Archive for the ‘apple win’ tag
Inefficient physical shops versus Efficient online shops
…guess who wins?
Photo by zαxεr on Flickr
Yesterday I dropped by the humac (the biggest independent Apple reseller in Denmark) flagship store hoping to leave with a Time Capsule unit. After all – the Time Capsule is the #1 selling item on the Apple Store (in DK anyway) – so I kind off assumed that humac would stock them.
The response from the sales clerk was dissapointing: “No units in stock – but I could write you up for one. And we’ll give you a call once we have one for you.” I quickly remembered that I did the same thing in April. I actually have a piece of paper from humac, confirming that I have reserved a Time Capsule and that they would contact me. I have heard nothing from humac. No calls. No e-mail. Nothing.
“No thanks – I really don’t have time for that” I quickly responded and left the store.
In the afternoon, I went onto apple.com and ordered a Time Capsule (and some other stuff). The delivery estimate was Dec. 1 – Dec. 5. Around evening I received a shipment confirmation. The delivery estimate was now Nov. 25 – Nov. 28.
Just before lunch today I received a SMS telling me that my 2 parcels from Apple in Netherlands had arrived.
My conclusions:
- Physical shops will only survive if they have the goods in stock (or can get it faster that others can provide it).
- It is probably not fun being an icelandic owned company at the moment.
- I hope that the norwegian newcomer to the danish market, Eplehuset, have already learned that lesson. Maybe I’ll drop by their new shop, when they open and see.
- Apple knows how to pick logistics partners.
Anyway – I have now learned not to bother with physical shops with regards to Apple kit.