CompUSA WATCH Report Guide

Macs Only!'s CompUSA WATCH(TM) Report Guide

Please use the descriptions below as a guide to providing your report. They are, however, just a guide. Please email me with the store location and a list of the four criteria with their rating in the "Subject" field like:

Subject: Timbuktu, VT -- 1. A, 2. C, 3. C, 4. X

Type any further description or comments in the body of the email if you wish.

[Return to or CompUSA Watch] August 3, 1998

Which description best characterizes:

1. The ASWAS display in general, i.e. the area neatness, the computers condition, the availability of peripherals, accessories and supplies?

A. ASWAS well-kept; most computers functional; running software demo, game, PC emulation and business applications. Reasonable number of peripherals, accessories and supplies.

C. ASWAS generally no worse off than the rest of the store and most of the computers functional, either running a demo or some relevant software. Minimal to reasonable number of peripherals, accessories and supplies.

X. ASWAS extremely messy/blocked (including pallets, ladders and shelves too high) or more than half of the computers non-functional or virtually no peripherals, accessories or supplies.

2. The hardware stock on display?

A. At least one currently-shipping computer from each category: G3 Minitower, G3 Desktop, PowerBook G3 w/active matrix screen, PowerBook G3 w/dual scan screen, iMac, Consumer portable.

C. Lacking one category.

X. Lacking two or more categories.

3. The software stock on display?

A. Current versions of most popular game, family, productivity, business and graphics applications, including Microsoft Office 98. Most hybrid CD software titles in ASWAS section as well as Wintel section.

C. Reasonably moderate selection of current Mac software or hybrid CD titles only available in the Wintel section.

X. Poor or very minimal or mostly outdated selection of Mac software.

4. The Mac staff?

A. At least one person reasonably knowledgeable about Macs and accessory (RAM, VRAM, cables, drives, etc.) availability is usually in the ASWAS evenings and weekends as well as week days. This means that there are probably at least three well-trained Mac staff members assigned to the ASWAS and one is there at all times.

C. As above but with some significant gaps in knowledge or availability in ASWAS.

X. No Mac staff or virtually no Mac staff or "Mac staff" minimally knowledgeable or worse.

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Copyright 1998 by Bill Fox. All rights reserved.