“Our survey is now complete. We asked retailers around the world, although primarily focused on the U.S. since the Zune is not available in most overseas markets, which MP3 players were selling best, if they sold the Zune and which one they personally recommended,” The Channel Checkers report.
“The final results are as follows. 81% of respondents told us they reccomended an iPod with the 30GB or 60GB model most commonly suggested. This differs from our earlier survey suggesting that the iPod Nano and Shuffle would be the hottest iPod models. 11% of survey respondents suggested the Creative Micro Zen MP3 player, primarily because functionality was close to the iPod and Zune and was cheaper to buy. Finally, Zune was recommended by only 7% of our respondents,” The Channel Checkers report.
“On the question of was the Zune selling well or not we got more positive feedback from the channel. 40% of respondents who carried the Zune said that the product was selling well,” The Channel Checkers report. “iPod’s were recommended for many reasons including flat out better product, iTunes, more accessories, been around longer, etc. When other brands were mentioned price was the most often cited reason for a customer being steered to a non-Apple MP3 player. Creative, Sandisk, Transcend were all recommended as cheaper alternatives.”
More details in the full article here.
40% say Zune is “selling well” based on early sales, many of which took place before the Zune was panned by independent reviewers. We assume that 60% said Zune “is not selling well” in its first two weeks of availability. Regardless, it will take more than two weeks of sales to see just how “well” Zune sales are really going for Microsoft. It also depends highly on the definition of the word “well.”
Related articles:
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Thurrott reviews Microsoft Zune: ‘a joke, a travesty, I can’t imagine what they were thinking’ – November 28, 2006
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Since it includes the Zune, this study had to have happened recently.
So why are salespeople recommending a 60GB iPod, which was the last generation?
And it seems that the Channel Checkers haven’t realized that in the US, iRiver’s blood is on the click wheel, having been killed by the iPod killer.
I used to be a channel checker. When my kids were young, I was constantly checking what they were watching. Nowadays, I prefer chess.
Oh yeah, looks like the Zune isn’t selling very well.
60% replied “What is Zune?”
Does MDN honestly think that anyone is going to click on all those related links below the story? Having so many there I just scroll past all of them, annoyed that I have to do so.
MacDailyNews Take: 40% say Zune is “selling well” based on early sales, many of which took place before the Zune was panned by independent reviewers. We assume that 60% said Zune “is not selling well” in its first two weeks of availability. Regardless, it will take more than two weeks of sales to see just how “well” Zune sales are really going for Microsoft. It also depends highly on the definition of the word “well.”
Lovely take. And yet, it didn’t stop MDN from posting the “Selling Like Snotcakes” article now did it? So apparently numbers that can be construed as remotely positive warrant a wait and see take from MDN, but even more irrelevant number posted 2 weeks ago don’t get a similar take?
Nice work.
MW: Lines; Keep snorting them, whoever has editorial say over the content of these takes.
“Well” MS definition: 1. Well, as in “The world has not blow apart. All is well.”
2. “Well” Zune definition: 2. We got a sucker to buy one of these things? Congrats! The Zune is selling well.
Of course they recommended the video capable models of iPod over the Shuffle – there’s more profit to be had from the more expensive model.
MDN, not “selling well” is not necessarily “not selling well” Without the possible survey question responses, we don’t know. You need some ttraining/reading in survey techniques.
There seems to be some question as to whether the Zune is selling well. I can clear that up.
I don’t expect MDN to cover the multitude of reports detailing the fantastic critical response to the Zune as well as the fact that the Zune is a runaway sales smash. Analysts far and wide predict the Zune will dominate the MP3 player market in short time leaving Apple’s iPod in third place behind Sandisk and of course the Zune. If iPod lemmings visit MDN and only get bad news, they won’t come back. I understand the strategy. There are a lot of things Mac heads aren’t aware of.
Customers and critics fault the iPod’s poor design and difficult system of getting music onto Apple’s also-ran device. Apple’s DRM scheme is far too prohibitive. The lack of FM radio is seriously damaging the iPod’s ability to gain any traction in the market, but most of all the iTunes Store lacks a points system for obtaining content. Customers have to use actual money in Apple’s system. Microsoft’s expertise, innovation and unparalleled focus on what is best for the customer is fueling the new market leader: Zune.
There. It should all be clear now. Expect those Zune recommendations to skyrocket.
Congratulations, Redmond! You did it again!
Welcome to the Social.
Zune Tang, go someplace else and pedal your dribble. No one’s buying your polished turd here.
Regarding zunetang comment…
“The lack of FM radio is seriously damaging the iPod’s ability to gain any traction in the market…”
Yeah…I guess over 80% market share in the US is a serious traction issue!
What a turd….
To Zune Tang.
Hey, at first I thought you were just a normal MS troll. But then I re-read the post. I would now say that you have a high level but poorly tweaked sense of irony.
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Interesting. Boring but interesting.
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N.
If Zune ever gets to be a real concern (highly unlikely), Apple simply licenses its DRM to the Mafiasoft “partners” that got shafted by Bill and Monkey Boy. Checkmate.
Rock on Steve!
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… It also depends highly on the definition of the word “well” — a very deep shithole where zunes will likely be tossed into. Kerplunk!
Qka said: “MDN, not “selling well” is not necessarily “not selling well” Without the possible survey question responses, we don’t know. You need some ttraining/reading in survey techniques.”
The way your crying like a baby, maybe you need some potty training. MDN was pretty reasonable on their take.
egads and Sherm:
You do realise Zune Tang is joking, don’t you? Don’t you?
There’s nothing like people who don’t get it to take the enjoyment out of oa joke.
The people who don’t get it make it funnier. At least that’s the way it works online.
I got a first gen shuffle and I gots me a 60 gig gen 5 ipod – and I love them.
Today I got the wife a cute little iPod nano. For Christmas. Naturally I had to open it and load it for her. Damn thing holds pictures! And a calendar, and games, and music for cryin out loud!
If you’ve never done so, and I had not before today, hold a nano in your hand and play with it and ask yourself if monkey boy is capable of producing something as breathtaking as the nano.
I think not.