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Wal-Mart considering its own Nerd Herd

When a company grows to become as gigantic as Wal-Mart, it often becomes a struggle to find ways to increase profits and expand into new, untapped markets. Wal-Mart announced that it is looking at ways to expand its current store offerings and move into more Asian countries. Wal-Mart already has a presence in China, Japan and India, but wishes to expand further into Southeast Asia.

In addition to expanding into Asian presence, Wal-Mart executives say that the company is considering moving into electronics services. MarketWatch says that one of the key areas that some analysts signal out as a main differentiator between Wal-Mart and Best Buy is the Geek Squad service.

Wal-Mart executives didn’t provide further details on when or if it would actually begin offering electronics services.

Wal-Mart’s proposed move into electronics services may seem like a strange move considering its somewhat limited lineup of electronics and computer/peripheral lineups in comparison to electronics retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City. Perhaps a move into electronics service would push Wal-Mart to further expand its business in this area.

Geek Squad has grown to become a large source of income for Best Buy and has sparked rivals like Circuit City’s firedog. Geek Squad, however, hasn’t been without controversy and one woman filed a $54 million suit against Best Buy after the Geek Squad lost her laptop in the store, which was filled with personal information she claims could open her up to identity theft.

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Say what?
By imaheadcase on 6/11/2008 9:23:37 AM , Rating: 1
"MarketWatch says that one of the key areas that some analysts signal out as a main differentiator between Wal-Mart and Best Buy is the Geek Squad service."

That is the dumbest thing I have read all day, I have read slashdot comments today so that says a lot.

Main differentiators? Oh how about the fact the two don't even compete with each other at all. DVD/music front withstanding, they don't even compete...its like apples to oranges. Esp given the fact the best-buy to wal-mart ratio is way off, at least in my state I have yet to even see a Best Buy near a wal-mart.

I tell you what, most the news items I've seen this last couple weeks have been really retarded, its like monkeys typed them out.




RE: Say what?
By TheSpaniard on 6/11/2008 9:29:40 AM , Rating: 2
I think they refer to specifically the electronics department...

that said Ive always known Best Buy to carry name brand and higher (audio equipment) end stuff while WalMart carries a more middle of the road stuff

other than that both have TVs, video games, music/DVD (although all WalMarts only carry edited content), and computers


RE: Say what?
By MrBlastman on 6/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: Say what?
By FITCamaro on 6/11/2008 10:07:40 AM , Rating: 2
No Best Buy does not carry the highest end stuff. But their Magnolia division does carry high end stuff. As far as their prices, they're typically competitive for the actual TV and sound system. Yes cabling you can get much cheaper online but thats true for any brick and mortar store.

The only thing pushy about Best Buy is their service plans. But their prices for them are much lower than Circuit City's. And normally it isn't a bad deal. Mine was $200 for in-home service on a $1000 TV for 4 years. I plan to use it to get the bulb replaced before the 4 years is up.

As a former employee of Best Buy from my youth, I have my own beefs. But its not with their prices. I mostly buy DVDs and video games there. But I bought my DLP there, my surround sound (no its not the best but I wasn't looking for it), and my washer and dryer.


RE: Say what?
By HotdogIT on 6/11/2008 10:14:21 AM , Rating: 1
Feel like a big man now, claiming all Wal Mart employees are low brow idiots?


RE: Say what?
By MrBlastman on 6/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: Say what?
By HotdogIT on 6/11/2008 10:31:55 AM , Rating: 2
Maybe so, but your cavalier attitude towards insulting a group of people just rubbed me the wrong way.


RE: Say what?
By MrBlastman on 6/11/2008 10:54:19 AM , Rating: 2
If Wal-Mart would actually take the time to train their employees, it would make a huge difference on customers experience in the store.

When I worked in a grocery store, the first thing my supervisor taught me was that when a customer comes up to you and asks you where something is, you take them to the item and if you don't know where it is - you FIND IT for them.

You never, ever say - "I don't know."

Walmart has never learned this lesson. I consistently get that same answer when I ask someone at Walmart where things are.


RE: Say what?
By callmeroy on 6/11/2008 12:03:00 PM , Rating: 2
First disclaimer - I hate Wal*Mart, I hate them because I don't like crowds of folks to begin with and in the stores near me it seems to attract a lot of what most commonly would be know as "white trash"...though I'm sure a small % are fine quality folks. At any rate I don't frequent Wal Marts that much - you could count on one hand how many times I'm in their store on a yearly basis.

This all said, the service hasn't been too bad - no worse than any number of stores I could rattle off -- including Best Buy among them.


RE: Say what?
By zombiexl on 6/11/2008 12:53:02 PM , Rating: 1
Generally I see trash there (white, black it doesnt matter).
I have been to walmart more than i would like lately and I can say there is nothing quite like walmart on welfare (or SSI) check day. Its almost like human roaches crawling out of the woodwork.


RE: Say what?
By PWNettle on 6/11/2008 2:52:20 PM , Rating: 2
I go to walmart since I don't see much point in paying more for every day junk.

I see a wide variety of people in the walmarts I've been to (in PHX, where you can have luxury neighborhoods next to barrios or other "lower" neighborhoods.

I'll see everything from trophy wives, to CEOs, to what you might call "trash" and everything in between. There is no single demographic. The thing walmart shoppers have in common is they want to pay as little as possible for whatever they're buying.

Side note. Is being an elitist better than being "trash" ? Hmm.

It's not like I'd buy a PC, clothes, stereo equipment or whatever from walmart because they don't carry what I want. But if I want generic every day crap why would I pay more for it? That'd be stupid. Especially these days where fuel costs are causing everything else to rise in price. Walmart raises their prices by pennies - most other business see it as a chance to add much more significant markup. A can of soup might go from 167 to 174 at walmart, while that same can of soup would go (from already costing more) from 189 to 209, since wally doesn't care about having prices that don't end in a 9.

Anyways - I think it would be a mistake for walmart to do this. For one, they're already huge and make zillions - they don't need more money and this is a risky market to enter. Doing electronic support requires specialized staff they have no other need for and requires specialized inventory they currently don't stock. It also opens you up to liability.


RE: Say what?
By callmeroy on 6/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: Say what?
By ebakke on 6/11/2008 5:26:32 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Good question - maybe ask walmart executives that one.

Does that include Hillary Clinton? I'd argue that 'executives' includes the Board.


RE: Say what?
By ebakke on 6/11/2008 5:29:39 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
And what I don't understand about folks is "but walmart is cheaper!"....who gives a flying F!

Sorry for the double post. But the answer to your question is: a friggin' massive amount of people.


RE: Say what?
By Reclaimer77 on 6/11/2008 6:35:06 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
What? Oh you never read the stories or heard of the lawsuits against them for questionable practices - particular how they were accused of some racist policies, evading taxes, extremely low wages, paying illegal immigrants to work for them, etc. etc....


Well hell man, what company worth its salt in American hasn't been dragged into lawsuits ? I suppose you also strictly avoid Intel products, Microsoft, Mc Donalds, etc etc ? Yeah thats what I thought.

Also they were ACCUSED, as you say, of those things. It doesn't make it a fact.

quote:
Anyone who thinks WalMart just has low prices "well because of their size".....you must live in a very naive and pretty world of make believe.


And anyone who thinks we CARE why their prices are low is entirely missing the point.

quote:
As for the elitist thing again -- I can only speak for my comment....I report what I see -- and I see TRASH in the store. Ie. My definition of trash -- people who have no manners, slovenly dressed, rude, inconsiderate etc. in the two walmarts I've ever gone to up here that's overwhelming what I see.


Hmmm no your not an elitist. Your a bigot. Congrats on your level up + !

quote:
Hands down, if you believe it or not - its the truth...in my area in other stores there is no where NEAR the concentration of "trashy" customers.


Because in other stores in your area there aren't nearly as many people in them as there is in a Wal Mart. The human mind accepts the reality with which it is presented. I seriously doubt you went around with a notepad and counted all the " trash " people and did a subjective study. No, your a bigot who got annoyed one day at a few long lines and labeled the whole place a den for trashy people. Your an ass.

quote:
And what I don't understand about folks is "but walmart is cheaper!"....who gives a flying F! If I save a dollar on some cheaply made item, have to be stressed out by waiting (because its mobbed) and the crowds in general..


You just answered your own question. A LOT more people than you give a " flying F ". Maybe its just them and not you, but I doubt it.

quote:
PLUS now with gas at over $4 -- in my case Walmart is also a further drive for me than other stores.


Now, finally, you make a single solitary legitimate point. Except nobody ASKED you to drive further to go to WalMart.

I love how you tell people who are saving money that they should not care, and that they are " trashy " for going to WalMart. Then you bring up your own fuel costs and how you are trying to save money. Maybe I should make a long bigoted ignorant hate fest that people who want to save gas are " trashy ". Who gives a flying F about your gas, right ?


RE: Say what?
By zombiexl on 6/11/2008 8:36:31 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Side note. Is being an elitist better than being "trash" ? Hmm


So its being an elitist to think that people shouldnt be rude. I guess its also elitist to think people should work for their money instead of living off my back via taxes?