| We spoke to Robert Arons, Floor Manager of the CompUSA on Research Blvd. in Austin, Tx. Mr. Arons, a non-Mac using manager for CompUSA who started with this location just before the introduction of the iMac in August of 1998, has been very supportive of the Mac the entire time. There is more to it than the fact that he is a good employee, the Mac makes him and his store money.
Mr. Arons reports that Mac sales are continuing to take place at very high rates. What we found somewhat surprising is the fact that Blue & White G3s have been selling very well in the CompUSA locations (they have 3 different units on display, 2 of them with Bondi-Blue Studio Displays, and all of them functioning nicely). In addition, it is the high end 400 MHz and 350 MHz units that have been moving the fastest. According to Mr. Arons:
I was kind of doubtful at first because the Blue & Whites have such a higher price point than PCs. But we have found that they have sold far beyond our expectations. And it is the units at the high end of the spectrum, the 400's and the 350's that have been moving. These units are in the US$3000 price range and they have proven to be the most popular.
Mr. Arons also tells us that they are getting many PC converts buying Blue & Whites and iMacs.
We are certainly getting many repeat Mac customers upgrading to the new systems, but we are finding we are getting more PC converts in our customer mix.
Mr. Arons couldn't offer us specific numbers on that fact however.
Lastly we talked about the success of the Candy Colored 266 MHz iMacs.
We can't keep them in stock and we can't even get Grape and Blueberry colors in. That hasn't stopped many customers from buying however. We can usually send them to one of the two other locations which have them in stock or sell them another color. Most customers seem to have two colors in mind before they walk through the doors. Those that are still set on Blueberry will choose to buy one of the Rev. B models we have in stock.
This location has gone through 3 shipments of the 266 MHz iMacs since their introduction (about 120 units), which is slower than their introduction, but doesn't count the Rev. B models that are still also selling very well. Mr. Arons says "When we get a shipment of the Rev. B models, we sell them as soon as they come in." That number doesn't count the Blue & Whites that are selling far better than the original PowerMac G3s.
Lastly, there was lots of Mac software with a great selection of Mac games. Nowhere near the quantity of PC software, but better than any other location (in Austin).
The Mac Observer Spin: All in all things have usually looked great in this CompUSA since the introduction of the iMac. Mr. Arons has some very dedicated Mac people working for him such as Chris Calfee. Unfortunately the same can not be said of the other CompUSA locations where it is often hard to find someone to help and the selection seems much more limited. Please note that there are good employees at the other two locations, but management does not seem to be on board as much as it is at Mr. Arons's location.
The moral of this story would seem to be that if they would make the effort to do as good a job as Mr. Arons's team, they too might see high Mac sales.
CompUSA
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