Category: Shopping
Sub Category: Electronics
Establishment/Business/Topic name: J&R Electronics
Address: 23 Park Row
It really boggles my mind how this store is still in operation. I could literally write an encyclopedia about the ills of this place, but before I do that, I need to address the insane security guards that stand by the entrances of all the stores. They treat all customers like they are in a Russian gulag prison. First they rudely stop you, then grab your bag, empty the contents of the said bag, stare at it for at least 10 seconds, then stare at the receipt for another few seconds as if they were in a daze, then they will stare at the product again. I'm convinced that these people can't read, and this is all an act to make them look like they are doing something. I bought some ink toner, and the guard stared at it for an eternity. He actually grabbed it from my shopping bag, looked at it, barked for the receipt, then put the toner back in the bag, then took it out again to "double check". Dude, it was just an ink toner, if you read the receipt, you would have seen that too. Furthermore, this moron of a guard was sitting maybe 2 feet away from the cashier, so he saw me purchase my item. What the hell was he doing? Oh, he was totally checking out my fiance the whole time. Pretty brazenly. She was very uncomfortable.
Now the staff, that takes the cake. I don't know what happened in life to make these people the most miserable sacks of humanity that I have ever seen, but they are. I've been to the J&R stores several times, because maybe I'm a masochist, but I thought perhaps I caught someone on a bad day, or whatever, but nope. It's always a bad day at J&R. For the most part, they won't help you. I went to the DVD store in their basement, and right off the bat I knew this place wasn't shit once I walked down the dirty, squeeky stairs and saw that the store had wood paneling. Wood fucking paneling in 2010!! Before I even walked in, some scruffy security guard asks me to check my bag. That's right, you can't shop without them taking your bag. So much for "security" eh. I wonder how the other stores survive by not treating their customers like convicted felons. Nevertheless, I wanted to buy some blu-ray discs, and I didn't see what I wanted. I asked one of the clerks, and he literally looked at me and walked away. Said nothing, just walked away. Surprised, I saw another guy stocking DVDs and asked him. He barely spoke English. I told him the titles of the movies I wanted, he just pointed at the blu-ray section. I told him I didn't see it there and maybe he could find it or tell me where it was. It was pretty clear he didn't understand me. I then went up to the cashier to see if there was a manager. She called up some guy that looked like a 400lb roadie for Motley Crue, circa 1984 - complete with ponytail. This guy was a complete asshole. He told me that whatever is back there is what they have & if I can't find it, then they don't have it, or it's sold out. The kicker? He said all this before I even told him what I was looking for? How does he know what I wanted was sold out already or they had no more? This guy just waddled away back into some tiny room and just left me there. So I decided it was time to leave. I had to hand over the security guard my number tag to get my bag back. The moron guard gave me a number that did not correspond to the slot he put my bag in, then he starts questioning me!! Telling me that the numbers aren't the same & are mismatched, like somehow that was my fault! He said he would let it slide because he remembered me coming in. Imagine that!!
The foolishness does not end there. I wanted to buy an iPod case. Most logical human beings would think iPod accesories would all be located in the iPod/Apple section of their store. Well, J&R is a store that defies all logic. I went there, and the case I saw on their site was not there. I asked the cashier, again here was a worker that barely spoke English. So she got a salesguy. The guy tells me with a straight face "Oh, you have to go to the videostore down the block to get these." I asked him why I would need to go to a videostore to get an iPod case when I'm in the iPod section. He looks at me like I said something outlandish. Long story short, I walk down the block to their other store & I see other iPod cases, but not the one I wanted. The salesguy there tells me to go to the Apple store because it is there. Can you believe that? He told me to go to the store that I just came from. I told him I was there already and they told me to come here. He in turn tells me that he can't help me and walks away.
I really wanted to spend my money. I'm not one to buy things online all the time. I like the convenience of going to a store and getting what I want then and there. Instant gratification. However, despite my willingness to buy products, J&R has refused me to do so. Rude staff, people that can't speak English, filthy, dirty stores. I will never shop with them ever again, and will tell everyone to avoid them at all costs. J&R Electronics has lost a customer in me for life.
By: Anonymous on 01-21-2010 Report this post as inappropriate
21 Comments
I thought it was just me! The staff just sits there and will not help you if you were on fire.
Went down there to get a microphone plug for my computer and was sent to three stores, ending right back where I started. I was so furious, I went to the manager. He checked his computer (which none of the staff did) and told me this was the correct store. He also didn't understand why no one checked.
Ordering for pick up is a joke as well. You might as well just shop in person than expect the product to be there waiting for you like Best Buy.
It's sad because this used to be my go to store and I've been going since 1989. Now I'm more than happy to order my electronics from Amazon (Prime is such a good investment (no plugging here, just stating my opinion haha))
By: Anonymous on 01-30-2010
How odd; I've had only positive experiences at J&R. Yes, it's insane, mostly because of the huge numer of tourists, but the salespeople I've dealt with have all been acceptably attentive and they are knowledgeable. I often order on-line to pick up and have always had my items waiting for me when I arrived. Also really easy returns. But I do love Amazon Prime too!
By: babs on 02-27-2010
I had a bad experience here too. They have good stuff, but the service is sub-par IMO
By: kels21 on 02-28-2010
I absolutelly HATE this store, and have had several bad experiences when it comes to warranty issues.
By: jmnyc5 on 03-01-2010
OMG -- its not just me. I thought i was special to get the FU*K YOU treatment. I got my laptop there paid about 2k for it only to have the guard at the door drop it when he was trying to check it out to make sure i payed for it. I now shop at BH Phone. they have better service and lower prices.
By: Anonymous on 03-15-2010
I tried shopping in the store for a cordless phone so i can see the product the sales lady barely had a clue what she is selling.
By: Anonymous on 03-16-2010
They ignore you while walking around UNLESS you have a backpack or something like it; the pounce on you like car salesmen the moment you pick up something that might be a purchase and then they banish you to the basement wasteland of Returns & Exchanges with lighting reminiscent of Joe vs. the Volcano. The employees down there are like the under-dwellers from Lord of the Rings. Daylight would probably kill them.
By: Anonymous on 03-16-2010
I haven't had a bad experience shopping there but then again I don't go that often either. The one thing I can agree with is how run down and filthy the stores are.
By: Anonymous on 03-16-2010
Oh finally, what I've been thinking all these years. Did you ever try to return something here? It's the bowels of hell. And they're not cheap to boot. Avoid like the plague.
By: Jacny321 on 03-16-2010
I went in there when they had a $15 off $150 purchase sale. I did not have the coupon because I don't have a printer and forgot the newspapaper. So I told a salesperson and he said "you have to have the coupon." So I went to find a manager, and he said go pay for your stuff and we will give you a $10 credit after. Now, I have been in the besement of hell to return stuff, and there wass no way I was going to go through this kind of crap. I went to B & H instead.
By: getgadgets on 03-16-2010
I agree, the sales staff is horrible. But, the amount of products they have is impressive. Your best bet in this store is to go there after you've done your research and are ready to buy a particular product.
By: Anonymous on 03-16-2010
I agree with the above post. J&R is ok if you know exactly what you want. Returns are very difficult, so hope you are satisfied and that you rproduct wroks.
By: Anonymous on 03-16-2010
I've never had a problem with J&R and I've been shopping there for over 20 yrs...The staff there is more helpful than Best Buy if u ask me...
By: mizzpostal61 on 03-17-2010
I've never had a problem with J&R and I've been shopping there for over 20 yrs...The staff there is more helpful than Best Buy if u ask me...
By: mizzpostal61 on 03-17-2010
best thing to do is go there, check out products in person, then buy online or another store (mom and pop stores are better imo IF you get the right one). i shop at tigerdirect and newegg and amazon and sometimes ebay (good for local pickups). i have had many negative experiences there such as the sales lady signing my name on a $20 item when i never purchased it (i won the case when mastercard questioned my signature), as well as them being rude, and guess what? NO REFUNDS. STORE CREDIT ONLY. awful awful customer service. try the websites i recommended instead
By: scir on 03-17-2010
I agree....go there knowing what you want, go there to do research and take it home to go buy online on newegg or something BUT DO NOT rely on their sales staff to be friendly, spend time with you, or help you patiently find the products you want, etc. Good store, but don't rely on their impatient staff.
By: timjnyc on 03-17-2010
Agree, lousy service. I haven't gone back to that store since my last bad experience 20 years ago. I just asked a sales man where I can found ink cartridges. After giving me this stare as I was from Mars, he just bob his head to the general direction. As if he was too good to talk to me. I had to look for it myself anyway and the price was the same as other discounts.
They were good at one time when they was one little store on Park Row. Buy it from anywhere else, maybe Staples.
By: mad_Howie on 03-20-2010
Lousy service here...the workers have too much of an NYC, rude, abrasive attitude. Your job is to help customers and to smile...how hard is that!?
By: espl2 on 04-12-2010
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that both Babs and MizzPostal61 are female and the others commenters are not.
I have always received good service at J&R as well.
It would seem if you want good service at J&R, bring a woman. 
By: Anonymous on 06-09-2010
Couldn't agree more. J&R is awful. And I've been going to it since it was a tiny place in 1982. I live only blocks from it. It was the first and only place you could rent movie tapes from. Remember those things? They were used in VCR's? Anyway it is the only store in Ne York where I told a sales clerk to f**k off. He was very rude and actually got nice after I said this to him which pissed me off even more. The check out people NEVER say hello or goodbye or thank-you. I only go there when I need something fast. Having polite and friendly sales people is the easiest thing for a store to do. I always go to a place like BEST BUY for something sizable because of their staff and return policies. The computer sales people rarely look at you when they're talking to you they are always looking around you or through you or checking their watch for break time.
By: burntumber on 06-12-2010
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Informative review. Tks for the info! I'll try to shop for electronics elsewhere. Any suggestions?
By: JohnL on 01-25-2010