Over
several hours on August 19th, I was discussing (in a group) with a
few people about the NCIS Season 12 DVDs.
 |
| [Amazon's photo. As of August 19, 2015; it was on sale for $27.99; no DVD extras] |
 |
| [Best Buy exclusive version. As of August 19, 2015 -- $29.99; has a bonus DVD. The "cover" is really a cardboard insert over the main DVD set. According to a reliable source, a friend, the DVD set is the same as the Amazon one above] |
This
is the first time ever (that I know of) that Best Buy is offering an “exclusive”
bonus with the set. Amazon has the standard set. Covers are the same. A friend
investigated the situation and verified it. There is only a “cardboard” cover
over the Best Buy set. The “bonus” looks to be in a cardboard sleeve attached
to the back of the set, wrapped in plastic.
Currently,
Best Buy has the set for $29.99 and has a bonus DVD of extras. Amazon is
offering the set for $27.99 and lacks the bonus DVD.
Herein is where the rub begins …
Herein is where the rub begins …
For
those who LOVE extras – that sucks! You would likely run to BB and get their
version. If you’re lucky to find them in store. If not … you have to have them
shipped. That creates a HUGE rub …
If you have Amazon Prime; your 2-day shipping is free. And, earlier today I could have paid $2.99 for NEXT DAY arrival (August 20th). That’s a great buy as opposed to just “best” buy. Pun intended.
If you have Amazon Prime; your 2-day shipping is free. And, earlier today I could have paid $2.99 for NEXT DAY arrival (August 20th). That’s a great buy as opposed to just “best” buy. Pun intended.
Let’s
compare shipping prices:
BEST
BUY:
Sunday
– August 30th $2.99 (with Amazon’s FREE NO-RUSH, it’d arrive sooner)
Sunday
– August 23rd $10.99 (between Standard and two-day with Amazon)
Thursday
– August 20th $14.99 (having “prime”, this option was $2.99)
Amazon
beats out BB’s shipping any day – DVD extras or no. And, is it worth the $29.99
to get it when Amazon is selling the regular for $27.99? Not to me. That’s just
me.
Even
with the “standard” delivery, that brings us to this:
 |
| [Checking out as a guest; Best Buy's cart. $2.99 standard, would get here at the end of the month] |
 |
| [Having Amazon Prime is a HUGE benefit!!] |
Best Buy $35.41
Amazon $30.26
Without
Prime, Amazon’s standard shipping is a bit more expensive ($4.98), but you do
get it in “2-5 business days. The vast majority of orders will be within two to
three business days” (according to their website: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/sp.html?mp=&oid=&s=A1QNDSU4PQI1ZB&t=shipping).
I can attest to that. Just hours after ordering a DVD, it was on my doorstep. That was before I got Prime. It was in November 2012.
Mostly I’d get the items about three days later.
I can attest to that. Just hours after ordering a DVD, it was on my doorstep. That was before I got Prime. It was in November 2012.
Mostly I’d get the items about three days later.
This is why it pays to be part of Prime. At even $100 per year, it adds up in savings. I was paying $9 for 2-day shipping at times, and that adds up. That $4.98 is for one item; more items = more shipping. With Prime? No difference.
Of
course there are some marketplace sellers that are not covered, but that is a
bit different … anyway …
Getting back to my scenario …
Getting back to my scenario …
Best
Buy charges $35.41 to Amazon’s $30.26
A
difference of over $5. And, for extras that might be sold online in either
download or as a supplemental DVD (maybe even as extras for next season) – not worth
it. At least not to me.
In
addition, while a small percentage at best – my purchases help a charity of my
choice with Amazon Smile. In this case, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
Foundation. So, that would leave Best Buy out of consideration right there.
Not
a knock on them – or the “extras” DVD – they need a “gimmick” to get people in.
After all, with Amazon and their “Prime” shipping – Best Buy is getting its
butt kicked.
But,
one person brought up that Best Buy was offering free shipping … I have that
anyway. It was only the STANDARD up to 7 business days (hence nearly the end of
the month arrival), and the order had to be OVER $35. That’s a laughable
gesture at best!
I
guess it was in response to my earlier post of:
“Mon, Aug 31 - $2.99 (would have to wait 12 days)
“Mon, Aug 31 - $2.99 (would have to wait 12 days)
Mon,
Aug 24 - $10.99 (would have to wait 5 days) [I pay nothing from Amazon, and I'd
get it FRIDAY]
Fri,
Aug 21- $14.99 (2 days) [this is where I save a ton from Amazon; like $12; but
I'd get it TOMORROW!! If I order in the next 3 hours]
I'd
be looking at around: $48.62 from BB online (to get it Friday) or $30.26 from
Amazon (get it Friday).
Amazon
has it right now for $27.99 (I have to pay sales tax either way I go) and free
prime or $2.99 to get it "tomorrow". With the shipping difference,
I'd take the Amazon version. The "extra" isn't worth it.”
As
far as the difference in the arrival dates between the post and the screenshot …
that was Best Buy, not me.
But,
it does make one wonder – is it worth it? The “extras” DVD that is.
That
depends on the customer, to be honest. If the extras are really going to be a
deal-breaker and you’ll likely be in agony – get it. But, I’d go for in-store
purchase though.
If
not? Save a few bucks and shop Amazon.
Right
now, I don’t have the funds, so it’s a moot point for me. I’d likely go Amazon
when I do have the funds. Now, if Best Buy has it for $9.99 … like seasons 1-11
were (as of August 18, 2015) … I might be inclined to buy it there.
It
boils down to preference, how much someone wants to spend on the item, and if
they have to have it shipped.
Availability
is a big deal. Too often stores don’t update their physical inventory and when
you get there – if in-store pick up isn’t available; but item is listed as
in-stock – you’ve already wasted time and your fuel to stop off.
In addition, as I pointed out to someone who was quite condescending in stating that
My uncle lived as much as 62 miles away from a Best Buy, so naturally “in-store pickup” was not a viable option. That was 126 miles round trip. Adding in the fuel, time, traffic issues ... shipping was a “better buy”. And, that is saying that the store carried the item.
So, I did some further research ...
It would be nice if people, like me, put others ahead of their need to always be right. Funny how this person was just saying that. I refuse to assume that because something is available for me, it is available for someone else.
In addition, as I pointed out to someone who was quite condescending in stating that
My uncle lived as much as 62 miles away from a Best Buy, so naturally “in-store pickup” was not a viable option. That was 126 miles round trip. Adding in the fuel, time, traffic issues ... shipping was a “better buy”. And, that is saying that the store carried the item.
So, I did some further research ...
In
Stock Today (Ready for pickup today)
Closest
Stores (Pickup available today or in a few days)
Using
his zip code for the item yielded this:
In Stock Today – “This item is not available for Store Pickup in your area. Try selecting 'Closest Stores' above to see if it might be available in a few days.”
In Stock Today – “This item is not available for Store Pickup in your area. Try selecting 'Closest Stores' above to see if it might be available in a few days.”
Closest
Stores – “This item is not available near the ZIP code you entered. (Or you
haven't entered a ZIP for this search yet.)”
It would be nice if people, like me, put others ahead of their need to always be right. Funny how this person was just saying that. I refuse to assume that because something is available for me, it is available for someone else.
Just
putting this out there …
Again, people need to be informed so they can make the best possible decision for them.
AS OF 8/23/2015 The Best Buy set is now $37.00 with Amazon holding steady at $27.99 ($28). Amazon's standard shipping is about $4.98 and you'd still likely get it sooner than BB's "free" standard shipping.
However, again ... for those with Amazon Prime, the 2-day shipping is still free. That means the price difference is about $10 (for us in Nevada with 8.1% sales tax), but varies with where people live and the sales tax charged (if applicable).
Here's another thing -- if Amazon doesn't charge sales tax in your state, but Best Buy does -- figure that into it. And, remember that part of the Amazon purchase, if you use the SMILE portal, benefits the charity of your choice.
Right now, with money a consideration (free 2-day shipping; donation to my favorite charity) -- I don't consider the extra CD worth the $10 difference at this point. That's just me.
Again, people need to be informed so they can make the best possible decision for them.
AS OF 8/23/2015 The Best Buy set is now $37.00 with Amazon holding steady at $27.99 ($28). Amazon's standard shipping is about $4.98 and you'd still likely get it sooner than BB's "free" standard shipping.
However, again ... for those with Amazon Prime, the 2-day shipping is still free. That means the price difference is about $10 (for us in Nevada with 8.1% sales tax), but varies with where people live and the sales tax charged (if applicable).
Here's another thing -- if Amazon doesn't charge sales tax in your state, but Best Buy does -- figure that into it. And, remember that part of the Amazon purchase, if you use the SMILE portal, benefits the charity of your choice.
Right now, with money a consideration (free 2-day shipping; donation to my favorite charity) -- I don't consider the extra CD worth the $10 difference at this point. That's just me.
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