General Discussion

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts) Mon Feb 18, 2013, 08:11 PM Feb 2013

Best Buy Says It Has Killed 'Showrooming' For Good [View all]

Best Buy is confident that its latest policy change will kill "showrooming" in its stores for good.

Starting on March 3, the retailer will price match all local retail competitors, along with 19 "major online competitors" in all product categories, whenever a customer asks for it, the company announced .

“There is no doubt that this new policy ends showrooming for Best Buy customers,” company spokesman Matt Furman told Bloomberg .

Showrooming, the practice of looking at items in a physical store then going online to make the actual purchase, has been a big worry for consumer electronics stores. Customers showroom electronics items more than any other category, according to data from comScore .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/best-buy-declared-showrooming-dead-060349736.html

Interesting to see how this plays out and how much trouble the price match policy is for the consumer.

148 replies

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Best Buy Says It Has Killed 'Showrooming' For Good [View all] Sherman A1 Feb 2013 OP

I read "Shrooming" for good and thought NightWatcher Feb 2013 #1

Can you imagine dropping shrooms amongst those big flat screen TVs??? Yavin4 Feb 2013 #62

3D TV While shroomed!! IADEMO2004 Feb 2013 #76

"Excuse me, sir, you're melting all over the High Def Camcorders" Warren DeMontague Feb 2013 #97

I prefer your version! Fire Walk With Me Feb 2013 #100

They've always pricematched for me without hassle. I was a showroomer. I actually buy from them Ed Suspicious Feb 2013 #2

My problem is they dont want to match the price on their own website in the store DJ13 Feb 2013 #3

At one point, Best Buy had a fake website JPZenger Feb 2013 #49

omg obamanut2012 Feb 2013 #53

They tried to pull that same scam on me. EOTE Feb 2013 #66

Whenever a customer asks for it? Why not have their computers scanning prices ... GodlessBiker Feb 2013 #4

Because they want as much money as they can get. MADem Feb 2013 #30

Ok, I am NOT a big box store fan Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #52

Granny doesn't have a smartphone. Or a computer. Her TV set is an old RCA. MADem Feb 2013 #68

Why should they give anyone the lowest price Shivering Jemmy Feb 2013 #69

I know how to find the lowest price, but I'm not going to patronize them because they are MADem Feb 2013 #71

Because that's the basis for getting repeat customers NickB79 Feb 2013 #77

Thank you--that's my view, too. When they treat you--and everyone else too--right, you MADem Feb 2013 #84

So all stores "rip you off"? Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #80

They'll keep going broke, too, I'll wager, if they have management that thinks like you. MADem Feb 2013 #81

Gosh, where did I say Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #89

You perhaps don't know that there are people here in the USA who live MADem Feb 2013 #93

I get the feeling you think I must be one of these rich people Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #106

Try being eighty and living on a social security check. That's real poverty--you don't get MADem Feb 2013 #111

As I said, Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #126

A child's benefit, though scant, is often more than what these people live on, depending on the MADem Feb 2013 #127

So, i was poor, but not poor enough for your liking? Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #131

Plenty live on far less, you know. If they are in subsidized housing, their check is reduced. MADem Feb 2013 #133

So, to answer my own question Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #137

No. But your poverty did not teach you compassion. MADem Feb 2013 #138

Who are you to judge my compassion? Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #141

I can only judge you by the words you type, and the sentiments you express. MADem Feb 2013 #144

More complicated than that Spike89 Feb 2013 #145

Well, the point that I am making is that there's two tier pricing happening here. MADem Feb 2013 #146

You're right, but this actually helps that 2-tier problem Spike89 Feb 2013 #148

And yet Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #87

"Caveat emptor" has been the law of the land since 1523. Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #90

I don't live in the jungle--I'm a Democrat and I live in the United States of America. MADem Feb 2013 #128

News for you Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #129

Ah yes, abandon hope, all ye who enter here. MADem Feb 2013 #130

That is ONE definition, but not a requirement. Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #132

Go visit the People's Republic of North Korea, and then get back to me about how awful we are. MADem Feb 2013 #134

Right. And that changes the fact Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #136

You are very young. Go see the world. Learn. nt MADem Feb 2013 #139

I am 52, have lived in two countries, Kelvin Mace Feb 2013 #142

I'm shocked. MADem Feb 2013 #143

No--Granny bought her TV in the seventies, when she was still working. MADem Feb 2013 #94

I still have a TV in one room from the early 1980's Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #101

No--Granny relies on the bus to take her to the mall, now. MADem Feb 2013 #104

I yield Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #107

I do not have a "superior knowledge of all things" but I have seen elderly people MADem Feb 2013 #112

Granny still clips coupons and reads the weekly circulars, however ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #108

Not if she can't afford a paper. MADem Feb 2013 #109

I think you are actually minimizing what most elderly people can do on a fixed budget. ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #110

No, I am not. MADem Feb 2013 #114

I'm not talking about the actual money aspect ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #116

I AM talking about the money aspect, which very often PREVENTS Granny from MADem Feb 2013 #118

Whatever ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #119

I will not resort to a childish fit of pique because I find your POV obtuse and unkind. MADem Feb 2013 #122

My point exactly, however Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #115

I've seen so many elderly folks outwit people far younger at getting good deals ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #117

Precisely Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #123

I have an old tube set from the ancient early 2000's!!! ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #124

We moved our old tube 1980's edition set to the basement Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #125

I am not generalizing--I see this every day. MADem Feb 2013 #120

Because price differentiation allows them to pay employees and leases jberryhill Feb 2013 #32

The only time I ever did something like that was in Boston Warpy Feb 2013 #5

is that really the same thing ? JI7 Feb 2013 #11

Yes, that's the problem with buying online. Warpy Feb 2013 #14

we got a 3d tv and a 3d bly ray player from amazon.com d_r Feb 2013 #21

That qualifies as DOA since it fried itself in the first 24 hours Warpy Feb 2013 #22

LG is generally a pretty good brand davidpdx Feb 2013 #95

yeah, the lg tv has been great d_r Feb 2013 #98

We just bought our first HD flatscreen TV in 2011 davidpdx Feb 2013 #99

Costco brick & mortar will take back stuff ordered online csziggy Feb 2013 #34

Why not continue to showroom House of Roberts Feb 2013 #6

don't you have to pay sales tax on products you order also ? JI7 Feb 2013 #12

In some cases House of Roberts Feb 2013 #15

Actually, in all cases. jeff47 Feb 2013 #54

So you break the law and don't pay use tax? joeglow3 Feb 2013 #73

Yes Sgent Feb 2013 #24

I got best but to take off the equivalent of sales tax... Coyote_Tan Feb 2013 #43

Why are trying to avoid taxes? Dreamer Tatum Feb 2013 #61

As long as sales tax can be avoided... tritsofme Feb 2013 #7

in many states, that's not legal. unblock Feb 2013 #26

And the next time you blow a tire on a pot hole, or need EMS, or your kid's school's roof leaks... politicat Feb 2013 #39

Pocket change. It's the multimillion dollars in profits that companies don't pay taxes on, RC Feb 2013 #55

No sales tax here in Oregon at all. It is a regressive form of taxation after all. Bluenorthwest Feb 2013 #46

Wouldn't you have to find a salesperson u4ic Feb 2013 #8

as it is now you have to go to the service desk. mopinko Feb 2013 #25

We must ooze money pheromones, then... politicat Feb 2013 #38

I've heard from a number of people u4ic Feb 2013 #147

Still boycotting them over their anti-gay donations. n/t Ian David Feb 2013 #9

I would be careful, some companies like Wal*Mart sell proprietary electronics and can have.. Tikki Feb 2013 #10

Reminds me of Crazy Eddie. Anyone remember him? aikoaiko Feb 2013 #13

Heard him on the radio only. Didn't something bad happen to him marybourg Feb 2013 #20

"His prices are INSANE!" musette_sf Feb 2013 #23

He advertised on one of the original superstations. WOR? maybe? TheManInTheMac Feb 2013 #42

I hope it works out wilt the stilt Feb 2013 #16

There is still the sales tax issue (in most states) Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #17

amazon is having to charge sales tax in more and more states d_r Feb 2013 #19

Georgia just now put its foot down on all online sales taxes. RebelOne Feb 2013 #70

I remember years ago d_r Feb 2013 #18

I get most of my equipment from NewEgg. lpbk2713 Feb 2013 #27

I'm a reverse showroomer riverwalker Feb 2013 #28

Me too! abelenkpe Feb 2013 #29

Well, now I'm just going to 'showroom' for the hell of it RedCappedBandit Feb 2013 #31

And yet... when I try to buy something at Best Buy I usually leave empty handed Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2013 #33

Best Buy claims you can buy online and pick up at the store csziggy Feb 2013 #35

Did you wait for them to send you the email that the item was pulled? DotGone Feb 2013 #37

Yes, had the email. Nope they had not pulled the order. csziggy Feb 2013 #40

I had the exact opposite. Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #44

It is probably the local store csziggy Feb 2013 #65

You can and I have done that tabbycat31 Feb 2013 #57

Best Buy has 2 problems: Terrible staff and returns aren't 100% of price. lindysalsagal Feb 2013 #36

Most electronics stores have the restocking fee for some items. LeftyMom Feb 2013 #50

That's understandable but they'll charge the fee even if the return was the same day. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #79

They got rid of that fee, supposedly, but they shortened the return time. MADem Feb 2013 #82

Hmm... Interesting strategy, but I don't showroom. I watch youtube and pick the lowest price ecstatic Feb 2013 #41

Probably a huge paragraph of fine print to go with it durablend Feb 2013 #45

I avoid Best Buy for a number of reasons Mopar151 Feb 2013 #47

If the employees knew what they were talking about, that would be a step in the right direction Maeve Feb 2013 #48

They don't bother to train anybody, because their pay is shitty and their turnover is high. LeftyMom Feb 2013 #51

That's my complaint Jeff In Milwaukee Feb 2013 #56

We just made a major purchase at Best Buy Greybnk48 Feb 2013 #58

Here's the online retailers they'll match (this could be good): sir pball Feb 2013 #59

i don't like the 30 day return limit. i'm a bad procrastinator. ellenfl Feb 2013 #67

You will like it even less now, as they have cut that to fifteen days. MADem Feb 2013 #83

i know. how's office depot/max? i usually buy online but that doesn't help my community. eom ellenfl Feb 2013 #102

I don't know, but if you can shop at a Costco, they give to Dem candidates. MADem Feb 2013 #103

i know. however that doesn't help me much with my computer accessory purchases. eom ellenfl Feb 2013 #105

They'll match CircuitCity.com? Tommy_Carcetti Feb 2013 #121

The big chains used to get their own model numbers, so you couldn't use price matching JPZenger Feb 2013 #60

I believe mattress stores do the same thing. nt Skip Intro Feb 2013 #63

I bought my flat screen from Blockbuster online, and it was cheaper. Yavin4 Feb 2013 #64

I just had a nice price match on a Blue Yeti microphone at Staples... SidDithers Feb 2013 #72

Threads like this are useful because DonCoquixote Feb 2013 #74

Well, Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #78

Geez, that's the first time I've been "accused" (and thank you very much) of being MADem Feb 2013 #85

let me clarify DonCoquixote Feb 2013 #91

I completely took your meaning--no worries! MADem Feb 2013 #92

Wait, you're supposed to *buy* things at stores?! Prism Feb 2013 #75

Best Buy is such a piece of shit company why would anyone even walk in a store? DainBramaged Feb 2013 #86

Going there tomorrow Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #88

Because the salespeople are local Greybnk48 Feb 2013 #113

Precisely Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #135

I think in the long run Best Buy along with JC Penny's and Sears davidpdx Feb 2013 #96

They've been matching prices of brick and mortar stores for more than a year. TexasBushwhacker Feb 2013 #140