14 Pros and Cons of Working for Best Buy

Best Buy Co. Inc. is an American consumer electronics retailer that is headquartered in Minnesota but operates on a global basis.

Best Buy was established during the 1960s by Richard Schulze and James Wheeler as the Sound of Music – an audio specialty store.

In the mid-1980s, Best Buy was rebranded, emphasizing consumer electronics that include these products along these categories –

Refrigerators/Washing Machines – sometimes known as Whiteware.

TV and Audio Equipment.
Camera and Video Equipment.
Laptops and Computers – PC and Apple.
Gaming Consoles.
Gaming Accessories.
Wearable Devices.

Best Buy had 1,159 physical locations across the globe, in 2021, with most of its locations and stores situated in North America and Mexico.

With more than 100,000 employees, Best Buy has garnered many awards and is among the largest U.S. retailers specializing in consumer electronics with a company ethos towards sustainability.

About 60% of those employed by Best Buy are full-time employees.

About 35% of Best Buy’s employees are part-timers, and 5% of the workforce is categorized as occasional or seasonal employees. [Best Buy Corporate 2021 Report p.24]

Table of Contents

Pros of Working at Best Buy
Cons of Working at Best Buy
14 Pros and Cons of Working for Best Buy – Summary Table
Should You Work for Best Buy?

Pros of Working at Best Buy

Best Buy, as an employer, prides itself on providing an exciting, engaging, rewarding retail work environment.

1. Best Buy Provides Great and Diverse Benefits to its Employees.

For a retail establishment, Best Buy offers tremendous health benefits.

The medical program offers specialized programs for drug coverage, hypertension, dental, vision, and diabetes, as well as virtual physical therapy.

Additionally, there is coverage offered for critical illnesses and accidents, plus free flu shot vouchers.

For those employees who qualify, there is paid time off and paid time off for maternity or bereavement.

Finally, Best Buy offers tuition assistance, a viable way to reduce post-secondary education out-of-pocket costs/expenses.

2. Most Positions at Best Buy are Entry-Level and Need No Prior Sales Experience to Be Eligible for Employment.

Best Buy offers a variety of entry-level positions across its various departments.

Where else can you help others while learning about and playing with the latest tech gizmos and gadgets?

At Best Buy, technological whizzes can share their knowledge in solving customer needs/problems.

3. Employee Discounts Offered By Best Buy are Comprehensive and Plentiful.

Best Buy offers a standard employee discount that is equal to 5% above the store’s cost to purchase; however, this benefit does not begin until an employee has worked for the company for a minimum of 30 days.

This is available at the store or online if the employee registers their account in their home store’s employee portal.

This offers a great benefit to employees – here is an example.

Note, however, that certain products may be ineligible for an employee discount.

If an item retails for $55 but the cost to purchase it at a wholesale level is $30, the employee would only pay $31.50, which is 5% above the store’s cost.

Essentially, the employee saves $23.5 on the item due to the available discount.

This equates to more than 42% off the retail price, and this savings is also available for pricier Best Buy merchandise.

4. Best Buy is a very LGBTQ+ Friendly Place to Work.

Best Buy offers an inclusive work environment and has been ranked by the Human Rights Campaign for the 16th year among the best places to work with regard to LGBTW equality.

The company seeks to provide a safe work environment where employees can be authentic and feel valued and belong.

And the company offers caregiver leave, surrogate benefits, and even adoption services.

5. Best Buy Makes the Application Process Easy & Direct.

Best Buy offers job candidates a simple and straightforward application process.

The process allows applicants to test their skills and product knowledge when completing the store’s online employment application.

Best Buy prefers to hire talented and enthusiastic employees who are adept at multi-tasking, including helping to solve and serve customers, as needed.

If you are a techie, just bone-up on Best Buy as a company, which is helpful during the hiring process as it shows your potential employer initiative.

6. Employees at Best Buy Can Enjoy Give Aways While Working with Cool New Technology

Another perk of working for Best Buy is that often, the store or one of the many manufacturers who work with Best Buy gives out free goodies to store employees.

And, if you are a technology lover, you can check out cool new items before anyone else.

Demonstrating equipment to customers is a great way to learn about a device’s features and benefits.

7. Best Buy Offers an Evolving Pay Structure, with an Average Hourly Wage of $14.85.

In addition to a competitive salary, Best Buy offers equal compensation to each employee in accordance with their responsibilities, experience, and tenure.

The company notes that at the end of the 2021 fiscal year, only .07% of Best Buy employees were paid minimum wage.

Hourly wages at Best Buy range from $11.38 to $22.38.

Cons of Working at Best Buy

1. It’s Retail, so Scheduling can be Inflexible – especially around the holidays.

As a Best Buy employee, especially if you are new to the company, you may need to work shifts that are not ideal for you.

And when holidays approach, it is all hands on deck in terms of preparing the store for the holiday rush.

The good news is that when it is busy at work, you can help a lot of people solve their electronic dilemmas, and the day goes by quickly.

2. Part-time Employees are Offered Minimal in Terms of Benefits.

If you plan on working part-time at Best Buy and are looking for specific benefits, research the job requirements for you to receive your desired benefits.

Seasonal and occasional employees have limited benefits.

Full-time employees receive the best benefits; however, certain part-time employees at Best Buy may meet eligibility requirements.

3. Depending on Location, the Leadership Tends to be Young and Often Disconnected To Corporate Management.

While this is primarily location-specific, the reality is floor managers tend to be young and not engaged or directly connected to the managerial team at Best Buy’s corporate headquarters.

The company recognizes some of these communication issues and is attempting to revise policies to address them.

4. Sales Positions May Have Sales Quotas To Meet.

While Best Buy sales associates do not work on commission, there are certain stores that set sales quotas for their sales staff.

The sales staff is also tracked internally based on several related metrics –

Sales per Hour

The number of Protection Plans Sold – although the company specifically notes that the metrics are used for coaching purposes and not a part of appraisal reviews.

5. Some Positions Require Employees to be at Least 18 Years of Age.

While technically, the minimum age to work at Best Buy is 16, it is noted that certain jobs and positions in the company require the worker/employee to be of age or at least 18 years old.

The nature of these jobs tends to require a more experienced person and includes both corporate positions as well as warehouse occupations.

6. Depending on Your Specific Responsibilities, the Job May Become Tedious Or Boring.

Many retail locations experience frenetic, rushed business periods, and Best Buy is no different – especially when there is a significant promotional event, or the holidays have arrived.

On the flip side, certain hours of the day are typically slow, which may become a bit boring for someone who prefers to stay active and engaged.

7. Most Sales Positions Require Periods Where You Need To Stand Sometime.

Standing on your feet all day as a Best Buy Sales Associate can be tiring and, for some, even painful.

So, if you love technology and want to work at Best Buy, buying proper-fitting, well-cushioned, supportive, and comfortable shoes are essential to alleviate the stress on your feet.

A variety of companies make shoes specifically designed for those who spend hours on their feet.

These include Nike, Soffes, Clarks, Eccos, Vionics, On-clouds, and Aerosoles, to name a few.