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zmcgill · May 23, 2006, 11:33 AM

engadget link
Think they'll be successful?

Jawbone54 · May 23, 2006, 12:10 PM

Cool stores or not...it's still Dell.

olePigeon · May 23, 2006, 12:17 PM

How will they make money? Their margins are already razor thin, even moreso than Gateway. They're only able to keep those prices because of direct sales and volume. If they put up a retail space, they're gauranteed to lose money. That's what happened to Gateway.

Anyone else notice the PR pic of the Dell store has 2 people in it, with 1 person completely ignoring the store? At least they're honest.

Adam Betts · May 23, 2006, 12:17 PM

"Dell Inc. plans to open two stores this year similar to the one in this artist's rendering. The company said it will use the stores to display electronics but won't keep products on site for sale. Dell wants to let customers 'touch and feel the products,' the program director said."

mindwaves · May 23, 2006, 12:21 PM

Just like Gateway.

olePigeon · May 23, 2006, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by mindwaves

Just like Gateway.

We all know how successful Gateway was.

production_coordinator · May 23, 2006, 12:45 PM

Bad Move.

The thing with the Apple stores is that they are usually the only place where you can get Apple products. Sure, there are a few other stores, but they are far and few between. Also, they keep their systems at tip-top shape.

I can go anywhere to touch a cheap PC.

Socially Awkward Solo · May 23, 2006, 12:53 PM

It is pretty stupid to have a store where you can walk into, get sold on a product but can't walk out with one.

Theses are just glorified kiosks.

Chuckit · May 23, 2006, 01:11 PM

I wish I had enough money to waste it on stupid ideas like this.

driven · May 23, 2006, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Socially Awkward Solo

It is pretty stupid to have a store where you can walk into, get sold on a product but can't walk out with one.

Theses are just glorified kiosks.

I'm fairly certain that this was the downfall of the gateway stores. The main purpose of the store is to satisfy the impulse buy. You can't do that if you don't stock anything.

turtle777 · May 23, 2006, 09:19 PM

Idiots.

-t

tooki · May 24, 2006, 10:37 AM

Well yes, they are glorified kiosks, and since Dell has tons of experience with mall kiosks, I guess it must be working for them, if they're considering expanding the idea.

tooki

Salty · May 24, 2006, 12:36 PM

So they're paying all the money to rent space and all that... so they can have a really big advertisement?

JoshKurtz · May 24, 2006, 01:00 PM

I didn't know there were actually Dell fanboys. I thought people just liked them because of the price.

But this might be cool for gamers if you could go in there and play whatever the latest first person shooter is on a tricked out XPS.

Socially Awkward Solo · May 24, 2006, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by JoshKurtz

But this might be cool for gamers if you could go in there and play whatever the latest first person shooter is on a tricked out XPS.

Ya that is really what the store wants. A bunch of teenage game geeks having a LAN party in the Dell store.

Mr Kino · May 24, 2006, 03:12 PM

This will be interesting to see it play through. Kiosk are understandable in the point that they are there to show off what dell has to offer. but a store????

no merchandise, no service... just salesmen that work on comission.

I can totally see people walking in there with their broken comptuers and walking out very upset because they did not get anything solved.

olePigeon · May 24, 2006, 05:14 PM

Apple should open up an Apple Store mini next to each Dell store.

sek929 · May 24, 2006, 06:05 PM

Worst. Idea. Ever.

tooki · May 24, 2006, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Apple should open up an Apple Store mini next to each Dell store.

In other words, what Dell's been doing to Apple for years? I can't think of a single Dell mall kiosk that isn't in a mall with an Apple store.

tooki

driven · May 25, 2006, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by tooki

In other words, what Dell's been doing to Apple for years? I can't think of a single Dell mall kiosk that isn't in a mall with an Apple store.

tooki

Of course the flaw with that is that the Apple stores make the Dell Kiosks look even more pathetic than they otherwise would.

Everytime I visit one of those Kisoks I get the feeling that I'm shopping for stereo speakers from the back of a van in the parking lot. (It just looks / feels like a fly-by-night operation)

mindwaves · May 25, 2006, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by tooki

In other words, what Dell's been doing to Apple for years? I can't think of a single Dell mall kiosk that isn't in a mall with an Apple store.

tooki

Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA
Irvine Spectrum, Irvine, CA

d4nth3m4n · May 25, 2006, 01:35 AM

yeah, i can't think of a computer company that has tried a retail model with a rather spartan retail space and their product line available to test.

oh, they don't have any inventory other than the demo models? yeah, nevermind.

Benton · May 25, 2006, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by Socially Awkward Solo

Ya that is really what the store wants. A bunch of teenage game geeks having a LAN party in the Dell store.

The proposed malls Dell intends to build retail stores in are already anchored with Apple retail stores. What are they thinking? Going head to head on the same expensive retail space! It will be so embarrassing for Dell when Apple's customers stick it to them.

paul w · May 25, 2006, 08:15 AM

I'm sure the Genius Bar equivalent will be fun.

zmcgill · May 25, 2006, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by paul w

I'm sure the Genius Bar equivalent will be fun.

Haha, I feel sorry for the poor soul who has to work there.

olePigeon · May 25, 2006, 11:51 AM

I'm going to bring in a Sony BMG music CD, and ask them to show me how I can play my music on their computers.

olePigeon · May 25, 2006, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by paul w

I'm sure the Genius Bar equivalent will be fun.

Customer: Excuse me, I bought this R. A. M. for my computer, how do I put it in?
Dell Genius: You noob, it's called RAM, not R. A. M. *snicker*
Customer: ... oh. Well, can you show me how to put it in my computer?
Dell Genius: *snicker* Let's see here... computer... computer... nope, don't see a computer. Maybe you mean a LAPTOP, you dumb newbie.
Customer: I think I'll go someplace else.
Dell Genius: *high-fives his friend* OWNED!

Socially Awkward Solo · May 25, 2006, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by paul w

I'm sure the Genius Bar equivalent will be fun.

I don't think they will have one. These stores are just glorified kiosks.

paul w · May 25, 2006, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Socially Awkward Solo

I don't think they will have one. These stores are just glorified kiosks.

From the linked article:

They're still working out the details such as a Genius Bar equivalent...

But I don't see the point, unless they outsource...

olePigeon · May 25, 2006, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by paul w

From the linked article:

They're still working out the details such as a Genius Bar equivalent...

But I don't see the point, unless they outsource...

Oh, good point. I better change my dialogue:

Customer: Excuse me, I bought this R. A. M. for my computer, how do I put it in?
Dell Genius: *thick Indian accent* Velcome do Dell technicical sooportd. Howd may I helped you?
Customer: What?
Dell Genius: *thick Indian accent* Velcome do Dell technicical sooportd. Howd may I helped you?
Customer: Well, I... Huh? Sorry, I can't understand you.
Dell Genius: *thick Indian accent* Velcome ... do ... Dell ... technicical .. sooportd. Howd ... may .. I ... helped ... you?
Customer: Yes? I mean... sometimes. I... wait, what?! ... screw it. *walks out the door*

Socially Awkward Solo · May 25, 2006, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by paul w

From the linked article:

They're still working out the details such as a Genius Bar equivalent...

But I don't see the point, unless they outsource...

Well in that case it will be a bloody nightmare for them. Good luck with that dell