Best Buy Firing Employee Because He Makes A Funny Video That Doesn't Even Mention Best Buy

from the no-sense-of-humor dept

Fri, Jul 2nd 2010 10:56am — Mike Masnick

There's an amusing text-to-speech animated video making the rounds (I've been sent it half a dozen times already) mocking iPhone-obsessed buyers going into stores and not caring that phones like the HTC Evo might have better specs, because they just "want an iPhone." It's amusing (though, probably not safe for work from an audio standpoint -- so wear headphones, or work with cool people):

Well over a million people have seen it. It's definitely gone viral. But that, of course, doesn't make it a story worth mentioning here.

What does is Best Buy's incredible stupidity about the video. Wait, you might ask, what does the video have to do with Best Buy? In the video the store is called "Phone Mart," and there's no mention of Best Buy at all. There's absolutely nothing about the video that would have you thinking about Best Buy. Until now.

Andrew F points us to the news that the creator of the video actually works at Best Buy -- even though pretty much everyone who watched the video had no idea. And now, Best Buy upper management was so afraid that Apple/AT&T might get upset at the idea that Best Buy was mocking the iPhone that it suspended the guy who made it and are in the process of firing him. Yes, despite the fact that no one was associating this video with Best Buy, Best Buy decided to do the one and only thing that would suddenly associate this video with Best Buy in a way that is not, at all, flattering to Best Buy. If it was afraid of how this video would look for Best Buy, it probably should have considered how much worse firing the guy who made it looks.

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Filed Under: firing, htc evo, iphone, video, viral video
Companies: best buy

163 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:04am

First Admendment Issue?
It would be nice to see BB lose a few hundred million.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- senshikaze (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:30am
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  hahahaha.
  
  oh man. are you assuming that regular people are going to stop spending money there because they treated one employee badly? they treat every customer that walks through their doors badly, daily, and that hasn't hurt their bottom line at all.
  
  people suck.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Concierge19146 (profile), 3 Jul 2010 @ 10:05pm
    
    What Service
    I agree with Senshikaze about BB treating every customer poorly. If I want customer service I shop at a local (non-chain) retailer and have also found that some Staples stores have good service.
    
    Anywho, getting back to BB - I generally use the place as a showroom - go and look - buy elsewhere - generally through Amazon. I bring a tech friend if I actually need to buy anything there because getting assistance is darn near impossible.
    
    I really cannot fathom why they felt the need to draw the line between the Apple and the Orangutan (or your choice of two completely unrelated items) as absolutely no one would have cared that the guy worked for Best Buy versus anywhere else.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:33pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  Um, no, the Bill of Rights imposes limitations on what the GOVERNMENT can and cannot do, not private institutions.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- James (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:41pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  bill of rights protects you from governement. Not private business. You have no free speech rights at work.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Joshua, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:44pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  What is it about the Internet that makes people not understand how the 1st Amendment works? The 1st Amendment says that the federal government shall not abridge freedom of speech. It has nothing whatsoever to do with a private company (Best Buy) firing an employee. Nothing at all.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:25pm
    
    Re: Re: First Admendment Issue?
    I think that whistle blower like laws, the ability to be protected even if you talk bad about something, should be in place. Otherwise no one will be allowed to have an opinion without having to worry about losing their jobs, or else they have to be anonymous or otherwise hide their opinion on certain matters. I do think that freedom of speech should be extended to some extent to partly include employers who fire employees for merely disagreeing with the employers outside of work. Of course, calling your boss a jerk to his face could permit your boss to fire you. I think it's a very fine line between political speech/general opinion and harassment of an individual or unduly offending an individual?
    
    I know whistle blower laws only apply to reporting things that are illegal but I don't think laws should be presumed to dictate ethics and protections should extend beyond just the law.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Kris, 6 Jul 2010 @ 2:02pm
    
    Re: Re: First Admendment Issue?
    Since the 1st amendment has been incorporated via the 14th, state, county, city govt's are affected as well as the federal. Freedom of speech has been raised to the moral high ground of a basic fundamental right. This means that NO ONE can deny it.
    
    I don't know about other videos he's made or not, but if this is the only one prior to firing, and the creation was done entirely on his own time and equipment, he has a case, and it's one BB can't win.
    
    If there are others that BB could legitly dismiss over? He can have fun slamming them in future videos. I look forward to them.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Burt Fisher, 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:06pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  How does this have anything to do with the First Amendment? I just re-read it and it doesn't mention talking avatars on YouTube.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Steve, 3 Jul 2010 @ 12:22pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  The first Amendment only applies against the government, not private entities.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike T, 3 Jul 2010 @ 3:31pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  Best Buy is a private company. First Amendment rights only protect citizens from government suppression of free speech.
  
  Or at least it used to.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Russell, 3 Jul 2010 @ 6:21pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  The first amendment only applies to laws, not how businesses operate. Just as you cannot go to work naked (for most jobs) and claim it is a first amendment issue. You cannot end every sentence at work with "am I right, fucktards?" and claim it is a first amendment issue. Best Buy will lose no money for this. This will never become a mainstream story.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 4 Jul 2010 @ 7:47pm
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  First amendment violations require a state action - i.e. the federal, state or local gov't telling you you can't do something. A private business is free to infringe on your first amendment rights all they want.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 7 Jul 2010 @ 7:59am
  
  Re: First Admendment Issue?
  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
  
  Are you saying Best Buy is now government? Sorry but many states are even "at will" employment" meaning they don't even need a reason to fire you.
  
  And before you reply with, "so it's ok for Best Buy to decide to fire him because he's black/a woman/muslim", creating a YouTube video is not a protected class.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stephen, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:04am

best commercial for an evo ever
I have no interest in buying an iPhone of any stripe, I don't really need one, but now I'm going to look into getting an EVO.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike Masnick (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:09am
  
  Re: best commercial for an evo ever
  I have no interest in buying an iPhone of any stripe, I don't really need one, but now I'm going to look into getting an EVO.
  
  It prints money.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - PhoneMart Customer, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:45am
    
    Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
    I don't care.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - interval (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:50am
      
      Re: Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
      Its builds you an island and then turns into a jet and flies you there.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - minijedimaster (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:15pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
        Unless it performs oral sex no device is worth getting in an uproar about.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Dark Helmet (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:26pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
        Did you know the new MegaMaid Mobile can both suck AND blow?
        
        DID YOU!!!????
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Greg G, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:54pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
        Just as long as MegaMaid doesn't go from suck to blow without warning, as the results could be catastrophic.... for MegaMaid
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        minijedimaster (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:56pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
        I knew the giant prototype did. I'm ecstatic that that feature made it to the mobile version.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Dark Helmet (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 1:00pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
        And it runs Crysis!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:26pm
    
    Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
    Money is worthless these days.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Bryan, 4 Jul 2010 @ 11:06am
    
    Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
    It grants 3 wishes, even if one of those wishes is for an iPhone
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Don't Care, 4 Jul 2010 @ 7:19pm
    
    Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
    I don't care.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - sirin, 4 Jul 2010 @ 8:51pm
    
    Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
    i don't care.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- canada420, 3 Jul 2010 @ 9:25am
  
  Re: best commercial for an evo ever
  Why just cos someone told you the EVO is better? Think for yourself, You might like the iPhone better. It's a comedy video.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- bill, 3 Jul 2010 @ 2:10pm
  
  Re: best commercial for an evo ever
  Rofl, the EVO is a hunk of shit and Sprints 4g network isnt even available on 99% of their towers. Last i checked PC world just trashed Sprint in a review of the 4 networks and rated ATT as the fastest in each market by a metric fuckton. Nice try tho.... Calling the sprint network a 4g network is kind of like calling your shitty 1995 v6 mustang a sports car......
  
  fail.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - roy tang, 3 Jul 2010 @ 2:31pm
    
    Re: Re: best commercial for an evo ever
    Lol, I work for att and your comments made me laugh. I get pretty tired of all the population falling for bullshit adds like verizons and sprints. both of their cdma networks are slower than molasses yet they lie constantly about their speeds. I have a sprint phone store acrossed the parking lot from me at work and have compared my iphone 3g to the EVO and it still smashes it when i log on to the net. I pissed off the employees pretty bad when i showed them how far off their advertising claims they are. They asked me to leave the store and 2 of their customers followed me back and ordered iphone 4s. Haha to sprints failboat of a network.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Matthew Stinar (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:11am

Reaction = Spotlight
I would have had no idea this guy worked for Best Buy nor would I have associated this video with Best Buy in any way had they not fired him. Had they simply left him alone, I would have had a good laugh and gone on my merry way without ever thinking once about Best Buy.

Best Buy, welcome to the Internet. It's the future, so get used to it.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:15am

Problem with this sentence
"so wear headphones, or work with cool people"

So the answer to watching a video is to quit your job? That's sum amazing analysis and recommendations, once again. Did Dennis help you come up with that?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:28am
  
  Re: Problem with this sentence
  Are you high?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - harbingerofdoom (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:34pm
    
    Re: Re: Problem with this sentence
    no. the most likely thing is that he is just stupid.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:46am
  
  Re: Problem with this sentence
  I did quit my job so that I could watch the video. It's totally worth it and worked out well for me.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike Masnick (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:29pm
  
  Re: Problem with this sentence
  So the answer to watching a video is to quit your job?
  
  Recheck your humor sensors. It was a joke.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 10:09am
    
    Re: Re: Problem with this sentence
    "Recheck your humor sensors. It was a joke."
    
    Well. Thank god because I thought you had an MBA in labor relations. Tell me, do you ever find it difficult to transition between blogging and being an insult comedian? You should be honest and tell us that Dennis wrote that joke. So Har-har. Who wants to argue?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Nathan, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:07pm
  
  Re: Problem with this sentence
  Hopefully your co-workers have headphones.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- btr1701 (profile), 3 Jul 2010 @ 9:03am
  
  Re: Problem with this sentence
  > So the answer to watching a video is to quit your job? That's sum
  > amazing analysis and recommendations
  
  I don't think I've ever seen such a tragic case of humor-impairment as you.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- You are dumb, 3 Jul 2010 @ 11:52am
  
  Re: Problem with this sentence
  That's odd, does it say to quit your job?
  
  no it says "though, probably not safe for work from an audio standpoint -- so wear headphones, or work with cool people"
  
  meaning don't watch the thing at work unless you work in a place that doesn't mind this kind of language. Don't just pick out one part of a statement. You will end up looking like a tool.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
TtfnJohn (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:21am

Queue Striesand Effect
Even if I can't spell it right!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- A Dan (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:26am
  
  Re: Queue Striesand Effect
  You're right, it's "Cue Streisand Effect".
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:22am

Uh...
Is that....pedobear?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Esahc (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 7:59pm
  
  Re: Uh...
  Yes, you can see the souls of his victims in his cute button eyes.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:32am

"would suddenly associated"

pick a tense any tense.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Esahc (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 8:01pm
  
  Re:
  Poki-tense I choose you!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ima Fish (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:36am

Could have been worse. If the guy had worked for Apple he would have been forced to commit suicide.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Almost Anonymous (profile), 6 Jul 2010 @ 9:59am
  
  Re:
  Too soon, man, too soon.
  
  (But made me chuckle!)
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bill Gates, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:36am

BBY fired him?
In a situation like this, I always ask myself, "WWJD" ... What would (Steve) Jobs Do?"
I think that Best Buy should have sent the police to break into the employees house and confiscate his computer. Then make his life a living hell and make him want to quit.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- interval (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:54am
  
  Re: BBY fired him?
  I wrote him a note on his yt chan telling him he's better off; he can probably find a better position in animation production, even a Web 2.0 position would be better than anything we could get out of Best Buy.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:36am

https://www.techdirt.com/signin.php?nexturl=%2Farticles%2F20100702%2F03200710058.shtml

'Farticl es' is hilarious to have in your URL and will now be used to describe the residue of sharts/foops.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Hephaestus (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:01pm
  
  Re:
  Just so you know %2F hex translates to /
  
  But it is funny on a 3rd grade level
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- ChevyMonster, 3 Jul 2010 @ 8:46am
  
  Re:
  LOL, farticles ... sharts / foops, ha ha ha ...
  Great, now I have to change my pants!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Thanatossassin, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:41am

and now a word from our *cough*
Best Buy, take heed... you see, a techdirt writer just criticized best buy's practices on this website, which happens to be sponsored by best buy mobile. You can occasionally see your ads in the upper right hand corner. You see, they're not shittin bricks!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- polychoron, 3 Jul 2010 @ 6:55pm
  
  Re: and now a word from our *cough*
  um, you still have ads in your browser? get a plugin, guy.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
John Doe, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:45am

Hilarious
That is the most funny video I have seen in a long time. I saw it a couple days ago for the first time and had to watch it a couple times over it was so funny. Too bad Best Buy has no sense of humor. This sets a really bad precedent where nobody is allowed to have a voice unless they company they work for gives it to them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dylan McCall (Home), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:47am

Stupid xtra normal…
Maybe they're firing him for making another video with fucking xtra normal?

I would like that.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:51am

Keeping Apple Happy is hard work. But here's why it's needed.
We all know that the real reason why Best Buy needs to maintain the Apple Account is because Microsoft is paying Best Buy for sales metrics and knowledge gathering on the backend.

If Best Buy looses the Apple account, then Microsoft won't know what's wrong with its products. So the whole cycle of life depends on making sure that wheel is greased, and making sure that Apple remains happy, which makes Steve Ballmer happy.

I verified this on Google. Look it up yourself. It's all true.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:53am

Keeping Apple Happy is hard work. But here's why it's needed.
We all know that the real reason why Best Buy needs to maintain the Apple Account is because Microsoft is paying Best Buy for Apple knowledge on the backend.

So here's how it works-- if Best Buy looses the Apple account, then Microsoft won't know what's wrong with its products. So the whole cycle of life depends on making sure that wheel is greased, and making sure that Apple remains happy, which makes Steve Ballmer happy.

I verified this on Google. Look it up yourself. It's all true.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:53am

Keeping Apple Happy is hard work. But here's why it's needed.
We all know that the real reason why Best Buy needs to maintain the Apple Account is because Microsoft is paying Best Buy for Apple knowledge on the backend.

So here's how it works-- if Best Buy looses the Apple account, then Microsoft won't know what's wrong with its products. So the whole cycle of life depends on making sure that wheel is greased, and making sure that Apple remains happy, which makes Steve Ballmer happy.

I verified this on Google. Look it up yourself. It's all true.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:54am

Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
We all know that the real reason why Best Buy needs to maintain the Apple Account is because Microsoft is paying Best Buy for Apple knowledge on the backend.

So here's how it works-- if Best Buy looses the Apple account, then Microsoft won't know what's wrong with its products. So the whole cycle of life depends on making sure that wheel is greased, and making sure that Apple remains happy, which makes Steve Ballmer happy.

I verified this on Google. Look it up yourself. It's all true.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:57am

Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
We all know that the real reason why Best Buy needs to maintain the Apple Account is because Microsoft is paying Best Buy for Apple knowledge on the backend.

So here's how it works-- if Best Buy looses the Apple account, then Microsoft won't know what's wrong with its products. So the whole cycle of life depends on making sure that wheel is greased, and making sure that Apple remains happy, which makes Microsoft happy.

I verified this on Google. Look it up yourself. It's all true.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:01pm

It's 3G, and has the Wi-Fis.

Hopefully this guy can find a job as a comedy writer.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:05pm

Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
We all know that the real reason why Best Buy needs to maintain the Apple Account is because Microsoft is paying Best Buy for Apple knowledge on the backend.

So here's how it works-- if Best Buy looses the Apple account, then Microsoft won't know what's wrong with its products. So the whole cycle of life depends on making sure that wheel remains greased, and making sure Apple remains happy. Because millions of loyal Microsoft users depend on Microsoft's ability to sloppily copy and screw up apple innovations.

I verified this on Google. Look it up yourself. It's all true. :-P
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Gwiz, 2 Jul 2010 @ 1:52pm
  
  Re: Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
  Dude stop hitting the submit button!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:06pm
    
    Re: Re: Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
    What?
    
    If it gets moderated, I thought the Staff Moderator would logically pick the last version of the comment.
    
    I see the Moderated comment problem as an opportunity-- an opportunity to edit and re-clarify the comment.
    
    Ain't my problem that your staff moderator is a moron.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Valkor, 2 Jul 2010 @ 3:56pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
      You seem to be confusing moderating with baby-sitting. You're expecting the mods to (a) read your mind and (b) wipe your butt for you. You make a mess and then expect someone else to clean it up for you.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:36pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
        You have to understand something. Your job is not to question what it is I should or should not say in any given situation. Your job, as I see it, is to keep handing me more comments. Don't you like your job? You can be honest with me.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 11:37am
  
  Re: Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
  How many times do you have to post your reply? 100? More?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 1:08pm
    
    Re: Re: Why Best Buy needs the Apple Account.
    I agree.
    
    One of the problems of having a website for a while is that you may be missing out on newest features of most modern hosting plans. Some hosting providers may arbitrarily put a limit on the size of your database or bandwidth which can affect the site. If you've ever run into this, you know it can be annoying. The good news is that it's totally 1990s, and things have changed since then. Get with the times, dude, and consider checking out MediaTemple.com! They offer unlimited MySQL database sizes included in most plans, and one of the most robust peering agreements available. So check them out! Use promo code mmasnick to get 10% off your first order. MediaTemple. Built To Scale.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:09pm

iphones suck
and so does BB. I won't own an iphone (cause I'm not apple fanboy). I don't shop at best buy, their service is bar none the worst. Leave the poor guy alone, bad enough he had to work for best buy.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
GeneralEmergency (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:16pm

I love writing indignant complaint letters.
Just sent to Best Buy....
===================================

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100702/0320071005 8.shtml

You people are total douche-bags for firing this guy -for making this FUNNY video ON HIS OWN TIME- and while I have heard SOOOOOOOOOO MANY reasons in the past to avoid being a customer of Best Buy, this really cements it.

Quickly, quietly go out of business and quit stinking up the place with your stupidity.

At a bare minimum, fire your entire management team and replace them with wind-up, drum beating, toy monkeys. The toy monkeys are most certainly cheaper and would make far better decisions.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
R. Miles (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:21pm

Ironic.
The guy, who works at BB, makes a video while off work but is suspended by someone at work, watching the video.

If I got caught watching videos at work, I'd be suspended too.

Missouri. Let's hope they have termination laws the kid can use to sue BB and retire early.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mike, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:26pm

Best Buy sucks
Idiocy like this is why Best Buy will put itself out of business. It's none of their business what this guy does (which is brilliant and completely based in truth, by the way) in his spare time, and he should sue the hell out of this cartoon company of cretins. Instead of worrying about crap like this, maybe they should work on their customer service in general, which is completely nonexistent ...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
getaclue (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:27pm

Not the full story
If you had fully covered this story, you would have mentioned that this kid also made two videos -- linked to these -- in which he mocked both Best Buy and its customers. Now, I'm all for mocking Best Buy, but who in this day and age is surprised when they get canned for publicly mocking their employer? Come on.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- chris (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 1:56pm
  
  Re: Not the full story
  you would have mentioned that this kid also made two videos -- linked to these -- in which he mocked both Best Buy and its customers.
  
  where are they? they're not on his youtube channel, all i see is his other video and the ravepocalypse trailer.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 8:42pm
    
    Re: Re: Not the full story
    He took the other ones down at the request of Best Buy but would not take this one down since it does not mention BBY.
    Good for him.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Rick Lee, 3 Jul 2010 @ 8:34pm
  
  Re: Not the full story
  I went and looked at the other videos and they didn't say anything about Best Buy either.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
trilobug, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:30pm

Ha, ha that was funny,

So who's gonna make the video about Best Buy firing this dude?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- interval (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:39pm
  
  Re:
  *raise hand*
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:39pm

Watch his other videos
To be fair his other videos do mention Best Buy by name and do make fun of Best Buy policies pretty ruthlessly. (Though they are shitty policies)
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- Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 5:52pm
  
  Re: Watch his other videos
  "To be fair his other videos do mention Best Buy by name and do make fun of Best Buy policies pretty ruthlessly. (Though they are shitty policies)"
  
  Link?
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Simple Mind (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 12:42pm

bad move BB
Watch for the next scathing video this guy does, the subject of which will be Best Buy itself!

Should have given him a raise instead BB.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 1:05pm

but the eyephonefor has more G-B's. That's awesome. I love NOT being an "isheep".
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shelly, 2 Jul 2010 @ 1:28pm

Best Buy is stupid
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out_of_the_blue, 2 Jul 2010 @ 1:38pm

Proving you don't need skill or acumen or common sense
to run a large business, all you need is Chinese-made goods to sell at huge markup.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:14pm

@54
you are what you eat
plop plop
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Fushta, 2 Jul 2010 @ 2:21pm

I will continue never shopping at BB again.
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Pat Spoon, 2 Jul 2010 @ 6:17pm

oh best buy
Best Buy is Clearly losing someone who has some talent and potential...

The guy is really funny, not only does he have the iphone vids, but he has a video called ravepocalypse that is absolutley hilarious! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLEee2MlJZM

Oh Best Buy, you don't know what you are doing
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Joe, 2 Jul 2010 @ 10:47pm

As a Best Buy employee...
I can certainly understand a lot of the shit that gets said about Best Buy on the internet these days, as an employee, but I have to say a couple things. Not ALL Best Buy's customer service is awful. I'd invite anyone to drop by my store sometime for their next TV (Millard NE), I can guarantee you no one in my TV department will disappoint. Secondly, Apple is ridiculous with their reseller agreements, Apple could have actually taken away their agreement with his location based on his video (that's partly Apple's insanity and Best Buy's desperate want of Apple revenue), and while I don't support the managements decision, I can understand it.
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shh, 2 Jul 2010 @ 10:54pm

workin' at best buy
I gotta say, as an employee @ Best Buy, after seeing this video, I was %100 assuming this was a Best Buy employee, or at least formerly was. I literally felt like I was selling an iPad while watching this.
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Encore, 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:07pm

Wow I have to tip my hat to you sir. This is probably one of the greatest videos, I have watched in the past few months. I feel the same way when I talk to people about iphone. That it is the best and you have to have it. HTC is the way to go
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MC (profile), 2 Jul 2010 @ 11:09pm

I'm a Best Buy Employee
According to our employment contract (yes, I was one of the fools that sat there and read it before signing), anything that we post on the internet, be it on company time or in private time, that is related to the Best Buy company or any products that it sells can and does result in instant termination. This even includes product reviews left on other websites. If traced back to the employee they are fired. I've seen this happen before at another store I worked at around 2 years ago.
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- RD, 3 Jul 2010 @ 2:32pm
  
  Re: I'm a Best Buy Employee
  "According to our employment contract (yes, I was one of the fools that sat there and read it before signing), anything that we post on the internet, be it on company time or in private time, that is related to the Best Buy company or any products that it sells can and does result in instant termination. This even includes product reviews left on other websites. If traced back to the employee they are fired. I've seen this happen before at another store I worked at around 2 years ago."
  
  Great! Now we have first-hand proof that such a mechanism exists within Best Buy. Doesnt mean JACK SHIT for this guy tho, because NOTHING in this video is about BB, doesnt mention BB, says nothing about BB. The video is about the iPhone, period. Just because BB happens to sell them, along with over ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND OTHER PRODUCTS, doesnt mean they get to fire someone for complaining about it. So, what, as a BB employee you cant COMMENT on ANY product? Really? Sorry, employment contracts cannot extend that far.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 2:49pm
    
    Re: Re: I'm a Best Buy Employee
    Hey, just a FYI, Best Buy reps are not under commission. So why would a rep go to such lengths to make this video?
    
    Here's a theroy. Best Buy might have a long standing agreement with Sprint to incent Sprint Sales, and allows employees accept gifts and payments from outside vendors in the form of Spiffs. Many national companies, including WalMart, don't allow it's employees to accept gifts or payments from external vendors because of ethics reasons, but not BestBuy when I worked there a while back.
    
    So for the past 15 or so years, Sprint has been very liberal with giving gifts, cash, even vacations to BestBuy employees and even key managers whose responsibilities are outside of the wireless department. These deals were worthwhile too- For example, as a salesperson, if you sell 10 phones, you may get $200 cash. When I worked at BestBuy some years ago, I always recommended Sprint because the free trash and trinkets amounted to an extra $7,000 a year in extra compensation. Perhaps Sprint has trained Best Buy's employees so well over the years, that building rapport is a lost skill.
    
    If Sprint's still doing this quid-pro-quo, I bet the video was based on some "overcoming objections" sheet from Sprint or BestBuy, and also frustration around a big carrot in front of sales reps to close Evo deals. But they're not under commission.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 2:50pm
    
    Re: Re: I'm a Best Buy Employee
    Hey, just a FYI, Best Buy reps are not under commission. So why would a rep go to such lengths to make this video?
    
    Here's a theroy. Best Buy might have a long standing agreement with Sprint to incent Sprint Sales, and allows employees accept gifts and payments from outside vendors in the form of Spiffs. Many national companies, including WalMart, don't allow it's employees to accept gifts or payments from external vendors because of ethics reasons, but not BestBuy when I worked there a while back.
    
    So for the past 15 or so years, Sprint has been very liberal with giving gifts, cash, even vacations to BestBuy employees and even key managers whose responsibilities are outside of the wireless department. These deals were worthwhile too- For example, as a salesperson, if you sell 10 phones, you may get $200 in EXTRA cash above what Bestbuy pays. When I worked at BestBuy some years ago, I always recommended Sprint because the free stuff amounted to an extra $7,000 a year in extra compensation. Perhaps Sprint has trained Best Buy's employees so well over the years, that building rapport is a lost skill.
    
    If Sprint's still doing this quid-pro-quo, I bet the video was based on some "overcoming objections" sheet from Sprint or BestBuy, and also frustration around a big carrot in front of sales reps to close Evo deals. But remember, it's not called "commissioned sales".
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uhuiio, 3 Jul 2010 @ 2:39am

XTRA NORMAL FUCKING SUCK DICK AND BALLS
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cyraen (profile), 3 Jul 2010 @ 4:44am

Best Buy
There is a bigger injustice than this guy getting fired for this clever video gone. When I first accessed the link, it was surrounded by advertising for Best Buy Mobile.

So thanks to his viral video that got him fired, millions of people are seeing Best Buy mobile ads...

Personally, he deserves an advertising bonus. Maybe Sprint or HTC will provide him with one.
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- Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 6:25am
  
  Re: Best Buy
  I wonder if he is going to get ad payments for this. Best buy may be paying him more.
  
  I hope that Bet Buy gets that it is a bad idea to do stuff like this.
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mickey donald, 3 Jul 2010 @ 6:20am

Two humans might look alike, above or under the skin, but their true construction could be the difference between night and day. One could be the living whilst the other, the living but dead. One has a heart which expresses love whilst the other's heart is for expressing "heart attacks" - firstly to themselves and thence others [and never vice-versa for charity or malice begins at home].

Pure Love was the first desire and it shall be the last. The heartless, be they peddlars of gadgetry or venom, can go their separate ways, and long may they reign there for those lacking true construction has yet to realised that wealth means auspiciousness and not some emotional, material nor intellectual accumulations. When you have a power but lacking its truth, you won't be able to handle the power and vice-versa.
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beaver, 3 Jul 2010 @ 7:39am

i would sue best buy for their stupidity. they have undergone so many lawsuits already. many class actions for employees before already. trust me, i know.
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Some Guy, 3 Jul 2010 @ 7:49am

Labor laws
It's illegal for a company to fire someone for something they did outside of work, as long as that something was legal.

At least that's the law in my state. Best Buy will likely cite poor performance or some other equally BS reason for letting him go. That is the typical MO in "right to work" states.
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- btr1701 (profile), 3 Jul 2010 @ 9:09am
  
  Re: Labor laws
  > It's illegal for a company to fire someone for something they did
  > outside of work, as long as that something was legal.
  
  > At least that's the law in my state.
  
  Really? What state is that and what's the citation to the statute? 'Cause I've been an attorney for 20 years and I've never heard of such a thing.
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- Almost Anonymous (profile), 6 Jul 2010 @ 10:06am
  
  Re: Labor laws
  Yeah, I agree with btr1701 above, I've never heard of such a law, would like to see a citation. Possibly *should* be a law, but sounds more like an urban myth.
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Alex S, 3 Jul 2010 @ 9:16am

Boycott Best Buy
I say we should all boycott best buy until this guy gets his job back!!!
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blarg, 3 Jul 2010 @ 11:01am

I remember having customers like this where I work. Let's just say after they left, I wanted to smash my nuts with a hammer.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 11:47am

Do Bestbuy Employees want more undocumented gift giving?
One of the problems as I see it, is Sprint's long-ongoing undocumented quid-quo-pro program with Bestbuy. They have a policy that allows employees accept gifts and payments from vendors.

Many national companies, including WalMart, don't allow it's employees to accept gifts or payments from vendors because of ethics reasons.

So for the past 15 or so years, Sprint has been very liberal with giving gifts, cash, AMEX checks, vacations to BestBuy employees and managers outside of the wireless area for sales and favors. These deals were worthwhile too- For example, if you sell 10 phones, get $200. Because of this, when I worked at BestBuy some years ago, I always recommended Sprint first. Over a year, it amounted to an extra $7,000 a year in undocumented compensation.

Perhaps Sprint has trained Best Buy's employees so well over the years, that the habit of trying to re-qualify customers to Sprint is hard to break.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 11:49am

Do Bestbuy Employees want more undocumented gift giving?
One of the problems as I see it, is Sprint's long-ongoing undocumented quid-quo-pro program with Bestbuy, which I think is still in place. It's a policy that allows employees accept gifts and payments from outside vendors.

Many national companies, including WalMart, don't allow it's employees to accept gifts or payments from vendors because of ethics reasons.

So for the past 15 or so years, Sprint has been very liberal with giving gifts, cash, AMEX checks, vacations to BestBuy employees and managers outside of the wireless area for sales and favors. These deals were worthwhile too- For example, if you sell 10 phones, get $200. Because of this, when I worked at BestBuy some years ago, I always recommended Sprint first. Over a year, it amounted to an extra $7,000 a year in undocumented compensation.

Perhaps Sprint has trained Best Buy's employees so well over the years, that the habit of trying to re-qualify customers to customers sold on Apple is hard to break.
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Chuck, 3 Jul 2010 @ 12:46pm

Sucks but he took the risk.
Most companies have policies in place regarding how an employee behaves off the clock in relation to the employer and related products etc.

As for suing for wrongful termination, you need to find a protected class the Best Buy discriminated against and odds are that did not happen.

Oh, and the first amendment does not always protect you from the actions of your exercising the right of free speech.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 1:05pm

Do Bestbuy Employees want more undocumented gift giving?
One of the problems as I see it, is Sprint's long-ongoing undocumented quid-quo-pro program with Bestbuy, which I think is still in place. It's a policy that allows employees accept gifts and payments from outside vendors.

Many national companies, including WalMart, don't allow it's employees to accept gifts or payments from vendors because of ethics reasons.

So for the past 15 or so years, Sprint has been very liberal with giving gifts, cash, AMEX checks, vacations to BestBuy employees and managers outside of the wireless area for sales and favors. These deals were worthwhile too- For example, if you sell 10 phones, get $200. Because of this, when I worked at BestBuy some years ago, I always recommended Sprint first. Over a year, it amounted to an extra $7,000 a year in undocumented compensation.

Perhaps Sprint has trained Best Buy's employees so well over the years, that the habit of trying to re-qualify customers to customers sold on Apple is hard to break.
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Slick Rick, 3 Jul 2010 @ 3:02pm

HAHA. Haters gonna hate. iPhone forever FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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jke, 3 Jul 2010 @ 3:04pm

Best but
they mark their prices up 40 to 100% and higher I called a jihad on best buy the day the charged 40 bucks for a stick of ram that i found at a mom and pop shop for 20 bucks
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Tyler, 3 Jul 2010 @ 3:06pm

I emailed Best Buy
I decided to email Best Buy and tell them that I won't be buying my Evo HTC from them because of this story. Keep up the good journalism.
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Joshua Smith, 3 Jul 2010 @ 3:30pm

Hi, I work at Best Buy. Apple products are inferior to any other phone or mp3 product. Customers who purchase Apple products are blind dumb sheep and probably still wet their beds every night. My cat will soon be homeless too. Can you fire me Best Buy? Your stupidity is killing me.

PS: If corporations are seen as people now (for tax purproses and bailouts), I guess that would mean a lot of people (bestbuy) are really sucking on other peoples balls (apple). Or are just in a tight click and don't like their friends talked about behind their back.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2010 @ 5:14pm

I would make BB pay for it.
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photoinfluence, 3 Jul 2010 @ 6:15pm

Justifiable
Even though it does seem like BB is going a bit overboard- they aren't reacting to the Evo v Iphone videos.

What really got him in trouble were the other videos he put out just before. They made fun of Best Buy customers and other Best Buy employees.
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Mike, 3 Jul 2010 @ 9:02pm

Thanks Best Buy!
Thanks for making up my mind for me. Now I never have to wonder if I should even go into your stores to see if you have anything. Because of the way you treated this employee, I will never shop at Best Buy again.

Fuck you Best buy. Fuck you very much.
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Mike Pooposterous, 3 Jul 2010 @ 9:25pm

I don't shop at Futureshop/Best Buy
I don't shop at Futureshop/Best Buy and I never have.
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Koder Kev (profile), 3 Jul 2010 @ 10:59pm

Brian's a great salesman
I bought my iPhone 3GS from Brian last year. When AT&T was rude to me and Apple's online store told me I had to drive into downtown Kansas City to get my phone, I went to Best Buy as a last-ditch effort to buy the phone. Brian was great, courteous, efficient, and even up-sold me to buy a slipcover and some more earphones. I was so happy to leave with a working iPhone when the major players (Apple, ATT) were so screwed up.

In fact, I was happy enough that I wrote an email to the manager of that store, telling them what a great employee they had. And now this. Obviously corporate face-saving is more important than retaining a good employee that pleases customers.
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I USED TO WORK THERE!, 4 Jul 2010 @ 12:28am

Fired not surprised? Psh I got written up for wearing a Green Lantern pin and white shoe laces with my black shoes.
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Dink, 4 Jul 2010 @ 1:38am

Only idiots actually buy things from Best Buy. Smart people window shop there and buy what they want online.
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IQTech (profile), 4 Jul 2010 @ 3:02am

Tell Them
Great comments - but let's hit them where they live. Send an e-mail to Best Buy Customer Relations. Tell them that firing the man now created an association that didn't exist and that you don't support censorship.

NewsCenter@bestbuy.com
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Lee, 4 Jul 2010 @ 4:04am

Ahahahaha "Best" buy

One could understand (a little bit) if they had some exclusivity deal with Apple to sell only their phones, but they don't. So the dude was actually doing his boss a favour - you need steady sales of ALL in-store products, not to have surplus of one thing & out of stock of another. If anything, dude should get promoted as he clearly knows about sales. If you read posts above this apparently he has sold iphones with great customer satisfaction - he has just reminded people there are other great alternatives in-store too.

Looks like "Best" buy are content with being a budget low-end business & do not care for customer satisfaction themselves (unlike this employee, who they are sacking?). Stupid people.
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Anonymous Coward, 4 Jul 2010 @ 5:21am

BOYCOTT BB UNTIL THEY REINSTATE HIM! Stupid MFrs
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Den G, 4 Jul 2010 @ 7:42am

EVO Camera
If the Evo Camera is so F Ing Good, Why is the interview shot with a huge old Digital Camcorder?
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brian, 4 Jul 2010 @ 7:57am

freedom
its the 4th of july fuckers....give this guy the freedom of speech he desrves. the hell with best buy if they are going to be a bunch of corporate assholes.
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lizzie, 4 Jul 2010 @ 9:20am

iPhone
What a great video!
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Richard, 4 Jul 2010 @ 10:08am

wow best buy
best buy are gay
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Matt, 4 Jul 2010 @ 10:47am

Well,
I want to get rid of my iPhone now and get a Evo.

The service really does suck though. I can't even get service in my house sometimes. And the 3G is twice as bad.
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Anonymous Coward, 4 Jul 2010 @ 10:47am

FIRST!
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Tyler, 4 Jul 2010 @ 11:46am

Stupid
Best Buy likes to fire people for no apparent reason... Its Fun! jerks..
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Micah, 4 Jul 2010 @ 11:53am

They should stop the process of firing him now before the garner any more attention. It's sad how the minds of most management workers run
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Jeff, 4 Jul 2010 @ 4:09pm

Video
I think Obama made the video. He should be fired!
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TiagoTiago, 4 Jul 2010 @ 4:15pm

Streissand effect
By firing him over this they are bringing more attention to this video and negative attention to them than it would ever get if they just ignored it, haven't they heard of the Streisand effect? (if you haven't either look it up on Wikipedia)
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- TiagoTiago (profile), 4 Jul 2010 @ 4:38pm
  
  Re: Streissand effect
  hm, it said that if i register i would be able to have my account associated with the comment i had just made, not finding any obvious way of doing it :/
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damn near Tarnation, 4 Jul 2010 @ 5:31pm

I had sex in best buy once and they found out! Didn't get fired though ahahah wouldn't that be funny if that was true , I have a feeling it probably is true, firing people for the things they do in their personal life is disgusting you disgust me bst buy cretins this guy really knew what he ws talking about.Well nice knowin ya best buy. They took his jeeerrrrrrbbbbb rrrggghhhhrgrgrh
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Tom, 4 Jul 2010 @ 5:44pm

Going back to the legal side of things, I've got some questions.

It would become a first amendment issue if the fine gentleman being fired decided to sue BB in a federal court, that court then being obligated to uphold said amendment, surely?

Moreover, does US legislation allow for dismissal due to legal actions which take place on private time and do not directly involve, whether directly or by association your workplace etc?

I'm not having a go, so please don't think I'm calling anyone out (I'm not some internet-hero, fighting for lolz and justice from my chair), merely intrigued by the American legal system (British law student, would rather not work in the UK since it's a dump, doing the American Law conversion soon).
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Mike Honcho, 4 Jul 2010 @ 6:58pm

I spread ma butt-cheeks as Mike Honcho.
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brx007, 4 Jul 2010 @ 8:20pm

im thinking boycott
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someone, 4 Jul 2010 @ 8:59pm

I'm not shopping at best buy again, this video mentions nothing of best buy. They can shove their lack of freedom of expression up their asses.

He didin't breach any contract therefore firing him is illegal. Don't stand for this injustice.

poor guy.
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jerkface, 4 Jul 2010 @ 9:39pm

Boycott
Everyone who preordered the Droid X should go back and get a refund. That'll show 'em.
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darrenkopp (profile), 4 Jul 2010 @ 11:44pm

IlNew job
I'm sure that he can get a job for verizon marketing android, that was awesome!
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bbym employee, 4 Jul 2010 @ 11:57pm

so being a best buy mobile associate i would like to say FUCK THE IPHONE. not only are there so many fucking problems with it already but best buy mobile doesn't even get money for selling the goddamn phone itself. we only get money from the accessories and the data plan and our psp if we manage to talk those dipshit cock sucking moronic enthusiasts into buying the shit. "do you have any iphone 4s in? no, what about the iphone 4 white? its not out yet? but i thought it was. why dont you have it, can i see one. i heard walmart has them do you think they have them?" GODDAMN FUCKING FUCKS. if i had the know how and ability i would cripple your baby making abilities and that of your already existing children. steve jobs can suck my motherfucking cock.
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the future, 5 Jul 2010 @ 3:51am

I disagree
I DISAGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Shock Me, 5 Jul 2010 @ 4:19am

That's a shame he got fired ...
...Now he can't get me an iPhone 4. Can you get me an iPhone 4?

The EVO isn't actually cheaper but it does have some nice features. But if it really does grant three wishes I could have an iPhone 4 and flash on my iPad WiFi+4G.
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Cunty, 5 Jul 2010 @ 5:24am

Focking Bang on! ....the Bestbuy guy should have been promoted!! to CEO...!! ..fuck apple anyway...they're a bunch of focking wankers.....style over content bastards.
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finanie (profile), 5 Jul 2010 @ 3:49pm

This is one more reason to boycott BB.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2010 @ 12:22am

I heard a lot of good things about the new Best Buy CEO, but when he got mayors to plowed down a local car dealership to make way of his new office, it seemed weird.

They may have been better if they stayed on Flying Cloud Lane...
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2010 @ 12:28am

Is Best Buy expanding Emminate Domain?
I heard a lot of good things about the new Best Buy CEO, Brian whats-his-name. But when he got Minnesota mayors to plow down a local car dealership to make way for his new office, using Eminent Domain, it seemed weird.

They may have been better if they stayed on Flying Cloud Lane...

Because then they wouldn't see a claim on what their employees do.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2010 @ 1:32am

Re: Is Best Buy expanding Emminate Domain?
Please don't mind me if I call Brian Dunn out for being a little cocky, considering all the expert advice he's paid for. Indeed, most of BestBuy is based on "expert" outside advice which runs opposite of Mr. Schulz who ran the company.

Emminate Domain is a very serious concept. If it's something you want to run with and have in place the ability to fight, let's go. If think you can you claim what someone does outside of work as yours, then we have a supreme court case.

Play on.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2010 @ 2:23am

Brian Dunn and Best Buy are right
Brian Dunn should enable his legal team with the ability to Escalate the issue to Hennepin County. And please, please, request extradition of the offender.

I'm just trying to help people see your problem. They've done a lot of damage. They should definitely extradite your offender to Hennepin County Where my Uncle resides on the Courts.

What have you to loose? Do it, Brian, be an asshole.
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JAG (profile), 6 Jul 2010 @ 6:04am

Best Buy
I'm still shopping for a monitor for my laptop, and checked Best Buy's Sunday ads Monday (yesterday).
In my non-tech opinion, it is best that I avoid Best Buy for the non-tech reason that I believe upper management is over reacting to a harmless lampoon.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT have a doctorate, masters or bachelors in human resources.
☺ My MBA is Master of Benevolent Anarchy ☺
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2010 @ 4:23am

Who is that Customer?
Best Buy only became upset when they discovered that the Phone Mart customer in this video is actually a member of their Geek Squad.
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- Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2010 @ 7:35pm
  
  Re: Who is that Customer?
  Wrong.
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angela rios, 11 Jul 2010 @ 5:58pm

won't be shopping at best buy
What were the grounds for termination? I think that's pretty shitty of Best Buy...more like worst buy. BOYCOTT best buy!
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geekgurl (profile), 13 Jul 2010 @ 9:15pm

Got what he deserved,,,
As funny as the video is what we all need to remember is that he signed an agreement with Best Buy to not slander or post negative feedback against the vendors or thier products and he still did it now I dont know about you but if I did aomething I knew was against company policy at my work I wouldn't have a job he is lucky Best Buy was willing to give him his job back.. With the way the economy is he should be thankful he has a job..
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jesse, 15 Jul 2010 @ 7:27pm

iphone 4 v evo video
I love the internet age. No one does any of their own research. They just coyote and paste untrue information. This is not the video he got fired for from best buy. He got fired for a video that he was ranting about how stupid customers are. PLEASE....EVERYONE DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST. These posts are all about him getting fired over the funny video.......WRONG!
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Dick (profile), 15 Jul 2010 @ 8:03pm

First Amendment Issue?
The First Amendment provides you with the right to free speech (among others), but it does not protect you from the consequences of that speech. If you tell the boss that you think he's/she's pond scum, don't expect the First Amendment to save your butt from being escorted off the premises with instructions to not return.

Besides, the rights guaranteed by the Constitution are, by the terms of the Constitution, applicable to the federal government and many of them, by the terms of the 14th Amendment, are applicable to the states. None are applicable to a private employer unless they've been incorporated into specific legislation.
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- Chris in Utah (profile), 12 Jan 2011 @ 9:41pm
  
  Re: First Amendment Issue?
  welcome to Orwell. Thesis + Antithesis = Believing both are true.
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Richard M. Schulze, 16 Feb 2011 @ 6:27pm

Screw all you go shop at radio shack
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Joseph Becket, 5 Aug 2011 @ 12:13pm

Customer Service
That's crazy, thank you for posting the article! Best Buy is a great company, but like many nationwide businesses it can have some weak spots. I was surfing the internet and I found this site where people can vent about poor customer service or products they received... it can get really funny. I would recommend you to check it out here.
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Toby Jones, 15 Nov 2011 @ 6:37am

Best Buy Sucks
lol, Best Buy wouldnt know what "logic" was if it jumped up into its lap and called it Daddy.
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skunkskinner, 25 Oct 2013 @ 6:28pm

Best Buy idiots
I read your piece, if you want to do more than bitch about the BB think on this
http://bestbuyidiots.blogspot.com
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