What The Hell? Why Are There CompUSA Stores?
Wired is reporting that there are about 30 CompUSA stores — run by the folks behind TigerDirect. CompUSA cannot be killed! It will rise again!
The new CompUSA is apparently quite different. For instance, if you want to use their computers to research your purchases on the internet, you can. There are no restrictions, and the price on CompUSA's website is the same price you'll see in the store.
We have invented this idea of retail 2.0," says Gilbert Fiorentino, chief executive of the Technology Products Group at Systemax, now parent company of CompUSA told Wired. "Every screen in every CompUSA store is now connected to the internet and making buying a richer experience for customers," he says.
By "internet" he means the same internet that you use at home. The one that displays competitor prices! Oh noes!
Fiorentino didn't seem too concerned about the world ending if people saw that another store had a lower price.
"We are using tech to change the retail experience for the customer and giving them access to all the information on the internet anytime they want during the buying process."
Anyway, if the new CompUSA is anything like the TigerDirect store I visited in the Chicago burbs, it will be an improvement. They helped me pick out some headphones and the cashier told me my glasses were cute. I think he actually meant it.
CompUSA Comes Back From the Dead [Wired] (Thanks, Justin!)
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Comments:
Uh... and this is news? Tiger direct opened a bunch of stores about a year ago with the CompUSA name.
Will the prices for the items be CLEARY displayed BY (or ON) THE ITEM, consistent, and accurate?
Or is that another long-held CompUSA tradition that they're trying to abolish?
Because without the password protected screensavers and accurate pricing information, why even bother calling it CompUSA?
I've never been to a B&M TigerDirect but if it is anything like their online store I could only see it being a massive failure. I have yet to actually "buy" anything from them because every time I've tried (4 times so far...I don't learn well) I wait about two weeks before receiving an automatic refund because they don't actually have the items they claim to.
That's really cool actually. If they're willing to come at this retail thing a different way, I'd give them a shot if they opened one around here.
Um, you could use the internet to look up prices on almost every demo computer at the old CompUSA for years before they closed. This is not actually much of a differentiating factor. I welcome Tiger Direct to the retail market though! We need more retail options.
i get emails from both TigerDirect and CompUsa, for the internet deals and my local [2!!] stores... i haven't seen the one the next town over but the one near me has a big cloth CompUsa banner over the TigerDirect sign.
by the way, across town, the previous CompUsa store is a fitness center now.
The CompUSA here is depressing. Messy store with really dim lighting.
And for a while now they've been wearing pink shirts. They say it's for breast cancer awareness, but I think that's just a cover so the employees aren't embarrassed by their new uniforms.
hopefully it works out. we could use a little transparency in the electronics marketplace.
back when i used to work at [undisclosed electronics retailer], i would shop competitors' sites all the time to show my customers that not only were our prices competitive, but also better in many cases.
even if best buy or circuit city had a nominally lower price, i would often get the sale b/c (i believe) the customer felt my willingness to show them was worth a slight premium.
only downside to having "every screen...connected to the internet" is the inevitable influx of freetubers. hopefully they'll figure out a creative way to combat that nuisance.
Aside from what the experience is like the story about CompUSA surviving (by being bought by another company) is old. This was known before the original passed away.
I hope they succeed. If only to create competition for BestBuy.
tigerdirect naperville is the best full warehouse with SAME DAY PICK UP.
"retail 2.0"
Cute.
TigerDirect is a bunch of fraudsters. I will NEVER, EVER, EVER buy from that bunch again.
Ummmmmm, I work at a Staples store and we have always let customers use demo computers for the internet. Heck if we don't know something, we often use a computer from the wall to look things up right there with the customer. I mean obviously we draw the line at people coming in and talking on MSN for an hour or stuff like that, but I think it's reasonable that people expect computers to be up and working so they can try before they buy. And if a customer finds a better price online, we personally print it off so they can price match it. ( As long as it meets our guidelines, being in stock, etc. )
TigerDirect is the best. Their Systemax PC's are very reliable. We have over 60+ PC's & laptops, and even 1 Systemax server where I work (I order the computers), and never a problem with any of them.
Sure wish they would open a store near me - I would love to keep buying from then again.
They are here in Dallas (Plano). They are a bit rebate happy but one thing I will say for them; the item numbers and prices from website to store have been consistent so far. Some of their inventory is web only so it is best to call ahead as the employees I have encountered and just as grabasstic as ever.
Not my favorite store, especially with a Fry's just 3 blocks from their location but occasionally they can surprise with a "good" deal. My advice is to avoid playing the rebate game. Tiger Direct used to be known as Liar Direct, especially when it came to RMAs and clearing rebates (They sometimes clear their own rebates).
Choice is good. CompUSSR is not my first choice but they are a choice all the same.
@toadthetoad: As a suburban Chicagoan who has been to the retail store, it is much different. The store is a pleasure to visit.
Never dealt with Tiger Direct. I know that CompUSA was overpriced, though. Hopefully, it will work out! It's great hearing good news for a change.
"Uh... and this is news? Tiger direct opened a bunch of stores about a year ago with the CompUSA name."
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!
Tiger's parent company bought the CompUSA brand a year ago, relaunched the web site and opened stores. This is not breaking news. Odd.
@cametall: They are just waring pink shirts so that an Improv Everywhere [improveverywhere.com] group does not take over the store like they did to BestBuy.
@cheviot: Agreed. This is fairly old news. I've been shopping there and love the prices. Actually everyone there is pretty helpful.
@Mykie Gunderson: They are all consistently and clear when I go. I was a huge detractor of CompUSA when they were here locally (Ft. Myers) but it seemed to be fairly turned around. Though there are one or two ass's who think they know everything. For example, quizzing the employees who act like they are know-it-all, seem to fail miserbly.
Ehh, I knew TigerDirect had bought the name and a few stores, but I didn't realize it was 30.
I'd love to see them expand some more. Even if I don't like them, it's always good to have more competition, and another place to go when you need some random oddball part NOW!
Alas, Baltimore seems to miss all the good B&M tech retailers - no Fry's, no CompUSA, and the nearest Microcenter is way out.
"the cashier told me my glasses were cute. I think he actually meant it."
Thinking a guy wrote this article, that line gave me a good laugh.
Oh well.
I like CompUSA. They had great deals on Black Friday. I only buy from stores that are cheap, regardless of retardedness.
Never realized they left. I did vendor work for the one in Culver City for a few months late last year.
Any retail store that truly wants your business will (within reason) work with a customer to match (or at least come close to) the prices of major Internet retailers. Hell, anyone with an iPhone or Blackberry can check Internet prices on their own while cruising the aisles.
From experience (both buying and selling), here are a few tips on how to get Internet prices in a retail store:
* Be sure it's the same model and the Internet competitor has it in stock.
* The more reputable the web site is the better the chances are the store will work with you. Amazon? Yes. BillyBobsBargainBarn.com? Not likely.
* If the Internet retailer charges shipping, the retail store is within bounds to match the price with shipping charges included. If the item proves defective, you won't have to pay to ship it back. If the store refuses to take a defective item back and you paid with a credit card, you'll be covered by the federal law which forces major credit card companies to do a chargeback "if you purchased the item in your home state or within 100 miles of your billing address".
* Sales tax (or the lack of it) usually isn't negoiatable. The store doesn't keep the tax; it goes directly to the state.
* If the salesperson refuses your request, ask the manager. If the manager refuses, it's your choice: buy it, try another local store or order online.
@Mykie Gunderson: The prices at the local CompUSA (well, not very local at all... about 30 minutes away in Altamonte Springs, FL) are relatively accurate, but higher than the competition.
Although I hate Fry's business practices, if it opened a store anywhere in Orlando it would crush all competition instantly with it's low markup, definitely CompUSA with it's limited selection and high markup.
I bought a bunch of dirt cheap CompUSA branded stuff from bins at MicroCenter right after CompUSA went tits up. Stuff like heat sink assortments, screwdriver sets, computer screw sets, all for a buck. Can't go wrong. Even a couple spindles of CDRWs for like 3 bucks.
@cheviot:
Uh... and this is news? Tiger direct opened a bunch of stores about a year ago with the CompUSA name.
Yeah, apparently it's news because Wired reported it. We have an empty CUSA store here in CC's backyard, and I'm almost embarrassed to say there's many times when I ride by and wish they were still there.
Where's the "any" key?
That's a big fat lie that you can freely search the internet from within their stores. I tried and all I could get to was their own website. I had to get an employee to log on with an account that had privileges to do so, he did the search for me and then promptly logged out.
Tiger Direct is based in South Florida and took over several Compusa locations down here almost immediately.
The stores are less cluttered though not very neat or user friendly. But they somehow managed to retain the surly, hostile ambiance that both chains are well known for.
Their ads features loss leaders and when they run out, they insult you if you ask about 'em. Nice touch.
After a bunch of visits, I decided not to bother again. I can get what I need online or from Office Max, Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, Target or anywhere else.
In other words, by any name, they still suck.
Our Tiger in Raleigh changed to Comp a couple of months ago...don't see any change,except the banner outside.I've picked up a few deals there over the years..
I've liked the new CompUSA since it re-opened in Tampa. They have a lot more components than anywhere else. The price is about the same as online. The store I go to has about 20 Motherboards for sale, a whole row of Ram, lot's of internal drives (2.5" & 3.5"). It's a lot better than waiting for shipping.
@John Linthicum: Howdy neighbor. That empty CompUSA is going to be a Ross Dress for Less. And the Chinese buffet turned into a piano store. It's madness. Dogs and cats living together ...
@Bearded Rapper: The King of Prussia one was actually good. The crap was organized, except for the crate of old hardware/trinkets. (At the time, E-Reader cards, Zip drives/disks and the occasional stick of 32 MB RAM) We got 3 Tivos there. Each was on sale, and we got the sale price before even having to debate it. At best buy, you have to show, then argue with the staff member.
@captadam: How about giving us the reason(s) you're saying this. For all we know you could be a WorstBuy...err BestBuy store manager who just had a Tiger Direct store open nearby. In fact, even if you give a reason, you could be making it up, so don't bother.
@rydel: And their prices and service actually don't suck... We had one of the first of six in Dallas and I am happy to say we do as their prices are actually competitive with NewEgg.
I'm not sure what Bocachica is talking about. I live near Fort Myers. We had a CompUSA that used to royally suck, then it changed after the buyout. The name is the same, but the service and prices are drastically improved.
I'm not sure why they don't just change the name to Tiger Direct though. It's a better name in my opinion.
I love shopping there....way better than the bestbuy down the street. They actually have knowledgeable people and great deals on computer parts. Plus, if you see something on their website or Tiger Direct's site you can have it drop-shipped to the store for no charge.
I noticed a banner announcing this over the sign at our Tiger Direct while I was driving home the other day and briefly wondered if I'd been transported back in time (hey, allergy meds will do that). . .and if I had, why couldn't it have been to a better era.
CompUSA is still in business in my home town, and they have some really awesome deals on computer parts. I recently picked my kid up an AMD barebones kit for around $200. In the store, they didn't have the right kind of RAM, so they substituted with some Kingston sticks instead of the cheap off-brand RAM that came with the kit.
It's a lot easier to get help if you need it at the store now, too.
CompUSA wasn't a bad store...sure the cables were ridiculously priced just like everywhere else, but if you needed equipment on the quick and didn't have time to wait for shipping, it was a IT-dept life saver given that no other stores carried stuff like fans, thermal paste, older cabling, etc. The black friday stuff was always good there, too.
@meneye: Tiger Direct has an even worse rep that Compusa among the non-clueless.
It's like when first Union bought Wachovia and Nations Bank took over Bank of America. Change your name to the company with the better rep.
In this case, though, not much of a difference.
Wow! Didn't know Tiger Direct was so bad! I have ordered a few times from them and been happy. Now I'm worried. There is a Fry's 3 hours from where I live. I guess that will be the new store for me; or Newegg(who seems to be on the ball).
I went to a Best Buy and the cashier told me I was huge for my gestational time. I'd rather have heard about my cute glasses. Oh well.
CompUSA is coming back with the help of Enas Raynor, former manager of Circuit City's "The City" stores.
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