Staples Easy-Tech $etup... *Sigh*

Okay general American public feel used like a cheap whore.

STOP BUYING INTO THESE RIDICULOUS PROGRAMS.

Okay, I am coming from the angle of a technology geek, but most of the pieces of technology today are pretty user-friendly and intuitive in terms of design.  If a piece of technology that you want to buy is so complicated you've got to pay $40 or $50 to understand it, chances are you shouldn't be getting it.

Ever heard of the phrase, do you give the man a fish or do you teach him how to fish?  Are you really going to go through the rest of your life paying BS fees for basic things that it'll take that tech about 5 minutes to do?  Get your reels, bait, and boats and get your asses in the water.  Google things that confuse you and teach yourself how to do these things yourself.

Okay, granted what I am saying may be harshly stated, but seriously just Google any problems that you are having.  GPS setup at Staples is $40, and that's just for programming some simple addresses.  This is about a five minute process for the person who has been doing this all day and to some one who was an absolute beginner this process may take all of 20 minutes.  Are you really going to pay $40 for 15 minutes of saved time?  Also, if something goes wrong is it not better to know how to fix the problem yourself rather than just giving it back and paying even more to have the same 5 minutes of work done?

I know that you may be scared of technology, but through Google all things are possible. Also, the MANUALS in the box shed an amazing amount of light into getting the most out of your products.  Seriously they seem a little unnecessary for smaller electronics, but sometimes there are features you were unaware of or operating instructions to have the life of the piece of technology.  Yes, I'm shutting up now.  Just know you've got the power, so use it. Don't be a suckers to the whiz kids.  Keep us nerds in our place.

Send me questions, fan mail, organs, whatever.

'Til Later,

B.Carter

Buy Back Program? Is it really worth it?

Best Buy, a national treasure of a company known for its high prices and great financing has introduced the technology buy back program and here are the reasons I am completely and utterly against its existence.

First, you have to buy into this program.  Now if this were just an added perk to shopping with Best Buy I'd be all for it, but it's not.  There's a bit of a promotion going on giving it out free and that I'm okay with, but paying to get not a maximum of 80% or even 65% of your money back (in the form of a Best Buy gift card might I add), but only 50% (MAX) sounds just plain stupid.

Second, this program is targeted at the technologically challenged (yeah, you).  Don't you find it strange that with every big ticket item you've purchased there comes a sales assistant swooping down on you as a eagle would on its prey forcing warranties down your throat? Yeah, older people are trusting of young people that are more technologically savvy to make the best decisions, yeah well these kids are working on commission and scheming on your wallets *evil laugh*.  Next time one asks you to enroll in a buy-back program or get a warranty ask how many of their big ticket appliances have either of the programs "protecting it".  (Also, out all the warranties you've been tricked into buying think about how many you've ACTUALLY used.)

Third, if you're looking for your money back you're better off posting these things on eBay.  I mean the fees are relatively low and you'll probably get more money there than Best Buy will ever cut you a check for.  The thing is Best Buy is just going to make sure this item works, give you MAX 50% (90% of the time way less based on their appraisal of the item and this is on a Best Buy gift card) back and put it back on the shelves for about 10% lowers than the price you bought it for.

In conclusion, salespeople are on the attack.  Be weary of being lured into their fancy talking.  Salespeople are like commission-seeking vampires.

'Til Later, 

B.C.