COMP USA going out of business.

[Keysplayr]

Text

 

[nageov3t]

didn't they go out of business like a year ago?

or am I thinking of some other computer chain?

edit: nm, I rtfa'd... that was like a mini-closing back in the spring, but all the stores around me closed back then

 

[lokiju]

Kind of sad in a way

They were all there was for computer stores back in the day for the most part.

Even though they were overpriced, it was always there if you needed a quick fix for some part.

 

[spittledip]

It is too bad to see something close down. I guess management got too lazy to evolve with the times.

 

[ghost recon88]

Mine always was really dirty, and the employees were the laziest things ever. I was there Saturday night and waited by the checkout for 10 mins before an employee standing 10 feet away came over to ring me up. I was tempted to say "well I guess theres a reason you guys are closing down" but I didn't.

 

[ITPaladin]

Well I guess there's no reason to update my online application with them.

Does this mean they will forget about my many years-old past due account on their credit card?

 

[erwos]

CompUSA deserves what they're getting. Back before the Mexicans (namely, Carlos Slim) bought them out, they were a pretty good store. But they shifted to selling more and more consumer electronics, and their core customer base mostly abandoned them. They also used to have really excellent every-other-Sunday sales.

A Microcenter opened up near us, and they're just infinitely better than CompUSA was. Huge selection, good prices, and they cater to enthusiasts. When I was there yesterday, they were just packed.

 

[Thump553]

I miss the days when CompUSA's springtime anniversary sale was THE tech hotdeal of the year.

 

[foolish501]

spoke to manager at compusa yesterday, said tigerdirect is in talks to buy business. also said that sales start after wednesday (that is the last day you can purchase something and bring it back if you don't like it)

 

[thephatp]

Is there a way to know which ones will be closing? I just happened to be driving by one in February and got a great deal on some software. I'd be interested in seeing if they have anything good this go around. Anyone know about the stores in Austin?

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: foolish501
spoke to manager at compusa yesterday, said tigerdirect is in talks to buy business. also said that sales start after wednesday (that is the last day you can purchase something and bring it back if you don't like it)

It sounds like something they might want to do imo, expand their reach locally so they can not only screw their customers but their customers' immediate families and nearby friends.

 

[gibster]

Originally posted by: thephatp
Is there a way to know which ones will be closing? I just happened to be driving by one in February and got a great deal on some software. I'd be interested in seeing if they have anything good this go around. Anyone know about the stores in Austin?

Yes, it's very easy. They are closing ALL stores.

 

[street carp]

The St. Louis area used to have CompUSA and Computer City (which CompUSA bought out years ago.) Now we have neither; don't have a Fry's or Micro Center...no computer parts chain at all. I prefer online shopping, but it would be nice to know you can get something locally if you are in a jam. Come on Fry's, you're in Indiana and Illinois. Give this town a store, too!

 

[Pardus]

if Fry's came to New York or New Jersey, stores like Best Buy and Circuit City would be in serious trouble.

 

[nycdude]

Originally posted by: ActiveX
if Fry's came to New York or New Jersey, stores like Best Buy and Circuit City would be in serious trouble.

QFT

 

[thephatp]

Lame...I called the CompUSA closest to me to ask if they were closing, and the rep said "I have no idea." So, I asked to speak with a manager to see if they could confirm for me. The rep then said, "That is our official statement. So, as of right now...no, we're not closing." LAME.

 

[chizow]

If this closing is handled anything like last year's, it'll be months before you see any decent deals. I ended up snagging a copy of Vista Ultimate Upgrade though for $150, so no complaints here. They also had some Home versions for as little as $70-80 IIRC. There were also some pretty good deals on CPUs (which don't last long), along with some nice deals on Cases/DIY components (HSF, fans, PSUs etc).

Sad to see CompUSA go down even though they've definitely degraded over the years. I can't complain too much though, upgraded to a much more convenient MicroCenter where my CompUSA used to be. Here's to hoping Fry's comes to town next!

 

[FireChicken]

<-----Tech vulture Circles......

 

[dds14u]

Originally posted by: ActiveX
if Fry's came to New York or New Jersey, stores like Best Buy and Circuit City would be in serious trouble.

Stores like Best Buy and Circuit City have not been in seriuos trouble in the bay area...I don't see how it would be any different on the east coast if Fry's moved there.

 

[manimal]

Ya kind of sad to see Comp usa go, in the old days it was the only B&M I could go to see motherboards and get proc's and such. Got my Lian Li from them in 2000 or 2001. Kind of sad.

Over the next few years other B&M chains will have to change or die. I can see C C having some trouble because their service model is somewhat flawed. Best Buy in early 2001 changed to a heavy service oriented model with the acquisition of GeekSquad and their profits stayed steady since service is almost all profits. This year B B started having some issues and the stock right now did take a turn for the worse. Their margin is steadily dropping and they are dropping prices like crazy to try to keep volume up to keep investors at bay and to make Q3 look better than it really is. Disposable income is at a low for the last 10 years for most Americans so people are holding on to refrigerators and microwaves longer-normally high margin items at Big B&M chains.

 

[indamixx99]

Originally posted by: foolish501
spoke to manager at compusa yesterday, said tigerdirect is in talks to buy business. also said that sales start after wednesday (that is the last day you can purchase something and bring it back if you don't like it)

That was the same story back when the first wave of closures happened back in March. They shut down all of the stores in Dallas because the word was that Tiger Direct was supposed to buy Comp and the headquarters in Dallas would be relocated to Tiger Direct's headquarters in North Carolina. I'm still doubtful this will actually happen.

 

[ghost recon88]

Originally posted by: chizow
If this closing is handled anything like last year's, it'll be months before you see any decent deals.

Actually I heard they're closing within a week after new years.

 

[JSK07]

I have no complaints about Comp USA. I worked for them for 5 years and my experiences helped launch me into the career I have today. If anything I was saddened the day they closed down the store which I was formerly employed. I had the pleasure of working for them back in the days when Hal Compton was running the show. I admit that once "Slim" took over things started really sliding downhill. It wasn't long after that when I left for greener pastures.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: ghost recon88

Originally posted by: chizow
If this closing is handled anything like last year's, it'll be months before you see any decent deals.

Actually I heard they're closing within a week after new years.

Right, but again, if its handled anything like last year's closings, they'll slowly lower prices/announce the closing, then drop @10% off every few weeks until they hit 40-60% off whatever limited stock is left after all the attrition, minus anything wholesalers/liquidators purchase along the way. Its a VERY slow and painful process. By the end, the scene is quite morbid actually.

 

[rugby]

They'll have 5% off of everything and the stores will be gutted just because there's a sale.