Boston’s Apple resellers were a real mixed bag. When MicroCenter came to town, they were notable for actually having a decent Mac department, and staff that listened to issues like Mac SW mixed in with Win SW (”Hybrid? Doesn’t that mean ‘Winders’?!”).

Mind you, I work at an Apple Specialist who is getting an Apple Flagship Store dropped less than 50′ out our back door.

We’re actually psyched, but then; we’re crazy, anyways.

Apple introduced their retail problems. Best Buy and CompUSA were not the solutions, they were very late market plays to get product in stores.

Of course they won’t sell apples that they know nothing about.

Of course, the fundamental question remains unanswered: is it right/fair/good for Apple to open stores in areas where it will clearly harm existing resellers who are doing a good job? I’d like to see Apple create a sort of ‘franchise’ program where existing resellers could become independently owed Apple stores. Much like McDonald’s has franchise stores and company-owned stores.

I look forward to reading your blog entries, they give me a little insight into the people that work for Apple and other companies that work with Apple.

But not this article, after the comment of “Afterall, the existing Apple resellers were doing an abysmal job of it”. I am Apple reseller in Australia and I think that remark is unfounded and unnecessary. Australia was ranked 5th in the world with total amount of iPods sold in 2004. Australian market share of Apple computers had increased nearly 1% per quarter last year. Were these efforts because of Apple advertising and or Apple owned stores in Australia? I can definitely say NO. Apple only advertised iPods AFTER Australian resellers did such a good job and we don’t have Apple owned stores.

Now Apple is wanting to open Apple owned stores in Australia which will cut into existing market share, further reducing the resellers’ share. Apple will be able to put a store anywhere in any of the major cities across Australia, but if you are a reseller wanting to open a store, Apple has said the market is already flooded in the city areas. Apple has got the financial backing to cripple Australian resellers. Are you saying that resellers around the world should give their customer base to Apple on a silver platter, because resellers’ efforts are “abysmal”?

From ideas to products to retail to support, Apple has come along way in the past 10 years. It’s great to see an example of how the first Apple store compares to the stores today and it’s even better to think that they were just as awesome in their day… They just pale in comparison now. This has to be a good sign.

I’d also like to add that I don’t think it’s just Product Managers that feel that way about such a sight; you should see my reaction to the presentation Theo Gray have at WWDC ‘05. It’s quite alarming.