Best Buy Doesn’t Have the Best Price… By Far
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I finally decided to buy Rock Band for the Playstation 2 this weekend. I saw that it was only $99 on Amazon.com. So I assumed that Best Buy would have the game, complete with mic, guitar and drums for around the same price. I got in my car, and headed to Best Buy, where I usually hate going, but it’s the only store in my area that I felt would be guaranteed to have it available. I got to the display, and was shocked. $159.99!?!?! Did I miss something here? Did I accidentally look at something different that was $99 on Amazon? I immediately ran out the door and headed to GameStop. To my amazement, they had it available for only $109.00. It was the exact same thing Best Buy was trying to sell me for $50 more.
Until now, I had always assumed that Best Buy always had at least a competitive price on everything. Usually retailers try to have to similar prices. I couldn’t believe there was a $50 difference on an item that should be around $100.
Prices were the only reason I would even bother to go to Best Buy. With their already horrendous service, and even worse return policy, I guess now there is absoutely no reason for me to shop there anymore.
5 Comments
leftystrat
August 17th, 2008
at 10:04pm
Think about all the money they make on people who don’t comparison shop, like you did.
Caveat Emptor.
Martin Kruse
August 17th, 2008
at 10:36pm
Welcome to the real world. Expect to pay more if you don’t comparison shop, or you better hope you are very lucky.
But i would expect a brick and mortar retail store to be higher than a good sale online. Just a tidbit, RB is listed as $169-$189 online at gamestop.
Grommet
August 18th, 2008
at 9:24am
I learned years ago to check out the back of the sales receipt for the REAL return policy and ignore what the salespersons say!
They lie! I once bought a laptop that the salesman assured me I could try out for thirty days for a full refund if I didn’t like it.
The actual time was 3 days, barely readable but imprinted on the back of the sales receipt. To me this is the same as theft and I have never darkened their door again nor have any of my friends or relatives! Strangely enough, the salesman by the name he gave me did not exist according to his manager. Another lie! I came back after a week and he was still there, still lying to potential customers!
Tiffany
August 22nd, 2008
at 9:47am
They are supposed to match the competitors price. I’ve never tried it before so I don’t know if they actually do.
From the website:
Two more great reasons to buy with confidence at Best Buy.
If you are about to make a purchase and discover a lower advertised price offered by a local retail competitor on the same available brand and model, let us know and we’ll match that price on the spot.
Already bought? If an item you purchased at Best Buy is advertised at a lower price at another Best Buy store in your local area or on BestBuy.com, we’ll refund you the price difference from our own sale price, or 110% of the difference from our competitor’s sale price, up to 30 days after your purchase (14 days on select categories*, 60 days on HDTVs purchased from 3/2/08 through 5/10/08).
Either way, simply bring in proof of price while that lower price is in effect.
Policy may vary between stores. Best Buy Puerto Rico Stores have their own store price guarantee. See store for complete details. Also see our BestBuy.com Price Matching/Price Guarantee policy.
oztech
August 22nd, 2008
at 11:35am
Yeah, i was aware of that policy. The store display did have that printed, but you must have proof of the price. It must also be a “local competitor”. So no online ads are accepted as proof. Who wants to round up a competitors flyer that might not even have the item in it, then stand in line at the customer service counter to get the price adjusted? It’s a lot simpler to just go to the retailer that has it cheaper.