And so BestBuy's war against the 20-percenters begins...

CaptainSniffy

CaptainSniffy

CAGiversary!
Feedback
81 (100%)
I'm a 20-percenter, one of BestBuy's "devil" customers that only buys what's on sale, usually with a coupon or rebate or other such gimmick. In the past few weeks, I've paid $5 for a few games using coupons or closeouts, and last week I got a Sony PS2 memory card for $12 using a combination of Bestbuy bucks, the Bestbuy gamers gift certificate and a sale price..

So yesterday I thought I'd stick it to the man again using the $5 gift certificate coupon, so I casually sauntered over to the rack where they keep the certificates. Hmm, quite a few gift certificates but none of the gaming persuasion. Oh but wait: they do have one, but it only comes with a $5 off coupon for a $30 XBOX game or accessory.

I'm not complaining: I've really taken advantage of the Gamer's gift certificate in the past. But it looks like BestBuy is starting to close these loop-holes we've taken for granted for the past few years.
 
There have been a few other threads about this, but instead of bitching you out, i'll just mention that there are now platform specific GGC at the 29.99 price point. There are still some of the older ones left around, and those dont expire until the end of next year (thank god)
 
I too have recently fund these console specific GGCs for games 29.99 and higher. Really sucks. no big deal, I just won't buy there. If I'm so much of a "devil" customer than it must mean that they don't want my business. I will finsih out this year with the left over GGCs that I have but after that, CC and Fry's here I am and coming. Also I have found that Fry's and CCs customer service is 100x (100 times) better than BBs.
 
I don't think they have the new ones at my local BB yet, so I am going to go stock up on the old ones.
 
If BB calls people who use that coupon 'devils', then F'em. Consumers using their offered coupons, according to the terms on the coupon, devils?
Easier solution is to quit with the GGC as well. It doesn't make sense from a store perspective.
* Who usually buys gift cards? People buy them for others, as gifts.
* What can you do with a gift card? Spend it at that store. That's *it*. A gift card is a guaranteed sale [or money in the pocket, if it's not used.]
* How do gift card purchasers usually buy them? Thye usually run into the store, say Please give me a gift card, or pull it from the rack by the counter. The only people, in general, who are going to be buying these Gift Cards,which are usually stored by the games, are people *already browsing for games*. If they see a gift card with a coupon, they might buy the card for someone else and use the coupon, or do what we do and use them both. All 110% in accordance with BB's policies, as stated. If they don't like it, change the policy. Don't offer a GGC coupon. But don't do this angel/devil bullsh*t.

I wouldn't mind if other stores did the loyalty programs either, but in many cases, the stores overall pricing increases to cover the loyalty programs [at least that's the case in the grocery business.] But to pay to join a loyalty program, for minute returns, is insulting. I did pay for my membership, and I did make my money back and more, but I'm not paying for another one,especially since they change the rules at random.
 
the one best buy around me thats usually the really nice one has been telling me for the past few weeks that they can only take 3 mcdonalds coupons per customer per day, i really dont think that they know how to read the back of the coupons that tells you that you can use up to $300 per purchase....this happened most recently when i was buying van helsing at $20....i had 7 $1 coupons and a ggc...she told me that i could only use one or the other and if i used the mcdonalds, i could only use $3...i told her that ive done it before and she said, well things have changed....she tried to be nice and said, "why dont you pick the one that works out the best for you," so i said whatever and gave her the ggc...she said, "yup, $5 off is better than $3 off,"....thats when i said, "no $12 off is better than $5 off"
 
Does Best Buy have a rewards program? Can it be used in conjunction with buying $15 games? :) Explain if you care to please..
 
We'll my local best buy has a few of the gift cards (19.99) left. Can I just grab them and leave the store or would that make the alarm beep? Technically theirs nothing in them but I just dont want to put five dollars on each and I dont want the register people thinking I'm up to something? If I need to put some money I guess I have to do that :).
 
[quote name='trustcompany1013']the one best buy around me thats usually the really nice one has been telling me for the past few weeks that they can only take 3 mcdonalds coupons per customer per day, i really dont think that they know how to read the back of the coupons that tells you that you can use up to $300 per purchase....this happened most recently when i was buying van helsing at $20....i had 7 $1 coupons and a ggc...she told me that i could only use one or the other and if i used the mcdonalds, i could only use $3...i told her that ive done it before and she said, well things have changed....she tried to be nice and said, "why dont you pick the one that works out the best for you," so i said whatever and gave her the ggc...she said, "yup, $5 off is better than $3 off,"....thats when i said, "no $12 off is better than $5 off"[/quote]

That sucks! Can they be getting that $3 limit stuff from the fact that there is a $3 limit on those for DVDs and CDs? I can see not being able to use the GGC coupn since it says cannot be used with any ohter offer (although aren't BB bucks technically just like a gift card?), but you should at least be able to use all your BB bucks.
 
yeah, its called reward zone. you pay 9.99 to sign up and for every dollar you spend you get points, and after you spend 150 ( i think it is now) you get a $5 gift certificate that can be used on anything in the store over 10.

does that help?
 
[quote name='chickenhawk'][quote name='trustcompany1013']the one best buy around me thats usually the really nice one has been telling me for the past few weeks that they can only take 3 mcdonalds coupons per customer per day, i really dont think that they know how to read the back of the coupons that tells you that you can use up to $300 per purchase....this happened most recently when i was buying van helsing at $20....i had 7 $1 coupons and a ggc...she told me that i could only use one or the other and if i used the mcdonalds, i could only use $3...i told her that ive done it before and she said, well things have changed....she tried to be nice and said, "why dont you pick the one that works out the best for you," so i said whatever and gave her the ggc...she said, "yup, $5 off is better than $3 off,"....thats when i said, "no $12 off is better than $5 off"[/quote]

That sucks! Can they be getting that $3 limit stuff from the fact that there is a $3 limit on those for DVDs and CDs? I can see not being able to use the GGC coupn since it says cannot be used with any ohter offer (although aren't BB bucks technically just like a gift card?), but you should at least be able to use all your BB bucks.[/quote]

yeah, ive always been told that the BB bucks are the same thing as cash/gift cards
 
We'll my local best buy has a few of the gift cards (19.99) left. Can I just grab them and leave the store or would that make the alarm beep? Technically theirs nothing in them but I just dont want to put five dollars on each and I dont want the register people thinking I'm up to something? If I need to put some money I guess I have to do that Smile.
Click to expand...

I always take 1 or 2 whenever i make a non-gaming purchase at BB, and tell the cashier that I don't want to put any money on them. Never had a problem yet.
 
[quote name='int80h']
We'll my local best buy has a few of the gift cards (19.99) left. Can I just grab them and leave the store or would that make the alarm beep? Technically theirs nothing in them but I just dont want to put five dollars on each and I dont want the register people thinking I'm up to something? If I need to put some money I guess I have to do that Smile.
Click to expand...

I always take 1 or 2 whenever i make a non-gaming purchase at BB, and tell the cashier that I don't want to put any money on them. Never had a problem yet.[/quote]

Thanks, I try that next time I go.
 
[quote name='craven_fiend']yeah, its called reward zone. you pay 9.99 to sign up and for every dollar you spend you get points, and after you spend 150 ( i think it is now) you get a $5 gift certificate that can be used on anything in the store over 10.

does that help?[/quote]

Yes thank you... Doesn't seem worth it though...
 
[quote name='trustcompany1013']the one best buy around me thats usually the really nice one has been telling me for the past few weeks that they can only take 3 mcdonalds coupons per customer per day, i really dont think that they know how to read the back of the coupons that tells you that you can use up to $300 per purchase....this happened most recently when i was buying van helsing at $20....i had 7 $1 coupons and a ggc...she told me that i could only use one or the other and if i used the mcdonalds, i could only use $3...i told her that ive done it before and she said, well things have changed....she tried to be nice and said, "why dont you pick the one that works out the best for you," so i said whatever and gave her the ggc...she said, "yup, $5 off is better than $3 off,"....thats when i said, "no $12 off is better than $5 off"[/quote]


To Redeem Best Buy Bucks at BestBuy.com®: To use Best Buy Bucks (denominations of $1, $5, and $10) toward the purchase of Best Buy merchandise online, visit BestBuy.com and follow the instructions during the online check out process to enter the BestBuy.com promotional code found on your Best Buy Buck. Limit of $3 in Best Buy Bucks may be used toward the purchase of any single CD or DVD. Limit of 40 promotional codes of any kind may be redeemed per online order.
Click to expand...

Games are CD's and DVD's, and so can fall under that clause of the rules. It can be selectively interpreted. Plus, you can't combine the GGC with any coupons anyways. Just because you got away with it before does not mean that you deserve it again. You're not entitled to anything.

Also, technically the BBB are coupouns, mainly just because they have an expiration date. Thus, they are viewed as coupons.
 
dtcarson, those are my feelings exactly. I haven't done anything wrong other than play by their rules. And if they don't like it, F 'em. And if I'm so much of a "devil" customer than I'll just take my business else where. I'm sure my business will be apreeeciated elsewhere.
 
Did anyone actually read the article?

They mention the people mostly that buy shit,get a rebate,return the item and then buy the same item again at a used price.

I dont think its targeted at anyone who uses the GGC or the Rewards program or even frugal shoppers.Just people who blatantly exploit the system.Target will do the same thing with the raincheck scam.
 
NO no no , it definitely mentioned frugal customers/customers that wait for a clearance or those that don't buy a movie right when it comes out. It basically said anyone that buys on the cheap. Also the article didn't cover every way of saving you money.
 
I am not sure how BB making people use the $5 off coupons (that they are not obligated to even give out in the first place) on items over $30 is that bad. Sure it is not as good of a deal, but it is better than nothing, and it makes sense to me that they are doing it from a business standpoint. If you won't buy from them unless you are practically getting things for free, I doubt they will care that you are taking your business elsewhere.
 
[quote name='Rodego']I am not sure how BB making people use the $5 off coupons (that they are not obligated to even give out in the first place) on items over $30 is that bad. Sure it is not as good of a deal, but it is better than nothing, and it makes sense to me that they are doing it from a business standpoint. If you won't buy from them unless you are practically getting things for free, I doubt they will care that you are taking your business elsewhere.[/quote]

I don't want things technically free and I do buy other things and some games for full price/$40 here and there just not all the time. Also the customer sevice there is atrocius. True 29.99 GGCs are better than nothing when they don't even have to technically, but if they want business of customers, they should not deter them away. That's basically what that article said. they are trying to find the "Jacks" and "Jills" and "Bobbies" that give them the most profit by asking them question like if you have once a week movie night. They are essentially giving a slap t the face to part of the customers. I don't like being called a "devil" customer because I am a savvy shopper that likes to do his research/find the best deals. They just need to deal (no pun intended) with it since shoppers will always try to find the best deal on stuff. Also I have not done any scams, just ran by their rules.
 
Now, people who buy, rebate, return, buy 'open box', those people are crooks. But it sounds like BB is linking 'frugal/savvy shoppers' in with those folks. 'Angels' = those high profit, high dollar customers; 'Devils' = anyone else. How dare you *only* buy a loss leader dvd on release day? How dare you actually want us to price match according to our policies?

If they view people buying the GGC and using the coupon as 'scammers', then they need to change the policy. That is fully using it within the rules BB has set up, and to get mad at the customers for doing that is foolish.
 
I was wondering if someone could post a link to the article or site that talks about the devil/angel thing, and what its all about.

"Various Words Containing Outrage Directed Towards BB"

END
 
[quote name='dtcarson']Now, people who buy, rebate, return, buy 'open box', those people are crooks. But it sounds like BB is linking 'frugal/savvy shoppers' in with those folks. 'Angels' = those high profit, high dollar customers; 'Devils' = anyone else. How dare you *only* buy a loss leader dvd on release day? How dare you actually want us to price match according to our policies?

If they view people buying the GGC and using the coupon as 'scammers', then they need to change the policy. That is fully using it within the rules BB has set up, and to get mad at the customers for doing that is foolish.[/quote]

When I read the article, the buy, rebate, return and buy again scam I had never heard of. that is just fraud/being a crook. But like you said "Angels"= people that are high profit customers and "devil" customers that take time to research a product for info on it where they can find it cheaper, etc. Also it blatantly talked about people that use the Price Matching policy that they themselve have come up with. Before CAG I had never seen all the deals for other store and onoly a couple of times had PMed a game because that weekend I recieved the paper/seen the add from somewhere. How did I do anything wrong when it is their policies?
 
[quote name='crystalklear64']I was wondering if someone could post a link to the article or site that talks about the devil/angel thing, and what its all about.

"Various Words Containing Outrage Directed Towards BB"

END[/quote]

I don't know if it is still up. It was on the Wall Street Journal's website and it was only allowed for viewing for one week for everyone since it is some trial fo everyone.
 
Company's Job = To seperate you from your money

Your Job = To get product from company with the least amount of outgo

Best Buy is doing all that they can to make a profit. Im fine with that. If you want to brownnose the rich (profitable) clients....do. But dont treat me like shit. And dont abuse me because I dont want to give up my hard earned cash to help YOU bottom line.

To me they should stop flat out scammers. Let the savvy average Joes go merrily on their way, do less loss leaders if you arent getting the sales elsewhere you expected from it, and suck the high dollar clients @#$% because they can afford (whereas I cannot) to pad your earnings.

Or maybe they should just keep calling me a devil Yeah, Im sure high dollar customers would love to hear about a company that only thinks they are worth whats in their wallets.
 
Well, looks like I won't be hitting up BB for deals anymore. Bastards.

I had a GGC that was sitting around from like August, but it expired this Dec., so I used it when I went shopping for my cousins for Xmas. I think I'm going to look at my nearby BB to see if there's any more GGCs sitting around so maybe I can stock up. I was planning to GGC every big DS title I wanted in Jan-March, and this puts a serious damper on my plans.
 
[quote name='supadupacheap']...Or maybe they should just keep calling me a devil Yeah, Im sure high dollar customers would love to hear about a company that only thinks they are worth whats in their wallets.[/quote]

In Vegas, they call the big-time casino customers "high rollers" to their faces and "whales" behind their backs. And believe me, they know their whales.

Amazon floated the idea of tracking a customer's income and purchases, and then adjusting the prices of items based on these variables - but the negative reaction was too great. I'm not sure if that "gold box" gimmick is basically this idea resurrected, however.

We'll see if Bestbuy is sucessful in their attempt to cater exclusively to suckers (As Homer says, "Extended warranty! How can I lose!")
 
It amazes me that people here think Best Buy is the only company that would rather sell things to people who earn them a higher profit and would like to avoid selling things to people who are earning them less money (or losing them money in some cases). The article doesn't even really talk that much about people who are just looking for deals, but rather people who look for deals, buy lots of copies of things, and then sell them on ebay for more money. Maybe I am the only one around here that could understand why they want to avoid that. And the angels-devils terminology was another persons theory that was applied to Best Buy. That person was selling his idea to the company, and if you have ever read anything written by or dealt with consultants, you would know better than to get all pissy about one of their "theories" (and I say this as a person who does consulting work).

The part that bothers me about people whining about this here is that they talk so big about how Best Buy can kiss their ass and won't be getting their business anymore, but as soon as they have a good deal, they will head right out to Best Buy to take advantage or logon to their website.

I have been coming to this site for almost a year now, and things have changed around here. The latest message board posts section on the front page used to be filled with sales and deals from people who enjoyed gaming and just wanted games. Now those posts of deals are over-shadowed by the posts of people trying to use this site to make money selling things, getting referals for their "free" things, or people telling us to never shop somewhere again because they ordered an item and it didn't come with a disc that was not even supposed to come with it. Shame on Best Buy and other companies for not wanting to deal with consumers like that!
 
I went to go check this out today and I can confirm the Green Bay, WI BB location no longer has the GGC. I'm glad I picked up 4 about a month ago. I guess I'll use them wisely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top