Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Best Buy shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Best Buy offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Best Buy at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Best Buy? Wrong! If the Best Buy is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Best Buy then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Best Buy? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Best Buy and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Best Buy wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Best Buy then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Best Buy site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Best Buy, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Best Buy, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox_Company | company_name = Best Buy Co., Inc.| company_logo = ]| company_type = [Public company ({{nyse|BBY-->)| foundation = 1983 ([Minnesota) | location = [Richfield, Minnesota, [United States | key_people = Brian J. Dunn, COO
[Richard M. Schulze, Founder & Chairman
[Brad Anderson (executive), CEO & Vice Chairman| num_employees = 140,000| industry = [Retailing| products = [Retailing-Electronics| revenue = [United States dollar30.8 billion (2006)| homepage = http://www.bestbuy.com/ http://www.bestbuy.com -->.Best Buy Co., Inc. () is a Fortune 500 company and the largest specialty Retailing of consumer electronics in the United States and Canada, accounting for 17% of the market.Boyle, Matthew. " Best Buy's Giant Gamble." CNN. March 29, 2006. Retrieved on November 28, 2006. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada, Future Shop. Together these operate over 1150 stores in the United States, Canada and China.Chris Serres " Adaptation is key for Best Buy" Star Tribune. February 08, 2007. Retrieved on February 16, 2007. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Richfield, Minnesota, USA (near Minneapolis, Minnesota). On June 26, 2007, Best Buy announced a 40% increase in its operations, with plans to operate over 1800 stores worldwide, including 1400 Best Buy stores in the U.S. alone.

Best Buy was named "Company of the Year" by Forbes magazine in 2004,Tatge, Mark. " Fun & Games." Forbes. January 12, 2004. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. "Specialty Retailer of the Decade" by Discount Store News in 2001,Staff Writer. " DSN honors Best Buy with Specialty Retailer award." Discount Store News. January 22, 2001. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. ranked in the Top 10 of "America's Most Generous Corporations" by Forbes magazine,Moyer, Liz. " The Most Charitable Companies." Forbes. November 14, 2005. Retrieved on August 22, 2005. and made Fortune (magazine) Magazine's List of Most Admired Companies in 2006.Staff Writer. " America's Most Admired Companies 2006." CNN. Retrieved on August 22, 2006.

History 1966 -- Richard M. Schulze and business partner James Wheeler open Sound of Music, an audio specialty store, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

1967 -- Sound of Music acquires Kencraft Hi-Fi Company and Bergo Company. Second and third Sound of Music stores are opened near the University of Minnesota and in downtown Minneapolis. The Sound of Music ends its first year with gross sales of $173,000.

1969 -- Sound of Music stock first traded as publicly-held company; company enacts first employee stock option plan; three stores opened in the Twin Cities area.

1970 -- Sound of Music hits the $1 million mark in annual revenues.

1979 -- Sound of Music becomes the first suppliers of video and laserdisc equipment including Panasonic, Magnavox, Sony and Sharp Corporation.

1981 -- A tornado hits the Roseville, Minnesota store on June 14. Sound of Music responds with a "Tornado Sale," and it becomes an annual event.

1983 -- Sound of Music’s board of directors approves a new corporate name: Best Buy Co., Inc.; opens first superstore in Burnsville, Minnesota, featuring expanded selling space, a wide assortment of discounted brand-name goods, central service, and warehouse distribution; stores begin selling appliances and videocassette recorders.

1987 -- Best Buy (symbol BBY) debuts on the New York Stock Exchange with an offering of 8.3 million shares.

1989 -- Best Buy unveils a new “grab-and-go” store format. Best Buy’s brand logo changes to the familiar yellow tag.

1995 -- Best Buy develops and implements the Standard Operating Platform (SOP) to support and manage every aspect of the company’s business; the Answer Center kiosk is nominated for the Computerworld Smithsonian Award.

1997 -- Best Buy becomes the first national retailer to sell DVD hardware and software.

1998 -- Best Buy sells its 1-millionth DVD, a year after the DVD’s debut. The company also begins selling high-definition television.

2000 -- Best Buy enters the online retailing business by launching Bestbuy.com; Best Buy acquires Magnolia Hi-Fi (renamed Magnolia Audio Video in 2003), a retailer of high-end consumer electronics; music Compact Cassettes are removed from most stores.2001 -- Best Buy acquires the Canada-based electronics-chain Future Shop Ltd. and marks the company's entrance to the international marketplace; Best Buy acquires Musicland, a mall -based retailer for music and entertainment software; Best Buy launches Redline Entertainment, an independent music label and action-sports video distributor.

2002 -- Brad Anderson (executive) succeeds Schulze as Best Buy's Chief executive officer; the company acquires Geek Squad®, a 24-hour computer support taskforce; first Canadian Best Buy store opens in Mississauga, Ontario west of Toronto.

2003 -- U.S. Best Buy stores surpass the 600 mark; the company opens its first global sourcing office in Shanghai; Fortune magazine ranks Best Buy #4 on its list of most admired U.S. companies in the specialty retailers industry; the corporate offices are consolidated in one headquarters campus; Best Buy divests itself of Musicland; the company begins to segment their stores, which is considered a major part of the company's "customer centricity" transformation; the Reward Zone loyalty program and the Sweet Tracks (Best Buy) Christmas music series are both introduced in the U.S.

2004 -- Forbes magazine names Best Buy “Company of the Year.” Geek Squad precincts are opened in every Best Buy store nationwide, offering in-store service during store business hours; Best Buy offers Learning Place, its post-purchase, online customer service center. Best Buy customers purchase secure access to interactive product user-manuals, live text/voice chat service and a discussion forum to use, fix and extend the products they buy.

2005 -- Sound & Vision magazine awards Best Buy its first ever "Retailer Innovation Award" for its Magnolia store within a store concept and other retail innovations.http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/wildcard/1148/2005-editors-choice-awards.html

2006 -- Best Buy acquires a majority interest in the retail chain Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co., Ltd. China’s fourth-largest appliance and consumer electronics retailer. On November 17th, the company signs a 10 year lease to open a 4-floor store later in 2007 at the former Virgin Megastore on trendy and upscale Newbury Street (Boston) in Boston, Massachusetts. In late December, Best Buy soft-opens its first Best Buy-branded store in Shanghai; an 80,000 square foot location (the largest in the company).Busch, Sue; Driscoll, Jennifer. " Best Buy to Acquire Majority Interest in Jiangsu Five Star." (press release) Best Buy. May 12, 2006. Retrieved on August 22, 2006.Busch, Sue." Best Buy to Open First Store in China; Will Locate in Shanghai's Premier Shopping District." Best Buy. April 1, 2006. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. Best Buy opens its 800th store in Chicago, Illinois.

2007 -- On January 26, 2007 the first Best Buy in China had its grand opening - touted as the largest Best Buy in existence James Wheeler spoke for 45 mins for the grand opening. In March, Best Buy announced plans to purchase Seattle, WA based Speakeasy_(ISP), a broadband and VOIP services provider.Dudash, Jeff." Best Buy Acquires Speakeasy." (press release) Best Buy. March 27, 2007. Retrieved on March 27, 2007. The company continues to explore new markets, including current construction of two new stores in Puerto Rico, and the announcement of test stores in Mexico and Turkey.

Business model .Best Buy sells consumer electronics as well as a wide variety of related merchandise such as computers, computer software, Video games, music, DVDs, mobile phones, digital camera and video cameras, as well as home appliances (washing machines, clothes dryers, and refrigerators), in a Commission (remuneration) sales environment. Each store also includes a department for A/V equipment for automobiles, offering on-site installation services, as well as a Geek Squad "precinct" for computer repair and warranty service and accidental service plans.

Best Buy building exteriors are usually light brown in color with the entrance in an area designed to look like a blue box emerging from the rest of the structure. Older stores have a more utilitarian brick building without the blue structure.

In April 2005, the company was the first major retailer to announce the elimination of all Rebate_(marketing). John Vomhof Jr. " Best Buy starts to eliminate mail-in rebates." Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal. January 24, 2006.

As of September 23, 2007, the company operates 872 Best Buy Stores, 19 Magnolia Audio Video Stores (specializing in high-end electronics), 7 stand-alone Geek Squad stores, 3 AudioVisions Stores, and 14 Pacific Sales Stores (in Southern California), all through its U.S. retail subsidiary. They also operate 48 Best Buy and 122 Future Shop stores throughout Canada.Staff Writer. " Fiscal Year 2005 Fact Sheet - Q4." Best Buy. February 25, 2006. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. In 2003, the company opened its first international global procurement office in Shanghai, and also operates sourcing offices in Beijing and Shenzhen, primarily to reduce costs and increase the speed to market by purchasing products directly from manufacturers. As of 2007, Best Buy operates one "branded" store in Shanghai, as well as 131 Five Star Appliance Stores in China.

Best Buy also operates 9 Best Buy Mobile stores within the U.S. (5 free-standing, 4 in-store). Best Buy Mobile locations offer customers a wider variety of cell phones than its other locations, most of which are "non-branded" phones that can be used on any network. Most of the Best Buy Mobile stores are located in or around Manhattan, New York, but the company plans to expand these locations by about 180-200 within the next 18 months.

With the acquisition of Seattle based Speakeasy_(ISP), Best Buy will be able to offer broadband and VOIP services to small businesses through their Best Buy for Business unit.Staff Writer. " Best Buy to buy voice and data services provider.." Reuters. March 27, 2007

Demographics Customer Centricity is the name of a business movement centered on catering to specific customer needs and behaviors. Best Buy's concept of customer centricity means configuring its stores to serve the needs of the particular customer segments that predominate in the area of that store. Some of the ways that the Best Buy company transforms its stores for a customer segmentation, is using different types of store signage, fixtures, lighting and even uniforms. One of the things the company has done for some segments is to create a personal shopping assistant, so that a customer can call and make an appointment for their shopping trip.

The company has created "lab stores" (separate from regular segmented stores) to test the area's acceptance to the theme and segment products and services. While the renovation of its stores is expensive, sometimes nearing $1 million per store, CEO & Vice Chairman Brad Anderson (executive) claims that stores that have already been transformed have doubled their growth rate versus stores that have yet to be transformed. In 2006, Best Buy continued to expand on the customer centricity operating model by opening or converting 233 U.S. Best Buy stores to the customer centricity operating model. During that same year, Best Buy operated 300 segmented stores, or 40% of the U.S. Best Buy stores.

Private label brands As with most retailers, Best Buy owns some of the brands it sells. Best Buy currently has five private labels which include Insignia, Dynex, Init, Geek Squad, and Rocketfish. Insignia focuses on electronic equipment, including televisions, monitors, car stereos, home theater systems, and portable video and audio players.Spooner, John G. " Best Buy initiates a battle of the brands." c], 2004. Retrieved on November 27, 2006. VPR Matrix (discontinued) focused on personal computers and accessories including desktops, notebooks and computer monitors. Dynex focuses on a wide variety of economically priced computer and entertainment accessories such as storage media, data and power cables, webcams, and office supplies, with recent forays into basic electronics such as tube televisions. Init focuses on storage products such as media storage, equipment bags, totes and furniture for home theaters. The Geek Squad brand can be found on the company's high end computer accessories and cables. Rocketfish focuses on high end cables primarily used with home theater installation and setup as well as on computer accessories. Rocketfish is promoted as a brand that focuses on consumer input to develop its products.

Corporate sponsorships Best Buy is the primary sponsor for NASCAR team Haas CNC Racing and their driver Jeff Green (NASCAR).Press Release. " Best Buy on board with Green's No. 66." NASCAR. January 12, 2006. Retrieved on November 28, 2006. The company started sponsoring Haas CNC Racing in 2005 as an associate sponsor with their driver Mike Bliss.

Criticism & Controversy Florida "Extended Warranty" Lawsuit In 2000, two Florida consumers brought a lawsuit against Best Buy, alleging that the company engaged in fraudulent business practices related to the sale of extended warranty (or, more accurately, service plan). The suit claimed that Best Buy employees had misrepresented the manufacturer's warranty in order to sell the chain's own Product Service/Replacement Plan and that Best Buy had "entered into a corporate wide scheme to institute high-pressure sales techniques involving the extended warranties" and that the retailer used "artificial barriers to discourage consumers who purchased the 'complete extended warranties' from making legitimate claims."" Civil Justice Report 3, continued They're Making a Federal Case out of It. . . In State Court." Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Retrieved on August 12, 2007. Best Buy ultimately settled for $200,000, but admitted no wrongdoing. " CBC Marketplace: Extended Warranties" CBC.ca. Retrieved on August 12, 2007. On the back of Best Buy's warranty brochures, in small print at the bottom, it states that best buy holds the right to edit or change any warranty at any time.

Connecticut Attorney General Announces Best Buy Fraud Lawsuit Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal orders investigation into Best Buy's alleged use of an in-store website to mislead customers on item sales prices. Following a months-long denial, Best Buy admits that an internal site exists that may or may not have been used by salespeople." Best Buy Accused of Overcharging In-Store Shoppers" CNBC May 27, 2007. Retrieved on May 27, 2007.

Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 debut Best Buy was the subject of media attention on two separate occasions in late 2005 and again in late 2006 during the release of two popular gaming consoles: the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. In December 2005, despite any advertised bundle packages for the Xbox 360, some individual stores required customers to make a minimum purchase of certain accessories, games and/or service plans to be able to purchase the console. This resulted in a corporate-issued apology to customers.Dunn, Brian. " Open Letter to Customers." Best Buy. December 6, 2005. Retrieved on August 30, 2006. In November 2006, Best Buy was in the headlines again, when an alleged error occurred on the company's website that allowed customers to pre-order the Playstation 3 console. Customers were notified by emails explaining that the pre-order was an online error and has been canceled, and that they would not be charged for the new console." Best Buy rescinds pre-order offer for PlayStation 3." Associated Press November 13, 2006. Retrieved on November 30, 2006.

Civil Action by Wisconsin Attorney General In May 2005, the Wisconsin State Attorney General's office filed a civil action against Best Buy Company, Inc., over several alleged violations of Wisconsin consumer protection laws. Among the allegations: misleading representations to Wisconsin customers about rebates, service plans, supplemental magazine subscriptions, exchange policies, restocking fees, gift cards, and reward zone points. " Consumer Protection Lawsuit is Filed Against Best Buy." WI Department of Justice. Retrieved on January 01, 2007.

2006 Christmas controversy Main article: Christmas controversy In November 2006, Best Buy announced that it would not use the word "Christmas" in its 2006 advertisements, which caused public controversy. Dawn Bryant, a Best Buy spokeswoman, stated: "We are going to continue to use the term holiday because there are several holidays throughout that time period, and we certainly need to be respectful of all of them." Wal-Mart Opts for 'Christmas' Marketing. Associated Press. November 15, 2006. Retrieved on January 28, 2007. The Christian organization American Family Association criticized Bryant's statement, saying she equated saying "Merry Christmas" with showing disrespect. Furthermore, the AFA has launched a campaign against Best Buy's policy.Wildmon, Donald Best Buy Bans Use of Merry Christmas In Advertising . American Family Association. November 10, 2006. Retrieved on November 10, 2006. In reaction to the same policy, the Catholic League (U.S.) placed Best Buy on its 2006 Christmas Watch List." Christmas Watch." Catholic League (U.S.). Retrieved on November 24, 2006.

References External links

• Official Website
• Best Buy Canada
• Best Buy for Business
• Future Shop (Canada)
• Geek Squad
• Magnolia Audio & Video

{{Infobox_Company | company_name = Best Buy Co., Inc.| company_logo = ]| company_type = [Public company ({{nyse|BBY-->)| foundation = 1983 ([Minnesota) | location = [Richfield, Minnesota, [United States | key_people = Brian J. Dunn, COO
[Richard M. Schulze, Founder & Chairman
[Brad Anderson (executive), CEO & Vice Chairman| num_employees = 140,000| industry = [Retailing| products = [Retailing-Electronics| revenue = [United States dollar30.8 billion (2006)| homepage = http://www.bestbuy.com/ http://www.bestbuy.com -->.Best Buy Co., Inc. () is a Fortune 500 company and the largest specialty Retailing of consumer electronics in the United States and Canada, accounting for 17% of the market.Boyle, Matthew. " Best Buy's Giant Gamble." CNN. March 29, 2006. Retrieved on November 28, 2006. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada, Future Shop. Together these operate over 1150 stores in the United States, Canada and China.Chris Serres " Adaptation is key for Best Buy" Star Tribune. February 08, 2007. Retrieved on February 16, 2007. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Richfield, Minnesota, USA (near Minneapolis, Minnesota). On June 26, 2007, Best Buy announced a 40% increase in its operations, with plans to operate over 1800 stores worldwide, including 1400 Best Buy stores in the U.S. alone.

Best Buy was named "Company of the Year" by Forbes magazine in 2004,Tatge, Mark. " Fun & Games." Forbes. January 12, 2004. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. "Specialty Retailer of the Decade" by Discount Store News in 2001,Staff Writer. " DSN honors Best Buy with Specialty Retailer award." Discount Store News. January 22, 2001. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. ranked in the Top 10 of "America's Most Generous Corporations" by Forbes magazine,Moyer, Liz. " The Most Charitable Companies." Forbes. November 14, 2005. Retrieved on August 22, 2005. and made Fortune (magazine) Magazine's List of Most Admired Companies in 2006.Staff Writer. " America's Most Admired Companies 2006." CNN. Retrieved on August 22, 2006.

History 1966 -- Richard M. Schulze and business partner James Wheeler open Sound of Music, an audio specialty store, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

1967 -- Sound of Music acquires Kencraft Hi-Fi Company and Bergo Company. Second and third Sound of Music stores are opened near the University of Minnesota and in downtown Minneapolis. The Sound of Music ends its first year with gross sales of $173,000.

1969 -- Sound of Music stock first traded as publicly-held company; company enacts first employee stock option plan; three stores opened in the Twin Cities area.

1970 -- Sound of Music hits the $1 million mark in annual revenues.

1979 -- Sound of Music becomes the first suppliers of video and laserdisc equipment including Panasonic, Magnavox, Sony and Sharp Corporation.

1981 -- A tornado hits the Roseville, Minnesota store on June 14. Sound of Music responds with a "Tornado Sale," and it becomes an annual event.

1983 -- Sound of Music’s board of directors approves a new corporate name: Best Buy Co., Inc.; opens first superstore in Burnsville, Minnesota, featuring expanded selling space, a wide assortment of discounted brand-name goods, central service, and warehouse distribution; stores begin selling appliances and videocassette recorders.

1987 -- Best Buy (symbol BBY) debuts on the New York Stock Exchange with an offering of 8.3 million shares.

1989 -- Best Buy unveils a new “grab-and-go” store format. Best Buy’s brand logo changes to the familiar yellow tag.

1995 -- Best Buy develops and implements the Standard Operating Platform (SOP) to support and manage every aspect of the company’s business; the Answer Center kiosk is nominated for the Computerworld Smithsonian Award.

1997 -- Best Buy becomes the first national retailer to sell DVD hardware and software.

1998 -- Best Buy sells its 1-millionth DVD, a year after the DVD’s debut. The company also begins selling high-definition television.

2000 -- Best Buy enters the online retailing business by launching Bestbuy.com; Best Buy acquires Magnolia Hi-Fi (renamed Magnolia Audio Video in 2003), a retailer of high-end consumer electronics; music Compact Cassettes are removed from most stores.2001 -- Best Buy acquires the Canada-based electronics-chain Future Shop Ltd. and marks the company's entrance to the international marketplace; Best Buy acquires Musicland, a mall -based retailer for music and entertainment software; Best Buy launches Redline Entertainment, an independent music label and action-sports video distributor.

2002 -- Brad Anderson (executive) succeeds Schulze as Best Buy's Chief executive officer; the company acquires Geek Squad®, a 24-hour computer support taskforce; first Canadian Best Buy store opens in Mississauga, Ontario west of Toronto.

2003 -- U.S. Best Buy stores surpass the 600 mark; the company opens its first global sourcing office in Shanghai; Fortune magazine ranks Best Buy #4 on its list of most admired U.S. companies in the specialty retailers industry; the corporate offices are consolidated in one headquarters campus; Best Buy divests itself of Musicland; the company begins to segment their stores, which is considered a major part of the company's "customer centricity" transformation; the Reward Zone loyalty program and the Sweet Tracks (Best Buy) Christmas music series are both introduced in the U.S.

2004 -- Forbes magazine names Best Buy “Company of the Year.” Geek Squad precincts are opened in every Best Buy store nationwide, offering in-store service during store business hours; Best Buy offers Learning Place, its post-purchase, online customer service center. Best Buy customers purchase secure access to interactive product user-manuals, live text/voice chat service and a discussion forum to use, fix and extend the products they buy.

2005 -- Sound & Vision magazine awards Best Buy its first ever "Retailer Innovation Award" for its Magnolia store within a store concept and other retail innovations.http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/wildcard/1148/2005-editors-choice-awards.html

2006 -- Best Buy acquires a majority interest in the retail chain Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co., Ltd. China’s fourth-largest appliance and consumer electronics retailer. On November 17th, the company signs a 10 year lease to open a 4-floor store later in 2007 at the former Virgin Megastore on trendy and upscale Newbury Street (Boston) in Boston, Massachusetts. In late December, Best Buy soft-opens its first Best Buy-branded store in Shanghai; an 80,000 square foot location (the largest in the company).Busch, Sue; Driscoll, Jennifer. " Best Buy to Acquire Majority Interest in Jiangsu Five Star." (press release) Best Buy. May 12, 2006. Retrieved on August 22, 2006.Busch, Sue." Best Buy to Open First Store in China; Will Locate in Shanghai's Premier Shopping District." Best Buy. April 1, 2006. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. Best Buy opens its 800th store in Chicago, Illinois.

2007 -- On January 26, 2007 the first Best Buy in China had its grand opening - touted as the largest Best Buy in existence James Wheeler spoke for 45 mins for the grand opening. In March, Best Buy announced plans to purchase Seattle, WA based Speakeasy_(ISP), a broadband and VOIP services provider.Dudash, Jeff." Best Buy Acquires Speakeasy." (press release) Best Buy. March 27, 2007. Retrieved on March 27, 2007. The company continues to explore new markets, including current construction of two new stores in Puerto Rico, and the announcement of test stores in Mexico and Turkey.

Business model .Best Buy sells consumer electronics as well as a wide variety of related merchandise such as computers, computer software, Video games, music, DVDs, mobile phones, digital camera and video cameras, as well as home appliances (washing machines, clothes dryers, and refrigerators), in a Commission (remuneration) sales environment. Each store also includes a department for A/V equipment for automobiles, offering on-site installation services, as well as a Geek Squad "precinct" for computer repair and warranty service and accidental service plans.

Best Buy building exteriors are usually light brown in color with the entrance in an area designed to look like a blue box emerging from the rest of the structure. Older stores have a more utilitarian brick building without the blue structure.

In April 2005, the company was the first major retailer to announce the elimination of all Rebate_(marketing). John Vomhof Jr. " Best Buy starts to eliminate mail-in rebates." Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal. January 24, 2006.

As of September 23, 2007, the company operates 872 Best Buy Stores, 19 Magnolia Audio Video Stores (specializing in high-end electronics), 7 stand-alone Geek Squad stores, 3 AudioVisions Stores, and 14 Pacific Sales Stores (in Southern California), all through its U.S. retail subsidiary. They also operate 48 Best Buy and 122 Future Shop stores throughout Canada.Staff Writer. " Fiscal Year 2005 Fact Sheet - Q4." Best Buy. February 25, 2006. Retrieved on August 22, 2006. In 2003, the company opened its first international global procurement office in Shanghai, and also operates sourcing offices in Beijing and Shenzhen, primarily to reduce costs and increase the speed to market by purchasing products directly from manufacturers. As of 2007, Best Buy operates one "branded" store in Shanghai, as well as 131 Five Star Appliance Stores in China.

Best Buy also operates 9 Best Buy Mobile stores within the U.S. (5 free-standing, 4 in-store). Best Buy Mobile locations offer customers a wider variety of cell phones than its other locations, most of which are "non-branded" phones that can be used on any network. Most of the Best Buy Mobile stores are located in or around Manhattan, New York, but the company plans to expand these locations by about 180-200 within the next 18 months.

With the acquisition of Seattle based Speakeasy_(ISP), Best Buy will be able to offer broadband and VOIP services to small businesses through their Best Buy for Business unit.Staff Writer. " Best Buy to buy voice and data services provider.." Reuters. March 27, 2007

Demographics Customer Centricity is the name of a business movement centered on catering to specific customer needs and behaviors. Best Buy's concept of customer centricity means configuring its stores to serve the needs of the particular customer segments that predominate in the area of that store. Some of the ways that the Best Buy company transforms its stores for a customer segmentation, is using different types of store signage, fixtures, lighting and even uniforms. One of the things the company has done for some segments is to create a personal shopping assistant, so that a customer can call and make an appointment for their shopping trip.

The company has created "lab stores" (separate from regular segmented stores) to test the area's acceptance to the theme and segment products and services. While the renovation of its stores is expensive, sometimes nearing $1 million per store, CEO & Vice Chairman Brad Anderson (executive) claims that stores that have already been transformed have doubled their growth rate versus stores that have yet to be transformed. In 2006, Best Buy continued to expand on the customer centricity operating model by opening or converting 233 U.S. Best Buy stores to the customer centricity operating model. During that same year, Best Buy operated 300 segmented stores, or 40% of the U.S. Best Buy stores.

Private label brands As with most retailers, Best Buy owns some of the brands it sells. Best Buy currently has five private labels which include Insignia, Dynex, Init, Geek Squad, and Rocketfish. Insignia focuses on electronic equipment, including televisions, monitors, car stereos, home theater systems, and portable video and audio players.Spooner, John G. " Best Buy initiates a battle of the brands." c], 2004. Retrieved on November 27, 2006. VPR Matrix (discontinued) focused on personal computers and accessories including desktops, notebooks and computer monitors. Dynex focuses on a wide variety of economically priced computer and entertainment accessories such as storage media, data and power cables, webcams, and office supplies, with recent forays into basic electronics such as tube televisions. Init focuses on storage products such as media storage, equipment bags, totes and furniture for home theaters. The Geek Squad brand can be found on the company's high end computer accessories and cables. Rocketfish focuses on high end cables primarily used with home theater installation and setup as well as on computer accessories. Rocketfish is promoted as a brand that focuses on consumer input to develop its products.

Corporate sponsorships Best Buy is the primary sponsor for NASCAR team Haas CNC Racing and their driver Jeff Green (NASCAR).Press Release. " Best Buy on board with Green's No. 66." NASCAR. January 12, 2006. Retrieved on November 28, 2006. The company started sponsoring Haas CNC Racing in 2005 as an associate sponsor with their driver Mike Bliss.

Criticism & Controversy Florida "Extended Warranty" Lawsuit In 2000, two Florida consumers brought a lawsuit against Best Buy, alleging that the company engaged in fraudulent business practices related to the sale of extended warranty (or, more accurately, service plan). The suit claimed that Best Buy employees had misrepresented the manufacturer's warranty in order to sell the chain's own Product Service/Replacement Plan and that Best Buy had "entered into a corporate wide scheme to institute high-pressure sales techniques involving the extended warranties" and that the retailer used "artificial barriers to discourage consumers who purchased the 'complete extended warranties' from making legitimate claims."" Civil Justice Report 3, continued They're Making a Federal Case out of It. . . In State Court." Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Retrieved on August 12, 2007. Best Buy ultimately settled for $200,000, but admitted no wrongdoing. " CBC Marketplace: Extended Warranties" CBC.ca. Retrieved on August 12, 2007. On the back of Best Buy's warranty brochures, in small print at the bottom, it states that best buy holds the right to edit or change any warranty at any time.

Connecticut Attorney General Announces Best Buy Fraud Lawsuit Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal orders investigation into Best Buy's alleged use of an in-store website to mislead customers on item sales prices. Following a months-long denial, Best Buy admits that an internal site exists that may or may not have been used by salespeople." Best Buy Accused of Overcharging In-Store Shoppers" CNBC May 27, 2007. Retrieved on May 27, 2007.

Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 debut Best Buy was the subject of media attention on two separate occasions in late 2005 and again in late 2006 during the release of two popular gaming consoles: the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. In December 2005, despite any advertised bundle packages for the Xbox 360, some individual stores required customers to make a minimum purchase of certain accessories, games and/or service plans to be able to purchase the console. This resulted in a corporate-issued apology to customers.Dunn, Brian. " Open Letter to Customers." Best Buy. December 6, 2005. Retrieved on August 30, 2006. In November 2006, Best Buy was in the headlines again, when an alleged error occurred on the company's website that allowed customers to pre-order the Playstation 3 console. Customers were notified by emails explaining that the pre-order was an online error and has been canceled, and that they would not be charged for the new console." Best Buy rescinds pre-order offer for PlayStation 3." Associated Press November 13, 2006. Retrieved on November 30, 2006.

Civil Action by Wisconsin Attorney General In May 2005, the Wisconsin State Attorney General's office filed a civil action against Best Buy Company, Inc., over several alleged violations of Wisconsin consumer protection laws. Among the allegations: misleading representations to Wisconsin customers about rebates, service plans, supplemental magazine subscriptions, exchange policies, restocking fees, gift cards, and reward zone points. " Consumer Protection Lawsuit is Filed Against Best Buy." WI Department of Justice. Retrieved on January 01, 2007.

2006 Christmas controversy Main article: Christmas controversy In November 2006, Best Buy announced that it would not use the word "Christmas" in its 2006 advertisements, which caused public controversy. Dawn Bryant, a Best Buy spokeswoman, stated: "We are going to continue to use the term holiday because there are several holidays throughout that time period, and we certainly need to be respectful of all of them." Wal-Mart Opts for 'Christmas' Marketing. Associated Press. November 15, 2006. Retrieved on January 28, 2007. The Christian organization American Family Association criticized Bryant's statement, saying she equated saying "Merry Christmas" with showing disrespect. Furthermore, the AFA has launched a campaign against Best Buy's policy.Wildmon, Donald Best Buy Bans Use of Merry Christmas In Advertising . American Family Association. November 10, 2006. Retrieved on November 10, 2006. In reaction to the same policy, the Catholic League (U.S.) placed Best Buy on its 2006 Christmas Watch List." Christmas Watch." Catholic League (U.S.). Retrieved on November 24, 2006.

References External links

• Official Website
• Best Buy Canada
• Best Buy for Business
• Future Shop (Canada)
• Geek Squad
• Magnolia Audio & Video