Best Buy Sweetens Major Appliances Pot

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 2/28/2011

Minneapolis - Best Buy has upped the major appliance stakes by offering free delivery and no-interest financing on purchases over $429.

The chain described the free-delivery offer, valued at $70, and the zero-percent terms, good if paid in full with 18 months, as an "industry leading combination."

Best Buy will also haul away and recycle the old appliances for no additional charge.

"Having the ability to opt-in for both free standard delivery and 18-month interest-free financing gives our customers more options and makes the shopping experience a little easier," said Kevin Balon, home appliances senior VP/general manager.

To qualify, the transaction must include at least one major appliance being delivered. Customers can select the form of payment of their choice and are not required to put their purchase on 18-month financing to receive the free delivery.

Best Buy is the No. 4 appliance chain behind Sears, Lowe's and The Home Depot, with $1.7 billion in white-goods sales in 2009, according to TWICE's Top 100 Appliance Retailers Report. The company carries a tight assortment of laundry, cooking, cleanup and floorcare products under such brands as Bosch, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool, and reported an 11 percent comp-sales increase for the category in December.