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Buy Your Broadband at Wal-Mart
HughesNet deal struck...
While "specially trained Wal-Mart Connection center associates" have been selling DSL for a while at a number of stores, the company this week expanded its broadband offerings by striking a deal with HughesNet. Though HughesNet serves a niche audience and isn't particularly well reviewed by our users (thanks largely to their caps), Business Week seems pretty excited about the deal. The piece notes that the retail giant is working on a tech support service akin to Best Buy's Geek Squad.
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maartena
Elmo
Premium Member
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA

1 edit

1 recommendation

maartena

Premium Member

Not made in China?

That must be the first product they are selling in a long time that ISN'T made in China. Although the modems probably are....

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 edit

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Not made in China?

said by maartena:

That must be the first product they are selling in a long time that ISN'T made in China. Although the modems probably are....
Wal-Mart has been reselling Comcast Triple Play for more than a year now. So Hughesnet isn't their 1st foray in to selling Broadband.
»www.theregister.com/2006 ··· comcast/
ATHF
join:2004-12-20
00000

ATHF

Member

Satellite Internet Service

alot of nOOb's going to fall for WOW of having internet via a satellite/HughesNet i feel for them, people who have to suffer with slow speeds + Caps and expensive installation cost + service.

unless wallmart offering free install?

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Katy, TX

MysticGogeta

Premium Member

Re: Satellite Internet Service

I doubt it the thing I like about Wal-Mart is price I use them to compare to Frys. Who ever is cheaper I go there and get it I don't want strangers in my house installing things that I can do my self.
47717768 (banned)
join:2003-12-08
Birmingham, AL

47717768 (banned)

Member

Buy Broadband at Wal-Mart

Well it's Wal-Mart after all

scots
Are we there yet??
Premium Member
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC

scots

Premium Member

Buy Your Broadband at Wal-Mart

"The piece notes that the retail giant is working on a tech support service akin to Best Buy's Geek Squad."

OMG...I wouldn't let someone from Wal-Mart touch any computer of mine with a 50-foot pole for all the money in the world. And I don't have much more confidence in the Geek Squad either.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678

Member

Re: Buy Your Broadband at Wal-Mart

Wal-Marts cost cutting will make have a Geek Squad like service hard likely ending up with long waits for parts.

In store they only seem to have a few out of data pc parts in there stores if they want to go that way they should also try to start there own pc store with all the parts that other on on line stores have.

Ben
Premium Member
join:2007-06-17
Fort Worth, TX

Ben to scots

Premium Member

to scots
said by scots:

"The piece notes that the retail giant is working on a tech support service akin to Best Buy's Geek Squad."

OMG...I wouldn't let someone from Wal-Mart touch any computer of mine with a 50-foot pole for all the money in the world. And I don't have much more confidence in the Geek Squad either.
Me neither. I actually boycott Wal-Mart.

As for Geek Squad, from what I've seen of it I'm NOT impressed. I have never used their services, since I have always been able to fix computer problems myself. And if I can't, I'll get on the Internet with another computer to find out how.

A fellow I used to know once talked to a Geek Squad worker, and he discovered that the Geek Squad worker knew little to nothing about Windows Server 2003. Unbelievable.

It gets worse. I've heard that it's possible to pay some Geek Squad people to install the Apple I-Tunes application. How hard can it be to install it yourself?
jp10558
Premium Member
join:2005-06-24
Willseyville, NY

jp10558

Premium Member

Re: Buy Your Broadband at Wal-Mart

Well, not really. How many home users, or for that matter, anyone buying PCs at Best Buy are going to be running Server 2003? You can't buy it at the store, so why would they be likely to support it at the store? You can get Geek Squad people who know about server products via their business focused kiosks and the 800 number.

Your argument is like being disgusted with the fact that the local 7-11 doesn't sell industrial sizes of canned goods - it's an entirely different market.

Ben
Premium Member
join:2007-06-17
Fort Worth, TX

Ben

Premium Member

Re: Buy Your Broadband at Wal-Mart

said by jp10558:

Well, not really. How many home users, or for that matter, anyone buying PCs at Best Buy are going to be running Server 2003? You can't buy it at the store, so why would they be likely to support it at the store? You can get Geek Squad people who know about server products via their business focused kiosks and the 800 number.

Your argument is like being disgusted with the fact that the local 7-11 doesn't sell industrial sizes of canned goods - it's an entirely different market.
Okay, I guess that might make sense, although it was still hard to believe that he could even get the job. I probably know more than most of them. I was a bit surprised, but I probably shouldn't be.

Another shocking experience I've had was when I went to a Circuit City once and an employee there never heard of the Opteron processor. Okay, I don't expect them to sell it there, but I figure that it's something that everyone who knows anything about computers to have heard of.

I know that when it comes to computers, I generally don't bother with Best Buy because they rarely have what I want to buy. For one thing, I haven't purchased a pre-assembled computer "ready out of the box" since 1995. Another thing is that the computers I do build are generally not the same as the computers sold at places such as Best Buy.

Even so, it amazes me how uninformed many sales people are. Just recently I went to an AT&T store to see if I could get their DSL. I asked about upload speeds, and they didn't know. After that I wondered how they manage to even keep their jobs. I wonder if they even know what quad-band phones are or what HSDPA is. At least Verizon Wireless acknowledged the 5GB cap, and T-Mobile acknowledged that EDGE is all they've got.

But then again, it seems that many things I may want to buy are things that the general public don't want to buy. I also try my best to be informed. I get the impression that sales people hate that (surprise surprise). Well too bad. I'm well informed and a tough sell, and I don't buy things just because I can.
Chewyrobbo
join:2005-04-12
Tacoma, WA

Chewyrobbo to Ben

Member

to Ben
"I have never used their services, since I have always been able to fix computer problems myself. And if I can't, I'll get on the Internet with another computer to find out how."

This is about the funniest line I have ever heard, funny because that's so true, it's so true. I'm the go to guy etc. and that's all I do, show not so smart with computer people, people stuff, and they pay me. Not very often because I am bad businessman. I say a free. I worked at Wal-Mart, it wasn't that bad i guess. Peace.

ztmike
Mark for moderation
Premium Member
join:2001-08-02
La Porte, IN

ztmike

Premium Member

hm

Most people that work at my local Wally World are old people, and the ones that aren't look to be downright dumb about computers.

But they don't sell dsl there either, so they probably wont sell hughesnet either.

royhandy9
Panem et circenses
Premium Member
join:2000-05-23
Yesterday

royhandy9

Premium Member

Re: hm

Actually, they used to try to sell Verizon DSL at Wal Mart. I have seen their efforts at pushing DSL and they were pitiful at best.

"That's not my job." "I don't want to learn anything new." Just a couple of statements that were made when someone I know was involved with trying to get Wal Mart employees to sell VZ DSL service.

MalibuMaxx
Premium Member
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN

MalibuMaxx to ztmike

Premium Member

to ztmike
HAHA so true

And a 50 ft. pole heck i wouldn't let walmart touch my computer with a 1000 ft. pole.

rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA

rahlquist

Member

Wrong model WalMart

As I said over at the consumerist web site. Why doesnt WalMart just offer to let CLEC's setup DSLAMS in their stores, lord knows there are more WalMart stores in rural America than RT's.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Wrong model WalMart

my town has an old regular walmart sitting empty after they built their new one. Turn all the old stores into a Co-Lo for DSLAMS

POB
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium Member
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA

POB

Premium Member

Dumb and Dumberer

...specially trained Wal-Mart Connection center associates. They'll be trained right along with the specially trained Walmart cart chasers associate, and those people have no clue what their doing either.

What technically savvy person is going to buy his broadband from Crapmart, anyway. I see M/M Jack & Jill White trash Trailer Park doing that, but nobody else.
markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO

1 edit

markopoleo

Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by POB:

...specially trained Wal-Mart Connection center associates. They'll be trained right along with the specially trained Walmart cart chasers associate, and those people have no clue what their doing either.

What technically savvy person is going to buy his broadband from Crapmart, anyway. I see M/M Jack & Jill White trash Trailer Park doing that, but nobody else.
I like how misinformed people just spew random bs about wal-mart because they read it online and think its fact.

Now the informed person would say "Walmart electronic department employees read up on the latest stuff, get daily updates to newest stuff that comes into store, and most likely know more about a product that the average person who comes in the store because they actually have to learn about it vs 45 year old mom who does not have time". Wow, what do you know, I posted something truthful in a internet thread about walmart..I wonder if my head is going to explode.

Feel free to post some more wal-mart nonsense, I got some truth to spread.

maartena
Elmo
Premium Member
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA

maartena

Premium Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by markopoleo:

Feel free to post some more wal-mart nonsense, I got some truth to spread.
Wal-Mart is destroying American businesses by deliberately removing American made products from their stores and replacing them with Chinese made ones. They care more about offering the cheapest price (and making more money) then keeping honest American businesses in business.

Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium Member
join:2001-11-29
Verona, PA

Combat Chuck

Premium Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by maartena:

They care more about offering the cheapest price (and making more money) then keeping honest American businesses in business.
Maybe that's why, "honest American businesses" are going out of business.
"Honest American businesses" spend more time bitching about Walmart than figuring out how to beat Walmart by offering something Walmart can't.

maartena
Elmo
Premium Member
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA

maartena

Premium Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

That's why I do most of my shopping at Trader Joe's.

I was more referring to the large number of textile and manufacturing plants in the midwest that are going out of business, sometimes leaving entire towns out of jobs, because Wal-Mart pulled their contract with them and decided to purchase their American Flags in China instead.

Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium Member
join:2001-11-29
Verona, PA

Combat Chuck

Premium Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by maartena:

because Wal-Mart pulled their contract with them and decided to purchase their American Flags in China instead.
Because it's not Walmart's job to make sure everyone has a job. It's Walmart's job to make money.

Quit blaming them as they're doing their job quite well. Blame the populace for being too stupid and lazy to see thru the lies politicians tell them and thinking that the world is the same place it was 10-20 years ago.
markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO

markopoleo to maartena

Member

to maartena
said by maartena:

said by markopoleo:

Feel free to post some more wal-mart nonsense, I got some truth to spread.
Wal-Mart is destroying American businesses by deliberately removing American made products from their stores and replacing them with Chinese made ones. They care more about offering the cheapest price (and making more money) then keeping honest American businesses in business.
Hello, welcome to business 101. Today we will discuss business and how they make money.

Every business does this, well the ones that are good businesses that actually make money. I know shocker, another country offers a cheaper product and a US companies realizes they can make more money instead of buying US? Say it ain't so! No such thing as "honest American businesses..whoever told you that was trying to sell you something.

Sorry to burst your bubble maartena, but all major US companies do the same thing. I'm going to even take it a step further, and bring down the old "destroying America" saying people throw around s lot when it comes to wal-mart.

Chevy and Ford, that's as American as you can get right? Guess what? Wait for it..they have been buying parts from China/mexico..BEFORE WAL-MART! That is when the Auto industry was in its prime, today I'm sure its even worse.

Now let me introduce you to this phrase call "supply and demand"..

Wal-mart could not keep products on store shelves if it did not buy overseas, that is a FACT. No retail chain in the USA in today's market can do it. No big business can do, its simply not possible in the USA. (I could go on about how come its America's fault because they demand to much per hour but that's a whole new thread)

Walmart is NOT deliberately removing American made products to, that's just a outright lie. They do buy US products, just the supply will never meet the demand so they have to go else ware.

I have never seen one valid argument or person with reason and common sense that has said to the contrary.

Yes I work at wal-mart, they do some stupid stuff, but nothing they do Is not down to the same extent as other companies..SMALL OR LARGE. If you got any other questions ask away..Just don't expect a good answer if you post BS responses and not questions like you did that just show bias.
joeMI
join:2006-08-15
Mcmillan, MI

joeMI

Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

The problem with WalMart is that they put your product on their store shelves. The initial order to stock all WalMart stores is huge.

Things are going well. The manufacturer often has to expand capacity to meet the demand.

Then they negotiate the wholesale price down. That's fair...supply and demand. A lot of companies offer quantity discounts, etc.

Then they analyze the manufacturer and tell the mfg that their raw materials should cost $0.10 per unit and we'll allow you to make $0.02 per unit profit so you accept our order at $0.12 per unit or else we'll pull your product from all WalMart stores.

IMO, that's where it crosses the line.

If the manufacturer says yes, their profit margin is so slim that they cannot innovate, etc. and often have to raise (or no longer discount) to other retailers which is where WalMart gets their competitive advantage from.

If the manufacturer says no, then they are faced with a substantial and sudden loss in sales which mean layoffs, etc. or in the case of RubberMaid, they went up for sale because they could not recover.

Now that manufacturers know how WalMart operates, I'm surprised that anyone does business with them because sooner or later, they will be squeezed. IMO, it's sorta like reverse extortion.
jp10558
Premium Member
join:2005-06-24
Willseyville, NY

jp10558 to markopoleo

Premium Member

to markopoleo
I expect it differs by store, but in my experience wal-mart employees rarely know if something is in stock, or where said product might be found. Technical specifications? Sometimes they read off the box (this is a problem at pretty much any brick and motar store in New York).
markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO

markopoleo

Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by jp10558:

I expect it differs by store, but in my experience wal-mart employees rarely know if something is in stock, or where said product might be found. Technical specifications? Sometimes they read off the box (this is a problem at pretty much any brick and motar store in New York).
That is just lazy employee, if you want to know tell them to look for it. Its there job, if they don't do it, or do it "half assed" tell there manager and they will get the fury
PittsPgh
Premium Member
join:2003-08-21
Pittsburgh, PA

PittsPgh to markopoleo

Premium Member

to markopoleo
said by markopoleo:

said by POB:

...specially trained Wal-Mart Connection center associates. They'll be trained right along with the specially trained Walmart cart chasers associate, and those people have no clue what their doing either.

What technically savvy person is going to buy his broadband from Crapmart, anyway. I see M/M Jack & Jill White trash Trailer Park doing that, but nobody else.
I like how misinformed people just spew random bs about wal-mart because they read it online and think its fact.

Now the informed person would say "Walmart electronic department employees read up on the latest stuff, get daily updates to newest stuff that comes into store, and most likely know more about a product that the average person who comes in the store because they actually have to learn about it vs 45 year old mom who does not have time". Wow, what do you know, I posted something truthful in a internet thread about walmart..I wonder if my head is going to explode.

Feel free to post some more wal-mart nonsense, I got some truth to spread.
Yes, that's why the guy in the Electronics Department said my Epson R-260 was old & outdated, as to the reason why they didn't carry ink for it. Also didn't know anything about printable DVD's.
Paul
markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO

markopoleo

Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by PittsPgh:

said by markopoleo:

said by POB:

...specially trained Wal-Mart Connection center associates. They'll be trained right along with the specially trained Walmart cart chasers associate, and those people have no clue what their doing either.

What technically savvy person is going to buy his broadband from Crapmart, anyway. I see M/M Jack & Jill White trash Trailer Park doing that, but nobody else.
I like how misinformed people just spew random bs about wal-mart because they read it online and think its fact.

Now the informed person would say "Walmart electronic department employees read up on the latest stuff, get daily updates to newest stuff that comes into store, and most likely know more about a product that the average person who comes in the store because they actually have to learn about it vs 45 year old mom who does not have time". Wow, what do you know, I posted something truthful in a internet thread about walmart..I wonder if my head is going to explode.

Feel free to post some more wal-mart nonsense, I got some truth to spread.
Yes, that's why the guy in the Electronics Department said my Epson R-260 was old & outdated, as to the reason why they didn't carry ink for it. Also didn't know anything about printable DVD's.
Paul
By employee I mean managers, "some" have 2 managers. If you have a problem or question ask them. Lots of people ask the person at register tech questions, or just grab a employee from someplace in store...

POB
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium Member
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA

POB to markopoleo

Premium Member

to markopoleo
said by markopoleo:

I like how misinformed people just spew random bs about wal-mart because they read it online and think its fact.
Actually, no, my opinions are my own. I don't have to read them elsewhere. Crapmart is populated by clueless associates who don't know and who don't want to know anything. You might find a single Crapmart employee who actually has a modicum of initiative, but by and large 99 99999999 9/10th of them are drones. Same goes for the managers.
markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO

markopoleo

Member

Re: Dumb and Dumberer

said by POB:

said by markopoleo:

I like how misinformed people just spew random bs about wal-mart because they read it online and think its fact.
Actually, no, my opinions are my own. I don't have to read them elsewhere. Crapmart is populated by clueless associates who don't know and who don't want to know anything. You might find a single Crapmart employee who actually has a modicum of initiative, but by and large 99 99999999 9/10th of them are drones. Same goes for the managers.
Same goes for any store, even ones that are built around tech savvy business. There is always one person who knows a lot and others just there for a paycheck. Putting crapmart makes you sound pretty un informed anyways. Just like the morons who say "M$" when talking about microsoft.

DrModem
Trust Your Doctor
Premium Member
join:2006-10-19
USA

DrModem to POB

Premium Member

to POB
what technically savvy person wants hughesnet anyway, unless the area dialup is unuseable.

NJxxxJon
2 0 1 7 Mmm Here We go man!
Premium Member
join:2005-10-22

NJxxxJon

Premium Member

G squad SUCKS.

Geek squad is a bunch of 17 year old kids with part time jobs. Literally, these people CHARGE for what I do for FREE! ..I had a neighbor down the raod use...wait..."listen" to these people. and the VW thing.....well...I wouldnt roll up on a date in that.

••••••••••••

hitman_001
Premium Member
join:2006-11-20
Laredo, TX

hitman_001

Premium Member

I can see it now..

People calling walmart for tech support because they cant understand the people that Hughes outsources to. Hundreds of people purchasing their equipment at walmart, then trying to take it back there after a week and the realization that hughes flat out sucks during prime time. People getting fapped after 20 minutes of watching youtube, then going to walmart with a hammer and busting up the 28 unmanned checkout lanes while the half mile lines of folks in the only two working lanes cheer them on. Great times ahead!

••••