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84 Comments
- mahoneyxp, on 10/12/2007, -5/+26They may not me knowledgeable, but the people going shopping for computers at Best Buy are not knowledgeable either. At least now they might recommend a good computer for once instead of the emachines crap they normally try to pawn on people.
- JoeSchu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16Why in the world do you care?!?! BestBuy is merely a convienent distribution channel and helpful in driving competition - thus lowering prices. I can't imagine anyone smart enough to find Digg is dumb enough to actually ask someone at a retail chain for actual advice regarding any form of consumer electronic device.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Ha...that's a first...
I would love to see Boot Camp being run just for the PC favoured sales people to see it in true action. - koolaide, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11@ st3v:
Because I'm 17 years old. - threepio, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10re:dclowd9901
Best Buy is a commission free environment (at least on hardware). Perhaps you're thinking of margin and back end funding - in which case eMachines really isn't the brand to push. Most computers are "loss leaders" with under 5% margin (negative margin in some cases) as they hope to bring you in for other things (service plans, cables, paper, etc.)
Apple has good margin on most of their products - which DOES get passed on to the retailer in some cases. Apple is a good thing for retailers. Also, their prices tend to stay static, eliminating harsh price drops at inopportune times. The only key is knowing when a line is dead and NOT buying Apple's remaining stock. - thehigherlife, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10no... no you can't
- dosequis, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Unless they are strait up lying to me (which is quite possible) I have been told by a Best Buy employee that they no longer work on commission. ...not to defend Best Buy employees, thier judgement of quality is still to be desired.
- rebrad, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Another sign of Apple quality. Now, everyone now has the opportunity to have an Apple Store in their town. The GeniusGeeks are just icing on the cake or should I say caramel on the apple.
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9My iBook is being replaced with a Macbook Pro (no Macbooks in yet) because of a service plan.
A dead hard drive did it.
Yeah, that $200 service plan that netted me a new notebook was a real rip off.
Say it with me kids - Service plans for desktops? Not for me. Service plan for my notebook that I'm going to take with me everywhere, balance on my lap and generally use until the cows come home? Where do I sign up?
That being said, if you can't kill a notebook in three years with the motivation of getting a new computer, you aren't trying hard enough. - sheldonwilson, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7As a Non-Commission Sales employee, I can confirm that we get no commission on computers. I don't understand the backlash against Apple and Best Buy. This move is good for Apple, Best Buy, and the computer buyer.
Also, from what I understand, Apple will have their own representatives selling their computers in-store. They will not even be employees of Best Buy. This is exactly what is done at CompUSA.
By the way, some of us are knowledgeable. - ohsoserial, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9Best Buy employees don't get commission. In fact, the computers in Best Buy have maybe a 50 dollar markup from what they buy them for. They make profit on accessories, peripherials, service contracts and their underground slavery ring.
Apple pushing into the retail market is good for them. It's giving them a market visibility that they didn't have. That's why the Apple Stores are such a success, and why Dell Stores will flop. Dell already has market presence. - Durrok, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9I'm not so sure if I lived that close to all those stores if I would call myself "lucky" or "poor"
- JoVoCop, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6hehe, I work at BBY (In Canada), I get a discount on these and first crack at picking one up :)
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5If you guys don't want to purchase a Mac...your argument ends there...buy what you want
- longofest, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7macrumors has good analysis of that News.com story. Shows that only a select few stores in CA actually have stock of the machines.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/05/20060531211540.shtml - drogers, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5This will be good for me... Not only am I planning on picking up a MacBook next month, but I'm much closer to a BB than an apple store and I will get about $50 bucks in BB Rewards certs for the purchase (which will probably go to a BT mouse). Oh yeah - I'll also get 0% interest for 90 days.
BB employees may have their problems, and it's not usually the cheapest place to buy things, but there are advantages, especially on purchases like this where it's the same price no matter where you look... - thedak, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Best Buy has been selling apple machines for years... At least in canada.
- dWhisper, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8Kind of funny how that eMachines crap has consistantly pulled the highest ratings from publications and Best Buy customers on customer satisfaction and reliability though...
- mabhatter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4backlash had to do with the "fruity" iMacs situation. Apple would only sell in "lots" of all 5 colors... hence Best Buy got stuck with unfavorite colors they couldn't sell... and couldn't order more of the ones they were out of... That's a retailer's nightmare! Nor could they sell the "off" colors cheaper... Apple sales agreement. It effectively tied BB's hands because Apple wouldn't budge. kinda silly on Apple's part.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4i totally agree, everytime i have been they have a mac mini "hidden" in the back somewhere, no one even knows that little box is the whole pc. Its not on a big display out front like the viao laptops and LG flatscreen. This was funny they had a main "pc" out front , it was some kinda HP i think, or gateway "dual core" with 512 megs of ram and a dvd r, wanting an extreme amount of money for it, and it was slow! haha =junk, i cant believe people buy pcs from them
- Cyrealm, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Cool! I'm only 20 miles from the nearest Best Buy. Otherwise, I would be going double that or more to the nearest CompUSA or Apple Store. =( But who knows, the extra drive might end up being worth it anyway.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I think its great , im tired of seeing just junk pcs, gateways and hps at bestbuy, its about time they started carrying a full line of mac, and maybe they can start carrying some good mac software while they are at it ( even though best buy is extremely over priced, at least they will return/exchange about anything you bring them)
- heydigital, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I have friends who work at Best Buy. Apple computers have been in there for quite a while, and they don't sell.
- gooru, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6They're flogging? As in beating? That's not nice.
- threepio, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Best Buy and Future Shop both have the Macbook up for pre-order. Inventory should be in stores within a few weeks.
- mahoneyxp, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7I wonder how many mail-in-rebates there will be for these ;)
- gsoftcomputers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3it is about time
- Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This is good, really. There are Best Buys everywhere... and Apple stores are pretty few and far between.
We really need more Apple stores in Canada. - brianb722, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3That's because you chose to buy a round cable instead of flat one and you chose to purchase from a store who doesn't remotely specialize in internal components such as IDE cables.
- longofest, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3maybe if the employees TRIED, they would actually sell. The stores that I've been to have the Mac Mini shoved into a corner and with hardly the kind of distinctive advertising that a computer with a totally different OS should have.
- Chuck95, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@koolaide - don't sweat it. I'm in IT and I've actually had some good experiences at our local Best Buy. I know computers, but not so much on mp3 players. The guy at our store really knows his stuff. I was impressed when looking for one for my wife. I'd never in a million years take my computer there (course no need anyways) but it is a stereotype. There are some good ones working at Best Buy. One of the guys in the TV area really knows a lot too. We have a huge university in our town so most of them are college student geeks working there while in school. Probably elevates the knowledge some...
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I bet they dont push macs because of all the extra money they make off of pcs by scaring the consumer into anti virus, anti spyware, etc, i have seen the reps load down dumb customers with that stuff, i bet they make a killing when they sell a pc, for all the extras they slam you with, must be why the mac mini is hidden in the far back
- Freekie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i work in an electronics store and sell computers, customers that come in looking at apple products at least in my area, always want to customize them, and that is something ordering on line is alot easier and quicker. Plus it is the same price if the customer buys a stock one from me or apple, but they can customize it from apple, and to some people that is what they want. Plus apple traffic is like zero in my stores,
- zerock, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Considering that the closest thing to an apple store in Puerto Rico is CompUSA, i'm quite happy with this, hopefully when Best Buy finally opens here we will have some macs in store.
- dpollitt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I imagine if your mom'n'pop store isn't all about profit, they aren't going to be in business for longer then their personal bank accounts can flourish. Don't get me wrong, I hate ***** Buy quite a bit.. but it's always about profit at any business.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Posting from a Macbook here. If I had the chance, I may have bought from Best Buy for a few reasons: (1) their product replacement plan - I wouldn't be surprised if it's cheaper than Applecare, plus they exchange things pretty much no question. (2) They'd probably easier to return to if you wanted to in the first few weeks.
- koolaide, on 10/12/2007, -7/+9Excuse me, but as a Best Buy employee I find this very offensive. Sure, 90% of the employees are just kids who want a job and really don't know much about tech, but I always have been up to date with the latest tech knowledge even before I started working for Best Buy. I understand where you are coming from, but don't place a blanket over all of us, because there are a few of us who actually DO know what we are talking about.
- air12ick, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4they got rid of most of the computer mail in rebates :)
- koolaide, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Best Buy no longer offers mail-in rebates on computer systems (both desktops and laptops). Everything is 100% instant rebate now.
- Rosco, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I have to admit, this is a good move for Apple and for people who are looking for something different than what has been previously available at Best Buy stores. Where I live in Northern Michigan the closest Apple Store is 110 miles away, but the closest Best Buy store is within 5 miles.
- JuliusErving, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I wonder how usable Best Buy is going to make these macs in the store. The advantage of apple stores is being able to stand there and try out the computers without a salesperson nagging you every 10 minutes. I'm not asking Best Buy to connect the computers to the internet, but at least have a few demo machines that are fully featured.
- st3v, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5@koolaide
If you are knowledgeable in the tech industry, why are you working at Best Buy? From my experience, they are all clueless. Get into the IT field. - JuliusErving, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Why?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2This comment gave me brain cancer.
- theotheragentm, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I remember Best Buy used to carry Apple computers. They had the stupid laptop locks, which would grip the front of the laptop so you couldn't move it. It was clamped down on the mouse button, so you couldn't even use the damn thing, and they wondered why they didn't sell well.
- filmg33k, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I think this is awesome, as Best Buy is much more accessible and wide spread to the gen pop than Apple stores (especially when it comes to smaller cities and towns).
On the subject of Best Buy employees... it's a mixed bag. But, it's a mixed bag wherever you go.
And re: service plans... I say no to service plans on everything *except* laptops. I do not regret my extended service plan on my ThinkPad T40 one bit. It's traveled across the country several times with me, I've dropped it (even cracking the corner of the case), burned out a hard drive, destroyed three keyboards, killed my DVD/CD drive, and more, and thanks to my service plan, haven't even had to pay for shipping since I bought it. :)
I hope to get a MBP this year, and when I do, you can bet I'm getting an extended service plan on it. - iSEPIC, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The Apple store SNOBS (gayly dressed VW driving, Sticker Tot'en on the bumpers-workers) are worse than the Best Buy *****, nuff said.
- rebrad, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3The service plan has gotta be cheaper and better than Applecare. It is for iPods for sure.
- HolyChimp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Not really a vital purchase when both antivirus and antispyware software is available for free on the net.
- iSEPIC, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1QUOTE If you guys don't want to purchase a Mac...your argument ends there...buy what you want UNQUOTE
Obviously, not many people want to buy a Mac, they have *STILL* less than 3% worldwide marketshare. Now I can boycott two companies at once! -
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