Travel Technology - CompUSA To Close All Stores - Sell Online Businesses

Can't say that this is a huge surprise given their troubles the last few years but it will still be something of a watershed event.

CNN (http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/07/technology/compusa.ap/index.htm?postversion=2007120719)

I am a bit surprised they couldn't make a go of it.

There really aren't any other national computer oriented chains out there [Fry's for example still has fewer than 20 stores IIRC] and places like Best Buy and CC have but a fraction of CompUSA's product mix and it's not like everyone knows about and shops Newegg.com.

It will be interesting to see who picks up the slack in Mac sales as CompUSA sold a lot of Apple products.

I wonder if taking on home theater is what killed them?

I think they were already on the death-spiral road before Home Theater kicked in. They never seemed to quite know where they were going. IMO what killed 'em was lack of differentiation. Half the time when I'd walk in for something I'd walk out empty handed as they didn't have what I needed and I'd have to order it off NewEgg anyway. I wouldn't buy a computer there as all they sold was overpriced consumer-oriented crap.

They seemed to be doing better back in the late '90s when they had a mixed business/consumer focus and offered things the small business owner wanted as well as the home user. Things seemed to get worse when they changed to a more 'value added' orentation and tried to focus on services (in home service, etc). IMO Circuit City is next. Best Buy comes up with Geek Squad. Circuit City rolls out... FireDog???????

Not at all surprised.

I last purchased from them in 2003. I bought a digital camera that had been introduced that month and was out of stock online and at most big boxes (including Best Buy) for 10% off of retail. In electronics that's a suicide move - even if you can sell accessories, which Compusa never could.

I'm not surprised.

Even online, they offer FFP miles/points on (as far as I am aware) only 2 sites - HA and AGR. BUT there is a BIG catch - if you get the items delivered (and possibly pay a delivery charge), you earn the mileage/points.
They also offer an in-store pickup option. However, if you chose that option, your CC is not charged but is wrong up at the register. Thus you DO NOT earn miles/points! (But there is nowhere stating this is the case!)

Just 2 weeks ago, I had to order 2 items from them. Item #1 was available for delivery but not for in-store pickup. Item #2 was not available for delivery but was available for in-store pickup! (And f course for the rebate, they were required to be on the same receipt! :rolleyes:)

I am sorry to see them go. In Detroit, Microcenter is the only one who fills the void and there is only one store (not close to me) for the entire Detroit area. My opinion of Badt Buy and Circus City is not particularly high.

I haven't purchased from them in many years. Their prices were not great, the selection awful, and when people went to the training center at the old office, they came back with training disks full of virus files. I was totally amazed they stayed going as long as they did, I never understood why anybody shopped there.

I was totally amazed they stayed going as long as they did, I never understood why anybody shopped there.

For many of their markets, particularly the mid-sized ones, it was likely a lack of convenient alternatives.

Looks like my buying will be on-line

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I need a printer...time to go hit the fire sale. :D

I can't say I'm happy to see them fail, but I won't miss them. Customer service was frequently awful.

Another computer retailer bites the dust. Poor, poor, poor service, prices not always the best, uninformed and uninterested help, Prices on the shelf were lower than what rang up, management refused to do anything about it. I walked and haven't been back. Good riddance.

Terrible stores. No edge on selection / lines carried, price, or service. Used to buy some minor bits and pieces at the CompUSA within five miles of home just because there was no other option nearby, and was always frustrated and disappointed. A lesson in how to fail in retail.

RIP CrapUsa. We definitely will NOT miss you. Why killing an airline is not as easy as this?

Anyway Circuit City will be the next casualty.

No surprise here...very infrequent visitor to local store and I never left with a feel good experience.

On-line works quite well

On-line works quite well

Except when you need something at 8:00 PM on a Thursday...Just sayin'.

I really never shopped at them. They just didn't know how to sell stuff.

Rumor is, Carlos Slim, the second wealthiest man in the world has put 2billion in the enterprise over the past few years? Maybe he is now THIRD wealthiest, last check he was only a couple Bill ahead of gates. :-)

I am not surprised. The location near me closed earlier this year and I walked out with nothing because even their fire sale prices stunk. The people weren't too helpful but that's expected for a store that's closing. The nearest ones to me now are all 100+ miles away so I guess I won't be checking those clearance sales.

I'm surprised they're closing. I didn't know business was that bad. Can't say I'm all heartbroken about it though. I never was really much of a fan. Everybody else always had a better deal.

Rumor is, Carlos Slim, the second wealthiest man in the world has put 2billion in the enterprise over the past few years? Maybe he is now THIRD wealthiest, last check he was only a couple Bill ahead of gates. :-)

Some accounts have him as the wealthiest. Numero uno.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/03/news/international/carlosslim.fortune/index.htm

The store in Webster, Texas (near NASA, Houston suburb) had an excellent service department where I took one of my Dell computers (under warranty) rather than go through the long phone hold and Indian call center. Bought an HP at a great price from them since I swore I would never buy another Dell and took the extended warranty. They closed this store about a year ago and now this. I assume the remaining 20 some odd months of my "warranty" is now worthless.

I, for one, will miss them. Our company uses lots of components, and often can't wait till next day or longer for online purchases to arrive. The local Best Buy & Circuit City don't carry a tenth of the selection of our CompUSA. When you need it now, you need it now.

Aside from Fry's, they were pretty decent for parts and pieces. I know that the Geek Squad would frequently buy parts there that BB didn't carry in store.

They once were good. They had a good selection, things were in stock and knowledgeable staff.

Then they never had anything in stock, poor selection, high prices and rebates that were never received.

They did this to themselves.

Some accounts have him as the wealthiest. Numero uno.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/03/news/international/carlosslim.fortune/index.htm

old data from August, now possibly surpassed by the indians.

Anil Ambani, who controls the Reliance group of companies, is now worth close to $100 billion.

So I went to the one in Wilmington Del tonight... place was a ghost town as usual.

They had a SIRIUS unit on sale for $15 but the dunce behind the counter couldn't actually remember where they were, but he said that he "heard some were left."

Basically, he went to help someone else.

Good bye, and good riddance.

The one in Orange, CT doesn't show any sign of it closing down. It even looks like they cleaned it up a bit, No major markdown's. It did look like they were dumping the MS training books

Can't say that this is a huge surprise given their troubles the last few years but it will still be something of a watershed event.

CNN (http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/07/technology/compusa.ap/index.htm?postversion=2007120719)

I am a bit surprised they couldn't make a go of it. ?
Are you kidding me? Let me present you with two scenes that tell their entire story:

1) A couple years ago I went into CompUSA on Madison Ave in NYC to look for heat sink past. Took me the better part of 10 misn to find a floor staff willing to talk to me. When I did, he didnt knwo what heat sink paste was! Neither did the person they called. Eventually I found it ie not only did the not know computers, they didnt even know what was on their own shelves.

2) Recently my sister in NYC called me to tell me about their "closing sale" - she was in their store. She was considering buying a printer/copier at there and wanted to know if it was any good. I asked he to give me the model number. A quick internet search revealed that while Comp USA wanted $300 for it (plus NYC sales tak of 8%), Amazon.com could put that same printer on your doorstep for $240 with no sales tax and free shipping. When you cant even run a competitve closing sale, you really have problems. :)

Do you really wonder why these guys went under? I dont. They had nothing to offer. No expertise, no sales skills, no friendliness, no prices. As the saying goes "retail is detail". CompUSA had none.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish", is all I can say.

2) Recently my sister in NYC called me to tell me about their "closing sale" - she was in their store. She was considering buying a printer/copier at there and wanted to know if it was any good. I asked he to give me the model number. A quick internet search revealed that while Comp USA wanted $300 for it (plus NYC sales tak of 8%), Amazon.com could put that same printer on your doorstep for $240 with no sales tax and free shipping. When you cant even run a competitve closing sale, you really have problems. :)



That isn't CompUSA's fault. All the assets have already been sold and the liquidation is being ran by Gordon Brothers, they are in the business of making money off what they paid for the inventory.

That said; I'm not sad at all that they are finally going to be gone. They sucked. Their inventory sucked, their prices sucked, their staff sucked, their assortment sucked and their service sucked.

Nothing about the store concept was worth my time or money.

If you read the different reports online about them closing, virtually every reply is "good riddance". They had ZERO customer goodwill left. Even Fry's with their insane policies is loved by most.

The only thing CompUSA was good for was for getting something quick that nobody else carried. Nowadays I have a 30 minute drive to Fry's for that instead of the old 10 minute one to CompUSA.

In Denver today, the sign people were out at intersections near to CompUSA's with 20% off closing signs.

20% off isn't enticing to me...and by the time it's 50% off, the flea market people will have already carted off all the good stuff. So, I probably won't set foot in a CompUSA ever again.

Trivia: The CompUSA here on Colorado Boulevard started life as a Computer City, one of Tandy's many failed ventures into computer/electronics stores. To this day, a lot of the interior signage is vintage 1990 Computer City signage.

In Denver today, the sign people were out at intersections near to CompUSA's with 20% off closing signs.


20% off of prices that the liquidator has jacked up = higher than MSRP probably.

It will be interesting to see who picks up the slack in Mac sales as CompUSA sold a lot of Apple products.


Really? I never saw them sell anything in the Mac department. But I'm pretty sure Apple moving into retail took care of any hopes CompUSA had of becoming a player in the Apple market...

Really? I never saw them sell anything in the Mac department. But I'm pretty sure Apple moving into retail took care of any hopes CompUSA had of becoming a player in the Apple market...

First, CompUSA was indeed a poorly run business, no question.

The only thing that "surprises" me is that they still weren't able to make a go of it given that they were unique [product mix combined with long store hours] in the nationwide marketplace and relatively few cities have alternatives like Fry's, particularly mid-sized cities.

Also, while the Apple stores have put a huge crimp in others Mac retail, they too are relatively few and far between. As anecdotal as it may be, I have witnessed plenty of Mac crap being wheeled out of CompUSA stores.

I just looked at my last CompUSA receipt from several months ago. Now tell me where myself and others living in even smaller cities can go at 5:27 PM on a Sunday night and buy [1] pack of 13x19 Epson Velvet Fine Art inkjet paper, [1] complete set of ink cartridges for an Epson 2400 pro inkjet printer [1] low-RPM 120mm case fan, [1] eVGA nVidia 8800 512MB video card with 2-DVI connectors, [1] tube of Arctic Silver thermal grease, and [1] molex-serial ATA power adapter.

Perhaps some place like Fry’s [who aren’t all that great themselves] will see this as an opening to go nationwide.

I just looked at my last CompUSA receipt from several months ago. Now tell me where myself and others living in even smaller cities can go at 5:27 PM on a Sunday night and buy [1] pack of 13x19 Epson Velvet Fine Art inkjet paper, [1] complete set of ink cartridges for an Epson 2400 pro inkjet printer [1] low-RPM 120mm case fan, [1] eVGA nVidia 8800 512MB video card with 2-DVI connectors, [1] tube of Arctic Silver thermal grease, and [1] molex-serial ATA power adapter.

In Denver, the answer would be Micro Center. They're better than Fry's in my opinion, and there are no Fry's in Denver.

Here is my recent CompUSA experience.

(1) A few weeks ago CompUSA advertised a recently discontinued iMac for $900, but only for in-store sales. The store nearest me with these models in stock was in Madison. That being a 5-hour drive round trip, I called repeatedly to make sure they had them in stock, with Apple warranty etc, once talking to the store manager himself (let's call him Manager #1).

(2) When I got there, the staff couldn't find the machines. After about 1 hour it turned out they were in the shop being "refurbished". Manager #1 offered to throw in Apple Care for free and to ship it to me as soon as ready. While disappointed that I wasn't going home with a computer, I still considered the offer attractive and paid for it.

(3) Two weeks later, no computer, no communication, and I read that CompUSA is going to close all stores soon! It took me two days of effort to get someone to answer the phone. Turned out that Manager #1 no longer worked there and nobody knew anything about this order. Manager #2 took down the details and promised to call back.

(4) She did call back and informed me that she found the details and the new owners/liquidators will honor the deal but there's one glitch: Manager #1 had made a mistake and this machine came with no warranty, was not eligible for Apple Care or for free Leopard upgrade. Basically carry out "AS IS" from the shop. Same price. I said let me think, I'll call the next day.

(5) I decided not to buy a computer without warranty. When I called next day, I learned Manager #2 no longer works there. I started with Manager #3, who promised to look into it.

(6) He called and said he realizes I have had a run-around but his hands are tied and he cannot offer anything beyond what Manager #2 had communicated. Even if I just want to cancel and get refund, I still have to drive back to the store.

(7) I went back to the store. They had new iMacs on sale at 5% off. That's all they could offer me after all the trouble. So I thanked them, took my refund and left.

Although I met some good helpful individuals, I can see from various goofs that CompUSA was not a well-run store: They didn't know their stock and more than one employee confirmed availability when there was none. To make up for that, they promised Apple Care on a machine that was not eligible. They didn't ship nor contact me about my paid-for order until I called, etc. For all this trouble, when I asked if they could offer some extra discount on an iMac with warranty, nobody there seemed to have the authority to go beyond the 5%.

In Denver, the answer would be Micro Center. They're better than Fry's in my opinion, and there are no Fry's in Denver.

Micro Center is actually quite good, but they have only 20 stores or so widely scattered about the country (based in Ohio). I drop in there sometimes when I'm in Cleveland or Columbus.

CrapUSA, as I often referred to it, became pointless for me years ago. One too many times walking in there to find not even a decent item to get now vs waiting for overnight shipping.

20% off of prices that the liquidator has jacked up = higher than MSRP probably.

That was certainly our experience when the CompUSA's shut down near me.

To me, the more telling aspect that they were going down was that in the last round of closings, they pretty much wiped out all of their Chicago area stores. If you're not in the #3 market in the country and claim to be nationwide, you're in trouble...

To me, the more telling aspect that they were going down was that in the last round of closings, they pretty much wiped out all of their Chicago area stores. If you're not in the #3 market in the country and claim to be nationwide, you're in trouble...

They closed all the LA area stores earlier as well. IMHO it is very difficult to downsize.

Before downsizing they bought the Good Guys electronic stores trying to get into that niche.

Did anyone have any experiences with Good Guys before CrapUsa bought them?

I just looked at my last CompUSA receipt from several months ago. Now tell me where myself and others living in even smaller cities can go at 5:27 PM on a Sunday night and buy [1] pack of 13x19 Epson Velvet Fine Art inkjet paper, [1] complete set of ink cartridges for an Epson 2400 pro inkjet printer [1] low-RPM 120mm case fan, [1] eVGA nVidia 8800 512MB video card with 2-DVI connectors, [1] tube of Arctic Silver thermal grease, and [1] molex-serial ATA power adapter.

No doubt about it, they were great for last minute computer product needs.

But as a multi billion Dollar company you can't survive off selling ink and thermal paste.

I went to CompUSA yesterday, because I knew they had a "Going Out Of Business" sale, and thought they might have good prices. (Luckily, I didn't have to go out of my way - it was on the way in between my other stops. :rolleyes:)

When I got there, I thought they had no sale, since they had no big sign (or anything) outside. But after I walked it, I did see a sign of "up to 20% off"! Basically, I was looking for glossy photo paper for the laser printer we just bought.

So when I looked at the aisle where I thought they may be, all I see are photo paper for inkjets and everything is 10% off! So I (finally) found someone to ask where they were, but she said that she will find someone for that department. :confused: When the guy comes over, he says the didn't have any laser paper. I ask him where I may find it - he suggest to try Staples (about 1 mile down the road and also on my way).

So I stop at Staples, and find the laser photo paper - and it is 50% off!

I guess I'll won't be going to CompUSA again!

That isn't CompUSA's fault. All the assets have already been sold and the liquidation is being ran by Gordon Brothers, they are in the business of making money off what they paid for the inventory..
But that is my point - how will they make any money outof it? Who is going to buy their closeouts when the prices are not even competitive? Amazon's everyday prices can put items on your doorstep at a landed cost lower than what they are offering "on sale".

What a fiasco.

I wonder if the liquidator paid too much for the inventory and thus has to over-charge during the clearance sale to break even :D Either way, I think the prices are pretty lame :td:

But that is my point - how will they make any money outof it? Who is going to buy their closeouts when the prices are not even competitive? Amazon's everyday prices can put items on your doorstep at a landed cost lower than what they are offering "on sale".

What a fiasco.

Gordon Brothers makes money off stupid people.

When something has an MSRP of $1000 and you sell it for $1250 with big signs claiming it's now "$200 off!!!!!" there will always be someone that thinks they are getting a bargain. Even though the competition has it on sale for $899 that week...

I've been to a few of these closeouts, and people are just plain stupid.

yes... *cough* as they say... Sheep-le... most people believe everything they see/hear/ and are told..

Gordon Brothers makes money off stupid people.

When something has an MSRP of $1000 and you sell it for $1250 with big signs claiming it's now "$200 off!!!!!" there will always be someone that thinks they are getting a bargain. Even though the competition has it on sale for $899 that week...

I've been to a few of these closeouts, and people are just plain stupid.

Interestingly, the newspaper ads here in Denver are touting this as an "all inventory on sale" event, not a "store closing" event.

Most people know about the closings, however, thanks to the Denver Post's front-page Business section article entitled..."Blue Screen of Death." :D :D :D

I heard they already had a buyer for CompUSA(an etailer trying B&M? I forget who exactly-but they are in the electonics/tech field)The prices might not drop a lot since the change will happen very quickly.

they do, it's TIGER DIRECT (officially owned by systemax-an NYSE company). One of the worst etailers there are, but NTL, somebody has bought them and will make a go of the stores.

check out the two websites, they are starting to look identical. What is funny is, cusa was the retailer that had to pay out the 25M$ in fines and fees for rebate hassles, scams, etc. TD is no better in no way. A marriage made in heaven

I came over here to ask if anyone noticed a resemblence between Compusa's site and Tiger Direct's. That question is obviously moot.

Good riddance. CompUSA in downtown SF always had the worst selection and service. I complained once to a manager, she basically told me to **** off. So I haven't been back. Glad to see that all the surely employees will now be unemployed. Hopefully management is unemployable.

What's left in the stores is now at 20-50% off. A few software titles are now reasonable bargains.

What's left of the TVs are seriously damaged units that they're still trying to sell for 20% off. Are you kidding me?

I purchased my Toshiba tablet from them a year and a half ago because they told me that they do all of their laptop service in-house. Imagine my surprise when I took it in and they said that they have NEVER serviced laptops in-house. Live and learn that retail lies! :mad:

If anyone bought an extra applecare macbook pro during the firesale let me know?:)

Good riddance. CompUSA in downtown SF always had the worst selection and service. I complained once to a manager, she basically told me to **** off. So I haven't been back. Glad to see that all the surely employees will now be unemployed. Hopefully management is unemployable.

I actually found this location last Saturday during a mini vacation to "the bay area" and found it quite depressing. I used to frequent the ANC location especially on Black Friday, and have gotten some decent deals on their stuff. But seeing the place "all for sale" and very little left was depressing.

Enjoy the cheap applecare.

The only thing I ever bought there that was a true bargain was when they closed out their iGo tips - I bought a bunch of A10s for 99 cents :)

Any locations still open??

I just missed the last day at the Madison, WI location on 3/1 :(

Any idea what has happened to the CompUSA sold TAP policies?

Any idea what has happened to the CompUSA sold TAP policies?

Did you consider checking what it says at compusa.com? :D

What about my Technology Assurance Program TAP?
CompUSA's Technology Assurance Plan (TAP), the extended service plan purchased by customers for their personal computers, will be fully honored by Assurant Solutions, which has been a service partner of CompUSA for several years. Customers with repair issues should call a special toll-free line at 1.877.520.8324, or visit the Assurant Solutions Web site at http://stage.compusa.com/services/tap/.

Did you consider checking what it says at compusa.com? :D



The funny thing is that in Afghanistan, I can get this blog and ual.com, but I cannot get compusa.com. Thanks for the information though.

Did you consider checking what it says at compusa.com? :D

What about my Technology Assurance Program TAP?
CompUSA's Technology Assurance Plan (TAP), the extended service plan purchased by customers for their personal computers, will be fully honored by Assurant Solutions, which has been a service partner of CompUSA for several years. Customers with repair issues should call a special toll-free line at 1.877.520.8324, or visit the Assurant Solutions Web site at http://stage.compusa.com/services/tap/.

I sent mine in for service (needed to get the WIFI switch replaced) Read: HARDWARE ONLY, and they reformatted my drive! Good thing I don't trust much and backed up or I would have been screwed with no kiss. Dorks. Probably outsourced to Dubai. :td::td::td:

I sent mine in for service (needed to get the WIFI switch replaced) Read: HARDWARE ONLY, and they reformatted my drive! Good thing I don't trust much and backed up or I would have been screwed with no kiss. Dorks. Probably outsourced to Dubai. :td::td::td:

Hardly just CompUSA that does that one. I've several friends who learned that the hard way with both Apple (years ago) and Dell; these days, I will not return a machine for service with the hard drive in it, or return a hard drive for service - even if the HDD is dead, I'd rather pay for my own replacements than worry about if they have adequate destruction-of-data methods.

I've not yet figured out what to do with dead and obsolete old drives. Right now, they're in a shoebox in my garage.

I purchased a laptop from CompUSA in 2006. They pushed the TAP on me. Since I was about to be deployed overseas I purchased the International TAP. In 2008, the screen quit working. Many phone calls later, turns out they won't honor the plan unless you are in the US!!!

Filed a complaint with the BBB and got the same answer in writing. Oh, they are working so hard to exceed their customers expectation and of course they are going to honor the plan...blah blah blah.....and they so tried to call me under my US phone number from 2 years ago but since they can't make contact to me and they don't do international phone calls, so sorry, can't help in any way. Crooks!! Ever heard of fax or e-mail if you don't want to call??

Has anybody else experienced this? Is it worth it to sue or should I just wait for the class action lawsuit?

Hardly just CompUSA that does that one. I've several friends who learned that the hard way with both Apple (years ago) and Dell; these days, I will not return a machine for service with the hard drive in it, or return a hard drive for service - even if the HDD is dead, I'd rather pay for my own replacements than worry about if they have adequate destruction-of-data methods.

I've not yet figured out what to do with dead and obsolete old drives. Right now, they're in a shoebox in my garage.Use a drill to make several holes in 'em. Then, if super paranoid, find a place that incenerates, or just recycle them after drilling.

Use a drill to make several holes in 'em. Then, if super paranoid, find a place that incenerates, or just recycle them after drilling.

I think I either need better drill bits or a better power drill.

Hardly just CompUSA that does that one. I've several friends who learned that the hard way with both Apple (years ago) and Dell; these days, I will not return a machine for service with the hard drive in it, or return a hard drive for service - even if the HDD is dead, I'd rather pay for my own replacements than worry about if they have adequate destruction-of-data methods.

I've not yet figured out what to do with dead and obsolete old drives. Right now, they're in a shoebox in my garage.

There are many e-waste disposal firm that will destroy your hard drives and give you a receipt of destruction. Chances are good that your employer currently contracts with one (assuming you have a clueful employer). Ask if you can add your drives to their next pickup.