"If a product in a retail store is anywhere other than sitting on an obscure shelf, it's because the manufacturer paid the store for more prominent placement. "

"If a product in a retail store is anywhere other than sitting on an obscure shelf, it's because the manufacturer paid the store for more prominent placement. " I don't doubt this is true for most commodity pcs but I wonder if Apple isn't the exception here. I'm sure they do pay setup and material costs on the special displays themselves but I doubt they are paying special kickbacks above that for better placement. For one thing they don't have to pay special kickbacks they could just sell their gear to best buy for less. We know that isn't the case because we can confirm that the margins for Apple stuff at Best Buy is pretty terrible because the commission staff there always steer you towards something else.