Donutrun Jellies Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Of course you realize that if they paid more, you would have to pay more for the same product or service. Plus, if they paid more, they'd likely expect their staff to know something and do something ... which, unfortunately, would eliminate many of their current employees ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 But, I will not shop at ABC warehouse. The place is always a dump, the salespeople are pushy +1 And in the two times that I ever went into one to buy something they had advertised it seemed like they were trying the old bait and switch technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 My ex did that. I thought I was getting one thing, but got tuna instead. And I wonder what she'd say about you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneymakers Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 The dirt bag of all stores is FRYS I will not buy from Frys even if it is free. Ever seen those skeleton bones hanging out at customer service? Extended warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 What's the law on a company like this that sells "insurance policies" on products sold? Gee, wouldn't it be nice if they actually called them that? Rather than warranties? Every time they try to sell them to me, I always make a point of reminding them that it's not a warranty. Just to annoy them. A warranty is something they give you for free because they believe in their product. Paying money to guard yourself against something going wrong is called insurance. Big freaking difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Of course you realize that if they paid more, you would have to pay more for the same product or service. OK, but why even bother with a big box electronic store? If I go into a store like that, it is likely because I have no idea which version of whatever I'm looking for I want. So, I want questions answered by somebody who knows his stuff. Going to a place that pays it's employees crap and, thus, is lucky to get anyone worth a crap doesn't satisfy that need. In that case, I may as well just buy on-line. The price is usually better and at least I can wade through a ton of comments from others who bought it which is at least as helpful as some dude standing in front of the TVs reading me stats off the sales tag. "Thanks, I can read. Would you mind telling me something I can't easily figure out on my own?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Circuit City files for bankruptcy protectionby The Associated Press Monday November 10, 2008, 8:41 AM NEW YORK -- Circuit City Stores, the nation's second-biggest electronics retailer, filed for bankruptcy protection Monday but will stay open for business as the holidays approach. It filed under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code, which will allow it to hold off creditors and continue operations while it develops a financial reorganization plan. The Richmond, Va.-based retailer with in Kentwood, Walker, Grandville and Holland has been struggling as nervous consumers spend less and credit tightens. The announcement came a week after it said it would close 20 percent of its stores and lay off thousands of workers. The company said it decided to file because it was facing pressure from vendors who threatened to withhold products during the busy holiday shopping season. Circuit City said it had secured $1.1 billion in loans to provide working capital while it is in bankruptcy. It had $3.4 billion in assets and $2.32 billion in liabilities, as of Aug. 31. Circuit City announced a week ago it planned to close 155 of its more than 700 U.S. stores by Dec. 31. The stores are spread throughout 28 states, including multiple locations in areas like Phoenix and Atlanta. It is laying off about 17 percent of its domestic work force, which could affect up to 7,300 people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 They had guys standing on street-corners yesterday holding big signs that say "20% off" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 This, combined with the recent purchase of Land America, is really hurting Richmond. I have several friends that went to work at Land America after our bank was bought by Charlotte NC out back in 1998. I play poker with a few of them and drag race with a couple other Land America employees. I'm sure most will lose their job. We all knew Circuit City was doomed when they laid off their good employees for cheaper ones. Management should be slaughtered for deciding that. They deserve going out of business for that swift business decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveby Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 We all knew Circuit City was doomed when they laid off their good employees for cheaper ones. Management should be slaughtered for deciding that. In a way thought I can see that decision. Anyone with half a brain is going to have done their research before buying electronics. When I go into these stores all I want to know is do you have what I want in stock. For the people who don't do their homework the part time sales associate probably knows more than they do anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 In a way thought I can see that decision. Anyone with half a brain is going to have done their research before buying electronics. When I go into these stores all I want to know is do you have what I want in stock. For the people who don't do their homework the part time sales associate probably knows more than they do anyway. Well, as I was saying above, why not shop on-line? Storefront and customer friendly square footage cost more than a warehouse and website. So, if you're not providing any insight to the customer you're relying on a marginally better experience (ie: actually being able to stand there and look at the product, which I understand matters with things like TVs) to provide a competitive advantage at the cost of either eating margin or charging more your product. None the less, I actually logged into this thread today to discuss what might be getting lost in the hysteria around big box chain closings. Linens n Things seems to be going down as well and it's getting a lot of run on the front page of the local paper. I wonder if this is a sign that the end is near or simply that, unless the economy is totally rocking, two chains that build huge stores within miles of each other that are completely indistinguishable by anything other than name, can't mutually exist. Especially when you add in the internet. I haven't spent a ton of time at either Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens n Things. However, if you blindfolded me and dropped me in the middle of either, I would have no idea, at all, which one I was in. Not a freaking clue. The are the exact same store. It always amazed me that you'd have two malls a few blocks from one another and each had one, the other had the other. I always wondered how the hell either made any money at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I haven't spent a ton of time at either Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens n Things. However, if you blindfolded me and dropped me in the middle of either, I would have no idea, at all, which one I was in. Not a freaking clue. I would have said the same thing about 3 months ago, except now our local Linens n Things looks like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 In a way thought I can see that decision. Anyone with half a brain is going to have done their research before buying electronics. When I go into these stores all I want to know is do you have what I want in stock. For the people who don't do their homework the part time sales associate probably knows more than they do anyway. The publicity around here when they laid off the best employees was intense. I don't think you want your business known for having idiot employees when buying a $2,000-$3,000 piece of equipment. Some people do massive research and some people (like my parents or John McCain) simply walk in and want to ask what's the best TV for x price and want someone they can trust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 The publicity around here when they laid off the best employees was intense. I don't think you want your business known for having idiot employees when buying a $2,000-$3,000 piece of equipment. Their action put them on my "do not use" list along with Walmart. I'm well aware what I did makes no difference in itself but I doubt I was the only one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 CC down 56% today, to 11 cents a share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerx Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Well, as I was saying above, why not shop on-line? Storefront and customer friendly square footage cost more than a warehouse and website. So, if you're not providing any insight to the customer you're relying on a marginally better experience (ie: actually being able to stand there and look at the product, which I understand matters with things like TVs) to provide a competitive advantage at the cost of either eating margin or charging more your product. None the less, I actually logged into this thread today to discuss what might be getting lost in the hysteria around big box chain closings. Linens n Things seems to be going down as well and it's getting a lot of run on the front page of the local paper. I wonder if this is a sign that the end is near or simply that, unless the economy is totally rocking, two chains that build huge stores within miles of each other that are completely indistinguishable by anything other than name, can't mutually exist. Especially when you add in the internet. I haven't spent a ton of time at either Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens n Things. However, if you blindfolded me and dropped me in the middle of either, I would have no idea, at all, which one I was in. Not a freaking clue. The are the exact same store. It always amazed me that you'd have two malls a few blocks from one another and each had one, the other had the other. I always wondered how the hell either made any money at all. I agree that they (big chain stores) look alike and there is not much difference in the shopping experience, but as far as why and where they are located...it has everything to do with giving the consumer another option and attempting to drive away the others' business. If you are stronger internally than the other, you win, and the other claims bankruptcy. I know from having worked in them that Lowe's and Home Depot do this to each other. They will intentionally open a store close by or even right across the street. Look at McDonald's and Burger King, they do it as well. Only the truly strong survive! Edited November 10, 2008 by millerx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Only the truly strong survive! Unless you're a bank, airline or auto manufacturer, in which case the government will be along to repeatedly bail your ass out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) We all knew Circuit City was doomed when they laid off their good employees for cheaper ones. Management should be slaughtered for deciding that. They deserve going out of business for that swift business decision. Management should be slaughtered for a LOT of bad decisions and the end was in sight w/Best Buy cleaning their clock well before that; most just didn't know it because FNANB and Carmax were propping them up. Hell I'm surprised it took this long. I think it was more due to much broader issues like poor invntory mgt, poor IT systems/apps, etc. Yet it still baffles me - if you had them wear the same shirts and sell the same stuff (which mostly they do anyway) I doubt if anyone could tell the diff. For every story about "I went to both and (whichever) was way better" you have a story just the opposite. Edited November 10, 2008 by BeeR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I have a very informative story on this, but it will have to wait TO POST. Final word...DON'T BUY FROM CC OR TWEETER!1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I have a very informative story on this, but it will have to wait TO POST.Final word...DON'T BUY FROM CC OR TWEETER!1 +1. My Father just left the CC in Snellville (NE ATL suburb) and was nearly in a fight with the "liquidation specialists" they have in the store. Because that's going on, they wouldn't let him return anything, wouldn't let him use his rewards points, and told him "f*ck you" when he said he wouldn't buy anything from them then. Dad grabbed the guy and almost hit him when another cutomer in the store grabbed his arm and said "they aren't worth getting in trouble over". Although there is a fighting words statute in GA, if I'm not mistaken. He still probably would've gone to jail though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Here's the story: 2 weeks ago on Monday I bought an LCD from Tweeter. The salesman said that he'd call on Wednesday to set up the delivery. He didn't call. I called him and he said he'd call back Thursday as all their installers were too busy emptying out their warehouses! I told him if he didn't return my call by 2pm Thursday, that I would call my CC company and kill the whole deal. He called back on Thursday at exactly 2pm, and said he needed one more day. I was feeling a little queasy, so I called VISA and they assured me that I could kill the deal practically anytime, so I gave the guy till Friday. He called back said that he and a co-worker would deliver the set themselves on Monday. Monday @ 3pm they come, and I'm thinking this is a demo, because there was dust on the base, the box looked resealed, the remote bag was ripped open and the TV had some channels already programmed in! He denied it, but his partner said it doesn't matter because the coax input was broken off! They left the set and said they would come back w/ a different set on Wednesday. Only the salesman came to exchange it and sure enough this set had the fiberglass tape around the box, remote w/ batts separate, and a few other things that convinced me this one WAS new. While he was unwrapping the TV he said, "I might get fired over this.". I asked "Why?". He said because as of Tuesday, the day before, the Feds told Tweeter that they could no longer take returns, fulfill warranties, make exchanges, etc. due to the bankruptcy! So I told him thanks for taking the risk and gave him a $20 tip. He told me he didn't care, because he was going back to college fulltime and was going to quit after Christmas anyway. My point is that CC MAY start doing the same thing, w/o notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 ^ That's quite a story, rr!!! All I want to say about Circuit City going bankrupt is... .....GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Of course you realize that if they paid more, you would have to pay more for the same product or service. I'm sure the CEO could take a pay cut to pay workers more to get better workers so the customers are pleased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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