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Best Buy wouldn’t price match 2018 Air from Microcenter

lambertjohn

lambertjohn

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 17, 2012
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Went into Best Buy today to pick up a 2018 Air for a family member. Could have driven to Micro Center, but it’s about seven more miles out-of-the-way. So I just swung by Best Buy thinking they would price match Micro Center’s sale price and that would be that. The BB guy said, sure, just let me go verify that it’s on sale and we’ll be happy to take care you.

Comes back about 10 minutes later and says, sorry, we can’t do it because the “model” numbers don’t match. I said, it’s the same exact computer, and he said, it doesn’t matter, the model numbers have to match for us to give you the deal. So I left and went to Micro Center and bought the dang thing there.

Curious if that’s ever happened to anybody on this forum, or if the Best Buy guy just didn’t know what he was talking about. I’m going with the latter, but I could be wrong.
 
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There are so many choices on the Microcenter Website. The BB Guy may not have found it. That or the manager saw the huge price difference and said no way. When I worked at a similar store. If there was some big difference in a price match the manager would say no way. Unless someone was also getting the extended warranty and a whole bunch of accessories.
 
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Not saying this is what definitely happened but when I was working at BB there were sites that they wouldn't price match and others that only if sold and shipped from site - so there were places that sold goods from other vendors that BB wouldn't match - there are sites that sell returned goods etc. Again, I'm not familiar with Microcenter but again BB won't price match from all vendors.
 
CTHarrryH said:
Not saying this is what definitely happened but when I was working at BB there were sites that they wouldn't price match and others that only if sold and shipped from site - so there were places that sold goods from other vendors that BB wouldn't match - there are sites that sell returned goods etc. Again, I'm not familiar with Microcenter but again BB won't price match from all vendors.
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Micro Center is a huge electronics retailer here in Dallas and other big cities around the country. They compete with Fry's and Best Buy and other popular computer retailers. If you've never been there, it's a heck of a store. You name it and they've got it, including 2018 Airs on sale for $200 off retail. Best Buy is frequently known to match Micro Center's prices on popular name brand computers...except today. LOL. I honestly think I was just dealing with a salesman who didn't know his exhaust pipe from his pie hole. Here's Micro Center's website if you want to learn about them:

https://www.microcenter.com
 
There is another thread on this with MBA. Some stores did and other stores did not including national customer service. The excuse that it says ‘1 per household’ was used for denial. Seems like if you have a store close they will but if not won’t. Ymmv
 
I always have the item page loaded on my iPhone in this scenario. This way I can show the retailer if there is any pushback. Assuming the model number was listed on the MC page I don’t see how they could use that excuse. I would have done that instead of conceding and driving to MC.
 
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blairh said:
I always have the item page loaded on my iPhone in this scenario. This way I can show the retailer if there is any pushback. Assuming the model number was listed on the MC page I don’t see how they could use that excuse. I would have done that instead of conceding and driving to MC.
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I agree with you, but I had my two-year-old daughter with me and she was running around touching and messing with everything, so I had to bolt before she broke something. So it was probably a good thing that they (BB) turned me down.
 
lambertjohn said:
I agree with you, but I had my two-year-old daughter with me and she was running around touching and messing with everything, so I had to bolt before she broke something. So it was probably a good thing that they (BB) turned me down.
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I would have it on my iPhone ready before you go to a retailer next time.
 
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I recently got Best Buy to price match MC on the iPad Pro, which MC had for $150. I just asked "Can you save me a 30 minute trip to Microcenter?" They saw that MC had 10+ units in stock and said, okay, sure.
 
lambertjohn said:
I agree with you, but I had my two-year-old daughter with me and she was running around touching and messing with everything, so I had to bolt before she broke something. So it was probably a good thing that they (BB) turned me down.
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Should have used them in your favor. BB better hurry and give you discount so you don’t let them mess with everything.
 
Microcenter only sells base model 2018 Airs.
BB has 2 models as I recall.
Have all information with you before you go to the store for a match.
 
ZipZap said:
Microcenter only sells base model 2018 Airs.
BB has 2 models as I recall.
Have all information with you before you go to the store for a match.
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Micro Center also has two 2018 Air models for sale, 128gb and 256gb, in all colors. I asked Best Buy to sell me the 128, which they did have in stock, as did Micro Center, but they refused. I actually think it all depends on who you get at Best Buy to help you, and the mood they’re in. I may go to another Best Buy this weekend and try again just to see what they say. I’m kind of interested to see if the policy is different from store to store.
 
lambertjohn said:
Micro Center also has two 2018 Air models for sale, 128gb and 256gb, in all colors. I asked Best Buy to sell me the 128, which they did have in stock, as did Micro Center, but they refused. I actually think it all depends on who you get at Best Buy to help you, and the mood they’re in. I may go to another Best Buy this weekend and try again just to see what they say. I’m kind of interested to see if the policy is different from store to store.
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You can easily get the model numbers from both sites before you walk in the store and present the information. Then they can refuse but not because of the lame "Model Numbers Dont Match". I have found that its varies based upon the manager.
 
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dogslobber said:
I don’t want people touching my phone. Where have their hands been? Not that I want to know. As I say, disgusting.
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If it means getting $200 off, they can touch my phone for what, 20 seconds? Just wipe it with a disinfectant wipe if you're that worried. Do you not shake hands, touch any surface in public, or ever let anyone touch anything of yours? What happens when someone asks for your ID or credit card?
 
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dogslobber said:
I don’t want people touching my phone. Where have their hands been? Not that I want to know. As I say, disgusting.
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This coming from a guy named “dog slobber.” I couldn’t help but notice the irony. Anyway, ask for the manager if the salesman says no, usually I know more about products than their worthless sales people. The same is true at car stealerships. You would think sales people would research what they are selling but they rarely do. They’re just hired by the dozen to move product.
 
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myrtlebee said:
If it means getting $200 off, they can touch my phone for what, 20 seconds? Just wipe it with a disinfectant wipe if you're that worried.
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I don’t want to.
Do you not shake hands, touch any surface in public, or ever let anyone touch anything of yours?
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Shaking hand is a disgusting ritual. Don’t take offense if I decline. I don’t touch surfaces I don’t need to and who needs to touch my stuff? That’s a weird comment.
What happens when someone asks for your ID or credit card?
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I don’t carry ID and usually use cash.
 
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Found this on the web although don't know how accurate it is. Note that it doesn't mention Micro Center. Even if Micro Center sold products on their website, most of the products on their website say "for pickup in store only".


"Does Best Buy Price Match B&H?
Special considerations: At the time of sale, we price match all local retail competitors (including their online prices) and we price match products shipped from and sold by these major online retailers: Amazon.com, Bhphotovideo.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, HP.com, Newegg.com, and TigerDirect.com."
 
StarShot said:
Found this on the web although don't know how accurate it is. Note that it doesn't mention Micro Center. Even if Micro Center sold products on their website, most of the products on their website say "for pickup in store only".


"Does Best Buy Price Match B&H?
Special considerations: At the time of sale, we price match all local retail competitors (including their online prices) and we price match products shipped from and sold by these major online retailers: Amazon.com, Bhphotovideo.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, HP.com, Newegg.com, and TigerDirect.com."
Click to expand...

They do in Daytona Beach. Many times for me.
 
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