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All posts tagged "retail"


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Yes Virginia, the Zune HD is Still at Most Wal-Marts

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Zune News" @ 02:26 PM

http://techrights.org/2010/08/11/ga...lmart-and-zune/

"ONE of our readers, who used to work at the Bill Gates-funded [1, 2] Walmart, says that "Walmart is no longer carrying the Zune". Well, the Zune has been virtually dead for a long time, but there was never any formal announcement about discontinuation. Moreover, some shops continues to stock and put this unpopular item on a shelf. When will an announcement finally be made to say that Zune is officially dead, just like "KIN"? It's probably inevitable. Walmart also de-emphasised Xbox 360 earlier this year."

The Techrights Web site sort of freaks me out - I was half expecting to find an application form for a combination militia/alien abductee support group - but when I saw that they were claiming that the Zune HD was no longer being sold at the largest retail chain in the USA, I was a little dubious. I contacted a Microsoft Zune spokesperson and asked them point-blank whether this was true.

Q: "Is Wal-Mart no longer selling the Zune HD at retail stores in the USA?"

A: "Sales of Zune HD devices continue at Wal-Mart. Our understanding is that individual stores have authority over when specific items are restocked once they're sold out, but the device is still available at Wal-Mart and other retailers like Best Buy, as well as online at Amazon.com and www.ZuneOriginals.net."

Seems like someone should do a bit more research before making unsubstantiated claims, no? Oh wait, this is the Internet that we're talking about...


Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Zune Evangelism in Retail Stores

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Zune Talk" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.mikeysgblog.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?List=2a6f6104-74fc-44a8-9105-8e1ccca15897&ID=695

"When we walked up to the Zune area he started looking at the accessories while I caught a bit of a conversation between a young man and a couple at the Zune demo area. Turns out the Zune on display was not functioning and the couple was looking to by one. The young man owned one and was explaining why he thought it was the best "MP3" player out. I interjected and told about my son and his buddies sharing last night which the couple thought was cool. My son then hearing me offered to let them take a look at his since the display was not working. The other young man at this point said something about not thinking and pulled out his Zune (just for clarification this is the first time ever I have been at the Zune stand and seen tow people with Zunes together. I hope it is a sign of things to come.). Then he and my son proceeded to demo the whole sharing piece which really wowed the couple. When my son and I left the couple was having a Circuit City representative assist them in getting a white one (so it would look like their friends iPod). I really wish we would see this kind of explicit advertising letting people know exactly what the Zune is capable of."

I thought this was a great story - have you been doing any "Zune Evangelising" (I'm going to resist the urge to call it something like "Zunegelising" or another equally horrid term) in any retail stores, or even amongst your friends? Retail stores in particular are always a bit odd for me - I really enjoy helping people with technology, and teaching them about what to look for, but I also don't like being the guy that the staff complains about ("Why is that idiot customer doing our job for us?"). Sometimes big box retail staff are happy to have help, but it gets a little bit dicey when they're giving our false information and you correct them - like the Best Buy salesperson who told a customer the 120 GB 2.5" portable hard drive he was looking at was "flash-based" and "had no moving parts". I just had to speak up then, and the Best Buy employee didn't seem to appreciate it much.

What has it been like talking about the Zune features - do you find it's a hard sell, or are people eager to Join the Social after you show them what it can do? Or are they put off by some of the limitations around WiFi sharing and supported video formats? I know that when I tell people about the WiFi sharing they're instantly interested, but when I explain the 3 days/3 plays limitation they say "Oh, never mind then" - it seems to kill the deal for them. What has your experience been?


Friday, December 29, 2006

HP Sells the Zune

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Talk" @ 12:00 PM

http://www.mobilitysite.com/2006/12/hp_selling_microsoft_zune.php

"A few years back, Hewlett Packard sold a licensed version of the Apple iPod through their retail and web channels. The only differences was the back had HP+ engraved on it instead of the infamous Apple logo. It was a nice experiment, but it didn't last too long. It seems that HP is again selling an MP3 player, at least on it's website. The are carrying the Microsoft Zune, listing it at the retail price of $249.99, and has all three colors available. In true HP fashion, it each one has it own model number. They are the rx798 (brown), rx797 (white), and rx796 (black). Some how I don't see anyone saying, "Hey, check out my HP rx796!" anytime soon."

To be fair, HP still calls it a Zune, and the rx79-what model numbers are mostly for internal use. But model numbers aside, it'll be interesting to see just how many Zune devices HP will sell over the coming year. If it sells well, both HP and Microsoft will have a reason to smile. But as a consumer, you already have a reason to smile. The Zune is eligible for a small price cut through special purchasing programs or coupons, so you may have the opportunity to save a few bucks by taking the HP road.


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