Deftones

Used to be if you financed a large purchase, you'd get points on your purchases. I just purchased $2,000 worth of washer and dryer and they are now telling me since I financed the purchase, I don't get a single point for it. What the fuck is that shit? What good is the program anymore if you are basically penalizing people for making large purchases?

I think I'm about done shopping at BB outside of the Gamers Club Unlocked.

Deftones

I just did some searching, and apparently this was a change they made last year: http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/ideas/v...age/1#comments

What a bunch of ****s. Well, all my future business is going somewhere else. No reason to shop there anymore on large purchases if I don't get rewarded. All my large purchases will go to Amazon now.

fumanstan

Yeah, when I bought a laptop last year and a TV this year the options were either to finance or to get the points.

Cardsfan111

Hadn't heard, but that is a strange policy.

zoomgirl

I barely shop at Best Buy anymore. I like supporting Brick and Mortar stores but since they have made all these changes to the reward programs I just figure...why bother? They sure don't go out of their way anymore for Reward members.

b2net

It used to be you still received points but got no bonus points. I agree that is crock you get nothing.

DJariya

Yeah I bought a new TV and a few Bds this past summer and put it on my BB card. The register said that I could finance it and get 0 points or use it as a standard credit card and get points. I opted for the no-interest financing. The My Best Buy RZ program is pretty much worthless these days.

PhantomStranger

To be fair, Best Buy is barely remaining in business these days. Some management consultant saw how much the points were costing them and decided to axe them in this case. The current management probably regrets ever instituting Reward Zone memberships. They've nickel-and-dimed the program to a point where it's basically worthless.

Hadrian7

I agree that the reward zone membership is basically useless compared to what it was in the past. However, I don't blame Best Buy completely since Amazon Prime raised their rates and now charge tax for me. Most membership/rewards programs are just not that good anymore.

Meathead

Yeah I noticed the same thing back in May when I financed a dryer... and if you use the financing option the purchase doesn't count towards the $1500/$3500 dollar requirement for Elite/Elite Plus either.

This year will probably see the dollar requirements for Elite/Elite Plus raised (or Elite eliminated all together) and the return window reduced even further (Elite 21 days/Elite Plus 30 days).

Deftones

Actually look at their latest financials. They are sort of making a pretty good comeback. Revenue and profits are up. Many are optimistic that the trend will continue.

Still pisses me off that I somehow missed this. I mean, they had the best price on the washer/dryer I bought, but absurd that they took this function away.

fumanstan

Hmm, unless they're being nice with the Elite membership, I think my TV purchase last week that I financed counted as I just got an email that I made it to Elite status.

My Other Self

I've only bought a handful of small purchases at BB this past year collectively as a whole and I've gotten more "free" $5 certs than any I had actually earned. Didn't quite understand that.

Their credit card is garbage as it is. I guess promotional financing as its advantages but I could never get a CLI so it was never worth it for me to have the card open, along with the yearly membership fee.

zoomgirl

If I remember correctly didn't you have to pay for the Reward Zone when if first came out? I think it was 10 for the year. You got 5 dollars for every 100 spent, then they made it free...but you got 5 for every 250 spent.

Deftones

yes. financed purchases do count toward elite/elite plus status. just not toward points accrual.

b2net

I thought that while the purchase doesn't provide points, it still counted towards the annual spending for elite /elite plus qualifications. If this is true, they really are killing this program....

fumanstan

It seems like it does count, see my post and Deftones reply right above.

Meathead

It may be random then or they didn't for a certain financing promo. I know I never got the dollar credit for the purchase I financed. I guess I should have followed up more than I did. In the end it wouldn't have mattered as I was nowhere near the elite plus requirement.

Timber

I got my card when they started the program. Going through my wallet a few weeks ago I realized that the thing hadn't been taken out in close to 2 years. I put it in the shredder as I don't anticipate going to BB enough to justify the added card being in there.

fujishig

Every time they changed it (for the worse) it was "because of customer demand" or "to better serve the customer."

I love Best Buy's current gaming discount program, but I'm under no illusion that it's not going to radically change before my two years is up.

Jacoby Ellsbury

$2K for a washer and dryer!? So it folds the clothes for you too... that's awesome!

Deftones

Of course not, that is what my wife is for.

Deftones

just wanted to confirm this isn't true. i got an email the other day saying I'm not Elite status as a result of my purchase.

Trevor

not or now ?

Deftones

Now. Sorry. Stupid phone