best buy
Big changes are afoot in electronics retailer Best Buy’s member and customer loyalty program as the company aims to generate more revenue and compete with Amazon, Best Buy announced via email to customers this week.
First, the good news: Members of Best Buy’s My Best Buy program will get free shipping on orders from the company’s online store, this time with no minimum purchase price.
That’s all for the good news, though. On the downside: people who have paid for the premium (sort of) Amazon Prime-like Totaltech service may be irritated to learn that one of the program’s previously promised perks – free same-day delivery – has been deleted. Instead, Totaltech members will get free two-day shipping.
That’s not the only downgrade either. Best Buy’s rewards system, where customers earn points on their purchases, will become exclusive to My Best Buy credit card holders. It was previously available to Totaltech and My Best Buy members. Now neither can get it without the credit card.
Other Totaltech perks, like 24/7 technical support, longer return windows, special pricing, and exclusive access to select hard-to-find items like PlayStation 5 consoles, will continue.
The changes to Totaltech come into effect on February 14. Customers who don’t have or don’t want the company’s credit card will receive “a certificate for the points remaining in your account within 60 days of the February 14 program change.” The new free shipping benefit for My Best Buy members is effective immediately.
All in all, free shipping is a welcome new perk for non-paying members, but Totaltech members who pay $199.99 per year are likely to be frustrated with the removal of the same-day shipping benefit. Few customers will be happy that Best Buy is selling them a credit card for a rewards system they previously had access to.
