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Oh, yeah!

the key of course is consistency. were i a bettin man, not sure i would put money on this one...

They are actually Apple employees in the L.A. pilot stores. Think of the CompUSA Apple guys in a Best Buy.

This is great. I know many who hate going to the Apple stores because they feel threatened by the elite attitudes of the employees there. Some people just want a pimple faced dork to go get the right box for them- not help them integrate their digital lifestyle. What's different here is that the employees are actually going to get the box instead of steering them into a junkbox from hell.

MDN say's, "Maybe this thing has an outside chance of working after all?"

Have you ever purchased something at Best Buy. I would sooner have a root canal. If it boosts Apple's market share, good for them. Me, I'll stay at the Apple Store on-line or travel to a brick and mortar. Best Buy does not equal "best" service.

I doubt it's going to work, Apple is a religion and requires to create a "church like" atmosphere where their products are sold.

Best Buy employees are there to make a paycheck, not to become evangelists.

It takes a incredible amount of dedication and thoroughness with Mac's to be able to solve people's problems when they come in the store.

I've only seen a handful of Apple Store employees who really knew their stuff and I don't think the Best buy environment will nurture any sort of dedication to Apple's products.

They will still be Best Buy employee's first because that's where their paycheck comes from.

Apple's products will be something Best Buy sells, like Nokia phones, or HP printers or Cannon scanners. There is only so much room in their tiny heads and can't possibly know everything about a Mac.

However I do wish them the best of luck, perhaps if the commission was good?

gotta be better than the staff in pc world in uk, intel imacs with g5 tags on, in a mess in the corner lol people using photobooth and moving along to a flimsy plastic emachine for £300

Hope the training helps cause I can't see them giving a S@$% after a while. Can't beat the feeling you get at an Apple Store, from the look of the store to the knowledgable sales people(they've been great at every store I've been to) But what the hell I guess it's worth a shot.

This is the best way to handle sales of Macs at Best Buy. You want the product to be properly represented but you also don't want to give the appearance that Macs can only be operated by a few outside specialists.

I am a Mac elitist and I don't even speak to the employees at an Apple store. I have run into more than one snotty putz during my visits.

Apple better tone down the pretentiousness. Go back to SHOWING friendly computing not just talking about it. Because if the OS is as friendly as the salespeople at an Apple store I wouldn't buy a Mac either.

I used to love Apple Stores. I guess I still do, but last time I was at one (the michigan ave store in Chicago), I had a terrible experience. I was buying a macbook. I know all one could ever need to know about Macs, so I went straight to the register and asked for the computer. The lady would not sell it to me until I talked to a "Mac Specialist". Frankly, this pissed me off. I am more of a mac specialist than most of the people in that store, including the "geniuses", and they only have that policy so that they can try to sell me bullshit that I don't want. I had to go through the fact that I didn't want a printer, or .Mac, or AppleCare, etc. I knew what I wanted and I didn't want to spend an hour talking to the PC-using punks who work in those stores.

I had a friend get told from an Apple "Genius" once that using limewire would give his MAC all sorts of spyware. We all know that macs don't have issues like that. This guy was obviously generalizing his PC knowledge onto all computers, but why oh why was he doing this from behind the genius bar? Apple needs stricter hiring standards and better selling policies.

and they suck at it.... I have to 3 different Besbuys and they have no idea how to sell Macs. The only good thing is that Mac sell itself and having it in Bestbuy will give Macusers a chance to do a one-stop-shop if they evey need to go to Bestbuy for other purchases.

From what I've seen of Best Buy, I don't envy the Apple trainers, especially on the first day:

"All right, men. Anyone here who has ever used a Mac, raise your right hand."

"NO, NO! YOUR RIGHT HAND! YOU IDIOTS! MORONS! THAT'S IT! HOW DID YOU EVER GET HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?!? YOU'RE FIRED! GO! NOW! YOU'LL NEVER WORK IN THE TECH SECTOR AGAIN!!!"

<angrily leaves, slamming the door>
<second person hesitantly walks in front of the blue shirted group>

"Ummm....if anyone has a question for Steve, please hold it until the end of training. Thank you."

"Best Buy test-selling Macs using Apple-trained Best Buy employees"

Good start. Let's hope all the other pieces are in place, i.e. proper stock levels, proper sales incentives, etc.

Does anyone know which Best Buy stores will be testing Mac sales? I would be fun to test the sales person. I hope Apple employees test them. I was at Best Buy the last time they tried this; the horror!

I think that the best you can hope for is ambivalence from Best Buy staff. Which is an improvement over antipathy!

Look them big words up!

bestbuysux.org

'nuff said!

One day of training by Apple Computer will do nothing for these guys' knowledge of the products. This is a doomed failure.

Only those who can follow zee orders vill be allowed to train. Heil, Jobs!

Ten bucks says this fails. Again.

BB Canada has been 'selling' Macs for better than a year. I've talked from Associates to Managers trying to convince them to carry atleast the top 20 games and top 20 app software — somewhere near the 'Mac section'.

They politely listen. And a year later, they're still selling version 1 of iWork. No Photoshop, No Office, no games — as limited as this is, no OS9 software in a fscking tumble bin, nothing.

On second thought, I'll raise my bet to $2000.

Best Buy hires people who claim they know pc's, not Macs. Over the course of 3 years, while working on the road, I visited Best Buys all over the country. The people working on the floor of every BB I walked into (and there were many) have a clear attitude of Windows first and last. No discussion of Apple hardware, software, or compatibility with 3rd party peripherals is taken seriously - ever, period.

That's reality, like it or not. I don't believe, nor do I waste time hoping, that BB will ever be able to sell anything but cheap crap in the realm of personal computers.

CompUSA, (yes I also did my own personal pole for Apple there too), is slightly better. No. 1, they actually carry Apple products, and some stores actually carry the whole computer. The anti-Apple attitude is toned down a bit, and generally, sales people are willing to try and answer questions about whether or not RAM, or hard drives, and other peripherals/internals will work with a given piece of Mac hardware. Countrywide, I'd say CompUSA has a far better chance of becoming a legit. Apple rep. Best Buy? Really, don't waste your time.

I think the main thing here is the employees are trained by Apple. Now if Best Buy would just start selling Mac software again.

FTA: [Macs] are being sold by Best Buy employees who have been trained by Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple.

Just as I suggested on MDN when the Best Buy pilot program broke -- not that Apple was waiting on such advice. But it is good to see that Apple "gets it." The coverage that BB can add to Apple Marketing is huge. Apple does not want to cheapen its brand by setting up in strip malls. Let others, such as BB, invest their money in those locations and it helps boost Mac (and iPod) sales. BB should about cover all those potential Apple customers who are too far away from an Apple store.

Cross your fingers that the pilot program is successful. And Apple needs to treat its retail partners well and not utterly screw them when product is short.

" The lady would not sell it to me until I talked to a "Mac Specialist".

Probably because a lot of stores now have dedicated cash register people and she wasn't knowledgable about the MacBook.

"Frankly, this pissed me off. I am more of a mac specialist than most of the people in that store, including the "geniuses""

Then why don't you saddle up and work there on weekends, and then you'll see what a really difficult job it is dealing with hotheads like you.

"and they only have that policy so that they can try to sell me bullshit that I don't want."

It's not a "policy" that they want to have the right people talk to you about your purchase, and they do not force people to buy stuff they don't need, but want to make sure you have everything you do need. Offering options and services to people is a good way of providing a complete solution, and it is in everyone's best interest to offer complete solutions.

Apple trainer to Best Buy trainees:
"First lesson - Repeat after me: Steve Jobs is God".

While I was at this I stopped by the BB online store and dropped them a little message letting them know how important it was for them to start selling and supporting non-Windows products if they want my patronage.

He said Best Buy is watching to see...whether Best Buy employees can provide the level of customer service that Apple customers are used to getting in an Apple store."

Impossible. Best Buy STINKS, its sales and customer service are among retail's worst. There's no way Apple can train the regular Best Buy sales bozos to a level even remotely worthy of the Apple's brand.

Are the Macs going to be featured at all, or are they going to be sandwiched in the same aisle as "Vista Ready" (heh) PC's and PC-only accessories?

And what about software? A couple OS X installs stuck on the PC software shelf doesn't count.

Oh crap macromancer, what a load! When I go into a store prearmed with the knowledge of what I want, it pisses me off when they try to sell me something else. They are trying to maximize their profit PERIOD. Their profit comes out of my wallet. I know what I want. If I don't know, I ask. Don't try pushing crap on me.

What really sucks

Is out of tens of thousands of software titles out there, Apple Stores only carry a few shelves of it, sometimes even removing software to sell their overpriced iPod gimicks.

Then to TOP OFF THE MOTHER OF ALL FSCKING INSULTS!!! Norton Anti-Virus is sitting right next to brand new Mac's!!!!

The crappiest, most exploitable, root level trojan ware, doen't protect against sh*t piece of utter toilet scum that ever graced a computer platform, besides Microsoft software.

Now what is wrong with Apple? FSCKING PLENTY!!!

Apple: "No viruses on a Mac"

Customer: "Why is anti-virus sitting next to Mac's for?"

Apple: "Well there could be one, none so far of course, but spending $50 to be sure your safe (and we get our cut) is a best choice"

STUPID APPLE.

To keep prices low, Best Buy is a "serve your own damn self" type of store. They have barely pubescent teens running around in blue shirts to point to the general area where you might find something, but that's about it. Best Buy has sold Apple's in the past with extremely dismal failures. They think having a hot electronics product on their shelves is going to generate sales.

They once sold iMacs and never supplied ANY staff that knew anything about Macs but the false rumours and myths that the MS users have been perpetually shuffling between themselves as facts. Best Buy also did their best to squelch Apple sales but not stocking any Mac software... well, perhaps a single shelf out of the 40 shelves of PC software. "See, Sir, as I told you, there is no software for Macs."

THe only reason that Circuit City had somewhat success with Mac sales was their devotion to creating a separate area for Apple products as well as having Apple trained employees. Prior to the Apple Stores, Circuit City was about the only place to go to talk with someone reasonably intelligent about Macs.

If Macs last 1 month at Best Buy, I'll be shocked. It is NOT the way Apple should do its business. Best Buy; the WalMart of electronics. Who'd want to be associated with them anyway?!

"AP reports, "Morrish said the computers are being sold by Best Buy employees who have been trained by Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple. He said Best Buy is watching to see whether the computers can be sold profitably, and whether Best Buy employees can provide the level of customer service that Apple customers are used to getting in an Apple store."

Sheesh. Good customer service and selling profitably is not rocket science. I could manage their Mac areas and train the staff myself.

This must be the first training any employee of Best Buy has ever received. Ever.



MDN Magic Word: SEASON... as in "I doubt Best Buy will continue with this training as they turn over their staff every SEASON."

Darn it, where did I leave my Valium.

"I went straight to the register and asked for the computer. The lady would not sell it to me until I talked to a 'Mac Specialist'"

Which, at least to me, implies the lady behind the register can't just go back and get equipment.

"Frankly, this pissed me off. I am more of a mac specialist than most of the people in that store, including the 'geniuses', and they only have that policy so that they can try to sell me bullshit that I don't want."

Well, it's tricky. You're right--the reason they want you to talk to a salesperson is to try to sell you more. On the other hand, sometimes you get some information about promotions and such. I picked up one of those "free" printers with an iBook several years ago and I'm glad I did. I didn't know about the promotion when I walked in, so it can be worthwhile. My advice: Climb down a bit off your high horse. You might learn something.

But the obvious solution, if possible, is don't shop at the Apple Store. I know, I know--crazy idea. Personally, about the only time I explicitly go to the Apple Store is special events (like when Tiger was released) or if there's an opening with free T-shirts. Otherwise, I'll go to my local CompUSA, Fry's, or MicroCenter, where I can just pick up what I want, pay, and leave.

"Best Buy also did their best to squelch Apple sales but not stocking any Mac software... well, perhaps a single shelf out of the 40 shelves of PC software."

Been in an Apple Store lately? Most of the non-Apple Branded software has disappeared, replaced by more iPod accessories. They have Word, NAV, Photoshop, and that's about it.

Hell, CompUSA has a better selection of Mac software than the Apple Stores. And MicroCenter completely kicks the Apple Store's butt vis-a-vis software--and always has!

Apple-trained Beast Buy employees better watch out for sneak wedgie attacks from the PC selling mouth breathers.

Majority of sales people I meet at Apple Stores do not know much about what they sell. I think 90% of the training time is devoted to anti-shoplifting matters:)
Plus who buys from Apple store? They only sell comps with standard memory and if you want more memory you have to buy both the standard one and the additional one and you have to throw away the standard one to free up the slots for the additional one.

Apple trainer to Best Buy trainees:
"2nd lesson - Repeat after me: Bill Gates is the Devil".

Wait a minute.
A Best Buy employee, TRAINED to sell something.
Is the devil wearing ice skates or what?

PS - DELL SUCKS

I buy online forget the Apple Stores especially Best Buy.
People give great reviews online why shop anywhere else?

"Is the devil wearing ice skates or what?"

No, that's Brian Boitano. They often get confused. And both are pissed at the comparison.

In St. Louis, Best Buy, Circuit City and CompUSA totally suck (equally).

What do you expect for $6.50/hour?

"What do you expect for $6.50/hour?"

That sounds like a story without a happy ending.

To keep prices low, Best Buy is a "serve your own damn self" type of store.

Unless of course you're making tracks to checkout with something, then a sales bozo ALWAYS corners you to strong-arm the extended warranty. (WFT anyway, if I NEED a special warranty to protect myself, if whatever's in my cart is THAT likely to break, then why are you selling this product and why TF should I buy it?!?)

BB makes me want to puke. If it's the dream destination of the PC drones, they can have it.

What do you expect for $6.50/hour?

Burger joints pay about the same, and their employees manage to do a good job.

Ever have someone at McDonald's not know their own product, or try to push you into something you didn't ask for? Hell burger flippers even have to WORK for their pay; they can't wander aisles like morons (or hide out on the back room).

Someone once pointed out there's a brighter future in computer chips than in potato chips. Sometimes I have to wonder...

"What do you expect for $6.50/hour?"

Can you supersize my Mini? Does it come with a pie?

Let's hope BB's a tad better than PC World here in the UK.

My local PCW features a few old Macs buried between rows of PCs, *sold* by shiny-suited heaps of uselessness.

Compare with the Apple Stores which heave with customers, interest and buzz...

Apple trainer to Best Buy trainees:
"First lesson - Repeat after me: Steve Jobs is God".

Apple trainer to Best Buy trainees:
"2nd lesson - Repeat after me: Bill Gates is the Devil".

Apple trainer to Best Buy trainees:
"Time for lunch now, pleased don't drink from that large vat of Cool Aid, Steve says it's for later"

DJ & Andy, you're right PC World staff in the UK have to be seen to be believed.

I went into one trying to buy a Griffin iMic for my iBook. The salesperson said they didn't sell them, nor had he ever heard of Griffin products. He tried to sell me a no-name PC version of the same product.

I remarked that it probably wouldn't work with my computer. He then launched into a spiel about how if I bought my next PC from PC World, and took out a support contract then I would be able to bring in my PC and they would make it work for me.

I said that they probably don't make drivers for the product he was trying to sell me that work with my iBook.

He looked at me blankly and said, "Is that an Applemac thing?"

The Mac's at my local PC World are sad. I really feel sorry for them. All the iBook, Powerbooks, iMac's & eMacs all have black screensavers, with password locks on them, (unlike the PC's which show games, demos and colourful screensavers), and they are filthy, with fingerprint marks and smudges.

The reasons for this are:

1) PC World staff & managers are Windows fanboys. I know of a couple of friends who have worked there in the past, and it's a Windows shop from the staff room to the front doors. Mac's are ridiculed at every opportunity amongst the staff, it's ingrained in the culture from the top down. Any member of staff who show any positive attitude about the Mac platform are bullied and ridiculed until they leave (this is what happened to the friends in question).

2) Even if the staff were Mac-friendly (or even platform neutral), then they wouldn't recommend Mac's because they don't get a commission for selling them, and they can't sell you a support contract on a Mac (which is where PC World's profits are generated). This is company policy; you must sell a support contract with every PC sold, so this effectively excludes Mac's.

I tell EVERYONE I know who's interested in a Mac to go anywhere but there.

Apple Trainer:
"Lesson 4 - Thou shalt look down upon Windows PC owners as if they are mentally ill, but do it with pity and arrogantly laugh at them when hearing all their silly Mac vs. Windows questions."

"Lesson 5 - When customers notice there is no Apple software available in Best Buy, you will silently shake your head in pity for them, then laugh at them and say "An Apple computer doesn´t need software - if it did wouldn´t you think they would stock it in Best Buy?"

"Lesson 6 - When customers ask about the higher price of an Apple computer, you reply, "If you have to ask, then its not for you". Then walk away quickly, shaking your head in disgust."