Using Magnolia Home Theater/Geek Squad for a Home Theater Project?

I am considering using the Magnolia Home Theater/Geek Squad division of Best Buy to purchase and install a fairly complex home theater project and would like to know if anyone has had any experiences (good or bad) with these companies. Their prices appear to be a lot more reasonable than other high-end custom installation companies, but I want to make sure I am not going to end up with an inferior product.

Using Magnolia Home Theater/Geek Squad for a Home Theater Project?
I would suggest either installing it yourself, or finding a store that specializes in audio/video/home theater systems and having them install it. A lot of times their prices are a little higher, but they offer free installs, and you get experienced staff.


I had paid for an install service from Circuit City, and the kid who rang up my order showed up at my house to do the install. He had no idea what he was doing, and wasn't even prepared. I had to provide tools. I realize CC and BB are two different companies, but they are comparable, and one of the reasons they can offer lower costs is because they offer lower paid help. At the very least, ask how experienced your install techs are going to be.
Reply:DON'T....don't do it.


They are not that good and most of the time don't know what they are doing. If you are concerned about hidding wires and hanging a plasma then get a contractor that will properly fix the drywall afterwords. What they do anyone can do.
Reply:The Magnolia divisions on Best Buy are really about as good as you can get from a big box retailer. If you're purchasing your system from Best Buy's Magnolia division, they'll do fine at the installation. If you're setting up something they may not be familiar with, find an installer who would be familiar with it.
Reply:I have heard nothing but one disaster after another! When a situation is ideal their installers do just fine, but encounter a problem and because of the time constraints placed on them will take massive short cuts with disastrous results.





I suspect you are going to a salon style of home theater company and do not have expectations, budget, time frame in mind, as you should before ever embarking on this roller coaster. The high-end pros are just showing you everything they can do, now you need to set a budget to get there.





With BB all you are doing is replacing good quality equipment and installation with inferior quality of both for savings that you will spend tenfold over as the quality of both show thru. Do not settle, I would recommend that you ask for references, just so you know it is company policy to never allow a now customer to contact a past one, I wonder why? A reputable installer is willing to work with any body and budget. They will provide glowing references, and a spelled out contract with exactly what they are going to do and not do.





BB is a horrible company that takes away from the consumer every chance they get, they endorse out and out technical fraud of technology just to move a few more units. Case in point, just two weeks ago I was made inquiry of what a sales man said: " If your TV doesn't have HDMI it won't work past 2009"! What a load of bull.





The management team encourages this type of boiler room sales tactics, that frankly a commissioned sales person would shudder at (by the by a sales and GM have a bonus riding on product sales and accessories within the store hence the boiler room tactics)





A Best Buy Geek Squad employee never goes thru any comprehensive training (just a couple of open book tests in a few hours) none do. So the marketing ploy to elevate the same dummies to regal status I just don't buy.





I suggest that you contact the local Better Business Bureau for more details on exactly how many people have lodged a complaint. These numbers represent a unacceptable number for consumer status. The fact that this is not well known goes to the crack legal team and PR hounds.





Any way good luck and here is some reading material for your consideration.