Best Buy's $10 headset pairing service includes testing, finger pointing

See what it's come to Bluetooth SIG? Headset-to-cellphone pairing is so utterly baffling to average consumers that they are now handing over a Hamilton at Best Buys in California (in support of the new hands-free calling law) just to avoid the procedure. Eight years after the launch of the world's first Bluetooth headset from Ericsson, this is where we're at. Still, at $10, consider it a bargain -- that's half of what Best Buy will charge you for the already free-to-download (and free to ship on CD) Ubuntu OS.

[Thanks, Tarek]

[phantomo.lui @ Jul 14th 2008 5:24AM]

Remarkable isn't it? Just like the VCR, after so many years, many still can't pre-program the darn thing to record a TV... or set the clock right for that matter.

[shmengie @ Jul 14th 2008 10:16AM]

vcr? isn't that some sort of ancient entertainment time-shift device?

[hiko36 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:25AM]

Is that any better than what they charge to pop a CD into your disc drive and hit next?

[hiko36 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:25AM]

Well seeing as how one is dependent on the other, I could see how that's a problem...

[hiko36 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:26AM]

That was @ phantomo.lui

[Kris @ Jul 14th 2008 5:27AM]

As much as I hate Best Buy I don't see anything wrong with this. No matter how many times I show others how to do things like speed dial or Bluetooth pairing it can sitll be difficult for them.

I'm just thankful they're only charging $10 and not $25 or higher.

[deyanimay @ Jul 14th 2008 5:30AM]

All headsets come with easy to follow instructions, this is sad.

[Wwhat @ Jul 14th 2008 7:15AM]

I think they are doing it wrong, since this is obviously meant as a service for the clueless will they even be familiar with the word 'pairing' in this context? I fear not, they should make it 'We set up your headset so it connects to your phone $10' .
Also since the one doing it will have to explain some stuff and answer some questions to very clueless people it might be fair to give them $10.

[fh @ Jul 14th 2008 8:30AM]

In reality, it should be the state government that pays for this type of stuff, since it's the legistlation that is forcing people to use handsfree devices -- just like the federal government subsidizing converter boxes for the HD switchover.

Driving-while-on-the-phone fines begin at $20, so it's really just BestBuy taking advantage of the situation. "Pay us $10 instead of paying the police $20".

[bondsbw @ Jul 14th 2008 9:03AM]

Does the legislation require wireless?

[jorvay @ Jul 14th 2008 9:20AM]

@FH
The govt isn't forcing anyone to use these devices. They are simply banning a dangerous activity. If people are that desperate to be in constant contact, they can pay for it themselves.

[eric f. @ Jul 14th 2008 9:19AM]

Agreed. Even for some very intelligent people, reading and following instructions for any type of electronics causes their eyes to gloss over.

[Rand @ Jul 14th 2008 9:29AM]

@fh: Oh yeah that makes sense. Lets have the Federal Government subsidize stupid.

[Dr. Evil @ Jul 14th 2008 11:32AM]

Soooo I guess the govt should pay for our seatbelts, motorcycle helmets, driver education, shoes (they are required for driving) etc etc.

I find this development more sad than anything else. Either this is so simple that you should be able to figure it out or at least know someone who can help you for the 3 minutes it takes.

[fh @ Jul 14th 2008 12:05PM]

If talking on the phone while driving is dangerous (and I agree that it is), handsfree doesn't actually offer any more safety. Driving concentration is affected more by the mental distraction of holding a conversation, and not nearly as much by the physical act of holding an object (people drive around holding drinks or simply steer with one hand all the time). The number of cellphone-related accidents will still probably decrease, but it probably won't be because people are using more handsfree headsets -- instead, many people will now simply choose -not- to phone at all while driving as a response to the law.

The point wasn't that a state (not federal!) subsidy would be an appropriate measure, it was a rhetorical suggestion that the legislation was misplaced in to begin with. If people are having such a problem learning how to use handsfree, how are they any safer on the road? Thinking about whether or not your earpiece is connected, or if you pressed the correct button to make/answer a call, getting frustrated because you can't hear through the headset, etc -- that's still unsafe because your attention is taken off of the road.

So my problem is not that people are paying for setup that is otherwise included free "in the manual" (I don't have a problem with any other kinds of optional setup services), but that BestBuy is helping people continue the conversations that distract them from driving while they themselves make a little extra money on the side. Handsfree isn't going to make everyone a better driver, and you shouldn't be paying someone to make you feel that way.

[loosely_coupled @ Jul 14th 2008 9:16PM]

Yes, this is certainly no surprise. People ARE stupid, but that is not why this exists. You could teach a child to do bluetooth pairing.

This is an attitude problem, not a competency one.

Many people are very averse to technology for some reason. They would easily and readily accept learning some incredibly basic task for a job or a game if it didn't involved electronics, but as soon as you pull out a calculator/cellphone/computer/etc they absolutely REFUSE TO EVEN TRY.

[Peter @ Jul 15th 2008 1:09AM]

Y'know, Staples has been doing this for a while for only $5. Best Buy is trying to treat this as a genuine service as opposed to an "oh, well since you're buying a government-mandated headset we'll teach you how to use it for a little more" mantra.

[Gosroth Otafuku @ Jul 15th 2008 11:34PM]

RadioShack has and always will do pairing for free

[Ryback @ Jul 14th 2008 5:29AM]

That's cheap. I charge $190 :P

[David Hildreth @ Jul 14th 2008 5:33AM]

I would expect a decent sales rep to do this for free, isn't there a reason their sales staff supposedly knows more then the average consumer?

[Wmc90 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:48AM]

Exactly!

Even though I knew exactly how to pair my BT Car Stereo the installer was kind enough to do it for me... although I guess that kinda goes with the $90 installation fee :P

[v3xx @ Jul 14th 2008 8:08AM]

you paid someone 90 bucks to install a head unit?!?! and you laugh at people who cant connect a bluetooth headset. i love the double standards. next time crack open the manual it's worth it trust me, cause im sure you dont make 90 bucks in a half hour.

[andyg8180 @ Jul 14th 2008 9:24AM]

nothing in life is free... would you do work for someone just because you were nice? time is money, and believe it or not, lots and lots of people are not to tech savvy...

[dan2600 @ Jul 14th 2008 10:46AM]

how about next time you are at work, they cut 5-10 minutes of your pay every hour just because you are doing "easy" things that the average person doesn't know how to do.

watch the amount of money you lose add up

come back to me and see if you have the same opinion

stop reading engadget and stick to your crappy consumerist.com

[bagh33ra @ Jul 14th 2008 3:00PM]

Hey Hildreth,

I don't know what Best Buy you shop at, but when we went to get my gf a bluetooth, one of the sales reps told her not to buy the one she choose because he couldn't find the batteries for it anywhere. He assured her he looked all over and couldn't find AAAA batteries.

BTW. They were in the store, on the battery display, near the check outs. Stupid kid didn't even know they sold the very batteries he claimed didn't exist.

This is typical of my experience at BB stores. I go in there, get what I want, and only talk to the door greeters and the cashiers. The toolboxes that general work the sales floor couldn't match a pair of gloves, much less a pair of bluetooth devices. To call the knowledgeable is a joke.

[David Hildreth @ Jul 14th 2008 4:12PM]

@bagh33ra the key word in there was "supposedly"

[vdogg89 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:41PM]

@ Dan,

last i checked, best buy workers weren't on commission, so your theory is completely false

[Madison @ Jul 16th 2008 2:11AM]

I do stuff like this for no charge in most situations... Quite frankly I don't even think BBY should charge for a lot of the geek squad services they offer.

Most good retail employees will go out of their way to help customers get setup with their new stuff, but when you have a bunch of other people waiting on you to be helped, the extra fee helps encourage customers to figure if out for themselves. I mean it is kind of ridiculous that customers can't seem to read the 3 step quick start guide.

[Richard @ Jul 14th 2008 5:38AM]

Wally Worker "Do you Nokia headset take this Samsung mobile phone, to connect and cherish in times of low recharge"

[thejedipunk @ Jul 14th 2008 6:04AM]

Radio Shack provides this service for free.

[GETYOID @ Jul 14th 2008 11:00AM]

Not for long.......

[james @ Jul 14th 2008 6:14AM]

I bet they charge $50 to put an SD card in your camera.

[El Taco @ Jul 14th 2008 12:53PM]

well is also includes taking 3 free pictures with your camera.

[casey @ Jul 14th 2008 2:13PM]

At the Best Buys in the Houston area, they charge $15 for a complete camera or camcorder setup. They will insert any memory cards, shove on/in the battery, set the language and date and time, and give a quick run through of how to use the thing. They've also started a new training program for beginner and advanced point and shoot and beginner and advanced SLR photographers for only $30 for the first three I mentioned and $50 for the advanced SLR. I was looking into that as it's [at the least] half the price of what I'd pay else where. Apparently it's a test program and looking to go national. The training are a good deal, the camera setups are not, however.

[Andy @ Jul 14th 2008 6:29AM]

Apple does this right with the iPhone -

1) Dock iPhone + Headset in supplied cradle or with supplied cable
2) There is no step two
3) There is no step three either.

;)

[Kris @ Jul 14th 2008 6:55AM]

Great! So one headset from one manufacturer works perfectly with one phone from the same manufacturer. Brilliant!

[SimbaDogg @ Jul 14th 2008 7:13AM]

your comment is pathetic

[Rich @ Jul 14th 2008 9:13AM]

I think Andy's point is that there exists a simpler, more intuitive method of paring two devices. Perhaps it is this kind of approach that the Bluetooth Working Group could consider when moving Bluetooth technology forward?

[Dillon @ Jul 14th 2008 9:51AM]

You're wrong, Step 2 is ???, and Step 3 is the result - profit.

[SimbaDogg @ Jul 14th 2008 6:43AM]

pathetic

[Tom Robertson @ Jul 14th 2008 6:54AM]

This is completely ridiculous, I'm shocked. It is indeed completely pathetic. AND they have the cheek to charge for Ubuntu as well. That's like a 100% profit margin, for something that shouldn't be 'sold' in the first place.

[Justin @ Jul 14th 2008 7:20AM]

Best Buy does not just download ubuntu and make a pretty package and sell it. We sell a product that is offered by our suppliers. We pay for it. And if you must know, our employee cost on it is $14. Which is 5% above what Best Buy pays for it. You guys are MORE then welcome to just go download it yourself. And you know, if any of the money actually gets back to the team developing ubuntu and other linux flavors then thats great. They should get some money to help fund their hard work.

[matt @ Jul 14th 2008 7:33AM]

What isn't stated in the Article is that the Ubuntu Boxed set includes 60 days of professional support. For £10 that is very well priced. Yet another piece of inaccurate and one sided journalism from engadget.

[Tom @ Jul 14th 2008 8:29AM]

@Justin
So, what you're telling us is that Best Buy also screws their employees over on a product that costs them all of $1.50. A pack of 200 discs of Ubuntu costs around $300. That's the highest profit margin since oversees child labor became hip.

[ragnarok @ Jul 14th 2008 9:56AM]

@Tom
No, Best Buy does not screw their employees. That is what Best Buy buys those discs for, or did you read that? Obviously not. Ubuntu may state that the discs only cost $1.50, but the 60 days of support costs more than that. If you're going to grief, read the whole thing.

[bolezhinkov @ Jul 14th 2008 11:50AM]

now why would best buy pay $14 for a $1.50 CD . . . lies?

[r3loaded @ Jul 14th 2008 6:57AM]

"A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to" - Banksy

[Dan Parmelee @ Jul 14th 2008 6:59AM]

WHAT? How dare companies try to make money.

Hey, some people don't know how to pair Bluetooth devices...so they'll show you. It's not like they're forcing anyone buying a BT-enabled device to pay this fee.

[OX4 @ Jul 14th 2008 7:14AM]

...'this is where we are'. Not 'this is where we're at.' Yeesh.

/grammar nazism

[Rob @ Jul 14th 2008 7:16AM]

I would not use, nor pay, for any of Best Buy's services. Paying $10 for something they should do for free is shameless. That's the problem with our retail system, they won't do a thing for you unless you're willing to open up your wallet. Where did customer service satisfaction go? Any retailer, through the respective phone company rep, that does it for free will earn plenty of of "cool points" right away. If you're crafty enough to bs customers into signing up for your phone service, then you should do the Bluetooth setup. The sad thing is that this is probably being pushed as hard as those "extended product warranty." As much as I hate shopping at Radio Shack, if they're do it for free, kudos to them.