WalMart To Sell iPod Shuffle?

[nagromme]

I'm sure the Wal-Mart deal is good for Apple. More sales, more halo effect, and ultimately, a good thing for the Mac platform.

I'm just sorry it's good for Wal-Mart too.

Brand association is a non-issue I think... Apple seems to be increadingly nimble and trying new things now, including new markets and new audiences. All good. The "traditional" Apple markets don't suffer for that.

As for Wal-Mart bullying Apple... Apple can always dump them. No harm in trying to work with Wal-Mart--if it doesn't work out, then don't send them any more.

(It's possible to be anti-Wal-Mart without being anti-Apple.)

 

[HiRez]

Selling out my ass. If you think Apple was ever anything other than a for profit business practicing the same tactics you complain about, you're delusional. The 1984 big brother ad, marketing, pure and simple. Think Different- damn straight, we need to sell some computers and very few are buying them.

I completely disagree with you. I work with just about every major Silicon Valley company (Oracle, HP/Compaq, IBM, Cisco, 3Com, eBay, and more), and the people and the culture on the Apple campus are different. No, it's not as wild as the early days of the Mac. It's more structured and corporate, but everything there still embodies a sense of free-thinking creativity that on other campuses is simply not found, or is found to a lesser extent (eBay is pretty cool too, though). You'll never see Larry Ellison eating in the Oracle cafeteria, but I do see Steve Jobs eating at the Apple cafeteria all the time. And Jobs is a true Liberal who is not afraid to say so publicly, unlike most of the Bush Crime Family suck-up C.E.O.s I encounter nowadays. Whether Apple morphs into another corporation bent on moving the maximum number of units instead of making great products, no one knows. They aren't doing that yet but I see some disturbing signs. Hopefully they can move units and create great products but those two things seems to be at odds with each other for a lot of other companies. At Apple, they still think about the people who will be using their products, and I hope it stays that way.

 

[nagromme]

Not all the CompUSA"s are bad you know.

My CompUSA is nearly as good as a real Apple Store. All the latest stuff on display ASAP, running cool demos, with knowledgeable staff envouraging you to play. Two other CompUSA's I have visited briefly seemed almost as good. I know CompUSA has some problems with Apple stuff early on, but I'd guess that's all years-old-news by now.

And a CompUSA store-in-a-store is BETTER than an Apple Store in one regard... it's an Apple Store in the middle of PC-Land!

 

[icesiren2002]

Sorry to see this. As far as I (and I see many other posters) feel, Walmart is a bad place to sell any Apple products. I refuse to shop there for the reasons that many have stated. I live on the VT/NH border, and when VT refused to let Wally World build in the town across the river from me, they built in my town-in NH. We were an "easy mark", as my town is small, blue collar, and tax-base hurting. The next thing we know, besides losing a formally beautiful piece of land at the base of a mountain, was a STINK coming from the area. Apparently WM didn't do what they were supposed to in putting in their septic system. They had the gall to ask VT to take their excess waste-LOL!
Now, in the warmer months, the area smells to high heaven-I don't think they ever dealt with the problem in an environmentally proper way.
I shop at an Apple reseller over the boarder. The staff is knowledgeabe and friendly-try to find anyone at Wally world who knows ANYTHING about the products they sell! To see them selling any Apple products, taking away from the local friendly reseller (as they do to so many local businesses) is so very unfortunate. I see so many people so concerned with the cents off they get there, without realizing the real cost.
When I got an Apple loan for education, I told them I was so sorry to see that the loan was administered by MBNA-another totally RANK company. I did not want to see Apple associated with such slimey corporations. When checking lately, I was glad to see MBNA no longer has such a relationship for the education loans. Don't know the reason why, but I'm happier.
Sure hope Apple re-thinks this move. Associations with cruddy companies sullies the Apple rep.

 

[absolut_mac]

I'm sure the Wal-Mart deal is good for Apple. More sales, more halo effect, and ultimately, a good thing for the Mac platform.

I'm just sorry it's good for Wal-Mart too.

Brand association is a non-issue I think... Apple seems to be increadingly nimble and trying new things now, including new markets and new audiences. All good. The "traditional" Apple markets don't suffer for that.

As for Wal-Mart bullying Apple... Apple can always dump them. No harm in trying to work with Wal-Mart--if it doesn't work out, then don't send them any more.

(It's possible to be anti-Wal-Mart without being anti-Apple.)

Succinctly put!

I can't believe that this story got so many negative ratings. I agree with nagromme, it can only be good for both companies in the long term.

 

[Lacero]

If you were a supplier to Wal-Mart, do you know how lucky you can be to have an account with them? All this negativity makes me want to jump to my death, as I realize most people here don't know diddly.

 

[BWhaler]

Apple wants to make money, not sell a niche fashion accessory. Steve Jobs said the purpose of the Shuffle was to take on the low end flash market, a large chuck of the low end market comes from Wal-Mart and company.. If the iPod stays a high end fashion accessory Apple will lose out as the MP3 player market continues to grow.

You're missing the point of how luxury items work. And premium brands.

Apple IS making a ton of money. And the iPod is a desirable object which costs a premium. Adding the Walmart brand on it hurts this.

If you are confused still, do a google search of Izod Lacosse. This is the perfect story.

For those of you old enough to remember this, once upon a time Izod and Polo were the two competing brands at the clothing high end. Polo stayed exclusive, doing store within stores at top tier department stores, kept their prices high, etc. Izod put their wares everywhere and lowered their prices to be more afordable.

Who won? Polo.

When everyone and their sister had the little aligator, nobody wanted it.

Now, back to you post. Did Polo not make money because they didn't do deals with Walmart and Kmart? No. They actually made billions more.

It's brand.

 

[itsa]

I think this is GREAT! It really sucks to such a big Apple fan and not be able to buy it anywhere other than online. At least you know Walmart won't screw you on returns.

 

[beatle888]

You're missing the point of how luxury items work. And premium brands.

Apple IS making a ton of money. And the iPod is a desirable object which costs a premium. Adding the Walmart brand on it hurts this.

If you are confused still, do a google search of Izod Lacosse. This is the perfect story.

For those of you old enough to remember this, once upon a time Izod and Polo were the two competing brands at the clothing high end. Polo stayed exclusive, doing store within stores at top tier department stores, kept their prices high, etc. Izod put their wares everywhere and lowered their prices to be more afordable.

Who won? Polo.

When everyone and their sister had the little aligator, nobody wanted it.

Now, back to you post. Did Polo not make money because they didn't do deals with Walmart and Kmart? No. They actually made billions more.

It's brand.

i think your analogy is a little flawed. the shuffle is like bubble gum to apple. its not one of their luxury items...its throw away. its ment for the masses not as an item only for a chosen few. but i see what your trying to say. i just think that apples quality will stand on its own. wal-mart isnt going to hurt apple. or at least thats MY opinion.

 

[narco]

Because Wal-mart selling Sony products has destroyed their image, not the last time I checked. Sony is selective about the products it provides to wal-mart for resale in order to maintain some control over the higher end products. However, the sony selection at wal-mart has been growing over the last few years.

I beleive Apple can follow the same example and maintain its public image as Sony has. Sony even has Sony Style stores similar to Apple stores.

... and because Sony has such a great reputation as of late.

Fishes,
narco.

 

[narco]

Yep, Wal-Mart has ruined the reputations of P&G, GE, Duracell, Kleenex, Tide, Colgate, Pepsi and Coke, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, BASF, etc, etc.

You don't understand. You can hardly compare Colgate with Apple.

Fishes,
narco.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Originally Posted by VicMacs
now seriously, who here has NOT bought something at wal-mart?

Me. I've never even been inside a Walmart and AFAIC it will stay that way.

Edit: OK. That's not totally true. Mom took me to Walmart when I was a kid. But since then not once. I think the last time was in the 80's or something. Suffice it to say that I personally have NEVER purchased anything at Walmart. When comparison shopping I don't even add them to the equation. I’d sooner spend an extra $5,10,20 bucks if it means not supporting a company that has a craptastic rep.

PS- As for those small towns Walmart has saved. I’m glade they came in and saved you guys. But it doesn’t negate the fact that they have driven their competition in some of those same small towns out of business. Example. Walmart vs. ShopKo in a small town in southern MN. Walmart slashed and slash prices well undercutting their competition, they matched and beat every sale they had and the ultimate kicker? Guess where those laid off workers ended up going? In the end they simply couldn't compete against them basically killing ShopKo. Guess what they did with their prices as soon as they went out of business. Not hard to imagine. Just take a guess. My grandmother saw this first hand.

PPS- There is a bright side to all of this. Target picked up where ShopKo left off. Time will tell if they take them down a peg.

 

[relimw]

i'm really not keen on the idea of apple doing business with evil walmart personally.

Then it's prolly a good thing Steve didn't ask you then. Huh?

 

[relimw]

Yep, Wal-Mart has ruined the reputations of P&G, GE, Duracell, Kleenex, Tide, Colgate, Pepsi and Coke, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, BASF, etc, etc.

I'm sorry, how have they ruined them? They're all good brands (except Pepsi, ick).

 

[mac n cheese]

Maybe you'll get some service if your shuffle breaks

Rip on Wal-Mart all you want, it's an easy target to gripe about.

The truth is, WalMart treats its customers great, and given the choice to buy a Shuffle at Wally's or the Apple Store, I wouldn't even consider the Apple Store.

I have gotten nothing but hassle in the past when I had problems with Apple products at the Apple Store.

Out of a dozen or so items I may have taken back to Wal-Mart over the years, not a single time have I even been asked questions, they gladly give you a new one. Even when I thought they should have refused it, the customer is still right. They love their customers.

I don't think Wal-Mart employees would fare well selling other Apple products, but Shuffles are no brainers. Way to go Apple for bagging a deal with the giant. Maybe Apple will learn a few things about service from the "Evil" Wal-Mart. It's no accident the Waltons took over the globe, people keep coming back. I do. And no... I don't live in a trailer

 

[mojohanna]

So do drug dealers...

Last time I checked, it was not illegal to sell consumer goods.... c'mon little bit stronger argument here.

 

[jbembe]

... and because Sony has such a great reputation as of late.

Fishes,
narco.

Why are we baggin Sony now? Didn't they show up at the latest Apple expo. Aren't there interesting possibilities between Apple and Sony? Just because they can't make an MP3 player doesn't mean much about everything else they sell.

 

[jbembe]

I have gotten nothing but hassle in the past when I had problems with Apple products at the Apple Store.

Woah there. I have had the absolute best experience in Apple stores. In Dallas, there were two, here (just moved) in Madison=zero. In Dallas, I had 3 iPods returned and replaced with brand new ones in the Apple store for a problem as simple as the earphone jack being slightly cracked such that the remote wouldn't work. In Madison, I spent a week trying to find a second hand retailer that would help figure out what to do with an iPod that I fell on while biking. The best I could find either by calling Apple and speaking to somebody there or in a non-Apple retailer was that since it was a month out of warranty that I'd have to eat 250$ for a replacement. Finally, I took it in to an Apple store in Chicago, and after figuring out it wouldn't work they handed me a new one- SAME DAY. I haven't heard of that kind of customer service before this- I mean they replace an iPod that I crushed and that was out of warranty!!!!!

 

[alandail]

Again, I ask to everyone who taking a stand against WalMart hurting local economies by coming in and giving consumers lower prices, have you ever ordered anything at all online - from Apple, from Amazon, etc? If so, isn't that being a bit hypocritical?

 

[xsnightclub]

Why are we baggin Sony now? Didn't they show up at the latest Apple expo. Aren't there interesting possibilities between Apple and Sony? Just because they can't make an MP3 player doesn't mean much about everything else they sell.

So far only one person has been trash talking Sony, and has been using it to prop up his petty illogical points against the wal-mart deal.

 

[relimw]

Big marketing plus, but big image problem. The only way it helps the image is to say that Apple brand doesn't have to be all that expensive. They just better not EVER sell the Mini at Wally World. Target is one thing, at least they've got a sense of style and hipness to them, but Wal-Mart just doesn't have it. It will sell a lot of Shuffles though!

Actually, I think it's very likely that Apple would be adding the Mini to their agreement with Walmart if things go well with the Shuffle. It meets the price point for a lot of people who either don't own a computer yet, or who are upgrading from hand-me-down systems.

Most high and mighty mac users seem to think that everybody has $2-3k to blow on a new computer. Obviously, those people having been smoking something that distorts reality

 

[relimw]

Get over it

Just a side note on the 'Walmart is evil' side thread. Unionized people are some of the most lazy, worthless people I've come across. No offense to anyone here, I'm refering only to those that I have personally met. I work some days in the 12-14 hour range (some weeks 70+ hours), including holidays and weekends, and all I hear is 'Oh my god, my boss made me work an extra 30mins today! I nearly died from all that extra work!'. And people wonder why the government runs at such a slow pace. Oh, and before you slam my employer, no, I don't work for any major corporation that gives their employees big fat 401ks for retirement or stock options. I work for a mom & pop business.

Enter reality and get off your highhorse, Apple makes all their products overseas, why do you think the label says 'Designed in Cupertino'?

 

[happydollie]

Sam's Club had started selling the iPod and iPod Minis in the store last December. They were all sold out in the store within a week. They were in kits then. I can't remember exactly what came with them.. but as most things Sam's Club sells.. the price is a little bit higher but after you add in what you would normally spend for everything you get, it comes out even or sometimes less. Right now the iPod is $379 and the iPod Mini is $244. As far as Walmart.. I don't necessarily hate Walmart, but I choose not to shop there anymore. Target is much closer to my home and is alot less busy.

 

[narco]

Why are we baggin Sony now? Didn't they show up at the latest Apple expo. Aren't there interesting possibilities between Apple and Sony? Just because they can't make an MP3 player doesn't mean much about everything else they sell.

I'm not trash-talking Sony, I'm just stating facts. Did they not just apologize for how they've been running things lately?

Fishes,
narco.

 

[~loserman~]

Enter reality and get off your highhorse, Apple makes all their products overseas, why do you think the label says 'Designed in Cupertino'?

Preach it baby Preach it!!!!

Apple is no different than any other for profit company. Except for their CEO... He seems to be more of Dictator than most I have known. He also for some reason exudes a reality distortion field when he speaks.

The Walmart and Best Buy deals are great news for Apple...
Think about it. More exposure usually translates to more sales.
More sales. More profits. More profits lower prices. More profits More products.
So Mac zealots get over it.