I agree 100% If you want to sell more stuff you go to the person who sells the most stuff!AlanAudio said:
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Wal-Mart Selling iPod Minis
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HiRez said:
Wal-Mart ALWAYS has the brand name product sitting right next to their "Great Value" line of products. This is no stretch for them to try to capitalize on the premium product and the value product at the same time.
Furthermore, Wal-Mart is by far the biggest customer of Pixar, Steve's other project, so it is no stretch of the imagination that Jobs is capitalizing on his established business relationship to push his new toy.
I can picture it now:
Millions of typical-Walmart shoppers, picking up the iPod shuffle and saying: "Where do I put the CD?"
Fishes,
narco.
Millions of typical-Walmart shoppers, picking up the iPod shuffle and saying: "Where do I put the CD?"
Fishes,
narco.
Yes it must have...macidiot said:It must have killed Walmart this past Christmas when the hottest item in the country was unavailable at walmart. I'm thinking it was an interesting senior executive meeting...
Right now Apple is after market share in the flash MP3 market, many MP3 makers think the Shuffle is a dumb idea.
Teaming up with a retailer that can move a lot of cheap iPod Shuffles vs. the feature and price rich flash MP3 players costing more -- may catch them with their short down.
So in this case teaming up with WalMart is a good thing, NOW -- it's time move product, worry about the deal with the devil, LATER.
This is really apple biggest attempts to grab market share in a long time. I hope it works.
I would prefer the Apple storertdgoldfish said:One of the best things I can see about buying an Apple product at Wal-Mart, either an iPod or Mac Mini, is their return policy. Wal-Mart will take ANYTHING back, usually without a reciept. So if you have a problem with it, take it back and get a new one on the spot. No waiting for repairs, shipping to Apple or driving to Apple store. Just take it to the customer service desk, tell them you just bought it a week ago and that it it broken. If they ask for a receipt, you left it at home. I can see this being a good thing from this aspect.
CTerry said:
Let's be clear. Wal-Mart IS evil. If only on its price emphasis.
But it is dominant too.
Rocketman
shawnce said:
Some corrections...
Apple's ads pushing their computers were effective. Everyone knew that Macs were far easier to use. The problems were, among other things: cost, poor hardware performance, lost technological lead, and complete and utter alienization of the corporate market. And your wrong about "existing computer base." Apple used to have 20-30% marketshare(with the mac). When it was the Apple II, try around 50%. Just about anyone between the ages of 30-50 with any sort of education or tech background has either used or owned an Apple product. People knew about Apple. And still do. But when big business went windows, it was all over.
And I think your a bit revisionist regarding the iPod. Apple didn't have some grand scheme to use the iPod to convert hordes of windows users. When they initially released it, it was meant to be a neat accessory for macusers only. They were hoping for a success. What they got was a phenomenon. Of course, now they are trying to use it like a trojan horse to get people to switch. And the other poster is right in that both the mini and iMac have been positioned as accessories for iPod. They are taking advantage of the situation. Its not like they sat in a room 5 years ago and said "when we release the iPod and it becomes a cultural phemonenon, we'll get millions to switch to Mac."
The reason they are marketing the hell out of the iPod is that it is the only product they have that is fresh and actually has compelling growth prospects. The iPod gives Apple an opportunity to dominate a new market, an opportunity it hasn't had in about 20 years. Add in the fact that they can market to everyone in the US, not just macusers. Mac sales have been fairly flat over the past 4 years or so. And frankly, other than the os, they have not been that compelling, with generally poor hardware performance, especially when you factor in price.
Finally, Apple is not the #1 recognized brand in the world. The recent study that your misquoting states that Apple, due to the iPod is the most impactful brand. Its more a study what has the most mindshare. A lot of people think iPod is its own company. And know nothing about Apple. I highly doubt that Apple is more recognized in the world than Coca-cola or McDonalds.
i dont have a problem with walmart selling ipods but if they're selling computers then it just makes apple look cheap
hob said:I don't understand what the kerfuffle is all about?
Apple sell iPods in their stores
PC World sell iPods in their stores
Comet... currys... dixons...
many many many stores in the UK do...
Hob
In the UK you don't have to travel several hours to get to those stores. Apple stores, Best Buys, and Targets aren't too common in the plains.
CTerry said:
Totally agree with that. I have absolutely no problem with shopping at Wal-Mart for nearly everything, including DVDs. If somebody can match their prices, I'd abandon Wal-Mart in an instant. But nobody has, so I won't.
macrumors hermies are not average
Not that I think Wal-Mart is a good place. I myself avoid that mega-mart like the plague. It'll be good for Apple in terms of units moved, but those tools definitely don't have what it takes to sell a Powermac...
*not sure whether that would make us the "above average" or "below average" crowd...
to which the response was...swissman said:
But might I point out that most of us, like swissman, don't know a lot of people like the people reading our posts. I mean really, do you stumble across a lot of people as into technology as yourself? Those of us who surf macrumors daily are not the average* crowd, we tend to be a "little" more fanatical in our research/knowledge/zeal about the product.ioinc said:
Not that I think Wal-Mart is a good place. I myself avoid that mega-mart like the plague. It'll be good for Apple in terms of units moved, but those tools definitely don't have what it takes to sell a Powermac...
*not sure whether that would make us the "above average" or "below average" crowd...
I previously worked for Wal-Mart in electronics and customer service. I enjoyed it, and never had a problem with being under payed. Wal-Mart is one of the few companies that gives its employees profit-sharing. My two years there, I received a check each year worth about $600. For a part-time high school student, the extra bonus was great.
I think Apple "returning" to Wal-Mart will be beneficial. After all, a lot of the Performa line was sold a Wal-Mart. I suppose you "elitists" had a problem with Apple selling at Wal-Mart back then also.
More distribution channels -> More sales -> More profit
This is why average consumers don't purchase Apple products, because of the arrogant "I'm so much better than you" attitude of some in the mac community. This type of attitude gives Apple a bad reputation. Steve referring to Macs as the "BMW of computers" doesn't help either.
I think Apple "returning" to Wal-Mart will be beneficial. After all, a lot of the Performa line was sold a Wal-Mart. I suppose you "elitists" had a problem with Apple selling at Wal-Mart back then also.
More distribution channels -> More sales -> More profit
This is why average consumers don't purchase Apple products, because of the arrogant "I'm so much better than you" attitude of some in the mac community. This type of attitude gives Apple a bad reputation. Steve referring to Macs as the "BMW of computers" doesn't help either.
Whatever:I
Ya, cheapen the brand some more??? WM (cause I WONT shop there ever) is nothing but a destroyer of small businesses and big box stores alike! Ya Apple will get the exposure, but I cant honestly say that I think the people who shop in WM are the same as the ones that shop in the Apple stores or dealers. But, I guess its just an opinion.
Most likely, WM will get the broken bottom of the barrell Apple products. But I guess the people there dont mind standing in the return line either!
Any way, not trying to be a Apple snob here, As I am for the proliferation of Apple as well to be the dominent computers, but then again, most of the PC weenies on the geek quad should not be working on Macs either. Trust me on this, I have been a Mac Mechanic for many years.
Whatever:I>
(BTW- Im not a newbie- I hate that under my name:N
Oh yah, and to joshuawaire the Performas belonged in a place like WM. As well as Sears, and many other "Super Stores", where they became embarrasing examples of what can happen when the wrong people take over your company...The only thing us "purist" could do is go in and feel sad for the way the were displayed...or NOT!!! No hard feelings though, I owned Performa when I was in college To have one is to hate one..Performas that is
Ya, cheapen the brand some more??? WM (cause I WONT shop there ever) is nothing but a destroyer of small businesses and big box stores alike! Ya Apple will get the exposure, but I cant honestly say that I think the people who shop in WM are the same as the ones that shop in the Apple stores or dealers. But, I guess its just an opinion.
Most likely, WM will get the broken bottom of the barrell Apple products. But I guess the people there dont mind standing in the return line either!
Any way, not trying to be a Apple snob here, As I am for the proliferation of Apple as well to be the dominent computers, but then again, most of the PC weenies on the geek quad should not be working on Macs either. Trust me on this, I have been a Mac Mechanic for many years.
Whatever:I>
(BTW- Im not a newbie- I hate that under my name:N
Oh yah, and to joshuawaire the Performas belonged in a place like WM. As well as Sears, and many other "Super Stores", where they became embarrasing examples of what can happen when the wrong people take over your company...The only thing us "purist" could do is go in and feel sad for the way the were displayed...or NOT!!! No hard feelings though, I owned Performa when I was in college
To have one is to hate one..Performas that is
MadMacs44 said:
Steve Jobs seems to disagree and is selling "crippleware" prodcts there at Wal-Mart to "open the market".
Rocketman
MadMacs44 said:
Well, guess what. A lot of places don't have neither Apple stores (think "outside of the USA", for one) nor Apple dealers (think "almost anywhere outside the USA that's not a big city").
But Wal-Mart? Sure, they're evil, bla-bla-bla, etc.
But for the zero Apple stores and zero Apple dealers in the region in live in, I know of 3 Wal-Mart stores (and I might be missing one). Wal-Mart is an excellent distribution channel, if you don't let them squeeze your profits from you.
If Wal-Mart only carries the Mac mini, it's still be a Mac mini more than the places that only sell the iPods.
And to have switchers, you do need to give them the ability to buy the damn thing.
On-line Apple store, you say? Sure, that's neat for the tech-saavy. But go check the surveys, a lot of people wouldn't buy anything on-line even if their lives depended on it. Especially potential switchers who can't trust their current PC with their credit card number.
In the end, selling the Mac mini at Wal-Mart only makes sense.
My store manager said that Wal-Mart would be carrying the iPod mini and shuffle chainwide soon.
Wal-Mart is really trying to tighten it's return policy. Your milage may vary.
No, actually, with Wal-Mart customers, it'd be, "Where do I put that there cassette?"
rtdgoldfish said:One of the best things I can see about buying an Apple product at Wal-Mart, either an iPod or Mac Mini, is their return policy. Wal-Mart will take ANYTHING back, usually without a reciept. So if you have a problem with it, take it back and get a new one on the spot. No waiting for repairs, shipping to Apple or driving to Apple store. Just take it to the customer service desk, tell them you just bought it a week ago and that it it broken. If they ask for a receipt, you left it at home. I can see this being a good thing from this aspect.
Wal-Mart is really trying to tighten it's return policy. Your milage may vary.
narco said:
No, actually, with Wal-Mart customers, it'd be, "Where do I put that there cassette?"
I find it rather amusing that folks bash Wal-Mart like this.holbie said:
Anyhow, Wal-Mart sells good quality items/products along with inexpensive items. They provide a wide product selection to communities that otherwise would not have as much choice.
Apple distributing via Wal-Mart expands their reach to the masses. This is good for Apple, Wal-Mart and the customer.
I for one am very glad to see it!
Sushi
The iPod Shuffle and Walmart
Come on guys.
Neither the iPod Shuffle or the Mac Mini were designed for "us". They were designed for the true masses. The "majority" of us who post and read this forum either already own an iPod or are holding out for the Swiss Army Knife/Newton/G6 Powered version (and those people will complain when that model comes with a plastic toothpick instead of wooden one and still not buy).
And the same is true of the Mac Mini. I'm not saying that some of use will buy it (those rational people who see the Mac Mini for what it is designed to be), but most of us will not.
If Apple can truly get into Walmart with these two products all I can see is increase traffic into their own Apple Stores.
Think about it for a second. $99.00 iPod Shuffle leads the consumer to a $499.00 Mac Mini which then leads them to a $999.00 20" Cinema Display, which then two years later if everything goes as planned leads them to $1,500+ G5 Laptop or Tower.
Brilliant!
Come on guys.
Neither the iPod Shuffle or the Mac Mini were designed for "us". They were designed for the true masses. The "majority" of us who post and read this forum either already own an iPod or are holding out for the Swiss Army Knife/Newton/G6 Powered version (and those people will complain when that model comes with a plastic toothpick instead of wooden one and still not buy).
And the same is true of the Mac Mini. I'm not saying that some of use will buy it (those rational people who see the Mac Mini for what it is designed to be), but most of us will not.
If Apple can truly get into Walmart with these two products all I can see is increase traffic into their own Apple Stores.
Think about it for a second. $99.00 iPod Shuffle leads the consumer to a $499.00 Mac Mini which then leads them to a $999.00 20" Cinema Display, which then two years later if everything goes as planned leads them to $1,500+ G5 Laptop or Tower.
Brilliant!