Apple TV at Best Buy

MacRumors · Mar 22, 2007, 11:48 AM

News.com's Apple blog reveals that Best Buy will be carrying the Apple TV starting on Tuesday. They will have a two week "exclusive" over other non-Apple retail stores in carrying the new device.

Initial supplies will be limited with only 3000 units shipping across 800 stores.

Apple has recently been testing sales at Best Buy with a pilot program for selling Macs at the popular retailer. The Apple TV's push into non-Apple retailers also reflects the "consumer electronics" nature of the device.

justflie · Mar 22, 2007, 11:52 AM

Great! Now I don't need to drive an hour to try out the ATV. There's a Best Buy that sells Macs only 5 minutes away. I hope they give it a prominent position on the floor. Do you think it would be sold near the computers or near the ginormous wall of HDTVs? Wouldn't it be amazing to run the ATV on that many TV's at once?

Rocketman · Mar 22, 2007, 11:55 AM

Initial seeding of less than 4 per store sounds small, but these are likely demo units pending delivery of more through normal distribution channels; company trucks going to each store in the normal course of inventory refurbishment.

Rocketman

technicolor · Mar 22, 2007, 11:57 AM

Bestbuy doesnt know how to sell Apple products.

slffl · Mar 22, 2007, 12:04 PM

A Big Ol' negative on this one. Next thing you know they'll be selling their products at Wal-Mart.... oh wait.... (sigh)

~Shard~ · Mar 22, 2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technicolor

Bestbuy doesnt know how to sell Apple products.

I agree - this could be detrimental to Apple's consumer image more than anything. Best Buy is essentially a FUD Factory when it comes to things like this...

On the plus side, at least the Apple TV will be more accessible to people. The question is, whether they will want to buy one or not after dealing with the ineptness that is Best Buy.

pgwalsh · Mar 22, 2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slffl

A Big Ol' negative on this one. Next thing you know they'll be selling their products at Wal-Mart.... oh wait.... (sigh)

I'll never shop at Best Buy. After the internal/external website fiasco, they've lost me as a consumer for good. Thankfully there're two Apple stores close to me.

andiwm2003 · Mar 22, 2007, 12:15 PM

3000 for 800 stores. that's a joke i hope! if atv is to take off they'd better have enough for everyone who want's one during the initial hype. and they need a lot of them out there before the competitors boxes hit the shelves.

sachamun · Mar 22, 2007, 12:18 PM

Can someone tell me what the big deal is about the apple TV, and why it's getting so much coverage here? I know it's a new product and all, but it seems that every single predictable movement is getting treated like big news here. Same with CS3 by the way...I know it's being released on mac os before windows, but other than that, what does it have to do with mac?

mozmac · Mar 22, 2007, 12:23 PM

I think it's great that Apple continues to push its products into more stores. The consumer products should get the popularity they deserve. I know some fear that Apple's platform will become too trendy, but I don't think that will ever happen. Mac OS X will always have a strong presence in the market, but will not become the dominant player, allowing it to keep it "elite" status that so many associate with it.

Superdrive · Mar 22, 2007, 12:28 PM

If I had to get an Apple TV instantly, I would rather go to Target or WalMart over Best Buy to get it. As stated above, Best Buy is a FUD factory. After working in a few stores, I've lost faith (not like I really had any) in their "knowledgeable" staff.

But, whatever gets it out there. We have to remember there are people that know what they want and don't care where they get it from. By Apple placing their products at Target, WalMart, and even Best Buy, anything Apple is accessible same day.

docpsycho · Mar 22, 2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macrumors

Apple has recently been testing sales at Best Buy with a pilot program for selling Macs at the popular retailer.

Here we go again. and her it will FAIL again. the amount of training the pimpled dorks in blue got, was a CD-Rom, with a user takes the inititative to learn.... that was never watched! Been there Done That.

I was the MAC DADDY on the test run of 2004, in the store I had worked at.

Apple should only focus on the appliances (iPod, TV, etc) Aftermarket retailers can't deliver. CompUSA has to rely on outside help / Specialist to really move product.

Guess tho nerd biscuits over tin the PC realm are really not that smart after all (thats why they trash apple instedt of learning about it)

notjustjay · 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgwalsh

I'll never shop at Best Buy. After the internal/external website fiasco

Edit: My post was originally "Tell! Is there a link?"

I did a Google search and found some references to that. Shady, but sadly not unique...

Something similar happens when you browse the kiosk at Chapters. They're obviously using the same back-end (the site looks almost the same as the Chapters website) but instead of showing you the discounted online price, it shows you the full retail price. I suppose it's different enough that one could arguably not be deceived, but still.

I'm more disappointed that Home Depot, unlike just about every other B&M store I can think of that also has a web store, not only offers different prices on the identical items on their website, but the B&M stores refuse to price match their own website. But that's getting off-topic...

docpsycho · Mar 22, 2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superdrive

I've lost faith (not like I really had any) in their "knowledgeable" staff.

That's because the smart ones got out of there and got real work, with real pay!

pgwalsh · Mar 22, 2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notjustjay

Tell! Is there a link?

Slashdot:
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/03/0423239

Engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/03/b...-site-exposed/

I'm sure if you do a google search you'll find more.

Doctor Q · Mar 22, 2007, 12:44 PM

I guess I'll stop by our local Best Buy and ask them a few questions. I'm curious whether anybody there will be able to answer some basic

TV questions once the merchandise is there. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised. If not, it may not be helping Apple's sales to have uninformed salespeople confusing (or at least not unconfusing) people with questions about the product.

twoodcc · Mar 22, 2007, 12:47 PM

good news! so hopefully more people will buy it

notjustjay · Mar 22, 2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgwalsh

I'm sure if you do a google search you'll find more.

Indeed. Yuck.

I remember on several occasions playing with the Macs at my local Best Buy, which are internet-connected. Zipping around the web worked just great, until I decided to compare Best Buy's pricing with the Apple Store. For some reason, www.apple.com/store just didn't seem to load...

BuzWeaver · Mar 22, 2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technicolor

Bestbuy doesnt know how to sell Apple products.

I suppose the plus side is you can get your cables while you're there.

bearbo · Mar 22, 2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notjustjay

Indeed. Yuck.

I remember on several occasions playing with the Macs at my local Best Buy, which are internet-connected. Zipping around the web worked just great, until I decided to compare Best Buy's pricing with the Apple Store. For some reason, www.apple.com/store just didn't seem to load...

what! you don't know apple store's price by heart?!

jk.

Darkroom · Mar 22, 2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technicolor

Bestbuy doesnt know how to sell Apple products.

Best Buy / Futureshop is awful... awful awful awful... shopping there is just as annoying as shopping at Wal-Mart (minus the 800 "super-moms" with their 2000 screaming kids)... and the staff at Best Buy are generally never helpful...

Rocketman · Mar 22, 2007, 01:36 PM

Apple TV is more of a "commodity product" than most Apple products. All you really have to know is the primary sales pitch of "if it is on iTunes it is on TV", and what cable to get, HDMI or Composite Video. Done.

So commodity sales simpletoms like Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart just need a stack of Apple TV's and a tray of two different cable types. Done.

With the iPod they had to train users on the "benefits and usage". The market for Apple TV is EXISTING iTunes users.

Rocketman

chaseardoin7 · Mar 22, 2007, 01:40 PM

best buy has offically posted the apple tv with a "coming soon" button. here is the link to the page:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1172881381528

Doctor Q · Mar 22, 2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocketman

Apple TV is more of a "commodity product" than most Apple products. All you really have to know is the primary sales pitch of "if it is on iTunes it is on TV", and what cable to get, HDMI or Composite Video. Done.

Cables are the easy part. Answering

TV shoppers' questions about TV sets and wifi might take more expertise.

Xyl · Mar 22, 2007, 01:57 PM

Maybe it isn't "exclusive" to Best Buy after all...

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9700110-1.html

Mar 22, 2007, 11:48 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple TV at Best Buy News.com's Apple blog reveals that Best Buy will be carrying the Apple TV starting on Tuesday. They will have a two week "exclusive" over other non-Apple retail stores in carrying the new device. Initial supplies will be limited with only 3000 units shipping across 800 stores. Apple has recently been testing sales at Best Buy with a pilot program for selling Macs at the popular retailer. The Apple TV's push into non-Apple retailers also reflects the "consumer electronics" nature of the device.

Mar 22, 2007, 11:52 AM	#2
justflie macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Red Sox Nation	Great! Now I don't need to drive an hour to try out the ATV. There's a Best Buy that sells Macs only 5 minutes away. I hope they give it a prominent position on the floor. Do you think it would be sold near the computers or near the ginormous wall of HDTVs? Wouldn't it be amazing to run the ATV on that many TV's at once? __________________ 2 x 2.66 GHz 2009 Mac Pro, 6 GB RAM, GTX 285 ; 32GB iPhone 3GS

Mar 22, 2007, 11:55 AM	#3
Rocketman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Claremont, CA	Initial seeding of less than 4 per store sounds small, but these are likely demo units pending delivery of more through normal distribution channels; company trucks going to each store in the normal course of inventory refurbishment. Rocketman __________________ Think Different-ly! Looking for an iPhone dev with way too much time on her hands for BASIC programs I have.

Mar 22, 2007, 12:04 PM	#5
slffl macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, UT	A Big Ol' negative on this one. Next thing you know they'll be selling their products at Wal-Mart.... oh wait.... (sigh) __________________ Why waste your time posting how much you hate Apple products?

Mar 22, 2007, 12:23 PM	#10
mozmac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California, Utah, Colorado...wherever I happen to be at the moment	I think it's great that Apple continues to push its products into more stores. The consumer products should get the popularity they deserve. I know some fear that Apple's platform will become too trendy, but I don't think that will ever happen. Mac OS X will always have a strong presence in the market, but will not become the dominant player, allowing it to keep it "elite" status that so many associate with it. __________________ Blurt Daily: Opinion and More Opinion

Mar 22, 2007, 11:57 AM	#4
technicolor macrumors Demi-Goddess Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ><><><><	Bestbuy doesnt know how to sell Apple products.

Mar 22, 2007, 12:15 PM	#8
andiwm2003 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA	3000 for 800 stores. that's a joke i hope! if atv is to take off they'd better have enough for everyone who want's one during the initial hype. and they need a lot of them out there before the competitors boxes hit the shelves.

Mar 22, 2007, 12:18 PM	#9
sachamun macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia	Can someone tell me what the big deal is about the apple TV, and why it's getting so much coverage here? I know it's a new product and all, but it seems that every single predictable movement is getting treated like big news here. Same with CS3 by the way...I know it's being released on mac os before windows, but other than that, what does it have to do with mac?

Mar 22, 2007, 12:28 PM	#11
Superdrive macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN	If I had to get an Apple TV instantly, I would rather go to Target or WalMart over Best Buy to get it. As stated above, Best Buy is a FUD factory. After working in a few stores, I've lost faith (not like I really had any) in their "knowledgeable" staff. But, whatever gets it out there. We have to remember there are people that know what they want and don't care where they get it from. By Apple placing their products at Target, WalMart, and even Best Buy, anything Apple is accessible same day.

Mar 22, 2007, 12:44 PM	#16
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the table with countless relatives	I guess I'll stop by our local Best Buy and ask them a few questions. I'm curious whether anybody there will be able to answer some basic TV questions once the merchandise is there. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised. If not, it may not be helping Apple's sales to have uninformed salespeople confusing (or at least not unconfusing) people with questions about the product. __________________ "You've just been abducted, of course you need crepes!" -- Walter Bishop

Mar 22, 2007, 12:47 PM	#17
twoodcc macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Right side of wrong	good news! so hopefully more people will buy it __________________ tville pump Smarter than the average bear

Mar 22, 2007, 01:36 PM	#22
Rocketman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Claremont, CA	Apple TV is more of a "commodity product" than most Apple products. All you really have to know is the primary sales pitch of "if it is on iTunes it is on TV", and what cable to get, HDMI or Composite Video. Done. So commodity sales simpletoms like Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart just need a stack of Apple TV's and a tray of two different cable types. Done. With the iPod they had to train users on the "benefits and usage". The market for Apple TV is EXISTING iTunes users. Rocketman __________________ Think Different-ly! Looking for an iPhone dev with way too much time on her hands for BASIC programs I have.

Mar 22, 2007, 01:40 PM	#23
chaseardoin7 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2007	best buy link best buy has offically posted the apple tv with a "coming soon" button. here is the link to the page: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1172881381528

Mar 22, 2007, 01:57 PM	#25
Xyl macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2006	Maybe it isn't "exclusive" to Best Buy after all... http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9700110-1.html

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