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MacNN News

Computer Town closes Brookline store

updated 06:15 pm EST, Wed February 7, 2001

A reader from the East Coast e-mailed us to say that the Computer Town in Brookline, Mass. has closed its doors:

"Another Mac-centered retailer is closed: Boston's Computer Town presence (in Brookline, really) is gone as of today. (You'd think a community full of college students, media-types, and urban hipsters could keep a store like this in business....) I just went and picked up a laptop they were holding for repair; when I was called the tech said that I had to come get it today, and when I showed up the windows were papered over and the shelves were bare! I was told that the New Hampshire store would stay open. This is interesting, since the Boston store really used to be in downtown Boston, but moved a few miles west to a cheaper neighborhood about a year ago. Apparently the rumors surrounding their condition are being borne out."

by MacNN Staff

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02/07, 06:29pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
ComputerTown

ComputerTown closing it's Brookline, Mass store isn't surprising at all, being that they "almost" fold every single year. They've been going down-hill for the past 4 years, if not more. I'm sure it's not because they can't sell enough Macs, but more to do with poor upper management.

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02/07, 07:13pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Too Bad..

They should've fired Don a few years ago. He was good for scaring customers out of the store. I once saw him tear apart a young sales associate for coming back from lunch 5 minutes late IN FRONT OF A STORE FULL OF CUSTOMERS. This was at the Congress St. store about 2 years ago. He also didn't know s***.

Besides, the MicroCenter on Memorial Drive in Cambridge is MUCH better. The CompUSA in Central Square needs a little help. I haven't been there in about 5 months, but I'm sure not much has changed. MicroCenter is your best bet for Mac stuff in the immediate Boston area.

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02/07, 07:39pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Boston area mac companies

Well, I personally like the Computer Loft in Allston. Funny, I own a computer consulting business and it's been taking off with mac support, especially. BTW, if you need any mac consulting, go to: http//www.computersand.com/

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02/07, 08:43pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
web address doesn't exis

Computersand.com gives me a 404 not found. Could you please e-mail me its correct address? abrody@smart.net. I am trying to add to my Mac webpage of over 200 links a lot of the best Mac dealers.

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02/07, 09:32pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Computertown and Boston

Heya Computersand! Good to see another company in the area! Over at (Insert blatant plug URL, and 'cos earlier poster asked...) Tech Superpowers we've been pretty busy too, but it's still sad to see another Retail outlet go down.

This leaves us with (Retail-wise) with Micro Center as the best option in town. I haven't seen a CompUSA in the area yet that was better than a desperation resort.

Additionally, if you're looking for other Mac-based resources in Boston, check out BMac - Boston Macintosh Users Group. Good groups of folks.

-Ian

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02/07, 09:37pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Whoops, dropped a HTTP

That's supposed to be Tech Superpowers. Mea Culpa :)

Ian

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02/07, 10:28pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
microcenter the bomb

microcenter is certainly the only game in town. it is an absolute shame about computer town - the brookline store was really quite snazzy. i walked passed it the other day and was just struck by how elegant their presentation was. brookline is a sweet location too. the spot would make a great apple store location!

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02/07, 10:39pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Computer Loft

http://www.computerloft.com/

The other dude left out the URL. Computer Loft rocks! Talk to Craig. Some nights they stay open until 1:00AM

BTW - while we're bashing Boston Mac stores, CompUSA Brighton is a total disgrace.

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02/08, 12:02am | report spam | close Reply | delete
good workers

There have been many good employees working at Computer Town over the years. At the same time, there were some that were not the most pleasant. Just like in any other job, sometimes the employees are good friends, or even relatives. If those same people were just a regular joe, and treated customers like they do, they would be gone, if not for the connections they had. So try not to say "the Brookline store was bad".. they had some great people, and I wish the best for the majority of them! Good luck gang!

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02/08, 12:04am | report spam | close Reply | delete
HEH HEH

Nice to see, couldnt have happened to a nicer bunch of people. The management of this company has been flawed for the last few years. They certainly didnt know how to treat employees or customers. Ross was the only exception. Well good luck former Computer Town Employees, you probally will do better elsewhere. K B

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02/08, 03:04am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Computer Stores?

Who buys a computer in a store anymore? And since Apple doesn't allow field service of laptops, what fun is service anymore?

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02/08, 08:42am | report spam | close Reply | delete
I doubt it was management

You people don't know how HARD it is to be an Apple reseller. First off, selling hard ware brings in very little margin. Do you know how many machines you have to sell to pay rent and insurance on a building and your employees salary and insurance? You can't do it! The money is in service. The billability of service in the last few years has plummetted. Why? Because Apple pays you one set fee (54 is starting but that could go up 20 if you can pass some unreasonable expectations, I'll explain in a bit) for any one serial number! What does that mean? Well, if your iMac has a bad analog board AND a bad DVD drive the service center gets paid only once. Analog boards when they are replaced need a white balancing adjustment done to them (or your colors will be off to your CRT) which can take an hour extra to do, not to mention it takes a long enough time just to do the analog board. That's just an example. We used to make up for that by getting keyboards and mice replaced, well that's a user part now so you get to and we don't get paid. Not to mention we end up looking bad if any parts get back ordered at Apple if the machine is here. Now the reimbursement can go up if you keep calls to apple and parts per machine down to 1.1. So with the G4's having front panel and logic boards ordered every time there's a problem our average dies. So we spend a lot of time doing warranty work which isn't worth it but we have to do it to sell the product in hopes we get support contracts. Another issue is that hardware is getting so cheap a lot of it isn't worth repairing. There are other issues like no reimbursement at all for getting your non-apple peripherals replaced since you know, you purchased it from us so it's our responsibility and those phone calls can take a while. It's a long line... the only hope that places like ours have is getting service contracts. The customers that have service contracts get top service and they are always first. So we invariably have the iMac users that have problems and don't understand that we can't do their machine right now because we are servicing others first. We also have the software problem under warranty issue, people who install all the inits in the world and when their machine crashes it's got to be the hardware and refuse to pay for the service when it's not the hardware (this is a no win situation).
I can go on but your getting the idea. Unless Apple starts reimbursing based on how long a part takes (which they once did) and reimburses per part instead of serial # your going to see a lot more places die. If apple does that then the prices of the machines will rise...weird world this computer industry. Also on a parting note, Compaq's service reimbursements are on the same par as Apple so it's not just Apple. Service Centers are closing and it's going to keep happening.

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02/08, 09:04am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Mismanagement

Computertown was selling plenty of macs, but the combination of customers wanting everything at catalog prices with specialist service in conjunction with an owner s******* over the whole company puts the company where it is....

Closed.

I'm sorry to see you guys go. Take care.

"Let's hope a Phoenix can rise from the ashes"

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02/08, 11:11am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Didn't know it existed

If they folded, it was their own fault and does not reflect on the "Mac market." As others have pointed out, MicroCenter does a great job selling Macs. I bought once from them and ever since they have been sending me flyers avery week or so. Granted a smaller place like Computer Town can't afford to mail everybody in the Boston area, but they could have announced their presence in some way. Certainly there are even smaller places that survive just fine.

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02/08, 11:23am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Bye Bye Buttheads

Glad to see them go. They were horrible. They had no idea how to service the customers. Of course... now there is only one player left in town Microcenter. Depending on the day, they can also be major buttheads. ChumpUSA... well... should not swear in this forum.

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02/08, 11:55am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Stores

ComputerTown did sell stuff you'd never find at CompUSA or it wasn't worth the effort to drive to Microcenter. About two weeks ago I went to the Boston ComputerTown and got a USB cable which was longer and cheaper compared to CircuitCity or CompUSA, while looking around they had limited ink supplies and less selection in printers... not sure if this was a sign they were slowly pushing inventory out.

In Boston we've seen Egghead and some smaller retail stores fall apart or just become a dot com, it could be the prices of computers are getting too low or giants like BestBuy, CompUSA and Circuit City offer services and or more stuff which pull customers away from smaller dealers. ComputerTown did quite well as their NH store workers knew what they were selling and sold systems which fit the user(s) needs, while retail stores like CompUSA, Circuit City and BestBuy pushed consumers with unrealistic priced PCs which is either too much or will put a buyer above their budget... I've seen CompUSA workers sneaking into their Apple Store Within A Store pulling possible Mac users to PCs with their famous quote: "The Mac has less software, hardware and games, just get a PC and it'll do everything cheaper"

If ComputerTown is still around in just 6 more months I'll be buying my G4 Tower from them... CompUSA in my area seems to leave their G4 Towers out of stock :(

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02/08, 12:29pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Sales sucked, service roc

I'm the guy who posted the note, and I want one thing made clear: their service department ruled -- I took all our stuff there that I couldn't fix -- and their sales staff was one step short of used car salesmen. Wait, they were worse: I bought a used car last year and it was easier and more pleasant than any transaction my old boss made me execute with the Computer Town salesmen. I had to call and re-call those guys just to get a "quote" that the Mac Warehouse web site beat -- and which was often less than $5 off their own web site prices. I won't miss them a bit!

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02/08, 12:45pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Why Brookline?

I've been a customer of ComputerTown since my family bought its original Apple IIe way back when. Why anyone would have shopped at the Brookline store when the New Hampshire stores are only 30 minutes away? Sure, if you don't have a car it makes sense to shop at the local store, but if you can manage the drive it is well worth the savings; there's no sales tax in NH, so on a $1,000 purchase you save $50 immediately.

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02/08, 01:31pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Computer Town, Loft

Computer Town, I remember when they were in Westboro, they didn't impress me too much, especially when they closed up shop... actually - I think they also a LONG time ago (Apple II?) had a shop on Rte. 9 in Shrewsbury, that closed too... regardless - I never cared for them, unfriendly, not very helpful or knowledgable... they once told me there was no such thing as a PlainTalk Microphone.. and had no clue what soft power was (the ability via ADB to boot via the keyboard of course!)... as for Computer Loft, they seem like decent guys ... my problem was that in their shop/repair bay, they smoke and have a cat - not so much a problem with the cat (though dander and cat hair...), but smoking??? In front of the customers no less??? Regardless, seems like the best place to go for parts and stuff unless you go online - but as much as possible prefer not to wait...

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02/08, 02:03pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: Why Brookline?

Why an in-Boston shop? 'Cause we're located near Faneuil Hall, and the old 50 Congress Street shop was a lot closer than anywhere else for repairs: two blocks beats FedEx every time! Sure, Apple does most of the repair work anyway, but for some things there's no substitute for a neighborhood certified tech. I won't take my vcompany's property to an Allston Rock City loft full of cigraette smoke no matter how good the technicianms are -- so where else _is_ there around here?

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02/08, 02:45pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
In Kenmore Square

I haven't lived in Boston for a couple of years but wasn't there a good apple store in Kenmore Square - down a flight of stairs? Used to sell macs at Berklee - ah, the memories..............

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02/08, 02:53pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Kenmore Sq.

Yeah, I know the one you're talking about... i forget its name... they overprice everything there... It was like two or three years ago, the last time I was there... but they wanted like 20 or 30 dollars more for a single Jaz cart than anyone else around or online, or mailorder -- crooks and thieves... They're not a strictly Mac house anyway...

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02/08, 03:04pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Too Damn Bad

I am sad to hear about another Mac store closing but if you think about it, it is hard for a small mom and pop shop to be open when it is hard to buy items for mac clients. Take where I work as an example .. We sell Mac & PC items. We have more PC software than Mac. It is not for lack of trying it is just that the only vendors that sell Mac want to sell you 30 boxes of the same item. Retail is taking a major dive for small stores. I go into a CDW and they do not know SH*T about Mac, and the guys over at MicroCenter are just as bad. Why people go there I guess it is because they have that nice over sized Apple Logo. Anyone not Apple Authorized can not legally sell Apple branded items. So what does that leave the mom and pop shop to sell. Not much people Not Much.

Apple needs to figure out what the want to do in business. Not all of the sales come from corporate america. It comes from people like you and me. My company has tried to become Apple Authorized and well we are still waiting.

For the record I have followed Apple since 1990 when I first saw my first Apple. I live and die by the rainbow apple logo. I work as a Mac Technician and I am good at what I do. I own a Dual 500Mhz G4 and a 500Mhz Powerbook. WAKEUP APPLE....WAKEUP

Well I am done ranting.

- A MAC TECHNICIAN
macsupport@ccenow.com

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02/08, 03:05pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
computer town

I have gone to this store for a number of purchases - usually because it was out of stock somewhere else. The way they treat customers at computertown is disgusting. I purchased for my business a 10,000 set up and boy did they s**** up the order. I still lost money that was not creditied to my card I put the sale on. I was charged twice for some peripherals and even for ones I did not order. When I went in frunstrated they got mad at me and I got nowhere. I called the VP who said he would fix the problem and I never heard back. I probably lost 3-6 hundred dollars due to those morons. Stay away from NH store too. Bad customer care and sales=bad store! I tried by the way for a few weeks to remedy it, but finally gave up. I am very glad they got theirs. By the way this would have been the same if it were PC's they were selling. They just got no clue and were running the business the wrong way. Remember the customer is always right!!

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02/08, 03:08pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
In Boston Shop

Well, us folk at Tech Superpowers are located over on Newbury Street, so we're pretty solidly in Boston. Now, our hitch is that we're not a retail space - we're mostly focused on consulting, and service and sales are pitched more towards that concept. Heck, we started doing warranty work originally, because it was just taking us to long to get stuff back from Microcenter and ComputerTown, etc.

To the person talking of the great pain it is to be a reseller/service shop. Yes...yes it can be...as can any kind of job, but hey, y'do it in part because you love it or believe in it, and Apple is definately starting to improve things for resellers/service.

MicroCenter is definately your best bet if you're looking to impulse buy stuff, but they defiately ain't the only Mac-game in Boston.

-Ian

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02/08, 03:45pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
customers always right?

I think not! We are not some kind of mass resource for people to spend two hours with us, then go buy the product online to save 50 bucks. Can you see where that would drive sales people crazy. I would say that teachers were the worst for that. I do hope that Apple will open stores. That way people can waste 2-3 hours in there, and THEN come buy it from the resellers. People should do their research before coming into any kind of retail location. People that don't are just asking to get screwed over. As far as spending $10,000 and get the order screwed up.. it's not always the salesman's fault. I've had customers place a big order, then call back a day later wanting something different, after some of the prodcut already shipped. How can you then say the customer is always right? Mail order will be the downfall of Apple. People need places where they can walk in and see the product, and get the help they need. I can honestly say that I have some loyal customers, that will always get the best possible deal I can give them. They have never asked me to match pricing... so now they get prices that employees normally get. That's what being loyal is about. Don't you think it's kind of wrong to spend an hour of someone's time, then ask to match a price? You should ask to match prices before asking for help with the different models. I think it is only fair that way. Most sales people are paid on commission, so time is money. And when asking for that big discount after all the time you spent, the employee only makes $5 on the sale after taxes.. with the low base salary, that doesn't help the employee out much. Try to be a loyal customer before getting the great deals.

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02/08, 03:49pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
There's more than MicroC

Guys you are all forgetting the little known but crammed full of mac gadgets (and systems) University Computers in Kenmore Square. It's actually the first place in town to get new equipment as it's announced...

It's in the alley next to the Gap store if anyone's curious...

Gabriel

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02/08, 03:50pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
customers always right?

I think not! We are not some kind of mass resource for people to spend two hours with us, then go buy the product online to save 50 bucks. Can you see where that would drive sales people crazy. I would say that teachers were the worst for that. I do hope that Apple will open stores. That way people can waste 2-3 hours in there, and THEN come buy it from the resellers. People should do their research before coming into any kind of retail location. People that don't are just asking to get screwed over. As far as spending $10,000 and get the order screwed up.. it's not always the salesman's fault. I've had customers place a big order, then call back a day later wanting something different, after some of the prodcut already shipped. How can you then say the customer is always right? Mail order will be the downfall of Apple. People need places where they can walk in and see the product, and get the help they need. I can honestly say that I have some loyal customers, that will always get the best possible deal I can give them. They have never asked me to match pricing... so now they get prices that employees normally get. That's what being loyal is about. Don't you think it's kind of wrong to spend an hour of someone's time, then ask to match a price? You should ask to match prices before asking for help with the different models. I think it is only fair that way. Most sales people are paid on commission, so time is money. And when asking for that big discount after all the time you spent, the employee only makes $5 on the sale after taxes.. with the low base salary, that doesn't help the employee out much. Try to be a loyal customer before getting the great deals.

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02/08, 03:58pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Only a technical loss

CTown was never a wonderful place, but at times convenient. The more Mac shops around the better, at least for us consultants (oblig. URL: www.msystems.com, based near Worcester). When you need something, the closer the better. I'd never buy anything there nor send clients there, although (agreeing with others) the service was decent. I don't think I've been to a store of theirs since they left Framingham, but I remember way back to the Westboro store and other long-gone Mac stores in the metrowest/worcester areas. Worked a few years at the Computerland in Worcester/Leominster/Providence. Ah, the days when there were margins in computer sales...

But anyway, it's too bad about CTown leaving the Boston area. Sure wish they were a better place. Microcenter's great, but my car's been hit twice by other cars while parked in their parking lot so their aura isn't my favorite these days...

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02/08, 04:18pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
contradict?!?

Hm so you say that the store was never a wonderful place... yet you said you were never there... make up your mind already!!!! Are some people just ignorant on here or what? Either you have been somewhere or not, make up your mind man! Stop bashing places you have been to, or not been to! :)

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02/08, 07:37pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
the good computer town

is in Nashua NH about 35 miles from Cambridge MA. Reasonable management.

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02/08, 08:11pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Customers deserve it!

I can't wait for the day that we are able to close our Apple store and walk away, leaving all of the rude and unreasonable customers to places like CompUSA for service. That is more than you deserve. Great dealers like us have worked our asses, more than 80 hours a week for years, all to have you guys cheer when one of us goes out of business. You have no soul. Would you be cheering if YOU got laid off or lost your house. No, people like teachers, who make $50 an hour, by the way, are the cheapest, most inconsiderate people around.

Have fun with the great service at CompUSA!

Good riddance

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02/08, 08:14pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Boston area Mac Support

Apparently a lot of places in the Boston area are closing their doors, which opens up opportunities for the little guys like me! I'm a Boston University undergrad running a small on-site mac repair group called "The Solutioners!" Heh, clever name, eh? Anyway, check us out at http://www.solutioners.com to see just what we offer. We serve the greater Boston area, which looks like it'll need the help now!

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02/08, 08:21pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
micro center

I brought my mac into micro center on Mem drive. I took them 3 weeks before they even looked at it. another 2 weeks untill they fixed it, and when I got it back someone had taken 64 megs of ram out of it.

They refused to do anything and were rude as well.

Stay away from these crooks.

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02/08, 08:22pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
micro center

I brought my mac into micro center on Mem drive. I took them 3 weeks before they even looked at it. another 2 weeks untill they fixed it, and when I got it back someone had taken 64 megs of ram out of it.

They refused to do anything and were rude as well.

Stay away from these crooks.

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02/08, 09:21pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Beacon Street, Brookline

I tell you that street's currsed, The egghead came and went, the brooks pharmacy came and went, etc.

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02/09, 07:30am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Another one

When I was living in Boston, I used to visit University Computers frequently, which wasn't bad for Mac... trying to remember the address now... 533 Commonwealth Ave. , I think, near Fenway Park.

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02/09, 10:04am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Desktop Performance?

What was the address of the Computer Town in Brookline? A few years ago, I used to work for a company called "Desktop Performance" that had an office in Brookline, moved to Congress st., then moved back to Brookline. Did they get bought by Computer Town?
Man, did that place suck...
Computer Loft rocks, though... I used to do occasional repair work for Craig. Even though the place was small and usually in a state of disarray, they are the best place in the city for older Macs.
I'd have to go with MicroCenter for the newer stuff...

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02/09, 10:28am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Good riddance

Their corporate sales division ripped me off big time when it closed it's doors last year. They charged my Amex for the Cube system I'd ordered way before they could ship it (despite promising "no charge until it ships") then they closed and had no intention of shipping it at all...! I had to get Amex on the case to get the money back. Two days later lots of spurious charges started appearing on my Amex card which I had not made.... Looked to me like a disgruntled employee (they were all owed wages when it closed) helped themselves to the credit card database before they left...

CompUSA I don't trust for anything unless they are way cheaper on price - I have never met anyone in there who knows anything about any of their products.

MicroCenter is the best for knowledgeable staff in the Mac section but the service and repair sucks. I had to spend an hour in there proving a problem to the Tech Support only for them to tell me to go and check the Cube in with Customer Service, who then took another week to replicate the same problem...! By the time I got the repaired Cube back two weeks later the case had been scratched to h*** on the top where they'd had it upside down on a bench. Luckily Apple agreed to replace the casing but it worries me that the techs in the service dept don't take good care of equipment left with them. Maybe I'll check out these other shameless plugs.... Are any of you guys Apple repair centers..???

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02/09, 11:04am | report spam | close Reply | delete
RE:customers always right

People should do their research before coming into any kind of retail location. People that don't are just asking to get screwed over.

This is the kind of customer "service" that put Computer Town where they are - down the pan. I for one think they deserve it. I bet this guy goes and gets a job at CompUSA - he'd fit right in. Since when do customers deserve to "get screwed over"..??!!

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02/09, 11:11am | report spam | close Reply | delete
macs - Boston area

Computer Loft -Fordham Road, Allston is the best for service and sales.617-782-9997

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02/09, 11:37am | report spam | close Reply | delete
My two cents

Ive spent my whole life in the Boston area and believe me I've done my part to keep some of these places in business.
My first Mac was an LC, and I got it at Computer Town in Salem NH because they were the only real place to go for Macs back then, plus, no tax. Since then, though, Ive bought all my systems from the Computer Loft (used) or the Apple Store.

The Computer Loft is great if you need parts, or something older, or something obscure. Where else could you walk in the door and walk out with a PowerTower Pro CPU daughtercard or a 44MB SyQuest drive? Theyre open... often. And Craig is a good guy. They are not the tidyest or prettiest place because theyre not really a computer store, more like a guy and his stuff and he lets you walk around and sometimes he sells some of it. And from what I hear form some of the retailers on here, that seems like the only way to sell Macs, make a little money, and keep your sanity.
If I was going to buy a hard drive or Zip drive or something mass-produced like that, I'd go to CompUSA and wait 45 minutes for someone to notice me, give me the product, and then another 20 minutes with the cashier, because their prices cant be beat, but I would NEVER go in there if I didnt really know what I wanted or, god forbid, had a question.
MicroCenter is where I go when im browsing, or want a cable and want to be able to pick from 5 different kinds, or have questions, and its where I'd send a friend or relative to get a complete system. And although their service sucks (they shipped my Powerbook to Utah), They are unfortunately, the best that I know of aside form the computer loft.

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02/09, 12:47pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Shameless Plugs/Service

Hey there.

Tech Superpowers (My shameless plug :)) is a full Apple Service/VAR (Value-Added Reseller). We became service authorized after too many long wait times sending in client systems. I'd say our biggest negative as far as service is concerned, is that we're on a 4th floor walk-up on Newbury St. (I LOVE lugging LaserWriter 8500's up 4 flights of stairs. :))

Our hours are officially 9am-5pm, but you can always e-mail, and you don't wanna know how late we answer e-mail, sometimes. ;)

Also, any of you folks out there who do consulting. Contact me over at ianm@gnu.ai.mit.edu so I can add your info over on the BMac Web site. (Yes, it's tricky balancing the two hats...:))

-Ian

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02/09, 12:59pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Sad

It's always interesting to see how many people cast the first stone by ranting and raving. It seems it's easier for people to be negative over the many positives computer dealers like Computertown have to offer. And those that post shameless self-promotion, should heed "people in glass houses, should throw stones" - afterall, who's to say others are not next in line.

How many times has anyone gone into a CompUSA or Circuit City and been mauled by some teenage sales rep throwing "need some help" or following you around like a lost puppy dog? I prefer to casually walk the show room and see what's available, when I need help I'll ask for it.

I shop Computertown for 2 reasons - they have the Mac stuff I know about & the Mac stuff I didn't know was out there (you know the stuff you only see in magazines - the type of items not found at those retail chain stores).

I shop Apple specialists like, Computertown and Bitznbytes of Concord, because they have more to offer -- they don't just offer price, but wisdom and selection. Hey, the salesreps at these places actually own the equipment the promote... what a novelty... so they understand a customer's frustration when a Finder error quits you out of your document or locks up your system.

As far as their attitudes, tell me you haven't had a bad day? And after reading what some of the salespeople actually make after selling an Mac (MacCentral article), can you blame them? They must get bills too. Bet it doesn't even cover their gas money to make the drive in.

As for Apple, it's a shame they aren't doing anything to assist. What will this mean when I or others want to service their Macs? ChumpUSA doesn't service them and if you go in Circuit they're very quick to show you a PeeCee, but no one dares show you a Mac or even has one running.

Without Apple specialists, maybe the people complaining should switch to PCs because finding someone to service and sell Apple product will only get tougher.

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02/09, 01:12pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
ComputerTown

Sad to see it go.. I purchased an old Performa 6300 from their now closed store in Natick some years back. Unlike the store, the Performa still works fine..

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02/09, 02:25pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Bitznbytes???

Are you serious? Bitznbytes in concord is run by a guy with a 'used-car salesperson' personality. And their best Mac Tech quit a few weeks ago because she souldn't stand it anymore. And she had been with the comapny though 3 different owners.
Bitznbytes is an awful store with little in inventory and they literally rape you in tech charges. Ask anyone who actually lives in the concord area, they'll tell you the truth.
You want good, honest, and affordable mac tech support find a guy in the area named John Manzione, he knows more about Macs than most Apple employees. He's hard to find and from what I hear only works with clients he likes but he knows his stuff. He did some work for me once and fixed a machine others 'specialists' said was 'DOA'.

computertown sucked for the last 4 years, I'm glad they are finally folding.

Wayne

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02/09, 06:17pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
This is a sad day...

Hello,
in general I think it is very sad to see a Mac store go out of business. If for no other reason, than to have more presence in town. As a former CompUSA Macintosh slales person, ( I am not sure if that qualifies me as a person??? ) I have to agree that service at most stores is pretty bad. I was recently in "my" old store in brighton and it was very sad to see how it went downhill since brent left and the wonderful management fired me because I tried to actually help my customers. I admit I wasn't supposed to do that. but what do you do if the customer doesn't get help in the store, and asks you if you could come to their house and help them there???? For me that turned out to be a very good "bad luck" because I still have pretty much all my clients I met through my time at CompUSA. It is amazing to me to see that some stores are very very ignorant when it comes to good customer service. As that is what I am feeds me and my family now. ;-)
As far as buying in stores, I think it is good to check a new Mac ion a store, but I would recommend to buy online from stores like www.outpost.com or others as its fast, easy and in most cases cheaper.
If anyone is in need of a little or a lot of help with her/his Mac, or is looking for custom made software for one or the other thing. please feel free to contact me at:
wolfiusa@mediaone.net
so now I wish you all a wonderful day and fun with your Macs,
Wolfgang Bauer

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02/09, 06:52pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Too Bad, but...

The Computer Loft is a great place. I will say right now that I do work there, but we not only do older stuff, but new stuff under warranty as well. I have been working there for almost three years with Craig and it has been a lot of fun. We sell new and used stuff, systems, parts, and other things.

Granted, the location is out in the boonies of Boston, but we're close to Storrow Drive and the Mass Pike.

www.computerloft.com
(617) 782-9997

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02/09, 07:28pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
doing research.....

Yeah, I'm going to CompUSA to get a job... dink....
That comment means that if you don't do your own research, you could be setting yourself up to be screwed over! That is how sales people picked up a bad reputation. There are people at any store that will try to sell you two surge protectors saying "you need to have two to make the machine work"... and obviously if you have no dang clue, you could believe him, and buy it.... yes, that is a bad example, but you catch my drift. Obviously when I go out to buy a car, I look around at different lots, writing prices and models, then checking the internet for things to keep an eye out for... THEN I talk to a salesperson, they usually don't expect you to know much about anything, that's whta they are hoping for.... by the time I was ready to buy a machine, I literally walked up to a dealer, and told him I wanted "that one", just to give me a good price, it was an easy sale for him, and I know I got a fair price....... I would feel bad if I spent 3 hours with him, THEN try to talk him down on price... THAT is why you should do your own research.. there are plenty of websites and magazines dedicated to macs, and what the difference is between the different models.....

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02/10, 11:11am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Stores in the area...

I will agree about the Brighton CompUSA, the sale staff there is supremely incompitent. Micro Center is decent, but usually a complete madhouse whenever I go. There is one tiny retailer for Mac stuff in the area. They are called organize it software and they sell ALL mac stuff at MacWarehouse prices. I know this b/c I work for them. These guys, unlike the *MORONS* at CompUSA acutually know what the h*** they are doing! Please buy your Mac Stuff (hardware, software and everything else) from these guys b/c they are -Tiny- but great!

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02/10, 11:31am | report spam | close Reply | delete
No surprise

I walked in there to buy a $3500 computer and in a store with not ONE customer and four employees, not one person so much as 'grunted' or acknowledged I was in the store.

So I went home and ordered it from Apple.com

They deserve to be closed. It was a poorly run business. Period.

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02/10, 01:27pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
waaaa waaaaaa

Just because you are looking to spend $3500, doesn't mean your butt should be kissed. Like I've said before, if all four sales people were hounding you to see if you were all set, you would be saying that we had a bunch of pushy sales people working here. YOU have two feet, you can walk a whole five feet and ask a question to a sales person. Plus when I'm at my station, and I'm typing up tech support for another customer, I'm sorry I can't have my eyes looking in different directions. When I was looking to buy a vehicle, I didn't cry because they didn't jump on me when I was looking to spend $20,000. When I was ready to test drive a vehicle, I made sure I went to check with a salesperson, THEN based on how they helped me after that, was how I determined if they were going to get my money. I don't expect my butt to be kissed when I'm going to spend a lot of money. But when I need help, and they are around to help me, that's good enough in my book. I

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02/10, 01:32pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Closed..

I'm glad Computer Town closed... they had a bunch of pushy customers. The customers always thought that they should get big discounts after hours of help.. how dare they! I feel so bad for the employees there, having to deal with that.. after buying a machine a year ago, they wouldn't return my machine for a new one! I'm going to buy a PC!

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02/10, 08:53pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Its Apple's fault

Its tough survive on the 10% margin that Apple mandates

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02/10, 11:31pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Apple Favoritism

No wonder Bitz & Computer Town sales people get such backhanded praises from some of you.

The people at these spacialist dealerships do stuff by themselves, determine what products to buy, physically labor and carry product onto the show floor, demonstrate the Macs, make sure the Macs are on and that they're working (unlike Sears & Circuit City which don't give a damn), answer ridiculous questions for customers who will buy someplace else because this non-authorized place is $20 cheaper.

However, companies like CompUsa and Circuit City get Apple to pay the demonstrator wages... pay the merchandisers that come into the store and make sure that this software is in the Mac section and the Macs are up and running.

No wonder the smaller, local dealerships are overworked and exasperated.... they work for their money and are not collecting Apple welfare like CompUsa and Circuit City. Do you think these little mom & pop dealerships wouldn't love to have Apple pay for their salespeople to demonstrate and merchandise the store? Why do you think that all the Apple Store-in-a-Stores look a like?

Don't believe what I say? - Watch the newspapers and check out the retail chain stores like CompUsa or Circuit City - when you go in, ask the demonstrator who pays for them to be in the store. You can also check a few of the Mac news sites where they've actually posted job opportunies to be a demonstrator at these places.

And aren't most of you people missing the point of these issues? It means we (Apple fans) are losing the battle to PCs.

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02/11, 12:29pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Sad Day

I'll miss the local location-when CT was downtown it was great to be able to stop in a get a cable that you needed; the Brookline location was a bit more difficult.

If anyone needs Mac support on an ongoing basis, drop me a message at jduke@dukedesktop.com

For a great group of people to network with, check out the BMac Web site. We meet the second Wednesday of every month and have great dynamic meetings. Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Jon

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Computer Town closes Brookline store

updated 06:15 pm EST, Wed February 7, 2001

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