So I wanted to get a couple USB-to-Serial cables for doing some debugging today, and I thought I'd run down to my local Best Buy and grab them because they said that they had them online. Grab some lunch too, it'll be fun.

So after looking through the store in all the places that I'd expect, I asked someone. Then I followed him through all the places I just went to determine that they weren't there and looked in the computer to confirm that there were two in the store. After talking to a couple of other employees I was referred to the older employee who "knows everything." I explained the problem, we looked in one place, and when they weren't there I mentioned that they were in the computer and he turned to me:

"The computer is wrong, we do not have them."
"Shouldn't there be a..."
"Do you know Santa Monica between Bundy and Centinella?" he interjected. (local streets)
"Yes?"
"There is a building there with big green windows. The man in the bottom, he has everything. He will have what you need."

I thanked him and decided to get some lunch, not sure about whether I'd find the man in the building with green windows. After lunch, feeling curious, and having never been on a quest before, I decided to go.

So I got off the bus at Santa Monica and Bundy and started walking towards Centinella. I'm not sure at all what to expect; but sure enough about half way down I see a building with large green windows. No signs. I cross the street and walk towards it. As I get closer, looking in the windows there are displays with everything from beige PCs to rack mounted KVM switches -- but still no signs.

I walked in the door and the directory had all the suites listed, seemingly mostly filled by Doctor's offices. I found my way around to a door that looked to match where the displays on the front where. Inside was a single glass counter filled with various random computer things and with a man behind it. I explained what I needed, and he called to the back. Out came another gentleman with everything. I paid and the only name I know for the place is that on the receipt: "General Sales Equipment."

So my advice to you is: go to the man in the bottom of the building with green windows, he has what you need.


posted Mar 6, 2008 | permanent link