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Best Buy thinks we’re idiots, charges $10 for Bluetooth headset pairing

Categories: Announcements,
By: , IntoMobile
Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 2:18 PM

Best buy offers Bluetooth pairing serviceTo be fair, Best Buy probably isn’t too far off base with this latest “technical” service. While most of our readers are savvy enough to pair a Bluetooth headset with their handset in their sleep – with one hand tied behind their back, and going uphill in the snow – the general public is likely clueless as to how their Bluetooth headset “talks” to their cellphone. As such, everyone’s favorite big-box retailer, Best Buy, is looking to cash-in on the ignorant masses by offering a new “Bluetooth Pairing” service.

For the incredible  price of $9.99, you too can forgo the hassles of pairing your own Bluetooth headset to your handset. Instruction booklets, be damned. Best Buy’s Geek Squad will take care of your California (and Washington) vehicle-code compliance.

The rest of us will be laughing all the way to the bank – where we’ll be depositing our $10 for safe keeping.

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

  • pete

    In Finland we have good saying that suits here “It is not stupid to ask for money, it is stupid to pay”

    Idiots should not keep their moneys. Way to go.

  • Will Park

    I like that saying. So true, so true.

  • Raidium

    Wow… if you think about it, it’s not a bad idea. I’ve had several customers come in with their bluetooth devices and wanted me to pair them. Ofcourse I was nice about it and did it for them with no complaint but I’m sure acouple of them would probably not think twice about throwing out $10 for it. Sure it’s a scam, but I’m sure there will be those who will consider it.

  • Curtis

    I see this on a daily and Best Buy actually charges 19.99 for this service. The worst part…people pay it.

  • Ajax

    Its all relative to the person. Performing a service such as this for $9.99 (what tech savvy people find easy to do) it scares the general public. Best Buy is a corporation, no one is forcing anyone to go to Best Buy and sync a bluetooth headset. This is a free market, if they dont like the price they can have a neighborhood kid down the street do it. Its not like the DMV where YOU MUST pay for something. You cannot blame bby for peoples ignorance, and they do have options if they dont want to pay the $9.99

  • Matt

    my Brother works for Best Buy and he never heard of such a thing at his store! it sound a bit of an exaggeration but then, who knows, there are a lot of ignorant consumers out there!

  • JSBC

    Actually … it’s $14.99. Or so it’s listed at my store. That particular store must have some store of deal going on, but at my Best Buy, it’s $14.99.

    And it’s a huuuuge seller. One woman nearly hyperventilated when she couldn’t do it on her own. If it was me, I wouldn’t think twice about denying it… But, for most consumers, they’re lost as soon as you explain the basics of Bluetooth, much pairing it.

  • Ally

    Bluetooth pairing at a price of $9.99 (which is now the current price, down from $14.99). Its a service provided to the customer as an option. If you really don’t know how to do something Best Buy can teach you how when it comes to almost anything electronic. They have the Geek squad who can even come to your house (for a price). Why get all out of shape over a $9.99 price tag to pair bluetooth and teach you how to do it yourself. Think of your parents, can they pair thier bluetooth headset? Do they even know what Bluetooth is?
    BBY is not a non profit organization, they are a business. Savy if you ask me!!