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Best Buy Price Match Policy?

1883 Views 31 Replies 18 Participants Last post by mboy, Mar 4, 2005

wolfgaze

Discussion Starter · Feb 20, 2005

so i've read some forum goers mention that they've been successful in getting Best Buy to price match for some TV sets... i'm eyeing the Sony KV32HS420... Amazon sells it for $799 right now through J & R... I wanted to know if anyone could find me Best Buy's price match policy on their website. I navigated it for awhile but could not find it and am getting impatient on dial up =\\

Idealy what I'd like to do is be armed with a printed out copy of their price match policy and be able to whip it out infront of a manager should an employee tell me they could not match Amazon's price.

also, i know Best Buy offers a deal in conjunction with Comcast where if you upgrade your Comcast digital cable to the HD package, you get $100 off your digital television purchase... boy wouldn't it be sweet to get that TV for $699 (before tax and warranty cost) =]

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1 - 20 of 32 Posts

flagyl

· #2 · Feb 20, 2005

I have (within the last week) made use of BB's price match policy. I didn't have a paper ad but what I did was to tell the clerk which store had the lower price. She called them up, verifed the price and gave me the difference PLUS 10%.

If you are unsure about the price match policy, just call your nearset BB store...but as long as you have a verification from the other store (an ad or you have seen the item for the lower price) that they have the item for a lower price, a phone call from the clerk will be enuff. I hope this helps.

Workindood

· #3 · Feb 20, 2005

It will not work for on-line "stores". They will only match Brick and Mortar stores.

mboy

· #4 · Feb 20, 2005

I went in to BB to buy the KV32HS420 on Friday night. Armed with the printout from Jandr 9and I live 20-25mn max from NYC).

BB WOULD NOT match jandr's price. Gave me a bunch of nonsense why they wouldn't do it. Told the sales guy that his store sucks and would never buy anything there again because they are liars (and jandr is a B&M, not online only).

Me and the wife proceeded to head down to CC (which is a mile up the road), walked and in wound up asking manager for help since he was 1st 1 I saw. Showed him the printout. Said, let me check. he did, handed the sheet to one of his sales guys, said thank you for purchasing with us and gave me the price match no problem @ all.

MUCH more pleasant experience then BB.

BOYCOTT bestBuy in West Paterson, NJ!!!!!

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omeletpants

· #5 · Feb 20, 2005

I don't think the price matching was ever intended for internet type sales where that company has a much lower cost structure and I think it's unfair to condemn them for not matching. Someone can say that they will take their bsuiness elsewhere and that's fine, but BB is starting to state that these are the types of customers that they don't want anyway. The BB CEO recently gave an interview where he said they are enacting policies to stop all the open box, return and price matching scams that prevent them from making any profit from those customers. Many businesses are concluding that they could do better without the 20% of their customers that are working every angle. That customer could threaten to take his business elsewhere and if I ran BB I would say "great, let CC deal with you".

mboy

· #6 · Feb 20, 2005

Great omeletpants, except the store I was price matching to IS a brick and morter which is under 25 miles physical distance away from the BB store i was price matching.

Now what do you have to say?

omeletpants

· #7 · Feb 20, 2005

I was refering to the Amazon example. I have no clue whether Jandr is and brick and mortar or internet store. If they fall into the parameters of the BB match program then you have a legitimate gripe

Workindood

· #8 · Feb 20, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by mboy

I went in to BB to buy the KV32HS420 on Friday night. Armed with the printout from Jandr 9and I live 20-25mn max from NYC).

BB WOULD NOT match jandr's price. Gave me a bunch of nonsense why they wouldn't do it. Told the sales guy that his store sucks and would never buy anything there again because they are liars (and jandr is a B&M, not online only).

Me and the wife proceeded to head down to CC (which is a mile up the road), walked and in wound up asking manager for help since he was 1st 1 I saw. Showed him the printout. Said, let me check. he did, handed the sheet to one of his sales guys, said thank you for purchasing with us and gave me the price match no problem @ all.

MUCH more pleasant experience then BB.

mboy,

Let me get this straight. You went into the Best Buy with a print out from the net? I believe you have to have a circular that the store has made. Either you get it from the store or from a newspaper. Best Buy will not honor online deals from any store is my understanding.

Also there are always two sides to every coin. I have had people come into our business demanding a price. Threatening never to do business again. I always say: "This is America...you have the freedom to go where ever you like...goodbye." Be honest, were you trying every avenue? Were you being kind and considerate? Or were you demanding, rude, etc? The brass facts are allot of the employees at these stores are paid an hourly wage. Threatening to NOT do business there only makes the employee's day easier. Nobody likes to be scolded. This employee you deal with at Best Buy also could have just been ignorant of what the facts are.

EDIT: Also say that you are 100% in the right. It is HOW you say it more so then WHAT you say.

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RandyWalters

· #9 · Feb 20, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Workindood
mboy, Let me get this straight. You went into the Best Buy with a print out from the net? I believe you have to have a circular that the store has made. Either you get it from the store or from a newspaper. Best Buy will not honor online deals from any store is my understanding.

As far as i know this is indeed their policy and i think Circuit City as well. They'll match advertised price on a circular ad or in a newspaper ad, but not a computer printout (which anyone can forge). I think had you showed the BB clerk an actual J&R circular ad or a newspaper ad they would have been more accomodating. If your attitude in the store is like the way you come across on this board then the guy probably didn't want to do you any favors and just reflected your attitude right back at you.

I'm no fan of Best Buy, but you're being unfair and your BB sig is annoying too.

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mboy

· #10 · Feb 20, 2005

I asked them to call jandr as it is not some advertised special, it is their normal price. They would not do it.

My attitude only became negative AFTER they did not honor their price match policy.

I even told them I would be more then happy to purchase their 4 year extended waranty, etc.

Only got neagtive after the sales guy went to his manager, came back and said no. Then, when I asked to speak to the manager, he said "they are all in a meeting now". Then I told him, you lost a sale on this TV and a few hundred extra $$$ on some gear.

He said ok, and walked away!

STEELERSRULE

· #11 · Feb 20, 2005

I can see mboy's point. Especially at the end when it appeared that the salesperson LIED about his manager being in a meeting. That would set me off as well.

But in the end, it is always better to be the bigger person and just say, even if you are at a boiling point,"Thank you for your help. I will think about it", and walk out the door.

The last thing that salesperson will want to deal with is a pain in the A** customer. And you want to know why? Because that salesperson(most likely some college age kid just looking to make some money while in school) has absolutely ZERO incentive(this is BB's fault) to sell that 1 extra tv/warranty that day to a pain in the A**. Why should he care. Go be someone else's headache.

It's like that scene in the movie OFFICE SPACE where the main character(can't remember his name) explains that even if he sold a couple more widgets that day, what does he care. He is never going to see any extra money for it. There is no incentive for him to do so.

This unfortunately is how MOST(especially the successful ones) run their business.

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jbarbbcuny

· #12 · Feb 20, 2005

J&R is well known in the NYC greater area. They have a full page ad in the NYTimes every Tuesday, Thurs, and Sunday. They've been in business for years. The person from BB was an idiot or badly uninformed.

lovebuzz#836

· #13 · Feb 20, 2005

I don't think that i proves the BB was an idiot or badly informed. If you'd have brought one of those ads in, there would be no problem. The fact that he only had a computer printout for Amazon.com/J&R only solidifies the point that, no, they don't price match the online price. I'd have said no too, especially after an attitude was exhibited by the customer who wants my help. I'd probably have pointed out that if J&R has a store so close by, that he could go there.

mboy

· #14 · Feb 21, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by lovebuzz#836
I don't think that i proves the BB was an idiot or badly informed. If you'd have brought one of those ads in, there would be no problem. The fact that he only had a computer printout for Amazon.com/J&R only solidifies the point that, no, they don't price match the online price. I'd have said no too, especially after an attitude was exhibited by the customer who wants my help. I'd probably have pointed out that if J&R has a store so close by, that he could go there.

Only gave the attitude after he said no and that his manager was in a meeting. They can call to verify price (which he said he would do).

Their policy says they have to match, it isn't optional for the low level sales employee to decide.

lovebuzz#836

· #15 · Feb 21, 2005

The store I work at is extremely busy, so *we* don't call for price matches. *You* bring us a qualifying sales ad (no internet printouts), then *we* match it for you. Seems to work fine around here, no complaints.

mboy

· #16 · Feb 21, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by lovebuzz#836
The store I work at is extremely busy, so *we* don't call for price matches. *You* bring us a qualifying sales ad (no internet printouts), then *we* match it for you. Seems to work fine around here, no complaints.

The fact that you work that explains your point of view.

how can I bring a salesad in if it is their regular price?

omeletpants

· #17 · Feb 21, 2005

Mboy, so you didn't even bring them any proof? You expected them to call their competitor and prove your point? I not sure you understand how price matching works.

flagyl

· #18 · Feb 21, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by omeletpants
Mboy, so you didn't even bring them any proof? You expected them to call their competitor and prove your point? I not sure you understand how price matching works.

When I went in for my price match, I didnt have an ad. I just told the clerk that I saw the same item for a lower price at a different store. She asked for an ad; I told her i didnt have one, but I relayed to her that I was told that they would call (when I called in prior to going in to BB to find out what kind of proof i needed to have to have them price match). She did call the other store and it was settled in ~ 20 minutes...and I got back 10% of the price difference.

You dont HAVE to bring in proof of a lower price; I guess it just has to be verifiable by one of BB's employees.

CSNHottie

· #19 · Feb 21, 2005

Around here, I have had the worst experiences ever with the Best Buys for price matching and returns, just horrible support altogether, which has almost exclusively led me to Circuit City. CC's return policy is that you don't need an excuse, but you have to had bought the item there (and you can't cheat them because they have one of those computer systems where they know if you bought it from them). With that said, here is the price match policy straight from Best Buy's website ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....oryId=cat00002 ):

Quote:

Will you match someone elseâ€™s price?

Our price-matching policy applies to the current week's prices compared to the previous week's prices, and to how our prices compare with our competitors'. The price-matching policy refers to Best Buy in-store pricing only â€” not to online pricing.

Online prices and selection generally match our retail stores, but may vary. Prices and offers are subject to change.

Items purchased at a Best Buy store qualify for our store price guarantee.

Our online price guarantee applies to items purchased at a store kiosk or online for store pickup.

Store Price Guarantee

If, within 30 days* (14 days for computers, monitors, printers and notebooks, camcorders, digital cameras and radar detectors) of your purchase from Best Buy, you find a local competitor (excluding Internet competitors) offering a lower price on an available product of the same brand and model, we'll refund the difference plus another 10% of the difference. Just bring us a current ad or other verifiable written proof of the lower price, plus your original Best Buy sales receipt to claim your refund. This offer good only on all new in-the-box products of the same brand and model that are available in-store at any other local authorized retailer. It does not apply to competitor's one-of-a-kind or other limited quantity offer, or when a bonus or free offer (such as special financing program or manufacturer's rebate) is included in the purchase. Offer does not apply to BestBuy.com pricing. All returns exchanges and price adjustments must be made in the country of original purchase. Go to the customer service counter for details.

*In California, excludes cellular, digital and PCS phones and pagers.

Online Price Guarantee

At this time, we do not have a price match guarantee. However, if you purchase an item online or at a store kiosk and choose store pick up, and the item is offered at a lower price when you pick it up, you will be charged the lower price.

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mboy

· #20 · Feb 21, 2005

And I did bring proof. A printout from jandr website. Online printout no good? How can it be no good if the store has a brick and morter and the online price is the same as the in store price? All they had to do was cal like they say they would.

Bottom line is I won't purchase anything at BB anymore. The store sucks.

Their loss as they are loosing business. What am I loosing? A store with knowledgeless sales people and rediculous prices on every item? Yeah. I guess I am the big loser in all of this. HA!

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

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