Best Buy to offer new in-store consultations

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Best Buy has been working to safely provide the technology essentials people need to work, learn and prepare food at home. Early on, it closed the inside of its stores to shoppers and moved to a curbside pickup model for customer and employee safety. This works well when purchasing many items. But some purchases, like large appliances or networking equipment, are often made easier with in-person store visit and a conversation with an expert to answer detailed questions.

That is why Best Buy has created stringent protocols for the new in-store service. Safety measures include:

Mandatory protective gear for all employees, including gloves and masks, which will be provided by Best Buy.

Mandatory self-health checks by employees before each shift using a new employee app developed by Best Buy.

Social distancing guidelines, outlined by signage and enforced by employees, to ensure appropriate distance between employees and customers.

Sanitisation of areas and surfaces in the store before and after each appointment.

The process for an in-store consultation is meant to be easy to follow and safe for customers and employees. Here’s how it works.

Create an appointment: Customers can schedule appointments by phone, online, through the Best Buy app or via live chat.

Confirmation and pre-call: Customers will get confirmation of their visit, along with reminders via text and email. An employee will call the customer before their visit to go over the process, explain safety measures and get more information about their shopping needs.

Entering the store: When it’s time for the appointment to start, the customer will be notified to go to the store entrance and check in. A host will go over the consultation and safety process and introduce the customer to their Blue Shirt or Agent. Hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes for shopping carts will be available, and employees will wear face coverings and gloves.

Shopping: The customer and Blue Shirt or Agent will shop together, following social distancing and safety guidelines. Signs and floor stickers will provide navigation and guidance on safety. For product demos, the employee will wipe the product, let the customer handle it and then wipe it down when the customer is done. Employees will clean surfaces as needed throughout the appointment.

Completing the Sale: When a customer decides to buy an item, they will be taken to the front registers, where distancing guidelines will be followed and there will be sneeze guards. If using a credit card, the machine and screen will be wiped before and after each use.

Leaving the store: When the purchase is finished, an employee will escort the customer out of the store.

Meanwhile, customers can still order products on Best Buy’s website through its app or over the phone, and have it delivered to their home or brought out to their vehicle through the contactless curbside service.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (PC)