BestBuy.com is a flashy high-end consumer website with a focus on customer service.
Written: Feb 18 '10
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Lately with the surge in netbooks like the ASUS 1005HA, I have begun visiting the Best Buy website to see what is new in this exciting field of computing. Yet, I soon discovered that Best Buy has a lot more to offer than netbooks and low financing. Follow along as I cover all that this company has to offer with a few warnings about the drawbacks to a retail chain that has a significant online presence.
Website Design And Product Selection
I found the interface and general layout of the website to be quite attractive. You could call it a step up from utilitarian but not quite fashionable because of the numerous click advertisements and the need to scroll often to get the most out of the vertically challenged digital real-estate. They have a good selection of computers and televisions for you to pick from. Many of the latest DVD’s and Blu-Ray movies along with the HDMI players to watch them with are also available. If you wanted to, you can build yourself an entire home entertainment system complete with movies!
Did you know that Best Buy also specializes in books? I had a blast looking through all the books and the eye catching presentation they have for them. For the digitally inclined, they offer many eReaders from the Sony Reader Daily Edition to the exclusive IREX Digital Reader.
Live Chat Sales Support
On many product pages of the website you will find a section that offers the ability to click and talk. I have used this feature several times to ask questions about a product and find it very helpful. The advisors are always helpful and want to make sure you have solved your problem before leaving the chat session.
Payment Options
Once you have created an account at the Best Buy Online store, they provide a wide variety of payment options that will suit almost any online lifestyle. They support, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and their Best Buy credit accounts. PayPal is also supported which is very welcome since I receive numerous payments for my software development services through PayPal. For all users who create an account, the website will remember your payment options to make buying easier a second time.
Of course their 0% Financing Offer on the store card is also a great, no guilt way, to purchase these new items because if they do not work, I can return them with no effect on my savings account balance. I can let my money collect interest while making double minimum payments on a monthly basis. You can get approval in less than 5 minutes either online or at the store. My experience has been positive with their billing clear and concise. The statements break out the financing offers by date so you can pick and choose where the monthly payments go.
Please note that if a Best Buy retail store is in your state, then you must pay the state sales tax with the online store purchase. We all know this is not their fault but if you are trying to save a few dollars the charge can really affect your piggy bank!
Shipping
Best Buy Online offers three shipping methods: Standard, Expedited, Express. I have tried all three and see only a difference in standard as compared to the other two. One of the reasons for this is that they use FedEx which often will hold onto a package until its designated delivery date as compared to UPS which ships as soon as possible. Of course, this is all my opinion from a rural city market in Louisiana.
Back Orders
I ordered an ASUS 1201N NVIDIA ION netbook recently from Best Buy but it was on back order. While, I did have to wait an extra week to receive it, the company sent it to me expedited shipping. My order status page was showing a delay of two weeks for the product but they were able to get it to my door in less time.
Service After The Initial Sale
I was surprised at how interactive Best Buy online has become in the past year. Now, when you make an order you get an email thanking you for placing the order. The email contains your order confirmation number and a list of all items purchased. Unlike Amazon.com, they also provide a toll free number in the email for you to call for any questions. An email is dispatched after the order is sent. Finally, you will receive an email asking how you felt about the service once the product has been received. I feel they really do care.
In addition to the live chat features on the website, you can also visit the Best Buy community forums to find answers to your technical questions. The forums have integrated search features and give registered members the ability to post new messages. The community is very active and you can expect an answer to most questions within two hours, currently.
Reward Zone Program
If you purchase products from Best Buy often, I recommend joining their Reward Zone program to get the most out of your hard spent technology dollar. Basically a points program with a $1000 to $20 reward payout, you can spend the points in the online store on more merchandise. If you purchase more than $2500 in one year, you are upgraded to Platinum status with 25% more bonus points and free shipping at BestBuy.com!
Summary
I appreciated Best Buy Online’s product selection with preorder ability, wide variety of payment options, live online chat service and user friendly layout. The single largest drawback to purchasing products from the Best Buy Online store is the inability to return a product to a local retail store if it is not stocked at the store. In Lake Charles, we have a small retail store that does not stock a majority of the online inventory. Another major drawback is their high pricing and their tax charges. I still find myself buying infrequently from their website because I do trust their service. I hope you enjoy the same experience.
In all I would give Best Buy Online one thumb up and one thumb down.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? ASUS 1201N NVIDIA ION Netbook
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About the Author
Member: Reuben Gathright
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Reviews written: 526
Trusted by: 216 members
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