Now you mention Walgreens? Where do the 'superior people' people go for their meds in your view of the socioeconomic state of America?
His statement is odd. I'm sure the same people that shop at the Apple Store also shop at WalMart who also shop at dollar stores. This is a new level of elitism: Shopism? Establishmentarianism?
What's ironic about this is that Apple's role in society has been to continually find ways to bring their goods to consumers in ways no one else had been able. They've singlehandedly paved the consumer markets that others have followed in to push cheap goods. From personal computing to PMPs to smrtphones and now to tablets. In each of those categories the market existed in some fashion but wasn't a focus for the average consumer. These other companies, especially the ones using Android should thank Apple for at least giving them a second chance befre going under. (that should upset a few posters )
Too bad these big box resellers can't provide an ounce of support for their customers. As an Apple Reseller, we get people that bring in their iPads bought elsewhere, and then expect us, for no charge, to help them out when they have problems.
Buy the product from us, and we're glad to help. Buy it somewhere else, and we've got to charge you for the help. If you don't like that, go back to Wal*Mart and see what they will do for you.
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism. You save pennies in the short term and pay for it in dollars in the long term. They do this by externalizing costs such as decent assembly and support (bikes, for example). Buy crap assembled by monkeys. Have it break down on day 3. Take it to your local expert and ask him to fix it for free. What? He wants to charge? Thats more than I paid for the whole bike! No way, Jose. I'm not paying. Sticks bike on rafters for next yard sale.
If costs were only externalized to local businesses you could say it was the free market at work. Far from it. The biggest costs are shifted to social services. By paying their workers poorly, hiring illegals, and providing no health care in many cases, they pass the cost of a living wage to me, the taxpayer. I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville.
I'm ready for the flames from the libertarians but know this; we are all making ourselves poor by saving 5 cents on toilet paper. And if you think this only affects blue collar types, think again. The new economy is coming to the middle class at a town near you. I'm not going for it without at least mild resistance. I have a walmart a mile from me and I can do my own tech support but I will never buy an iPad or anything else there. I'd rather order directly from apple or drive 1 hr to the apple store (yes, I am aware of the environmental impact).
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism... I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville.
I agree. Americans have a very short sighted view of what constitutes value. Usually equated with a low price as the only consideration. Pay $13 for a blender only to have break in 4 months. Throw it away and go get another.
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap!
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world, and what do they sell? Sugary crap!
McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world, and what do they sell? Salty crap!
MicroSoft is the largest software manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Buggy crap!
GM is (was) the largest Auto manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap with high gas mileage!
Goldman Sachs the largest Investment Banker in the world, and what do they sell? Securitized crap!
HP is the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Creaky, plasticky crap!
If you can sell "crap" you can make a lot of money....It's just not a business model that I would be particularly proud of implementing....could you imagine working for Coke or McDonald's? How proud could you be?
Thanks Apple. I only wish there were more companies like Apple.
I work at a Canadian Walmart and I can assure you the parking lot has more than it's share of BMWs, Mercedes, $40,000 SUVs, etc.
Being as I have an employee discount, I do hope that the iPad will be sold at Walmart but I do have one concern. In order for one to end up with a happy customer, that customer has to have some notion of what he or she is buying. Expecting an iPad to do everything that a typical computer can do would lead to big-time disappointment. Talking to one chap last week, he seemed to be of the view that his friends were disappointed in the iPad. That disappointment can only mean those purchasers didn't really understand what they were buying.
I'd hate to see people buying an iPad at a Walmart thinking they were getting a full-function computer because the person selling them the device didn't know enough to explain it properly. You can't expect to make every customer happy because God knows there are some very tech illiterates out there who are sadly rather clueless. I was told a while back about one customer who was convinced that a computer was broken because it couldn't do searches while not connected to the Internet.
I was using the US Trillion BTW, not British. i.e. I meant x 1000 billion. So they are over 25% of the way there in market-cap. It doesn't seem such a stretch when viewed that way.
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism... I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville. /QUOTE]
I agree. Americans have a very short sighted view of what constitutes value. Usually equated with a low price as the only consideration. Pay $13 for a blender only to have break in 4 months. Throw it away and go get another.
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap!
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world, and what do they sell? Sugary crap!
McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world, and what do they sell? Salty crap!
MicroSoft is the largest software manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Buggy crap!
GM is (was) the largest Auto manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap with high gas mileage!
Goldman Sachs the largest Investment Banker in the world, and what do they sell? Securitized crap!
HP is the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Creaky, plasticky crap!
If you can sell "crap" you can make a lot of money....It's just not a business model that I would be particularly proud of implementing....could you imagine working for Coke or McDonald's? How proud could you be?
Thanks Apple. I only wish there were more companies like Apple.
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism... I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville. /QUOTE]
I agree. Americans have a very short sighted view of what constitutes value. Usually equated with a low price as the only consideration. Pay $13 for a blender only to have break in 4 months. Throw it away and go get another.
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap!
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world, and what do they sell? Sugary crap!
McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world, and what do they sell? Salty crap!
MicroSoft is the largest software manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Buggy crap!
GM is (was) the largest Auto manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap with high gas mileage!
Goldman Sachs the largest Investment Banker in the world, and what do they sell? Securitized crap!
HP is the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Creaky, plasticky crap!
If you can sell "crap" you can make a lot of money....It's just not a business model that I would be particularly proud of implementing....could you imagine working for Coke or McDonald's? How proud could you be?
Thanks Apple. I only wish there were more companies like Apple.
Best
OK Folks, I'm going to you that word, "FANBOY ALERT"... Everyone makes "Crap" do they, expect for "elegant and "delicious" Apple.
Sorry folks, there's very little difference between a fanboy and a troll. They're both uninformed and make senseless posts...
Enjoy your "elegant" products. I'm going to grab a "crappy" diet coke then take a ride in my "crappy" Chevrolet.
Apple just ruined their prestige name by letting Walmart carry the i pads. A big marketing mistake on their part. Is Jobs that destitute for money by letting this mediocre company carry his products? Pretty sad on his part.Only Apple Resellers should carry Apple items.
Nice. Why don't you just have the balls to come right out and say "what is this world coming to, when just anybody can buy the special thing that I have! Why, the next thing you know, they'll be selling these things to poor people and factory workers!"
Consumer electronics isn't exactly like jewelry or fine clothing or luxury cars or dining in a fine French restaurant. The filthy rich can buy a Chanel iPad case for $1555 or a Louis Vuitton iPad case for $390 and up if they want to show off their status but even they won't pay more for technology or gadgets if they don't have to. Do you think the rich will buy a Samsung or Dell tablet if it was priced at $2000?
I recently saw a $3500 Samsung 3D 55" HDTV at Sam's Club that was really amazing. Apparently, these things are moving or they wouldn't be there. I'm not a fan of places like Walmart, Target, Costco, etc. but my family shops there because it's convenient and there are choices as well as value. The shopper still has to be reasonably informed and make the right choice when buying something. Not everything at these places is junk.
From an investor point of view, the story is not so much about Walmart, it's about Apple finally making enough iPads to meet demands, especially before the holidays season. Coupling that with the finding that Android is not yet suitable for tablet form as acknowledged by Google, I think this is going to be another blow-out quarter for Apple.
Nice. Why don't you just have the balls to come right out and say "what is this world coming to, when just anybody can buy the special thing that I have! Why, the next thing you know, they'll be selling these things to poor people and factory workers!"
Good thing you didn't include women... they're not ready for the iPad yet...
Talking to one chap last week, he seemed to be of the view that his friends were disappointed in the iPad. That disappointment can only mean those purchasers didn't really understand what they were buying.
I'd hate to see people buying an iPad at a Walmart thinking they were getting a full-function computer because the person selling them the device didn't know enough to explain it properly.
I think you articulated very well what my sense of unease has been, with selling a product such as the iPad through Walmart or Target. It has nothing to do with 'elitism' or any of that nonsense, as much as concern about their getting good (and true) buying advice so that a consumer is not deeply disappointed after-the-fact. That's the sort of word-of-mouth that Apple does not want.
The iPad is a redefinition of the computer for the masses. No plastic boxes with drawers, stickers, wires hanging out--the iPod of computers. It could be sold in Walmart, Radio Shack, Tesco, KMart, who cares. Apple has the service organization to support it already in place. That is where the buyer gets to see the way the company is thoroughly humanizing the technology.
VW was doing the same thing during the late 50s and all through the 60s. I don't recall their highest market share, but I have a picture of an Eastern U.S. expressway which captured 29 cars, seven of which are VWs.
If I knew how to attach a jpg here (without using a URL?) I would do so. Anybody? It's a great shot.
I think you articulated very well what my sense of unease has been, with selling a product such as the iPad through Walmart or Target. It has nothing to do with 'elitism' or any of that nonsense, as much as concern about their getting good (and true) buying advice so that a consumer is not deeply disappointed after-the-fact. That's the sort of word-of-mouth that Apple does not want.
This is a concern, and one which I share. But speaking for myself (not you, anantksundaram) is this also elitist thinking, to be worried about them? I.e., how are the presumed ignorati at Walmart going to know how to get the iPad hooked up and running?
Everybody do a survey at their local Target/Walmart and see who's buying them. And who's selling them.
Comments
Now you mention Walgreens? Where do the 'superior people' people go for their meds in your view of the socioeconomic state of America?
His statement is odd. I'm sure the same people that shop at the Apple Store also shop at WalMart who also shop at dollar stores. This is a new level of elitism: Shopism? Establishmentarianism?
What's ironic about this is that Apple's role in society has been to continually find ways to bring their goods to consumers in ways no one else had been able. They've singlehandedly paved the consumer markets that others have followed in to push cheap goods. From personal computing to PMPs to smrtphones and now to tablets. In each of those categories the market existed in some fashion but wasn't a focus for the average consumer. These other companies, especially the ones using Android should thank Apple for at least giving them a second chance befre going under. (that should upset a few posters
It is sad tht the boutiques are losing so badly to the big box retailers.
Those poor, poor big box retailers.
Too bad these big box resellers can't provide an ounce of support for their customers. As an Apple Reseller, we get people that bring in their iPads bought elsewhere, and then expect us, for no charge, to help them out when they have problems.
Buy the product from us, and we're glad to help. Buy it somewhere else, and we've got to charge you for the help. If you don't like that, go back to Wal*Mart and see what they will do for you.
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism. You save pennies in the short term and pay for it in dollars in the long term. They do this by externalizing costs such as decent assembly and support (bikes, for example). Buy crap assembled by monkeys. Have it break down on day 3. Take it to your local expert and ask him to fix it for free. What? He wants to charge? Thats more than I paid for the whole bike! No way, Jose. I'm not paying. Sticks bike on rafters for next yard sale.
If costs were only externalized to local businesses you could say it was the free market at work. Far from it. The biggest costs are shifted to social services. By paying their workers poorly, hiring illegals, and providing no health care in many cases, they pass the cost of a living wage to me, the taxpayer. I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville.
I'm ready for the flames from the libertarians but know this; we are all making ourselves poor by saving 5 cents on toilet paper. And if you think this only affects blue collar types, think again. The new economy is coming to the middle class at a town near you. I'm not going for it without at least mild resistance. I have a walmart a mile from me and I can do my own tech support but I will never buy an iPad or anything else there. I'd rather order directly from apple or drive 1 hr to the apple store (yes, I am aware of the environmental impact).
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism... I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville.
I agree. Americans have a very short sighted view of what constitutes value. Usually equated with a low price as the only consideration. Pay $13 for a blender only to have break in 4 months. Throw it away and go get another.
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap!
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world, and what do they sell? Sugary crap!
McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world, and what do they sell? Salty crap!
MicroSoft is the largest software manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Buggy crap!
GM is (was) the largest Auto manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap with high gas mileage!
Goldman Sachs the largest Investment Banker in the world, and what do they sell? Securitized crap!
HP is the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Creaky, plasticky crap!
If you can sell "crap" you can make a lot of money....It's just not a business model that I would be particularly proud of implementing....could you imagine working for Coke or McDonald's? How proud could you be?
Thanks Apple. I only wish there were more companies like Apple.
Best
Being as I have an employee discount, I do hope that the iPad will be sold at Walmart but I do have one concern. In order for one to end up with a happy customer, that customer has to have some notion of what he or she is buying. Expecting an iPad to do everything that a typical computer can do would lead to big-time disappointment. Talking to one chap last week, he seemed to be of the view that his friends were disappointed in the iPad. That disappointment can only mean those purchasers didn't really understand what they were buying.
I'd hate to see people buying an iPad at a Walmart thinking they were getting a full-function computer because the person selling them the device didn't know enough to explain it properly. You can't expect to make every customer happy because God knows there are some very tech illiterates out there who are sadly rather clueless. I was told a while back about one customer who was convinced that a computer was broken because it couldn't do searches while not connected to the Internet.
I was using the US Trillion BTW, not British. i.e. I meant x 1000 billion. So they are over 25% of the way there in market-cap. It doesn't seem such a stretch when viewed that way.
What do you think I was using?
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism... I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville. /QUOTE]
I agree. Americans have a very short sighted view of what constitutes value. Usually equated with a low price as the only consideration. Pay $13 for a blender only to have break in 4 months. Throw it away and go get another.
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap!
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world, and what do they sell? Sugary crap!
McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world, and what do they sell? Salty crap!
MicroSoft is the largest software manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Buggy crap!
GM is (was) the largest Auto manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap with high gas mileage!
Goldman Sachs the largest Investment Banker in the world, and what do they sell? Securitized crap!
HP is the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Creaky, plasticky crap!
If you can sell "crap" you can make a lot of money....It's just not a business model that I would be particularly proud of implementing....could you imagine working for Coke or McDonald's? How proud could you be?
Thanks Apple. I only wish there were more companies like Apple.
Best
High gas mileage is a good thing.
Walmart is the epitome of what has gone wrong with american style capitalism... I may as well send my my tax dollars directly to Bentonville. /QUOTE]
I agree. Americans have a very short sighted view of what constitutes value. Usually equated with a low price as the only consideration. Pay $13 for a blender only to have break in 4 months. Throw it away and go get another.
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap!
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world, and what do they sell? Sugary crap!
McDonald's is the largest restaurant chain in the world, and what do they sell? Salty crap!
MicroSoft is the largest software manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Buggy crap!
GM is (was) the largest Auto manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Crap with high gas mileage!
Goldman Sachs the largest Investment Banker in the world, and what do they sell? Securitized crap!
HP is the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and what do they sell? Creaky, plasticky crap!
If you can sell "crap" you can make a lot of money....It's just not a business model that I would be particularly proud of implementing....could you imagine working for Coke or McDonald's? How proud could you be?
Thanks Apple. I only wish there were more companies like Apple.
Best
OK Folks, I'm going to you that word, "FANBOY ALERT"... Everyone makes "Crap" do they, expect for "elegant and "delicious" Apple.
Sorry folks, there's very little difference between a fanboy and a troll. They're both uninformed and make senseless posts...
Enjoy your "elegant" products. I'm going to grab a "crappy" diet coke then take a ride in my "crappy" Chevrolet.
Apple is suppose to be a high end company.
Who supposes? You? The American Academy of Certified Supposers?
Betcha Steve Jobs and anybody working for him don't give a hoot about "high-endedness." Again, read and try to comprehend his quote in #19 above.
The only high end around here may be yours. I suppose - you suppose - your end is higher than your nose.
[
OK Folks, I'm going to you[sic] that word, "FANBOY ALERT"...
How unusual for you to use Fanboy as an argument. Must be an off day.
Who supposes? You? The American Academy of Certified Supposers?
Betcha Steve Jobs and anybody working for him don't give a hoot about "high-endedness." Again, read and try to comprehend his quote in #19 above.
The only high end around here may be yours. I suppose - you suppose - your end is higher than your nose.
The iPad is actually cheap, as is the Nano, as is the iPod touch,
Apple just ruined their prestige name by letting Walmart carry the i pads. A big marketing mistake on their part. Is Jobs that destitute for money by letting this mediocre company carry his products? Pretty sad on his part.Only Apple Resellers should carry Apple items.
Nice. Why don't you just have the balls to come right out and say "what is this world coming to, when just anybody can buy the special thing that I have! Why, the next thing you know, they'll be selling these things to poor people and factory workers!"
I recently saw a $3500 Samsung 3D 55" HDTV at Sam's Club that was really amazing. Apparently, these things are moving or they wouldn't be there. I'm not a fan of places like Walmart, Target, Costco, etc. but my family shops there because it's convenient and there are choices as well as value. The shopper still has to be reasonably informed and make the right choice when buying something. Not everything at these places is junk.
Nice. Why don't you just have the balls to come right out and say "what is this world coming to, when just anybody can buy the special thing that I have! Why, the next thing you know, they'll be selling these things to poor people and factory workers!"
Good thing you didn't include women... they're not ready for the iPad yet...
Good thing you didn't include women... they're not ready for the iPad yet...
Uh ... you tell that to my wife ... not me, pal!
OK Folks, I'm going to you that word, "FANBOY ALERT"... Everyone makes "Crap" do they, expect for "elegant and "delicious" Apple.
Sorry folks, there's very little difference between a fanboy and a troll. They're both uninformed and make senseless posts...
Enjoy your "elegant" products. I'm going to grab a "crappy" diet coke then take a ride in my "crappy" Chevrolet.
Grow up, grow a beard or something.
I thought his post was fabulously funny, and spot on. (Yeah, another fanboy).
Talking to one chap last week, he seemed to be of the view that his friends were disappointed in the iPad. That disappointment can only mean those purchasers didn't really understand what they were buying.
I'd hate to see people buying an iPad at a Walmart thinking they were getting a full-function computer because the person selling them the device didn't know enough to explain it properly.
I think you articulated very well what my sense of unease has been, with selling a product such as the iPad through Walmart or Target. It has nothing to do with 'elitism' or any of that nonsense, as much as concern about their getting good (and true) buying advice so that a consumer is not deeply disappointed after-the-fact. That's the sort of word-of-mouth that Apple does not want.
VolksPad
An apt comparison.
The iPad is a redefinition of the computer for the masses. No plastic boxes with drawers, stickers, wires hanging out--the iPod of computers. It could be sold in Walmart, Radio Shack, Tesco, KMart, who cares. Apple has the service organization to support it already in place. That is where the buyer gets to see the way the company is thoroughly humanizing the technology.
VW was doing the same thing during the late 50s and all through the 60s. I don't recall their highest market share, but I have a picture of an Eastern U.S. expressway which captured 29 cars, seven of which are VWs.
If I knew how to attach a jpg here (without using a URL?) I would do so. Anybody? It's a great shot.
I think you articulated very well what my sense of unease has been, with selling a product such as the iPad through Walmart or Target. It has nothing to do with 'elitism' or any of that nonsense, as much as concern about their getting good (and true) buying advice so that a consumer is not deeply disappointed after-the-fact. That's the sort of word-of-mouth that Apple does not want.
This is a concern, and one which I share. But speaking for myself (not you, anantksundaram) is this also elitist thinking, to be worried about them? I.e., how are the presumed ignorati at Walmart going to know how to get the iPad hooked up and running?
Everybody do a survey at their local Target/Walmart and see who's buying them. And who's selling them.