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    Wow.. sounds like the Ginza event was awesome. Next time you purchase at another store using loyalty points don’t forget that it’s not easy to pay the rent in Ginza, not to mention the extremely well trained staff.

    True Apple fans understand the investment Apple makes and therefore the service the staff provide. It all costs money. The denkiyasan’s (electronic stores) in Japan offer a few points so that you come back for crappy service.

    Support great service, buy at an Apple Store.

    Loyalty October 27, 2007 at 12:36 am

    Wow! thanks for the great description. Too bad no pictures though. I was looking for some nice shots of Apple Ginza during that time!

    Joe
    info@steamteam.ca

    Joe October 27, 2007 at 11:50 am

    Wow.. poor apple 33% gross margin last quarter, don’t see how they keep their doors open.

    Me October 27, 2007 at 1:07 pm

    Here’s the pix from Genza store found it at japanese mac fan website.

    http://www.tcp-net.ad.jp/danbo/Leopard1026/index.html

    Snuffys October 27, 2007 at 11:04 pm

    Loyalty, I do consider myself a “true Apple fan”. In fact, just writing the review above of the Ginza Leopard event might give a clue of this fact, but let me say that there are myriad other ways to support Apple as a fan.

    I am an Apple shareholder, I’ve owned 10 Macs (currently 2) since 1988, 6 iPods (currently 3), and often buy direct from Apple at the Ginza Store and Apple Online. I visit the Ginza Store at least twice a month and if I am meeting friends in Ginza, I tell them to find me browsing on the ground floor there, especially if they are non-Mac PC users, so I have an opportunity to convert them.

    I am also a vendor to Apple and proactively sought them out and developed them as a client in order to contribute to their success.

    I have converted about 75 friends and colleagues to the Mac platform in the past 6 years, and write a regular newsletter for their personal use because I promised them lifetime tech support from me personally if they bought a Mac. (I am like the Maytag repair man, rarely getting calls of any consequence.)

    Also, with 11 years in Japan, I can tell you that the service at the denkiyasan (electronics retailers) is excellent in all respects. Apple’s retail service is both excellent and Different, and I enjoy it immensely. The denkiyasan also do not merely offer a few points, but rather 5-15% in yen value which cannot be ignored.

    I am also a newly minted Apple ProCare Member, and have been a member of Dot Mac since it was the free iTools.

    I know dozens of huge Mac fans and among them I am known as the “go to” Mac guy, so I guess my purpose in this long reply is to defend my loyalty to Apple by displaying all my credentials.

    So, I think Steve Jobs will forgive me for saving a little money for my family by shopping at a different, but sanctioned retail channel and only contributing to margin on the manufacturing and not the retailing.

    Cheers,
    Tuds

    PS Apple Ginza was reportedly selling US$1 million a week in 2005 and I am sure it is higher now. There is no doubt they pay their lease easily and also record a healthy profit at this global flagship location. (I Bet Chanel down the block uses their Ginza shop as a loss leader flagship, only good for PR and advertising.)

    TokyoTuds October 28, 2007 at 3:01 am

    Thanks Snuffy great pics.

    Joe
    info@steamteam.ca

    Joe October 28, 2007 at 12:32 pm

    First.. I’m sure you’re a big, true blue Apple fan and I appreciate your loyalty.

    Second.. the support and service at the Japanese electronic stores, while 10 steps above the Best Buys, Comp USA, etc of North America.. does not even come close to an Apple Store.

    The so-called service you get is sales related only. It’s great, but if you have a problem, you need to know something more than basic compatibility, etc then you are screwed. If you buy a unit and it’s dead out of the box or breaks in the first few days.. they send you to the Apple Store or telephone support and will not exchange it under any circumstances.

    Apple Retail and Apple Corporate.. need any other hints? Use one of your many Macs and maybe take an online course in economics.

    P.S. You know a lot about Macs but nothing about the cost of real estate in Ginza.

    Loyalty October 29, 2007 at 1:06 am

    Uh, you guys are forgetting about Australia and New Zealand. N.Z. got Leopard about 5h prior to Japan and parts of Australia got Leopard 2h prior Japan. Just lettin ya know. [IFO -- Good point!]

    Jack October 30, 2007 at 3:15 am
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