Why does Best Buy sell over retail?

[Malizzar]

I am not sure why they over charged you. I bought a my iPhone 6 Space Gray 128gb ($849) and my wife's Silver 64 gb ($749) and bought both outright and they charged the same price as buying from apple.

I did not want to deal with the upcharge for NEXT program and increased monthly bill.

 

[bruinsrme]

I am not sure why they over charged you. I bought a my iPhone 6 Space Gray 128gb ($849) and my wife's Silver 64 gb ($749) and bought both outright and they charged the same price as buying from apple.

I did not want to deal with the upcharge for NEXT program and increased monthly bill.

Up charge?

After the second billing cycle you can pay a tab appears which allows the phone to be paid off.

 

[titans1127]

The do the same thing with phone accessories. Otterboxes are commonly $5-10 over retail and Zagg's are $5. While I would never get them at BB I tend to look at it as I am buying it right away and if I bought online I would be paying that $5 for shipping anyway. The markup they do on phone is ridiculous however and its probably just to discourage people from buying off-contract and to sign a 2-year so the company gets the commission on the sale.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Unfortunately the majority of people are not buying outright and to the average customer that doesn't know tech doesn't know of better options. They are not going anywhere anytime soon.

In California they might. Here we pay tax on the full retail of the device, not the subsidized cost. Here we would pay an extra $4 in tax (I know not much but still). Then we also have a recycle fee, yada, yada, yada.

That total B.S. they do that. I would think Apple would control their supply chain better. Whatever. I try not to do business with them anymore but then if I need something its either I go to Best Buy our Frys 30 miles away.

 

[OS-SEX]

I am not typically a big fan of Best Buy but I had a really positive experience with them tonight. I didn't have a chance to start my hunt for an iPhone 6 today till after dinner time so I didn't expect to do very well. Every place I went either had stupid long lines (apple store), no stock or only gold models in stock. I didn't want gold. As a last ditch effort I went into Best Buy and found only a very short line and assurances that they had the space gray 64 GB Verizon iPhone 6 I was locking for. They helped me out even though it was closing time by the time my place in line came up. The associate who activated my phone was very friendly and professional, even at the end of a very trying day. I even got more money for trading in my iPhone 5 than the Verizon Store was offering me. Like I said, I've had misgivings about Best Buy in the past but tonight they were pretty great.

 

[brand]

I believe it is up to the manager on whether or not they price match. I have heard that it does have to be in stock where ever you are wanting them to match.

Its actually up to their corporate policy. Some managers decide to ignore the policy but officially it is up the the policy.

 

[0r30]

They won't on an iPhone

I did it last year on a 5s at full retail..

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For BB to price match the item must be available in stock at the time at the lower priced place. So, on release date, you are SOL!

I was able to get it price matched last year with a print out from apples website at the cost at retail. It was purchase about a week or so after release. Did this with a combination of some best buy certificates.

 

[MacKid1983]

Went to BB this afternoon with a friend to get an iPhone for him at full price. And of course they would not price match the phone because they told me they "Stopped doing it" and they exclude phones now. I said wow I just did it last year no problem. "We have to sell it this way in order to keep apple products" she told me. Hmmm. Anyhow, so I asked to see fine print and it says:

Our Low Price Guarantee does not cover:
Contract mobile phones sold by any online retailer.

I was paying full price so I was trying to argue the fact Im not buying a "contracted phone" Ugh Best buy sucks. I guess he will be ordering from Verizon. And he said to the manger, well my best buy credit card will be closed and shredded. Last time I am doing business with BB ever again.

 

[NutFlush920]

I bought my iPhone 6 64gb at Best Buy on Friday for $800 + tax. They told me they do not price match phones.

I preordered my wife's iPhone 6+ 64gb at a Verizon authorized reseller kiosk in the mall a week ago today for $900 + tax. They told me they do not price match phones and that this is the price they pay Apple for the phone and need to break even without a contract.

I'm not a Verizon customer and wanted the Verizon version for the unlock to use with at&t so Verizon wouldn't sell to me directly without putting service on the phone. This was my only option vs spending an entire day driving to and back (2 hours each way) from the nearest Apple Store not to mention waiting in line.

 

[boxermansr]

I've had BBY price match Apple at least 3 times in the past year for myself, my wife, and a friend, with little to no issues. Twice was in store (same store), and once was over the phone -- since they changed their whole price match garbage to where you have to price match it when you buy it, and not within X # of days after (if it's cheaper elsewhere).

All three times was with ease. I figured the time on the phone was going to be a pain as the woman kept saying "hmm" "hmm" "i don't know" then she said that since I was paying retail for it, it was not considered a *contract phone* anymore. I guess it's a roll of the dice really, some stores will, some won't. I'm sure with it being new, they want to maximize as much "rip off money" (their extra 50.00) as possible.

 

[MacKid1983]

BB price match guarantee states they do not price match "Contract mobile phones sold by any online retailer." But thats ONLINE pricing, what if the price of the phone at Apple retail store is 749.99 or Verizon Retail Store is 749.99. That isn't considered "online" so best buy should legally sell the phone at 749.99 not 799.99 correct? Or do I need "proof" from a "flyer" it's that price.


This is the email I sent Best Buy:

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you to see if you can help clear up some confusion about your price match guarantee.
If a customer were to purchase a Apple iPhone 6 at full retail price, Best Buy is charging $699, $799, and $899 for the iPhone 6. Apple, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, TMobile are selling them in their retail stores and online at Apple retail pricing which is $649, $749, & $849. Best Buy has a price match guarantee which states that you "Won't be beat on price of all local retailers and major online retailers." There are some exclusions which does not cover "Contract mobile phones sold by any online retailer."
If you are purchasing a iPhone6 at a Best Buy retail store, wouldn't the price match guarantee cover a full price iPhone6 since the local retail store has the phone and is selling the iPhone6 at $649, $749, & $849? It's not an online retailer.

I want to see if you can help clear up the Best Buy Price match guarantee exclusion. The retail Best Buy store in **** would not do a price match guarantee under these circumstances.

I can be contacted at this address and I look forward to your response.

 

[NutFlush920]

Just called Best Buy to find out why they can't price match Verizon on full retail iPhone purchases since they charged me $50 more.

He looked up the price on Verizon's site and at my receipt in their system and instantly refunded me the $50 + tax for the difference back to my credit card over the phone.

 

[oldwren]

If Apple told them to sell at a certain price I believe that would be illegal. Apple can suggest a price.

My organization has a contract with a major publishing house so we can buy books from them at a discounted price and resell them—but the resell prices are set, and it's a breach of contract for us to increase them. Saying, "You can have this item and sell it at this price, or you won't be able to sell it" isn't illegal.

 

[HXGuyAZ]

I bought two Verizon 64GB iPhone 6 phones at Best Buy earlier today and both rang up at $799 to which I said to the guy "How come those are coming up at $799, Apple sells them for $749?" He just said, oh...ok, I'll just price match it since it's only a $50 difference, if it was more, I'd need a manager's approval." I guess I got lucky? I wouldn't have bought them if the price wasn't the same.

 

[727driver]

Went into Best Buy today for a 64 GB Silver iPhone 6. They had one in stock, I traded in my phone and proceeded to pay the phone outright. The phone rang up $800, I told them that's wrong, the price is $750 for a new device, full price. The manager didn't seem to care and said, this is Best Buy, we are different, we won't match the price because its out of stock everywhere. I ended up reversing my trade in. What gives?

This is precisely why I use them as little as possible. Their sales staff is poorly trained, mangers don't know their own policies.

Apple, Samsung, and others strictly control pricing. I'd report them to apple. I know they can't sell for less but I am not sure about marking up. Still might be worth the call.

 

[whirldy]

Call the Best Buy corporate Executive Resolutions office at (612) 292-0100, get them involved. Gently mention "Attorney General", if they get snippy.

 

[serialtoon]

You think thats bad? They have phones like the LG G3 that sells for $569 retail but best buy will sell them for $799 out of contract. They obviously want to force people to contracts. How about phones like the Nexus 5 that sells for $399 for the 16GB model and they sold it for $799 out of contract? $50 isnt that bad of a charge when you consider it, but still crappy that they charge the extra.

 

[Shockwave78]

They started doing this a few years ago..

There were a few reasons

- they don't really make anything on selling a full price iphone, unless they charge more for it like they are doing now.

- There were thousands of people going into Best Buy and buying full price retail phones just to try them out and then return them, i was one of them. I would charge every flagship device released from pretty much from 2010 to 2013. I would use it for two weeks to try it out and then i would return it. My whole reasoning for doing this was i trying to get away from iphones and wanted a larger screen. This was the main reason they raised the prices actually i believe because there was a memo sent out to employees about it when the price changes happened. It was to deter people from doing this.

You can still do it, just not as fun anymore. There is something else they also added to deter people from doing it, that is the main reason i stopped, can't remember what it was though.

 

[Prise]

Ah, who cares? Just buy it from Apple.

 

[lordofthereef]

Seems like they are counting on people who either don't pay attention or don't know any better. Sad.

They don't make a dime on phones sold at MSRP. They are counting on people buying the phone through upgrades, so they can actually make that dime. And at launch, they WILL sell them that way. There is no risk of the product sitting on the shelf for any length of time.

I don't see this as any different than different prices on the same product in various grocery chains. I can get a bag of chips at Shaw's for $4, or market Basket for $2.50. Same size, same brand, often found across the street from one-another.

 

[c1phers]

Ah, who cares? Just buy it from Apple.

I cared because I had the phone in my hand! Instead of waiting in line and hoping to get a phone at Apple or ATT

 

[imaketouchtheme]

Best Buy will price match. The item no longer has to be in stock.

That was their old policy. Hell, they match Amazon and Newegg now. Had no problem getting the 16GB for $649.99 outright on launch day.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

If Apple won't care about the scalpers and resellers, why would they bother about Best Buy.... its the same practice.

its not that they dont care about scalpers, They dont have very much control over them.

However, They do with Best Buy. Best Buy is an authorized retailer of Apple. That usually means that there is a contract thats spells out pricing models and such. Ever seen a place advertise that they have LOW PRICES on something but wont tell you the price until you go to the store or put it in your online cart?
That is due to the contract they have with that MFG. to not publish prices under a certain amount.

BB has been doing this for years. I remember going in to browse around and seeing things like an Airport Extreme, or apple wireless mouse being $10 - $15 over. (this was before price matching) I remember seeing an article where BB got slapped down by apple for doing this. According to the article the agreement between Apple and any Rep says they cant go above MSRP

 

[lordofthereef]

Went to BB this afternoon with a friend to get an iPhone for him at full price. And of course they would not price match the phone because they told me they "Stopped doing it" and they exclude phones now. I said wow I just did it last year no problem. "We have to sell it this way in order to keep apple products" she told me. Hmmm. Anyhow, so I asked to see fine print and it says:

Our Low Price Guarantee does not cover:
Contract mobile phones sold by any online retailer.

I was paying full price so I was trying to argue the fact Im not buying a "contracted phone" Ugh Best buy sucks. I guess he will be ordering from Verizon. And he said to the manger, well my best buy credit card will be closed and shredded. Last time I am doing business with BB ever again.

Call corporate. Do it in their presence. THey love that. Then buy the phone price matched, open it on the spot, and return it. Say you need another color. They will love that more.

They sell open box at 10% discount FYI

 

[Zorn]

Former manager at BBY. They will price match whatever the off contract price is listed on bestbuy.com, but usually not another store. It's manager's discretion, and will vary wildly depending who is there that day. Best Buy doesn't want to sell you a phone off contract in the first place, though. They barely make any money on it, versus if you do an EDGE upgrade the store gets a big payout.

Also those that are saying "just call corporate and make them do it", this doesn't really work anymore. The 888 number doesn't have the power to make the store do anything, at best they will just call the store and speak to whatever manager told you no. That person will just explain the policy and why they didn't allow the match. Your best bet would be to ask for the GM of the store and politely make your case to them. They are usually super busy and if you're being nice many times they will just do it for customer satisfaction.