Visited new Microsoft store

[Praggles]

Finally visited new Microsoft store today...in mall its right next to new Apple store...side by side they are both the same size/nicely finished...very attentive staff. Of course Apple store had 4x the traffic and a line at checkout counter where there was no one checking out at MS store. Had to go to a crappy gamestop to see Nexus 7. No one available to answer questions or demo unit...everything in boxes behind glass...Wish Google would get some game and open a store too.

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[B. Diddy]

I dunno, I feel that the Apple Store (and what Microsoft is trying to copy) is just so much overblown hype. Those stores cost a lot to lease and staff, so I imagine Google would rather go with direct sales or authorized retailers like Staples or Frys. You ought to be able to try out a Nexus 7 at a Staples near you.

 

[Praggles]

Yeah...but...those stores (fully staffed by friendly experts) are destinations for their products fanboys and girls...you get to commune with other paid or unpaid fans, get courteous technical help and their are always lots of accessories. The stores are as much clubhouses as retail ventures and so build brand at a deep level...plus I want to browse Google gear!

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[B. Diddy]

That's what Android Central is for! I know what you mean, but don't you find all of that fanboy/fangirlish frenzy supremely annoying? Besides, I think if you opened a Google or Android store next to an Apple store, there would be a rumble to the death within 2 minutes.

 

[Praggles]

I'd take a kiosk in the middle of the mall at this point....like the one Dell has...I just feel kinda left out...which is what Apple and now Microsoft want! Once that Microsoft store fills with surface tablets at all price points....hmmmmm

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[dpham00]

Your experience was way different than mine. I went to the Microsoft Store one time, there were a bunch of employees and few customers but I wasn't greeted when I came in even though there were several employees near the front chatting with each other.

Another time, the lines were massively long, extending way outside the door, while the apple store had a much much smaller crowd. This was when they were giving out free phones though

 

[Praggles]

Yeah...right now the Microsoft store is a joke for retail...the Sony store is far more interesting...but I suspect for now retail sales are not really the point...building consumer brand is. To that end its a nice clubhouse for the MS crowd and a great place to get questions answered and take windows classes...unlike the Verizon corporate store where they literally showed me out one day telling me to call Version support to get help setting up my calendar while they all watched a football game.

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[Ry]

The Microsoft store will probably get a lot busier as Windows 8 is released and unifies a lot of their products.

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[Ry]

I dunno, I feel that the Apple Store (and what Microsoft is trying to copy) is just so much overblown hype. Those stores cost a lot to lease and staff, so I imagine Google would rather go with direct sales or authorized retailers like Staples or Frys. You ought to be able to try out a Nexus 7 at a Staples near you.

If your Nexus device breaks, where should you take it to for support?

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[Praggles]

I will ask the tech experts at Walmart

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[B. Diddy]

I think tech support people at many if not most retail-type stores have about the same knowledge as any of us. Granted, the Apple Store is probably a little better with their Genius Bar, although I've heard complaints from friends about how that works. But I'll tell you, the support you'll find on these forums will probably be just as good if not better than going to a bricks and mortar store--even a Microsoft or Google store.

 

[Ry]

I think tech support people at many if not most retail-type stores have about the same knowledge as any of us. Granted, the Apple Store is probably a little better with their Genius Bar, although I've heard complaints from friends about how that works. But I'll tell you, the support you'll find on these forums will probably be just as good if not better than going to a bricks and mortar store--even a Microsoft or Google store.

But I don't expect my parents to create an account for a forum to get help with their Windows Phone or iPad or Sony Vaio PC.

These stores give those types of customers a place to go to, to interact with a live human being to try and help them solve their issues.

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[B. Diddy]

You're right, of course. I'm just saying my experience with any live tech support at a store is usually not impressive.

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[Praggles]

Its just kinda a waste...I mean apple has an apple...not much else to brand with while Google has a cute android and a host of desert themed icons to brand with not to mention hundreds of Google doodles. Dont forget Youtube too A rumba kitty neck tie anyone?
Their online store only hints at the merchandising let alone the tech...hell look at an m&m store and tell me Google doesn't have more to start with..

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[jeffrok]

The audience for a Microsoft device needs to be spoonfed their technology.. An Android buff tends to be more high tech, and will seek out the new devices on their own.

MS is copying Apple out of desperation.

 

[Ry]

The audience for a Microsoft device needs to be spoonfed their technology.. An Android buff tends to be more high tech, and will seek out the new devices on their own.

MS is copying Apple out of desperation.

If saying things like this make you feel better about yourself, more power to you.
That's why Samsung is opening up retail stores too. And Sony is redesigning their stores to feel more like an Apple store.


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[jeffrok]

More power to me? It's an observation I'm making. Google can survive as an online retailer if they establish their brand better. You don't NEED a store to do that.

Dell did mail order before e-tail was even a huge deal, and they became successful.

You don't always have to copy the Apple model to succeed. After awhile, people just think of you as the Apple knockoff. Google is trying to be Google, not Apple, unlike Microsoft.

 

[Ry]

More power to me? It's an observation I'm making. Google can survive as an online retailer if they establish their brand better. You don't NEED a store to do that.

Dell did mail order before e-tail was even a huge deal, and they became successful.

You don't always have to copy the Apple model to succeed. After awhile, people just think of you as the Apple knockoff. Google is trying to be Google, not Apple, unlike Microsoft.

I don't need to insult other people's intelligence because of what brand of phone or PC they choose to buy but if it helps you sleep better at night, again more power to you.

It's really not just about copying Apple. It's about having a physical presence so that customers can actually try out your products before they buy them. It's about staffing a location with people trained to talk about your products.

Tell me again why the Nexus One flopped in retail?

Can you be there all the time to help your friends and family with their Android issues?

Having your own store means you can control the message conveyed about your products.

Google isn't Amazon. One of the things Google needs to work on to better play in this space is customer service. Online help at Google is worthless.

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[jeffrok]

I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence.. I'm generalizing a bit, but the hardcore Android user is going to not need any kind of handholding such as what goes on in Apple stores. Apple has great service at its stores, no denying that. I'm just saying just because Apple and its copycat Microsoft (insulting intelligence by saying that?) have stores, doesn't mean Google can't successfully sell devices in a virtual store, and support its users that way. They could ALSO sell their devices at Sprint, Verizon, or Best Buy type stores, but their "main" hub doesn't have to be a standalone store in order for them to succeed.

You see Kindles at all these other stores, but I'm willing to bet (and I could be wrong) that most of their Kindle sales and support goes on via a website and/or toll free number, not at a Best Buy or any other kind of brick & mortar store.

Google has a very popular web page (you may have heard of it ;-)) , and as they showed a week or two ago, they can advertise their products on their page(s) whenever they feel like it, and hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to it if Google does it right. An effective method would be "Click here for info!", and the page they are directed to gives them places where they can try their new devices. They do not need their own store to succeed.

The Microsoft stores won't last like the Apple stores have.

 

[Ry]

I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence.. I'm generalizing a bit, but the hardcore Android user is going to not need any kind of handholding such as what goes on in Apple stores. Apple has great service at its stores, no denying that. I'm just saying just because Apple and its copycat Microsoft (insulting intelligence by saying that?) have stores, doesn't mean Google can't successfully sell devices in a virtual store, and support its users that way. They could ALSO sell their devices at Sprint, Verizon, or Best Buy type stores, but their "main" hub doesn't have to be a standalone store in order for them to succeed.

You see Kindles at all these other stores, but I'm willing to bet (and I could be wrong) that most of their Kindle sales and support goes on via a website and/or toll free number, not at a Best Buy or any other kind of brick & mortar store.

Google has a very popular web page (you may have heard of it ;-)) , and as they showed a week or two ago, they can advertise their products on their page(s) whenever they feel like it, and hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to it if Google does it right. An effective method would be "Click here for info!", and the page they are directed to gives them places where they can try their new devices. They do not need their own store to succeed.

The Microsoft stores won't last like the Apple stores have.

You are certainly insulting people's intelligence by saying those people need to be "spoonfed".

Again, I'm not talking about hardcore Android user. You don't have to be a hardcore Android user to use an Android device.

Again, it's more about the initial sale. Customer service after the sale is important. And having a physical location where customers can visit helps. I'm not saying it's the only solution.

Google must work on customer service post-sale.

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