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Best Buy API Aims To Expand Store's Reach Online

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the right-way-to-encourage-business dept.

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."

16 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Old news? by Chabo · · Score: 5, Interesting

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

    --
    Convert FLACs to a portable format with FlacSquisher
    1. Re:Old news? by Brainiac4 · · Score: 5, Informative

      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

      --
      These are my opinions, not those of Best Buy. Even the really good ones. Twitter: @kevinmatheny
  2. My pig is growing wings. by Irish_Samurai · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

  3. I'm torn by Bryansix · · Score: 4, Funny

    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!

    1. Re:I'm torn by Chabo · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.

      --
      Convert FLACs to a portable format with FlacSquisher
    2. Re:I'm torn by CannonballHead · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

    3. Re:I'm torn by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 4, Informative

      Fry's 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.

    4. Re:I'm torn by Thornburg · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.

    5. Re:I'm torn by Korin43 · · Score: 5, Informative

      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 - Cheapest is $39 (note "Regular price: $144), Newegg - 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 is $18. The only PNY 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 for $15 less than Best Buy will sell you 2 Gb? And don't even get me started on their video cards..

  4. Is this the data from that intranet? by Reality+Master+201 · · Score: 4, 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.

  5. spam submision by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    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

  6. Wii Availability by TheSpoom · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

    --
    It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
    - E. Debs
  7. LEAKED CODE FROM BESTBUYS API !!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

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

  8. API vs DYI by astinus · · Score: 3, Insightful
    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?

    --
    Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.
  9. Could be good by sircastor · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

  10. Mod parent down for misleading by michaelhood · · Score: 4, Informative

    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

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