Now that they're either liquidated or being sold to TigerDirect, it's getting pretty chillax around CompUSA land. Here are some pictures reader Jon snapped when he went to snag some computer deals. In the left you can see a CompUSA employee whiling away his last remaining hours by playing a first-person-shooter. In the right, you can see the manager of the store talking to his friends and buying tickets for rap concerts. Jon says he stood in the computer section for twenty minutes before anyone helped him. Jon isn't mad, really, as he got some good deals, "but what an interesting way to close out the store," he writes on his blog. What was that, something about not with a bang, but a whimper? Full size pics inside.

Tiger Direct Sales Contest Thinks Pimps Are Funny

TigerDirect Will Take Over 16 CompUSA Stores

The manager of the TigerDirect that unlawfully detained reader Shaneal Manek for his refusal to show a receipt called him this afternoon and apologized for his store's behavior. Shaneal told The Consumerist by phone that Tony, the store manager, pledged to retrain his staff on proper procedures and that they wouldn't retain the services of the security guard involved in the dispute.

Earlier, we spoke with Tiger Direct Executive Vice President Richard Wallet, who confirmed the receipt dispute incident did occur, and cast doubts on Shaneal's version of the events.

UPDATE: TigerDirect Apologizes For Unlawfully Detaining Customer For Refusing To Show Receipt

I was visiting a Tigerdirect (Large Electronic Retail Store) in Naperville, IL today (8/23/07)(8/22/07). All was going well until after I had paid for my merchandise and tried to leave.

A security guard demanded that I show him my receipt, which I respectfully declined with a "No Thanks" and continued walking out the door. At that point the Guard physically placed himself between me and the door and said "I can't let you leave until you show me your receipt." I attempted to walk around him, explaining I didn't have to show him anything, and he continued to block my path and called several other employees to block my retreat.

I understand the "Shopkeeper's Privilege", but under no possible interpretation of the law would refusing a voluntary receipt check constitute grounds for reasonable suspicion of shoplifting. At this point, I warned them that I was being unlawfully restrained, and unless they immediately allowed me to leave, I would call the police and press criminal charges for unlawful restraint, and also file a civil suit for false imprisonment (fortunately, I knew my rights).

None of them budged, and the store manager began verbally abusing and slandering me...

TigerDirect: 2GB Flash Drive For $1.99 After Rebates, $171.98 After Thirty Days

At $2 (after rebates) for 2 GB, I thought it was a deal I couldn't refuse. I would just format the flash drive to get rid of the pre-loaded software and I'd be in good shape.

Why Rebates Suck: TigerDirect and OnRebate