Best Buy to Offer 30-Day Return and Price Match on All Items

[MacRumors]

Best Buy will extend its return policy from 14 days to 30 days, beginning next week according to TUAW.

The change applies to all products, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Macintosh purchases. The Apple Retail Store return policy is officially 14 days, but the company will occasionally "surprise and delight" customers by honoring longer return policies in some instances. Both Best Buy and Apple eliminated the 10% restocking fees on returned items last year.

The change goes into effect at all Best Buy locations on Sunday, March 4.

Article Link: Best Buy to Offer 30-Day Return and Price Match on All Items

 

[jlgolson]

These guys are really excited about the new return policy for some reason:

 

[ELA2]

To hell with Best Buy.

Too little too late.

Good Riddance. You won't be missed.

 

[chrmjenkins]

To hell with Best Buy.

Too little too late.

Good Riddance. You won't be missed.

Yeah, the only major big box electronics retailer left in the US is going away soon...

Return policy is 45 days if you are a premier silver member.

 

[Icaras]

What about the "Price Match on All Items"? That's great but does this still exclude online price matching?

To hell with Best Buy.

Too little too late.

Good Riddance. You won't be missed.

Actually, I agree with you. The only thing I ever buy at Best Buy these days are discounted iTunes gift cards, but even their iTunes digital delivery gift cards over Black Friday gave me headaches. Horrible service.

 

[LimeiBook86]

What about the "Price Match on All Items"? That's great but does this still exclude online price matching?

If it does that stinks. I went to MicroCenter with my iPhone in hand and was able to save $15 due to price matching. Last I recall I had to go into Best Buy with an actual circular from a retail store. They wouldn't allow online stores or even a photo copy of the ad. They need to keep up with the times. Although I hardly ever purchase anything there unless it's cheaper then an online store (which is rare).

 

[chrmjenkins]

What about the "Price Match on All Items"? That's great but does this still exclude online price matching?




Actually, I agree with you. The only thing I ever buy at Best Buy these days are discounted iTunes gift cards, but even their iTunes digital delivery gift cards over Black Friday gave me headaches. Horrible service.

This is for matching a lower price within 30 days of purchase. They really only match their own online prices, and not even that consistently. Not many retailers will match online prices as a policy.

 

[BrentD]

They already had a 30 day price match policy if something goes on sale. At least according to the employee I asked in Atlanta this weekend. I bought a TV on the 11th and it was on sale for $30 less than I paid for it last week. I just happened to notice when I was in the store...didn't know beforehand...and showed the receipt I had in my wallet to the clerk and asked if they can refund me the difference and she said "Yes, you have 30 days to get the difference if the price goes down." Maybe she was confused. Either way I got $32 bucks and change back in my pocket.

 

[ufwa]

Best Buy will find anyway they can to weasel out of price matches.

Best Buy even works with certain companies to produce best buy only "models"

I use quotes as they are identical just the model number changed to avoid price matching. Head to company website and they all direct to the same product.

 

[LimeiBook86]

Best Buy will find anyway they can to weasel out of price matches.

Best Buy even works with certain companies to produce best buy only "models"

I use quotes as they are identical just the model number changed to avoid price matching. Head to company website and they all direct to the same product.

I can confirm this. It's a big 'your mileage may vary' type of situation. For example Disney gives you a $5 off a certain DVD/Blu-Ray coupon. I go to the same store all the time. Sometimes they'll take it, other times I have to fight with them. It depends on the person. They seem very stingy at times and make up rules just to deny you. That's the magic of Best Buy!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

IDK about price matching, but I do love their return policy.

Tear open a box for an iPhone accessory, try it out, determine you hate it next week, return it and no questions are asked.

I'm actually probably going to do that for a few Mac accessories... go in, buy them, make sure Battery Status works with them (so I can safely claim they're supported,) return them, and... yeah, I'll basically get to test everything without paying a cent (apart from on gas for the trip to pick up and return the items... that'll amount to about $3.)

 

[Macintosh-HD]

I honestly don't see Best Buy going anywhere soon.

My local ones stay decently crowed on the weekends by all the noobs here in town. Hell, they just built a second one here in town last year.

Even tough I disagree with some of Best Buy's strategies, especially with the retards that work for Geek Squad, I still find Best Buy convenient when I'm in a pinch. Case in point: I needed a Mini-DVI to VGA converter and did not have time to wait for shipping if I was to buy it online. I did not want to buy Apple's version which was $10 more at the Apple store; however, Best Buy had their in hose version for $10 less.

If any electronic store is to go next, I predict it will be Radio Shack

 

[notjustjay]

They already had a 30 day price match policy if something goes on sale. At least according to the employee I asked in Atlanta this weekend. I bought a TV on the 11th and it was on sale for $30 less than I paid for it last week. I just happened to notice when I was in the store...didn't know beforehand...and showed the receipt I had in my wallet to the clerk and asked if they can refund me the difference and she said "Yes, you have 30 days to get the difference if the price goes down." Maybe she was confused. Either way I got $32 bucks and change back in my pocket.

It's not (up until now) 30 days on all items, though. Some items were only good for 14 days, like laptops and digital cameras. Looks like they're extending that reach now.

 

[slapple]

I returned a camera I bought at BB a few months ago, within their 14 day return period. They asked for my driver's license, which they had never done before (I've returned plenty of items to BB over the years). What's the point of asking for your driver's license? Tracking your return tendencies and maybe later refusing returns from you?

 

[jlgolson]

I returned a camera I bought at BB a few months ago, within their 14 day return period. They asked for my driver's license, which they had never done before (I've returned plenty of items to BB over the years). What's the point of asking for your driver's license? Tracking your return tendencies and maybe later refusing returns from you?

Yup.

There are serial returners, folks who buy stuff and return it on the last day of the return period, over and over and over and over.

They get cut off and, depending on the severity of their offense, are forbidden from buying anything at the store. Many, many retail establishments do the same thing.

You have to do it A LOT before they'll cut you off though, so most people have nothing to worry about.

 

[slapple]

Yup.

There are serial returners, folks who buy stuff and return it on the last day of the return period, over and over and over and over.

They get cut off and, depending on the severity of their offense, are forbidden from buying anything at the store. Many, many retail establishments do the same thing.

You have to do it A LOT before they'll cut you off though, so most people have nothing to worry about.

That's interesting. Although if they're going to track your returns by your driver's license, wouldn't they also need to look at your driver's license whenever you buy something, to get a full picture of how often you return stuff vs. how often you buy stuff? And if they're going to ban you from buying at their store, wouldn't they also need to look at your driver's license when you try to buy something?

 

[erthquake]

That's interesting. Although if they're going to track your returns by your driver's license, wouldn't they also need to look at your driver's license whenever you buy something, to get a full picture of how often you return stuff vs. how often you buy stuff? And if they're going to ban you from buying at their store, wouldn't they also need to look at your driver's license when you try to buy something?

They probably link it to your credit card.

 

[AriX]

MR, who are you quoting when you say "'surprise and delight'" in quotes?

 

[Jason S.]

Best Buy will find anyway they can to weasel out of price matches.

Best Buy even works with certain companies to produce best buy only "models"

I use quotes as they are identical just the model number changed to avoid price matching. Head to company website and they all direct to the same product.

Most large retailers that sell computers do this. Normally the model number is one number or letter different. Office Max, Office Depot, HH Gregg are a few that do this also. The computer manufactures will cycle through the "different" models and allow them to go on sale at a particular store. For example, on sale at Best Buy one week, on sale at Office Depot the week after that, and so on. Reason Best Buy doesn't usually price match on those even though they are the same (and probably on sale at another store), is because the store that has it on sale is probably getting a kickback from the manufacture that particular week. Best Buy would rather not discount their model until it officially goes on sale and its their turn to receive the kickback from the manufacture.

Even though I understand why they do this, I always thought it was stupid and shady. When I worked at Best Buy, I still price matched (or at least matched the sale half-way) even the model number wasn't exactly indentical.

But yeah, Best Buy isn't the only company that does this crap.

They probably link it to your credit card.

They do. Your entire purchase history can be looked up from your credit card, phone number, or any number of other info.

 

[Hawkeye16]

Jeez, a lot of Best Buy hate in here. Personally I have liked all of my Best Buy experiences and the store in my town is pretty awesome about policies including price match. The Premier Silver rewards gets you more cash back (even when using a different cash back CC), longer return period, early black friday access, etc.

I personally would be sad to see them go away. I do love Amazon, Newegg and Buy.com but Best Buy still get a good portion of my business...

 

[Shackrat]

While I'm not a huge fan of Best Buy, I do like the rewards program they offer and honestly cannot spend my points fast enough. My 2 pet peeves with Best Buy, their useless Geek Squad staff and protection plans, and their frequent use of 10%/12% coupons with so many restrictions that can be used to buy paper and batteries.

 

[foodog]

I honestly don't see Best Buy going anywhere soon.

My local ones stay decently crowed on the weekends by all the noobs here in town. Hell, they just built a second one here in town last year.

Even tough I disagree with some of Best Buy's strategies, especially with the retards that work for Geek Squad, I still find Best Buy convenient when I'm in a pinch. Case in point: I needed a Mini-DVI to VGA converter and did not have time to wait for shipping if I was to buy it online. I did not want to buy Apple's version which was $10 more at the Apple store; however, Best Buy had their in hose version for $10 less.

If any electronic store is to go next, I predict it will be Radio Shack

Circuit City was always busy too.

----------

I returned a camera I bought at BB a few months ago, within their 14 day return period. They asked for my driver's license, which they had never done before (I've returned plenty of items to BB over the years). What's the point of asking for your driver's license? Tracking your return tendencies and maybe later refusing returns from you?

My wife said Target did this for awhile. They gave you three returns a year and after that you were cut off. She wanted me to return something she bought so she did use her last return of the year.

 

[YMark]

I'm actually probably going to do that for a few Mac accessories... go in, buy them, make sure Battery Status works with them (so I can safely claim they're supported,) return them, and... yeah, I'll basically get to test everything without paying a cent (apart from on gas for the trip to pick up and return the items... that'll amount to about $3.)

Stand tall and walk proudly when you go in and return all these items.
It's people like you that ruin good return policies.

Note to self: NEVER purchase the Battery Status app.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Stand tall and walk proudly when you go in and return all these items.
It's people like you that ruin good return policies.

I don't think so. I'll return the product as exactly as I bought it as I can, it'll take them a few minutes to restock it. I'll be a happy customer and my chances of returning in the future to make legit purchases will be vastly improved. (When I actually can afford to buy stuff...)

Note to self: NEVER purchase the Battery Status app.

Oh come on, that's just mean. I'm a college student one year in and already $30K in debt. I'm not "the man", I'm a person trying to graduate college without being hopelessly in debt in the end.

 

[Sankersizzle]

IDK about price matching, but I do love their return policy.

Tear open a box for an iPhone accessory, try it out, determine you hate it next week, return it and no questions are asked.

I'm actually probably going to do that for a few Mac accessories... go in, buy them, make sure Battery Status works with them (so I can safely claim they're supported,) return them, and... yeah, I'll basically get to test everything without paying a cent (apart from on gas for the trip to pick up and return the items... that'll amount to about $3.)

God I hate people this like this. This is why we can't have nice things.