Best Buy Beta
Retail giant Best Buy has introduced a broad-sweeping subscription service to engage its customers over the long term. Dubbed ‘Best Buy Beta,’ it’s aimed directly at anyone who works from home. The service includes 24-hour Best Buy concierge support, unlimited tech support from Geek Squad, free in-home delivery and installation on most available products, and a fair amount more — all for $200 annually ($180 with a Best Buy credit card).
Best Buy’s Chief Customer Officer, Allison Peterson, says the program’s focus is to “leave customers feeling confident throughout their relationship with Best Buy.”
But how? Read on for the details while you wait on hold for your current tech support.
Work From Home Confidently: Best Buy Beta Benefits
Do you like bulleted lists? According to Best Buy’s corporate website, Beta offers:
- Dedicated and exclusive concierge support
- Unlimited Geek Squad technical support on all technology in your home (whether purchased at Best Buy or not)
- Fast and free shipping with no minimums
- Exclusive member pricing on a wide range of products
- Free in-home standard delivery and installation on most products
- Two-year protection on most purchases at Best Buy, including AppleCare on Apple products
- 60-day extended return window
- 10% off subscription services billed through Best Buy
Benefit, benefit, benefit. Some features, like free shipping and member pricing, are familiar constants across subscription services. Others, like the comprehensive tech support through Geek Squad, are unique.
Through Best Buy Beta, you can call in a rescue on any technology in your home, regardless of whether you bought it from the parent company. This offering is fascinating. Could Beta technicians repair my record player? My fifth-generation iPod? My waterlogged “waterproof” Bluetooth speaker?
Obviously, there will be limitations — but, as yet, they’re unclear. Beyond the usual subscription benefits, the program’s main utility is in-home tech support (free installation will be attractive to anyone who loathes “setup” as much as I do).
The Upshot: What to Expect, How to Purchase
The program launches in a limited pilot capacity, currently available in Iowa, Oklahoma, and eastern Pennsylvania. In May this year, it expands to select stores in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
If you’re a work from home tech type, especially one who frequently updates their technology, Best Buy Beta could significantly help you. Considering the cost of some of the included services on the open market, the $200 annual fee could pay for itself in the blink of an eye.
