Rumor: CompUSA going out of business

tod071 · 12-05-07, 09:25

Is it true??? Found this on engadget and am not too surprised.

Rumor: CompUSA going out of business in January

Posted Dec 5th 2007 taken from engadget.com

So we've heard enough banter about CompUSA being on its last legs and possibly shuttering completely after closing more than half the chain's stores earlier this year. Well, chalk this up to rumor (in fact, rumor with prejudice if you must), but we're privy to a high-level internal email competitor Best Buy recently circulated which claims to have it on authority (but not "verified") that CompUSA's holiday revenue is half what it was last year (which, as commenter Hans points out, might have to do with those store closures), store-restocking shipments are not being scheduled past February, and additional liquidators are being called in to help manage closure of the 103 remaining stores. Sure, it could be a sneaky misinformation campaign -- or it could be the truth. We gave CompUSA a ring, and their PR team has yet to respond to the claim; but for what it's worth, if we weren't already hearing this kind of thing elsewhere (or didn't believe it plausible) we wouldn't waste your time.

SpoiledMan · 12-05-07, 11:37

I don't think I'll miss the great (yeah right) service I got there.

Setec Astronomy · 12-06-07, 03:48

I thought they WERE out of business, all the ones around here are closed up. I had stopped going there already; as SpoiledMan alludes to it never seemed to be a satisfactory experience.

Yal · 12-06-07, 08:43

Good riddance. Now where's that link to NewEgg?

rjstaaf · 12-07-07, 10:00

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that CompUSA has been sold to a company that specializes in retail store liquidation.

Free Preview - WSJ.com

tod071 · 12-08-07, 02:07

That's too bad. Now all the rude, bad customer service employees are going to end up somewhere else and give us a bad time at another place.

a.k.a. Patrick · 12-08-07, 05:02

Their prices weren't even competitive.

bigfoot · 12-08-07, 07:08

That's odd, because the one close to me is great and has a great CS. But I have heard nothing but bad about them, trying to rip-off everybody that goes in.

rjstaaf · 12-08-07, 07:16

I was in a CompUSA last night looking for a laptop case for my new laptop. I have to say they had the best selection of cases out of any of the large electronics stores. I am really surprised though that this close to Xmas that the prices were ridiculous. Every store I visited either had a lousy selection or the prices were way too high.

Looks like I will be buying a case on eBay as that seems to be the only way I am going to get a good deal.

At least I was able to get an idea of what I am looking for and take some measurements to find a case that will fit my laptop...

Setec Astronomy · 12-08-07, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfoot

That's odd, because the one close to me is great and has a great CS. But I have heard nothing but bad about them, trying to rip-off everybody that goes in.

I think the beginning of the end for them was when they tried to be a Best Buy etc. buy converting half the store over to TV's and such, rather than trying to stay with their "core" business. Nothing like going to buy computer stuff at a store with computer in their name and finding out they have no selection anymore because the place is filled with plasma TV's.

But beyond that it could have been the rude/nonexistant cashiers/help desk people, the incessant alarms going off (what was that from, the cameras? I finally figured out I think that if you pulled on that security cord too hard this loud beep would go off, but it didn't come from the camera area. Constantly in that store, there would be these loud beep sounds coming from the PA...) Then of course there was the fact that either on purpose or stupidity they didn't have the lights on in the parking lot at night during the winter. I personally love walking in the dark on black ice carrying potentially expensive/fragile/heavy equipment and not being able to see if there is someone next to my car waiting to bonk me over the head for it.

poweredbytorque · 12-08-07, 09:55

So when can we go in and buy computers for 80% off?

tod071 · 12-08-07, 11:34

Just found this article in the local paper that Hawaii's only 2 stores are liquidating. Honolulu Advertiser

I guess engadget can confirm their rumors.
Setec, I thought it was just 1 store here that made those noises, but I guess it happens nationwide. If you pull a certain camera, the alarm blares and of course, no one is around to take care of it. And yes, we too have that alarm-sounding noise coming from the PA. Then of course the backup beepers when they use the people lifter to get to high objects. Well, no need to worry about those noises much longer.

Oh yeah, not to mention the cases where people arrive before the store opens, go get a coffee across the street, come back and find their cars have been towed! Yup, just because they were not shopping in Compusa.