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Dell Following Apple's Retail Example?
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nem3015
macrumors member
We care
Of course we care... that way we can laugh at them. Is like going to a joke website and reading jokes... now you can go to a Dell store and laugh at them... just in case be prepared to run if the employees start chasing you, find the next Apple Store and ask for asylum. 😀
sunfast said:
Of course we care... that way we can laugh at them. Is like going to a joke website and reading jokes... now you can go to a Dell store and laugh at them... just in case be prepared to run if the employees start chasing you, find the next Apple Store and ask for asylum. 😀
fblack
macrumors 6502a
A waste, heres a strategy...
Seems like a waste of space just for demos.
-If they sold Alienware, who they just bought, in these stores and made the inside of the stores reflect the Alienware look that would be a start.
-It might be a good general location to drop off pc's to be shipped out for serviced.
-I dont see why they couldn't sell some stock configurations and take some BTO orders to take advantage of impulse buying.
-however, if all they got for a strategy is build it and they will come for a demo, I think they will not come.🙂
Seems like a waste of space just for demos.
-If they sold Alienware, who they just bought, in these stores and made the inside of the stores reflect the Alienware look that would be a start.
-It might be a good general location to drop off pc's to be shipped out for serviced.
-I dont see why they couldn't sell some stock configurations and take some BTO orders to take advantage of impulse buying.
-however, if all they got for a strategy is build it and they will come for a demo, I think they will not come.🙂
thedude110 said:
Exactly. I remember walking around the Gateway store in Berkeley, CA on my lunch break once in a while (usually the only one in the store). This was before I was a Mac user, and I still thought it was a strange concept to set up a bunch of nearly identical PCs in a store and offer to help people buy them online. The salesmen were pushy as hell, too. (worse than walking through the TV section of Best Buy).
Not sure why Dell couldn't have the most popular stock configurations available for that "impulse" purchase.
This will be even less exciting than the Microsoft stores.
Didn't Michael Dell predict Apple would be "turning out the lights" of the Apple Stores shortly after their debut? Har dee har har har.
Maybe it just me, but I see an oportunity here for Dell. Copying Apple or not aside, there's the other side of the Apple Store Dell could emulate. The Genius Bar.
Think of it. If people could take their PC to get serviced or get their questions answered a la Apple style, that would have a huge impact on the way people think about Dell and PCs in general.
But then again, who knows if they'd actually do something like that. Just a thought.
Think of it. If people could take their PC to get serviced or get their questions answered a la Apple style, that would have a huge impact on the way people think about Dell and PCs in general.
But then again, who knows if they'd actually do something like that. Just a thought.
We already have them in Japan !! They've been here for what maybe 5 or so years...and they are small and boring...say the size of my tiny bedroom
Just 5 or 6 desktops and 3 or 4 laptops - very business like and BORING...no music no fun
Thats the Dell way
Just 5 or 6 desktops and 3 or 4 laptops - very business like and BORING...no music no fun
Thats the Dell way
Dell is "copying" Apple now because they want to open stores? c'mon thats really pushing it. If people are going to say that then they must admit that Apple copied Gateway stores (which for the record, I think is just as crazy as saying Dell copied Apple). I think everyone always knew that Dell would at one point open their own stores or partner up with retail chains, since online can only take them so far. Apple wasnt the first company to open a store and sell products.
retail example
I may have missed a post, but as a guy in Dallas, has it been mentioned that the Dell store will be built near the new Apple Store at Northpark Mall. This mall is one of the high end malls in the US, and with its new aditions, one of the largest. The largest new sections... between Neimans and a new Nordstroms and soon to include Barneys return to Dallas, is a super retail anchor. Apple's third Dallas area store has opened across from the Barneys flagship store and it is in the press releases from Dell that that store will be in the same wing, maybe just above, as those seem to be the last availble spaces.
seems a attempt to be head to head in a premier place and a premier location. gooood luck.
I may have missed a post, but as a guy in Dallas, has it been mentioned that the Dell store will be built near the new Apple Store at Northpark Mall. This mall is one of the high end malls in the US, and with its new aditions, one of the largest. The largest new sections... between Neimans and a new Nordstroms and soon to include Barneys return to Dallas, is a super retail anchor. Apple's third Dallas area store has opened across from the Barneys flagship store and it is in the press releases from Dell that that store will be in the same wing, maybe just above, as those seem to be the last availble spaces.
seems a attempt to be head to head in a premier place and a premier location. gooood luck.
Pancake
macrumors regular
Mitch1984 said:
A friend of mine actually saw a shop like that in London the other day.
I think it would be interesting if Dell could make a shop where you could order any configuration you want and they slap it together for ou in an hour, like a photo mat or one hour glasses place.
I don't see thousands of people waiting for hours outside a Dell store about to have its grand opening on a rainy day.
retail example
Looking at the map for Northpark, the dell store will be just upstairs and almost overlooking the Apple store. Those not familiar with the way northpark looks... if you walk out of the Apple store, lookup and right you will see the dell store through the glassrailings.
strange.
Looking at the map for Northpark, the dell store will be just upstairs and almost overlooking the Apple store. Those not familiar with the way northpark looks... if you walk out of the Apple store, lookup and right you will see the dell store through the glassrailings.
strange.
It was just this weekend that a friend and I were talking about how we wouldn't want to buy a laptop without seeing it first, but at the same time most the bigbox retailers sell junk, so I don't want to buy from them. On the PC side of things it is kind of hard to go to a place and try out the feel of the hardware, but still get all the goodness of BTO.
I was able to buy my last laptop at a Gateway store, try it out, and then order from the store. I could have had it sent directly to my house, but instead I had it sent to the Gateway store so I could pay in cash. The first couple of months I had it I had a bunch of problems, (true of every new computer I've bought including a few Apples), but it was easy to take to the store and have them work on it and worry about sending it to a repair center if needed. I'm hoping that a Dell store works in a similar way.
BTW, everyone keeps mentioning the Gateway model, but doesn't Sony also have a couple of high profile "stores" that you can look at a bunch of stuff but not buy anything?
-Dylan
I was able to buy my last laptop at a Gateway store, try it out, and then order from the store. I could have had it sent directly to my house, but instead I had it sent to the Gateway store so I could pay in cash. The first couple of months I had it I had a bunch of problems, (true of every new computer I've bought including a few Apples), but it was easy to take to the store and have them work on it and worry about sending it to a repair center if needed. I'm hoping that a Dell store works in a similar way.
BTW, everyone keeps mentioning the Gateway model, but doesn't Sony also have a couple of high profile "stores" that you can look at a bunch of stuff but not buy anything?
-Dylan
Headline from 2007 (when their lease is up):
"Dell to Close Retail Locations"
Mark my words. There is NOTHING to draw people in to a Dell store. Apple was really lucky to make it work, and they have a huge pop culture presence which draws crowds. I don't think you'll see any celebs (except maybe Bill Gates) at the Dell store.
I don't know if you can't buy anything there, but many of Sony's products have sex appeal (like Apple's do). People WANT to go buy Sony products. I can't think of anyone who has ever said "Whoa, that's a sexy Dell laptop and/or MP3 player! Where can I go get one??"
I see those places around, too. Mostly in the suburbs around NYC.
And yes, I could see the "instant custom computer" store concept working. But I'm sure there are many supply issues that would have to be worked out, as well as having enough skilled employees to do that sort of thing fast.
"Dell to Close Retail Locations"
Mark my words. There is NOTHING to draw people in to a Dell store. Apple was really lucky to make it work, and they have a huge pop culture presence which draws crowds. I don't think you'll see any celebs (except maybe Bill Gates) at the Dell store.
dylanemcgregor said:
I don't know if you can't buy anything there, but many of Sony's products have sex appeal (like Apple's do). People WANT to go buy Sony products. I can't think of anyone who has ever said "Whoa, that's a sexy Dell laptop and/or MP3 player! Where can I go get one??"
Pancake said:
I see those places around, too. Mostly in the suburbs around NYC.
And yes, I could see the "instant custom computer" store concept working. But I'm sure there are many supply issues that would have to be worked out, as well as having enough skilled employees to do that sort of thing fast.
It sounds like the setup to a really bad joke:
How many Dell employees does it take to sell a Dell?
None! You can't buy one here!
DOH!
😀
How many Dell employees does it take to sell a Dell?
None! You can't buy one here!
DOH!
😀
shootbarno said:
I found it interesting (probably unrelated though) that is is also the location of Dallas's newest Apple store... they just put it in with the mall's $265M expansion. It was in the Dallas Morning News this morning, my jaw just about dropped.
seriously...?
People are supposed to go to the dell store for the windows/dell experience... and then want to buy something/anything, after having time to reconsider? I don't know what is better PR for apple, the new 5th ave store or this... hahaha
come experience the wonders of windows.... only at the dell store!
or you could just go to work tomorrow and get paid for the joy!
People are supposed to go to the dell store for the windows/dell experience... and then want to buy something/anything, after having time to reconsider? I don't know what is better PR for apple, the new 5th ave store or this... hahaha
come experience the wonders of windows.... only at the dell store!
or you could just go to work tomorrow and get paid for the joy!
Doesn't even pass the laugh test
Can't wait to see this. Imagine going into a Dell Store and asking the drone on duty to demo how well integrated audio/photos/video/DVD creation/management will be on the Dell as it ships.
This could be the best favor Michael Dell has ever done for Steve Jobs! 😀
Can't wait to see this. Imagine going into a Dell Store and asking the drone on duty to demo how well integrated audio/photos/video/DVD creation/management will be on the Dell as it ships.
This could be the best favor Michael Dell has ever done for Steve Jobs! 😀
We don't need a Sears Catalog Store for computers
Who was the cognitively-impaired marketing genius with this bright idea? Steve Jobs should find out which rehab center the guy is in and send him a nice bouquet to express his thanks.
There is a reason why Sears doesn't have catalog stores in big cities and it's the same reason that the Gateway stores failed. How long do you think Safeway would be in business if you had to place your order, go home, and wait for UPS?
However, maybe I'm the odd one. I have an internet connection at home. With gas prices today, I'm not going to drive to a web kiosk disguised as a store to place an order, if I can accomplish the same thing without getting out of bed by using a laptop. Maybe I'm the exception, but if I go to a store with a purchase in mind, I expect to come home with a box in the trunk.
On the other hand, if Dell has too much money and wants to throw it out the window, I'll be happy to take some of it off their hands.
Who was the cognitively-impaired marketing genius with this bright idea? Steve Jobs should find out which rehab center the guy is in and send him a nice bouquet to express his thanks.
There is a reason why Sears doesn't have catalog stores in big cities and it's the same reason that the Gateway stores failed. How long do you think Safeway would be in business if you had to place your order, go home, and wait for UPS?
However, maybe I'm the odd one. I have an internet connection at home. With gas prices today, I'm not going to drive to a web kiosk disguised as a store to place an order, if I can accomplish the same thing without getting out of bed by using a laptop. Maybe I'm the exception, but if I go to a store with a purchase in mind, I expect to come home with a box in the trunk.
On the other hand, if Dell has too much money and wants to throw it out the window, I'll be happy to take some of it off their hands.