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Best Buy and Apple - Together Again?

Re: Re: Re: can't be too bad

Originally posted by tazo
this is the biggest crock of...I have ever heard of. A lot of the new pc's, not the lowest of the low but the middle range ones are equipped with firewire. especially ones coming out of HP and Sony. To imply that no one on the pc side has firewire is stupid and utterly false. Go browse around the specs of the major desktop and notebook systems on the pc side; surely at least one will have firewire :rolleyes:
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Most PC manufacturers that include Firewire only include 4 pin Firewire. This lacks the bus power capabilities, and other features found in the 6 pin variety. They aren't even yet to Firewire's full 1394 standard, and now Apple has 1394b. PCs are playing catch up with Apple.
 
drive to hell in order to look at a mac?
i have to disagree with you.
i bet that the number of private resellers combined with all of the frys locations as well as compusa locations create more than enough places to experience apple hardware.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: can't be too bad

Originally posted by gopher
Most PC manufacturers that include Firewire only include 4 pin Firewire. This lacks the bus power capabilities, and other features found in the 6 pin variety. They aren't even yet to Firewire's full 1394 standard, and now Apple has 1394b. PCs are playing catch up with Apple.
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i HATE 4 pin firewire...its the bane of my existence! oh yeah, lets take out half the functionality of something, and make people use two cords, one for data and one for power! the only place i can see it is on camcorders, which don't recharge by it, but they could... its such a pathetic looking connecter too. all squiggly, unnatural. i would never buy a notebook with mini connectors. thus, i like apple.
 
Re: Bad old days

I doubt many salesmen will actually try to talk a PC buyer INTO a mac, even if the primary use for the computer will be digital video, etc. [/B][/QUOTE]

youre absoulutely right. on top of that we also have to ask ourselves this question-in the world of consumer electronics, which items sell more?
The BEST which are the most expensive(macs), the mid priced items that are pretty good(p4), or the really dirt cheap items that any consumer knows are cheap(celeron)?
-the midpriced sells more. I mean come on, how many people actually buy computers from Best Buy? Just look at the stores inventory. There is a bigger selection of kitchen appliances then there are computers. Most people who go in to Best Buy with thoughts of perhaps purchasing a computer there probably dont know much about buying computers, and most likely are not power users. Every Mac power user I know get there macs from either apple store, online, or mac specialty store. Every PC power user I know assemble there own PC's or maybe from dell or frys.
So all of the other consumers probably dont really know what they want. They just want something to plug into the wall and "go on e mail." These people are not power users who are very particular about what they put on their desks or in the overhead bin. These are people who for what they want to buy a computer for- a cheap pc WOULD be the best economical buy. Seeing how they will only be on it 1 or 2 times a week to get on the net or mild video and pics. THESE are the people who go into Best Buy looking for a computer. Why do they go into best buy? Because 'they sell electronics there.' These people would glance at the mac area, see how cool the computers look and be attracted. Then they will open up explorer, or word-because thats basically all they would ever really use. Then they would look at the price and gasp. After which they will browse the pc section, and open up explorer or word and experience the same exact thing. What would they say to the 1000 dollar cheaper price tag? Well they would obviously go with the pc.
It is so difficult for Apple to sell in a place like this because all the glitter and glitz of any buying experience can not correctly display what is REALLY the difference between macs and pc's. The only way any one can ever truly discover what the difference is, is by becoming a slave to the windows platform-doing what it wants you to do-downloading drivers from some website because the included cd rom doesnt happen to work with your HP.
You can not experience the pain and suffering of owning a PC as opposed to the productive, and fun environment of the mac by browsing a mac section then a pc section at Best Buy.
I think that Apple needs to come up with a better strategy to lure switchers-one that can display the REAL difference between macs and pc's.
Something other than "it just works," or "macs are so much easier"
In fact I hate that term. It really makes it sound like Macs are for those who dont understand computers, instead of identifying the fact that it is not that they are designed for computer illiterate. If you look at those two common descriptions of macs, you can see their roots. They are in reference to pc's. Meaning they just work-unlike a pc. Meaning they are so much easier-as opposed to a pc.
 
Re: Re: Extended Warrenties on CD's

Originally posted by wsteineker
Ok, I'll admit that I've been with Best Buy less than a year, but I'm calling bullsh*t. We DO NOT sell service plans on items that cost less than $99. Period. End of story.
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I don't know what to tell you about that - I had someone repeatedly harrass me about getting a service plan for a gamecube controller ($35). That happened in November. I've seriously considered writing them a letter of complaint too. I always tell them no before they even ask, but then they argue with me about it. I would have stopped shopping there completely, but it's walking distance and I'm lazy.
 
Re: Re: Re: Extended Warrenties on CD's

Originally posted by andrewlandry
I don't know what to tell you about that - I had someone repeatedly harrass me about getting a service plan for a gamecube controller ($35). That happened in November. I've seriously considered writing them a letter of complaint too. I always tell them no before they even ask, but then they argue with me about it. I would have stopped shopping there completely, but it's walking distance and I'm lazy.
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By the way if you would have let the employee do their job you would have known it was a replacement plan and it was only like 5 dollars. I have seen many hardcore gamers use their replacement plans because the buttons have been used so much they stopped working. It is people like you who make us HAVE to keep pestering. I don't push the service as much as most people but as soon as someone won't listen or won't even let me talk that is when I start to push. Just let the person do there job, it only takes a min. for you to listen and if you don't want it after they tell you then ok, but at least let them do their job.
Sorry about venting it wasnt at you andrewlandry, just at people who wont let salesman do their job. If you don't want to deal with salesmen (which their job is to SELL) order online.

Macaddict16
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Extended Warrenties on CD's

Originally posted by Macaddict16
By the way if you would have let the employee do their job you would have known it was a replacement plan and it was only like 5 dollars. I have seen many hardcore gamers use their replacement plans because the buttons have been used so much they stopped working. It is people like you who make us HAVE to keep pestering. I don't push the service as much as most people but as soon as someone won't listen or won't even let me talk that is when I start to push. Just let the person do there job, it only takes a min. for you to listen and if you don't want it after they tell you then ok, but at least let them do their job.
Sorry about venting it wasnt at you andrewlandry, just at people who wont let salesman do their job. If you don't want to deal with salesmen (which their job is to SELL) order online.

Macaddict16
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you dont help buying a gamecube controller. and he is letting the salesmen do their job. i am a salesman myself, and when i ask a customer if they need help and they say no thanks, i let them know where there office is and they can come fine me. and usually they do if they ahve a question. people at best buy remind me more of robots then salesmen, thats just my opinion though :) no hard feelings

iJon
 
I have gotten both knowledgable and unknowledgable help from CompUSA Apple reps. But the rest of the staff often gives lousy PC advice, so I don't think Apple has MORE of a problem in that regard. Sometimes, the problem is that there's only one Apple rep, while anybody else can help you with PCs. So if the Apple rep is on his or her break, there is no help/advice available at all.

But... bottom line: having Macs on display at Best Buy gives Macs a presence where millions shop, and that's worth a lot. If you have to go to a speciality store to find Macs in the first place, then only people who are sure they want a Mac are going to be in there, and all those impulse shoppers won't even consider a Mac.

So I think the Best Buy development is good news, despite the few known problems.
 
hey, i wasn't trying to be mean to the salespeople. i actually tried to be real with them and explain that i often buy things from BestBuy more than once a week, but that i'll never be interested in buying any form of insurance for my purchase because i'm crazy and i live on the edge.

i tried explaining that as a chronic BestBuy shopper, the only thing that bothered me was feeling pressure to buy service plan/replacement thingy/whatever like every other day when I buy something. i also tried explaining that i understand it's their job to try and sell me the service plan, but could i please check out in peace this one time.

what happened?

"But sir, what if something happens to your $35 game pad..." etc. for a few minutes.

i looked at him and said, "I'll be screwed."

he shook his head and rang me up.

actually, all of this thinking about has made my mind up. no more Best Buy for me.
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
If you have to go to a speciality store to find Macs in the first place, then only people who are sure they want a Mac are going to be in there, and all those impulse shoppers won't even consider a Mac.
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thats not true, the walk in their because they are curious, many arent sure about macs, but they've heard friends talk abotu them or commercials. thats when you explain to them about the computer and then they are sold on one. but i will tell you right now, not everyone who walks into a specialty shop is ready to buy a mac with their credit card out.

iJon
 
Originally posted by iJon
thats not true, the walk in their because they are curious, many arent sure about macs, but they've heard friends talk abotu them or commercials. thats when you explain to them about the computer and then they are sold on one. but i will tell you right now, not everyone who walks into a specialty shop is ready to buy a mac with their credit card out.

iJon
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I can certainly agree with this, as I have seen this so many times at the local Apple Store. I see people walk in, take a look at like the iPods or the iBooks, say "those are cool, how much are they?...you get all that for that price?? wow". etc etc.
I think that for certain purchases people walk in prepared, but when wandering through the mall and you suddenly come upon an all-white mecca, things are bound to be different.
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
But... bottom line: having Macs on display at Best Buy gives Macs a presence where millions shop, and that's worth a lot. If you have to go to a speciality store to find Macs in the first place, then only people who are sure they want a Mac are going to be in there, and all those impulse shoppers won't even consider a Mac.
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Totally agree with this. A potential switcher slipped through my fingers because she went into Best Buy and made an impulse decision. She had all the normal PC biases against the Mac but was very open to my conversations with her.

And then .... poof.... she went to Best Buy "just to look" and out she came with a HP laptop. I believe that if there were Apple laptops also there she would have come back to me with some more questions. It wouldn't have been an impulse buy that day.

Oh well.... I told her good luck.... She's one of my best friends so I could get away with a slight trace of sarcasm:D
 
Re: Extended Warrenties on CD's

Originally posted by Macaddict16
By the way if you would have let the employee do their job you would have known it was a replacement plan and it was only like 5 dollars. I have seen many hardcore gamers use their replacement plans because the buttons have been used so much they stopped working. It is people like you who make us HAVE to keep pestering. I don't push the service as much as most people but as soon as someone won't listen or won't even let me talk that is when I start to push. Just let the person do there job, it only takes a min. for you to listen and if you don't want it after they tell you then ok, but at least let them do their job.
Sorry about venting it wasnt at you andrewlandry, just at people who wont let salesman do their job. If you don't want to deal with salesmen (which their job is to SELL) order online.

Macaddict16
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Trying to sell replacement and/or service plans to people who have made it clear they aren't interested is EXACTLY the kind of thing that gives Best Buy salespeople a bad name. For some things, I'll consider the plan. If I don't want it, I'm going to tell you right away before you waste 5 minutes explaining something to me when I've already decided-- you could be using that time to sell it to someone else who has NOT decided yet.
 
apple stores are SUITED for power users and potential switchers alike. They are SUITED for both. Putting macs where more shoppers are just for the sake of having more eyes on the product would be a horrible move-why? The same reason why you dont find gucci in Wal Mart. Gucci knows that would demean their line. (and no its not logical to bring up the fact that high end brands like sony sells products in Wal Mart- they already established their name in the 80's to the entire world and dont have to validate ANYTHING-apple still needs to) Face it-at this point unfortunately macs are a LUXURY. Yes they are more accesible to more users than ever, but they are still a luxury. I have been using macs and pc's since i was 8 years old. My dad bought me a mac se in 89 when i was 12 years old and i will always be a mac person-but I still believe that my mac is a luxury.
 
Originally posted by favpseudonym
apple stores are SUITED for power users and potential switchers alike. They are SUITED for both. Putting macs where more shoppers are just for the sake of having more eyes on the product would be a horrible move-why? The same reason why you dont find gucci in Wal Mart. Gucci knows that would demean their line. (and no its not logical to bring up the fact that high end brands like sony sells products in Wal Mart- they already established their name in the 80's to the entire world and dont have to validate ANYTHING-apple still needs to) Face it-at this point unfortunately macs are a LUXURY. Yes they are more accesible to more users than ever, but they are still a luxury. I have been using macs and pc's since i was 8 years old. My dad bought me a mac se in 89 when i was 12 years old and i will always be a mac person-but I still believe that my mac is a luxury.
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Sorry, but Best Buy sells some high end 'consumer' electronics. There are higher end products out there then what Best Buy stocks, but I don't see the G5 as an untouchable type Bang & Olufsen. I see Apple as a Bose type, and Circuity City sells Bose, not WalMart.

Also, Gucci isn't hot anymore, Gucci is so 80s.
 
First of all Gucci was just a reference to get the point across (in case you havent noticed-as far as the fashion world is concerned-everything is retro now anyhow!!)

Also- I think that your comment displays why macs shouldnt be in Best Buy.
"I see Apple as a Bose type, and Circuit City sells Bose, not wallmart."

BEST BUY is the wal mart of electronics. JUST look at the name "best buy." Maybe, just maybe, many people go to best buy to actually get the best buy.

ALL of apple prices are standard. It doesnt matter if you buy from apple store online, or an apple retail store, compusa, frys, or a specialty store. THE PRICES are all the same anyhow.
So how would Best Buy even live up to their name? They can offer other high end products at prices that are competitive with circuit city or good guys. They will not be able to do that with Apples. What are they going to do, bundle the macs with software? This is definiitely a possibility, but its not very probable.
 
Originally posted by favpseudonym
ALL of apple prices are standard. It doesnt matter if you buy from apple store online, or an apple retail store, compusa, frys, or a specialty store. THE PRICES are all the same anyhow.
So how would Best Buy even live up to their name? They can offer other high end products at prices that are competitive with circuit city or good guys. They will not be able to do that with Apples. What are they going to do, bundle the macs with software? This is definiitely a possibility, but its not very probable.
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They can bundle them with inkjet printers, which are practically free these days anyway. Then they can sell you a service contract, ink cartridges, glossy paper, cables, etc., and make lots of money.
 
thats true, but i think that most consumers dont really care about those things, they want a SYSTEM that is cheaper. On top of that, do you think that apple would allow them to offer a warranty cheaper then apple care as part of their partnership? -currently, most computer buyers are on at least their second computer purchase, and may want to use their old printers.
 
OK, how 'bout selling Macintosh training? iLife programs may be easier than most PC programs, but there are still many first-time buyers who might sign up for the package deal if they got "free" lessons with their purchase. Of course, lessons are labor intensive, so a store couldn't give you much training, just a simple "getting started" lesson.
 
there are ups and downs to anything
that is definitely an up
-a posh mac section with a small theater with i life and os x classes-so pc users can see.
 
Originally posted by Aoide


And then .... poof.... she went to Best Buy "just to look" and out she came with a HP laptop. I believe that if there were Apple laptops also there she would have come back to me with some more questions. It wouldn't have been an impulse buy that day.

Oh well.... I told her good luck.... She's one of my best friends so I could get away with a slight trace of sarcasm:D
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I tell that to customers at the compusa help desk with their 9lb hp laptops. I tell them, you could get the same funcitonality in a lighter, more efficient package, that looks cooler, and will just work. sometimes they get really excited and ask what type of comp is that, then i point them to the apple section. then they usually go back to snubbing me :)
 
Splitting hares

Originally posted by favpseudonym
ALL of apple prices are standard. It doesnt matter if you buy from apple store online, or an apple retail store, compusa, frys, or a specialty store. THE PRICES are all the same anyhow.
{snip}
What are they going to do, bundle the macs with software? This is definiitely a possibility, but its not very probable.
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www.macmall.com

Yes, MacMall and their outlet store, has a slightly lower price than Apple on the same machine, and they do bundle in printers, ram, and software.

BestBuy can do the same thing.
=-=
Splitting hares: makes them easier to cook on a grille. :D
-
JJ
 
Alrightie. Hi. I've been watching this thread for a bit and I finally decided to stop being a peeping tom and actually register myself. :)

I want to stick up for my lowly CompUSA up here in California. I work out of one of the smaller stores in my region, yet, we have one of the top three highest Apple contribution sales.

The reason why? Well... we actually have a good crew of people who are salesmen, that are Mac User's and actually know what they are talking about. Its true tho', you'll find a few stores where you just have a bunch of dumb asses, and some that has intelligent people. CompUSA isn't all that bad, or else I wouldn't have stayed now for over five years, but still-- give some retailers a break :) I know there is a few Best Buy employee's out there who are pretty darn good knowledge wise as well. The BB where I live at has at least two people that are pretty smart when it comes to PC's.. but, I haven't picked their brains on Mac yet.

I guess it depends on what store you hit. An who is working that time. My Apple rep that works in my store is a genius and he has a following of Mac Groupies who sit about and pick his brain all day. He's well researched, he's on top of everything and he is enthusiastic.

If Best buy is to survive with apple, they need Apple employees like that. I know the BB down by us has a bad rep for hiring morons. It happens. We got our share of morons at my place also :) But at least we're somewhat Mac proficient! :)

If BB an Apple starts working out.. well.. I guess thats cool. I'm an avid Macaddict. I'm glad to see them in more places... even if its the.. 'competition'. :)
 
I think that this could work out to be a really good partnership, both for Apple and for Best Buy. I think that generally Best Buy is a good store, but most of their workers probably don't know that much about Apple, so I think that Apple should and will put some reps in there to help customers.

I think that this could really get a lot of switchers too! :D
 
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