Worst Buy

The Mission: Buy a new VCR.

Destination: Best Buy at the Cambridgeside Galleria. Best Buy is the only large retail electronic store in Cambridge accessible by public transportation for students and residents who refuse to drive.

Time of Arrival: Approximately 3:30 p.m.

I head upstairs straight to the VCR/DVD section and notice that Panasonic is the only company that sells VCRs. I impulsively decide that it may be time to finally purchase a DVD Recorder/VCR Combo. VHS tapes are almost extinct, and I need to start converting my massive VHS collection to DVDs. I am the ideal mark for any sales associate. I want to buy an expensive product and have done no research.

I look around for a sales associate. There is not one single blue shirt in sight. One extra large blue shirt passes, and he says that he will be with me in a minute.

Time of irritation: 3:45 p.m. Mr. Extra Large Blue Shirt has disappeared into the ether. Suddenly a plethora of male customers appear accompanied by assorted fawning blue shirts. One blue shirt and some customers, a father and son, stand right beside me to discuss the same product.

I pick up my cell phone and call Amazon.com, the best store in the world, virtual or otherwise. They promptly give me more help over the phone despite being an online store than any blue shirt in Best Buy. I decide to become a crazy lady who talks loudly on her cell phone so others can hear me.

"I'm definitely going to buy this product from Amazon. No one at this store has been helpful, and the selection is not nearly as good. You're absolutely right. This product is not nearly as good as the one that you suggested. " After the blue shirt returns, explains that the product is not available, and apologetically offers to help the customers find something else, the father and son soon disappear after "accidentally" overhearing my conversation.

Number of Sales Lost: 2.

Time of the Final Blow: Approximately 4 p.m.

The blue shirt passes me to ask everyone other than me if they need help so I get back on my phone, resume the role of crazy loud lady and recap these events for my mother, while helpfully adding, "No one here has helped me at all. I'm not buying anything today." In a matter of seconds, this blue shirt asks, "May I help you." "Not now, thank you."

Resolutions: To not buy anything from Best Buy unless it costs under $20.00.

Prior Resolutions: Never buy a warranty plan from Best Buy because the customer gets the same quality treatment with the privilege of waiting longer.