Best Buy IdeaX

[#1]

A rewards program that is actually worth something.  The rewards expire in like 60 days.  I just had a $60 rewards certificate expire.  It's crazy.  Most rewards programs I have don't have an expiration period of less than a year.  It makes me not want the credit card and not want to shop at Best Buy.  Anything Ican get at Best Buy can be bought for the same price or cheaper on amazon.  So, it would be nice to at least have a rewards program that made me want to shop at Best Buy.  It actually is more frustrating than not having a rewards program at all.  Most things I purchase there are larger ticket items, so what is the point of getting a $10 rewards certificate that expires in 60 days?  Maybe that's part of why Amazon's stock was at $171 5 years ago and now is at $596 and Best Buy's went from $34 to $27 over the same period.

[#2]

Set up your account to not automatically issue rewards certificates.

Set up a reminder in a calendar such as Outlook or Google Calendar to automaticaly notify you of expiring coupons.

Yea but Amazons EPS is only .7 vs BBY is 2.66

[#3]

Thanks for your thoughts on our My Best Buy program. Would anyone else have any thoughts on this idea? I should point out that we do match lower prices found on Amazon. Make sure you vote for an idea if you like it.

[#4]

I believe you can use Best Buy Rewards Certificates to buy Amazon Kindle Gift Cards which can be used to buy anything on Amazon.com

[#5]

@richmoral, A My Best Buy member is not allowed to use their reward certificates to purchase any type of gift card including Best Buy gift cards.

[#6]

@richmoral Not since a little birdie(aka ME) told Best Buy corporate about that little loophole and they stopped allowing you to use gift cards to buy Amazon Kindle gift cards. Heck. I think Best Buy stopped carrying them altogether now, just like they fixed the penny guide loophole where people were buying pennied items for a penny that the chain normally got credit for from the publishers. ;-)

[#7]

As for me, I almost never shop at BB anymore since the only things I was buying were games and game consoles. As a still previous gen gamer their selection, in a word, sucks. So why should I buy there when there's nothing to buy for the system I currently own?
Either way, you should learn to keep an eye on your certificates and their expiration dates and use them before they do expire.
There WAS a loophole a while ago where you could buy something with those certificates close to the expiration date, then return those items AFTER the expiration date and they would give you that value back on a gift card or re-issue a different certificate with a new expiration date. Although I think they closed that loophole.

[#8]

It's funny, I posted a response that was summarily deleted because the moderators decided my language was inappropriate. I guess making comparisons between the great-and-powerful best buy's policies and certain bodily functions doesn't sit well with them.

I initially was irritated that I was forced to buy something I didn't need so I posted about it, but I guess any kinds of criticism isn't exactly welcome as they're probably good ideas.

Regardless, it's a garbage policy that forces the consumer to use points towards stuff they they don't really need. If this were really a good program that was worth investing in, then the "rewards" points would be exactly that: a reward. As this program stands, it's a pressure tactic to make you shop there for stuff you can probably get cheaper online. I (and I'm sure many others) have points accumulated at other retailers that <GASP>...DON'T EXPIRE. Imagine that...a company that actually wants your business by offering programs and incentives that not only make sense, but are also consumer friendly and are flexible around the needs of the customer, not around what corporate decides is appropriate for their own needs (their monthly bottom line). Yes, it's true that nobody's forcing anyone to use those rewards points, but wouldn't it be nice if they actually gave you something that could prove useful?

You know what would make sense? A rewards program that allows you to keep your points then use them however you please. You know, a program that gives you incentive to come back because they appreciate your business.

Best Buy is already playing catch up, it seems, and programs that are nothing more than pressure moves to force the consumer's hands do nothing to help but lose ground. For shame...Best Buy could actually be a competitor for people who aren't as trusting of online retailers, but knowing this they decide to take this road? Too bad.

[#9]

Name a number of companies that have reweards that do not expire.  And I mean rewards that are really worth something.  Not like Super America where you buy 100 gallons of gas and you get free soda.

Example:  Kohls has a pretty good rewards incentive.  However you cannot use for a day or so and they expire with in a couple of weeks.  But we read the rules, put on our big boy pants and worked with it.

Becuae an idividual does not have the incentive to read about the policies and they are not on the ball enought to monitor their own affairs is no reason to bad mouth a company.

[#10]

Well, a failure to manage funds and keep their accounts in good status notwithstanding:

American Express Membership Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Amazon Rewards

Capital One

(to name a few...most rewards come in the form of travel miles but there are a number that offer these rewards as gift cards)

Many of these are rewards that are redeemable as cash towards future purchases, can be exchanged out for gift cards, travel miles, etc.

Besides, the way I understand it, I thought this forum was for presenting ideas? I mentioned that the rules for the current program aren't very good and made a suggestion towards fixing it. My "bad-mouthing" of the company less about the company itself and more about the manner in which they decide to "create and implement a shopping incentive" program. Simply put: I think the rules need to be more flexible and user-friendly. This is, of course, my opinion.

[#11]

Wow bobberuchi....how much BB stock do you own? I mean, that reply of yours screams straight up company shill. I am loyal to companies that incentiivize me to shop with them. Kmart/Sears give me free points all the time with their Shop Your Way program. Albeit lately those are super restricted and have ridiculous requirements(save $5 off $100 or so). But in times past they've given me a flat $5-10 in freebie points and it got my butt out of my chair, into the store and I bought MORE than the total of the points(which was what they wanted. Best Buy, meanwhile, hasn't offered me even so much as a mystery reward certificate like they used to hand out like candy on Halloween in a good long while.