I'd rather they open up a muffin bar at my Best Buy than a genius bar. Just saying. I could really go for a tasty muffin and a cup of coffee, more so than advice and help on my Apple purchase. 
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Genius Bars and Expanded Apple Lineup Coming to Best Buy Stores?
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As in Ex Best Buy employee, I hope this isn't true. The service I get at a Best Buy/ Geek Squad is blah and the service I get at the Genius Bar/Apple Store is pretty top notch. I wouldn't want any of Best Buy's ways to rub off on the Genius Bar people.
Doesn't matter. 5 years ago being a Mac Genius meant something. Now anyone can be a genius, you goto Genius bootcamp and throw into the wild. When I first became a Genius all of the guys were smart and knew a lot about Macs. The larger Apple got the more head scratching hiring went on. A lot of the really knowledgeable Mac Genii moved on from Apple because the pay wasn't enough to out weigh the workload.
How can you be so sure about that?
Apple has had mini Apple Stores inside Bic Camera (a leading Japanese electronic retailer) stores in Japan for at least two or three years. In fact, there's one of these mini Apple Stores just two blocks from the main Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo.
That will NEVER happen. The Apple stores are a HUGE part of the resurgence of Apple and the Mac. I look at this as a way for Apple to expand their reach to help more customers and potential customers. With their retail strategy it doesn't make sense for them to have as many Apple stores as Best Buy has stores. This gives them a way to reach out without creating an entire store.
An Apple-staffed Genius Bar at Best Buy, eh? That's certainly one of the more interesting ideas to ever appear on this site.
A genius working at a Best Buy? This idea is beyond novel. I've been known to leap behind an isle in hiding after spotting a staff member on their way over to "assist" me. I have received more useful technology advice from my mom.
best buy staff is soooo stupid! I know I am sterotyping but geez, I have heard so many stories, and seen them do such stupid things. I had a friend who began working at best buy about 3 years ago, and since them he just got stupider and stupider.
This might work
There aren't very many Apple stores. Sure, they're more than there used to be, but basically not many. They're two in my whole state. Enhancing Best Buy with an Apple staff might do it. Back in the day, CompUSA had an onsite Apple employee in their Apple section and it worked fine.
There aren't very many Apple stores. Sure, they're more than there used to be, but basically not many. They're two in my whole state. Enhancing Best Buy with an Apple staff might do it. Back in the day, CompUSA had an onsite Apple employee in their Apple section and it worked fine.
If anything, were Apple to actually do that (and I suppose that's a big "if"), it'd complement the Apple Retail Stores rather than replace them. Apple Stores are already a superior retail experience and design. This would be something to serve cities that have a Best Buy, but not an Apple Retail Store, which is the case in my current city. Though, luckily for me, the nearest one isn't too far of a drive.
Microsoft did launch a retail store effort. It is now seven stores strong and slowly climbing. It's basically Apple Retail from 2003 sprinkled with bits of current Apple Retail. As an Apple fanboy, I'm actually impressed with them and for competition's sake, hope they thrive.
I hope the supposed best buy genius bars are staff by official aapl staff - last few times i went into the store and asked about phones and computers the regular best buy staff seemed lacking in good knowlege and help
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Very smart. Seems like a completely natural move: take control of the non-Apple Store brick-and-mortar experience. It's all about controlling and managing the consumer experience wherever Apple products are sold (Best Buy's a start) in order to bring it more in line with the Apple Store experience.
Don't allow inexperienced/negligent/uneducated retailers to water down the experience, failing to do justice to the product.
This should have been done long ago, but it's nice to see the continued "Apple-ification" of things. Buying tech doesn't have to be a dirty, cheapened affair as it is with generic PC flotsam and jetsam.
Very smart. Seems like a completely natural move: take control of the non-Apple Store brick-and-mortar experience. It's all about controlling and managing the consumer experience wherever Apple products are sold (Best Buy's a start) in order to bring it more in line with the Apple Store experience.
Don't allow inexperienced/negligent/uneducated retailers to water down the experience, failing to do justice to the product.
This should have been done long ago, but it's nice to see the continued "Apple-ification" of things. Buying tech doesn't have to be a dirty, cheapened affair as it is with generic PC flotsam and jetsam.
Ugh...
I too am surprised Apple has not tightened to grip on Best Buys. I think they do Apple a disservice more than anything. The local one here knows nothing about Apple products and unless you just want to buy they will try and talk you into something else anyway. It's sad.
Maybe that's why Apple is doing this to clean up the sales at Best Buys? It's embarrassing.
Geek Squad = Weak Squad here.
I too am surprised Apple has not tightened to grip on Best Buys. I think they do Apple a disservice more than anything. The local one here knows nothing about Apple products and unless you just want to buy they will try and talk you into something else anyway. It's sad.
Maybe that's why Apple is doing this to clean up the sales at Best Buys? It's embarrassing.
Geek Squad = Weak Squad here.
I don't care how well-trained Geek Squad agents are.
I don't care about how the store isn't as chic as an Apple Store.
I don't care if I get a Genius Bar or not.
What I would LOVE to see is just the ability to buy certain Apple products on the same day, without having to go to the Apple Store. In the OKC area, there are over a half-dozen Best Buys, but only one Apple Store. I don't need help, I just need access. Also, buying Apple stuff with Best Buy's financing and earning BB Rewards points would be nice perks.
Look, if you all want to hang out in the store all day and admire the decor, while comparing notes with Apple employees about which black turtleneck is your personal favorite... have fun. I just want to get my stuff and get home, and in most cases, a trip to Best Buy can be a lot quicker and less painful than a trip to the Apple store.
But then again, I'm usually ordering directly from Apple.com anyway.
I don't care about how the store isn't as chic as an Apple Store.
I don't care if I get a Genius Bar or not.
What I would LOVE to see is just the ability to buy certain Apple products on the same day, without having to go to the Apple Store. In the OKC area, there are over a half-dozen Best Buys, but only one Apple Store. I don't need help, I just need access. Also, buying Apple stuff with Best Buy's financing and earning BB Rewards points would be nice perks.
Look, if you all want to hang out in the store all day and admire the decor, while comparing notes with Apple employees about which black turtleneck is your personal favorite... have fun. I just want to get my stuff and get home, and in most cases, a trip to Best Buy can be a lot quicker and less painful than a trip to the Apple store.
But then again, I'm usually ordering directly from Apple.com anyway.
I guess Houston won't be getting any of those genius bars if they end up blossoming. I rarely see anyone at the Apple section. Usually it's just me tinkering with the products to see if they can fix what I did. It's nothing drastic, just change a few settings here and there.
Only Bud Lite at my Bar.
I don't think this is going to happen. But if it did, would it not depend on the Best Buy Store (location and size). The BBY next to my house is a horrid, lonely place. Hardly any stock. Dazed employees. Kinda like a zombie movie, but with less charm. But the BBY down town is much better. (well, if the truth be told, somewhat better)
I know upscale department stores have internal ratings. Like "bridge" class stores - apparently high end - high end stores.
And. I think Mac R. ought to add a comedy section. Some of the comments above are a real laff-fest. No really.
I don't think this is going to happen. But if it did, would it not depend on the Best Buy Store (location and size). The BBY next to my house is a horrid, lonely place. Hardly any stock. Dazed employees. Kinda like a zombie movie, but with less charm. But the BBY down town is much better. (well, if the truth be told, somewhat better)
I know upscale department stores have internal ratings. Like "bridge" class stores - apparently high end - high end stores.
And. I think Mac R. ought to add a comedy section. Some of the comments above are a real laff-fest. No really.
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Genius bar is specific to Apple. It makes the Apple store expierence unique. Apple would not give that expierence away!
I don't expected Best Buy to train employees to answer any but the most rudimentary questions about Apple products. It's a rather large investment.
I'm still waiting for the Buy More to add an Apple department on "Chuck".
I'm still waiting for the Buy More to add an Apple department on "Chuck".
To me this is a way for Apple to test the market, see which areas when given a bit of a nudge have scope for stores. The store with in a store give them a entry point presents at much lower overhead than even the mall stores, but lets them show the full experience. Plus they can find and train local staff between a few store in an area then have most the staff they need if they open a store.