[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Demo Day && Best Buy

[sdenny]

Don't be surprised if the major computer retail stores don't
welcome us with open arms.  There are lots of things that happen
behind the scenes that aren't obvious to us consumers.

As an example, in the grocery business, stores are paid for item
shelf-space, and they are offered incentives for both volume and
promotional pricing.

I can't imagine that there aren't corporate deals between
software vendors and the major chains.  Things such as
volume rebates based on weekly sales might make them less
willing to give us time in or around their stores.

Further, all it takes is one call from a major operating system
software vendor, and these guys won't touch us.

Add to that the added liability and and the uncertainty of
whether we would annoy their customers or not, I'll be surprised
if anyone gets in the door.  The world is a rather complicated
tangled place when it comes to this stuff.

But that doesn't mean its not worth asking.  Surprise me.

Something like a mall might be interested unless they thought one
of their tenants would object.

Regards,

Stephen Denny                                 mailto:sdenny at hex.net
Hex.Net Superhighway                             http://www.hex.net