Forums | MacLife

Missouri lost all their stores. Thankfully we have two Apple stores to take their place.

DukeofNuke wrote:

[snip]
BTW, where is the list of stores that will close?

The list of closing stores is here

All three stores most convenient for me are closing. I'm feeling conflicted: most of the time I might go in to get one of the weekly specials if any were of interest; on the other hand I can't see that this will help me as a consumer since this will reduce competition.

A good friend pointed out yet another drawback of Melbourne closure is gonna be that CompUSA moved quite a large chunk of the Mac volume in our area. (The nearest Apple Store being 70 miles away and the 2 local mom and pops not ever having the size to carry sufficient volumes.) We definitely need something to fill that gap.

They didn't diversify their services. They just sat there like a lump. While they attempted to get into services (meaning business customers) they didn't get a good feel for what services were needed. As a result, they had too much brick and mortar, and stock at those locations.

Also they had trouble integrating the electronic ordering, and service with physical pickup at the store.

Your experiences may have varied, but you get enough people getting pissed off at what you provide, or don't provide, and you lose customers. They have reaped what they have sown.

macnuke wrote:

well it's great that La isn't losing any stores due to this closing.

then again, we didn't have any that I am aware of to lose.

There are stores in Metarie and Baton Rouge.  Good thing, too, because when I lived in Biloxi the Metarie store was the closest Apple retailer, and pretty much the only one within reasonable driving distance.

Pariah wrote:

I neither shop at CompUSA or BestBuy. The reason is easy: Rebates.
I refuse to deal with stores who's marketing is built upon assorted rebate scams and schemes.

ScifiterX wrote:

If I ever deal with rebates, it's the instant ones. In my area Best Buy charges quite a bit than what other stores in the area charge and if you see any rebates they're always the mail-in rip-off ones. CompUSA at least had instant rebates on a regular basis.

I hate dealing with rebates, but you can save a smurf-load of money if you don't forget to mail them in (I assume most people forget to mail them in).  Case in point: I once made a $3 profit from "buying" a box of floppies (That might've been at CompUSA, too).  It's true they don't always go through properly, but just save copies of everything you send in, and the store will pay you out of pocket if the mfg fails to deliver (or goes out of business).

dvpierce wrote:

They have pretty good parts selection, but their prices are hideously high. Seriously, who pays MSRP? I bet mailorder killed them.

Very true.  Still, it's at least somewhat sad to say goodbye to one of the last of a dying breed (computer-centric retail stores).

I hate dealing with rebates, but you can save a smurf-load of money if you don't forget to mail them in (I assume most people forget to mail them in).

Only works for me about 2/3 of the time.
When I inquired about some of the others, response was "not responsible for lost in mail".

The US Postal Service occasionally loses stuff, but not that often.

NAG wrote:

Sometimes though, they just flat out will not give you the rebate no matter what. Rebates through that company are a complete scam. Just compare them to the printer rebates Apple does.

When I got my MacBook 2 months ago I got a sweet Canon printer free (got the rebate about 2 weeks ago) - it's the best printer I've ever had (super fast, inner tray loader so the kids can't smurf with the paper, etc). I've always sent any rebates certified mail so they can't dick with you that they never got it and have never been duped. Apple being Apple, however, sent an e-mail stating that they received the rebate and that the check has been sent, which was nice.

Mr. T wrote:

Pariah wrote:

Like having 3 rebates all requiring the same single piece of original documentation where only one copy was given per product.

That's the classic "scam" scenario.  In that case, I ask the store I bought the product at how to proceed, and then follow their instructions, making sure to document everything.  If the mfg doesn't pay me, the store will.

I know that in many cases, rebates are downright scams, but if you're willing to "play their game" you can tip the odds in your favor.  Obviously, it's not worth the hassle unless big discounts are involved (i.e. much better than newegg).  In other words the discount should justify the hassle, otherwise forget it!

I havnt worked retail electronics since the 90's but back then if a customer came in with a rebate beef the manager would just shrug and tell them to take it up with the OEM. Sales people like me were specifically told to not waste our time talking to people with rebate complaints and to just give them the appropriate 1-800 number to the maker.
The store took ZERO responsibility for people getting their rebates.
I dont know if that has changed.

@ Pariah:  The fact is I don't really know for sure why the stores have covered me.  It only happened a couple of times, so I can only speculate.  The best I can come up with is that careful documentation was probably a factor, but it could've just as easily been a policy change, or maybe I just have a knack for talking to the right people.  There's no way of knowing for sure, which one.

I don't think I've ever been in a CompUSA. And now all four closest to me are closing. So I guess I never will go into one.

dmceleney wrote:

IF you want to get instant rebates, Go to Office Max (no mail in forms, just get the rebate as the price . (they do sell apple also)

Umm, I don't think they do.

They're closing a store by me.  Only 20% off so far...  I won't bother even looking until 50% off.