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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials
AMAT 258.88-0.4%2:13 PM EST
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To: FR1 who wrote (41862)2/2/2001 9:01:45 PM
From: mitch-c  Read Replies (2) of 70976
 
OT - PC storefronts

Gateway stores was a crazy idea. If it was something that worked DELL IBM and everybody else would be doing it. IBM and Raido Shack proved it was a bad thing to do.

And now, Radio Shack and Compaq are teamed up. At least RS has other high-margin stuff to keep the doors open.

Actually, though, the storefronts were not all that bad an idea, within limits. I work about a mile away from where Dell had its Factory Outlet storefront - the only one they had. We felt pretty privileged around Austin, and many folks in the REGION (San'Tone to Dallas) made special trips just to see/feel the various machines. More often than not, they'd buy one from there. Some people just feel compelled to kick the tires. (I was often mistaken for a sales rep there, and gave free advice when possible, so I met quite a few.)

I could make critical JIT parts or PC runs ... that really helped in my job. Unfortunately, Dell closed the store in June in favor of an exclusively on-line arrangement. That kind of crimped my options.

So ... I think *A* storefront is a great idea for the "hometown" crowd - it generates loyalty. But, I agree that planting them in every city is financial (overhead) folly.

- Mitch (the other one)
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