Offer a better shopping experience than the Apple Stores, it really is that simple. Here in my state, Apple charges tax on online purchases b/c they have stores here, other online stores are strictly virtual. Stop whining and start competing.

I work for a reseller in Canada and in anticipation of them coming to Vancouver, we are doing something cutting edge called diversifying.

Simple evolution, adapt or die

There are lots of strategies that you could use but if you want to just be a computer store then it was nice knowing you. Don't do the same thing as Apple just worse and complain about loosing your customers. Do something they don't do. Don't compete with them. Offer your customers something Apple can't.

Competition is a good thing, between two other people.

Many of these stores will install RAM, and in some cases hard drives that Apple won't install, and will keep you from losing your warranty in doing it. Keep these shops in business by letting them do your installations, and you'll be able to get those repairs Apple would ignore because you have third party RAM or a larger hard drive installed.

I've seen this for about 2 years now. Major Apple reseller in my town has been hurt since an Apple store opened. Reseller gets new merchandise weeks/months after it's announced. It's sad...they've been selling apple products since the orignial Mac was introduced, and they are not a small store (two stores in my area).

I agree that Apple needs to be more honest about distributing product (and if it takes a lawsuit or two, so be it). However, I've had a long history of atrocious support from "Mac dealers" (Nabih's of Evanston, IL, comes immediately to mind for their spectacularly rude service, high prices, and out-and-out lying). Apple stores do offer a much better experience. Larger space, more product on display so you can get a feel for it, and generally more knowledgeable folk.

Independent retailers need to offer a better experience, a wider range of services, and something that makes them unique, not just another place to buy and service a Mac.

I kind of treat official Apple Stores as a place for first time Mac buyers.

I've continued to buy my Macs at local resellers, even after the Apple Store opened in Toronto.

People have a right to shop where they want. If more people prefer getting their computers directly from Apple than from MacMall or ClubMac or Smalldog, so what? Apple has the right to sell its own products. They don't owe their resellers anything.

Similarly the resellers don't owe Apple anything either. If they're losing sales to Apple, maybe it's time to diversify.

Either way, Apple has been selling its computers via its stores for several years now, and through its website for even longer. You've been in competition with Apple for sales for a good while now. Isn't it time to stop whinging about it?

and usually have better deals too.

When I bought my iMac FP, I waited 3 weeks for apple to not even have mine shipped, let alone delivered, while others that had ordered after me had already received theirs. I went to MacWarehouse.ca, bought it, got a free set of cds and floppy drive, for $50 cheaper!

Basically, Apple's "available today" really means 'you can order it now, but don't count on receiving it anytime soon!'

As someone who has used Macs since 1991, I have to say that Resellers have consistently dropped the ball. They a major part of the reason why apple had to go down the retial store path in the first place, and it's working in terms of their visibility and marketshare. So the shoddy stores that sold Macs like they were vacuums or widgets go out of business, boo hoo! Good riddance I say. I love the Apple stores.