Mac Mini and Shuffle at Best Buy

[maya]

Things change.

Thing do however not on the spur of the moment, Apple employees who make such comments come across as double faced which looks bad since they represent the company.

Everything Apple says should be taken with a grain of salt, that would mean PBG5, iBook G5 and video iPods.

 

[dguisinger]

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.

I got in a fight with a local best buy employee a few months back. My hard drive died in my Dell, and I went in and was looking at S-ATA drives to replace my ATA66. And the rep kept insisting that S-ATA was incompatible with everything and that standard ATA drives were faster; and then he went on talking about the Athlon64 was the only way to go because it was the fastest thing out there. I hate it when these sales guys do everything off their personal beleifs and nothing with actual fact. A $20 adapter card would have made that drive compatible, and it would have been 2x the transfer speeds of my old driver. And AMD may have nice CPUs, but the CPU of choice unless you have numbers to back it up, is just a personal preference. Me, I've always liked my PCs to have Intel, i've found them more stable...I don't have proof to back it up; but I can tell you my early athlon and my K6-2 hit the trash heap quickly. Its the one nice thing you don't have to worry about with Apple; will the machine work reliabily? Answer: Hell yeah, lol.

 

[Mechcozmo]

As far as the sales staff not being knowledgable about Macs... it can't be any worse than the Apple store. "Apple Pro's" my a$$. If you've ever asked one a tougher question than "how much memory does this have?", then you know what I'm talking about

Apple Store near us, the people are on the ball. I asked some guy what RPM the drives were in the iBooks vs. PowerBooks and he knew right off the bat for all sizes. He didn't have the RAM speed memorized, but thats OK. He did recommend that I get 512 MB more for my 12" PowerBook (something I was thinking about anyways). And I've heard how they talk about iPods, explaining the differences between the Windows and Mac versions, explaining the different sizes, what it means, etc. Explaining what Exposé is. I even chatted with one of them about Tiger for a little bit, but he didn't know anything beyond what we know...

 

[MyLeftNut]

You know, these stories happen all over the world. Here in Oz we have Megamart (similar to CompUSA/BestBuy). I couldnt believe, the first time I went in there to buy a Firewire cable, the size of the place. Yet right in front of the entrance they have an exclusive area for Apple products. I thought. Brilliant!

Problem is, I couldnt get anyone to help me. There were people swarming over the Apple stuff but none of the staff (who wore blue shirts as well) wanted to help out...it was almost like they were afraid to help out. The one guy that did help sold 2 iMacs of which the buyers were first time switchers but still looking very hesitant. While I was waiting, I casually introduced myself and attempted to alleviate their concerns. Essentially, I told them, all things aside, it is the best computing experience I have had. They seemed happy with that.

I still did not get served. Nor did many others. I was later told there is an Apple rep there one or two days a week. I stupidly came back on other days to experience the same issue not able to find out when he comes in. Not until my last try did I finally meet the Apple rep there who not only helped me but seemed to hold an almost godlike aura over the other Megamart workers (possibly a bit of resentment too). Very popular fella. Mmmm..maybe I should look into this line of work??

Anyway, I think Apple are trying. Its just that their resources cant be stretched too thin...small steps..just my 2c.

 

[Trekridr]

One time we were in a best buy to get a computer for my non computer savvy grand parents (before my mac days). My dad eventually asked her which of several computers would she get if she were in his position. The woman said she wouldn't get any of them. Instead she would make her own because "That's what I[she] like to do." I just looked at her and said that wasn't the question, are you paid to sell computers or be a smart ass all day and waste my time. Oh how I wish I had switched back then.

 

[24C]

...snip...I still did not get served. Nor did many others. I was later told there is an Apple rep there one or two days a week. I stupidly came back on other days to experience the same issue not able to find out when he comes in. Not until my last try did I finally meet the Apple rep there who not only helped me but seemed to hold an almost godlike aura over the other Megamart workers (possibly a bit of resentment too). Very popular fella. Mmmm..maybe I should look into this line of work??

AFAIK, been there done that, Apple reps/demonstrator get to the store, can't put the latest kit on the shelves, can't load any non standard programs (in case customers are misled) and are initially a huge source of fun to those Windows' luvvies. However, once you get set up, it's a very rewarding occupation, and if you're honest...I recommend Windows machines too for software/training/educational reasons...you'll get people coming back for more stuff, as they develop their own knowledge and understanding.
You'll even get to verbally spar with PC zealots and Apple geeks, I don't know which is worst
Final word, don't expect a big pay cheque every month.

 

[jer446]

does anyone no how much the markup is on the mini? Because my bro works at bestbuy, and the more markup there is on the mini, that means its cheaper for me. He doesnt work in the pc department though. The discount is great. Maybe it will be time for my first mac, even though i wanted a pc. But if i can get one for like 400 bucks, it will be great.

 

[dguisinger]

does anyone no how much the markup is on the mini? Because my bro works at bestbuy, and the more markup there is on the mini, that means its cheaper for me. He doesnt work in the pc department though. The discount is great. Maybe it will be time for my first mac, even though i wanted a pc. But if i can get one for like 400 bucks, it will be great.

If you know anything about how much cost goes into a computer; you are pretty .... maybe the word is stupid and cheap ... to think and hope that you can take advantage of your brothers job at a retail store to get them for $400. Most retail outfits are making around $20 on the Mac Mini, it probably costs Apple $400 just to make it before you include their margins.

Lets see:
CPU
Custom Chipset
ATI Chipset
Bare PCB
PCB Assembly
Modem Board Assembly
Injection Molding
Aluminum Forming / Machining
Hard Drive
CDRW/DVD Drive
ASSEMBLY
Burnin/Testing
Boxing
Overseas Shipping
Marketing
Margin to cover damaged goods / failiures

You will never see that price come anywheres close to $400, so give it up already. Stop being such a penny pincher, avoid McDonalds for a week and spend the extra $100.

 

[jer446]

man, what are you saying? Your saying im stupid for trying to get it cheaper? and the edu discount is 479, so i am sure bestbuy will buy it cheaper than that. You dont need to flame for asking.

 

[mambodancer]

$100 discount off of mac mini

FYI,

Microcenter offers a $100 rebate if you purchase a computer and finance it with a Microcenter rewards Visa credit card. This includes all Macintosh computers. It's a great deal on the mac mini.

 

[billystlyes]

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.

Wow that is crazy! Are you sure about that?

 

[dguisinger]

man, what are you saying? Your saying im stupid for trying to get it cheaper? and the edu discount is 479, so i am sure bestbuy will buy it cheaper than that. You dont need to flame for asking.

I'm saying you are stupid for thinking you can get anywheres close to $100 off a $500 computer. Between apple, distributors and best buy there is not $100 total margin. If you knew anything about Apple's EDU pricing you'd know they are always right around their distributor pricing that resellers receive them for.

It is not a flame to say you are stupid for expecting $100 off, because you obviously are having a huge lap in judgement or you really dont know what you are talking about. Best buy is probably making $20-30 tops, and are relying on the fact that they need to sell accessories like they do with all other low end computers to make money. I have an insider at MacMall who can confirm this; for example MacMall makes $10 off the highend iPod Shuffle. MacMall pays ~$475 for the MacMini; and they buy alot more apple products that BestBuy does.

Just because you want to save money doesnt mean Apple is going to give them away to Best Buy for less than it costs to make them.

 

[mambodancer]

Apple HW margins

The typical margin on computer hardware is about 10%. Apple margins are often even less than this averaging between 3-8%. My bet is that the price your brother could get a Mac for is retail less 5% putting the cost of the mini right around educational pricing. Better to find a good deal that offers rebates like the $100 rebate offer from Microcenter. Visit www.microcenter.com

 

[dguisinger]

FYI,

Microcenter offers a $100 rebate if you purchase a computer and finance it with a Microcenter rewards Visa credit card. This includes all Macintosh computers. It's a great deal on the mac mini.

That is a good deal; especially if you pay the card off in the first month or during the grace period. Just remember they expect to receive a commission from VISA of over $100 over the first year from interest you pay.

 

[abbazaba]

ditto

I work in the Computer department at Best Buy, and couldn't help but notice that the vast majority of the people in this thread seem to view BBY sales reps as morons. I must say that for the most part I couldn't agree more. Many of the people in my department are about as inept as they come, while others know a lot about (Windows) computers. Out of a department of about 15, I am the only one who knows OSX from a hole in the ground. I own a G5 for my video editing and audio work, and love Macs. The problem we had during the last Apple pilot program was that not one person in the department knew about Macs...I was selling digital cameras at the time. Now that I'm in computers, I hope to change things and educate the others in my department as much as possible. Although he knows very little about Macs, he is in no way averse to them and understands fully how stable they are and that virtually no spyware/viruses/other malware are targeted towards the Mac. This will give me a lot of leeway in the way of getting prominent Mac displays to push them hard. I was able to do this during the holiday season with iPods...I set up and manned a table covered with lots of every model in the iPod line and within 8 hours all but the iPod photos and 40gb iPods were gone. So please, understand that if you talk to one moron at Best Buy there may be others around who know the answer to your question. Ask the moron if they know someone who is more knowledgeable. Or, if all else fails, drive to Ahwatukee, Arizona...on the corner of Ray and I-10, and try your question again. I'll be waiting.

 

[Rod Rod]

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.

That's a great suggestion, thanks.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

man, what are you saying? Your saying im stupid for trying to get it cheaper? and the edu discount is 479, so i am sure bestbuy will buy it cheaper than that. You dont need to flame for asking.

No, I think it is that we all have heard the stories of "big" discounts for employees and the such at Best Buy and places like that. I once had a guy tell me that a Canon DSLR kit (not the D-Rebel) would be only $900 for the kit; which is substantially blow the low dealer net on that item. Yes, I am sure Best Buy gets better deals due to their volume, but we generally are talking single digits advantage for Best Buy on their buying power. Years ago when the iMac came out, I worked for a reseller. I believe the margins on that were in the 6 to 8% range.

And there are some that think that Best Buy and others make 20 to 40% on hard goods. dguisinger may have been a little over the top for you, but I don't think that he was trying to flame you, just a reality check I guess before you get your hopes up. It will be great for you to be able to get the Mac mini for 10% less even.

 

[dguisinger]

No, I think it is that we all have heard the stories of "big" discounts for employees and the such at Best Buy and places like that. I once had a guy tell me that a Canon DSLR kit (not the D-Rebel) would be only $900 for the kit; which is substantially blow the low dealer net on that item. Yes, I am sure Best Buy gets better deals due to their volume, but we generally are talking single digits advantage for Best Buy on their buying power. Years ago when the iMac came out, I worked for a reseller. I believe the margins on that were in the 6 to 8% range.

And there are some that think that Best Buy and others make 20 to 40% on hard goods. dguisinger may have been a little over the top for you, but I don't think that he was trying to flame you, just a reality check I guess before you get your hopes up. It will be great for you to be able to get the Mac mini for 10% less even.

Thanks Chip, you are right, it was more of a reality check. I think the real word I was looking for was ignorant. But for people that are expecting Best Buy or anyoen to pay close to $400... its really hard to beleive anyone expects anyone to make money on that mac; I plan on buying several for at work now that Mono is getting closer to running our internal apps on a Mac. But I know the reality; there is no money incomputers. Even Apple doesnt make money on this unit, they expect you to buy iWork, iLife upgrades, and future computers direct from Apple.

 

[AidenShaw]

look at the shuffle's competition

Wow that is crazy! Are you sure about that?

Go over to ipodlounge - there are quite a few posts by people trading the shuffle for a Creative MuVo or other flash player. In particular, the shuffle's poor support for playlists comes up often.

Sure, "Life is Random" is a great slogan - but just because it came from Cupertino doesn't mean that it's the right thing for everyone. One of the "gym rats" on ipodlounge complained that he wanted to switch between playlists - one for free weights, one while doing cardio - and the shuffle couldn't do it.

You can get a Creative MuVo N200 1 GB for $30 more than the shuffle 1 GB. The N200 has an FM radio, can record from its builtin microphone, record from FM, and even has a line input to directly rip analog to MP3. It's even a 1 GB USB flash drive.

AND IT HAS A DISPLAY so that you can have a bit of control over what you listen to. It also can play WMA files, something that none of the Ipods can do....

If I had bought a shuffle, then saw the Creative N200 - I'd return the shuffle in an instant.

 

[AidenShaw]

careful with the name calling

I'm saying you are stupid....

Be careful with the personal insults - I got banned for a week for saying that someone was "scum" for stealing from Apple (buying one copy of OS X and installing it on all of his systems).

"I think that you're being naive to think that the discount..." is a lot friendlier than "You are stupid to think that the discount...".

Or just say "According to my friend at BBY the margin is only..." and don't even make a comment about the other person.

(Working for a software company, I have really strong feelings about pirates. I forgot these things when I said "scum".)

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

But I know the reality; there is no money incomputers. Even Apple doesnt make money on this unit, they expect you to buy iWork, iLife upgrades, and future computers direct from Apple.

The old razor and the razor blades story.

Some will question why Best Buy or Walmart might sell an Apple product that has low margins. The answer is in getting people through the door. Given the history of Best Buy and Mac computers, best buy saw that the Mac mini was different. That it may become the iPod of computers. Also Best Buy has positioned themselves as the "technology marketplace" for shoppers. Not offering a hot product like the Mac mini sends the wrong message to their customers.

 

[panphage]

The fellow with the brother at best buy can tell you, the margins on cables and ink and blank media are ridiculous. Discounts on things like TVs are ok, DVDs and CDs minimal, but it's typical to get 50-75% off cables. It's almost worth working there one day a week just to get that discount on the things you buy most often.

 

[jer446]

really? i never looked at the ink or anything.. tvs are ridiculous.. you get about 1000 dollars off a 3000 dollar tv..

 

[abbazaba]

The fellow with the brother at best buy can tell you, the margins on cables and ink and blank media are ridiculous. Discounts on things like TVs are ok, DVDs and CDs minimal, but it's typical to get 50-75% off cables. It's almost worth working there one day a week just to get that discount on the things you buy most often.

ink and blank media actually aren't hugely marked up...cables on the other hand are more like 95-99% off. A USB cable costing $41.99 costs Best Buy > $1.

 

[Dippo]

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.

LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE!!

I bought a PDA and was assured by the Salesman that a cracked screen was covered under the warranty....

Guess what happened when I cracked the screen and tried to get it replaced??? "We're are sorry but that is not covered!"

I could have just saved the money I spent on the warranty and bought a new screen. What's worse is that my warranty ended as soon as I told them the screen was broke! So if something else went wrong after I got the screen replaced (which I paid for) it would not be covered.