Apple Mail Order?

[bubbagump]

Obviosuly, if Apple did a direct mail campaign, it would be stylish. Their catalog would probably be constructed from rather expensive paper with a minimalist look or something. If they really want to convert PC users, they simply need more exposure and to dispell the myth that Macs suffer from too little software and incompatability of data files. Apple also need to tell people that it is very easy to switch. Many older users that use PCs will not even consider Apple because they think all of their Windows knowledge will not apply and that they cannot talk to the rest of the world. Television commercials can only do some of this. A PeeCee user is never going to show up to Apple's website except to maybe download iTunes. Hence, direct mail fills this gap.
As for screwing other Mac catalogs, one must remember that if you do not buy from Mac Mall, Mac Mall ceases to come to your home. Hence, if Apple is making cold calls, there is really no competition, and Apple is only providing exposure for the market. If the demographics are right, this may be a very good move for Apple.

Bubba

 

[g30ffr3y]

i get the sony style catalog every few months... its not really a magazine, but not really a catalog... it seems to be put together very well, is classy and descriptive... its still a giant commercial for sony products, but certainly doesnt seem like it alienates resellers...

if apple took this route i think it could work to their advantage and not piss anyone off...

 

[Piker]

Prettiest Mail-Order Mag EVER

If it's anything like the rest of apple's sales and marketing schema, this is fixin' to be the prettiest darn computer magazine we've ever laid eyes on. It'll make all the other ones, from all the MacSomethings or CDW or Buy.com, look like one of those annoying inserts in your sunday paper. Pinup quality full-page glossy photos of Mac products does have some appeal, but I'm afraid that's all most people will do with these magazines. Mail-order is dead. Unless they find some really spiffy way to tie it to the Apple Online store or the retail locations (which they very well may come up with), this endeavor probably won't drive many sales. That's my two cents.

-Piker

 

[billyboy]

If the catalogue could be like a keep on the coffee table standard publication that focuses on what you can do on OS X and has like a secondary purpose of selling the hardware that runs OS X, that could do well as far as attracting new custom. But to send me as an existing user a glossy mag of Apple products, that would just annoy me because I hate wasting paper when the apple.com web site can tell me perfectly well everything I need to know.

My tuppenny bits worth

 

[Thor74]

Wow.... let's just see if this takes off first. Talk about really sc*wing over your other channels for sales Apple. I used to buy from direct resellers backa few years. Looked forward to MacMall, MacConnection, etc etc just to see what new stuff was out. Hmmm no point in worrying about this until/if it hapens I guess.

 

[wdlove]

I get Mac Connection and Mac Mall, occasionally purchase from Mac Connection. Personally I think that it would be a bad idea for Apple to go into the catalogue market. It would just be another expense that Apple doesn't need.

 

[hayesk]

If it's anything like the rest of apple's sales and marketing schema, this is fixin' to be the prettiest darn computer magazine we've ever laid eyes on. It'll make all the other ones, from all the MacSomethings or CDW or Buy.com, look like one of those annoying inserts in your sunday paper.

Let's hope so. If this happens, I'm going to order a bunch of catalogues and leave them in the lunch rooms and common areas at work.

 

[hayesk]

Wow, Apple hasn't stabbed mac retailers in the back enough as is? 😡

Oh please. The only retailers Apple "stabbed in the back" are the lazy ones who had poor retail operations and did almost nothing to grow the Mac brand. If mom and pop computer stores with razor thin margins can advertise in print and radio then why can't a local Mac dealer? Oh, I know - because they prefer to just live off the Mac loyalists that want a retail experience but have nowhere else to go.

 

[mikeswimm]

terrible idea

the main reason apple's marketshare is so low is price. PERIOD. especially in the economic climate we are in now. squeezing a tiny amount of profit from companies like macmall (whether you like them or not) that have supported the brand for years is stupid and will only hurt apple in the longrun. they are already in hot water with a bunch of long-term retailers.

i think apple needs to tone down the fascist control a little and let the market show them how most people buy computers. (ibox anyone?) steve loves to pretend like he is some technological messiah but then prices his products out of the budget of 90% of the population. dumb.

 

[SiliconAddict]

According to a ThinkSecret source, Apple may be considering expanding its direct sales model further.

This move would bring it into direct competition against traditional catalog resellers (MacWarehouse, MacMall) which have historically represented a large portion of the Mac sales market.

At this early stage, it appears that they have simply investigated this plan as a possibility, and it's unclear if they will pursue this option. In light of recent reseller lawsuits, however, such a move may further strain reseller relations.

About damn time. I'm sick of getting only Dell ads in the mail! 😎

 

[rhpenguin]

Cool. Up here in Canada we have no Apple store to go to. We have our small retailers with inhouse staff and whatnot (which is nice because they know me) but being able to order from Apple and not doing it on the web is a nice alternitve.

Granted, this does screw over the resellers. This move is neutral in my book.

 

[wdlove]

About damn time. I'm sick of getting only Dell ads in the mail! 😎

You must be like my wife and had either leased or purchased a Dell before. I'm surprised that they don't delete you from the files after so many years of not ordering.