CompUSA Complaint - CompUSA are liars!!! Don't shop there!!!! - USB Cable Poor Service and Lying

Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2006-06-02:

I know there are USB v1 and v2 ports - the newer ones being faster. Is it possible there are different cables? Your printer might be working, but perhaps not as fast as it could be? Just a SWAG - my USB knowledge is limited to my digital camera - I plug it in and pictures come out.

Posted by Doc J on 2006-06-02:

Yes, the salesman was probably attempting to up-sell you. This is not always dishonest behavior. The more expensive cable is a "little" better. But, most of us will not need "super-duper" cables for our home/small biz type machines. Best advice, consult your manual before buying cables and peripherals...it will tell you what will work and what won't. If you don't know, defer the purchase until you find out. Don't let your own lack of knowledge and sense of urgency cost you $$. Empower yourself!

Posted by dmjar863 on 2006-06-02:

Speaking as a former Best Buy computer department supervisor this was a total lie the reason the Rep said this was to drive up the stores accessories number. Best Buy was the same way. All we ever talked about selling were PSPs (service plans) and Accessories. The stores cost on the $30 cable is about 2.50. Nice mark-up. The diffrence in the two cables was probaly Gold plated contacts. People hear gold and think that must be good. Its just a way to make more money. And there is no special cable for USB 2.0.

Posted by Doc J on 2006-06-02:

dmjar863-Thank you! You have substantiated 1) my assertions that the pressure to sell PSPs is based more on profitability for the seller than protection for the consumer, and 2) my insight that the recommendation was "up-selling" by the sales staff. As a former BB supervisor, can you comment as to the commission paid for PSPs and for rewarding BB staff for "up-selling"? As to cables, I've seen differences beyond "gold" connectors. Some of the very cheap cables have very flimsy connectors and no stress relief. However, those features should not cost a consumer $20 more than a standard cable.

Posted by dmjar863 on 2006-06-02:

You might not believe this but sales people get no commission on anything they ad to the sell. They just get to keep there jobs. Supervisors and managers get monthly bonuses on their department performance if they reach there goals. And the bonus isn’t really that much money 5-7.5% of your pay that month. If a person does not sell Service and accessories we coach them using CSE's (Customer Service Evaluation) Forms. Get enough of bad ones and you gone. But that requires a lot of paper work. The real way most people lose there job is if they don’t sell they get no hours. 3 weeks of 0-4 hours a week and most people just quit. The main employee benefit was our store discount 5% over what Best Buy paid. That’s how I now how much those $30 dollar cables cost. They cost me 3 bucks with tax. The Main reason Sales people are at Best Buy is not to sell you the product, but to ad additional items on the sale.

Posted by Doc J on 2006-06-02:

dmjar863-I do believe you. Thanks! You speak with some integrity. Hence, you are no longer at Best Buy. Your info is helpful and honest. If you need, I have people who can get you into the Witness Protection Program. LOL.

Posted by Kid 7 on 2006-06-02:

You know I had the exact same senario. How did I handle it? Well you'll notice all the cables are in thier section for printers; The lowest price on one end of the line-up on up to the highest on the other end. I bought a cable on the cheapest end of the line up. Even those had luminous blues lights in the plugs. I'm still using the same plug for years now. Absolutely no problems with my dicision. As for staying away from Comp USA, Yes, Cool down for a while and go back anyway just to spite the saleman that your better than he is any day when it come to getting the product you want. Recognition is the game here.

Posted by Mrs Manischewitz on 2006-06-02:

Go to Fry's instead of a high markup co.

Posted by silenty on 2006-09-02:

I'd have to agree with Hugh.. the cable you got probably was a USB 1.0 and he was probably trying to sell you the 2.0 for your benefit. Although the cable you got may work fine, the other one will send data to the printer faster... its really no big deal, but I think he was offering it to help you out just as much to help the store out.. doesn't sound like he was out to get you