Comments on the curious shopper: Snickers or an iPod?

Good Blog, Thanks egold claick

2009-10-04T08:27:32.483-07:00

Good Blog, Thanks

egold claick

I think the ipod machines are a great idea. I may...

2008-11-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

I think the ipod machines are a great idea. I may be wrong but I do not believe Macy's has an electronics department. The ipod machines are bringing a new department to the store without any added square footage or employees. The added touchs of lower prices and no waiting in line are both benefits of the machines as well. I saw one of the machines in macy's just yesterday, brand new ipod nanos on sale for only $99. Sold out of course, but a great deal! This is a good idea for the store, the customers (those who are familiar and don't have questions about the product, of course) and the gift card holders! (I never thought about that until reading the comment above, but another great reason to have the machines!) Some of us would rather not have to deal with another human being, and wish we could just purchase everything from a machine... :D

Little late on posting....Hi, I am about to buy an...

2007-08-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

Little late on posting....
Hi, I am about to buy an ipod from the Macys vending machine. In that case I will explain why these machines are brilliant. I have $800 in macys gift cards. I don't need clothes or anything else. I do want an Ipod. Now I can buy my ipod with Macys gift cards and tada. These machines are brilliant.

Nobugs, I love it. The internet is indeed like a g...

2007-06-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

Nobugs, I love it. The internet is indeed like a giant, ubiquitous, detached and time-delayed vending machine. I type some buttons into my computer and in a few days, stuff shows up at my door.

Buying an iPod here would be very close to buying it online - the main distinction being speed. I think the ideal shopper at the iPod-o-matic is someone who's in a major rush for an expensive gift.

Your barriers are valid ones. Would you assume a bad deal because of the department store you were in? What if you saw this machine in a Walgreens or a Target?

Nice work, Sara!I _would_ buy an ipod in a vending...

2007-06-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

Nice work, Sara!

I _would_ buy an ipod in a vending machine, as a repeat buyer. Only if it was cheaper than buying it online. But, then, isn't the internet kind of a delayed-reaction vending machine? (I face the machine, hit a few buttons pop in my credit card, WAIT a few days, and voila?

Okay, maybe not so "voila." But that's how I shop. The only thing keeping me from Macy's iPod-o-matic was my lack of knowledge it was there or (if I walked by it) my assumption it would be a bad deal.

hmm...so if vending machines are self serve, that ...

2007-06-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

hmm...so if vending machines are self serve, that means, no customer service rep to pay, less store space, 24/7 shopping (in certain areas) therefore the price should be less than purchasing one from a retail store with fancy signs, reps walking around, sq. footage...etc. So why then am I not getting a discount when I use the self-checkout lanes at wal-mart, lowes, publix etc.? Isn't that service and the clerk's pay built into the price? So shouldn't self-check out shoppers get that "service" cost taken out of their product costs? I love the technology but I feel like I'm being taken advantage of by doing the work myself, now I'm an unpaid employee who's paying full price for the items with no employee discount! Boo to self-checkout lanes! corporate cheap-skates!

Thanks for sharing this new concept vending machin...

2007-06-14T00:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks for sharing this new concept vending machine.

Nancy, you make a great point. Department store sh...

2007-06-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Nancy, you make a great point. Department store shoppers, while perhaps not expecting electronics, are often searching for gifts. And we all know that iPods make great gifts (albeit expensive ones).

While I don't imagine someone buying their own first iPod from a vending machine, if they are already familiar with the product, perhaps they'll buy a second one here. Or one for a friend. No sales or service required.

Also, sure, if Apple wants to make iPods ubiquitous and snack-able, vending machines get the job done with minimal overhead.

These vending machines first surfaced in 2005, so I have to imagine they're doing something right (like, um, selling iPods). I just wonder, at what cost? I see a loss of perceived value, and some customers who start to compare mp3 players on price (and end up buying a cheaper competitor instead).

Now, putting anything in a vending machine is going to elicit comparisons to snack food. And it doesn't seem like a good enough user experience to really differentiate it from a Snickers bar. It also doesn't "feel like Apple," which may hurt the brand. It definitely left me feeling disappointed in a company I typically worship.

But, agreed. If Apple wants people to buy iPods more casually (and therefore more frequently) then this machine must be a good bet.

"Its location doesn't expand product usage - this ...

2007-06-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

"Its location doesn't expand product usage - this one was spotted in Macy's, where I can't imagine shoppers are in the mindset for electronics."

Sara, many people go to department stores looking for a gift when they have no idea what to buy. (I've been there many times searching!) Placing these vending machines in this location to me seems brilliant...Apple is hoping to make iPods ubiquitous, something you can just "pick up" as a gift...or as an impulse buy for yourself. How much customer service does a new iPod user require?

Thanks Stephanie! Hmm, your link appears to be cut...

2007-06-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks Stephanie!

Hmm, your link appears to be cut off.

Stephanie's post can be found here.

Sara,As always, a great post, and giving thoughtfu...

2007-06-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sara,
As always, a great post, and giving thoughtful useful content for people to consider. Here's my take on the Proactiv vending machine...
http://experienceology.blogspot.com/2006/12/vending-machines-go-upscale-way-way.html
Best,
Stephanie Weaver