As a savvy consumer in the market for a new computer, you‘ve probably considered the pros and cons of different options: buying an off-the-shelf model, going with a custom build from an online retailer, or building it yourself. But there‘s another option you may not have considered: having Best Buy‘s Geek Squad service build a PC for you.
Over the past decade, the PC market has undergone a significant shift as more consumers opt for laptops and all-in-one designs over traditional tower desktops. In response, many retailers have reduced their selection of PC components and build-your-own options.
However, Best Buy has taken a different approach by doubling down on the custom PC market with their Geek Squad build service. Launched in 2018, this service aims to make it easy for anyone to get a custom-built PC without having to do the assembly themselves.
But is Geek Squad‘s PC building service a good option for discerning shoppers? In this article, we‘ll take a deep dive into the service, including its pricing, process, parts selection, build quality, and overall value proposition. We‘ll also compare it to other custom PC options and help you decide whether it‘s the right choice for your needs.
Best Buy‘s Position in the PC Market
To understand the context around Geek Squad‘s PC building service, it‘s helpful to look at Best Buy‘s overall position in the PC market. Best Buy is one of the largest electronics retailers in the US, with over 1,000 stores and $47 billion in annual revenue as of 2021 (Source).
While Best Buy sells a wide variety of electronics, computers and related products are one of their core categories. In fact, computing and mobile phones accounted for about 44% of Best Buy‘s sales in 2021 (Source).
Best Buy sells computers from all the major brands, including Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus. They also offer a range of computer services through their Geek Squad division, including repairs, tech support, home theater installation, and more.
However, with the rise of smartphones and tablets, the traditional PC market has been shrinking in recent years. Global PC shipments peaked in 2011 at 365 million units and have declined to 268 million units in 2020 (Source).
This trend has put pressure on retailers like Best Buy to find new ways to serve customers‘ computing needs and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. That‘s where the Geek Squad PC building service comes in.
By offering custom PC builds, Best Buy can cater to a segment of the market that‘s underserved by traditional pre-built options: power users, PC gamers, content creators, and other customers who want more performance and customization than off-the-shelf models can provide.
It also helps Best Buy capture a larger share of the customer‘s spending on a new PC. Instead of just selling the components and letting the customer assemble it themselves, Best Buy can charge for the build service and potentially upsell on warranties, software, and accessories.
Geek Squad‘s PC Building Service: An Overview
So how exactly does Geek Squad‘s PC building service work? Here are the key details:
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Pricing: Geek Squad charges a flat fee of $99.99 to assemble a custom PC, regardless of the components used or the complexity of the build. This is in addition to the cost of the components themselves, which can be purchased from Best Buy or brought in by the customer.
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Process: To get started, you can either visit a Best Buy store in person or start the process online. You‘ll work with a Geek Squad agent to select your components, either from Best Buy‘s inventory or your own parts. Once you‘ve finalized your build and paid for the service, Geek Squad will assemble and test the PC, usually within 3-5 business days. You can then pick up the completed PC at the store.
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Parts Selection: Best Buy offers a decent selection of PC components from major brands like Intel, AMD, Nvidia, Asus, MSI, Corsair, and more. They carry CPUs, motherboards, RAM, GPUs, storage drives, cases, power supplies, and all the other core components you need for a build. However, their selection is not as extensive as dedicated PC retailers like Newegg or Micro Center, especially for high-end or niche parts.
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Warranties: All Geek Squad PC builds come with a 1-year limited warranty that covers defects in workmanship or materials. This is in addition to any manufacturer warranties on the individual components. Best Buy also offers extended warranty options for an additional cost.
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Support: If you have any issues with your Geek Squad-built PC, you can bring it back to Best Buy for diagnosis and repair. Geek Squad agents are available in-store, online, and by phone to help troubleshoot problems and answer questions.
One of the main benefits of using Geek Squad for a PC build is convenience. By offloading the assembly process to Best Buy, you can save time and avoid the potential hassle and frustration of building it yourself.
You also get some peace of mind from the warranty and support services, knowing that you have somewhere to turn if something goes wrong with the build. And if you‘re not comfortable choosing your own parts, Geek Squad can provide guidance and recommendations based on your needs and budget.
However, there are also some downsides to consider. The $99.99 build fee is a significant added cost, especially on top of already high PC part prices. You may also be limited by Best Buy‘s parts selection, which could make it difficult to get exactly the components you want for an optimized build.
There‘s also the question of build quality and technician expertise. While Geek Squad agents are required to be A+ certified and follow standardized build procedures, the quality of the build will ultimately depend on the individual skills and attention to detail of the technician assigned to your project.
Geek Squad vs. Other Custom PC Builders
To get a sense of how Geek Squad stacks up to other custom PC building services, let‘s take a look at some key metrics. We‘ve compiled data from Geek Squad, iBuyPower, CyberPowerPC, and Origin PC, which are some of the most popular custom PC builders.
| Builder | Build Fee | Shipping Time | Parts Selection | Warranty | Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geek Squad | $99.99 | 3-5 days (pick up in store) | Moderate | 1 year | 4.1/5 (897 reviews) |
| iBuyPower | $99-$299 | 5-10 business days | Wide | 1-3 years | 3.5/5 (4,314 reviews) |
| CyberPowerPC | $75-$200 | 3-6 weeks | Wide | 1-3 years | 3.6/5 (6,452 reviews) |
| Origin PC | $69-$99 | 7-14 business days | Very wide | 1-3 years | 4.2/5 (1,214 reviews) |
(Sources: Geek Squad, iBuyPower, CyberPowerPC, Origin PC)
As you can see, Geek Squad‘s $99.99 flat build fee is on the lower end of the spectrum, with some builders charging up to $299 for complex builds. However, Geek Squad‘s parts selection is more limited than the other builders, who offer a wider range of brands and options, especially for high-end components.
In terms of shipping time, Geek Squad has an advantage since you can pick up your PC from a local store in as little as 3-5 days. The online builders all require shipping the PC to you, which can take anywhere from 5 business days to several weeks depending on the complexity of the build and current order volumes.
All of the builders offer at least a 1-year warranty on parts and labor, with options to extend the warranty up to 3 years for an additional cost. However, the specifics of what‘s covered and the claims process can vary.
Customer ratings suggest that Geek Squad and Origin PC have the highest levels of customer satisfaction, with average ratings above 4 out of 5 stars. However, iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC have significantly more reviews, so their lower ratings may be influenced by a larger sample size.
It‘s worth noting that these metrics don‘t tell the whole story and individual experiences can vary widely. It‘s always a good idea to read detailed reviews and do your own research before choosing a custom PC builder.
Is Geek Squad Right for You?
So with all of this information in mind, is Geek Squad‘s PC building service a good choice for your needs? Here are some factors to consider:
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Budget: If you‘re working with a tight budget, the $99.99 build fee may be hard to justify, especially if you‘re comfortable building the PC yourself. However, if you have some wiggle room in your budget and value the convenience and peace of mind of a professionally built PC, it could be worth the extra cost.
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Urgency: If you need a new PC as soon as possible, Geek Squad‘s quick turnaround time and in-store pickup could be a big advantage. On the other hand, if you have more time to wait, you may be able to get a better value or more customized build from an online builder.
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Customization: If you have very specific component requirements or want to use exotic parts like a custom liquid cooling loop, Geek Squad may not be able to accommodate your needs. Their parts selection is limited to what Best Buy carries in-store or online. If maximum customization is a priority, you may be better off building the PC yourself or using a more specialized builder.
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Comfort Level: If you‘re not comfortable selecting compatible components and assembling the PC yourself, Geek Squad‘s guidance and expertise could be a big help. They can recommend parts based on your needs and budget and handle the installation and configuration for you. However, if you enjoy the process of researching and building PCs, you may find Geek Squad‘s service unnecessary.
Ultimately, whether Geek Squad is the right choice for you depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. If you value convenience, speed, and professional support, and don‘t mind paying a bit extra for the build service, it could be a great option. On the other hand, if you‘re on a tight budget, have very specific build requirements, or enjoy the DIY aspect of PC building, you may be better off going a different route.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Geek Squad‘s PC building service offers a compelling option for customers who want the benefits of a custom PC without the hassle of building it themselves. By leveraging Best Buy‘s retail footprint and the expertise of Geek Squad technicians, the service makes it easy to get a professionally assembled PC with a solid warranty and support system.
However, it‘s not the right choice for everyone. The $99.99 build fee, limited parts selection, and potential for inconsistent build quality are all factors to consider. And for experienced PC builders or those with very specific needs, building it yourself or using a more specialized custom PC service may be a better option.
As with any major purchase, it‘s important to do your research, weigh your priorities, and compare your options before making a decision. But if you‘re looking for a hassle-free way to get a custom PC from a trusted retailer, Geek Squad‘s PC building service is definitely worth considering.
