WHY DOES EVERY THREAD START WITH AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT PRICE?
Okay, I'm better now.
I'm almost a sole Apple user, though I have to work with all OS' at work, and support the (Java) software I write on all platforms (even Linux at this point). I have an Apple store near me, and, I can't stand the place, but it works out for me. I can't stand the people that treat it like an Arcade, nor the staff that *always* have to ask one or two people my question, and sometimes they just make stuff up.
How it DOES work for me, is that I can bring in a product, and, for free, get a basic diagnostic done, and an actual quote if it's not under warranty. I've gotten otherwise broken items at a refurbished discount, and, I can have stuff shipped to and from the store (warranty) without a hassle, or chasing down the FedEx guy.
Now, Danbury now has a Microsoft store, and it's a dead clone of the Apple store, right down to the incompetent employees that have to even ask someone else why the price doesn't come up as advertised (way to go there) . . . but they missed the point.
HOPEFULLY, if Canon does do a storefront, they do it the same way that Apple did (again, we have the prerequisite 2+ people complaining that Apple is just trendy/expensive, so we've met a quota) and at least hide a few professionals in the back room, and use the stores as a place to take in warranty/repair items efficiently, then we may have something. Moreover, if they do things like Apple does (and *REAL* camera stores) such as free beginner lessons, intermediate classes, then they'll grow their brand, at least on the lower end until the middle end.
Let's hope they don't try to hawk their printers though
*steps down from his soapbox, wiping the rotten tomatoes from his coat*
