Brick & Mortar Tech Stores Are Dying

[wrldwzrd89]

It sure looks like all the "old classic" technology stores are going away. First CompUSA closed, then Circuit City, then Borders. The way things are going at Best Buy, it sure looks like they will be next to collapse. The real question is this: How will these closings affect Apple's retail presence? My guess is that, since Apple understands what consumers want, and is able to deliver that experience - which none of these other stores were particularly good at - they'll get stronger as a result.

Link: http://it.slashdot.org/story/12/02/09/2320247/the-gradual-death-of-the-brick-and-mortar-tech-store

 

[malman89]

Never knew Borders was a tech store. Last time I checked it was a book store.

Should also just link to the legitimate Forbes article instead of some crummy laid out forum.

On topic of Best Buy: it's naturally not my first choice if I can just buy it off Amazon or elsewhere, but I've never had an issue there. I've never had anyone try to force anything on me. I've been left alone when I wanted to be and could find someone if I had a question. I guess that no commission model doesn't work for all their stores, though.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I like brick and mortar stores so that I can see what I buying, even if I end up buying it online. How many things have you seen online that look good but when you get it in your hands it isn't what you want? I still like to see before I buy.

 

[KnightWRX]

instead of some crummy laid out forum.

You know you're old when you actually know and respect slashdot and the new generation doesn't. Slashdot is one of the biggest and well known geek forums on the Internet.

 

[MorphingDragon]

You know you're old when you actually know and respect slashdot and the new generation doesn't. Slashdot is one of the biggest and well known geek forums on the Internet.

Oh oh, wait I'm not that old. Nevermind.

I wouldn't call it dying off, just streamlining. The recession is just killing off redundant stores and new ones are cropping in to fill the voids that the main ones leave, like Jaycar.

 

[Shrink]

I like brick and mortar stores so that I can see what I buying, even if I end up buying it online. How many things have you seen online that look good but when you get it in your hands it isn't what you want? I still like to see before I buy.

Agree^^^

I would never buy a TV, for example, without first seeing what the picture looked like in person.

Whatever may be good or bad about Best Buy, at least I had the opportunity to compare the LED LCD with the straight LCD model of the TV. I eventually bought the LED LCD based on the comparison.

Although I do almost all my purchasing online, for some things the opportunity to see the product (especially high end electronics) is something that I would miss.

 

[Happybunny]

For expensive items, I also have to see the item, hands on, compare. I will probably buy it online.

I know that this is the reason that brick & mortar shops are closing, but the savings that can be made online are just to large.

For DVD's small accessories books software online is OK.

 

[chrono1081]

Years and years ago I worked at Circuit City and Best Buy both, the problem with Circuit City began the day they got rid of commissioned salespeople.

The sales people had to know what they sold inside and out, or it got return, they lost money, potentially went in to subsidy and got fired. People used to come from all over because the people at Circuit City (my store anyway) knew what they were talking about.

Once CCity decided to save money by cutting loose the commissioned people, and in the words of the CEO "Put people in who will do the same job for $8 an hour" everything went downhill, business in the store started plummeting, and to make up for it CCity started branching out into "service", which ALWAYS FAIL.

The decided they were no longer a tech store, but instead a "services based company who happened to sell cool products".

And then they died.

Best Buy does a similar thing. There is a huge push for "services" which again, will eventually fail. Consumers are getting smarter, they know how to fix their own stuff a lot better than 10 years ago, technology is getting cheaper so its easier to buy a new item than get a warranty on an existing one, etc etc.

I personally will buy online before going into Best Buy because I hate constantly being offered things like warranties, Geek Squad services, and the like.

Don't get me wrong, I buy warranties on some things (Applecare, TV's) but not a $200 camera.

 

[malman89]

You know you're old when you actually know and respect slashdot and the new generation doesn't. Slashdot is one of the biggest and well known geek forums on the Internet.

Either way, what would you rather have? An article you assume has been edited and is solid, or a forum poster who writes a few lines about it and includes something not even in the article (Borders)?

That's what I thought.

 

[KnightWRX]

Either way, what would you rather have? An article you assume has been edited and is solid, or a forum poster who writes a few lines about it and includes something not even in the article (Borders)?

You've never been on Slashdot and it shows.

I have a low 6 digit UID on there.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Agree^^^

I would never buy a TV, for example, without first seeing what the picture looked like in person.

Whatever may be good or bad about Best Buy, at least I had the opportunity to compare the LED LCD with the straight LCD model of the TV. I eventually bought the LED LCD based on the comparison.

Although I do almost all my purchasing online, for some things the opportunity to see the product (especially high end electronics) is something that I would miss.

And I will also buy at a brick and mortar store that earns my business. There are times when the cheapest price isn't the best. Especially if you will need service after the sale.

 

[Fazzy]

My guess is that, since Apple understands what consumers want, and is able to deliver that experience - which none of these other stores were particularly good at - they'll get stronger as a result.

LTD?? Is that you?

 

[Eidorian]

I am not sure what I would do without my local Fry's Electronics. I wish we had a Microcenter too.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I am not sure what I would do without my local Fry's Electronics. I wish we had a Microcenter too.

Yea, Microcenter is fun. It's like walking into a computer dream world. It's nice to see all the good stuff in the flesh. It's like Bass Pro Shops is for sportsman. You get to see the things you usually only read about.

 

[*LTD*]

LTD?? Is that you?

It's certainly what I would have said. When demand for Apple gear is so high, consumers will try to get them any away possible. Whatever functions as a gateway to more Apple gear will see traffic. Apple Stores happen to be that.

Wait for the iPad 3 and everyone and their dog trying to get their hands on one. They'll be packed to the rafters. Need I even mention the iPhone 5? And where else can you get to play with so much Apple gear? Apple Stores. Walk into any one. What's everyone doing? Marvelling at, using, and discussing what's on display. Now, I've never seen HP and Dell gear get *that much* hands-on attention.

Apple knows retail. But at this point, the retail game is pretty easy when you have a product lineup like Apple does.

At some point over the next 5 years, Apple Stores will also experience a shift to whatever degree, but you can bet that it'll happen way, way after folks like Best Buy and the others have to come to terms with it.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

LTD?? Is that you?

Huh? I do not understand this comment.

 

[Fazzy]

Huh? I do not understand this comment.

The part of the quote that was in bold was typical of something MR member LTD would say.