Best Buy unveils two-day free holiday shipping

Best Buy pulled out its latest weapon in the battle to win last-minute holiday shoppers: free shipping.



For the third year in a row, Best Buy will offer free expedited shipping in the final stretch of the holiday season. Starting Thursday, Dec. 15 through 11:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 21, BestBuy’s online shoppers will automatically have their shipping upgraded to two-day shipping on almost everything.



Items that qualify will display a “free 2-day shipping” message. No minimum purchase is required for the free upgrade.



Items that don’t qualify include special order items, some scheduled delivery items, backordered merchandise and products displaying “In Store Only” or “Check Stores” messages, the retailer said.



The service augments Best Buy’s same-day buy online, pick-up in-store service. Besides enabling shoppers to get orders the same day they are placed, in some cases, orders are available within a couple of hours, the company said.



In-store pickup will be available through Saturday, Dec. 24 on orders placed by 4 p.m. local time. Most stores will close at 6 p.m. local time on Dec. 24.