Best Buy Renews My Reward Zone Membership for Free! (1 Viewer)

[TravisR]

If they're going to increase the level to get a $5 certificate by a hundred bucks, at least they're getting rid of the membership cost.

 

[MarkDude]

They've had this version of the Reward Zone in Ohio for over a year. At least now I won't feel like I'm missing out on the lower (i.e. $150) reward levels anymore...

 

[nolesrule]

This is really starting to defeat the purpose of the program. First, it was the equivalent of 4% back, then 3.3% back. Now they are changing it to 2%?

Not only that, but going to 1 pt/$ means they'll probably round down on pts.

What's the frigging point?

 

[TonyD]

well i suppose using the card is pointless now for me i dont spend enough there for it to matter.
just wont present the RZ when i buy anything from now on as its just a tracking device now..



from the site.

FREE AND EASY

Some exciting changes are coming for your Reward Zone® program. After September 18, 2006, it will be easier than ever to receive great rewards.

What are the changes?

* New, no-fee membership. Just make one purchase per calendar year at Best Buy or BestBuy.com® to continue your membership.
* A simplified point system. Get 1 point for nearly every $1 spent.
* Earn 250 points and get a $5 reward certificate.

How will this affect my membership benefits?
You'll continue to enjoy the benefits you already receive, including:

* Everyday member benefits like free paper every time you buy 2 ink cartridges
* Exclusive members-only deals
* Sweepstakes and memorabilia offers
* Access to special store sales events

What does this change mean for me?
You will still accumulate points with your purchases at Best Buy and online at BestBuy.com. After September 18, 2006, you'll enjoy a no-fee membership and simplified point system.

When will these program changes take effect?
Your new Reward Zone program will be effective after September 18, 2006.

What happens to the points I accumulated before the changes go into effect?
At the time of change, all of the points in your account will be converted to the new point system - without losing any of the value of points currently in your account. The new point system gives you 1 point for nearly every $1 spent.
Eligible Purchases Points Reward Certificates
$250 250 $5
$500 500 $10
$1000 1000 $20

Do I need to do anything?
Nope. Just enjoy the rewards.

Why the change?
These changes are part of our efforts to continually evolve the program, making your participation easier and the rewards more meaningful.

General Membership

How do I join the Reward Zone program?
Visit any Best Buy store and ask a Customer Specialist for a free enrollment kit. Enrollment kits are also available throughout the store and at checkout. Your kit contains your Reward Zone program membership card as well as a complete list of program details. To become a member, you must be a U.S. resident at least 13 years of age or older.

Does it cost anything to become a member?
No. There's no fee to join and no ongoing membership fee. Just make one purchase per calendar year to continue your membership.

When does my membership expire?
Your membership is valid as long as you make a purchase each calendar year. If no purchase is made in a calendar year, your points will be cashed out and reward certificates issued down to $5. Any points remaining under $5 will be forfeited.

Can my family or friends use my membership so I'll earn extra points on their purchases?
No. Memberships are nontransferable and are only valid for use by the person whose name is given upon registration.

 

[RoyWilbury]

I'm inclined to also give up presenting the card. The only reason I have one is because I made a large purchase last year that made it worth the trouble to get a relatively substantial amount of reward zone coupons back.

Notice how you now get one point for "NEARLY" every $1 spent. It's probably 91.74393 cents or some ridiculous formula, meaning to get $5 in reward certificates, you'd probably have to spend not $250, but $279 or something like that.

The reward zone was and still is something that is, I suppose, still worth doing if you are going to make one or more large purchases. If you're going in to buy a $5000 TV or something, then you'd get around $100 in reward certificates.

But I'm not even sure I neccesarily will spend over $250 at Best Buy during the next year. Add to that the fact that they take a couple months to send the reward certificate once you earn the points. I don't like have purchases tracked for no reason either, so I'll probably forego the card as well.

 

[DeanWG]

I belive this probably has more to do with exclusion on certain products - often by manufacturer request not to allow promotions like this with their products. Apple, Bose, certain HP products, etc. as well as services like computer installs, delivery charges, service plans, etc. Nothing specific on these things, but I think that's what they are trying to say.

Trust me . . . if you buy a DVD for $25, you'll be getting 25 points.

 

[Will_C]

BB sometimes has discounts on new dvds and dvd sets for RZ members. It sucks that they've increased the required purchase amount before obtaining a reward certificate, but the card may still have some value from time to time.

 

[nolesrule]

And if you buy a DVD for $24.99, do you get 25 pts or 24 pts?

Since almost all products end in .9x, rounding could be a significant issue here. At least on the old system, you'd get credit for every cent.

 

[NeilO]

And my current membership doesn't expire until 10/31/2007 due to various circumstances mentioned earlier in this thread. Too bad it looks like I won't get the old benefits while my current membership is in effect.

Neil

 

[Adam_WM]

Well, we had to figure this wouldn't last forever. They want this for the same reasons every grocery store does: They want to track product purchase habits. Before you know it, you won't be able to get sale prices without a Reward Zone card. Oh well.

 

[Rob Lutter]

Wow. That press release makes fucking you sound so GOOD!

Luckily I never paid for my RZ membership, I got a free membership in the mail and it always magically renewed itself. $20 per $1000 spent. Wow. How. Amazing.

 

[MarkDude]

You'll get 24.99 points.

Here's a shot from my Reward Zone page:

http://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bbrz4it.png

 

[StephenP]

I predict nearly all new releases will require the card to get the sale prices. BB has just made it not worth price matching them with circuit city's generally cheaper prices.

 

[Ken Chui]

Even though the program is almost pointless (though I still receive a $5 certificate every 2-3 months), it's still worth holding onto, if for no other reason than the occasional giveaway tied to certain purchases, e.g. lithographs with DVD purchases. The program's free for Ohioans since last year (and will be for everyone else come September), so I can't really complain about the revised terms of its usage.

 

[LarryH]

While the RZ benefit used to be a factor in whether I bought something at BB or not, it's becoming not worth the trouble even to walk down the strip mall 50 feet. Certainly makes mail-order more competitive. Oh well, my card has nearly worn out anyway.

 

[Albert_M]

Does anyone know if they will let me apply the 12% coupon towards an Internet order that I pick up at the store?

I want to get the Sherlock Holmes Collection, but apparently it's $120 at the store, though on their site it's around $90. I have some Reward dollars and a gift card, but it would be great if I could get that discount....?

 

[Citizen87645]

I don't think you can use the coupons online - same situation as the RewardZone vouchers.

 

[Albert_M]

I plan on ordering it online for instore pick up (in which case they actually, literally just take one off of the shelf).

 

[Citizen87645]

You would be asking them to apply the coupon after you paid, since you cannot go pick up the item until your payment has cleared. If they let you do that, then that's great, but that would (pleasantly) surprise me. I don't believe the coupon codes work online, though you might give it a try.

 

[Albert_M]

It's been a while since i ordered on line and one time the person in the store and I actually forget that - yes - I will have paid before picking it up.