Best Buy API Aims To Expand Store's Reach Online

surely_you_cant_be_serious writes "Best Buy has opened up proprietary product catalog data in its online store through an open API. Through the Remix API, Best Buy can track how many people are using its information, while users can check to see where a certain product is available without visiting Best Buy's site. Web developers and bloggers can also sign up to become an official Best Buy affiliate. If approved, they can get a small percentage of a sale if someone makes a Best Buy purchase through their site."

Old news?

[Chabo (880571)]

Sounds kinda like what Amazon did several years ago, so you can link to a specific product on Amazon, and get a cut.

Re:

[by Anonymous Coward]

I hope it doesn't suck like Amazon's did. Shortly after it came out you couldn't search line for products without finding hundreds of spammed sites all selling exactly the same thing at exactly the same price. For a while finding a non-Amazon affiliate was impossible. I assume it didn't pan out or Google found a way to remove that lame home made stores, but I don't want to see that again with Best Buy.

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[Mr_eX9 (800448)]

Amazon affiliate stores are still around--I visited a site that ran one over last summer. Never seen the affiliates in a google search though.

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[timeOday (582209)]

I sure hope that's not all it is. If one API for product info predominated across most companies, it would be great, basically froogle.google.com without all the heuristics of trying to find and parse the price out of a web page (since that would be explicit). You would hardly need ebay anymore, since the search engine would be the marketplace.

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[larry bagina (561269)]

froogle used to have a format where you could provide all that information to them. Same with google base. (I think you could either provide them with a URL that generated the data or upload the data through their website).

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[timeOday (582209)]

froogle used to have a format where you could provide all that information to them.

That's interesting, but I don't think the technical spec is that much of an issue, rather it's the willingness of retailers to provide product information and pricing in machine-readable format. Since BestBuy is a huge retailer, that makes this a step forward.

I would love if some format, any format, were widely adopted and used, but unfortunately I doubt it will be. From CORBA to XML, solutions to this issue (and more b

Re:Old news?

[Brainiac4 (818236)]

It is like what Amazon did years ago. We're trying to learn from what others have done. Amazon has built a very successful web site and online business, and their web services are a big part of that. The point of Remix is not just to allow access to the catalog; it's to encourage people to innovate with it. - Kevin Matheny, E-Business Architect, BestBuy.com

My pig is growing wings.

[Irish_Samurai (224931)]

Damn, I never thought a big box retailer with brick and mortars would ever get it.

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[sleeponthemic (1253494)]

You should convert that pig to delicious bacon before it escapes.

I'm torn

[Bryansix (761547)]

I really am torn about this. On the one hand it is cool technology and it prevents me from having to actually go into a Best Buy and talk to one of the khakis pants army of morons who work there. On the other hand this means more revenue for Best Buy and that means they will expand and build more stores which will then cause me to vomit upon sight of said stores... I'm torn; really I am!

Re:I'm torn

[Chabo (880571)]

Like it or not though, Best Buy is still one of the best options if you need a computer part or accessory TODAY and can't wait for Newegg to deliver.

Re:I'm torn

[CannonballHead (842625)]

If you don't live on the west coast/near Fry's :)

Re:I'm torn

[Ethanol-fueled (1125189)]

Fry's [frys.com] is also the best place to find hobbyist stuff like kits, discrete components(though very expensive compared to wholesale), hardware, wiring harnesses for car stareos, and test equipment like power supplies and O-scopes.

Plus, the psychedelic Lewis Caroll theme inside the large stores is pretty cool when you're high on dope.

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[bastion_xx (233612)]

Oh, and the salespeople at Fry's are sooooooo much better than BB, CC, or any of the other shops.

I love Fry's for variety (and that they finally take AMEX now), but the sales people are a horror to work with. One time I was buying memory and the sales guy wanted all my other purchases in my basket prior to giving me the receipt (so he could write them up for a commission too I guess)

Having said that, I'll shop at Fry's anytime over the others.,

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[Bryansix (761547)]

It's true I have to admit. One time I sat for an hour to talk to a supervisor about getting some "Cross-connect cable" and "Cross-connect clips" in a spool less than 100 feet in length. When the supervisor came in he had no idea what it was either. I mean it's just two pair copper cable. How hard is this to figure out. They didn't know what the clips were either.

However, if you know what you want then Fry's still has a million times better selection then Best Buy on any given day.

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[supernova_hq (1014429)]

Wow, you guys must not have any NCIX or SMI's near you huh?

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[Bryansix (761547)]

Actually each Fry's has its own theme. One is themed Space and the next Greek Architecture and the next Lewis Carol...

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[AuMatar (183847)]

And the San Diego one has Home Depot architecture (as of 3 years ago it had no decorations, it was just a giant warehouse)

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[techno-vampire (666512)]

Alas, only about a third of them have themes. Of those, my personal favorite is the Burbank Fry's: Alien Invasions of the '50s. The one in the City of Industry is rather cool, too: it's designed to look like the inside of a factory.

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[John Courtland (585609)]

I'm a much bigger fan of Mouser Electronics [mouser.com]. Awesome selection... in fact, I'd go so far as to say amazing. Prices are very good as well (not always rock bottom, but damn close), and I've always received my stuff quickly from them without error.

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[UncleTogie (1004853)]

Not to mention they have darn near one of EVERYTHING. I've seen bibles MUCH thinner than their catalogs.

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[Cowmonaut (989226)]

Fry's is *only* good in California. The one up here in Oregon is a complete and total rip off if you aren't buying a pre-built system or something harmless such as a computer case. If you want computer components or the like you're going to get ripped off. They put refurbishedd components on the shelf and don't label them as they are supposed to. Three of my friends, myself, two classmates and three co-workers of mine have all had the same experience. Pretty much if you want something right away its Be

Re:

[rk (6314)]

The ones in Arizona are okay, too. I prefer the one up on Thunderbird Avenue in north Phoenix, so naturally the one on Baseline on the Phoenix/Tempe border is much much closer to where I live and work.

They put the returns right back out on the shelves, too, but they're pretty clearly labeled.

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[ncc74656 (45571)]

Fry's is *only* good in California. The one up here in Oregon is a complete and total rip off

The one here in Las Vegas isn't bad at all. More often than not, I'll buy stuff there rather than wait for Newegg to ship it. It'll cost a little bit more and I'll have to pay tax on it, but I'll have it now and can take it back if it doesn't work/doesn't do what I want it to do (as with the soundcard I bought last week whose Dolby Digital Live functionality is implemented in the (Windows) driver and not in hardw

Re:

[j1mmy (43634)]

It's also worth noting that Best Buy has decent prices these days. I picked up a new hard drive for the same price as newegg wanted for the same model. I would have paid shipping with newegg, but instead paid sales tax at Best Buy. The difference wouldn't have been more than a dollar or two either way.

Re:I'm torn

[Thornburg (264444)]

Sure, for an HDD of a particular model on a particular day, but if you're looking for a graphics card, a power supply, or most other PC components (that BB sells), their prices are 2-3x what Newegg is. Really, honestly, more than twice as much.

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[j1mmy (43634)]

I guess I should have said "decent prices on some things". I agree that some of their other hardware is overpriced.

Re:I'm torn

[Korin43 (881732)]

My Best Buy is horrible. Every time I want something I go there, walk around, then go home and buy what I want on Newegg because it's twice as expensive at Best Buy. I'm not sure about everything, but here's some examples:

2 Gb of memory: Best Buy [bestbuy.com] - Cheapest is $39 (note "Regular price: $144), Newegg [newegg.com] - Cheapest is $16.
Not a fair fight you say? How about if we compare to Newegg's Kingston and PNY brands (the only kind my local Best Buy carries): Cheapest Kingston [newegg.com] is $18. The only PNY [newegg.com] is $20.
Best Buy's prices aren't even close. If this isn't enough for you, how about how Newegg will sell you 4 Gb of "Corsair Dominator" memory [newegg.com] for $15 less than Best Buy will sell you 2 Gb [bestbuy.com]? And don't even get me started on their video cards..

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[Bryansix (761547)]

HAHA, NewEgg delivers NEXT DAY for FREE on almost all my orders! This is even when I choose the FREE shipping! This means I have a better chance of getting something then having time to get in my car and drive to a store. Plus the prices are better and the service is great. Most importantly you don't have to deal with Best Buy employees.

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[Korin43 (881732)]

I thought Newegg only did free 3-5 day shipping. It's nice, but not quite next day.

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[penguinchris (1020961)]

It depends on where you live - when I lived in New York (Buffalo) I usually got things from them the next day, because they have warehouses in New Jersey and processing time is quick. I live in Southern California now, and also get things next day, because I believe they're based here (which means I pay tax, but the shipping is usually free and I get it next day.)

It's the same thing with Amazon - they say the free shipping will take more time, but in my experience it doesn't.

If you live in the middle of the

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[Chabo (880571)]

I think he's merely bragging that he's close enough to one of Newegg's distribution centers to have his products arrive the next day, even when he selects free shipping.

However, even in this case, sometimes there's a situation that requires a replacement part NOW, and you can't wait even a day. Those situations are rare, but do occur.

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[anagama (611277)]

Best Buy is still one of the best options if you need a computer part or accessory TODAY

Are you kidding? I live in a town of about 80k -- 90 minutes from a big city with lots of farmland in between. If I need a part now, I can usually find it at one of two local shops I like. It's really nice to be able to go in, ask a question, and get a decent answer. It's extra nice to run in, ask to borrow a power supply for a few hours, and get handed one.

There's nothing in the world I need so bad I'd shop at BB

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[Chabo (880571)]

If I need a part now, I can usually find it at one of two local shops I like.

That's good to hear, but my hometown had no specialized computer shops, so if I needed a part faster than I could get it from Newegg, then my options were Best Buy, Staples, or Office Max.

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[cbiltcliffe (186293)]

Your town is big enough to have a BB, a Staples, and an Office Max, and you've got no specialized computer stores?

I find that very hard to believe.

Is this the data from that intranet?

[Reality Master 201 (578873)]

The one they'd show customers in store when they were doing a bait and switch? The one the CT attorney general was investigating?

Just curious.

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[CyberLife (63954)]

I had a similar issue with their systems. In the midst of the holiday rush, the public Best Buy site claimed Nintendo DSs were in-stock at my local store. Not able to find them once I got there, the associates in that department said they had none. The in-store kiosk said otherwise. They still insisted there were none. Asking in another department, the associate there checked the internal inventory system and discovered they had 24-units. The original associates still denied their existence. Customer servic

spam submision

[by Anonymous Coward]

notice the referrer id in the affiliate link (using commission junction, a spammers haven) instead of a direct link,
way to go with the quality articles Slashdot

Mod parent down for misleading

[michaelhood (667393)]

notice the referrer id in the affiliate link (using commission junction, a spammers haven) instead of a direct link,
way to go with the quality articles Slashdot

That's not a referrer id that will get anyone paid, except for Best Buy. The "refid" in the URL is just so that you're shown the Best Buy Program's info instead of a generic CJ one.

Of course this is fact instead of hyperbole, so, proof [that you didn't provide] provided:

https://signup.cj.com/member/brandedPublisherSignUp.do?air_refmerchantid=2045991&h=488 [cj.com]

https://signup.cj.com/member/brandedPublisherSignUp.do?h=488 [cj.com]

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[lastchance_000 (847415)]

Yep. Or you could just look at Best Buys's site [bestbuy.com]. The affiliate sign-up link is at the bottom.

Wii Availability

[TheSpoom (715771)]

Back in early 2007 when the Wii was out of stock absolutely everywhere, I setup a cron job to repeatedly check the product pages of the Wii console on Best Buy and other sites and email me when it said they were in stock. It worked surprisingly well and I got a Wii at retail price within about a week or so (with a well timed email and quick checkout) from Best Buy.

This is a really good move on Best Buy's part as it will only increase people buying their items.

LEAKED CODE FROM BESTBUYS API !!!

[by Anonymous Coward]

if request.instorepricecheck()
{
      return 2*item.price;
{
else
{
      return item.price;
}

Re:

[MrCrassic (994046)]

Mod parent up. Pretty funny.

API vs DYI

[astinus (560894)]

From TFA:

Vis-à-vis Wal-Mart, Best Buy can't really compete on price, but its value-added service offerings -- professional home installation of flat-screen TVs, for instance -- can be a significant differentiator, especially considering the coming digital TV transition.

Well OK, but will these services be available for linking/displaying/reviews through this API? Will anyone actually link directly to these services, even if they are available?

I'm sure there will be a hard upsell attempt once the customer clicks to buy the actual product, but how will they translate this services "advantage" into inducing people to link Best Buy products instead of the same product through, say, Amazon?

When I went in to Best Buy to look at plasma TV's (nothing on the web beats a real-world viewing of a potential purchase), the salespeople were pitching all kinds of installation, delivery, warranties, and even an in-room color setting tuning. Amazon, where I eventually bought the TV from, had a handful of additional services, but got the purchase because they were $400 cheaper.

How will directly linking to a virtual pitch of the same "differentiators" change decisions like mine?

Could be good

[sircastor (1051070)]

The functionality of the API I think will determine it's usefulness. If all the thing does is give you a 400x400 ad for a BestBuy product, this thing will be worthless and BB will quickly learn that. If however, they offer a really flexible system which can deliver what a blogger wants, in the way that he wants, then this thing could offer a great integration point for BestBuy. Non-invasiveness is the key... as always.

Commission stealing ware

[flyingfsck (986395)]

Cool, now we shall get a whole new wave of DriveBuy Download commission stealing crapware for Windoze.

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[bugnuts (94678)]

Speaking of bestbuysucks.com/org/net/tv/co.uk/etc, has anyone heard of the disposition of those illegal detentions and arrests they made when people wouldn't show a receipt for their own purchased items?

I remember a couple posted on slashdot a few years ago, and one was particularly egregious.

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[ameyer17 (935373)]

I *think* the especially egregious example was a Circuit City in Ohio.

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[Brainiac4 (818236)]

How do you arrive at that conclusion? It's an open API; how could we possibly be hiding prices? Did you even look at the documentation?

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[PPH (736903)]

Duh, oh! I read that backwards. Like they were providing a proprietary interface instead of access to their API.

That'll teach me to watch pr0n and post to /. at the same time.