Amazon Prime

Amazon set the standard for fast shipping. Prime members get free Two-Day Shipping on most items (often it's actually 1-day or even same-day delivery for many metro areas). Amazon has built a vast logistics network of over 110+ fulfillment centers in the U.S., enabling extremely fast delivery. In many cities, Amazon offers Same-Day Delivery on eligible items — order by noon, get it by evening. They've even expanded ultra-fast Prime Now deliveries for groceries and essentials in as little as 2 hours in select areas. If you're not a Prime member, Amazon still offers free standard shipping on orders over $35 (recently raised from $25), but the delivery is slower (typically 5–8 business days). Prime members also can choose no-rush shipping (for a digital credit reward) or designate an Amazon Day (a specific day of the week to receive all orders in one batch). Amazon provides handy options like delivery to Amazon Lockers or counters (for secure pickup), and in some areas even in-garage or in-home delivery (for Prime members who opt in to the Key service). Overall, Amazon is often the fastest and most flexible — if you're in a major city, you might get your order within hours; rural areas might wait 2–3 days with Prime, which is still quick.

Walmart

Walmart has dramatically stepped up its e-commerce delivery game. With the launch of Walmart+ membership, it now offers free Next-Day or Two-Day Shipping on many items with no order minimum for members (similar to Prime). Even without Walmart+, any customer gets free 2-day shipping on orders $35 or more (and many items marked "NextDay delivery" will arrive next-day if your zip code is eligible). The unique strength for Walmart is its 4,600+ physical stores doubling as distribution hubs. Walmart uses a strategy of fulfilling orders from local stores when possible, not just from warehouses, which can speed things up. The company revealed that by 2025, it will be able to reach 95% of the U.S. population with deliveries in under 3 hours for eligible orders — a bold claim showing Walmart's ambition to match Amazon's speed. In practice currently, Walmart offers same-day grocery delivery (often within a 1-2 hour slot) from local stores for Walmart+ members or for a ~$7.95 fee per order for non-members. General merchandise ordered online can sometimes also come same-day if it's in a local store (Walmart will show "Available today" or "Express delivery"). During 2024, Walmart nearly doubled its number of orders delivered within 3 hours as it optimized this network. So Walmart is fast — perhaps not universally as fast as Amazon Prime on average, but in many cases just as good. One catch: Walmart's extremely fast (under 3-hour) delivery is available for a more limited selection (common groceries and essentials) compared to Amazon's endless catalog. Still, for everyday items, Walmart is a speed demon. Additionally, Walmart offers store pickup and curbside pickup: you can buy online and pick up at your local store (often within a couple hours for in-stock items, and always free). This has been hugely popular, especially for groceries. They even have automated pickup towers in some stores for package pickups. Overall, Walmart's delivery is now "Amazon-like" in speed and the gap is effectively closed for many shoppers.

Best Buy

Best Buy might surprise folks with its delivery options. For online orders, Best Buy provides free Standard Shipping for orders $35 and up (or free for any order if you're a My Best Buy member, which is a free signup — as of recent policy). The standard shipping typically takes 1-5 business days depending on distance (they have regional warehouses). But the real advantage is Best Buy's store network and fast fulfillment for tech. They offer Free Store Pickup — reserve an item online and you can often pick it up within an hour at your nearest store. This essentially can beat any shipping if you live near a Best Buy: it's same-day (often same-hour) gratification. They even offer curbside pickup if you don't want to go inside — just park and they'll bring it out. In select urban areas, Best Buy partners with same-day delivery services so you can get certain orders delivered to your door the same day (for example, in some zip codes, if you order by afternoon, a courier will bring it by night — sometimes free for large purchases or a fee otherwise). Large items like appliances or big TVs come with scheduled delivery (often free for expensive appliances, or a fee for things like a $399 TV if under threshold). Best Buy also allows scheduling deliveries on a specific date during checkout for convenience. While Best Buy doesn't have an Amazon- or Walmart-like all-purpose fleet, its use of stores and partnerships means if you need that new laptop today, Best Buy might be your best bet via in-store pickup. For everyday items not urgent, their 3–5 day free shipping is reliable. One more thing: Best Buy Total/Plus members (paid programs) get free 2-day shipping on all orders with no minimum, which speeds things up for those subscribers.

Target

Target's delivery has a few facets. Standard shipping is free for orders $35+ for all customers (and free on any order if you pay with a Target RedCard). Target's standard shipping usually takes 3-5 days, but often they'll quote 2-day on eligible items if they can ship from a nearby store or warehouse. Target does not (yet) have a dedicated equivalent to Prime/Walmart+ for fast shipping that covers all products — however, they acquired Shipt, a same-day delivery service. So, for same-day needs, Target offers Shipt delivery: you can order groceries and items from your local Target and have them at your door often within a couple of hours. Non-members can use Shipt for a ~$9.99 fee per order, or you can subscribe to Shipt for ~$99/year for unlimited free Target deliveries (order minimum usually $35). This essentially acts as Target's answer to Walmart+ for groceries. Additionally, Target provides Order Pickup and Drive Up (curbside) for free. Order on the app, and Target usually has it ready within 2 hours. Drive Up is wonderfully convenient — park in the designated spot and an employee brings out your stuff. In 2023, Target even started rolling out Drive Up Returns, letting you return items from your car at curbside — a truly convenient perk for online orders you want to send back. In terms of shipping speed, Target is generally very fast for local store items (same-day via pickup or Shipt), but for items coming from across the country it might not match Amazon's 1-2 day ubiquity. They do have sortation centers to speed up last-mile deliveries in some regions, improving 2-day coverage. If you're a RedCard holder, you always get free 2-day shipping with no minimum, which is a nice benefit for frequent Target shoppers.

Amazon

Amazon built its brand on customer-centric service, and it shows in many of their policies. They offer 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone (they'll call you back if you request), or email. In general, Amazon's support is known for being generous and hassle-free in resolving issues. Have a missing package or received a damaged item? Amazon often issues a refund or sends a replacement with minimal hoops to jump through. Prime members have some extra love — for example, Amazon sometimes provides courtesy credits if your guaranteed Prime delivery is late. They also have the A-to-Z Guarantee for marketplace purchases, which protects you if a third-party seller fails to deliver as promised — Amazon will step in to refund you in those cases. The flip side is Amazon's service can feel impersonal since there's no physical store or consistent rep you can talk to in person. And while most customers report positive experiences, occasionally you'll hear of Amazon accounts being flagged or closed if they frequently return items or have unusual activity (their fraud prevention can be strict). Overall, though, Amazon's philosophy is to err on the side of making the customer happy — they'll often refund a $10 item and tell you to keep it rather than process a complex return, for instance. For technical support, Amazon doesn't provide the same in-home services that Best Buy does, but they do have services like Amazon Home Services (to hire local pros) and an expert "Mayday" help for devices (now phased out). If you need help setting up your Echo or troubleshooting, you're mostly looking at online guides or contacting the manufacturer. So Amazon's strength is quick resolution of order issues, rather than hands-on tech support.

Walmart

Walmart offers multiple support channels: a 1-800 customer service line, online chat, email support, and of course the ability to walk into any Walmart store and speak to the Customer Service desk. One benefit Walmart has is that human, face-to-face support option — if you prefer dealing with an issue in person, you can usually resolve many order problems at a local store (e.g. return an item, inquire about a product, etc.). Walmart's corporate customer service (phone/chat) is generally competent, but may have more limited hours than Amazon's 24/7, and experiences can vary. They handle a vast volume of customers, so wait times might be longer during peak periods. However, Walmart does prioritize customer satisfaction too — for example, if a grocery delivery has an item missing or bad produce, it's easy to get a refund through the app with a few taps (they've automated a lot of that). For general merchandise, Walmart's policies are customer-friendly (90-day returns, etc.), but if you encounter a third-party marketplace seller issue, you might have to go through that seller or Walmart's marketplace support. In-store, Walmart associates are hit or miss: some are extremely helpful, while others might be hard to find in a busy store. One notable thing: Walmart provides assembly and installation services for some products via partners (e.g. you buy a TV, you can add an option to have a professional come mount it, through a partner like Handy). That's similar to Amazon's add-on services. Overall, Walmart's service is solid, bolstered by the huge store network for personal help, though not quite as famously friction-free as Amazon's.

Best Buy

Best Buy distinguishes itself with knowledgeable staff and additional services like Geek Squad. In terms of basic customer support for orders, Best Buy has phone and chat support, and you can always visit a store to get help with a purchase or return. Best Buy store associates, especially in departments like computers or home theater, are usually trained and can offer advice — something you won't get with an Amazon or Walmart website. This is a plus if you want guidance or to see a product in person before committing. Best Buy's Geek Squad is a tech support/service arm that can help with setups, repairs, and troubleshooting (some services are free with warranties or memberships, others for a fee). For example, if your new laptop has an issue, you could bring it to Geek Squad for warranty service or repair. They also do in-home consultations for things like mounting a TV or installing a smart thermostat. None of the other retailers have an equivalent in-house tech support team (Amazon will refer you to manufacturers or third parties; Walmart might use a partner network). On the customer service front, Best Buy generally gets good marks for personal service — staff are often praised for being helpful. Of course, experiences vary by store and individual. One potential downside: Best Buy's policies (like the shorter return window and possible restocking fees) mean you have to be a bit more sure of your purchase; if you have buyer's remorse after 20 days, Amazon or Walmart might still accept a return, whereas Best Buy standard policy wouldn't (unless you paid for a higher tier membership). But if something truly goes wrong (defective product, etc.), Best Buy will work to make it right, whether via exchange, repair or return. Their phone support is fine for basic order issues, but for technical issues, Geek Squad in person is their ace card.

Target

Target is known for friendly customer service, especially in stores. The stereotypical Target trip might include a cheerful checkout and a helpful associate on the floor. For online orders, Target has customer support via phone and online chat. They also allow you to handle many issues in-store: for example, if you received a damaged item from Target.com, you can take it to your local Target and they'll process a return or exchange on the spot. Target's service desk is usually efficient and empowered to solve customer concerns (within policy). Many shoppers appreciate that Target staff often go the extra mile to help find an item or suggest a solution. Target doesn't have a tech support unit like Geek Squad (since they don't specialize in electronics as deeply), but they do have a useful online help knowledge base and community Q&A for products on their site. One special service: Target offers free personal shopping assistance through its app chat (you can chat with a Target employee for help finding products or getting recommendations). Additionally, Target's pharmacy (CVS inside Target) and other in-store services provide a more holistic customer experience. Overall, Target strives for a slightly more "premium" customer care approach compared to a bare-bones discount store. They generally succeed, ranking fairly high in retail customer satisfaction surveys. Any issues with Target.com orders (wrong item sent, etc.) are usually resolved with a quick refund or replacement — and again, you can always walk into a store for help. Target's combination of online and friendly local service makes customers feel taken care of.

Amazon

Most items sold by Amazon can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. The process is usually very simple: Amazon provides a prepaid return shipping label or a QR code for drop-off. A major convenience is Amazon's network of drop-off locations — you often don't need a box or label at all. For example, you can take your return to a UPS Store or Whole Foods, show a QR code from the Amazon app, and they'll package and ship it for you at no cost. Amazon also has a partnership with Kohl's stores nationwide: you hand the item (no box needed) to the Kohl's desk, they handle the rest, and Amazon gives you a return receipt (and sometimes a Kohl's coupon as a perk). This makes Amazon returns extremely easy — no printing, no paying for postage. If you do have a printer, you can still print a label and schedule a UPS pickup from your home (for a small fee or free for certain reasons). Amazon processes refunds quickly, often as soon as UPS scans the returned package or as soon as you drop off (they can see it's in the system). In some cases, Amazon's customer service will even say "keep the item" and issue a refund if the cost of return is not worth it (this tends to happen for low-value items or if they made an error). There are some exceptions: Marketplace sellers may have their own return policies, but if fulfilled by Amazon, it follows Amazon's rules. A few product categories have special rules (e.g. luxury goods may require tags intact, software/music that's opened might not be returnable). But generally, Amazon's 30-day return window and free returns on many items (they mark "Free Returns" on eligible product pages) make it consumer-friendly. During the holiday season, Amazon usually extends the return window (often items bought in Nov/Dec can be returned through end of January). One thing to remember: returning too many items frequently might raise flags in Amazon's system, but for the occasional return they're totally fine.

Walmart

Walmart offers a generous 90-day return window for most products, whether bought in-store or online. That's triple the time of Amazon, which is great if you're indecisive or buying gifts in advance. There are important exceptions: electronics (like PCs, tablets, TVs), cell phones, and a few other categories usually have a 14-day or 30-day return window at Walmart. For example, post-paid cell phones might be 14 days, electronics like laptops often 30 days. But general merchandise — clothes, home goods, toys, etc. — are 90 days. The return process with Walmart is straightforward. If you bought online, you can return by mail or in store. Via mail, you go to your Walmart.com account, initiate a return, and they'll provide a shipping label. Pack it up, drop it off, and once received, they refund you. However, many people prefer returning Walmart items to a local Walmart store. Just bring the item and either the packing slip or simply the order confirmation on your phone (or even just the card you used for purchase). Walmart's customer service desk will accept the return and process your refund on the spot. If you don't have a receipt, Walmart can often look up the purchase if it was online or if you paid with a card (in-store no-receipt returns without proof have some limits, but online orders are all tracked). They refund to your original payment method or give store credit if you prefer. It's usually pretty painless. For marketplace (third-party) items on Walmart.com, many are still covered by Walmart's return policy (30 days for marketplace items unless seller states otherwise), and often you can still return those via Walmart as intermediary. One nice innovation: Walmart has been testing return pickups — if you're a Walmart+ member and you have a return, they have offered FedEx at-home pickup for returns (you schedule and leave it for pickup). Also, Walmart recently added the ability to start a return on the app and then just scan a QR code at the store to finish it quickly — speeding up the in-store return trip. Overall, Walmart's policy is very customer-friendly with that 90-day window, and having the giant store network means it's easy to handle returns in person (no wait for shipping).

Best Buy

Best Buy's return policy is the most restrictive of the four. Standard return period is 15 days for most products. That's only two weeks, which can feel short. This applies to all customers who are not in a special membership tier. If you join Best Buy's paid memberships, you get extended returns: My Best Buy Plus and Total members get 60-day return windows on most items, which is fantastic — but that requires paying for a $49 or $179 membership. For cell phones and devices that require activation (like cellular iPads or wearables), Best Buy's return window is even shorter: 14 days for everyone (except Verizon phones which get 30 days). So if you buy a new iPhone at Best Buy, you have 14 days to return if you change your mind (that's actually an industry standard window for cell phones). Additionally, Best Buy may charge restocking fees on certain categories if opened: e.g. drones, DSLR cameras, projectors, and special order items can incur a restocking fee (~15%) unless returned unopened. This is something to be aware of at Best Buy; the other retailers typically don't charge restocking fees except maybe on big appliances in some cases. On the plus side, Best Buy returns are still easy to execute: you can bring the product to any Best Buy store with your receipt (or order email) and get a refund or exchange. If you prefer mail, Best Buy lets you print a prepaid return label online for most orders — drop it off with UPS or USPS as instructed, and they'll refund when it arrives. Best Buy requires items be in like-new condition with all accessories for a full refund (which basically everyone asks, but Best Buy is known to inspect returns a bit more carefully — returning a scratched laptop might get it denied). If you're outside the 15-day window, unfortunately Best Buy won't budge (unless you have that membership). During holidays, they do extend the return period — typically any purchases made in October, November, December can be returned through mid-Jan, which helps for gift buying. In short, Best Buy's returns are the least flexible — great if you're a member, otherwise you need to decide quickly if you're keeping something.

Target

Target offers 90-day returns on most new, unopened items, similar to Walmart. Actually, Target's baseline is 90 days for everything except electronics and entertainment items, which are 30 days (and cell phones which are 14 days). But Target has some special perks: if you purchased with a Target RedCard, you get an extra 30 days on the return window for most items, effectively 120 days for general merchandise and 60 for electronics. Also, any Target-owned brands (like Good & Gather, Threshold, Up & Up, etc.) have a 1-year satisfaction guarantee — you can return those owned-brand items up to a year later with receipt, used or not, if you're not satisfied. That's a standout policy (they really stand behind their private labels!). The return process at Target is very consumer-friendly. You can return items to the Guest Service desk at any Target store, with your receipt or just the credit card you used (they can look up purchases). If you bought online, the Target app can generate a return barcode to scan in-store for a quick return. Target also allows mail returns by providing a shipping label via your online account, but most people just do store returns since Target stores are widespread and usually not too busy for returns. A new convenience: Target's Drive Up Returns (rolling out nationwide in 2023) let you initiate a return in the app, then just pull up at the curbside Drive Up area. An employee will come to your car, take the item, and process the return without you needing to leave your vehicle. Talk about easy — you could literally return those curtains you didn't like on your next Target run, without even going inside. Refunds at Target are quick, often immediately if done in store (it goes back to your card or they give store credit/gift card for gift returns). Target, like Walmart, can also look up receipts if you lost them, as long as you paid with a traceable method or were logged in for the online purchase. All in all, Target makes returns quite painless.

Amazon

You can pay with all major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover), Amazon gift cards, and the Amazon Store Card or Amazon Visa Signature card (which give cashback rewards). Amazon does not accept PayPal directly at checkout (likely because PayPal is owned by a competitor). However, you can use a PayPal Cash Card or PayPal Key (which act like a card) as a workaround, but no direct PayPal button. Amazon has its own payment wallet called Amazon Pay (for using Amazon account on other sites, not relevant on Amazon's own site). For installment plans, Amazon partners with Affirm for certain high-priced items — you might see an option to pay monthly through Affirm on checkout for eligible orders. Amazon also offers interest-free installment plans on select products (especially its own devices or other electronics), splitting into 5 equal monthly payments charged to your card (no credit check, they just auto-charge). Additionally, Amazon supports using HSA/FSA cards for eligible health items, and even EBT cards for SNAP eligible groceries on Amazon Fresh. They also let you add a checking account for direct debit payments if needed. Recently, Amazon started supporting "Buy Now, Pay Later" via its own monthly payments or Affirm, but not the plethora of BNPL providers that others do. Mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay aren't accepted on Amazon's site/app — they rely on their own stored card system. If you're an avid Amazon shopper, their co-branded Prime Visa is lucrative (5% back on Amazon purchases). But otherwise, any Visa/MC works fine.

Walmart

Walmart accepts credit/debit cards (including Discover, AmEx), Walmart gift cards, and importantly PayPal for online purchases. At checkout on Walmart.com, you can choose PayPal and log in to pay from your PayPal balance or linked accounts. Walmart also partners with Affirm for financing — you can split purchases (typically $150+) into monthly payments with Affirm if approved. They even had their own installment option called "Pay with Affirm" visible on product pages for pricey items. For everyday small purchases, Walmart offers PayPal Pay in 4 as an option (since they take PayPal, you could use PayPal's pay-in-4 plan). In addition, Walmart takes EBT for groceries (both SNAP for eligible food items and WIC in some cases), both in-store and online (for pickup/delivery in select areas). If you don't have a credit card, Walmart.com even lets you choose Cash: you can place an order online and then go to a Walmart store within 48 hours to pay with cash — then the order ships. It's a unique service for unbanked customers. Walmart's mobile app integrates Walmart Pay, a QR code-based mobile wallet that links to your cards or gift cards for contactless in-store payments. For a broader mobile payment, Walmart doesn't accept Apple Pay or Google Pay in stores (they want you to use Walmart Pay), but online you can use Apple Pay if on an Apple device for some transactions (this has been evolving — historically Walmart resisted Apple Pay). They also have a Walmart Credit Card (Capital One) that offers 5% back on Walmart.com and 2% in-store. And if you use the Walmart app in-store with that card, you get 5% back for the first year. So there are some incentives. Summary: Walmart is pretty flexible — you can even split payment methods (e.g. use a gift card plus a credit card). PayPal being accepted is a plus that Amazon lacks, and the cash option is great for those who need it.

Best Buy

Best Buy accepts the usual credit/debit cards, Best Buy gift cards, and also PayPal online. They have supported Apple Pay and Google Pay on their mobile app/website as well — meaning you can use Apple Pay to check out on BestBuy.com if on Safari/iPhone, etc. In-store, Best Buy takes mobile payments like Apple Pay too. Best Buy's site also allows PayPal Pay Later options since they accept PayPal (PayPal Credit or PayPal's Pay in 4 could be used). They don't explicitly advertise Affirm or Klarna, but sometimes around holidays they partner with financing offers. Mostly, Best Buy pushes their own My Best Buy Credit Card, which offers 5% back in rewards or promotional 0% financing (e.g., 12 months no interest on purchases $299+, etc.). If you need an installment plan, using that card's promo is a common route (just pay it off in time to avoid interest). For large appliances or custom orders, Best Buy might allow partial payment or financing through third parties, but generally it's straightforward. Like Walmart, you can split payments (use a gift card plus another form). They don't accept cryptocurrency or anything exotic. One unique aspect: Best Buy supports lease-to-own financing through a partner (Progressive Leasing) for people with no/low credit — you can apply and if approved, essentially lease an item with monthly payments and then own it after a year (with extra cost, of course). It's an option visible on some product pages (usually last resort due to high fees). But as far as mainstream options, Best Buy is covered: Cards, gift cards, PayPal, Apple Pay — all there.

Target

Target probably has the widest array of payment methods. They take all major credit/debit cards, Target gift cards, and PayPal for online purchases (except PayPal can't be used for Target Plus partner items). Target is one of the few that also accepts multiple "Buy Now, Pay Later" services: Affirm, Sezzle, Afterpay, Klarna, and Zip are all listed as options on Target.com! Basically, at checkout you can choose one of those installment providers to split your payment. That's a huge range of BNPL, indicating Target wants to accommodate however people like to finance. They accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay for contactless payments in-store (and Apple Pay in the app/website as well). They also accept EBT cards for SNAP-eligible items online and in-store. Another interesting option: Target has its own "Wallet" in the Target app, which you can load with your cards or gift cards and use a barcode to pay in-store (and that Wallet can apply your Target Circle offers and such in one scan). Of course, Target's star is the Target RedCard. The RedCard can be a debit card (linked to your bank account) or a credit card. Either way, using a RedCard gives you 5% off every purchase at Target (online and in-store), free shipping with no minimum, and extra return time. It's a significant savings if you shop Target often — essentially a built-in discount. RedCard is a unique offering among these retailers (Amazon's 5% back card requires credit and is just rewards, while Target's 5% is an immediate discount available even via a no-fee debit card). Target also allows split tenders — up to two credit/debit cards online (which many sites don't allow), or combination of gift card + card. So they're quite flexible if you need to divide payment.

Amazon Prime

The granddaddy of memberships. At $139/year (or $14.99/month), Amazon Prime is more than just free shipping. Prime gives you unlimited free 2-day (and often 1-day or same-day) shipping on millions of items, plus access to Prime Video (tons of movies, TV shows, Amazon Originals to stream), Prime Music (a catalog of songs), Prime Reading (e-books), Prime Gaming (free games/loot), and more. You also get exclusive access to Prime Day deals (massive sale event), and Prime-only discounts on certain products. Other nice perks: Grubhub+ membership free (currently Amazon gives Prime members free food delivery subscription), Amazon Photos storage, try-before-you-buy on clothes, etc. It's a robust package of benefits across shopping and entertainment. If you shop frequently and also enjoy streaming content, Prime can pay for itself. It basically sets the expectation of "fast & free shipping always" for Amazon. There's also a cheaper Prime Video-only plan, but for shopping benefits you'd get the full Prime. Notably, Amazon doesn't have a traditional "rewards points" program — Prime is the loyalty driver, plus their credit card for cashback. They want to keep you in the Prime ecosystem.

Walmart+

Walmart's answer to Prime, priced at $98/year (or $12.95/month). Walmart+ includes free unlimited delivery from store for groceries and more (orders $35+), free shipping on Walmart.com with no minimum (so no $35 threshold), discounts on fuel at partnered gas stations, and a mobile scan-and-go feature for in-store shopping (skip the checkout line). In 2022, Walmart+ added Paramount+ Essential (the streaming service) for free to members, giving some entertainment value like Prime's video. Walmart+ doesn't include as much digital content as Prime, but it squarely targets the practical shopper: if you get groceries weekly, having them delivered "free" could save a ton of time (and delivery fees). Also, Walmart+ can save you money on gas (5¢ off per gallon at Walmart/Sam's Club stations, for example). For someone who shops both Walmart.com and Walmart stores often, Walmart+ is a strong value — and it's cheaper than Prime by about $40/year. That said, if you're more into streaming movies than getting milk delivered, Prime might feel more attractive. It really depends on your usage. Walmart+ also occasionally gives members early access to special deals or product releases, trying to mimic the Prime Day early access idea.

Best Buy's My Best Buy, Plus, and Total

Best Buy revamped its programs in 2023. My Best Buy (basic) is a free account — it lets you get free standard shipping with no minimum if logged in, and track your purchases, but it no longer accrues reward points (they removed the point system for free members recently). The real perks come with paid tiers:

For many, the free My Best Buy account (to get free shipping on $35+ and occasional offers) is enough. But if you're a tech enthusiast investing in gear, the Plus or Total might appeal for the return policy and peace-of-mind benefits. These are quite different from Prime/Walmart+, which focus on shipping and media; Best Buy's focus is on electronics support and protection.

Target Circle & RedCard

Target took a different approach by not charging for a membership program (at least not for shipping). Target Circle is a free loyalty program where members earn 1% back on purchases (if you didn't use a RedCard for 5% off), get access to exclusive coupons/discounts (like "10% off one shopping trip on your birthday", or various rotating offers you can save to your account), and participate in special events (Target Circle Week deals, etc.). It's essentially a way to get a little back and save more through personalized deals. Over 100 million people are in Target Circle, showing it's popular. It doesn't give you free shipping, though — it's more akin to a frequent shopper club.

For more muscle, Target relies on its RedCard credit/debit card rather than a paid membership. The RedCard (no annual fee) gets you 5% off every purchase instantly, free shipping on most items, and an extra 30 days for returns. Many Target loyalists use the RedCard religiously because that 5% off is a constant saving (effectively, it's like always having a small sale). There is also a Target RedCard Mastercard that can be used outside Target (with lesser rewards), but the main benefit is in-store/online at Target. The nice thing is you can get the debit version if you don't want another credit card — it just links to your checking account.

Target doesn't have a paid program for expedited shipping because they give free shipping with RedCard anyway and cheap same-day via Shipt if you want (or you can pay per order for Shipt). They did experiment with a program called "Target Run" years ago but it rolled into Shipt. So, essentially, Target's loyalty ecosystem = free Circle rewards + optional RedCard savings. And it's working for them, as customers enjoy the simple 5% discount and occasional freebies (Circle often has "earn a $5 coupon when you spend $50 on groceries" type deals).

In terms of member exclusives: Target Circle members sometimes get early access to certain limited items or Black Friday deals, but nothing as formal as Prime Early Access. The program is mostly about savings and not about shipping or services.

Amazon's Website and App

Amazon's website and app are powerful but sometimes overwhelming. Amazon offers a plethora of filters and search options, but because of the massive product catalog, you often get hundreds of results and many sponsored listings (ads). It can take savvy to drill down to exactly what you want. The product pages are information-rich: usually lots of photos, detailed descriptions, specs, and most importantly, customer reviews — Amazon has millions of reviews, which many shoppers rely on. (Beware of fake reviews; Amazon tries to curb them, but it's wise to read critically). Amazon also has a robust Q&A section where customers ask and answer questions about the product — extremely helpful for clarifying details. Features like 360° images or AR view (to see how a couch looks in your room via the app) are present on some items. One downside: the Amazon interface has gotten cluttered with upsell widgets ("Frequently Bought Together", endless recommendation carousels, etc.). It's a bit busy. However, if you know what you're looking for, the search bar is your friend — type in the specifics and Amazon usually finds it. The checkout process on Amazon is seamless (especially if you use "Buy Now" or 1-Click ordering — you can literally order something in seconds if your info is saved). Amazon's app is smooth and has cool features like scanning a product's barcode to find it on Amazon for price comparison. They even integrate Alexa voice search for products if you use that. Overall, Amazon's UX is about efficiency and data — not the prettiest, but gets the job done quickly and gives you tons of info to make a decision.

Walmart's Website and App

Walmart's website and app have improved greatly in recent years. The design is cleaner than Amazon's, with more emphasis on big images and a somewhat less cluttered feel (fewer random carousels). Navigation is straightforward with departments and a search bar. Since Walmart's online assortment is slightly more limited than Amazon, searches return a more curated set of results, often easier to sift through. Walmart also includes buyer reviews and ratings on products, though volume is typically lower than Amazon's. One nice touch: Walmart's site and app let you toggle to see local store inventory — you can check if an item is in stock at your nearest store and even its aisle location, which is super handy if you might want to run and grab it. The Walmart app allows in-store mode with a scanner for prices and the aforementioned Walmart Pay for quick checkout. Online, Walmart highlights "Pickup" vs "Delivery" availability clearly on product pages, making it easy to choose your fulfillment method. The filtering on Walmart.com is decent, but maybe not as granular as Amazon for some categories. A plus: less likelihood of stumbling on counterfeit or sketchy sellers, as Walmart's marketplace is smaller (though one should still check seller info on non-Walmart items). The checkout at Walmart is straightforward and supports a variety of payments and options like pickup scheduling. Visually, Walmart's site uses the brand's blue/white scheme and is generally pleasant and fast. They've definitely closed the gap on Amazon in terms of site technology — pages load quickly and the app is snappy. One small con: not as many detailed specs on some items (for example, Amazon might list every spec of a laptop, whereas Walmart's listing might be briefer), so sometimes you might need external research. But Walmart's comparison tool for products in certain categories is helpful, and they do show questions answered by the community as well.

Best Buy's Website and App

Best Buy's website and app are tailored for tech shopping. The interface is clean, with a white background and blue accents, and it's not too cluttered. The search and category navigation work well for electronics — you can filter by very specific technical specs (e.g., screen size, RAM, etc.) which is great for comparing devices. Best Buy also often has comparison charts on product pages (e.g., comparing different models of a TV or laptop series). They provide extensive details and specs for most products, since their typical shopper might be researching a big tech purchase. The product pages include customer reviews, plus Top Pros and Cons voted by users, and frequently a Q&A section where store associates or customers answer questions. Best Buy's site also highlights services (like protection plans, Geek Squad setup) clearly alongside products, which is useful if you want those extras. One of the best parts of Best Buy's online experience is the integration with local stores: you can easily see if an item is available today at a store near you, and even choose a specific store to check stock. The site/app will tell you "Ready in 1 hour at [X] store" or which stores have it in stock. This is awesome if you need something today — you can reserve it with a few clicks. The checkout process allows you to select shipping or store pickup or even scheduling an installation for an appliance, all smoothly. Best Buy's app is well-rated; it includes features like scanning QR codes in-store for info, and it also supports integrating your membership for rewards and offers. In terms of design, some might find Best Buy's text a bit small or dense on spec lists, but that's because they include a lot of info (which techies appreciate). Overall, Best Buy offers a very informational shopping experience, and it feels more curated (since they don't have zillions of sellers). No ads for random unrelated items, etc., which is a breath of fresh air compared to Amazon's busy pages.

Target's Website and App

Target's website and app are often praised for their user-friendly and attractive design. Target uses a lot of red and white (on brand) and high-quality images. The site feels bright and inviting. It's organized by department, and since Target has a curated product selection, browsing categories (like "Women's Clothing" or "Home Decor") is pleasant and more like flipping through a catalog. They invest in nice lifestyle photos for many items (especially Target-owned brands), so you can see how that duvet looks in a styled bedroom, for example. The search function is solid, and you can filter by various attributes, but because Target doesn't carry as many obscure or third-party items, the results are usually pretty relevant. Product pages show customer reviews and Q&A (less volume than Amazon but usually enough to gauge), and crucially, they show if the item is available at your local store (and how many are on the shelf) if you choose the pickup option. The Target app is excellent — it not only lets you shop, but also manage your Target Circle offers and scan barcodes in store to apply coupons or see if there's a Cartwheel deal on an item. The app's Wallet feature consolidates your RedCard, gift cards, and Circle barcode for a one-scan checkout in store — very slick. Target's Drive Up ordering via the app is extremely simple: click Drive Up, and the app notifies you when it's ready (usually quick), and you hit "I'm on the way" and it tracks your approach to alert the store. Users love this convenience. One could say Target's digital experience focuses on blending online and store seamlessly — it's omnichannel. Visually, Target's site/app make shopping fun; it's easy to build a cart of various categories. Checkout is straightforward, and you can apply gift cards, promo codes, etc., with ease. One minor con: because Target's assortment is smaller, sometimes you won't find a very specific niche item that you might on Amazon or Walmart, so you'd have to look elsewhere. But for what Target does carry, the browsing experience is arguably the most enjoyable of the four.