Don't fall for the employee discount. - Sales Consultant Best Buy Employee Review

2.0
28 May 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Work with cool electronics -Awesome vendor accommodations -Corporate systems are reliable

Cons

-Management is never on the same page as each other -Expected to contact customers in your area multiple times like you're a used car salesman -Workplace drama gets out of control, especially in a larger store with more employees -Employee discount is not what you think it is. IRS states that a discount larger than 20% granted by a corporation has to be reported as taxable income. Example: If you buy a set of speakers for 600 dollars with the employee discount, and list price is 1200 dollars, that is a 50 percent discount. So, the 600 dollars you saved at the time of sale, is later reported on your paycheck on the pay period you purchased the speakers as "Merchandise Rcvd". You are taxed for 600 dollars made. There have been employees in the store that have saved money for large purchases, made the purchase, and then the following check they receive is only 10 dollars, because most of their check has been taxed. Of course, they don't mention this to you at NEI (New Employee Induction) when they first hire you.

Explore other reviews about Best Buy

5.0
13 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A lot of PTO and good benefits

Cons

There is some micromanaging that takes place and might get hectic at times.

1.0
24 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They were super flexible with my school schedule, and I had a lot of great experiences with people and managers. Really broadened my speaking and sales skills, which has massively improved my ability in interviews and the like.

Cons

I had some really bad managers sometimes. If we close at 9 and we're supposed to be out at 9:30 why are we consistently leaving at 11/12? Why do we have people on staff that obviously make other staff uncomfortable? Why am I guilt tripped because I need to leave at the time it says in my schedule due to other engagements? And when I relent and stay an hour later, why am I guilt tripped again? Some customers treat you poorly, management might stand up for you, but they're just as likely to throw you under the bus. I was threatened with a "talking to" because I turned away a customer because they were incredibly rude to me. That is all on top of increasing demands to sell, and decreasing likelihood of actually making a sale. There will be months where no one will sell much of anything, and you'll be threatened with a firing. That's after you worked 40 hours that week and you're the only person in your section. I closed 3-4 sections, got no help, and was forced to stay late or I'd be fired. Look, I met a lot of great people, it was fun sometimes, but god I have 10 bad stories for every 1 good one.

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