Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Best Buy selling Apple Products

Everyone listen up.

Best Buy, CompUSA and Circuit City are all the same. They're all Nation Wide stores that buy in huge quantities and sell at low margins. They hire young sales people to sell the products because turn around is so high. This is because the employees go onto bigger and better things and because the margins are so low that they can't afford to hire knowledgable staff. When you get bad service its not the store, its the every revolving employees that have no way of knowing everything about everything in the store. Its just impossible to do.

There is no possible way one store is better than the other. Plus, if you have a bad experience, it was probably a new employee. Go back now and see if that same person is there. If so, I bet they have more answers for you.

One person said,
They've got a bunch of college kids working for them, that only seem to know about big/loud car stereos. I can just see someone buying a Mac there, and coming back with questions that no one can answer.
Click to expand...
.

They also sell HP and Sony Computers there and are doing quite well. I don't think have Apple in there will be a problem. Just need a Apple guy in there for questions. Thats a big plus as well. If someone gets their question answered correctly, that customer will tell friends. You can't tell me the Best buy computer sales associates have more knowledge about HP and Sony than the Apple guy does about Apple's.

<End of grip>

Back to topic:

Putting Apple product in Best Buy is a good thing. More exposure overall plus there are more Best Buy's around then the others. It will make it easier for people to buy (like myself).
 
employment?

I think this is great, currently I have to drive an hour or so to get to a retailer that sells Apple products, and if Apple is going to provide Best Buy with knowledgeable employees that's even better. My question is where would you apply for a job selling Macs at a Best Buy? Through Apple or at a Best Buy store, I haven't noticed anything new on the Apple job postings?
 
Re: YES IT IS

Originally posted by docpsycho
the "student" pricing is a joke.
Click to expand...
So, $200 off the G5s and PowerBooks isn't good enough? $100 off the iMac? Half-price software? Last time I checked, Apple's education price on the iPod, for example, was the same as Best Buy's cost.

I've never understood the argument that Apple's student pricing is a joke — it's among the best offered by computer makers. Try comparing it to Dell's education pricing sometime.
 
If you call their education price a joke, just take a look at something like Microsoft Office...regular price is $499 while student price is $149. Who would laugh at that deal? I sure wouldn't be laughing. Not to mention you can get a G5 for the same price or less than an iMac, basically, between the student pricing and knocking out the superdrive.
 
But who is going to get rid of the SuperDrive? I plan on paying for my RAM upgrade with a bunch of burned DVDs, both of the commercial movie variety and the piles of downloaded n0rp variety.

I'm half serious.
 
Update:

Initial stores to carry Apple's Product line are focused in California and Illinois, with scattered stores in other states (AZ, VA, NY, MD, MN).

Products to be carried include the eMac, iMac (15" and 17"), PowerMac (G4), iBook (12"), PowerBook (12" and 15"), iPod, as well as selection of accompanying accessories and software titles.
 
I wouldn't want to ditch it, either. But just look at the price, it's absolutely insane that you can actually get a 1.6 GHz G5 for less than a 17" iMac so easily.
 
Re: Unpleasant Experience at Best Buy

Originally posted by sagaces
About a year ago I went into a Best Buy store to buy a digital camera, a photo quality printer, and some relevant supplies....
Click to expand...

Sagaces, I had a similar experience at the local Best Buy here in Pentagon City, VA. I went in, having decided that I wanted to pick up a Gameboy Advance SP, after I could not find it for under $120 online. I found the shelf with the SPs, bent over to pick up one, and lingered for about 10 seconds while deciding between silver and blue. WOOSH In swoops sales associate number one.

"I see you're looking at the Gameboy Advance SP. You'll want to get the extended protection plan with that and you'll want to get this [$30] accessory pack, because it doesn't come with a charger."

"It doesn't?" I look at the back of the box. (AC charger-adapter included.) "It says here it does."

"Oh, well, that is optional, that one doesn't come with it. You'll have to buy this, too."

"Okay, thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

He walks away. I hesitate for another 10 seconds, still considering color. WOOSH In swoops sales associate number two.

"Would you like me to set you up with the extended protection plan? Oh, and you're going to need an AC adapter with that -- it doesn't use AA batteries."

"No thanks, not interested."

He looks at me, and sulks away. I make a break for the registers. WOOSH Directly into my path swoops sales associate number three.

"Did you want to get the extended plan for that, while you're here? You know it will guarantee you a replacement for eighteen --"

"NO."

"Did you get all the accessories you need? You know it doesn't inclu--"

"Yes, thanks. I'm all set."

I continue past. And finally reach the cashier.

"So, would you like the extended protection --"

"No thanks."

"-- Well, the plan guarantees a replacement of --"

"Nah."

"-- for eighteen months--"

"I'm not interested, I just want to pay and leave, thank you."

She gives up. I pay, leave and get home. Lo, and behold, inside the package, an AC adapter-charger and integrated rechargable batteries.

Yep, those were the literal conversations. Aside from the occasional DVD, I will never buy anything from Best Buy again.
 
If you think that is bad...when I bought an Xbox from Best Buy, they tried to sell me an extended service plan on my *controller*. Now why would I pay for a plan on a $40 video game controller? And they refuse to leave you alone. I get the rundown when I am picking it up, then get it again at the register, then again as I am walking out the door by the guy that always stands by the exit to check your bag. Where is the logic in this madness?
 
Originally posted by Powerbook G5
I wouldn't want to ditch it, either. But just look at the price, it's absolutely insane that you can actually get a 1.6 GHz G5 for less than a 17" iMac so easily.
Click to expand...

Um...if you need a monitor too...the iMac is a much better deal.
 
I didn't mean to step on any toes on the subject, I just figured that by this time, most people already had monitors lying around. I have a bunch in the closet along with spare parts from years of previously owned PCs, repairs, upgrades, etc. With everyone talking about how bad they want a headless Mac for cheap, it seemed like a logical assumption that someone looking for a cheap and powerful alternative to an iMac could look at the 1.6 as a pretty good deal.
 
BESTBUY AND APPLE=BAD SALES

:mad: I work in a Staples store in the same mall as a Bestbuy and I can tell you that their sales associates know NOTHING! about computers, now the macs come in! I personally believe that Apple branded products should NOT be sold in large retail chains. Compusa is bad enough with their high prices and stupid employees. BestBuy isn't going to be any better with their PC brained sales associates saying that Macs suck. I will not settle for this crap. If there is going to be a trained onsite apple rep in the stores, I suppose that is okay, but those idiotic bestbuy employees better not lay a hand on any Apple product!
 
i guess that this will be good for Apple and the consumers having more places to buy a Mac. if only something like this would happen in Australia. :rolleyes: :(

there shouldn't be any problems with the staff trying to sell people Macs either. won't Apple have their own employees selling the Macs?
 
Re: BESTBUY AND APPLE=BAD SALES

Originally posted by macman426
:mad: I work in a Staples store in the same mall as a Bestbuy and I can tell you that their sales associates know NOTHING! about computers
Click to expand...

I can say that about Staples employees as well.

You guys are way to generalized about your comments. Maybe a few people don't know the goods about stuff at a certain store, but that should not include everyone. I bet macman426 couldn't tell me everything about every product Staples sells. Give Best Buy a break. This is a plus for Apple. Let them get in as many stores as they can. Half the people in the U.S haven't even touched an Apple computer. Now they will.
 
If you want to expose people to Apple computers, then why expose them to older PoweMac G4s and not the new G5s that those same people are seeing commercials for? Or the beauty of the 17" PowerBook? It just doesn't make much sense to go this far and just fall short on big ticket items such as these that will really hit home on just what kind of products make Apple the computer company worth investing in.
 
Originally posted by Powerbook G5
If you want to expose people to Apple computers, then why expose them to older PoweMac G4s and not the new G5s that those same people are seeing commercials for? Or the beauty of the 17" PowerBook? It just doesn't make much sense to go this far and just fall short on big ticket items such as these that will really hit home on just what kind of products make Apple the computer company worth investing in.
Click to expand...

in simple terms, the supply of G5's is not one that will meet the possible massive demand placed on it by BestBuy. I'll be they'll be there in time, but not yet. Maybe by Christmas, but I doubt before then.

Is there any information regarding a further rollout to other stores at a later date? I'd like to see my local Best Buy get this (just like most of the folks that have posted in this thread) but never saw us as being on the initial list. Maybe round 2 or 3, although we have a pretty-much brand-new store here.
 
Re: Re: BESTBUY AND APPLE=BAD SALES

Originally posted by bertagert
I can say that about Staples employees as well.

You guys are way to generalized about your comments. Maybe a few people don't know the goods about stuff at a certain store, but that should not include everyone. I bet macman426 couldn't tell me everything about every product Staples sells. Give Best Buy a break. This is a plus for Apple. Let them get in as many stores as they can. Half the people in the U.S haven't even touched an Apple computer. Now they will.
Click to expand...
Absolutely right here! I mean, everyone is acting like the Best Buy employees that they're all referring to as brainless chimps are also insidious enough to intentionally steer people away from Apple products. And the reasoning behind that can't even seem to be agreed upon, as half of the crowd thinks it'd be because BB employees absolutely hate anything Apple related and have a deep and longstanding love affair with the Wintel crowd, whereas the other half just seem to think that BB employees are just too damn stupid to even make it to work at all, much less to learn their product.

Can't we all just agree to be THRILLED that Apple will be getting a vastly increased mindshare and then just wait and see how it all pans out? Seems to me that with the increased interest in the Mac the best thing for Apple would be to get the product onto as many shelves as possible. Combine that with the Apple trained and certified CSRs, and this is MUCH more likely to be a good thing than it is to be the doomsday that most of the posters in this thread are predicting. :rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by alset
I'll report on the Emmeryville Best Buy (only half a block from the Bay St Apple Store). Here's hoping.

Dan
Click to expand...
Good stuff, man. Let us know how it goes. I know we're all hoping that this move works out well. God knows we'd all love to see Apple steal some market share. And thanks for not passing judgement before you actually see what's going on for yourself. :)
 
looking for new apple jobs

look at the apple website, i saw some job opportunities called "apple solution consultants" maybe that is this program and will hint to the locations (check the retail box when you search)
 
Why California and Illinois?

Why is this going to occur first in California and Illinois? The 2 states have a combined 17 Apple Stores. Why not hire apple consultants to work in stores in areas that don't have access to apple-staffed Apple Stores? It seems like pushing your people out into the electronics supermarkets would be a nice way to hold those places over until they can get an Apple Store with a competent staff. Instead, it looks like Cali will just end up with more good places to buy macs and places like PA (population-wise, ... the 6th or 7th biggest state) will end up with only 1. In King of Prussia. 300 miles away from Pittsburgh. *grumble* OK... maybe it's just jealousy, but it makes sense.
 
Re: Unpleasant Experience at Best Buy

Originally posted by sagaces
About a year ago I went into a Best Buy store to buy a digital camera, a photo quality printer, and some relevant supplies. The total amount came to $1200 which I was prepared to pay with cash. As the clerk was entering information into his computer he started to describe a "protection plan."....
Click to expand...

I had cash in hand to buy a 2000 dollar Sony Digital TV, and the guy told me he "wouldn't even buy it" without the protection plan. That sounded more like "I won't get any commission without the protection plan".

I bought a digital camera at Best Buy, and this pack-rat of sales low lifes said, "You're going to want to get the card reader with that. It's going to take a lot of time to download those pictures (it doesn't)." I said "I have the time." They looked stumped.

Still, I might actually pick up a new powerbook if I can get it at 0% for 2 years. Otherwise, I'd be stuck with my Sawtooth.
 
LI

A Best Buy just opened up in the parking lot of the Walt Whitman Mall. Inside the mall is a new apple store. I was in the Best Buy last week, and they had iPods and iPod accesories. I didn't think to look in the computer area to see if any computer were there. It's interesting, of course, that Apple is letting Best Buy sell Apple stuff just outside of an Apple Store.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back