Best Buy Mac Mini Followup

[R3z]

Yes, it is on the Best Buy site, and looks as good as ever. But if you click on the link "Three Software Titles for $49.98 Offer" that sits next to the listing, you will be directed to a list of about 20 software titles in three categories, 19 of which are Windows-only, and one of which is Windows/Mac. If they do the same in the retail stores, who's going to buy? Anybody who is already up to speed on the Mac will probably buy at a more Mac-friendly place (if they have one in the area), so this is really for the potential switchers, "halo" or otherwise. Those people will look at the mini, see that one of the stereotypes (too expensive) is no longer true, and start to consider making the leap. Then they'll look for some software, see a couple of cross-platform titles buried in the hundreds of Windows titles, and that will reinforce their other stereotype (no software). They'll go back to looking at the $400 cheapo PC boxes thinking "I knew there was a reason I won't buy a Mac. If Best Buy doesn't increase their Mac software selection, it'll be worse than just not stocking any Macs, because these people will feel that they gave Apple a chance to prove them wrong, and now feel that they know the state of the Mac platform. They'll not think about switching for several more years.

First, people will buy the Mini for 2 reasons:
1. $500
2. No Spyware, Adware, Viruses, Worms, Etc.
We've already seen HUGE demand for this product, I have No doubts it will sell.

Second, when the mini starts to sell, we'll start to sell the software. After the colossal failure that was Best Buy's previous Apple sales (remember, it wasn't just Apple not making money), the company isn't going to just leap 100% in. You're asking a company that's managing to do very well with it's existing product lineup despite exceptionally low margin to suddenly invest millions in reintroducing a product line with even LESS margin with no proof of demand or revenue and a poor history on the shelves - Not going to happen. Give it time, and when the mac mini does well, you'll see a LOT more Apple products on BBY shelves.

Third, you give consumers WAY too much credit. If you don't think price point is reason 1 why people don't use Apple, you haven't worked in a retail environment. Customer's eyes glaze over when you say things like "$1200".

Fourth, we do have mandatory training on the mac mini, and while most of us don't pay too much attention, little nuggets of information like "Office is available for Mac" tend to sneak through, and that's going to be enough for 95% of the customers out there.

I'd like to see a Mac software section as well, but the sky is not falling just because the initial release doesn't come with a full complement of Mac software... Frankly, I don't think the product has even been officially rolled out company-wide, so it's a little premature to say there's going to be no software available anyway.

"Worse than not stocking it"? Christ..

 

[~loserman~]

Third, you give consumers WAY too much credit. If you don't think price point is reason 1 why people don't use Apple, you haven't worked in a retail environment. Customer's eyes glaze over when you say things like "$1200".

I disagree. The main reason people don't buy a Mac is because they are used to using a PC. All their friends use PCs. Their parents use PCs, They used one as a kid. They use a PC at work, School and everywhere else.
And the other main reason is PCs have many more software titles available.(Not necessarily better just more Titles. Also the software is easier to find.) And Last but not least GAMES.

 

[barnett25]

While certs are nice, they are not needed, you have to remember this is basically a typical retail part time/full time job, sales usually start at $9 an hr (depending on area) with service usually starting at $12. the only real requirement is 18 years or older. That being said its not a bad job for summer or school (Im still in college and this affords me more time for that then when I was a BSA with only a 10k a year pay cut and alot less stress) plus the discount certainly is nice on most things, I really cant pay retail prices for usb cables again

So certs aren't even needed for the service department?

 

[GDBone]

Top three things I get asked when telling people about macs
#3) I hear no one makes software for it
#2) Isn't it hard to use


#1) Arent they really expensive

inexperienced consumers listen to friends and relatives, rely on hearsay and word of mouth, and above all fear the bottom line, we have people who buy $400 emachines because they have a celeron processor and think they can play half life 2 with it, when we explain to them it aint gunna happen they say a friend is doing it with something older so this must work. all in all the sales people are there to try and assist consumers, not talk them out of something they are dead set on, if you do they (the consumer) will just find fault in whatever you got them (even if its what they needed). Sometimes there is no helping some people. Personally I have sold 2 mac minis through customer fulfillment to people who had the 3 major objections I listed above and both have come back thanking me for helping them, in the end all we can do is show the benefits and list the negatives of multiple products and let the consumer decide.

no certs are not needed I thought my a+ and mcse would help with a pay increase but it did not (granted they are crackerjack certs now).

 

[nagromme]

pardon? what?

i didn't think those two words belonged in the same sentence!

that's why i shop exclusively online when i'm in the states.... CompUSA = me

ALL my CompUSA experiences have been good: they have the latest OS running on the day it's available, they have all the latest goodies like Cinema Displays and iMacs up and running cool demos, they encourage you to play around, and they know their stuff. And lots of software and accessories available.

I only have experience with 2 CompUSAs but it's a close second to having a real Apple store, in my experience. (I'm less happy with how they handle repairs--they seem to treat the hardware roughly back there! But that's not Mac-specific.)

 

[nagromme]

And the other main reason is PCs have many more software titles available.(Not necessarily better just more Titles. Also the software is easier to find.)

Some Mac users I know aren't even aware that you CAN order software online! Come on, people, Amazon! Not to mention downloadable apps.

Apple should have an item right in the Apple menu of every Mac that takes them to a comprehensive online software resource.

Oh... wait...

 

[~loserman~]

Some Mac users I know aren't even aware that you CAN order software online! Come on, people, Amazon! Not to mention downloadable apps.

Apple should have an item right in the Apple menu of every Mac that takes them to a comprehensive online software resource.

Oh... wait...

Sure you can order stuff online but most people like to browse the software aisles at their local stores. Not a lot of Mac choices there.

 

[~loserman~]

ALL my CompUSA experiences have been good: they have the latest OS running on the day it's available, they have all the latest goodies like Cinema Displays and iMacs up and running cool demos, they encourage you to play around, and they know their stuff. And lots of software and accessories available.

I only have experience with 2 CompUSAs but it's a close second to having a real Apple store, in my experience. (I'm less happy with how they handle repairs--they seem to treat the hardware roughly back there! But that's not Mac-specific.)

Same here.
I would much rather buy from CompUSA than from my local Mac reseller.

 

[IVIIVI4ck3y27]

The Countryside, Illinois Best Buy doesn't have any Mac minis (on the floor) yet... but... if you go to the keyboard and mice section as I did this weekend, you'll find a stash of about 10 Apple mice, with no pricetags affixed to them... In fact, they were all turned backwards when I walked over to them. I of course turned one face-forwards. Probably go unnoticed 'til someone asks 'bout buying it and then they'll turn 'em all backwards again. LoL

I really think Apple should try to get Macs in Target stores. I don't think Best Buy will ever amount to much for Mac sales unfortunately. Target I think would "get it" moreso than Best Buy, and I think it'd fit the Target customer base potentially too. Just my opinion.

 

[0098386]

macs were overlooked by my peers when we were in college. they got a bad rep because we were lumbered with iMac G3's when the PowerMac G5's were just appearing.
i do think its because everyone-and-his-pet-dog use PC's. i never thought twice about mac until i got my iPod (3G). then in less than a year of owning it i switched. partially because my computer only had a mini Firewire port, meaning my pod wouldnt charge up, and because i need a decent 12" laptop for university.

after constant bragging about how great the Mac experience is my girlfriend is desperate for a PB or an iMac, my dad is considering an iMac for the study as the next family computer.

everyone on my course loves Mac, fair doo's theres only 6 people on my course but 2 have iBooks and 3 have PowerBooks.

times are changing, at least in Manchester. and nobody i know has a mac desktop but a portable instead... hmm.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

ALL my CompUSA experiences have been good: they have the latest OS running on the day it's available, they have all the latest goodies like Cinema Displays and iMacs up and running cool demos, they encourage you to play around, and they know their stuff. And lots of software and accessories available.

I only have experience with 2 CompUSAs but it's a close second to having a real Apple store, in my experience. (I'm less happy with how they handle repairs--they seem to treat the hardware roughly back there! But that's not Mac-specific.)

I've been to my local CompUSA, and they're okay as far as Mac resellers go. I find Micro Center far better.

 

[Inspector Lee]

Isn't it $69 for educational pricing? Tiger's already been priced at $129. It would be pretty shady to change it after press releases already tagged the price. And I've had no trouble buying a new OS with edu pricing from an Apple store--my campus bookstore didn't stock anything very well.

Yeah, head in a$$ here on the cost. But the 2 Apple stores within a 1 hr drive will not sell software at education prices. If and when this is released, I'll call them because a quick shoot down the highway is better than waiting a week for the university store to stock it.

 

[paulsecic]

Mac Mini is a definite boon for Apple

Apple is getting wise: more stores = more sales. With Longhorn almost two years off, sales of Macs are sure to bloom.

 

[~loserman~]

Apple is getting wise: more stores = more sales. With Longhorn almost two years off, sales of Macs are sure to bloom.

That is a leap of faith isn't it?
OS X has been out for over 3 years now and Apple hasn't gained any market share so far. They are still hovering below the 3% market share level.
To think that just because Tiger will release in less than 2 months and Longhorn won't be released until the end of 2006, how does that change Apple's market share?
If they were to double their market share which is better than even Jobs could hope for it still would be fairly insignificant overall.
But really what does it matter. If you like Mac's which I assume you do then you will buy them and continue to use them.

 

[peejay]

Best Buy and Mac software

I'd like to see a Mac software section as well, but the sky is not falling just because the initial release doesn't come with a full complement of Mac software... Frankly, I don't think the product has even been officially rolled out company-wide, so it's a little premature to say there's going to be no software available anyway.

OK, I hope things improve software-wise at Best Buy, and they scale up the software options over time. However, details like that $49.95 software bundle don't inspire confidence, and that's just what the potential switcher needs to make the leap. Anything, including any unfounded perception, that can cause doubt will negate the sale. If someone's looking around and they just don't see Macs, they won't have to reevaluate their opinion of the Apple platform. If they do see some Macs, but those computers are poorly set up, or the perception that there is no software written for Macs is reinforced, then that person's impression of Apple will go down.

I hope that Best Buy will do a better job than what some are saying about the last time they tried to sell Apple hardware, but if they don't, the damage will be worse than if BB just didn't bother. It's like the 30" Cinema Display I saw at the Apple section of Fry's in Seattle the other month. It was hooked up to a Mac that did not have the correct video card to run such a thing, and it had a resolution of 1024x768. I wonder how many people walked past it, thinking "That's a big screen, but it sure looks like crap!"

 

[OnaMacSince1989]

Welcome Back Best Buy!

I'd like to thank the Best Buy folks who've posted here. It's good to know there's some training going on. This could be a real positive relationship for Apple, Best Buy, and consumers. Best Buy is a great marketer - their service may be hit or miss (though I've not had any real problems) - but they know how to sell. It's great to hear that the Geek Squad will be able to perform on the spot upgrades for RAM, BlueTooth, etc.

Several years back, I bought my 3rd Mac at a Best Buy - a Performa 5220. Would love to see Mac software available again in BB stores. The more Mac sales, the more software developers will get back on the Mac bandwagon!

Please - please - somebody make Hoyle Casino and Card Games again for Mac OS X! There's no substitute for these games, and the lack of updates since 2002 is maddening!

 

[buffsldr]

R3Z,
Wow. It is not every day you get a college educated opinion. Thanks for the solid post.

Welcome!

 

[rdowns]

I've been to my local CompUSA, and they're okay as far as Mac resellers go. I find Micro Center far better.

Shudder. The CompUSA near me is awesome and has gotten better since Apple opened a store across the street in the mall.

The Micro Center nearby is the poster child for bassackwards. While they have a dedicated Apple room in the back of the store, the shelves are littered with old versions of software, Apple branded toner cartridges (when did they stop making them?) and other assorted relics. In their counter display, they have, get this, ImageWriter LQ ribbons. I'll never shop there.

 

[hadleydb]

Okay I went to the BB in Salt Lake and found a wonderful little shrine dedicated to the mini with accessories around it. They care about the mini at this location. I also picked mine up and its a wonderful little machine. I say Kudos to Best Buy at this location. Oh and the guy at the pick up counter was a mac fan and raved on about it. My compusa still doesn't have any in stock.

 

[zwida]

....is opening on April 8th. I'll scout out their Apple dept. which is only two blocks from Apple Soho! I'm hoping they have a liberal retun policy so I can try out lots of high tech goodies before ordering them with my Amazon Prime account! hehe

2 Blocks from Apple SoHo? Do you know the cross streets?

 

[~loserman~]

Maybe since Best Buy is going to start selling they wil also start stocking some software for the Mac.

 

[corywoolf]

This probably means no mac mini updates for a while....

I don't think apple would release a updated mini so quickly, especially because best buy started carrying their mini just now. i would think maybe in august to november they would. i wasn't counting on it anyways, some people mentioned it in a page 2 thread. I think the imac and ibook will see minor updates. The new powermacs probably wont be announced til june or july. The powerbooks, probably august at earliest, i think it will be all the way into oct. to dec. territory. Apple usually only updates, at most, 2 computers at the same show. The ipod will also take up a show with maybe one minor mac update. Some say apple's line isn't updated that frequently, i used to think so, but now i think "how the heck do they do this so quickly". I just think some of the products haven't been moved enough yet for them to release the update. I really have no idea what the next powerbook will be like, g5 (no way), g4 (lame), dual g4 (awsome, but not likely), I just hope the next powerbooks are more refined then the track pad woas of the current.

 

[Hostile]

My folks bought me a mini for my birthday last month. They had ordered it from BestBuy in early March and it showed up last week.

 

[mrichmon]

With an add like that they can't be all bad

Yeah, except the "3 software titles for $49.98" they are advertising are PC software titles. I guess they just match on "desktop computer" and show the special deal. It'll take them a while to fix this one I'm guessing.

 

[GilGrissom]

I dunno about the US, but Im hoping that my local PC World store here in sunny UK will take up macs more.

To give them credit they have been improving dramatically this past year...but I would like it to be wide spread. I hear great tales from mags about PC World employees loving Macs and working their socks off to get people to switch and realise their potential...this is great...they know their stuff and can help bucket loads!! (like some of the best buy peeps some of you guys hvae mentioned)...just hope these people can rub off to the whole workforce!!

I have yet to see Mac Minis on sale here (nor shuffles for that matter)...i think it would be very good for them.