Best Buy is my kind of store.
For years, I would end up having to take trips up to Syracuse or Albany just to go to a Best Buy store. You might find it ridiculous that I would travel so many miles just to go to a Best Buy when any store around here that sold electronics would do me just fine. But for me, Best Buy was different. I don’t know why, but it just is. There’s a reason why Circuit City went under.
Then, about several months ago, something happened. A Best Buy was being built, right here in Binghamton. For a while I thought that would be perfect. But, realizing that I was jobless and didn’t have any money to buy any of the things that I wanted, it hit me — Why not apply for a job there?
Around the beginning of August, I went on its Web site and applied for a part-time job as a mobile sales consultant. Although I knew nothing about phones, I knew they would train me. But the reason I applied for this job is that I enjoy talking to people. This talking-to-customers thing was a social ritual I learned while working at other retail stores and perfected as time went by. Anyway, I got a call a few days later scheduling me for an interview.
Long story short, I got the job. I would also like to point out — and I’m not trying to brag here — I was the first person hired. They even titled me “Number One.” It felt pretty nice getting a title (not including Mobile Sales Specialist), even though it’s not the one I would have preferred. I would’ve preferred manager or supervisor or even assistant manager but due to my lack of experience, this one will do just fine for now.
In retrospect, it’s so obvious: the store that I loved so much would end up being the store that I worked in. Oh, it could be worse; I could be making minimum wage again by folding casual pants at a retail store which I will not name and barely getting 12 hours a week over there.
When the grand opening of the store finally came along, it wasn’t what I expected. You might have even seen it for yourself. I knew it was going to be crazy and there would be lots of people checking out the new store, but I didn’t know it was going to be like Black Friday crazy. It took me about 10 minutes to find a parking spot. Upon entering the store, it was a madhouse. Here are some of some of my highlights of that day:
Not knowing anything about cell phones or how to activate them.
Yes, Best Buy did teach me some product knowledge and how to do new activations and upgrades, but there was so much more to learn and so little time to do it. I was bombarded with questions that I didn’t have answers to. Some questions I actually knew the answers to, but with all the craziness going around me, I forgot the answer. I kind of felt like the weakest link in our department. But I’ve been doing my homework and I’m getting the hang of things around here.
Seeing many familiar faces that I haven’t seen in a long time.
Whenever a new store opens up, it seems like the whole town shows up just to check it out. I saw old classmates and teachers from my high school; professors, teaching assistants and former classmates of mine from Binghamton University; my friends’ parents; I even saw my old bus driver. The worst part is when they recognize you and they come up to you and say hello, and you forget their names. So, I apologize to the ones I said, “Hey, you” to.
Customers repeatedly asking you if there are any specials.
I don’t know how many times I was asked this question. Although it was the grand opening and all, there weren’t any special promotions or discounts other than if you spent over 50 dollars you would end up getting a $5 gift card. Then there were the angry customers who didn’t get a $20 gift card for standing on line an hour before the store opened — you had to be one of the first 100 customers and the ones who were the 101st and so on were a little pissed that they missed it by so little.
The store itself.
After what felt like weeks of merchandising and getting the store ready for the grand opening, it was nice to see the finished product. It’s simply the best-looking store in town. Even the bathrooms are looking pretty good.
Well, there it is. And yet I have to leave you with one final thing. It’s a shameless plug. If you’re in need of a phone or in need of an upgrade, please come to me. I’m the Asian one.