.
As for the prices listed on these Internet advertised products, there were no special offers to take note of. With the exception of the Sony Camcorder, all the in-store prices were the "same" as the web site. However, there were significant promotions to motivate a buyer to purchase both in the store versus on the web site.
The Camcorder was $50 cheaper if bought in the store, and Best Buy is offering a free.
recliner when you buy one of the wide screen TV's in the store. According to one of the.
in store salesperson, the chair alone is worth a $250 savings.
The products that were found both on the web site and in-store were of the same sizes,.
color selections, and prices. However, there were a few differences in incentives for.
purchasing items in the store versus on the web site. For example, a customer can.
purchase a Compaq notebook outright for $999.99 on the web site. If purchased in-store,.
they would pay $1099.00 and mail in a rebate coupon for $100 off. Also, if an Epson.
Laser Printer were purchased online, the price would be $149.99. If purchased in-store,.
the base price would be the same, but there is an added bonus of a $20 Best Buy Gift.
Card thrown in for purchasing the same item in the store.
Special Offers.
The biggest promotional push that is found on the web site relates to free ground.
shipping on every item purchased online for a limited time. I challenged this offer. I called Best Buy to investigate about shipping the GE Smooth top Range for free, but Nicole, the customer service representative, told me that Best Buy does not sell major appliances on the Internet. Therefore customers must visit the store to buy major appliances.
Inside of the store, there are similar ads to promote free shipping, but more focus is placed on the offer for no-interest financing until January 2004.
Another favorable customer pricing policy found on Best Buy Stores but not available on the Internet is the ten percent competitor price reduction.
