Before the first iPod was even released, Ohio University began its relationship with Apple Inc., an affiliation that still exists almost two decades later and continues to grow today.
OU is one of few Apple Authorized Campus Stores in the state, said Kim McClain, manager of customer resources at OIT.
“Since we are authorized, Apple tells us we have to have at least one of each product family,” McClain said. “We have to carry at least one iMac, iPad, Macbook Pro and every model of the iPod in our inventory.”
IT Acquisitions Manager Renee Perry said OU has a “very good relationship” with Apple.
“We have several different contracts with Apple, and we have been working with them for a very long time, even before I got here in ’95,” Perry said. “We have the Campus Store Agreement and the Service Agreement, we have a contract for iBooks, and we are certified App Developers.”
OU opened its Tech Depot, located on the ground floor of Baker University Center, in 2008.
Apple, which is known for its minimalistic design style and keen attention to detail, requires OU to follow certain merchandising guidelines, such as recommendations for poster placement and a minimum of 125 square feet of storeroom space solely devoted to Apple products.
Apple has its “own way to do things,” Perry said.
The agreement requires certain procedures.
“We can’t have cables showing where the computers are on display, and we can’t have tablecloths where the demo units are,” McClain said. “We aren’t even allowed to have boxes of the computers out in the retail store. Apple doesn’t want people to mess with their brand and make it look cheap or strange.”
There are between 20 and 25 Apple Authorized Campus Stores in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, one of which is at OU, Perry said.
“Some schools may be able to buy products at educational pricing, but that doesn’t mean they have an Apple Campus Store,” Perry said.
Students at Wright State University and the University of Toledo are qualified for education discounts, but only online, whereas Ohio State University and the University of Akron have authorized campus stores like OU’s. Students at the University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green State University, Kent State University and Miami University can purchase computers at their college bookstores.
“The biggest perk about us having a campus store is that we can offer what students want these days,” IT Communications Manager Sean O’Malley said. “It puts us on a competitive footing with other universities, as (students and faculty) can get (computers, iPods and iPads) here and fixed here.”
Students and faculty can also purchase Dell computers at the Tech Depot. Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo computers are also available at discounted rates, like Apple computers, but must be ordered, Perry said.
For the lowest-grade Macbook Pro with a three-year warranty, OU’s Tech Depot charges $1,282, the University of Akron’s computer store charges $1,182 and OSU’s store, Wired Out, charges $1,232. The same computer ordered directly from Apple costs $1,448.
O’Malley said OU gets “little, if any” profit from selling Apple computers at the Tech Depot.
“Apple has a lock on pricing,” O’Malley said. “They inform us if we are to mark down products, and our pricing is about the same as any educational reseller.”
“The price for service products purchased directly from Apple will be priced on the Apple Service Price List on the date that Apple ships the products,” states one of the contracts obtained by The Post. “Any order placed with Apple is subject to acceptance by Apple and Apple may decline any order, in whole or in part, for any reason and Apple may cancel any accepted order prior to shipment.”
Perry said the Tech Depot’s goal is to “keep pricing fair” and provide machines and service to students and faculty on campus.
Employees from Apple Inc.’s Worldwide Sales and Service Law Department, Contracts and Management Department and Education Contracts Department couldn’t be reached for comment.
bc822010@ohiou.edu
