AT&T Tech Support 360May 31, 2006 5:22 PM PDT
Apple expands Best Buy foothold
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Best Buy, North America's largest consumer electronics retailer, and Apple are flogging the new MacBook units, as well as the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and iMac systems, said Samir Bhavnani, an analyst with Current Analysis. The Mac maker has prominent displays and units available in several Best Buy stores throughout the United States, he said.
Best Buy has been selling Apple's popular iPod music players and Mac Minis for some time, but the latest move represents a major expansion of Apple's retail efforts with Best Buy, as well as those outside of its own retail stores, Bhavnani said.
Apple was not immediately available to comment on the deal. A Best Buy representative had no immediate comment.
Best Buy is a destination shopping stop for electronics buyers of all stripes, Bhavnani said. Apple's presence in that type of store complements its own retail stores by exposing the company's products to customers who might not venture into one of Apple's shops, he said.
The move should help Apple get ready for the back-to-school shopping season, which is generally considered to be the second-busiest period of the year for the PC industry, Bhavnani said. The move also shows that Apple is very confident about the inventory situation regarding its new Intel-based products, he said.
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Apple Intel Mac Mini
Macs and the blatant vandelism I saw previously at Apple's initial
retail store attempt.
Keys pried off, misinforamation from "sales" people who steered
me away from the Macs. Unabashed bias against Macs.
All I can say is I hope the machines are being guarded or they will
be damaged by childish and close minded people.
Macs and the blatant vandelism I saw previously at Apple's initial
retail store attempt.
Keys pried off, misinforamation from "sales" people who steered
me away from the Macs. Unabashed bias against Macs.
All I can say is I hope the machines are being guarded or they will
be damaged by childish and close minded people.
Now, combine the Mactel demos with iPod demos, and stand back. Some people probably have no idea that Apple even makes computers, as their only exposure has been via the iPod.
As Artie Johnson used to say on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in", "Vellllllly intellesthing!" Hopefully, he wouldn't be saying what always came next: " ... but, shtupid!!!"
All the Best,
Joe Blow
Now, combine the Mactel demos with iPod demos, and stand back. Some people probably have no idea that Apple even makes computers, as their only exposure has been via the iPod.
As Artie Johnson used to say on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in", "Vellllllly intellesthing!" Hopefully, he wouldn't be saying what always came next: " ... but, shtupid!!!"
All the Best,
Joe Blow
(affliated with Bestbuy) in Canada.
And I can't believe the ignorance these sales people have
towards Macs. Often times I see Macs set aside or put in the
corner as if they were broken which they aren't cause I turned
one on just the other day. And whats worst is they aren't even
turned on for a potential buyer to demo. The PCs usually are in
the best area for a potential buyer to view. If Apple did some
Market research they have to know that their are still many
ignorant PC salesmen out there that are iffy at selling Macs, and
its my belief they have this duty not to even sell one. BestBuy
ought to look at hiring the best Mac/PC Salesmen to sell MACS ,
or whats the point of partnering, they aint' going to sell just
gather dust which sadly I've seen in many of these stores.
The stores I have a problem with are the BestBuy FutureShop
stores in Toronto, Ontario. Its almost as every Manager for
Computer retail in these stores has hired his entire family (who
don't know anything about Macs) to work there.
They need to really look into whos Managing these stores cause
its terrible when you honestly want an unbias opinion.
(affliated with Bestbuy) in Canada.
And I can't believe the ignorance these sales people have
towards Macs. Often times I see Macs set aside or put in the
corner as if they were broken which they aren't cause I turned
one on just the other day. And whats worst is they aren't even
turned on for a potential buyer to demo. The PCs usually are in
the best area for a potential buyer to view. If Apple did some
Market research they have to know that their are still many
ignorant PC salesmen out there that are iffy at selling Macs, and
its my belief they have this duty not to even sell one. BestBuy
ought to look at hiring the best Mac/PC Salesmen to sell MACS ,
or whats the point of partnering, they aint' going to sell just
gather dust which sadly I've seen in many of these stores.
The stores I have a problem with are the BestBuy FutureShop
stores in Toronto, Ontario. Its almost as every Manager for
Computer retail in these stores has hired his entire family (who
don't know anything about Macs) to work there.
They need to really look into whos Managing these stores cause
its terrible when you honestly want an unbias opinion.
points was margin. How much net overall profit was the store
seeing? When Compaq and eMachines have $100-$200 profit
margin from the price Best Buy gets it at to the price Best Buy
sells it for, it is obvious why they are pushed more than the Mac
Mini. Apple products are sold everywhere at the same price, and
there is no margin to be made when Apple computers are sold.
Not a penny. And since Apple computers come with tons of
great software, it is very hard to add on products. The fact that
most of them now come with webcams makes it even harder to
find accessories to add on with.
points was margin. How much net overall profit was the store
seeing? When Compaq and eMachines have $100-$200 profit
margin from the price Best Buy gets it at to the price Best Buy
sells it for, it is obvious why they are pushed more than the Mac
Mini. Apple products are sold everywhere at the same price, and
there is no margin to be made when Apple computers are sold.
Not a penny. And since Apple computers come with tons of
great software, it is very hard to add on products. The fact that
most of them now come with webcams makes it even harder to
find accessories to add on with.
reach, I'm not sure that the company's products will receive
proper treatment by the Best Buy staff.
While at a store a few months ago, I observed a customer ask
where she could find a Macintosh Mini. A sales guy asked, "What
do you need in a personal computer?" "Oh, go on the Internet,
write letters, that sort of thing," the customer replied. "Oh, well,
you don't want a Mac. They're for doing graphics. This H-P is
what you need."
Also disheartening was seeing a Mini's wireless remote affixed to
an MP3 player display where the Shuffle belonged.
Why are so many of these blue-shirted people clueless?
reach, I'm not sure that the company's products will receive
proper treatment by the Best Buy staff.
While at a store a few months ago, I observed a customer ask
where she could find a Macintosh Mini. A sales guy asked, "What
do you need in a personal computer?" "Oh, go on the Internet,
write letters, that sort of thing," the customer replied. "Oh, well,
you don't want a Mac. They're for doing graphics. This H-P is
what you need."
Also disheartening was seeing a Mini's wireless remote affixed to
an MP3 player display where the Shuffle belonged.
Why are so many of these blue-shirted people clueless?
Also, as far as knowledgeable sales people goes I'll say this. I'd wager that the average sales person is only marginally more knowledgeable of PC's than Macs and that probably is largely due in part to their own personal experience, not training. Given that PC's still enjoy the majority share of the market (I don't have exact numbers) it stands to reason that the majority of HS or college salespeople would be more familiar with and more likely to sell a PC over a Mac. Anybody who has been in sales before knows that you like to sell things you know rather than look foolish trying to sell a product you're unfamiliar with.
I doubt Apple is looking to increase market share considerably by selling in Best Buys and CompUSA's, for exactly the reasons everyone here has articulated. More likely they simply want the average customer to see Macs in their favority consumer electronics stores so they have it in the back of their mind that Macs exist. If they get some sales out of it so much the better.
Also, as far as knowledgeable sales people goes I'll say this. I'd wager that the average sales person is only marginally more knowledgeable of PC's than Macs and that probably is largely due in part to their own personal experience, not training. Given that PC's still enjoy the majority share of the market (I don't have exact numbers) it stands to reason that the majority of HS or college salespeople would be more familiar with and more likely to sell a PC over a Mac. Anybody who has been in sales before knows that you like to sell things you know rather than look foolish trying to sell a product you're unfamiliar with.
I doubt Apple is looking to increase market share considerably by selling in Best Buys and CompUSA's, for exactly the reasons everyone here has articulated. More likely they simply want the average customer to see Macs in their favority consumer electronics stores so they have it in the back of their mind that Macs exist. If they get some sales out of it so much the better.
education and a GREAT pro deal for best buy workers. Most of
the workers at best buy are young kids who like electronics. I
bet most would LOVE to have a MacBook. Hook 'em up with one
for a great deal, offer them some basic training and I'll bet they
become passionate Apple enthusiasts. If you don't do that,
they'll just send customers over to the latest Wintel piece of
crap. "Uh, it's cheaper and, uh, it has Windows".
I've seen in ten years in retail what training and Pro Deals do. I
also have seen what passionate sales can do. Apple could really
have a great program here if they do it right. And if they don't,
at least I won't have to drive 100 miles to the Apple Store just to
pick up my next addition of OSX when it arrives!
- Education and Discounts for Best Buy workers will work
-
by hal Summers
June 1, 2006 10:09 AM PDT
- For Apple to get this to work all they need to do is offer some
-
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See all 52 Comments >>education and a GREAT pro deal for best buy workers. Most of
the workers at best buy are young kids who like electronics. I
bet most would LOVE to have a MacBook. Hook 'em up with one
for a great deal, offer them some basic training and I'll bet they
become passionate Apple enthusiasts. If you don't do that,
they'll just send customers over to the latest Wintel piece of
crap. "Uh, it's cheaper and, uh, it has Windows".
I've seen in ten years in retail what training and Pro Deals do. I
also have seen what passionate sales can do. Apple could really
have a great program here if they do it right. And if they don't,
at least I won't have to drive 100 miles to the Apple Store just to
pick up my next addition of OSX when it arrives!