[ALL] Best Buy Plans To Use Permanent Price Matching To End Showrooming

[jms493]

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/best_buy_plans_use_permanent_price_matching_end_showrooming123

Best Buy changes its policies in a last ditch effort to defend itself against the big bad Internet
Just about every tech savvy consumer is guilty of it, but few choose to admit it. We see a product online, we fall in love with the features and price, but for some inexplicable reason we simply must fondle it in person before buying. Best Buy has often dismissed the showrooming phenomenon when speaking to shareholders during earnings calls, however it’s hard to sugar coat the reality that Amazon can easily offer lower prices without the constant drag that a brick and mortar store has on the bottom line.

Of course showrooming isn’t the only factor fueling Amazon’s unprecedented rise, and Best Buys meteoric fall, but it’s certainly a factor. Today however, Best Buy announced its fighting back, and it’s doing so by making its holiday price matching policy permanent starting March 3rd. According to Best Buy Spokesman Matt Furman, “We are going to a low-price guarantee.” “There is no doubt that this new policy ends showrooming for Best Buy customers.”

In addition to price matching, Best Buy will also be reducing its return policy from 30 days to 15 days, and during the return window they will continue to offer a refund with no re-stocking fees. Aggressive price matching will almost certainly increase revenues among the “gotta have it now crowd”, however it remains to be seen if they can sustain a price war with online retailers who benefit from significantly lower cost structures.

 

[CCBrink]

Great news for consumers :yep:

 

[padman59]

Now all of us non-gun holders can all have the price matching that Twigg enjoys so much.

 

[Twigg4075]

I guess that explains why they price matched Go Hastings for me yesterday. But that 15 day return policy is no bueno. How is that going to affect RZ members? We have, what, 60 days now? Is that going to remain or will that be shortened as well?

 

[padman59]

The 15 day return policy sucks. However, this is definitely more appealing now that Amazon charges me tax and my Prime membership expired. Best Buy will probably get all of my console gaming purchases now.

 

[Maynard]

i always buy stuff for 30 days from best buy before buying it permanently online

 

[Twigg4075]

i always buy stuff for 30 days from best buy before buying it permanently online

And now you won't have to.

 

[BigBucs]

Ill still buy all my shit from amazon because Im a lazy fuck. :yao: Use prime and have it shipped to my door in 2 days (if a game, release day) or go to best buy to deal with some "expert" who can tell me shit I dont already know? Decision, decisions.

 

[Glenbino]

Yeah the $70 I pay for Prime still makes it the better option for me. I can do all my shopping from work/school/home and get it within two days.

Totally beats driving to the various stores I would have to go to in order to get all the stuff I can get in 8 clicks on Amazon.

Brick and mortar stores are only good for liquor these days.

 

[Buzzman]

This fucking blows, that whole article doesn't show it but you cannot price match after your initial purchase so now the days of buying a game for $60 and PMing it when it drops in price 25 days later are gone. Best Buy can suck a dick.

 

[Twigg4075]

This fucking blows, that whole article doesn't show it but you cannot price match after your initial purchase so now the days of buying a game for $60 and PMing it when it drops in price 25 days later are gone. Best Buy can suck a dick.

I just did that yesterday?

 

[Buzzman]

Yea you can still do it now, but come March that all changes. Have you not been in that thread on CAG? Thats all they talk about.

 

[Twigg4075]

Yea you can still do it now, but come March that all changes. Have you not been in that thread on CAG? Thats all they talk about.

I have not. Well, that does suck dick.

 

[Buzzman]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331046&page=16

Yea when I read that thread I was so fucking mad. The bullet points for the policy are:

- You can only PM another sotre at the time of purchase
- After the time of purchase you can only PM a Best Buy deal within 15 days

 

[ryne candy]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331046&page=16

Yea when I read that thread I was so fucking mad. The bullet points for the policy are:

- You can only PM another sotre at the time of purchase
- After the time of purchase you can only PM a Best Buy deal within 15 days

Does suck but Target, the other store that I know matches online prices, only matches 7 days after purchase.

 

[IamMedellin]

So....They'll price match any1 now?

well then...might be buying a new tv tomorrow

 

[ryne candy]

So....They'll price match any1 now?

well then...might be buying a new tv tomorrow

I would think they match the big online stores and online sites that have stores in the local area. I know Best Buy managers could reject matching an online price if they thought it was too big of a difference and not beneficial to them during the holidays.

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

I would think they match the big online stores and online sites that have stores in the local area. I know Best Buy managers could reject matching an online price if they thought it was too big of a difference and not beneficial to them during the holidays.

I havent read the CAG thread or tried anything but what you say is probably true.

1. Managers will likely still refuse certain matches with stupid loopholes as excuses. Thats fine...theyll just lose a sale to Amazon.

2. Ive noticed this alot before Im certain it will just expand. But certain items are "store" exclusive. Example Sony puts out a 150$ MSRP Blu Ray player. Same exact player will be 99$ at amazon as model SONYBR-150...But as BestBuy theyll package and label it as SONYBR-140B. Same exact item but you cant price match because its a different SKU. This is what the entire shitty Mattress industry is built on. You can barely comparison shop because the same mattress will be labeled differently in every store.
BB still has the clout to lean manufacturers towards this so I expect shareholder pressure to make them convert alot of items for this purpose.

3. Good for BB and great for consumers. Alot of items Id buy in person like storage solutions , games , peripherals if they can match the Amazon price.
However I had my first taste of "same day shipping" and good lawd that is gonna fuck up alot of shit for many retailers.

 

[Twigg4075]

I would think they match the big online stores and online sites that have stores in the local area. I know Best Buy managers could reject matching an online price if they thought it was too big of a difference and not beneficial to them during the holidays.

I'm sure it all depends on the store but I had them match a GoHastings price not long ago.