A Coupon Blunder by ‘Best Buy’--- Celebration For Some

I have been looking for a ‘Digital Media Streamer’ for some time now, and just last week I also wrote an article sharing my research (http://indiapulse.sulekha.com/local-pulse/digital-media-streamers-an-enhanced-experience_post_3562). Particularly for electronics it is always wise to look for deals online to save a few bucks. Lest had I known that this research would land me upon a coupon which not only is a huge blunder by this well-known company but it also made news.

Slickdeal.net is a great place to find some good deals on products and services .To my excitement, on Jan 21^st, I found an amazing Best Buy coupon which said ‘Spend a $100 and save $50, when you pay with a MasterCard credit card. I read a few comments on this coupon and was assured that this was true, and I could get my Apple TV worth almost $100 for just $50. Since the Apple TV is hardly ever on discount, I rushed to the store immediately dreading the stock must vanish. To my dismay the coupon was not ringing since the product was one dollar short of $100. Here, the manager intervened and helped me by over-riding the amount to $100, so that I could avail the discount.

The Actual Coupon

 I was thrilled with my possession and grateful to the manager only to realize later the bigger opportunity that I had missed. When I logged onto Slickdeals once back from the store, I was amazed to see the number of pages that had shot up in just a few hours with people’s comments on this particular coupon. Some people went berserk using this no limitation ticket. They took advantage of Best Buy and rung up thousands of dollars of Amazon.com and iTunes gift cards. They bragged about the way they used or actually misused this coupon.

One guy took a picture and displayed the $1600 worth Amazon cards he bought for just $800. That was like exchanging $800 cash and doubling the money. 

Displaying $1600 Worth Gift Cards Exchanged For $800

Another guy got a $2000 refrigerator and paid only $1000, as he had exchanged 20 such coupons for $2000 worth gift cards. There were many such stories with proofs shared on the site.

My excitement of Apple TV deal faded. I was disheartened at the mere purchase I had made, when people were milking this offer. I even thought of going back to the store and trying my luck on a few gift cards which could help me get my dream ‘Bose Music System’ in future. Till then I had not realized that it was a blunder but was surprised on this too good to be true offer. My mind did not even wander towards gift cards, as someone giving that deal is insane.

By late afternoon this coupon which was valid till January 27^th was called off, and a new coupon with many fine prints was released. The new coupon said-One household could use only one coupon which was valid for only a single day (Jan 21^st), on a single, regular priced item purchase of $100 or more. All Apple products and gift cards were excluded.

This Is What Best Buy Wrote On Its Website

I wonder who will be actually held responsible for the coupon. Does the company bear the losses or the manager under whose name it was released would be on fire…or is it one of many marketing stunts????

I am happy that I at least got my Apple TV at a 50% discount and witness a lot of buzz online that day, instead of reading stale news.

Navneeta Khemka