When Apple computers introduced its latest operating system, Leopard, two weeks ago, students flocked to the computer store in Ackerman Union and bought 220 copies in 45 minutes.
Jan Griwach, the director of computers and supplies for the Associated Students UCLA, said the computer store was kept open additional hours to accommodate the traffic, adding that 500 copies were sold by the following Monday.
The computer store where Leopard was sold is a highly profitable unit of ASUCLA that sells products to UCLA community at reduced academic prices.
The reduced pricing comes from a partnership, dating back to 1984, that the association has with Apple Computers, Griwach said. She added that Apple seeks to sell its product at an “academic price” in college stores, and that offer is only available to students, faculty, staff and academic departments.
Occasionally, prices are even further reduced when vendors offer ASUCLA special-purchase opportunities. According to the computer store’s Web site, a MacBook Pro is listed at the store for $1,799, compared to the typical academic price of $2,299. Also, the MacBook sells for $999, with the typical academic price going for $1,199.
The price disparity is further widened when comparing the deals to the Apple online store. A comparable version of the MacBook Pro would sell at retail for $2,499, while the MacBook sells for $1,299. These prices are $700 and $300 differences, respectively, between the deals and retail prices of the models.
The computer store has also seen success with new, well-publicized Apple products, such as iPods. Griwach said. IPhones are not available at the store because Apple has chosen not to distribute the product in academic channels.
Second-year physics student Christina Yin said she believes the computer store is the only realistic option for students on a budget.
Yin said the discounts offered at the store, plus its convenient location and large selection, make it a smart option for shopping.
Rich Delia, the chief financial officer for ASUCLA, said the computer store is one of the association’s most successful units and generates additional funding for projects, which include new buildings and remodels.
“In terms of sales, the computer store (earns) about $15 million a year, a number that has steadily increased in the past three years. We’ve been riding the coattails of Apple’s success,” Delia said.
Delia attributes the store’s success to the “attractive prices” Apple offers the UCLA community. He added that the strong sales have, in particular, helped fund the remodel of the Cooperage space in Ackerman Union.
Besides Apple products, the store sells hardware from Sony and Lenovo and software from Microsoft and Adobe as well as smaller companies.
Griwach said most of the software products are also academically priced for students, faculty and staff.
The store’s latest initiative is to set up a fee-based service for customer assistance in software loading, system setup and other general computer services.
Griwach added that those services address areas where customers may want assistance instead of attempting it themselves, which she sees as a growing trend at the store.