COMP USA going out of business.

[indamixx99]

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.

That's way too soon for them to have a successful store closure. Gordon Bros sells everything, including all store fixtures, desks, chairs, etc; and it will take several weeks to get all this prepped, let alone sell all the merchandise in the store. They want to make the most money out of this as possible, so generally their store closures last about 2 months, with very slow markdowns up until the last 2 weeks. I worked at one of the comp's that closed down during the first wave.

 

[lupi]

So, we gonna get a new CUSA is closing thread every other day now or what?

 

[SuPrEIVIE]

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

thats it? its not worth stopping by then, its gotta be better than that...

 

[ghost recon88]

Yea they do look pretty wartorn near the end. Shelves are empty, random stuff all over.

 

[El Norm]

Originally posted by: 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.

Yeah pretty much. It's like this... If you know what you want, done your research, don't mind spending a little extra time and dont care about customer service, then go to Fry's. If you want a pleasant experience shopping with somewhat intelligent people that know answers to some of your questions then go to Best Buy.

Customer service might not seems that important but beleive me not everyone is as savy as many of the people here... and it's what has kept many stores like Best Buy and Circuit city open. Not to mention just the general atmosphere of the store.

 

[rickon66]

I'll miss them, they are THE only place here in middle Tennesse that carries a decent selection of computer hardware for times when you gotta have it right now. They have had great sales on power supplies and computer cases in the past year or so. I don't know why some folks here are so gleeful to see a business close down, meaning less local competition and people losing their jobs. I hope Fry's comes to the area soon!

 

[trav]

Originally posted by: 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!

Isn't the CompUSA on Manchester still open? I drove by it last week, and it looked like it was still open.

 

[coloumb]

Not surprised really... [which I won't comment because it'll start too many flame wars]

I forsee more B&M stores either closing or changing their business models to remain competitive with both "mom & pop" stores and our favorite discount websites [ie: newegg].

As for the comments about Fry's - the stores in the Bay Area have TERRIBLE customer service. I think Fry's is the only store which allow their employees to argue with customers. Now the Fry's in Oregon is a different story - I was shocked at how friendly they are...

I avoid BB, CC, and other similar stores simply because I don't want to be bugged by every other employee asking if I need help or "suggesting" I need to buy a @#@#$@ warranty.

 

[pcz]

there's just too much competition on the internet for retail stores to compete with. Compusa always had rebates on their deals, which most people did not want to deal with

 

[herkulease]

Originally posted by: El Norm

Originally posted by: 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.

Yeah pretty much. It's like this... If you know what you want, done your research, don't mind spending a little extra time and dont care about customer service, then go to Fry's. If you want a pleasant experience shopping with somewhat intelligent people that know answers to some of your questions then go to Best Buy.

Customer service might not seems that important but beleive me not everyone is as savy as many of the people here... and it's what has kept many stores like Best Buy and Circuit city open. Not to mention just the general atmosphere of the store.

haha. Intelligent employees at best buy? Its a rarity. they are just the same as the people at Frys. 90% of them have no clue what they are doing and are just selling people items based on what's on the box and having a slight idea of what the customer wants.

CC and BB are able to stay in business in the Bay area simply via volume. There's 6 frys stores in teh bay area. There's well over a dozen CC and BB. More importantly BB and CC are located near malls. Its all about location. They are easier to find, while every single frys here is scatter in some industrial parks areas. I guess the exception being palo alto but its in the back and its not very visible.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: pcz
Compusa always had rebates on their deals...

Yep! That's what killed 'em!

They either unilaterally extended the period beyond stated 6-8 weeks, or didn't pay up at all - spurring the FTC to step in eventually, before their first bankruptcy.

CC isn't far behind them - they got one foot in the grave too!

 

[WildHorse]

The CompUSA by me has tons of inventory but most of it (the computer hardware) is not the latest state of art, not much of anything I'd ever buy.

It seems like they could have taken the opportunity to morph the business into something more like a competitor for NEwegg or at least Fry's, but didn't.

 

[TheNewbie]

Sad to hear compusa is going out of business, wasn't my #1 favorite, but still they were there forever.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Hate to see them go, but then again they never had a store where I live.

My take on them is that they reminded me more of an office supply store than a computer store. Their sale items were the only ones worth buying as their normal prices were average or above.

It just goes to show that times are changing and you can't understand the computer industry if you're older. The CEOs that may know business just don't understand the industry and where things are moving. It takes someone who's really keen and that understands who has the money and who is going to really spend it. Fry's has been a success at this and Best Buy is just pushing volume.

 

[v8envy]

A poster above pegged it. A 5% sale (but more likely a 10% price hike) and the sheeple will loot everything in sight thinking it's a fire sale. By the time prices are reasonable the selection will be mighty grim.

I'm glad I only have $20 in rebates outstanding with compusa at the moment. Odds are it'll be impossible to get them to honor it once they're gone.

I'll miss compusa. But like everyone else I only went in to buy loss leaders, the full retail pricing was a little bit nuts compared to their competition. Ever since they decided to shift from a computer focus to consumer electronics their stores have been ghost towns. Poor selection and high prices -- not a big wonder they've decided to call it quits.

It'll be interesting if TigerDirect buys some retail locations. They're no Frys, but still. Beats nothing at all.

 

[littlebitstrouds]

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.

If Fry's came to NY... I'd be without a savings account, and storage space.

 

[fleshconsumed]

It's sad to see people out of work due to CompUSA closing, but I can't say I will miss it. They were always one of the most expensive retail stores. The only two memorable items I've bought from CompUSA both involved hefty manufacturer mail-in-rebates. They also had a couple of nice deals when our local store closed down in Downers Grove. However, like others have said the discounts will be handed down at 5-10% a week so it will be a while before you will see anything worth buying.

 

[StormRider]

It's sad. I don't know why so many people hate CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City etc. I've always gotten tons of great deals from all these stores. From CompUSA, I've gotten tons of cheap and good hard drives, routers, and other stuff.

Sometimes it seems like people hate these stores when they can't get away with buying an item, trying it out for 30 days and then returning it without a restocking fee. Oh the nerve of them not letting me try out and use a product for free! Or if there was an obvious pricing error on their ads -- how dare they not honor their ad and sell me a $1000 laptop for $10! The customer is always right! If you don't sell me that laptop for $10, you're gonna lose me as a customer and I'll report you to the BBB!

 

[dispair]

Originally posted by: StormRider
It's sad. I don't know why so many people hate CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City etc. I've always gotten tons of great deals from all these stores. From CompUSA, I've gotten tons of cheap and good hard drives, routers, and other stuff.

Sometimes it seems like people hate these stores when they can't get away with buying an item, trying it out for 30 days and then returning it without a restocking fee. Oh the nerve of them not letting me try out and use a product for free! Or if there was an obvious pricing error on their ads -- how dare they not honor their ad and sell me a $1000 laptop for $10! The customer is always right! If you don't sell me that laptop for $10, you're gonna lose me as a customer and I'll report you to the BBB!

Not to Hijack this thread, as some truly hot deals can be had I'm sure(got Windows Vista HP and Ult upgrade for $150 out the door when the one by me closed), but wow!

Even in your quote you say not to generalize otherwise your stupid, but look at what you just did? My discontent for the above listed companies has nothing to do with there horrid misprints or the fact they won't honor some of the great deals people have to dig for.

My miscontent comes from how they treat those that work for them, from the lack of good recruiting measures, and the blatant disreguard of policing their own. Instead of a complaint being handle in the store @ CC, they are instructed to give you a "Cool Down" line number. You call, get some "Yes" man person and if your lucky, a $20 gift card for your hour of headache. Why? Because a CSR doesn't want to mess up there "numbers" that they aren't supposed to really be accountable for.

Yes I understand it is the nature of the beast, but when you pay someone $1 over min, you really think they care? NO! Do I blame all the above for global warming though? No, it is etailers that helped sink the ship of our local B&M. Hard to beat newegg when they only scim 20% over cost(just pulling numbers out the air) and all you have to do is wait 3 days to get your product instead of the instant gratification. Is it worth it? To me, yes, because I don't have to deal with the idiots in the store(employees and customers), as well as those driving on my way there.

Wow...was that a waste of time or what? And to think, I operate a bakery.

 

[kki000]

I liked cusa, they were one of the few places from the late 90s that carried stuff you needed. This was before the bestbuys and ccity carried much in the way of computer stuff and getting things mail ordered was a crap shoot.

Lately I can't remember a single item I purchased from there though. It has more to do with what their competition has done and they have not.

Whats sad is that b&m computer equipment sales might be a dead end industry.
Whats the point when the minute you buy your stuff its instantly devalued by a recent product launch or announcement even. The buying cycle for such a large chain can't possibly keep up.

Does anybody remember Computer City?

 

[Nitemare]

That's a shame, but they did it to themselves.

Now we are stuck with a Worst Buy, Circuit City and a Tiger Direct 20 min away.

WTB a Fry's

 

[rahvin]

There won't be any real deals. They hired a liquidator. Liquidators excel at large going out of business sales that don't knock the prices down much. Everything of value will be sold to wholesalers and the rest will get marked down a few percent with lots of advertising to draw people in to buy old equipment at slightly discounted prices. Sure you might find the very rare occasional deal but the fact is there won't be any "hot deals". All the hot ticket items will get wholesaled, often to a competitor.

Not trying to thread cap, just a statement of fact IMO. Liquidators are the enemy of hot deals. They are the people that pay temps to stand out on street corners with signs announcing the spectacular deals (where there aren't any) at the closing store. Frankly I haven't seen a good deal at a Liquidator hosted closing in 10 years, they are often very good at what they do (they buy the chain's inventory out for a fixed price and maximize revenue).

 

[Vajurewi]

Carlos Slim is the Mexican telecommunications billionaire who has control of CompUSA.
On VH1, that Robin Leach sound-alike was saying Carlos Slim passed Gates and Buffett as the #1 billionaire earner in 1 year, iearning $12 billion in 2007 by owning 90% of Mexico's phone lines and 73% of cell phones.
$12 billion year -> $32.87 million a day -> $547833 per hour -> $9130 per minute = but CompUSA still denies rebates with the best of 'em.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: rahvin
There won't be any real deals. They hired a liquidator. Liquidators excel at large going out of business sales that don't knock the prices down much. Everything of value will be sold to wholesalers and the rest will get marked down a few percent with lots of advertising to draw people in to buy old equipment at slightly discounted prices. Sure you might find the very rare occasional deal but the fact is there won't be any "hot deals". All the hot ticket items will get wholesaled, often to a competitor.

Not trying to thread cap, just a statement of fact IMO. Liquidators are the enemy of hot deals. They are the people that pay temps to stand out on street corners with signs announcing the spectacular deals (where there aren't any) at the closing store. Frankly I haven't seen a good deal at a Liquidator hosted closing in 10 years, they are often very good at what they do (they buy the chain's inventory out for a fixed price and maximize revenue).

Not to mention that walking through my local store yesterday it seems they haven't had any new shipments since before T-Day.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Vajurewi
Carlos Slim passed Gates and Buffett as the #1 billionaire earner in 1 year... but CompUSA still denies rebates with the best of 'em.

How do you think he became so rich?

CompUSA sends out layoff letters: bad service extends to employees, too