Apple and Best Buy deal?

[iMikeT]

I've heard rumors that Apple has made a deal with electronics retail giant Best Buy to have the Mac lineup at every Best Buy retail store. Could this be true? And if so, is this a good idea?

I personally don't think that this was a good idea on Apple's part. Why? Well, because over 90% of BB employees have limited knowledge about the products they sell; definitely even more when it comes to Mac. I think that 99% of BB employees don't even realize that Apple makes more than just iPods.

This is the worse part of the deal.... What happens if a customer brings their Mac to Geek Squad? This is what the conversation would probably be like:

Customer: My Mac needs service. I don't know what's wrong.
Geek Squad: Uh, your Mac has a virus and you need virus protection.
Customer: Funny, I thought Macs don't get viruses.
Geek Squad: Well, I'm a Geek Squad agent and I say they do. All viruses are the same and they affect every computer. I'll install virus protection for $100. I can't give you the anti-virus CD, just install the software.
Customer: I should have gone to an Apple store......


I used to work at Best Buy. I was saddened to see my fellow employees try to sell products they possessed absolutely no knowledge of. I remember being onced asked by a fellow employee if a Linksys wireless router would work with a Mac..... Sad.

 

[iMikeT]

Thoughts anyone?

 

[CorvusCamenarum]

Good heavens, I hope not. I can't see why Apple would do it when they have their own dedicated stores with employees who *are* smarter than raisins. No offense to anyone who works at a BB, but my one and only experience at a Best Buy left a rancid taste in my mouth. It would just serve to cannibalize sales from Apple's retail stores, the employees would probably try to unconvert those sales over to PCs, and give a lot of customers even more Mac misinformation. Just a bad idea all around.

I'll drive to the nearest Apple store (3 hours away) before I go to a Best Buy again. Then again, I'd also like it if Apple would stop clustering stores in CA and put just one reasonably near me.

 

[srf4real]

No way! Rockford Fosgate used to make the bomb in subwoofer amps until they signed the deal with Best Buy a few years ago. Now you get a cheaply built amp nowhere near the old Rockford standards for a cheaper price, so they sell more to mainstream consumers looking for a deal. If I wanted a deal I sure wouldn't be shopping for an Apple in the first place... Now I won't touch a RF amp, I found Memphis instead. And geek squad IS clueless about macs!

 

[Clydefrog]

Apple said they will provide their own apple certifed employees. So you don't have to worry about the tards at WORST BUY

 

[triotary]

Just like the people working at kinkos >.< doesn't know **** about printing and always messed it up!!!

 

[aristobrat]

Apple said they will provide their own apple certifed employees. So you don't have to worry about the tards at WORST BUY

Eh, maybe. Apple has a specialist at the local CompUSA here, and I don't think that guy would even have a chance of getting picked up by Best Buy for ANYTHING. He's really lame. And not personable. I mean, if you're going to have very little product knowledge, at least be cool. Or funny. Or attractive. He's none of the above.

 

[winterdude010]

I went to Best Buy the other day and the lady said that they took the Mac's off the floor because they weren't selling, and that I had to go online to get one. As far as I know they already tried it.

 

[Rapmastac1]

That is true. Plus, the best way to get a Mac is the Apple Store (walk in, or online)

I'm a sinner, I bought an iPod as Smith's. Hey, I was exited and couldn't wait, ok. lol.