11 Secrets Best Buy Employees Won’t Tell You
Updated: Oct. 22, 2021
Get ready to save BIG on your next electronics purchase.
We can offer a lower price
A lot of customers don’t know about Best Buy’s generous price-match policy. If you can find a better price from certain online retailers (including Amazon) or a local competitor, the store will lower the cost just for you.
Let us do the grunt work of comparing prices
Even if you want to take advantage of price matching, don’t waste your time researching prices before you get to the store. Best Buy employees can quickly call up all of the store’s competitors, so don’t be shy about asking them to check them out for you. Learn why you should buy electronics from airport Best Buy kiosks.
We can prevent buyer’s remorse
That price-match guarantee? It still applies even after you’ve swiped your card. As long as it’s within your return/exchange period (usually 15 days), you can still request a lower price if you spot one at Best Buy or its competitors. Check out which 14 stores have the best return policies.
We’ll buy outdated electronics
That old MP3 player you’ve been holding on to could have some value after all, thanks to Best Buy’s trade-in program. “If you have old electronics you either won’t use or can’t sell, take them into the store and Best Buy might offer a discount on a future purchase,” says Sara Skirboll, shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot. For instance, the store currently estimates it can give you $14 for a second-generation iPod Nano.
We recycle for you
Even if Best Buy can’t give you store credit for your electronics, employees can still recycle them for you. No matter how old it is, they’ll take it off your hands (and keep it out of landfills). You might even get a discount, like 15 percent off new printer cartridges for bringing in empty ones. Check your local store’s offers.
Sign up for secret deals
“Like many other retailers, Best Buy has a loyalty program for its faithful shoppers,” says Skirboll. Even at the free My Best Buy base level, you can earn $5 for every $500 you spend. You’ll also get access to exclusive member discounts.
Check for open-box deals
Whether the product was used as an in-store display or returned by a customer, open-box items are cheaper than new ones. Best Buy employees give it a rating, from Excellent-Certified to Fair, so you know what you’re getting—plus, you get another perk. Unlike pre-owned or refurbished items, which usually have a limited or 90-day warranty, open-box deals are generally covered under a full warranty. Find out which electronics are best to buy used instead of new.
Don’t stress about shipping fees
As long as you’re spending $35 or more, Best Buy will give you free shipping. Cheaper items are no sweat either. If it isn’t in stock at your store, you can get it shipped there for free, so going out of your way could pay off (literally).
Wait for a holiday
Especially when it comes to big-ticket items, a little patience could lead to big savings. “Big holiday time periods can bring significant discounts on many items,” says Skirboll. “For instance, Black Friday offers many deals from TVs, computers, and accessories.”
Sign up for updates
Subscribing to Best Buy’s email newsletters is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of any deals, says Skirboll. “These heavy price tag items are not always at full price and Best Buy sends updates on offerings and promotions they have going on,” she says.
Give us a “like”
If another email newsletter is the last thing you need, check social media for promotion updates. “Following Best Buy on social media channels like Twitter and Facebook also gives you a leg up on other shoppers to stay up to date on the latest sales,” says Skirboll. For even more deals on electronics and more, here are 11 money-saving secrets Target employees won’t tell you.
