's not that big a unit. I think it used to be a Hobbycraft store in fact.

potboyslim:

I used to live under a mile from merry hell, and go there sometimes.  My dad is going to the store today to have a scout around, but I am going tomorrow, so will report back.

Sorry, PBS, I now can't get out of my mind the image of figures dressed all in black, belaying through the ceiling into the yet-to-be-opened store in the middle of the night!

Incidentally, I hadn't intended to go off on a tangent, but looking at your signature details I am intrigued by the kit you list.  It leads me to ask:

 1)  How does the Cyrus kit sound with your Spendors?

 2)  Did you start out with the base CDP and amp units and then add the extras on later, or start out with the 'full monty'?

Since taking a look around recently, I was impressed with the reviews (and prices) of the Cyrus 8-series and wondered whether it was worth trying them with my Spendors at some point.  Also, given the prices of those beauties, what kind of improvement do the added boxes make?

Cheers!

the_lhc:

I hope it's better than the "e-brochure" on their website, it's unreadable. Just had a look at where the Bristol store is going to be, if it's accurate to the building then that's not that big a unit. I think it used to be a Hobbycraft store in fact.

I feel that I can only agree with your sentiments there.  The e-brochure is a let-down and I suspect the outlying stores will be pale shades of the 'flagship'.  Still, let's not be over-critical...just yet!

i am looking forward to when they start trading from the website but i have a feeling it is going to be very hard to get them to price match and then knock 10% off as well.

gel:

i am looking forward to when they start trading from the website but i have a feeling it is going to be very hard to get them to price match and then knock 10% off as well.

Since I live a mere 10 minutes away from Merry Hill (dependent on time of year or time of day!) I am not too concerned about the online aspect, although it is useful to check the website for what is available and what prices.  As long as they sell a good range of kit at competitive prices I will be quite happy.  That said, I am getting a sneaky suspicion that there is going to be an emphasis on the 'sexy' home cinema side of the market, rather than the less exciting hi-fi components.

Anyway, check out the 'blurb':-

"We believe in offering the right solution for you, at affordable prices. So, if you are about to make a purchase and discover a lower price than ours let us know and we'll not only match that price, we'll refund you 10% of the difference between our price and the lower price. If you've already bought something from us and see the same item cheaper elsewhere up to 30 days later, we'll refund the difference.*

*Proof of competitor's price required (such as flyer) and proof is subject to verification at Best Buy's discretion. Only applicable to competitor's store within 15 mile radius. Excludes mail order, telesales or online prices. Competitor's price must be current, regular and total price, not promotional or sale price and available to all customers. Compared price product must be the same brand and model and currently in stock. Excludes products purchased in conjunction with contract sales. Proof of purchase required where claiming in relation to an item that you have already bought elsewhere. Best Buy reserves the right to withdraw this policy or change these terms and conditions at any time."

However, Gel, am I right in thinking you are referring to the probability that they will have to think carefully about online price promises and how they may have to differ from instore?

O my god, unless you are local you don't stand a chance of a price match by the look of that then and even then you have too price match with locals which most of the time is very hard to do.

I was looking forward to the website opening up that has just put a big downer on that

Hi esp.  Started out with an 8vs2, then added a psx-r to it. After this got and x power when my dad gave me some money (nice man!), and had the spendors biamped.  After this I sold my creek amp downstairs and got a preVs2, so had a pre and power in the bedroom and moved the integrated downstairs.  I initially had the psx-r on the pre, but then I sold my Arcam 192 and got the 8se and added the power supply to it.

It sounds great and the spendors do mellow the sound out, but I am looking to either go for high end standmounters, maybe £2k.  I got the spendors for £410 so wouldn't lose much on them, and buy the others then.

 I have been lucky that I had music matters a few miles from my house in stourbridge, then in birmingham when I moved 6 months ago.  They have some nice kit there, so will check things out.

If you do go for the 8 integrated then I would advise the psx-r as it help just to give a bit more welly with the spendors.  They are quite insensitive and need power to drive them.

gel:

O my god, unless you are local you don't stand a chance of a price match by the look of that then and even then you have too price match with locals which most of the time is very hard to do.

I was looking forward to the website opening up that has just put a big downer on that

Sorry Gel, didn't intend to bring gloom and doom to your day (I'm not related to Cameron!)

It will be interesting to see what that 15 mile radius does - for Merry Hill it includes Birmingham and that general connurbation plus Bridgnorth - there are plenty of electronics retailers to make the competition interesting.  I would have thought that Best Buy's purchasing power would be used in a very similar way to the supermarkets.  As for online, that must be even worse (or better!) Let's see what occurs.

Thanks, PBS, I will take your comments away and contemplate.  Shame the Best Buy list of manufacturers doesn't seem, at first glance, to include Cyrus!

ESP2009:

gel:

O my god, unless you are local you don't stand a chance of a price match by the look of that then and even then you have too price match with locals which most of the time is very hard to do.

I was looking forward to the website opening up that has just put a big downer on that

Sorry Gel, didn't intend to bring gloom and doom to your day (I'm not related to Cameron!)

It will be interesting to see what that 15 mile radius does - for Merry Hill it includes Birmingham and that general connurbation plus Bridgnorth - there are plenty of electronics retailers to make the competition interesting.  I would have thought that Best Buy's purchasing power would be used in a very similar way to the supermarkets.  As for online, that must be even worse (or better!) Let's see what occurs.

It's okay, it's not your fault the Merry Hill one look's about the closest to where i am but i don't know the local area that well, any idea of the shops in that radius?

 Thanks

gel:

It's okay, it's not your fault the Merry Hill one look's about the closest to where i am but i don't know the local area that well, any idea of the shops in that radius?

 Thanks

Well, there's at least one Richer Sounds within that radius!

Also, if I recall correctly, there is a Music Matters in Stourbridge and Edgbaston, Superfi in Brum, etc.  Musn't forget the usual suspects of Currys, Comet, Dixons, PC World, etec, etc.  All will come under the same umbrella of electronics outlets and provide competition.  Check Yell.com for further examples.  You can porbably find another search that will do a radius check from a central point.  Have fun!