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]

[conscious Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:06PM]

Here's a drinking game: go to your local Best Buy and stand near where they are pairing devices. Every time you hear a 'That's it???' out of a person who just plunked down 10 bucks so a button could be held down, take a drink.

Take two drinks when the 'that's it' is filled with anger both at themselves and BB for such a cashgrab.

[Dimplemonkey Posted Jul 14th 2008 2:09PM]

Can't we just stick to the man and have a bunch of geeks show up for an hour and do it for free? I'm all for capitalism but sheesh this is ridiculous!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 2:55PM]

wtf??? are they serious?

[THJ Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:15PM]

And we wonder why there isn't a mass uprisisng when Apple leaves A2DP and Bluetooth PAN off the iPhone.

[emeka Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:46PM]

If you cannot pair a simple phone and do not have the sence to ask a friend or the next person on the street, you deserve to be charged $9.99 for it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2008 12:30AM]

i work at best buy mobile and i have numerous customers come in and cant pair their headsets. we charge 14.99 and i let the customer know that it is easy and they can do it themselves and if they can't then they can come in and ill help them. for people that can't why not charge a price? it is called making money. if you can set yours up then more power to you, come take a seat in my best buy and offer your free bluetooth pairing service and see how annoyed you get...

[bimmerboi223 Posted Jul 16th 2008 2:11AM]

"Rand @ Jul 14th 2008 9:29AM
@fh: Oh yeah that makes sense. Lets have the Federal Government subsidize stupid."

I believe they already do... It's called welfare!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2008 11:37AM]

I can't say that I blame Best Buy for capitalizing on consumers and their "don't know, don't want to know" attitude. Everybody in a forum like this can pair a headset, (well.....HOPEFULLY...judging by the fact that some people tried to make this into a political discussion) either because they learn things by doing them or by reading a simple manual. Many consumers refuse to learn, adapt, or read in order to use something. They want it to read their minds.

I pair headsets everyday for free.....and I have to admit I would LOVE to charge consumers a "convenience" [see: laziness] fee.

What I don't understand is why there is any opposition to best buy doing this. As long as there are stupid, lazy, or incompetent people around (and trust me, that isn't going away anytime soon), people with normal intelligence can charge people with subordinate intelligence a thing or two at a minimal charge.

The $10 is the price you pay for not knowing how or wanting to read.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 5th 2008 10:58PM]

i mean u are paying for the service of them pairing your device, but since Best Buy employees dont work on commission this shouldnt be a problem cause they make the same amount of money they would if they didnt help you. I see this as something that should happen at places where commission is made, since they are taking time away when extra money could be made...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2008 9:53AM]

This is funny to me. I think it is a service that I guess could be charged for, but people should be able to figure out a Bluetooth pairing. Oh well, kudos to best buy for making more money ...