Best Buy API Aims To Expand Store's Reach Online 99
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."
My pig is growing wings. (Score:5, Insightful)
Damn, I never thought a big box retailer with brick and mortars would ever get it.
Re:Old news? (Score:2, Insightful)
Is this the data from that intranet? (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:I'm torn (Score:5, Insightful)
API vs DYI (Score:3, Insightful)
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 (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Old news? (Score:1, Insightful)
Affiliate programs like the one Best Buy is making are used by more than just Amazon. Most, if not all, major online retailers have one.
Re:I'm torn (Score:1, Insightful)
Be surprised what big box stores can push out of the market.