Opening Up Shop Next To A Competitor
With many businesses, this sort of thing is done all of the time. And depending on the following for each business, it really has very little effect on the involved enterprises. But I must be totally honest here: The idea of opening up a Microsoft retail outlet NEXT TO an Apple Store seems to border on the insane.
Yes, I get where Microsoft is going with this. It is hopeful that it can drive Apple back down as much as possible, perhaps preventing other PC users from switching over to OS X. A fine idea, but I doubt that a retail outlet is going to change much to be totally honest.
Most people either have a compelling reason to switch or they don’t, based on what I have seen. Not stating this as an absolute, mind you, just something I have noticed. At the end of the day, most people just want a computer to accomplish stuff with the least amount of hassles possible. For some folks, this means going Apple. For others, sticking with Windows and loading up on anti-virus software, anti-malware, etc.
One thing I think all sides will agree on is the humor to be had watching employees from each store fighting the urge to visit the competition to see what the “other guy” has going on that day. Are sales down? Is there some cool new promo designed to destroy the other store’s reputation? Yes, I believe hilarity will ensue.
6 Comments
Geeks Getting Out and About | Chris Pirillo
July 16th, 2009
at 11:38pm
[...] Should you open up shop next to a competitor? [...]
Dean
July 17th, 2009
at 1:36am
I find the humour more in the imagery of Steve Ballmer trying to sell himself as some sort of visionary for doing it at all. Its cruel to say, but he’s a fair sized chunk of why I find this sort of thing funny. If the situation were reversed and it was Apple setting up next door to Microsoft, I’d be initially annoyed at the audacity in it, and not so much amused.
So I wonder what they will be selling in these Microsoft stores… Zunes! Chunky mobile phones! Installation DVDs! ZOMG I CAN’T WAIT!!! Maybe Steve will be signing personalised Linux certificates so I can legally run it on one of my machines AND brag to all my friends about the autograph at the same time!!!
Tetris Potter ~ Windows Fanatics
July 17th, 2009
at 2:15am
[...] you open up shop next to a [...]
LOTUSBORN
July 17th, 2009
at 7:12am
People on the way to an Apple Store are not going to seriously stop at the Microsoft Store to see what`s shaking or to compare products. There is no comparison.
swordofdestiny
July 17th, 2009
at 8:26am
Waaaait, Microsoft has retail outlets? When did that happen?
brodypros
July 17th, 2009
at 5:54pm
why wouldn’t you put anti-virus on a mac… they get viruses to…. remeber conficker