Apply today for a FREE subscription to CIO Magazine!
Wed, Feb 6, 2008 17:46 EST
Funny BestBuy Story
|
Posted by: Bernard Golden in Rants Topic: DevelopmentBlog: The Open Source
Current Rating: |
I had a funny experience with BestBuy this week. In November, I got a flyer from my credit card company noting I had built up 35,969 points in their loyalty program due to my faithful (over)use of their credit card during the past few years. I didn't even know the credit card company *had* a loyalty program, not to mention having no idea what 35,969 points might purchase.
So a couple of weeks later I decided to take a look at what I might be able to get due to my (over) use of their credit card.
Lo and behold, an Apple iPod Classic 160 GB cost only 35,000 points. I have been eyeing one of these for several months, and took the fact that my point total barely stretched to cover it as a sign that I should order it. Which I did.
The order form came back to me and let me know that I should expect to see my shiny new iPod in four to six weeks. As a side note, why do rebates and loyalty programs *always* take four to six weeks? I mean, Amazon can get me something in five days, so why does it take rebates and loyalty programs so long?
Anyway, just like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story," I began faithfully watching my doorstep for my shiny new toy.
Finally, it arrived. Great joy. It was, according to the packing slip, sent by BestBuy Business, which I presume is the fulfillment house for the credit card's loyalty program.
But what was odd was *how* it arrived. It was delivered inside a great big Subway "Wheat Bread Dough Stick" box (see photo here). Incidentally, no "popcorn" or crushed paper protected the iPod box inside the Subway box, so it rattled around inside of the larger box, which surely can't be very good for it, nor consistent with good shipping conditions.
Now, I'm no expert on logistics. But I can't believe that "best practices" shipping calls for putting somewhat delicate electronic devices into a much larger shipping container, where they can bounce around. And I think it's weird that BestBuy is shipping products in cartons from a fast food restaurant. Almost everyone I've *ever* received a package from has cartons with their own name printed on them.
Fortunately, the iPod works perfectly. I'm happily dumping music onto it and enjoying its enormous storage capacity. But I'm still left with a curious confusion about how BestBuy runs its business.
I am a faithful Best Buy Business customer (and a member of their rewards program) and would never had thought something like this could occur.
They have bent over backwards to refund money several weeks after purchase on many items, just to keep the customer happy.They were competitive price matches, price reductions etc.
I would love to know the whole story on this one. It just doesn't make sense. I would be disappointed to find out the product was sourced from the gray market or something similar. Follow up please, and let us know!
Rating:
I hope that you did not give out any credit information with this. The points system does not work like this for Reward Zone you get certificates in the mail. You do not build up points to buy bigger items...I believe you have probably been scammed.
News, views and updates from the fast-growing world of enterprise open source software.
Job Survival Tips: What to Do When You're Set Up for Failure, Before You're Fired
Posted by Meridith Levinson in Questions | 18 comments
Open Source, Can You Afford Not Considering?
Posted by bcrowell in Best Practices | 4 comments
Microsoft Cloud Computing Vision: Self-Serving and See-Through
Posted by Laurianne McLaughlin in News | 4 comments
Week 41: Tracking Your Job Search Efforts Critical to Your Success
Posted by Mark Cummuta in Best Practices | 8 comments
The Impact of Globalization on Executive Job Searches and Economic Prosperity
Posted by Mark Cummuta in Best Practices | 3 comments
Got something to say? We want to hear it! Click the Post button to get started. GO»
Job Survival Tips: What to Do When You're Set Up for Failure, Before You're Fired
ERP Lessons from Rich People Who Stink at Golf
Microsoft Cloud Computing Vision: Self-Serving and See-Through
SanDisk Intros 16GB microSDHC Memory Cards; Which BlackBerry Will Support Them?
Finding Out What's Wrong With the New Facebook (With a Little Help From My Friends)
P&G Flirts with Google Apps and Scares the Bejesus Out of Microsoft
RIM Touch Screen BlackBerry Storm 9530 "News" Roundup
Dr. BlackBerry: Two Free--and Easy--Ways to Diagnose RIM Smartphone Ailments
Help! We Need ERP and CRM Software, But We Can't Afford It Right Now!
The SnoozeFest That Was OpenWorld
advertisement
|
|
From Laggard to Leader: Transforming the Data Center
This webcast offers an understanding of how customers are transforming their data centers, the successes and challenges of each approach, and how IT can become the driver to provide real business value and competitive advantage.
Sponsored by HP
Register for this Webcast »
Ensuring Business Services Delivery
Join Forrester Research and Fluke Networks for this unique round-table webcast, moderated by Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus of CIO, that will touch on:
- * How Application Performance can effect overall delivery of Business Services
- * Best practices for managing Application Performance in a converged and distributed environment
- * How to utilize forensics to optimize use of your internal resources
Sponsored by Fluke Networks
Watch this webcast. »
Learn how replacing multiple wireless clients with one Universal Wireless Client can cut support and help desk costs, increase end user satisfaction, improve security, and help implement Network Access Control.
Sponsored by Fiberlink
Read this White Paper »
Get instant email notifications by topic when white papers, webcasts, and case studies are added to our library.
Sign-up for the Advice & Opinion Newsletter
