Best Buy IdeaX

[#1]

Being an Elite Plus member since it's implementation, I have enjoyed the benefits of early access Black Friday. However, the event itself has been a struggle at times with site freezing/crashing due to online congestion. I have missed out on some items over the years due to these problems. I was also disappointed that Elite and Plus members were allowed to invite 3 (Non Elite) people to participate in the early access event. I understand that this was meant as a perk but, it really diminished everything that Elite & Eite Plus members have done to reach this status. On top of that, it only added more congestion to the website on early access day.

I have a few suggestion:

1) Cancel the 3 invites to people that haven't earned Elite status.

2) Reward your Elite Plus members with an earlier access than Elite members. If even for a few hours, this would lower the congestion to the website during the regular event PLUS, show appreciation to your customers who reach the highest loyaly status.

3) Even though there are some GREAT deals during the early access BF event, there is always a shortage of new or big ticket items. I would love to see a couple deep discounted 4K TV's (65" or 55"), Curved TV, Apple (w/gift cards) e.t.c

[#2]

Thymer, you are so right and the "we get overwhelmed by demand" stuff they quote makes ZERO sense b/c of how long they`ve been doing it. It`s such an easy fix too plus doing it a different way would result into 3-4 BF shopping frenzy events. First, Eite Plus members should have their early access Friday 2 full weeks in advance & their Cyber Monday access 3 days later. So 11/14 & 11/16. Elite Members would get the following week 11/21 & 11/23 & the invites only on 11/24. Doing it this way you have a chance to get 2+ restocks AND more importantly get a huge edge on every other retailer. While they spout numbers for the "official" BF weekend you have technically 3 BF & Cyber Monday`s. Plus since there`s a 14 day wait for MBB pts those points will post just in time for the official BF weekend leading to even more sales. Get the customers spending their money at BB before the rest & then having the MBB pts consistantly tempt them to keep coming back every 14 days till the end of Jan.

[#3]

I'm in a minority here and it's probably just my location I live at. But I live 50 miles away from a Bestbuy, was bright and early for the early access Black Friday last year at my store and there was only two people there who was there for it besides myself at that time. it wasn't crowseded at all. I'm sure in more congested areas though it wouldn't be the same. 

I doubt #3 will happen, #2 would be nice, but again the way stores are manned for stuff like this I don't really see this happening either, #1 on the other hand I think is a great idea.

[#4]

I would imagine of the Elite Plus members would agree with this idea, and I would like to hear from them. Remember to vote for an idea if you like it.

[#5]

@AWBrown I'm speaking about the Early Access Black Friday that runs "online"... not in store. Every year,I am up at 2 am refreshing my browser. When the sale finally goes live, I'm filling my cart as fast as possible but before the checkout process is complete, the site starts to lag or freeze.

I think #3 would would definitely boost BB's sales. I am part of an audiophile/videophile community and the majority consensus is there is just not enough 4K content to justify the price of the TV's. However, offering a deep discounted 4K TV during the holiday season would get many to pull the trigger now rather than a year from now when more content is available and prices have dropped.

@Allan-BBY Yes, I hope Elite Plus members will agree and vote for this but it will also benefite Elite members by freeing up the website even more during their Early Access. If there is concern about items selling out before Elite member access, BB could always limit the inventory available during the Elite Plus access.

[#6]

Ah very true, very true indeed. I remember it was a nightmare online.

[#7]

I have been disgusted with the cyber early access to the point that it is just  a joke.

EVERY time I tried to use it the server was so bogged down with users that by the time it responded to a single click everything sold out.

I think what they need to do is make a unique Elite member site that logs you in with your account number and a password and you have to be  member to just view it.  And beef up the servers for these event.

[#8]

i definitely agree with this as an elite plus member, have earlier access to PLUS members and later for regular elite members to keep the congestion to a minimum.

[#9]

will there be an early access online event for black friday this year for the elite plus members?

[#10]

@iamtheking21; If I was to guess I would say yes, but that is just a guess. We would not be able to comment on possible future promotions. 

[#11]

Thanks for the post thymer.  Last year it was a fiasco, not a good experience at all.

I agree 100%, BIG thumbs up!!