Tech: Possible Computer Bargains

Subject: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:07 AM

It has just been announced that CompUSA will close slightly more than half its stores within the next 60 to 90 days. Although not the largest electronics outlet around, in many areas (like mine) it's about the only place you can get "techie parts" locally. Nearly all stores are in the US, but with a few scattered "south of the border."

The report seems to be authentic.

It's reported that the stores that are being closed will liquidate all stock on hand, presumedly at substantially discounted prices.

Four stores were closed in recent past months, but the new announcement indicates an additional 126 (of the 226 now open) will be terminated. All discount sales will be local, in the stores where the stock is on hand.

If someone is thinking about new equipment, and if there's a CompUSA store in the area, it might be a good time to check out whether any good deals are available.

There is no list of which stores will be closed, as those have already been removed from CompUSA's "find a store" listing on the web. The only way to check is that if your local store is still listed it's NOT GOING TO CLOSE, and you won't get any of the bargains.

One hint was given in another article: "If there's a Fry's in town, there won't be a CompUSA there in a month or so." Places with stiff competition from BestBuy may also disappear.

In my area, their store offers computers, monitors, printers, software, parts, and supplies (and is not closing). Some other stores offer extended lines of consumer electronics and such, and several of them may be shutting down.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:39 AM

amazing! I guess the only one within 45 min to an hour of me will close. Best Buy must have done it here....there are 3 of THOSE around.

Seems like new buisness models are constantly overtaking older ones.

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:42 AM

(actually, I'd guess it is online ordering that is the major culprit. Too many Dells ......what do people do for service when they buy online?)

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:48 AM

It's not called "The Throw Away Society" for nothing, Bill...

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: Susan of DT
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 01:29 PM

My local store, which is closing, had 10 - 20% off. The online prices were even better, but had shipping. I picked up a printer I had been considering.

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:07 PM

An interesting sidenote at the original article is that the owner of CompUSA is listed as the third richest person in the world. (And I didn't even recognize the name.)

Maybe he's thinking about retiring and sponsoring some new medical research? Or more likely he just sees a way to "get richer."

Fry's and BestBuy are cited as CompUSA's biggest competitors, but there isn't a Fry's anywhere in my area, and BestBuy doesn't handle much in the way of components/parts (in my area). The local CompUSA is the only one still listed in my state.

Circuit City is also listed as a competitor, and there is one here; but the three or four times I've tried to stop in the "background music" was amped up to a level that was intolerable, so I've never gotten far enough in to see what they have to offer. The noise is probably a "local thing," but their ads don't indicate that I've missed anything.

CompUSA does have quite a lot of "house branded" stuff, and what I've seen of it has been pretty good. They also handle (here) the MadDog line of components (mostly "multimedia" drives etc.), and despite some initial reservations, I've gotten good use from a couple of products from that line, at significantly lower prices than "name brand" comparables. The one gitch in the service has been with a couple of hard drives that I suspect were "pre-damaged" by careless stock workers, but in both cases the new Seagate warranty (5 year) took care of me (assuming the one now in transit comes back).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: jeffp
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:27 PM

There is a list posted at the Compusa web site. Go to www.compusa.com and you will see it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:56 PM

jeffp -

I don't see it, and I've got an appointment to keep, so I'll have to look again later. Is there perhaps a sidebar clicky to the list of stores being closed?

The "find a store" listing already has been changed to DELETE the stores that will be closed. You can find the ones that will remain, but no listing of the ones that are being closed - where the sales will be.

CompUSA has stated that all the clearance items will be sold only IN THE STORES that are closing, and will NOT be offered on their Web Clearance site, although that may have changed(?). The may be some good deals at the web clearance site, but those aren't the ones really of interest for the next month or so - maybe.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: jeffp
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 03:07 PM

The link is on the store locator page. Right underneath the search boxes it says, "Click here for a list of stores closing in the next 60 to 90 days."

Here's the direct link: http://www.compusa.com/locations/closing_stores.asp

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 04:21 PM

Thanks jeffp.

The listing apparently was added in the last day or two, and I didn't get that far with my pre-appt check. I'm pretty sure the link wasn't there when I looked at the store locator page just before I created the thread.

Of course, I find that it's about 180 miles (one way) to the nearest one on the closings list, so I guess I don't get to visit and look at the real deals.

It might be worth noting, for the few among us, that many of the CompUSA stores do deal - some pretty heavily - in Apples. Of course none of those users would admit to needing anything, but they might want to slip in after dark and just before closing to take a look at what's up for grabs, and say hello to the "Apple Solutions Consultant (ASC)" just to be friendly.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: IvanB
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 04:41 PM

Apparently the store in my area (Lansing, MI) is remaining open although all the rest of their Michigan locations are closing. Frankly I'm happy about that, since the local Best Buys (3) and Circuit Cities (2) aren't all that great in terms of "nuts and bolts" computer needs.

FWIW, I purchased both my desktop and notebook online and have never needed service on either, though my desktop is far from the machine it started out being - I've replaced the motherboard, case, cpu and several other items. I always maintained that persons who needed a lot of handholding in terms of computer support should buy locally, those who aren't afraid to open the case and play around inside can buy wherever the price is right.

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 06:53 PM

Agreed, that usually the widest available market (i.e. the web) generally finds the best deals and often much better quality.

There's still a definite need for a local supplier, unless you're surrounded by "almost working," "formerly working," "could be working," or "I'll get around to it someday" fixable/substitutable/useful-with-a-few-tweaks maybe-good equipment,¹ and a reasonably open/flexible schedule.

When living with the one who "needs" space for her sewing machine, ironing board, quilting table, loom, pottery collection(s), 4 cats, herb-garden accessories, ... rolltop desk, and the display case from her daddy's old truck stop, ... ... and her computer, printer, scanner, CD rack(ssssss)², etc., there's only room for one of mine, and if it needs a fix it needs it ... at least as quickly as I can figure out what part(s) to burn up next.


¹ not that I don't have all the preceding stuff - but it's all "stored" until I get around to doing something with it and can find a more accessible place to work it up.

² (ssssss) = multiple plurals

I need a 24/7 local parts store, just for the little bits and pieces.

Thus far I've gone to the web for all but 1 (in 1981) of my computers (~11?), and generally for all the larger accessories like printers (5?)/scanners(3) and such. Because of "business use" I've had to buy more and patch less than I'd really like to have done sometimes; and we've worn out more stuff than most people would - especially printers. It wouldn't be too bad if I actually had a budget or a business plan ... (and a little more business?).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 08:51 PM

"not that I don't have all the preceding stuff - but it's all "stored" until I get around to doing something with it and can find a more accessible place to work it up."

Is there an echo in here?
:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 10:05 PM

I was thinkin' of ya as I typed.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 11:26 PM

I have bought several computers, monitors, printers, drives, cards, etc, at CompUSA and we are heartbroken that our Tarrant County stores are closing, as are several in Dallas. There are a couple in the region, but they will be at least an hour away. The employees aren't too thrilled with this change, either. I intensely dislike the way Best Buy does business and I don't think they care a rap about supporting any device once it has left the store and been removed from the box. I haven't shopped Circuit City enough to have an opinion about their computer section.

I go to Fry's for gadgets, I go to CompUSA to buy the things that I think might possibly need support, and if I've had to return anything they've been very good about it. I asked about why they closed all of the stores in this area, not leaving one. It seems it would cost just as much to do the advertising for one store as it had for three, and if one store is making less money, it won't support the advertising, so they went market by market. And I read the owner is in Mexico City. Does he really have his finger on the pulse of what is going on up here, or is his profit margin less than he wants? Sometimes it seems a good idea to keep a store open if it pays the bills, pays the staff, and makes a modest profit. Call me old fashioned.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 11:40 PM

Stilly -

The PC Mag article - first link in first post above - details what's been released by CompUSA about why they're cutting back. Apparently Mr. Slim (sounds like a mexican pool hustler) has kept CompUSA as a "writoff" against taxes, and has decided he doesn't need the losses any longer. The main criterion for closure cited was presence of a Fry's, Best Buy, or in most cases a Circuit City in the same metro area.

The cited competitors are probably all stronger that CompUSA for "consumer appliances," but so far as I can see (with the possible exception of Fry's since I don't know them) none of them approach being "computer stores" for people who use computers rather than just play with them.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: Amergin
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 12:37 AM

Wow...they are closing their two biggest stores in my area....and keeping open two very small ones.

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 08:40 AM

'Trust The Market' IS a US expression...

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 04:22 PM

Fry's has a lot of the same stuff, and I always compare between CompUSA and Fry's on price. But the CompUSA feel was more solid, in that they had their computer techs right there and you could ask questions and get the work done on location in a reasonable amount of time. They didn't gouge on their extended warranties (and I bought one on a DVD burner, so if that puppy dies, I have to drive to the next county to exchange it).

I didn't follow the link, I'll do that and see what else they say. I don't think there are a lot Fry's around, but Best Buy seems to be everywhere.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 11:12 PM

A recent investigation by the Connecticut Attorney General's office accuses another of the major big-box retailers of playing what PC Magazine calls the Best Buy Hide The Weenie Game

It seems that Best Buy has a web site where people can order things in the usual e-commerce ways.

Somewhere along the line there appears to have been an offer to "match competing prices," but when people went in to Best Buy and challenged them to meet their own web prices, there was another identical appearing Best Buy website that the in-store employees could show them, to "prove" that the lower prices didn't exist.

Best Buy says "it was human error¹ and employee confusion²," or something like that ...

Investigation and excuses continue, presumedly.

¹ "human error" = "we hope you're human and will make this error"?

² "employee confusion" = confusion of the customer by the employee?

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 06:48 AM

AS I said, in Australia, such games are against the law - and for obviously seen good reason.

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 12:58 PM

Apparently at least one State Attorney General agrees here, Foolestroupe. But of course they still have to be charged and convicted, so often it's more efficient, and gets results more quickly, to embarass them by letting the customers know what's going on. There is an investigation going on.

Our real problem is an illiterate consumer population that can't do simple arithmetic and is far too accustomed to, and tolerant of, advertising lies.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Possible Computer Bargains
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 07:55 PM

Something that's been built up and encouraged since end WWII.

Here, some (not all) schools even teach a little bit about such things.