Best Buy testing new membership program; benefits include unlimited tech support  

Best Buy is piloting an annual membership program in select markets that provides customers with a number of benefits.

The program, called Best Buy Beta, costs $199.99 per year or $179.00 for holders of the Best Buy credit card. It’s currently available at select stores in Iowa, Oklahoma and eastern Pennsylvania. In April, it will expand to stores in Minnesota, North Carolina and Tennessee. The pilot will be available in about  60 stores by the end of the month.     

Membership benefits include unlimited Geek Squad technical support on all technology in the member’s home — whether the devices were purchased at Best Buy or not — along free shipping with no minimum, exclusive pricing on a wide range of products and free installation on most products and appliances. Other benefits include up to two years of protection on most product purchases and an extended return window of 60-days.

In addition, members have access to a dedicated concierge service whose team is available 24/7 by phone, chat, email or through the Best Buy app.

“As we look to evolve our membership programs, the goal of Best Buy Beta is to create a membership experience that customers will love and to leave them feeling confident throughout their relationship with Best Buy,” said Allison Peterson, Best Buy’s chief customer officer. “This pilot offers premium service, complete with support aimed at anticipating our customers’ needs.”

Best Buy said its existing membership program, Total Tech Support,  which costs $199.00 per year, is still available to customers outside of the new program’s pilot markets.