Kind of interesting experience at Best Buy today

[JoeP]

We save up for most major purchases, and our new computer was no exception. I paid cash last week at Best Buy for a PC that was on sale, and finally received the email indicating it was ready for pickup. When I showed the guy at the desk the printed slip, he said "I'll need to see photo ID and the card used to purchase the computer." I handed him my license and told him I paid cash, and he gave me a puzzled look and went back to his screen to see if this was actually true. As he was validating this odd method of purchase, I joked that I could show him some currency that was similar to the ones I used, but lesser value, and he chuckled and confirmed: yes, I had paid cash.

I just think it is interesting that the normal reflex these days is to assume a card was used for purchases. Maybe it is true that people simply swipe and are done with the transaction, so the assumption is probably sound.

[Jluke]

He probably assumed you bought it online since you had an email notification. or was the slip the receipt?

Either way, he's on automatic pilot at that point requesting ID and Credit Card. With Best Buy's strict return policy, I would feel more comfortable using a credit card in case I wanted to get my money back.

Could have saved more by going to CardPool and getting discounted gift cards...

[creditcardfree]

That's a nice surprise for the cashier at least! I think it is good for those in society to see people purchase with actual cash.

[ua_guy]

Sounds about right.

It was a perfect experience if the "asset protection specialist" at the entrance looked at you like you stole whatever you bought as you made your way out.

[disneysteve]

I'm not at all surprised that most people pay with debit or credit, especially for larger purchases.

As mentioned, there are buyer protection issues when using credit that you don't get with cash.

There are rewards you get with credit (and some debit) that you don't get with cash.

There is a security factor from not walking around with large amounts of cash.

There is a convenience factor. Paying hundreds of dollars in cash means going to an ATM and making a withdrawal first. Easier to skip that step and go straight to the store and swipe your debit card. Same money. Same account. One less step.

I also agree with Jluke. I would never make a large purchase like that without buying discounted gift cards online. We bought a refrigerator at Lowe's this year and saved about $100 that way. We could have paid cash but why spend an extra $100?

[disneysteve]

I'm also curious how you ordered the computer in advance when paying cash. I thought the only way you could do in-store pick up was with debit or credit.

[JoeP]

I'm also curious how you ordered the computer in advance when paying cash. I thought the only way you could do in-store pick up was with debit or credit.

I walked in last week, saw the computer was out of stock, paid cash to purchase it, and they put the order in to have one delivered to the same store. I'll have to try the gift card option next time.

[creditcardfree]

Regardless of how you paid Joe, I think it is great that you saved for the purchase and have no debt following you as a result of the purchase!

[disneysteve]

I walked in last week, saw the computer was out of stock, paid cash to purchase it, and they put the order in to have one delivered to the same store. I'll have to try the gift card option next time.

That explains it. Thanks.

And definitely go the gift card route. We use it all the time for Target, Jo Ann Fabric, movie theaters, Home Depot, and other places. The site to go to is giftcardgranny.com. That is a shopping site that will link you to the various other sites that actually sell the cards.

[rennigade]

Or next time use shopdiscover...could have saved 5% right off the bat if you'd rather not purchase gift cards from places like cardpool. And like other said with credit card you have buyers protection.

[disneysteve]

Or next time use shopdiscover...could have saved 5% right off the bat if you'd rather not purchase gift cards from places like cardpool.

That's a good idea, too. I never do the shopDiscover thing because we don't make that many purchases online (except for Amazon). I prefer gift cards to buy stuff in person.

The other advantage is I buy the gift cards with my credit card so not only do I get the discount, I also get the rewards.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

That's kind of funny, JoeP.

I've become a credit card user for the reasons DisneySteve lays out . Once upon a time, I rarely used credit cards. Now I rarely use cash.

[rennigade]

The other advantage is I buy the gift cards with my credit card so not only do I get the discount, I also get the rewards.

That is true...nice to double dip on these kinds of offers.

[LittleLamplight]

I had the same thing happen to me recently. People are really confused by larger purchases with cash nowadays.

[marvholly]

I do NOT have good expierences w/Best Buy. I have several nearby and in the past 10 years have tried to buy:

tv
refridgerator
microwave oven
washer & Dryer

I go to thewstore, walk into the appropriate section & NO ONE ccomes up to help me. I walk out after about 15 minute.

I did once send for the store mgr & told him why I was leaving. He did offer to page someone but I was so ticked I told him forget it. I would NOT spend my hard earned money where it was SOOO evidently not wanted.

Have NOT gone there in years & 2 of the 3 nearby stores have closed.