I'm A Shopping Editor, And This Is The No. 1 Reason I Prefer Best Buy Over Amazon For Tech Purchases

1 day ago

Thomas Fuller / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images

During nan vacation season, it's a shopper's paradise. Since awesome retailers are competing for your business, a mostly of nan clip you tin get nan aforesaid woody astatine a retailer of your choice. For many, Amazon has go nan go-to spot to shop crockery to nuts, including celebrated tech.

And during Cyber Week, I faced a dilemma. For weeks, I was scoping retired nan Hisense Canvas 65-inch TV, waiting for a deal. On Cyber Monday, it yet dropped to $850 astatine some Amazon and Best Buy. And I had a choice. To bargain astatine Best Buy? Or to bargain connected Amazon?

Also: I bought a top-selling creation TV woody for Cyber Monday (and it's not nan Frame)

As an older Gen-Zer who cosplays arsenic a millennial successful definite instances, my gut told maine to bring my business to Best Buy. After all, I insist connected making my awesome purchases connected my laptop and subordinate astir things tech pinch nan big, bluish store. I've purchased my AirPods, laptops, and Apple Watch from Best Buy. I've ne'er received damaged items, knowledgeable missing parcels, aliases had an unsatisfactory experience.

But was I worrying excessively much? Many friends, family members, and coworkers person purchased tech products from Amazon without issue, and my caller TV would surely get faster pinch Prime shipping.

I was truthful conflicted connected wherever to acquisition this TV that I consulted my editor (a much seasoned big than maine pinch aggregate awesome tech purchases nether her belt) earlier checking out, and she yet confirmed my instincts. On Dec. 1, I paid $850 astatine Best Buy for nan Hisense Canvas TV, a savings of $350, and that was that -- until today.

Review: This Samsung Frame TV competitor conscionable deed an all-time debased value (and it's yet worthy it)

While scouting retired retailer vacation income -- which I do often arsenic ZDNET's deals and shopping editor -- I came crossed an exclusive Best Buy 3-Day waste connection for nan very TV I had conscionable purchased. In fact, it was trading for nan aforesaid value arsenic nan smaller 55-inch exemplary was listed for. It was now $150 little than what I paid, connected waste for $700. That's nan champion value I've ever seen nan 65-inch exemplary waste for, and my contiguous thought was... crap.

Should I return and cancel my first order? I hadn't moreover opened nan TV yet. Could I get refunded nan difference?

Thankfully, I was reminded why I ever for illustration buying awesome tech from Best Buy. I quickly pulled up nan vacation value policy, and I had a bully emotion I could get immoderate money back.

Best Buy says it will lucifer immoderate connection that goes little during nan vacation play pinch its Holiday Price Match Guarantee. This intends that astir products purchased astatine Best Buy betwixt Oct. 31 and Dec. 31 tin beryllium price-matched done Jan. 15 utilizing this policy. There are immoderate exclusions and limitations, but a mostly of tech is covered nether nan policy. And successful 2025, specified promises often look for illustration improbable situations. But it happened to me, and I was going to capitalize.

Also: This Alexa+ update tin way deals and bargain for you erstwhile nan value drops - here's how

I pulled up a unrecorded chat connected my Best Buy app, initiated a value lucifer request, and successful little than 5 minutes (after sharing immoderate insignificant details), I had a refund of $160 connected its measurement to me, locking successful that $700 value being offered today, moreover though I primitively purchased my TV a fewer days anterior for $850.

Would Amazon do that for you? The reply is no, because Amazon does not connection value matching aliases adjustments. The only measurement I could've scored this woody is if I had initially purchased nan TV from Amazon, and past returned it (a hassle for a ample point for illustration a TV) and re-ordered elsewhere. Thankfully, I didn't person to, because my spot successful Best Buy from nan opening guided maine successful nan correct direction. Instead, I benefited from a painlessly, easy price-match process that required small effort and took distant immoderate sting of losing retired connected a awesome deal.

Best Buy, if you're reference this, I'll proceed to beryllium a loyal customer for my pricey tech purchases acknowledgment to policies for illustration this one. After all, Jeff Bezos doesn't connection that.