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GameStop Expanding Beyond Video Games with Aggressive Growth Plans for 'Simply Mac' Stores

Nothing against independent owner/operators, but it would be nice to see more chains/franchises that know what they are doing and will locate and/or provide services where Apple won't. When I was looking to upgrade my iMac Apple just wasn't an option and I'm I've drawn the DIY line at suction cups! :)

There was a store where I used to live that had a few locations across the country that I thought might be this "Simply Mac", but the one I knew is now gone. Regardless of the Game Stop association, it was a separate entity and is only owned by them, although that doesn't mean it will change. I look at it this way, almost everyone laughed when Circuit City created Auto Nation. If Game Stop keeps the entities separately and winds down or sells off the Game Stop stores and "becomes" Simply Mac then it will be a win for those owners.
 
There is no Apple store in Shreveport, but there is a simply Mac store. I've been there a couple of times, it's a relatively small store selling mostly Macs and related stuff.

I kind of like it, as that saves me having to drive to the nearest Apple store near Little Rock, New Orleans, or Dallas.

Now if they would just convert the GameStop where I actually live in Texarkana. :)
 
Chupa Chupa said:
If that were true Apple wouldn't have left a trail of dead independent Apple retailers during it's huge growth cycle in the 00's.

GameStop had a niche before games started to go online. SimplyMac is just "me too" and I don't see how it will compete with the Apple Store or major Apple resellers.
Click to expand...

Apple stores are a crazy mess... especially in my local area. If I can avoid the crush of going into an Apple store by stopping at a Simply Mac then I'd definitely go.
Only time will tell if this model fails.
 
TruckdriverSean said:
There is no Apple store in Shreveport, but there is a simply Mac store. I've been there a couple of times, it's a relatively small store selling mostly Macs and related stuff.

I kind of like it, as that saves me having to drive to the nearest Apple store near Little Rock, New Orleans, or Dallas.

Now if they would just convert the GameStop where I actually live in Texarkana. :)
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I can see Texarkana or even Dallas but you would be willing to drive all the way from Shreveport to New Orleans? Now that's brand loyalty for you.
 
This is so totally going to confuse people. I know people who already call Apple Stores "the Mac Store".
 
\-V-/ said:
As for Simply Mac, I would simply rather send my Mac to Apple for repairs.
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I'd love to have an option to not only work for, but to take my Mac repairs to a centre in my own town rather than send away, or drive out of my way.

I think genius kiosks would work in moderately populated towns, for diagnosing problems, replacing units, and the hands on experience.
 
Simply Mac employees will take Macs home with them, use them for the weekend, then bring them back and sell them as new.
 
values_shield.jpg
 
AppleScruff1 said:
Wouldn't Apple sue for using Mac in the store name or will they license it to Gamestop?
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Mr Rabbit said:
Apple has rules for resellers/AASPs regarding this. Mac is usually ok, Apple is rarely ok, can't use the Apple logo, etc.

Mac & More, MacAuthority, MacMedics, etc are all names in the reseller community.
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They are perfectly fine.


The Mac Trademark

1. You may not use the Mac trademark standing alone except to denote or refer to the Apple Macintosh product line.

2. You may use “Mac” in your product name, company name, trade name, or service name provided your name satisfies the following criteria:

a. Your product is not a computer, computer system, or operating system software.

b. Your product is Mac compatible or the third party business is associated with Mac based computers.

c. “Mac” is used in combination with another non-generic word.

Acceptable: MacVenus MacCharlie

Not acceptable: MacCharleston MacSales

d. “Mac” does not appear more prominently than the rest of the name in size, color, or typeface.

e. Your name does not suggest a false association with Apple.

f. Your name is not confusingly similar to any trademark owned or used by Apple.

g. You acknowledge that Apple is the sole owner of the “Mac” trademark and that you will not interfere with Apple’s use or registration of “Mac” alone or in combination with other words.

h. If you are an Apple Authorized Reseller or member of an Apple program, you may be subject to additional restrictions.
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Source: https://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/guidelinesfor3rdparties.html


Glassed Silver:mac
 
Man there are some of the stupidest posts here that I have ever seen. You know that Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and WingStreet all all owned by the same company don't you?

So that must mean that you can get pizza at Taco Bell and tacos at Pizza Hut and that they must use the same ingredients at all these restaurants right?

Simply Mac has been in business for many years. A friend of mine is a VP. Game Stop bought them, not to turn them into Game Stop, but because they are a well run organization that provides diversification from what Game Stop does.

Just because one company is owned by another company doesn't mean that they are run the same way.

Look at Berkshire Hathaway, they purchase companies that are already doing great and keep then running the way that they got there.

Simply Mac brings a quasi Apple Store experience to places where Apple doesn't feel the need to go. They are doing quite well and will continue to do well.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
If that were true Apple wouldn't have left a trail of dead independent Apple retailers during it's huge growth cycle in the 00's.
Click to expand...

Yep. What I see is a lose-lose situation for Simply Mac. They have to tread the difficult middle road. If they can't get enough business they die. If they become too successful, Apple will bring an Apple store to that area. They can't compete against the mothership.
 
The only good I see coming from this is to provide a option to buy apple products where there isn't a option. Better yet,if a new iPhone comes out maybe people could go here on launch day to avoid longer lines at a apple store.

As far as gamestop... I hate them with a passion. Trade in a perfectly good game that you bought 2 months ago new and they'll offer you 3.08 cash,4.00 store credit. Then put it on the shelf for 49.99 used. Oops I forgot... You get 4.09 for your game if you're a power up pro member.
 
if these stores are run in a similar vein to eb games or gamestop, with their thieving practices, preying on young kids and misinforming mothers, then i wont go anywhere near these new stores

source: I used to work there for 2 years
 
Dontazemebro said:
I can see Texarkana or even Dallas but you would be willing to drive all the way from Shreveport to New Orleans? Now that's brand loyalty for you.
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Haha! No I wouldn't drive that far!

But Shreveport is only an hour and 20 minutes from home. And we go there regularly (when we're not going to Dallas) for shopping & Asian groceries.

Plus it is only a couple of blocks from Ulta Cosmetics, so no more having to wait in the car. #

I do like living in Texarkana, but being too small to ever get a real Apple store is a definite bummer.
 
with Apple having online store and retail stores, Gamestop is totally nuts to open Simply Mac stores :eek:

no added value for the customer
 
ArtOfWarfare said:
WOAH!

Of far more intest is what this signals GameStop thinks of where the video game market is heading!

They think we're finally making the move that has been expected for years when gamers drop all of their dedicated gaming devices and switch to devices which can do games as well as other things, IE, computers, smart phones, and tablets, and possibly future smart TVs and the like.
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I think you are right. Macs and iThingies are now becoming powerful enough to serve as full-on game consoles. What GameStop should do is begin rebranding stores as Simply Mac shops, rather than close them outright. There is no sense in raising the unemployment rate higher than it already is.
 
macchiato2009 said:
with Apple having online store and retail stores, Gamestop is totally nuts to open Simply Mac stores :eek:

no added value for the customer
Click to expand...

Other than being closer for smaller markets where they won't open an official Apple Store. Of course.
 
GameStop wants to use SimplyMac to serve areas that Apple doesn't open retail stores in.

There's a good reason Apple doesn't have a store in Tyler, Texas. If GameStop thinks it knows better, I have some land in Florida for them to invest in.
 
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