Geek Squad called in to quell unrest in Zhongshan Park

A few weeks ago it came to our attention that what appeared to be a large price tag-shaped sign was affixed to the front of a building under construction across the street from Zhongshan Park. The sign was under wraps, but the shape alone was enough to conjure up images of Best Buy and many high school hours spent searching in vain for movies and music that they don't keep in stock. Now despite the fact that Zhongshan Park already has a Gome, Yolo, Suning, and a host of other crappy electronics stores, we couldn't help but get a little nostalgic for the good old days, when buying a print cartridge just meant you had to pick up the box and take it to the register. No red stamps, no getting an attendant to take it out from behind bullet-proof glass, and no waiting around for someone to go find the 'real' product after you've paid and shown your stamp to the requisite three to ten people.

At first we chalked it up to homesickness and decided the sign was probably for another store, hastily draped before Chun Jie, but no... it's the real deal. As early as last week signs promising the Best Buy's trademark Geek Squad were put up along the side of the building and it's a surprisingly multi-cultural Geek Squad no less. Customarily, the Geek Squad cruises in a black and white Volkswagon Bug (pictured above), but we have high hopes that in Shanghai they'll get a souped-up Santana or, even better, a scooter and a bow tie like those poor Pizza Hut delivery men.

This will be the second Best Buy to open in Shanghai (the other is in Xujiahui) and news of its arrival came shortly after it was announced that their Beijing offices will be closing and relocating to Shanghai. No news yet as to the opening date. Have you been to the other location and, if so, how does it stack up?