jamieg
Sep 12, 04:31 AM
A few people have mentioned webcasts and things streamed to London. I live in the UK, can anyone clear things up, am I going to be able to watch the event on the net live (if so, where), or will I just have to make sense of the text scrolling up the screen on this site?
Jamie
Jamie
jive
Sep 12, 07:23 AM
http://static.flickr.com/90/241460253_3bb2758deb_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/corbtt/241460253/)
Click to see it...
Click to see it...
jessica.
Apr 21, 01:27 PM
What additional value does this provide?
I don't see this ending well. See ratings for front page articles.
Exactly rdowns & miles01110. If people can't even adequately vote on a news post, how can we expect this to add any value?
Use the Report Post feature to alert the moderators.
The goal of post votes is to identify the comments that others most agree with or appreciate seeing.
We ask that you vote based on the content of the post, not on who made the post, i.e., not target particular users for + or - votes, and that you not vote for posts that you know are inappropriate in the thread (off-topic, insulting, spam, etc.). But each logged in user can vote on any post as they please, without giving a reason, so being a good citizen is on the honor system.
However, you should not solicit other users' votes for or against posts. If you see that type of request, report the post and it will be removed.
If there are kinks in the system, we'll work them out.
Honestly, I'd like to think that this would be the case but we've seen contrary evidence. Sad, but true.
And it didn't even take me long to find an example:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=12435223&postcount=46
What did he say in that post that is so deserving of the negative ratings?
That's just the issue. You'll soon find that the less than popular members or the members with less than popular things to say will be voted down. If it comes down to it and posts aren't seen by all just because some random members have hurt feelings over certain ideas then what's the point of being here?
I for one feel that if you're going to have this then also allow us to filter posts by rating. This way you can truly ostracize those who have unpopular things to say in a truly effortless way. This site will soon be all kittens and ponies and a better place for those with thin skin.
I don't see this ending well. See ratings for front page articles.
Exactly rdowns & miles01110. If people can't even adequately vote on a news post, how can we expect this to add any value?
Use the Report Post feature to alert the moderators.
The goal of post votes is to identify the comments that others most agree with or appreciate seeing.
We ask that you vote based on the content of the post, not on who made the post, i.e., not target particular users for + or - votes, and that you not vote for posts that you know are inappropriate in the thread (off-topic, insulting, spam, etc.). But each logged in user can vote on any post as they please, without giving a reason, so being a good citizen is on the honor system.
However, you should not solicit other users' votes for or against posts. If you see that type of request, report the post and it will be removed.
If there are kinks in the system, we'll work them out.
Honestly, I'd like to think that this would be the case but we've seen contrary evidence. Sad, but true.
And it didn't even take me long to find an example:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=12435223&postcount=46
What did he say in that post that is so deserving of the negative ratings?
That's just the issue. You'll soon find that the less than popular members or the members with less than popular things to say will be voted down. If it comes down to it and posts aren't seen by all just because some random members have hurt feelings over certain ideas then what's the point of being here?
I for one feel that if you're going to have this then also allow us to filter posts by rating. This way you can truly ostracize those who have unpopular things to say in a truly effortless way. This site will soon be all kittens and ponies and a better place for those with thin skin.
caspian
Mar 25, 08:49 AM
Now we'll see the bastard child coming soon...:D
more...
SciFrog
Jul 12, 05:19 AM
Welcome back. We need the points... Our medium term outlook not looking so great right now...
Gibsonsoup
Apr 11, 06:06 PM
great movie! hope you'll enjoy watching it :)
21 Grams
As for me, I bought a cheap apple usb-dock cable and an usb extension cable off eBay
http://pic.tradeage.com/5-pezzi-adattatore-telefonico-usb-per-apple-iphone-3g-3gs-4gs-ipod-nano-airbook-mp4-caricabatteria-computer-adattatore-di-alimentazione-245028.jpeg
http://www.mangowalk.com/images/400/91020-02.jpg
21 Grams
As for me, I bought a cheap apple usb-dock cable and an usb extension cable off eBay
http://pic.tradeage.com/5-pezzi-adattatore-telefonico-usb-per-apple-iphone-3g-3gs-4gs-ipod-nano-airbook-mp4-caricabatteria-computer-adattatore-di-alimentazione-245028.jpeg
http://www.mangowalk.com/images/400/91020-02.jpg
more...
Stevenup7002
Jan 14, 06:37 PM
If anyone sitting in the front row of macworld, or works backstage there, please, bring your apple remotes and reak havok during a demo presentation. But seriously, DONT
-Steve
-Steve
airforce1
May 2, 12:23 PM
Exactly.
If the people claiming this is a non issue are serious then they should all email Steve and tell him to stop addressing it.
I think the problem here is that many on this board cannot distinguish between trolls blindly trying to stir stuff up on an Apple forum and non-trolls discussing a legitimate issue. People need to learn how to separate the two and ignore the trolls if they try to pile onto an unfavorable discussion of Apple on a particular issue.
yes and many of these trolls spend most of their time on apple forums with pro apple views, even bias, as Jobbs said the Tech community failed to educate everyone on what he failed to provide evidence for to show they DID NOT violate privacy laws.
Im sure apple knew they have to pay a fine, now they will just pretend with so called tech trolls on forums that they fixed this, its not over you see, when congress demands a standard on collecting data and to what extent and who then we will see all the data sheets apple is hiding from me and you, until then you and i both could be called trolls for just posting anything here, thats a opinion and propaganda (lie) though
If the people claiming this is a non issue are serious then they should all email Steve and tell him to stop addressing it.
I think the problem here is that many on this board cannot distinguish between trolls blindly trying to stir stuff up on an Apple forum and non-trolls discussing a legitimate issue. People need to learn how to separate the two and ignore the trolls if they try to pile onto an unfavorable discussion of Apple on a particular issue.
yes and many of these trolls spend most of their time on apple forums with pro apple views, even bias, as Jobbs said the Tech community failed to educate everyone on what he failed to provide evidence for to show they DID NOT violate privacy laws.
Im sure apple knew they have to pay a fine, now they will just pretend with so called tech trolls on forums that they fixed this, its not over you see, when congress demands a standard on collecting data and to what extent and who then we will see all the data sheets apple is hiding from me and you, until then you and i both could be called trolls for just posting anything here, thats a opinion and propaganda (lie) though
more...
lbartley
Apr 4, 02:27 PM
it seem's like you are getting the run around from MS cause they want you to buy another 360 to make them more money. this looks bad on MS part in not doing anything in helping to track down the stolen 360. i thought that is why the unique ID was given to each system just for that case. and the fact they are using the live account, they can also be buying games with it which is like stealing your credit card.
That's a horribly selfish view of the situation. Would you really want MS to give out personally identifiable information about a customer to any Joe Crazyface that calls in?
You need to look at this from their perspective as well. I'm sure the prospect of $50 profit is pretty minor when weighed against the idea of giving personal information on a customer to some guy who just called in. Even if they wanted to, you're not going to get it from the standard customer service department, especially not after their recent "hacking".
That's a horribly selfish view of the situation. Would you really want MS to give out personally identifiable information about a customer to any Joe Crazyface that calls in?
You need to look at this from their perspective as well. I'm sure the prospect of $50 profit is pretty minor when weighed against the idea of giving personal information on a customer to some guy who just called in. Even if they wanted to, you're not going to get it from the standard customer service department, especially not after their recent "hacking".
roadbloc
Apr 24, 05:13 AM
STOP RESPONDING TO, AND QUOTING, THE TROLLS!!!
What trolls? If you're on about *LTD* here, he is entitled to his opinion, and whereas our opinions differ, it does not mean he is a troll.
What I don't like in this case, is that *LTD* appears to have altered his opinion to suit Apple. He has, on several cases, accuse Google of being a company that cares more about the personal data of users, rather than the user experience. And now that Apple are also seen to be possibly collecting user data, it's a non-issue.
I also disagree with his thought that the 'average person' wouldn't care about the safety and security of their children on cyberspace. Utter rubbish. The 'average person' wants re-assuring that cyberspace is totally safe before they let their kids use it. The 'average person' wants full control over what their kids can and can't do on cyberspace. The 'average person' also doesn't really know the difference between a conversation with a pedo over messenger, and a conversation with an actual friend.
Let me give an example:
Lizzie: Hey.
Amy: Hi. :p
Lizzie: Check out this cool song.
<Lizzie offers Amy track01.mp3.exe>
<Transfer complete.>
Amy: Clicked on it. Doesn't work :(
Lizzie: :/ I'll look for it on YouTube.
Amy: k :)
Lizzie: Here you go :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0
And before you know it, the pedo has access to everything on "Amy's" computer. If our pedo knows how to get a malicious program like that, they certainly know which file contains their iPhone locations.
Slim chance, I know. But there is a risk that it may happen. And I find that unacceptable.
What trolls? If you're on about *LTD* here, he is entitled to his opinion, and whereas our opinions differ, it does not mean he is a troll.
What I don't like in this case, is that *LTD* appears to have altered his opinion to suit Apple. He has, on several cases, accuse Google of being a company that cares more about the personal data of users, rather than the user experience. And now that Apple are also seen to be possibly collecting user data, it's a non-issue.
I also disagree with his thought that the 'average person' wouldn't care about the safety and security of their children on cyberspace. Utter rubbish. The 'average person' wants re-assuring that cyberspace is totally safe before they let their kids use it. The 'average person' wants full control over what their kids can and can't do on cyberspace. The 'average person' also doesn't really know the difference between a conversation with a pedo over messenger, and a conversation with an actual friend.
Let me give an example:
Lizzie: Hey.
Amy: Hi. :p
Lizzie: Check out this cool song.
<Lizzie offers Amy track01.mp3.exe>
<Transfer complete.>
Amy: Clicked on it. Doesn't work :(
Lizzie: :/ I'll look for it on YouTube.
Amy: k :)
Lizzie: Here you go :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0
And before you know it, the pedo has access to everything on "Amy's" computer. If our pedo knows how to get a malicious program like that, they certainly know which file contains their iPhone locations.
Slim chance, I know. But there is a risk that it may happen. And I find that unacceptable.
more...
AndroidfoLife
Apr 16, 03:20 AM
Let us not compare Apples to turds.
Black berries now touch screen phones are really good. I loved my black berry... Hell i miss it. RIM makes a great smart phone, they are still holding strong to the one thing google and apple want most: Enterprise. ( I think if it ever leaves RIM it will go to Windows Phone.
Black berries now touch screen phones are really good. I loved my black berry... Hell i miss it. RIM makes a great smart phone, they are still holding strong to the one thing google and apple want most: Enterprise. ( I think if it ever leaves RIM it will go to Windows Phone.
pkson
May 3, 09:39 PM
Nice ad!
more...
davepoint
Aug 10, 11:58 AM
Curious that they haven't changed the revision??
mytakeontech
Apr 5, 06:23 PM
I wanted to test my ad-block on iPhone is working fine so I wanted to download the app but App Store says I need to have iOS 4.2.6 :confused:
more...
Applejuiced
Apr 22, 01:11 PM
On IE7 whenever I click either the "up" or "down" arrow I get taken back to the forum index.
Same here.
It was working fine yesterday but today it just takes me to the forum index.
I got IE9 installed btw.
Same here.
It was working fine yesterday but today it just takes me to the forum index.
I got IE9 installed btw.
pudrums
Apr 12, 04:37 PM
Bad Boys
http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/mo/emv/20060223/12/1326344382_96.jpg
http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/mo/emv/20060223/12/1326344382_96.jpg
more...
dabear
Apr 29, 04:11 PM
I noticed on an aforementioned wikipedia page that Samba was removed...
Does this mean I cannot connect to a linux server via smb:// ???
Not everything is a windows workgroup... :(
I mean I guess it's not a huge deal since I can ssh in, but I liked mounting it as a volume from finder.
Apple invented their own software for interfacing with the smb protocol (and v2 of the protocol). The samba version included in OS X is horribly outdated, and the shift is most probably due to the new license of Samba (was gpl v2, is now GPL v3).
So you can still connect via the smb:// protocol :)
Does this mean I cannot connect to a linux server via smb:// ???
Not everything is a windows workgroup... :(
I mean I guess it's not a huge deal since I can ssh in, but I liked mounting it as a volume from finder.
Apple invented their own software for interfacing with the smb protocol (and v2 of the protocol). The samba version included in OS X is horribly outdated, and the shift is most probably due to the new license of Samba (was gpl v2, is now GPL v3).
So you can still connect via the smb:// protocol :)
JAT
May 4, 10:54 PM
The iPad is soo ultimate in access, that you can't even access its file system...
...and the only professional work being done on iPads in meetings are trying to get to the last level in Angry Birds LOL
Aww, does the iPad scare you? See, bullies that take their **** out on others are just scared because someone is already doing it to them. It's sad, really. I pity bullies.
We should get some kittens for you.
...and the only professional work being done on iPads in meetings are trying to get to the last level in Angry Birds LOL
Aww, does the iPad scare you? See, bullies that take their **** out on others are just scared because someone is already doing it to them. It's sad, really. I pity bullies.
We should get some kittens for you.
MisterK
May 4, 06:05 PM
I think Apple really got it right with the iPad. The main focus won't be USB, SD card slot, HDMI or anything else like that. They have solutions for "connectivity" already. Even if it isn't your preferred solution, they won't go back and do it in a way they don't figure is the ideal way. If they eventually want to allow the additions of mice, printers, cameras, Apple would much rather all that stuff is done through Bluetooth, RFID, or WiFi.
No. The real future of the iPad is for it to become thinner and lighter and add their own cloud based syncing. The rumours are that they have a carbon fiber guy on board now. Perfect. Make everyone else look and feel even clunkier. Sure they'll improve on the cameras and processors, but the idea here is to make a magic piece of paper that can do anything.
They will add the ability to have pressure sensitivity one day (when it doesn't increase the cost of the iPad and is a real alternative to a Wacom Cintiq... which are $2k). Maybe they can find a way to put all the sensitivity in the pen and have it bluetooth that info back to the iPad.... so no pressure sensitive addition to the iPad; just a costly pressure-sensitive bluetooth pen.
No. The real future of the iPad is for it to become thinner and lighter and add their own cloud based syncing. The rumours are that they have a carbon fiber guy on board now. Perfect. Make everyone else look and feel even clunkier. Sure they'll improve on the cameras and processors, but the idea here is to make a magic piece of paper that can do anything.
They will add the ability to have pressure sensitivity one day (when it doesn't increase the cost of the iPad and is a real alternative to a Wacom Cintiq... which are $2k). Maybe they can find a way to put all the sensitivity in the pen and have it bluetooth that info back to the iPad.... so no pressure sensitive addition to the iPad; just a costly pressure-sensitive bluetooth pen.
berkleeboy210
Oct 11, 11:08 AM
Thats a good call!
They did this same thing last year. in September held an event for the nano and the itunes phone.
and in october an event for the ipod w/ video and for the imacs....
They did this same thing last year. in September held an event for the nano and the itunes phone.
and in october an event for the ipod w/ video and for the imacs....
eternlgladiator
Apr 8, 11:48 AM
I've been waiting all week for this to finally become available. I can't wait!
I'm going to upgrade it to a 128 GB SSD when I get it. It'll be a monster.
I'm going to upgrade it to a 128 GB SSD when I get it. It'll be a monster.
BBEmployee
Apr 8, 02:42 PM
I'm a current employee at Best Buy and thought I'd offer my two cents on a few issues.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
Rogue.
Apr 25, 12:32 PM
Obviously a fake, the keyboard keys are square on mac keyboards. This photo has been stretched.
dejo
Apr 5, 07:04 PM
Thread re-opened, although further cleanup may still occur.
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