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Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Changes are not as bad. They are trying to be more environmentally friendly, but expect that you use the points within the year they are earned. That's the part I don't like.
Important member update. Your Reward ZoneŽ program is changing on October 31, 2009 * Get reward certificates faster online * Receive benefits more safely and securely * Be more environmentally friendly Reward certificates will only be available at MyRZ.com To help reduce the amount of paper we use, certificates will no longer be delivered via mail. Reward certificates will no longer be transferable This safety measure prevents others from redeeming your reward certificates without your knowledge. Lastly, for the following two conditions, points will be cashed out, available certificates will be sent, and any remaining points under 250 will be forfeited: * Your profile must include an e-mail address Make sure your e-mail address is unique to you and shared with no one else. This will improve your security by ensuring that only you receive your reward certificates. Members who haven't provided an e-mail address will no longer be eligible to participate in the program. * You will need to use your points in the year they are earned Reward Zone is becoming an annual program, which means that points no longer roll over from year-to-year. * You will need to make one purchase every 12 months to remain in the program Read the Program Rules We appreciate your membership, and we want to help you take full advantage of the Reward Zone program. Please verify your e-mail is correct. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
So they're just rounding off the fraction of a certificate I don't earn at the end of a year... into an account they set up.
Extortion to spend more at the end of the year so they don't steal my not-quite-enough points. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
That sounds pretty shitty. It already takes an unusually long time (30+ days) for the points to be added. Now they are making you rush to use the points that take forever to become eligible. So, what happens when everyone spends a shit load on Black Friday? Do those points roll over to next year or are you only going to have a few days to use them before years end? They won't show up until the last week of the year, so I guess they're hoping people have too much on their mind (Christmas, New Years) and will forget to use their points. Seems shady to me.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
I don't think that's the issue. Once a certificate is issued, I think you're fine. It's usually pretty quick from the points posting to your account and them issuing the cert. I highly doubt the "pending" period will count against you. This is just meant to clear off a portion of everyone's next $5 cert.
It'll affect people who have their cert threshold on something higher than $5, why you would do that has always escaped my understanding... |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Don't like the year thing. Having to use the points (ie, converting to a RZ cert) within a rolling year is one thing, but calendar year?
One purchase every 12 months. ok, fine. I don't mind the print-only, I never had mine snailmailed anyway. Most of the changes are definitely in their favor (and yeah, they spin the print-only as being "green", but the bottom-line of saving postage is the more likely reason.) Does this mean they'll quit mailing the flyers with coupons as well? |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by pinata242
(Post 9518528)
It'll affect people who have their cert threshold on something higher than $5, why you would do that has always escaped my understanding...
I guess I'm just a little pissed bc I'll be leaving the country soon and probably won't be back until next year. I've got some points pending that will put me over the mark, including another 500 bonus points that haven't posted yet. I don't know if I'm going to get a chance to use these now. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Lame. Who cares when I use them, I earned them so I can use them when I want. I ended up in the RZ Silver program, not even sure how as I don't go to BB that much, but I know I won't spend enough to stay in it when it expires on Feb. '10.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
BB rewards question: if i buy gift cards can i get BB reward points for that?
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
i think you get points for gift cards but not when you spend them.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by atari2600
(Post 9518803)
BB rewards question: if i buy gift cards can i get BB reward points for that?
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
perfect. thanks.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by pinata242
(Post 9518528)
I don't think that's the issue. Once a certificate is issued, I think you're fine. It's usually pretty quick from the points posting to your account and them issuing the cert. I highly doubt the "pending" period will count against you. This is just meant to clear off a portion of everyone's next $5 cert.
It'll affect people who have their cert threshold on something higher than $5, why you would do that has always escaped my understanding... Anyway, my resolution this year has been to dump BB and shop with Amazon. In fact, now that I've set out to do that (I went with the Prime Shipping after a trial) I find it very difficult to buy anything at BB. Even if an item is on sale you can usually still find it cheaper on Amazon. This really sucks since I can't even bring myself to use up gift cards. I feel like I'm wasting free money by going there. :( |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by Superman07
(Post 9520532)
Because I like to walk in and buy something straight up instead of just getting a discount! Yes, I know it's a wash in the end.
*Direct deposit left out of this little analogy for simplicity's sake ;) |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
At least they didn't up the amount of points per certificate like they did last time "due to customer demand"
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by fujishig
(Post 9520607)
At least they didn't up the amount of points per certificate like they did last time "due to customer demand"
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
I love it when companies use "going green" or "environmentally friendly" as the rationale for changes in the elimination of services or goods. It's a pathetic attempt at pandering to people's sensibilities while shrewdly cutting costs. Although I did get the certificates through email, the lack of point roll over is yet another incentive in the ever growing list of reasons to just shop at Amazon....
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
:down:
Not a fan of these changes.. #1. I like them being mailed out to me and never having to go to the website to check points, when I get one in the mail its a surprise and I usually visit the store within a few days to buy something I don't really need and spend more than the $5. #2. Give me less points by expiring old ones, give me less of a reason to come in and shop. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
^ You know that with email, they let you know without going to the site first. It's just like mail in your mailbox, but electronic!
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
This is petty ante of BB and hardly worth my time anymore. My card's going in the trash. I would think one would do a program like this to bring business in and maybe, just maybe, make your customers feel appreciated. Otherwise, why bother? This is probably for the best, the whole RZ point thing was a minor pain for me anyway. Now, it'll be one less card in my wallet.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by Pizza
(Post 9521166)
This is petty ante of BB and hardly worth my time anymore. My card's going in the trash. I would think one would do a program like this to bring business in and maybe, just maybe, make your customers feel appreciated. Otherwise, why bother? This is probably for the best, the whole RZ point thing was a minor pain for me anyway. Now, it'll be one less card in my wallet.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
I don't get all the hate, companies have the right/duty to make a profit. Buy the item wherever it is cheapest and/or most convenient. If Best Buy meets your needs, the RZ program is just a bonus.
I buy about equal amounts from Amazon and Best Buy, wherever it is cheapest. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
You're absolutely right. I don't begrudge a company trying to maximize profit and minimize cost, as long as they're not breaking laws or defrauding customers (neither of which is occuring in this case). But consumers also have the right to take their business elsewhere, or comment on anti-consumer changes.
It's just slightly more galling when they say "Due to customer demand, we're making this worse for you" and "We are reducing our offerings which also have the benefit of saving us money, but we're calling it Going Green." The RZ was a tool that could cause people to spend a little more at Best Buy because they're "earning points" rather than ordering online or shopping elsewhere. Some consumers now won't even reap that little benefit. Of course Average Joe will still likely buy at Best Buy, because, you know, they're the 'best buy', right? And that there's no real competitor to them in most areas anymore. I still go into Best Buy occasionally, just to window shop, but I think the last two things I bought there were Scene It for 360 when it was 20.00, and one of the Dinner and a Movie DVDs with free pizza. It takes me a long time to rack up 250 points :) Actually I have exactly 250 points right now...and I think some of that was when I bought something for someone else on my card. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
I try to get BB to PM my game purchases due to the RZ Gamer's Club. Spending $150 on games gets me 500 bonus points. So by the time I hit $250 spent, I've got the normal $5 from the $250, another $10 for the first $150, and well on my way to another bonus $10.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
This could definitely backfire on Best Buy. I can see people who hit the 250 mark in November, not making any further purchases for the rest of the year. They may choose not to buy from them until after the new year begins, so they don't have to worry about losing unused points or racing to hit that mark on time.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
If they really wanted to "go green", why not just have the RZ points show up on your account, so when you make a purchase it deducts the $5 from that, instead of you having to kill a tree to print it out yourself? (doesn't Borders do this?)
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by reverie
(Post 9522447)
If they really wanted to "go green", why not just have the RZ points show up on your account, so when you make a purchase it deducts the $5 from that, instead of you having to kill a tree to print it out yourself? (doesn't Borders do this?)
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by pinata242
(Post 9522454)
No shit! But, as previously pointed out, "going green" isn't the true goal here. It's just the facade they're using.
If everyone went green, Best Buy would go out of business. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
I do agree that the expiration of points within a calendar year is crap. Of course it might be crap within a year from last use or within a year from last certificate. Any way you look at this, it is just a cost cutting measure by BB... They are looking at their bottom line just like everyone else.. and tightening the belt on spending... it just sucks cause in doing so, many of us will lose our $5 and not spend as much with them if we get peeved by it... so then their bottom line may suffer indirectly... you'd think they would consider that, but they probably think we will shop there anyway... as far as brick and morter, I ususally shop there with Price Match cause of these points.. maybe it is time to spread the spending around... maybe not.. depends on how worth it the extra $5 is to me..... hmmmm?
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by reverie
(Post 9522447)
If they really wanted to "go green", why not just have the RZ points show up on your account, so when you make a purchase it deducts the $5 from that, instead of you having to kill a tree to print it out yourself?
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by fujishig
(Post 9521185)
The point, I thought, was to give a small incentive to customers to make purchases at Best Buy instead of other places, and to make it easier to track purchases from customers. Grocery stores have been doing it for years before Reward Zone came along, and I read yesterday an article on Kroger grocery stores doing well precisely because they were using the customer-gathered information to properly place items on sale.
As for grocery stores, their system isn't exactly the same. The customer doesn't receive the weekly discount prices unless they use the card. If BB did this, then I would be forced to use their card, too, when I made a purchase.
Originally Posted by Trevor
(Post 9522303)
I don't get all the hate, companies have the right/duty to make a profit. Buy the item wherever it is cheapest and/or most convenient. If Best Buy meets your needs, the RZ program is just a bonus.
I buy about equal amounts from Amazon and Best Buy, wherever it is cheapest. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by reverie
(Post 9522447)
If they really wanted to "go green", why not just have the RZ points show up on your account, so when you make a purchase it deducts the $5 from that, instead of you having to kill a tree to print it out yourself? (doesn't Borders do this?)
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Every change here seems to be motivated by Best Buy wanting to reduce or eliminate costs to themselves. The reward program has become of increasingly marginal benefit since its inception and this move continues that trend. I am surprised they have not just eliminated it entirely now that Circuit City is gone. The current corporate management of Best Buy clearly does not want to compete on price with other retailers, so they have gone in another direction trying to capture the more gullible consumers. Good luck with that business model...
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
(Post 9532113)
This is the ideal situation, kinda like a re-loadable gift card. Have them show up in my account when the clerk scans my RZ card and give me the option to use it that way without printing anything out from either party.
When your RZ card is scanned, it hits the BB database and prints out the number of points you have accumulated on your receipt. The BB database knows how many points you have. If you have enough points for at least a $5 RZ certificate, yes I agree that you should have the option of instantly applying those RZ dollars to your transaction. This is very easy for BB to do at the point of sale. BB is slowly chipping away at the benefits of the RZ program and when the economy recovers I think they will do away with the current program and replace it with an even more skimpy rewards/loyal shopper program. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Yeah, there's absolutely no reason they couldn't do that. Lowe's Foods and Regal Cinemas do that exact thing. I got a "free" popcorn coupon printed out when we went to the movies on Father's Day because I had enough points.
Just like mail-in rebates, the main reason they do it like they do is to make it inconvenient enough that many people won't use their benefits. The more inconvenient they make it, and the more they lower the benefits, the less it acts as a motivator for many (including me) to purchase there. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Not that it matters, but the if that sort of system were implemented I would want the option of applying the coupon or not since I don't want to discount a purchase that would hurt me in getting bonus points for the next one.
For example the Gamers Club bonus points or if they (ever) have another 2x or 3x point promotion. There'll always be something else to buy where the points not earned are 1:1 with the discount applied. |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by PhantomStranger
(Post 9533672)
I am surprised they have not just eliminated it entirely now that Circuit City is gone.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
Originally Posted by dino88
(Post 9518626)
I guess I'm just a little pissed bc I'll be leaving the country soon and probably won't be back until next year. I've got some points pending that will put me over the mark, including another 500 bonus points that haven't posted yet. I don't know if I'm going to get a chance to use these now.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
imho, rewardzone is okay for what it is. was better before, but hey times change. who knows though - next year the offers might be better or it might be worse again.
that said, the bestbuy rewardzone credit card offers 1% of all purchases anywhere and 4% of all purchases from bestbuy toward rewardzone points. thats a nice plus :D |
Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
For a free program, Reward Zone isnt bad. I think some people are asking a little too much of a free program.
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Re: Best Buy changing Rewards Program
I wish they never turned it into a free program. I liked it better when it was a pay to play program.
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