Best Buy IdeaX

[#1]

Yesterday I searched bestbuy.com to see how much an ipod touch was.  I went into the store and noticed it was $6 more at the store.  I had to tell the cashier that their online price was cheaper.  He looked it up and 'matched' the price.  I have no issue with the customer service the store provided.  However, I do feel it is very poor customer service that the company charges high prices in store.  Simply put, the pricing at the register should NOT be a penny higher than what is offered to customers who take the time to drive to a store.  That strategy is asking consumers to not shop at your store, which is a bad road to go down.

Ideally if Best Buy wants to not only survive but actually thrive, I think it's critical that in store prices are the same as online at bestbuy.com.  Then market/advertise to the world that Best Buy IS the best buy.

I actually own some Best Buy stock, and I walked away from the store yesterday concerned that the current model (higher prices in store) is a real concern.  I'm pleased that the bestbuy.com prices are inline with other internet sites, but that has to get down to stores.

[#2]

Wal-mart, HHGregg, Sears, Target, and other retailers do the same thing.  Not a company strategist, so I can't tell you why they do that, but I assume it's a "reward" for those that take the time to do research or checking of items versus the grab-and-go in store customers.

[#3]

Actually, I found a way to work around this. I recently got a special offer for Silver members that I wanted to take advantage of, but when I got to the store, they told me that it was an on line deal only. I did some quick checking on my cell phone and found out 1) that it was available for in store pick up, and 2) the store I was standing in had it in stock. So I completed the purchase via my phone and within 25 minutes (during which I got to browse around Best Buy, a very pleasant pass-time) I got the confirmation email that my item was ready. I walked over to the counter, showed them the email and the required ID, and took my purchase home at the on-lline price. (By the way, the sales person who handed me the item at the Service counter was the same one who had to tell me, apologetically, that they couldn't give me on line discounted price. He was smiling as broadly as I was when I picked it up and told me, "Nice move!"

[#4]

Thanks for sharing this. It is true that the prices in our stores can sometimes be higher/lower than what is offered on BestBuy.com, and this is usually do to differences in specific market in question. Regardless our stores will match any lower price found on BestBuy.com, and BestBuy.com should price match any lower price found in a Best Buy store.

[#5]

However,

Problems arise when you need to pm the site & use a coupon like @gamer or RZGC offers. Now this would as big of an issue if we could use the coupons online. Even still there should be wording on the coupon that allows the BB.com pm & coupon to work as long as it's not an outlet center item & it's not another retailer's price being matched.

[#6]

Have the same experience yesterday.  I bought a Targus laptop bag.  I searched it first online and saw that the price is $56.99.  I went to the store where it say has a stock.  When I paid for it, the cashier  told me that the total amount due is $68 something.  And when I looked at the receipt, the price before tax is $62.99 or $6 more.  

I forgot my phone so I wasn't able to double check online the price and I only confirm that I got charged $6 more.  Next time I will think twice before buying at Best Buy again.

[#7]

I had the same experience today and the associate treated me like I was the bad guy.  He still charged me 2 dollars more and when I objected he said he "checked the price".  I too checked the price the entire night before and I saw the price at the store computer the same time he did.  It annoys the heck out of me to be stolen from and I should have not bought the product!  Now I realize that this store has a habit of doing this.  I have always shopped at this store but I can promise that I will NEVER shop here again!  Yes........for two dollars and a crappy associate!

[#8]

I know this is an extremely late response, but...

Best Buy changes their prices weekly, and some items daily. So if you check the price of something online, then buy it in store the next day and the price is different, then it is probably because the price changed overnight. Pricing is only ever guaranteed for that particular day (and at times there are flash sales that only occur during specific hours).

[#9]

That’s not always what’s happening, aashishkebab. I just purchased a Circle Cam 2 for $117 in store, and checked the online price and it was $156 at the moment I made the purchase.