How to get Best Buys at Best Buy

I just joined this forum prior to this post because I think I can be helpful here.
I was a sales manager for Circuit City up until 1 1/2 yrs ago and was recruited by Best Buy to manage for them. I have been out of the company for approximately 6 months but know the policies and how one may 'work the system' to get the best possible deals.

I will post a couple things in response to what I am reading. I will continue to look for areas which I can help and hope to have questions of actual situations directed at me. I am very happy with the company which I now work for but have a special dislike for Best Buy for the extremely poor treatment which I and numerous dedicated employees received.

Let the games begin....

- Do not bother to try price-matching competition and springing a 10% coupon. They will refer to this as stacking offers and will decline. It is written in their policy that they will not combine these type of offers.

- The Sony 42A10 is likely not going to be sold for $1400. I work for a company which specializes in HDTV and can tell you current cost to Best Buy is approximately $1500. That is a weighted cost to the store (includes shipping, handling and general corp screwing) but is the number they have to work with at the store level.

So how do you get the best deal possible on a TV? Do exactly as I write below and it WILL work;

The managers are graded above all things in two areas which they will always focus on; extended warranty and accessory sales.
In the case of home theater (HDTV, etc) accessories that are by far the highest focus are Monster products. For those who are scratching their heads, Monster products are primarily expensive (overpriced) cables and (useless) noise filtering surge protectors. A customer purchasing these products and an extended warranty will get a a managers attention very quickly.

Here is the general idea of how to utilize this knowledge to steal a deal -- if you want the 42A10 then let them sell you on a high-end surge protector ($200-400), a couple hundred dollars in cables and a service plan. DO NOT deviate on the items to package with the TV that I just listed; these are vital to getting them to deal as they are very high margin. Once you say you want to buy all this stuff ask for a 'package discount'. Push them as low as you can for the [ackage deal - they WILL NOT want to walk this sale as it makes them look like a hero.
Once you have gotten them as low as you can on the total price the magic will happen - they will write up the sale leaving prices full retail on the accessories and warranty and take the reduction on the TV, even possibly dropping below cost on this. The reason is they are graded by percentage of sales of this stuff based on dollars - they will drop the cost of only the TV.
Can you guess the rest? Buy it all and wait a few days, then return to the store and refund everything but the TV. DO NOT let them tell you to call an 800 # to refund the warranty - they may try that one but policy is to return it in-store for the first 30 days. They will put up a fight on this and may threaten to increase the cost of the TV but hold your ground. If their corporate got wind of them working deals to raise accessory and warranty numbers they would be fired. If you must, threaten a phone call - they will run scared. If you want it even smoother do the return at another location.

This strategy can be utilzed in most of their departments - if you need to know the key accessories for appliances, computers, car audio, etc let me know.
I wont wish you luck, it will simply work. If you have any problems though just drop me a line and I'll help all I can...


Oh, one last thing - someone wrote something about the Sony A10 being a Samsung DLP killer... I'm not sure I agree. The HLR Samsungs are a great product as well as the JVC LCOS sets. Also bear in mind that the Sony products have the worst mark-up in retail - better deals can be negotiated on most all other brands.

L.

thanks for the info. if it's true that is.

wow.... thanks so much for that advice !

Thanks OP and welcome.

somebody has posted this before. I 4got if it was on fw or sd?

Thank you very much for all the welcome responses.

A few responses to the posts so far:

sugray - yes, it works. If the manager wont negotiate the deal then dont make the purchase. 90% of the time they will.

Iphinome - it wont work on IPOD products. They have vitually no mark-up; a $250 unit costs the store about $220...

Count26 - It would be a logical assumption that in the history of the internet someone has posted a similiar strategy. While I will concede that possibility, I have not read a post like that first-hand. This post came from my personal knowledge and was written entirely by me. I would NOT copy existing info without referencing the source.

Again, thank you to all who have posted. I will do my best to help with any retail electronics items that I can.

Great site BTW!

L.

You should do this buying on Monday when best buy has a hard time hitting revenue. Also you should buy directly from the Manager for the home threater department to aviod any type of overwrite because you are buying it below cost.

OP, after reading your strategy to pull off this deal at WorstBuy, I have a few questions:

"Buy it all and wait a few days, then return to the store and refund everything but the TV."
Don't you need a valid reason for a refund, I can't just go in and ask for a refund for the surge protector and cables simply because I don't like them. Would using the excuse that the surge protector is too big and the cables are not the right cables for the TV work?

"DO NOT let them tell you to call an 800 # to refund the warranty - they may try that one but policy is to return it in-store for the first 30 days."
Can you explain more on this part? How can I stop them from doing this? What could I say to stop them from telling me to return the warranty?

"...and may threaten to increase the cost of the TV but hold your ground.
What do I say if they increase the cost of the TV?

Sorry OP if this is too many questions but I am still confused on some parts. Just want to be 100% clear on what to do.

idrivefreely said: Don't you need a valid reason for a refund, I can't just go in and ask for a refund for the surge protector and cables simply because I don't like them. Would using the excuse that the surge protector is too big and the cables are not the right cables for the TV work?
They have to accept your return.

Their policy says:
You may return bundle purchases in accordance with our regular Return Policy. If you are unsatisfied with an individual item you purchased as part of a bundle package, you may return that item separately.

Can you explain more on this part? How can I stop them from doing this? What could I say to stop them from telling me to return the warranty?
Their policy says:
You may return your service plan for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
To return a service plan you purchased online, call us at 1-866-BEST BUY (237-8289). If you purchased your plan at a Best Buy store, you will need to return to the store for a refund.

What do I say if they increase the cost of the TV?
Leave and go back a day or two later, or on a weekend.
Try dealing with a different manager.

I did exactly this and pricematched to get a smokin deal on My Samsung HLR... Returned all of the cables and accessories at a later date. They wrang me up at the Magnolia home theater desk.

this deal only works on a manager? or a regular employee selling the thing also?

This must be true; about a year ago I bought a RPTV at BB, and originally purchased an extended warranty and a Monster Surge protector. I balked at the ridiculous price of the surge unit ($200), and talked them down $100. They did indeed take the $100 off the price of the TV, leaving the price of the surge unit at the original price. After getting home, reading the instructions and seeing that the warranty on the TV was 1 year (they originally lied and told me the warranty was only 90 days, therefore scaring me into buying the $299 extended warranty), I went back to the store to get a refund on the extension. I was again told the warranty was only 90 days, and should REALLY keep the extended warranty. They had to call a manager to void the warranty sale, and he also said the mfr. warranty was only 90 days, and I would be in big trouble if anything happened. Thankfully, there were many other customers around when I quite loudly stated that the mfr. warranty was 1 year, and I did not appreciate being lied to in order to make a sale. The manager grudgingly voided the warranty, and I went on my way. Other than spending the reward bucks that I received from buying the TV, I have not set foot in a Best Buy since.

write2warriors said: Make sure they haven't changed the policy when you pull this trick

Especially since BB corporate neckties read FW daily.

Nice one, OP. I used to work in retail many years ago and I can testify to the "package discount". Most retail system shows a "net markup" percentage of everything together that's why this works.

I wub Bestbuy.

OP, have you seen this site? bestbuysux.org

Seems perfect for you.

If the TV has a retail price of $1499.99, what would be a good price to settle at for the TV once you agree to buy all the accessories? What is a typical price reduction?

I've done this at Ultimate Electronics (when my local was actually in business). The guy told me he would give me 50% off an expensive Monster line conditioner. I agreed, figuring I'd just return it anyway. Then he told me he couldn't give me 50% off (because Monster wouldn't let them?) and that he would take that portion off the TV. So he knocked $400 off the TV and charged me full price for the line conditioner. Returned the line conditioner and my net was the TV for $400 cheaper.

Thanks OP, will try this when I'm ready to buy my plasma

Hi all...

I'm really enjoying this topic. Here are a few answers to questions, etc I am reading. I will put quotes on the post and a bullet in front of my reply so you can tell what's what;


"You should do this buying on Monday when best buy has a hard time hitting revenue. Also you should buy directly from the Manager for the home threater department to aviod any type of overwrite because you are buying it below cost."

- Likely day of the week will not matter but dealing with the home theater area manager will be better as they tend to be younger, less business savy and the ones held accountable for hitting the goals. They will likely be the most aggressive.


"Buy it all and wait a few days, then return to the store and refund everything but the TV."
Don't you need a valid reason for a refund, I can't just go in and ask for a refund for the surge protector and cables simply because I don't like them. Would using the excuse that the surge protector is too big and the cables are not the right cables for the TV work?"

- You do not need a reason to request a refund. They have a 30 day, no questions asked return policy. Just say you changed your mind.


"DO NOT let them tell you to call an 800 # to refund the warranty - they may try that one but policy is to return it in-store for the first 30 days."
Can you explain more on this part? How can I stop them from doing this? What could I say to stop them from telling me to return the warranty?"

- Tell them that you are aware of policy and that it is returned in-store for the first 30 days. If they dont cooperate call the 800 # from your cell (or their phone) right at the front counter. The person at the 800 will tell you that it's to be done in-store. Let them on the phone with the employee.


"...and may threaten to increase the cost of the TV but hold your ground.
What do I say if they increase the cost of the TV?"

- Let them do it and then tell them you will be calling the district office to see how they feel about the practice of bundling a deal to create accessory and warranty sales. They will relent in about 5 seconds.


"this deal only works on a manager? or a regular employee selling the thing also?"

- They have to fill out a form called a CPO to authorize the discount. Only a manager can sign off on it so ultimately the pricing will have to come from a manager.


"Make sure they haven't changed the policy when you pull this trick"

- As of now the policy is unchanged. The only variable is finding someone to deal to hit their numbers. Shouldn't be too tough.


"Especially since BB corporate neckties read FW daily."

- This is true. I used to get emails at work warning of things posted on FW.


"I'm shopping for a new gas dryer. What are the bundled items I need to be aware of if I buy at Bestbuy?"

- Ask them to work a deal which includes 5 year warranty, new gas line, delivery and install. The $ will be taken from the dryer.


"OP, have you seen this site? bestbuysux.org Seems perfect for you."

- LOL.. yes, I have read it many times. I used to read it as a manager as a reminder of how NOT to treat people also. It's knid of hard to separate the bad managers from the problem employees and customers but serves as a reminder that you never need to act unprofessionaly as BB people often do. Interesting read though, thanks for mentioning it.


"As a former sales manager at a CC, this type of move will also work there."

- Validated. I was a CC manager as well and you can do exactly the same thing there. Same items are used to do it.


"If the TV has a retail price of $1499.99, what would be a good price to settle at for the TV once you agree to buy all the accessories? What is a typical price reduction?"

- That's a good but tough question. Go for cost on the set but be careful not to show any attention to the set when talking to them or they may figure out what you're up to. Focus ONLY on the package price when negotiating.
Typical mark-up in a Best Buy store on a TV is approx 24%. Sale would reduce this #. Give me model numbers and I'll give you the store cost.


"I'm buying a washer, dryer, and fridge next weekend...any suggestions?"

- Do the package with warranties for all, gas/flex lines, delivery, install and BUY A GARBAGE DISPOSAL. Disposals have huge mark-up and will help alot in getting a better price on all appliances. Just don't look overzealous in buying everything they throw at you; they may figure out what you're up to or look long and hard at your credit card. Get all the items on the ticket but don't be a lay-down; put up a small fight so they feel like they are selling you. This is a big purchase - feel free to write me as you need for exact strategies.


Whew! LOL
I hope I've covered all since I was last on. Keep this going and I'll get on every 1-2 days to keep up. Also let me know if I'm ever unclear in my answers or if the format I'm using is confusing.
My intent is to hurt Best Buy (if only a little) and help you save $. I don't like them much for how they treated me, other employees and customers. I am more about helping others work their flawed system as they don't deserve the profit or standing which they enjoy.
Trust me; my advice is good and if I don't know something I will say so. I'm not a jilted 20 year old, nor was I a bad employess - they tried to get me back after I left. I say this because you will do better if you are confident when you walk into their store.

The game continues....

L.

lawlis1 said: "I'm buying a washer, dryer, and fridge next weekend...any suggestions?"

- Do the package with warranties for all, gas/flex lines, delivery, install and BUY A GARBAGE DISPOSAL. Disposals have huge mark-up and will help alot in getting a better price on all appliances. Just don't look overzealous in buying everything they throw at you; they may figure out what you're up to or look long and hard at your credit card. Get all the items on the ticket but don't be a lay-down; put up a small fight so they feel like they are selling you. This is a big purchase - feel free to write me as you need for exact strategies.Great idea with the garbage disposal. When you request delivery/install, doesn't that add to the price? and if so, how do you 'return' it.

wow excellent excellent advice OP. when i get my TV there i will try and let you know how it goes! good job...dunno how to put green but i would if i could lolz..