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Genius Bars and Expanded Apple Lineup Coming to Best Buy Stores?

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Apr 12, 2001
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TUAW reports that it has heard from "an anonymous tipster" that Apple will be expanding its presence at Best Buy stores, adding more products and even going as far as to add Genius Bars in some locations.
An anonymous tipster who works at a Best Buy store let us know this morning that he was informed by his Apple rep that the Apple section of the computer department will be going through a transition sometime this Spring to allow more products to be displayed. At the same time, the stores will get a Genius Bar, up to this time a fixture only at Apple Stores.
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While the accuracy of the claim is unknown at this time, such a development would seem to mark a significant change for Apple, which has relied heavily on its own retail stores for providing face-to-face support for its users. Beyond its own stores, support services for Apple's products are currently offered through a network of authorized service providers, but bringing full-fledged Genius Bars to Best Buy locations could extend the "Apple Store experience" on a small scale to areas currently unserved by Apple's retail stores.

Also unknown is how Best Buy's Genius Bars would be staffed. While Best Buy does support sales of Apple products with its own employees, Apple does employ a network of Apple Solutions Consultants at some Best Buy locations to provide expertise in Apple products. Consequently, it is unclear whether Best Buy Genius Bars would be staffed by Best Buy or Apple employees.

About two-thirds of Best Buy's approximately 1,000 U.S. locations currently feature dedicated "Apple Shop" sections for Apple products.

Article Link: Genius Bars and Expanded Apple Lineup Coming to Best Buy Stores?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/01/10/genius-bars-and-expanded-apple-lineup-coming-to-best-buy-stores/
Maybe they can clean and organize the Apple section (for once)... I've never understood how Apple lets Best Buy get away with their crap presentation of Apple products.
 
Adding Genius bars to Best Buy stores would not surprise me. It is an innovative idea.

If it happens, it will only work if they are staffed by experienced Apple Geniuses.
 
100% of the computer people that work at BB are incompetent and are lucky if they could tell you what an Operating System is. Not to mention their work ethic and customer service skills are in serious need of an overhaul.

If Apple staffs even 1 person from BB, I'm sure Apple's Customer Service ratings will instantly nosedive.
 
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Is there really a demand for Genius Bars at Best Buy though? I guess in some areas it'd be useful. Can't imagine they'd be very competent, their Geek Squad services suck.
 
DCJ001 said:
Adding Genius bars to Best Buy stores would not surprise me. It is an innovative idea.

If it happens, it will only work if they are staffed by experienced Apple Geniuses.
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more then likely not... these people in best buy apple shops are idiots. Don't do it apple.
 
Please for the love of god NO!, employees at BestBuy are IDIOTS!, i'm surprised apple lets their products into these stores that dont have an apple rep selling them. The worst thing that could happen to apple is to let these idiots touch their stuff..
 
The current "Apple Stores" in Best Buy, at least in my area, are staffed by APPLE employees (paid by apple, apple shirt, apple business cards) and the best buy employees avoid it like a null-zone that doesn't exist.

Do people have experiences of best buy employees inside the apple store inside best buy?
 
Goldinboy17 said:
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Is there really a demand for Genius Bars at Best Buy though? I guess in some areas it'd be useful. Can't imagine they'd be very competent, their Geek Squad services suck.
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My personal opinion is that this will be done ONLY if Apple employees are staffing the genius bar.

However, to answer your question, it is ABSOLUTELY needed. Best Buy stores sell a TON of Apple products. And the current Best Buy employees are NOT able to assist the customers in setting up these products. With Apple currently offering setup assistance for iOS devices and soon Macs the Genius Bar is desperately needed in Best Buy locations. Apple needs to have their products synonymous with ease of use and setup, not just their stores.
 
akm3 said:
The current "Apple Stores" in Best Buy, at least in my area, are staffed by APPLE employees (paid by apple, apple shirt, apple business cards) and the best buy employees avoid it like a null-zone that doesn't exist.

Do people have experiences of best buy employees inside the apple store inside best buy?
Click to expand...

All the apple areas in the BestBuy's up here in canada are staffed by best buy employees, and trust me... THEY ARE IDIOTS. I avoid bestbuy's apple zone like its the plague. If you want an apple product, or need apple assistance, save yourself the headache and go to an apple store...
 
frankly said:
My personal opinion is that this will be done ONLY if Apple employees are staffing the genius bar.

However, to answer your question, it is ABSOLUTELY needed. Best Buy stores sell a TON of Apple products. And the current Best Buy employees are NOT able to assist the customers in setting up these products. With Apple currently offering setup assistance for iOS devices and soon Macs the Genius Bar is desperately needed in Best Buy locations. Apple needs to have their products synonymous with ease of use and setup, not just their stores.
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I agree 100%. I cringe when I hear some of the things Best Buy staff (and recently Target staff with iPads) say. The worst I heard was .. "The iPad is limited compared to other products we sell because Apple uses a walled garden approach to everything." This to an old lady just wanting to buy an iPad for a present for someone in her family.
 
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I went to 3 Best Buys last week (2 stores out of stock on product). The employees were friendly and the Apple areas were organized. The BB employees seemed knowledgeable. One store had the Apple consultant guy...

Improving customer service at any major retailer should be evey company's priority, not just Apple's.
 
It seems unlikely to happen, since Best buy charges for the geek squad, but yet offer a genius bar for Apple stuff.

It would be a plus for those that have best buy in their area, but not an Apple store.
 
davidgrimm said:
It seems unlikely to happen, since Best buy charges for the geek squad, but yet offer a genius bar for Apple stuff.

It would be a plus for those that have best buy in their area, but not an Apple store.
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some of the genius bars i've been to are too busy
 
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