Electronics retailer Best Buy has enraged its customers by charging an extra $100 for Apple’s iPhone X at full price, with many taking to Twitter to express their disdain with the policy.
The 64GB iPhone X costs $1,099 at Best Buy, or a $100 more than Apple’s own $999 price.
Similarly, the 256GB edition is priced at $1,249, a $100 premium over Apple’s asking price of $1,149. These higher prices apply to both online and walk-in Best Buy shoppers.
It’s important to note that Best Buy’s $100 fine applies only when buying an unactivated iPhone X outright, at full price. Shoppers who wish to order their iPhone X on a Verizon, AT&T or Sprint installment billing plan pay the same price charged by Apple and the carriers.
Responding to the outrage, company spokeswoman Carly Charlson issued a statement to the press saying customers “want this flexibility,” adding confusingly that Best Buy’s prices reflect customers’ ability to “get a phone the way they want.”
Here’s the statement in full:
Our prices reflect the fact that no matter a customer’s desired plan or carrier, or whether a customer is on a business or personal plan, they are able to get a phone the way they want at Best Buy.
Our customers have told us they want this flexibility and sometimes that has a cost.
Has Best Buy lost its mind?
Apple’s own website and retail partners also give us the flexibility to choose a carrier and a wireless plan when purchasing an iPhone X, but without charging extra!
Best Buy’s explanation doesn’t make sense at all.
To avoid Best Buy’s $100 fine, opt for monthly installment plans via a carrier.
As noted by AppleInsider, the retailer imposed the same $100 price hike on iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus purchases in September.
“I would not be able to say why our price for the unactivated iPhone 8/8 Plus are $100 more than what Apple is charging, but I can say we work to remain competitive,” Best Buy’s social media representative wrote in September.
The electronics retailer is trying to deflect bad press by referring shoppers to its official price matching policy, but keep in mind that contract phones such as the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X don’t qualify for Best Buy’s price match guarantee.
Bottom line: avoid buying your iPhone X outright from Best Buy.