Mac Mini and Shuffle at Best Buy

[AidenShaw]

same as it ever was....

But we are still left with the dilemma of where on the shelf we will see the ipod shuffle, with the flash drives or with the Mp3 players. Just a funny thought and random contemplation.

The Creative MuVos are in the media player section - but they're also flash drives. (Plug 'em in, and drag-n-drop your WMA files and folders onto the drive with Explorer. Unplug-n-play...)

There's not much that's unique about the shuffle as a product - except the lack of screen and controls.

 

[Zadillo]

Much of that might be due to the fact that Best Buy's Computer sales staff are not only stupid, but stupid PC users. I went in there and I was looking at the hard drives, and a guy comes up to me and goes, "Is there anything I can help you with." and I go "yeah which of these hard drives are compatible with Macs?" He goes "umm.. umm none of these are mac compatible,.. or at least.. none of them say they are mac compatible (as he picks one up)." Wow, very "helpful" Mr. Bestbuy.

That seems pretty bizarre though....... most Best Buys stock Maxtor, Seagate and Western Digital HD's, all of which I think pretty clearly state Mac compatability on their packaging.

-Zadillo

 

[greenmeanie]

good idea

i think its a good idea.
i have a local wallyworld but the nearest comp USA is an hour away!

so maybe they will sell more to the people who dont want to travel so much.

 

[zellin]

No, it doesn't cover accidental damage.

More exposure in BBY, Wal-Mart, Target etc, Can only help. Even if it helps apple to increase sales by only a little, isn't that worth it?

True, I know from personal experience. The salesmen have always told me that it covers accidental damage. But, when my cell phone screen cracks accidentally, all of a sudden it doesn't cover it. Not that Best Buy is pulling something - if you look inside the pamphlet it clearly says it does not cover accidental damage... dumb salespeople as usual.

 

[jncrow]

Let us all hope this works out well. Maybe I will also go apply at the local best buy as an apple supporter.

 

[ASP272]

Schweeet!

This many mainstream retailers means they might start offering freebie add-ons (like keyboard and mouse) or the like in order to get consumers into their store (Since Apple doesn't give any OKs for price reduction on their products to resellers). Of course, there is probably little/no margin on the Mini or Shuffle. Regardless, retailers will figure out a way, like notoriously hard to return REBATE offers.

 

[macridah]

I saw an iPod shuffle in a northeren cali best buy on the open box items table. It was double crazy: iPod shuffles at best buy and some returned one.

 

[CalfCanuck]

Apple knows EXACTLY what they are doing ...

When MWSF brought the rumored sub-$500 headless Mac and a flash i-Pod, the pieces really fell into place on a RADICAL new strategy for Apple.

They have their online store up and running - I'm sure that's where they make 90% of their profits. But the question is how to get people there. Current Mac users (including almost everyone on this board) already know about Macs and apple.com.

But how does Apple get the first time users (75% of whom will buy future Macs/upgrades at apple.com)?

No matter what, companies spend a lot of money trying to get customers to switch from competitors - whether you're an airline, a restaurant, an auto company, a bank, or a computer company. These companies spend hundreds of dollars to get each new customer.

Apple's introduction of the shuttle and mini are designed to be the "consumer devices" that bring the customers in. Mass produced, non-customized, AND MASS MARKETED. They want them to be perceived like a VCR - just buy the "little" box and take it home to plug in.

People talk about cannibalizing current sales, but Apple is MORE than willing to lose 100,000 sales of iMacs if they sell 3 million minis AND bring in a slew of new Mac users to buy future Macs at apple.com.

 

[serpico]

I do not believe it's 100% accurate about all Best Buy employees. The Apple sales rep that I spoke to was actually a University Professor who loved mac's and wanted to work part time on weekends to promote it. I would do it too if there was an opening. I have had good experiences at the local Best Buy's opening up here in the Vancouver area. The staff were knowledgable about the products when I did test them by asking questions and playing dumb on some things. That test fails at most big stores, I was surprised at my Best Buy results !

 

[mac n cheese]

No, it doesn't cover accidental damage.

More exposure in BBY, Wal-Mart, Target etc, Can only help. Even if it helps apple to increase sales by only a little, isn't that worth it?

I'm open to being wrong. But, I confirmed 20 different ways with the sales person that any accidental or not accidental damage would be covered. eg. What if I stick it under the tires of my car for an impact test? -YES What if my daughter puts it in the toaster because she thinks its a pop tart? -YES

If they are straight out lying, then OK, but I don't believe thats the case.

 

[CalfCanuck]

Excel was originally a Mac program!

Best Buy story:
Man: I heard Apples were good. Can you get Microsoft Office for them?

Blue Shirt: No, I don't think it's compatible.

Man and Woman: Oh.

I think the blue shirt proceeded to sell the couple on a PC laptop. I didn't feel like butting in on their conversation (after all I was pretty much eavesdropping already, which is probably bad enough), but maybe I should have.

You should have stated the truth - that MS wrote Excel for the Mac in 1985, and didn't "port" it over to Windows until a couple of years later! (I used to have my old Excel installer disk for my 128 KB Mac!)

Here's a spreadsheet history link for those Mac newbies who didn't buy an original Mac in 1984.

http://dssresources.com/history/sshistory.html

edit - I should have said that Excel for Windows "drove" early versions of Windows, for it was the killer program that killed Lotus 1-2-3, which in turn was the killer program that helped the PC develop.

 

[xsnightclub]

I'm open to being wrong. But, I confirmed 20 different ways with the sales person that any accidental or not accidental damage would be covered. eg. What if I stick it under the tires of my car for an impact test? -YES What if my daughter puts it in the toaster because she thinks its a pop tart? -YES

If they are straight out lying, then OK, but I don't believe thats the case.

You don't think a best buy salesperson would lie to you to sell you a service plan. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha

Then 'accidentally' drop your most recent best buy purchase in your swimming pool and return it.


One more thing: before trying this at home, read your service plan in its entirety. It doesn't matter what the high school kid in the cellphone dept told you, it whats in your contract that matters. 'Some restrictions may apply' an intentionally overbroad and encompassing statement.

 

[atacinus]

If they are straight out lying, then OK, but I don't believe thats the case.

I used to work there...trust me, they are straight out lying. They have to meet those damned numbers.

Christien.

 

[maya]

Apple Comments = Contradictions

Market Share is not what we care about... ...RIGHT.

 

[xsnightclub]

But Best Buy is Soooooo Cool to shop at, sure I'll take a service plan

Ohio sues Best Buy for unfair, deceptive sales practices


Associated Press

NEW YORK - The state of Ohio sued Best Buy Co. Inc. Thursday, alleging unfair and deceptive business practices at the electronics retailer.

The Minneapolis-based company was accused of repackaging used goods and selling them as new products, failing to honor rebates, refund, exchange programs and extended service contracts. The Ohio Attorney General's Office had received hundreds of consumer complaints over the last few years.

"The sheer number of complaints coupled with the types of allegations my office received prompted us to file this lawsuit," Petro said in a news release. "The primary objective of this lawsuit is to bring Best Buy into conformity with Ohio's consumer protection laws and ensure that Best Buy's Ohio customers receive the service they deserve."

The lawsuit also alleged the failure to honor implied warranties of merchantability, substandard or inadequate customer service, and making false and misleading statements to consumers.

In his complaint, Petro asked the court to prohibit Best Buy from engaging in practices that violate the Consumer Sales Practices Act. He also asked the court to order Best Buy to reimburse customers who lost money or otherwise did not receive the full service they were promised. The complaint also asked Best Buy pay a civil penalty of $25,000 for each violation of the act.

 

[R3z]

I can't believe I'm actually defending this ****ing company, but...

I actually work for BB in the computer dept, and while I'll grant not everyone else knows as much as my department does, 9 out of the 16 people I work with have extensive knowledge of the material, and the rest know enough or will ask. We don't outright lie and actually about a third of the dept are staunch Mac supporters. Personally, I'd love to see the mac mini on our shelves, it'd be nice to actually sell something I'd buy.

Now, I'm not saying all the stores are like ours, but then again, you'd see the same damn thing at Compusa (if not worse, we're at least non-comission) if the Apple Specialists weren't there. I also wouldn't count on Best Buy's training program - it's almost nonexistant. If we didn't already know when we got the job, we sure as hell didn't learn it here.

However, keep in mind, exposure is exposure, and I can't count how many people have come in inquiring about mac and left with a PC despite our sincerest efforts, and a lot of that is because we can't show them anything on the shelf. Exposure is a good thing, and if we had the product, I'd sell it.

Oh, and stick to Applecare. I doubt it covers more than our PSP (btw, regardless of what the cell phone kid told you, don't drop your phone/mp3 player/whatever it was - it ain't covered), and Apple gives you a week turnaround instead of a month and a half, like Best Buy.

 

[~loserman~]

Consistent Trend

RANT

I have noticed a consistent trend on this site.
It seems to me everytime Some news comes around about APPLE MAKING A deal with (Insert Company Name Here). People always start complaining about it. Saying things like company X is sorry or I hope it isnt a flop again.
Question... Why do you think if Macs dont sell at Best Buy or some other Retail outlet, That it is the other companies fault? The reason Macs havent sold historically is because most people never wanted one.
Market Share proves me right.
Now that said Apple makes a good computer. But they lets face it its only a computer. And contrary to so many Mac zealots opinons Apple is not Mecca and SJ is not the Messiah. They are a for profit greedy souless company just like all the rest.

News of the Walmart and Best Buy deals are nothing but good news for Apple. That is unless you want Apple to always remain an also ran computer company.

End RANT

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I'm open to being wrong. But, I confirmed 20 different ways with the sales person that any accidental or not accidental damage would be covered. eg. What if I stick it under the tires of my car for an impact test? -YES What if my daughter puts it in the toaster because she thinks its a pop tart? -YES

If they are straight out lying, then OK, but I don't believe thats the case.

It does not matter what a sales rep tells you. It only matters what is written in the terms of agreement on the warranty.

 

[~loserman~]

It does not matter what a sales rep tells you. It only matters what is written in the terms of agreement on the warranty.

Absolutely Correct.

Although It is possible that some stores will honor some very crazy mishaps with the gear, but dont count on it, because as Chip correctly states by law they don't have to cover it.

 

[Doctor Q]

About the misinformation and bad sales help that people often get when asking about Macs: I've seen plenty of bad advice given for Windows and PCs too. If you rely on store salespeople for choosing and outfitting your home computer, you'd better be aware of the return policies.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Ohio sues Best Buy for unfair, deceptive sales practices


Associated Press

NEW YORK - The state of Ohio sued Best Buy Co. Inc. Thursday, alleging unfair and deceptive business practices at the electronics retailer.

The Minneapolis-based company was accused of repackaging used goods and selling them as new products, failing to honor rebates, refund, exchange programs and extended service contracts. The Ohio Attorney General's Office had received hundreds of consumer complaints over the last few years.

"The sheer number of complaints coupled with the types of allegations my office received prompted us to file this lawsuit," Petro said in a news release. "The primary objective of this lawsuit is to bring Best Buy into conformity with Ohio's consumer protection laws and ensure that Best Buy's Ohio customers receive the service they deserve."

The lawsuit also alleged the failure to honor implied warranties of merchantability, substandard or inadequate customer service, and making false and misleading statements to consumers.

In his complaint, Petro asked the court to prohibit Best Buy from engaging in practices that violate the Consumer Sales Practices Act. He also asked the court to order Best Buy to reimburse customers who lost money or otherwise did not receive the full service they were promised. The complaint also asked Best Buy pay a civil penalty of $25,000 for each violation of the act.

OK. You found one. Let’s make this interesting. Find about 500,000 more of those or similar lawsuits that happened in 2004.

PS-

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $14.5 million in fines and other costs to settle a state lawsuit over thousands of gun sales violations at California stores between 2000 and 2003.

The world's largest retailer will pay $5 million in fines and $3 million to conduct a public service campaign and develop an age-verification system for gun purchasers. It also will pay at least $6.5 million on company and state efforts to ensure Wal-Mart is complying with gun laws.

Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. agreed in April 2003 to suspend gun sales at its more than 110 California stores that sold guns after the state documented hundreds of violations at six of the stores. A subsequent investigation by the California Department of Justice found 2,891 more violations between 2000 and 2003.

State agents said the stores sold guns to 23 people who were not allowed to possess them and delivered 36 more to customers who bought them for people not allowed to own guns.

Other offenses included gun sales without background checks and failing to identify buyers through thumbprints and drivers license scans.

Wow. I'm relieved now. Customer complains is SO much worse then selling a gun to someone who shouldn't have one in the first place.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Apple Comments = Contradictions

Market Share is not what we care about... ...RIGHT.

Things change.

 

[paulsecic]

MacObserver reports that Best Buy retail stores will begin selling Mac Minis and iPod Shuffles in the next 30 days.



Best Buy and Apple have recently held a limited trial period of selling Mac products (again) at select Best Buy stores. This pilot program was only available for a limited period of time.

Apple's Mac Mini has also briefly appeared on the online Target.com store... but no official word on availability of the low-end Mac at retail Target locations.

I just read this on Maccentral.com. I think Apple is getting smart in branching out to new retailers!

 

[notjustjay]

Strategy to try

Simply not knowing any better doesn't adequately explain what happened. It's not that hard to walk a few steps over and read what's on the shelves. The MS Office boxes are clearly labeled. .

Here's a strategy for you to try next time you see something like that happen, but don't want to butt into the conversation. Using your MS Office story as an example: after that salesguy was done with that other couple, you pick up that Office for Mac box, bring it up to the salesguy and say something like, "Excuse me sir, I'm looking to buy this Mac version of MS Office, can you help me check how much memory I need to run it? It's got the same programs as the Windows version, right? Word, Excel, Powerpoint? And the box says they're all fully compatible with the Windows version, that's right?" and so on.

I did that once at an EBgames store in the US while I was visiting from Canada. A guy was buying their "edge" card (10% discount card) and was asking the sales guy if the Canadian EBgames stores also had the same discount card program. The salesguy didn't know. I was next in line and when the guy asked if he could help me, I said "Yeah, I guess my question is the opposite of that other fellow's... I'm from Canada and I wanted to know if you will honour my Canadian edge card if I buy something from your store today". Answer was yes, and now the salesguy and that other customer had an answer for that other question.

 

[mccoma]

Get the Techs to Buy It

The easiest way to get the Best Buy techs on your side is to do like AMD and offer a huge discount on a one time basis for the techs. AMD used to sell motherboard + AMD chip to the techs at Best Buy for $100 (when that motherboard + chip combo retailed for over $300).

Give a one time discount to the techs for Mac mini and watch how educated everyone is.