Circuit City vs. Best Buy - Blu-ray Forum

davidPS3 · 09-12-2007, 09:44 PM

A question and curious what the rest of the market's look like. I stopped in our local Circuit City today and noticed that they have changed their set up on HD movies. Where just a couple months ago, the space was evenly split between BR and HDDVD. Now, BR has the same amount of space (8 feet) and they have given HDDVD another 4 feet so they have 12 feet of space. Now, each HDDVD title has it own row and honestly it looks pathetic. BR on the other had is completely trashed. The titles are suppose to be in order A to Z, but they have completely mixed up and no order at all!

I know that CC had committed to supporting HDDVD not long ago, but their section looks like a joke! I asked the clerk who approached me to ask if I needed help (the place was empty, maybe 4 customers in the building) and I told him (in a nice way) what a mess the BR section was. I would have to go thru each row and try to find a title I wanted, but even then, it was so messed up I most likely could not find what I was looking for. He said he was sorry for the mess, blamed it on someone doing it on purpose as they had the complaint before!

Our best buy on the other hand is organized and clean and a even split in the sections and BR does have their other display up as well. Just a better shopping experience over all and you have customers always in the store, buying product.

Sorry for the rant!

SS316SRV · 09-12-2007, 09:48 PM

I am very biased but I am a BBY fan.

E-Dogg · 09-12-2007, 09:49 PM

I am going to start buying movies in CC and ask about Blu-Ray players and see what I am told.

GarettP · 09-12-2007, 09:50 PM

Definately prefer BBY to CC!

owa · 09-12-2007, 10:08 PM

So far, the Circuit City near me is evenly split between blu-ray and HD DVD but the blu-ray section is displayed on the main isle. The HD DVDs are on the backside of the blu-ray area. Both sections are a mess though b/c of the way they stack them and they don't take a lot of time to keep them in alphabetical order.

Best Buy is much easier to browse and they do a good job of keeping things in order. While the main blu-ray / HD DVD sections are the same size, the secondary display area for blu-ray is much larger but the secondary HD DVD area is more prominently displayed.

Oh, Circuit City has been pretty good about their selection of blu-rays also. I usually start out at Best Buy and if I can't find what I'm looking for, head to Circuit City (thankfully, they're right across the street from each other). CC usually has it when Best Buy doesn't. The main drawback is that I've got to look through every disc b/c the order is so messed up.

jermwhl · 09-12-2007, 10:13 PM

I used to shop BB exclusively until I got into BD. There prices are ridiculous in most cases. I usually shop at fry's. But since it isn't a large nationwide chain, most don't have that option!
I prefer BB to CC, but as of late, I have found that I really don't care either way, except for the fact that I am used to BB's setup now and when I walk into a CC I feel lost.

davidPS3 · 09-12-2007, 11:02 PM

Thanks all, good feed-back and insight from your area's. I wanted to see what else was going on across the country.

reiella · 09-13-2007, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermwhl

I used to shop BB exclusively until I got into BD. There prices are ridiculous in most cases. I usually shop at fry's. But since it isn't a large nationwide chain, most don't have that option!
I prefer BB to CC, but as of late, I have found that I really don't care either way, except for the fact that I am used to BB's setup now and when I walk into a CC I feel lost.

My only problem with CC is this uncanny ability for associates to try to help me when I don't want to be helped.

And for associates to be nowhere to be found when I do in fact need help.

That and it shouldn't take me an hour to get my online order resolved.

Therickus · 09-13-2007, 12:29 AM

I am writing this while only reading a couple of the posts. I beleive both places have their benefits. As far as TVs....Projection/DLP - CC.....LCD/Plasma - BB. As far as movies.....neither really have prices that compares to Amazon.com or the other online retailers. I want to some day count the selection at each of my local stores....but I think CC actually has more BDs. On the other hand....it takes CC a while usually to get the new releases, whereas BB usually gets them sooner(still not the day of the release). I have no idea why they dont get them they day they come out like they do DVDs.

TruBlu2 · 09-13-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidPS3

A question and curious what the rest of the market's look like. I stopped in our local Circuit City today and noticed that they have changed their set up on HD movies. Where just a couple months ago, the space was evenly split between BR and HDDVD. Now, BR has the same amount of space (8 feet) and they have given HDDVD another 4 feet so they have 12 feet of space. Now, each HDDVD title has it own row and honestly it looks pathetic. BR on the other had is completely trashed. The titles are suppose to be in order A to Z, but they have completely mixed up and no order at all!

I know that CC had committed to supporting HDDVD not long ago, but their section looks like a joke! I asked the clerk who approached me to ask if I needed help (the place was empty, maybe 4 customers in the building) and I told him (in a nice way) what a mess the BR section was. I would have to go thru each row and try to find a title I wanted, but even then, it was so messed up I most likely could not find what I was looking for. He said he was sorry for the mess, blamed it on someone doing it on purpose as they had the complaint before!

Our best buy on the other hand is organized and clean and a even split in the sections and BR does have their other display up as well. Just a better shopping experience over all and you have customers always in the store, buying product.

Sorry for the rant!

Contact the CC District Offices in your region and give them the store location and or store number all tell them about your experience in the store.

This will put them in their place.

J6P · 09-13-2007, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidPS3

A question and curious what the rest of the market's look like. I stopped in our local Circuit City today and noticed that they have changed their set up on HD movies. Where just a couple months ago, the space was evenly split between BR and HDDVD. Now, BR has the same amount of space (8 feet) and they have given HDDVD another 4 feet...

I have been itching to mention this exact phenomenon and thought this was my chance to chime in -- but then noticed you are from Seattle. We might be looking at the same store.

I live in Seattle but work in Redmond. The nearest CC did indeed just recently (recently!) add a 50% bump in shelf space to the HD-DVD side. And it looks ridiculous. The Blu-ray side is stacked three or four titles deep in each slot. You have to paw through each shelf like a friggen raccoon to find what might be lurking underneath. There simply are too many titles available for the limited space. The HD-DVD side, on the other hand, has a spot for each title as well as big gaping holes where they've got nothing to show but bare shelf.

Honestly, it's the most counter-intuitive bit of shelf space allocation I've seen in a long time, and there is no reason for it. Unless of course, you factor in that there is a software company based in Redmond that you may have heard of. It starts with "M", and they shop too.

Patranus · 09-13-2007, 02:24 AM

Who really cares...CC is getting KILLED by BBY ever since its national expantion. Coupled with the success of Frys and other such super stores, it is looking real bad for CC.

Maxell · 09-13-2007, 02:33 AM

I worked for 2 of biggest volume Circuit City and Best Buy stores in Soth Florida.
Circuit City does not organize movies well where as my Best Buy it is very organized (other than the casual customer wrong place-back).

I do agree though that the prices are absurd. Even with my employee discount it is only about $5 off. I'd rather buy my blurays at Amazon, Ebay, or gamestop. I got Fantastic Four used for $17.99 (it's $34.99 new @ BB).

darkpoet25 · 09-13-2007, 02:34 AM

Yeah the CC I used to go to is a joke. There is hardly anyone that goes there anymore. My last visit was a quick one, I saw how horrible the BD section looked and just walked out. They have become a joke to me. For me, it's either Best Buy, Fry's or the Wal-Mart I work at(that discount does come in handy sometimes). We used to have a great little store called Laser's Edge. They closed their retail store and now just operate out of a wherehouse. I miss going there.

davidPS3 · 09-14-2007, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J6P

I have been itching to mention this exact phenomenon and thought this was my chance to chime in -- but then noticed you are from Seattle. We might be looking at the same store.

I live in Seattle but work in Redmond. The nearest CC did indeed just recently (recently!) add a 50% bump in shelf space to the HD-DVD side. And it looks ridiculous. The Blu-ray side is stacked three or four titles deep in each slot. You have to paw through each shelf like a friggen raccoon to find what might be lurking underneath. There simply are too many titles available for the limited space. The HD-DVD side, on the other hand, has a spot for each title as well as big gaping holes where they've got nothing to show but bare shelf.

Honestly, it's the most counter-intuitive bit of shelf space allocation I've seen in a long time, and there is no reason for it. Unless of course, you factor in that there is a software company based in Redmond that you may have heard of. It starts with "M", and they shop too.

Hey, that is the store I am talking about, Crossroads Mall. Yes, I think that 75% of the people that are in that area work for the big M. Glad I am not alone with my frustration with that store!

Maxell · 09-14-2007, 04:50 AM

I added another Blu-Ray player to display today at work inside one of the sound rooms in Magnolia in Best Buy. It's now 5 Blu vs 1 HDDVD player displays!

cartier · 09-15-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidPS3

Hey, that is the store I am talking about, Crossroads Mall. Yes, I think that 75% of the people that are in that area work for the big M. Glad I am not alone with my frustration with that store!

The "big M"??? I thought Microsoft was called "The Lazy M" at least it is at Amazon and Google.

09-12-2007, 09:44 PM	#1
davidPS3 Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Seattle	Circuit City vs. Best Buy A question and curious what the rest of the market's look like. I stopped in our local Circuit City today and noticed that they have changed their set up on HD movies. Where just a couple months ago, the space was evenly split between BR and HDDVD. Now, BR has the same amount of space (8 feet) and they have given HDDVD another 4 feet so they have 12 feet of space. Now, each HDDVD title has it own row and honestly it looks pathetic. BR on the other had is completely trashed. The titles are suppose to be in order A to Z, but they have completely mixed up and no order at all! I know that CC had committed to supporting HDDVD not long ago, but their section looks like a joke! I asked the clerk who approached me to ask if I needed help (the place was empty, maybe 4 customers in the building) and I told him (in a nice way) what a mess the BR section was. I would have to go thru each row and try to find a title I wanted, but even then, it was so messed up I most likely could not find what I was looking for. He said he was sorry for the mess, blamed it on someone doing it on purpose as they had the complaint before! Our best buy on the other hand is organized and clean and a even split in the sections and BR does have their other display up as well. Just a better shopping experience over all and you have customers always in the store, buying product. Sorry for the rant!

09-12-2007, 10:08 PM	#5
owa Blu-ray Knight Member since:Apr 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 96	So far, the Circuit City near me is evenly split between blu-ray and HD DVD but the blu-ray section is displayed on the main isle. The HD DVDs are on the backside of the blu-ray area. Both sections are a mess though b/c of the way they stack them and they don't take a lot of time to keep them in alphabetical order. Best Buy is much easier to browse and they do a good job of keeping things in order. While the main blu-ray / HD DVD sections are the same size, the secondary display area for blu-ray is much larger but the secondary HD DVD area is more prominently displayed. Oh, Circuit City has been pretty good about their selection of blu-rays also. I usually start out at Best Buy and if I can't find what I'm looking for, head to Circuit City (thankfully, they're right across the street from each other). CC usually has it when Best Buy doesn't. The main drawback is that I've got to look through every disc b/c the order is so messed up. Last edited by owa; 09-13-2007 at 12:16 AM.

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09-12-2007, 09:48 PM	#2
SS316SRV Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Appleton, WI Blu-ray collection:74	I am very biased but I am a BBY fan.

09-12-2007, 09:49 PM	#3
E-Dogg Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Blu-ray collection:159	I am going to start buying movies in CC and ask about Blu-Ray players and see what I am told.

09-12-2007, 09:50 PM	#4
GarettP Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Montrose, CO Blu-ray collection:75 Blu-ray reviews:21	Definately prefer BBY to CC!

09-12-2007, 10:13 PM	#6
jermwhl Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Virginia	I used to shop BB exclusively until I got into BD. There prices are ridiculous in most cases. I usually shop at fry's. But since it isn't a large nationwide chain, most don't have that option! I prefer BB to CC, but as of late, I have found that I really don't care either way, except for the fact that I am used to BB's setup now and when I walk into a CC I feel lost.

09-12-2007, 11:02 PM	#7
davidPS3 Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Seattle	Thanks all, good feed-back and insight from your area's. I wanted to see what else was going on across the country.

09-13-2007, 12:29 AM	#9
Therickus Power Member Member since:Jun 2007 Blu-ray collection:230 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:5	I am writing this while only reading a couple of the posts. I beleive both places have their benefits. As far as TVs....Projection/DLP - CC.....LCD/Plasma - BB. As far as movies.....neither really have prices that compares to Amazon.com or the other online retailers. I want to some day count the selection at each of my local stores....but I think CC actually has more BDs. On the other hand....it takes CC a while usually to get the new releases, whereas BB usually gets them sooner(still not the day of the release). I have no idea why they dont get them they day they come out like they do DVDs.

09-13-2007, 02:24 AM	#12
Patranus Active Member Member since:Sep 2007	Who really cares...CC is getting KILLED by BBY ever since its national expantion. Coupled with the success of Frys and other such super stores, it is looking real bad for CC.

09-13-2007, 02:33 AM	#13
Maxell Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007	I worked for 2 of biggest volume Circuit City and Best Buy stores in Soth Florida. Circuit City does not organize movies well where as my Best Buy it is very organized (other than the casual customer wrong place-back). I do agree though that the prices are absurd. Even with my employee discount it is only about $5 off. I'd rather buy my blurays at Amazon, Ebay, or gamestop. I got Fantastic Four used for $17.99 (it's $34.99 new @ BB).

09-13-2007, 02:34 AM	#14
darkpoet25 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Indianapolis, IN Home Theater Gallery:45 4K collection:50 Blu-ray collection:297 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Yeah the CC I used to go to is a joke. There is hardly anyone that goes there anymore. My last visit was a quick one, I saw how horrible the BD section looked and just walked out. They have become a joke to me. For me, it's either Best Buy, Fry's or the Wal-Mart I work at(that discount does come in handy sometimes). We used to have a great little store called Laser's Edge. They closed their retail store and now just operate out of a wherehouse. I miss going there.

09-14-2007, 04:50 AM	#16
Maxell Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007	I added another Blu-Ray player to display today at work inside one of the sound rooms in Magnolia in Best Buy. It's now 5 Blu vs 1 HDDVD player displays!

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