Lamb Chapter 12 Web Exercise

Marketing Channels and Wholesaling

Vignette: Dell has revolutionized how computers are sold. Using the direct channel of the Internet is advantageous to Dell.

Featured URL: www.dell.ca

Over the Web Easy
At first, consumers resisted purchasing goods over the Internet. Since then, shopping on-line has become easier and more convenient, and more and more consumers are resorting to it. There are few products that cannot easily be ordered and paid for on the Internet.

Gateway, like Dell, uses the Web as its primary marketing channel. Selling computers directly to customers is riskier for companies like Compaq and IBM.

1. After looking over the computer buying articles in the Resources section, decide on a computer to buy.
   
2. Visit the computer companies listed in the Resources section, and shop for your computer.
   
3. Compare how Dell and Gateway market their products on the Web with how Compaq and Dell sell computers.
   
4. Which company have you have decided to buy from? Explain why.
   
5. Describe the system you have chosen and the various components. What will you be paying, including delivery and taxes?

Computer Companies

• Dell.
• Gateway.
• Compaq.
• IBM.

Buying a Computer

• "How to Buy a Computer" by Jim Bray at Technofile
• "Tips on Buying a Computer" from Concord College Computer Services
• "Buying a Personal Computer" from About.com (Mac or PC)
  
• ZDNet - Reviews and other Information about buying Computers
  
• CNet - Product reviews, price comparisons and more about computers
  
• BizRate.com - Best prices for buying a computer

Channel Marketers

• Jack Nadel, Inc.
  
• GDM.
  
• Channel Marketing Corporation.
  
• Gage.
  
• Channel Strategies.
  
• Channel Marketing, Inc.

Wholesalers

• Google's Wholesale Directory.
  Distribution
  
• Cold Cut Distribution for Comics.
  
• IDN (Independent Distribution Network) Music.
  

These Web Exercises provide an additional opportunity for exploration of Chapter 12.

1. Channel Surfing

Visit the sites in the Resources section that display information and claim expertise on channel marketing.

What are the specializations of these organizations? In what way do they facilitate the marketing of products or services?

2. Get an Eyeful

Using the Google Directory to buying wholesale, locate a company on the Web where you can buy false eyelashes wholesale. What is the best source as far as price is concerned?

Next, find a supplier of protective eyewear for medical professionals. What are they called, and how much do they cost?

Now, find a king-sized eye model. What size is it, and how much does it cost?

3. Distribution

Describe the differences in how Cold Cut Comics deals with retailers, with comic book fans, and with publishers of comic books.

Check out the IDN site for distributing independent music. How does this site work? If you had a band, what process would you go through to place your band's CD and a sample of your music on this site?

Listen to a few songs in your favourite category. What is the name of the group? What is the name of the song? From hearing the song, would you buy the CD?