Move Over Amazon, Best Buy Is Launching A $200 Membership Program And The Benefits Sound Amazing

Businesses have had to learn to quickly move and adjust to the changing shopping atmosphere — both in an economy that has been in a downswing, and then getting hit with the cornavirus.

Online shops have been handling pretty well — I know Amazon has made a KILLING off me — but the brick and mortar stores have been suffering in a big way.

One store that has made a move to improve sales is Best Buy — the blue-shirt wearing, Geek Squad helping, electronic retailer.

They are trying out a monthly membership program that will help add to their store sales, and bring in a steady recurring fee from customers.

Best Buy is piloting a new membership program, called Best Buy Beta, that will provide customers with an array of benefits, including exclusive member pricing, unlimited Geek Squad technical support, up to two years of protection on most product purchases, free standard shipping and delivery, and free installation on most products and appliances.

Best Buy

The cost of the program will be $199.99 per year, which rivals Amazon Prime — which costs right at $120 per year.

The good thing about this Best Buy Beta service is that it isn’t just an online thing.

You can actually go into the store for special pricing and help from the Geek Squad.

Membership also includes access to a concierge service that is available only to Best Buy Beta members. The Best Buy concierge team is available 24/7 by phone, chat, email or through the Best Buy app.

Best Buy

You also may want to go apply for a Best Buy credit card.

Holders of the Best Buy credit card can get the Best Buy Beta service for $179.99 per year.

Best Buy isn’t the first company to try out a membership program.

We ALL know, and probably subscribe to, Amazon Prime.

There are also places like Costco and Sam’s Club that require a membership fee to use their services.

Now, unfortunately — there is ALWAYS an unfortunately, right?!? — this Beta program is only available in about 60 stores across markets in Iowa, Oklahoma, eastern Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Hopefully, if it goes well — which I’m betting it will crush it!! — the program will expand to all of the Best Buy stores.