Microsoft deploying in-store customer-service reps

[rdowns]

Link

NEW YORK — As part of its new $300 million marketing campaign and image makeover, Microsoft Corp. plans to deploy its own customer-service representatives at retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City to help people with their PC purchases.

The world's largest software company plans to have 155 "Microsoft Gurus" in U.S. stores by the end of the year, and expand based on the project's success, Microsoft's general manager of corporate communications, Tom Pilla, said Friday.

These gurus will be answering questions about PCs and Microsoft products, as well as giving demos of how the company's products work together — help designed to get them thinking Microsoft.

 

[Dane D.]

These gurus will be answering questions about PCs and Microsoft products, as well as giving demos of how the company's products work together — help designed to get them thinking Microsoft.

I first read this quote, my side ached for hours from extreme laughter. Than I read it again – my first thought "boy, to be a fly on the wall during those demos." One more time I read that quote, this time I thought "my God, is using a computer this difficult....nah, it doesn't have to be that way. Please follow me the Macintosh OS and its' beautiful presence."

 

[EricNau]

That strategy actually makes a lot of sense to me, and I'm sure they will find it worthwhile.

...When relying on others to sell your products doesn't work, do it yourself!

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple follows suit and staffs an Apple rep at cooperating Best Buy locations.

 

[GoCubsGo]

That strategy actually makes a lot of sense to me, and I'm sure they will find it worthwhile.

...When relying on others to sell your products doesn't work, do it yourself!

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple follows suit and staffs an Apple rep at cooperating Best Buy locations.

Are you being sarcastic? At the last BB I was at there was an Apple rep not employed by BB but employed by Apple.

 

[EricNau]

Are you being sarcastic? At the last BB I was at there was an Apple rep not employed by BB but employed by Apple.

You could certainly interpret it that way.

I've always assumed the Apple reps at Best Buy were just employees of Best Buy wearing a different shirt, but perhaps I am mistaken.

 

[zap2]

I kinda would like to go talk with one to ask all these question, which I knew the answers would make Ubuntu and/or OS X look good.

But it seems like a jerk thing to do, so I'll pass.

 

[yoyo5280]

Depends on how microsoft pulls it off

If these so called Gurus dont jump on you the second you walk into a shop trying to sell you vista and ONLY talk to a person when asked by the person like Mac geniuses do then I will be good.

If they are scum bag sales people who dont give you peace...people will be driving straight to the apple store.