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New Apple Stores and Closings

I'm not encouraged by this article about the retailers closing. True, I haven't heard apple's side, but it doesn't look good. I know an indepentent mac store near where I went to college was forced to cut back from 3 locations to 1 because of the newly opened nearby apple store. I wish Apple would fairly supply resellers and then let the buyer decide. As it is now, apple is simply leaving people with no options and that's not something any of us should be happy about.
 
The Article states Mac Adam as one of the stores forced to close by Apple. IMHO Mac Adam shot it's own self in the foot. I first learned about them 5 years ago and quickly stopped using them. Their staff was even more snooty than the Apple employees and getting anything ordered was a pain in the whos it. I don't know how many times I tried them out "just one more time" but over and over they under delivered. In this instance, I belive the Apple store just offered a better alternative.
 
Nobody should mourn the passing of MACadam

The place was a pit.

Snotty sales reps, filled with ancient software and hardware. They had baskets full of dusty hockey puck mice and upgrades to Pagemaker 6 on the wall at full price. And Geoports. And ancient dead hardware in piles. The place was a disgrace. Couldn't stay in business? Try making it a place that people want to go and stock items that people want to buy. Seriously. This wasn't a supply problem it was a management problem. It was dark and dank and filled with clutter and junk. They couldn't swipe your credit card, they had to make an impression, and it cost 3% more (or there was a 3% discount for cash, still). They charged outrageous prices for simple cables, if they even had what you needed. Forget about it.

I only went in there a few times when I was really desparate, but it was always totally last ditch. I think only once did I find what I needed.

I do miss Computerware in SF, I bought stuff from them all the time. There's a reseller down the street from me, the Rosai Group, that's doing fine. But MACadam? No ***** way. Those guys stunk and it's good to see them gone.

(yes, I just registered to post this comment, not I'm not an Apple employee.)
 
The big question is what the long-term effect will be as Apple stores displace independent retailers, or as independent retailers adapt to compete with Apple Stores in their neighborhoods. Each type of store has something to offer, similarly to the tradeoff between big chain bookstores and independent bookstores, each with their advantages and disadvantages. But independent stores can't always afford to compete, not having the deep pockets that a big company has to weather a lull in business or a particular store earning less than others. I'm sorry to hear accusations that Apple is being unfair to their other resellers, and I hope they resolve issues like this.

Apple stores offer some third-party products, but independent retailers often have the opportunity to adapt more quickly to local demand, offer more products that might compete with Apple's, and to provide personalized service.
 
QCassidy352 said:
I'm not encouraged by this article about the retailers closing. True, I haven't heard apple's side, but it doesn't look good. I know an indepentent mac store near where I went to college was forced to cut back from 3 locations to 1 because of the newly opened nearby apple store. I wish Apple would fairly supply resellers and then let the buyer decide. As it is now, apple is simply leaving people with no options and that's not something any of us should be happy about.
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Well, you do have one option and that is you have to go to the Apple store. I've shopped at both independent resellers and at the Apple store and i find they are equal in their snootiness. But yeah, the indies never have a good supply of the newest gear. I'm sure many people have gone to their local reseller, been told that there is a wait list for an item, then go to their local Apple store and find the exact same item.
 
wdlove said:
inkswamp said:
Strange. I hear these complaints about Apple not shipping products to resellers in a timely manner, but our local Apple reseller always has plenty of inventory on the shelves. You're sure there's not more to this? Sounds to me that some of these resellers might not be forthcoming in all the details.
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I'm sure that's the problem on both sides. Retailers and Apple are looking out for their own best interest. That's why the Think Secret article may not have all the facts.
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Would be interesting to see how many of these people complaining about not getting inventory have spotless credit with Ingram, and a large credit line.
 
Independent retailers can compete just fine with Apple Stores if they are good enough. In NYC, many people who live downtown will bypass Apple's SoHo store (which is fantastic in its own right) to go up to Tekserve in Chelsea. Tekserve can repair anything, offers prices fully competitive to the Apple Store, and offers bundles that Apple doesn't. They also offer professional bundles (especially for audio and video applications) that are beyond the realm of what Apple touches. And the place is big, beautiful, and fun to visit.

Apple simply raised the expectations to the point that stores that some stores can't compete. It has nothing to do with pricing. (It may have something to do with delivery, but only because stores that don't sell much would be prioritized behind stores that do.) I would suggest that everyone choose the *best* store in their area, and let the economy take care of itself.

elo
 
I always find it odd thinking about Apple having an adversarial relationship with its resellers. I know that at the Cambridge, MA Apple store they've referred me several times to The Computer Loft for repairs that Apple no longer does (you should have seen the looks when I brought in a dead Newton for service) or for stuff not covered by warranty that might be less expensive there.

~J
 
I have to agree with the people who do not mourn the loss of bad resellers.
Our local reseller also carries pcs, everytime I go in there the sales people do not know anything about Apples nor do carry much in stock, they will order it for you but it is more expensive than orerding online from Apple.

I would not mind paying a little more if the servicewas there, but it is not.

The Apple store model seems to be the necessary way for Apple to introduce the general public to their products, because a lot of resellers were not doing a good job at it.

I doubt it is Apples intention to kill off the resellers, as it is more likely they are trying to put their products in the best possible locations with clean, well-stocked, up-to-date stores. (that or die a slow prolonged marketshare death and be an also-ran company)

I also agree with 'sun baked', the ability to get product is very dependent on your credit history with the suppliers.

( I have to drive an hour and forty minutes to the closest Apple store, but the anticipation and service a worth it, wish there was one closer)
 
In my experience, I've found my local Apple resellers to be quite arrogant and unapproachable - even when asked the most basic/neccessary of questions. It's like they are doing the customer a favour by talking to them...

I'd be suprised if they don't go out of business soon too.

Ironically the only Apple sales rep who was friendly, attentive and knowledgable was at PC World. But unfortunately, their stock lines are quite far behind the others, so the sales guy/store don't stand a chance of doing well with Apple gear.

I now just buy online, or go to Micro Anvika if I need a Mac peripheral quickly. Although their sales staff couldn't tell me the difference between my original Airport and a new Airport Express...
 
inkswamp said:
Strange. I hear these complaints about Apple not shipping products to resellers in a timely manner, but our local Apple reseller always has plenty of inventory on the shelves. You're sure there's not more to this? Sounds to me that some of these resellers might not be forthcoming in all the details.
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are other factors. Apple not playing fair with resellers is but one. My 2 local Apple resellers get new product very late. I was also a reseller for 12 years. The Apple Stores and CompUSA get them upon release.
 
inkswamp said:
Yes, there are exceptions, but a majority of what I've dealt with tells me that this is typical amongst Apple resellers. If Apple can do a better job and they are putting resellers out of business because of it, then I have no sympathy. If the need wasn't there, Apple wouldn't be rushing in to fill it.
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This is absolutely correct.

Most independent resellers I've visited cannot compete with the Apple-owned stores. And not because Apple is unfair, but because they are an eyesore, have old and useless garbage that nobody wants, and don't offer anywhere near the service that Apple does. After years of declining sales and marketshare, why should Apple care about this MACadam shmuck? What do you have to offer? Can you justify your existance? Let's see your performance record over the past 10 years, and then we'll talk.

These independent resellers that do nothing but blame Apple for their own ineptness deserve to go. Nobody cares about the nostalgic drivel about their pathetic "family" business. They lack the intelligence and creativity to compete in a changing marketplace and quite frankly, that's why they are failures.
 
Penn Square!

shadowfax said:
OKC will be a good one. they're putting it in Penn Square Mall, one of the busier malls (for its size, which isn't huge but pretty big) in America.

That's funny, Penn Square has a waiting list of stores that's years long. Looks like they let Apple side-step that one. I hope it's big. the one in Austin is puny as hell, lol.
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Sweet, now I can sidetrack this mail order stuff. Its about time. Dallas was just too far.
 
PlaceofDis said:
ahhh i knew i was forgetting one, so that makes five around here then! i never go out to Oakbrook, probably why i forgot it, :eek:

i think i will be visiting the Michigan Ave. store next weekend, what a fun trip!
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A Northbrook store would be awfully close to the Old Orchard store. I wonder if this is in preparation for closing the Old Orchard store -- rent has to be very high being sandwiched between Williams Sonoma and Nordstrom!

Concerning independents: often the problem is that they do not give Mac people are good reason to frequent them. What a good Apple indy needs is different items that are not necessarily directly related to the Mac -- audio equipment, more printers and scanners, etc. This would also bring in more PC people who would shop for these items, and, of course, play with the Macs.
 
wdlove said:
A loss of a business and jobs is always sad. I think that a problem for resellers is that they can't afford to have the large quantity of inventory that Apple carries. In some cases the expertise isn't as good. They also tend to not have the latest products.
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Maconline in Sacramento, at least their retail outlet, wasn't that great in my opinion in the first place. I went in there before the Apple Store opened, and couldn't get any help from anyone. Their selection at the time wasn't that great, and their hours were bad (closed on Sundays, only open until 6 I believe, shorter Saturday hours).

I can't speak for them years before, but I know they've been around for quite some time. The Sacramento Apple store is in Arden Fair Mall, which is about a quarter mile from MacOnline. Sure would appear to me that they targeted one reseller directly. There are a few other malls they could have opened in which wouldn't have directly impacted smaller retailers (Roseville, Sunrise, Downtown).
 
Something folks should take into consideration is how well computer resellers are doing in general (particularly those on the size of typical Mac resellers). If they're going out of business at a higher rate than other resellers, that's one thing; if they're going out of business at the SAME rate, that's another (and something you lament, but really can't blame Apple for...)
 
achmafooma said:
Hmmmm... the Washington, DC metro area already has stores in Tyson's Corner (the first Apple Store), Clarendon, Montgomery Mall, and Bethesda (mini store)...

Do we really need this new one in Arlington (Pentagon City)?

Don't get me wrong -- I'm all for expansion (and Tysons always has a lot of customers when I stop by), but adding a new store in a market with four already when so many places have none at all? Odd.

I know tons of Mac-interested people in the Roanoke, VA area who can't justify going all the way to DC or Richmond to experience/buy Apple products, and nobody else in the area carries them. Those are the kinds of places Apple should go now, since the major markets are largely covered.
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Clarendon is technically in Arlington. I'm curious about this one.

Edit: And why they don't have on in Annapolis, MD - the state Capitol, I have no idea.
 
I hope the new store in Orlando is not a "mini" store though if it's in a mall, it probably will be :mad: The one we have in the Millenia mall is pretty small as it is. I was disappointed when I first visited it.

Sorry about the other retailers closing though. I figured the more, the merrier when it comes to selling Apple products.
 
Great, another Chicagoland store

How wonderful, yet another Chicagoland store. We wouldn't want to disperse the stores in a more even manner, would we? As someone mentioned on the AppleInsider board, how come there isn't one in New Mexico? Granted, putting a store in towns like Anchorage Alaska or Billings Montana might be a little far flung, considering their remoteness from cities of 1+ million people, but it would be nice to see some extra stores. How about a store in Peoria, Illinois? Maybe one in Colorado Springs? Albuquerque?
 
I glad there opening more. I cant wait untill one opens about 10 mins away from me in a the Summer/Fall i will diffenitly be there for the opening. Does anyone know if they still do the Black/Mistery Bag thing?
 
New Stores

I am glad for the new openings, but I concur with several of the posters in this thread.
I would love to see Apple go into a city where there is little or no Apple presence rather than put 4 or 5 Apple stores within a 75 mile radius.

Currently I have to drive 4.5 hours to Houston, TX to the closest Apple store an 4.5 hours to Baton Rouge to the nearest CompUSA.

I would love to see one in Shreveport, LA
There are currently about 400,000 people in the Shreveport/Bossier Metro area plus a small Army Base and the massive Barksdale Air Force Base. (I mention this because there is a constant turnover with military families) Not to mention LSU Shreveport, Northwestern University, Monroe, and Alexandria all less than 2 hours away.
 
Actually, if they had one closer to where I lived, my credit card would catch on fire. :D

Nevermind, keep them away, away I tell you.
 
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