Circuit City Seeks Approval To Liquidate U.S. Business

[dXTC]

I always thought, probably incorrectly, that CC employees got commissions on the sales, while BB employees do not. Therefore CC employees have a tendency to come of as being "pushy" where BB employees seem more "helpful." I find myself buying more stuff at BB, I do liken it to a religion though. CC and BB both have their fans and detractors, and there really is very little compelling reason to chose one over the other.

I don't know about commissions on sales, but CC employees did stand to pocket a substantial percentage on extended service plans. Every time I've been in a Circuit City with even half a notion of getting something more substantive than a CD, the salesperson chatted up the service plan like crazy. But then, that happens in most places that feature in-house plans like that.

 

[pavelbure]

i think a lot of it is advertising, store placement, store setup, and pricing.

i rarely ever saw CC ads, and even fewer stores by the right malls. also any CC that i have walked into has been dimly lit and a bit dark, even confusing to walk around it and find things. best buy is clearly lit and well marked. their prices might not have differed greatly, but i know its much easier to spot, and find a best buy by me, along with them probably having better relations with the wholesalers.

just speculation on my part though.

that is my observation also. the main problem i had with cc is finding a damn checkout counter, then find someone to man it.

 

[crisss1205]

This makes me think about the $66 protection plan I bought on the speakers I just purchased. If it is backed by CC then I am screwed. Good news is that I haven't opened the speakers yet so I can always take them back and order them from Amazon.

According to CC's website (that is now "Closed" for deals) it that the protection plans are not from CC but other 3rd parties so you are fine.

 

[bretm]

It cracks me up when people complain about the staff not knowing anything about the products. Seems like most people here would expect to know more than the people at Circuit City or Best buy.

I'm going to miss the competition for Best Buy and 2nd source for the types of things they carry. I felt the same way when we lost Comp USA...

For things that you choose to buy locally, this is one less choice...

What about Fry's and HiFi Buys? I guess that's why here in the ATL they started closing the CC stores months ago.

The deals weren't that great, mainly because 10% off an already elevated price is still more expensive than the competition.

That's why they lost out. Their prices and their stores. I too felt they were a dimly lit flashback to the 70s. Many of their stores had low ceilings and felt like a cave. Fry's and Best Buy have a bright, airy, warehouse feel.

HiFi Buys is a better version of Circuit City. Very knowledgeable COMMISSIONED staff. They may cost more than the others, but they know what they're talking about.

 

[UTclassof89]

Hopefully this will open markets up for Fry's Electronics (those of you who live in California, Texas or las vegas know what I mean!).

They beat the smack out of Best Buy.

 

[mrat93]

Meanwhile, on the Circuit City website...

I wonder what special offers they'll have in the next 55 hours.

 

[twoodcc]

well now, maybe we can get some good deals out of this

 

[Eidorian]

Time to pick up on liquidation sales.

 

[alexbates]

Why can't they just go into Chapter 11. If they would just reorganize, they might be able to get at the position of Best Buy one day. But I guess it's over. If you want to buy a computer or MP3 player, you will want to go to Best Buy, an Apple Store, or one day an Microsoft Store.

 

[bretm]

According to CC's website (that is now "Closed" for deals) it that the protection plans are not from CC but other 3rd parties so you are fine.

Here's an idea folks. Don't EVER EVER EVER buy a protection plan or an extended warranty. It's pretty common knowledge that these are a horrible deal just one step from a scam. Why do you think they push them so hard? They often don't make any profit from the item they're selling and make all the profit from the plan. The salespeople get commissions and bonuses from selling these plans. They are almost pure profit.

The above is more true for electronics products. Many products will drop so much in price over the next few years that a plan costs more than replacement will.

There's hardly any risk in selling a protection plan. They know the numbers. For every $66 protection plan they sell, there may be only .66 cents in claims.

Everytime someone wants to sell you a plan on a dryer, a stereo, a fridge, a car, a phone, etc. turn it down. Start keeping a tally in your head of what you're saving. $100, $400, $150, etc. And guess what? One day you'll get burned for a couple hundred bucks. But in the meantime, you've saved thousands of dollars.

Just say no. Save the money. Invest it or something.

EDIT: And yes, that includes AppleCare. You'll find better assistance on the web. -- OK, if you're a complete computer newbie and don't have a friend or associate or anyone that can help you figure out how to turn your computer on, get it. But once! Learn how to operate the thing and then take care of it and put that cash in the bank.

 

[zombitronic]

I was going to check their site for deals, but as noted above, it's down. Anyone know if they've got any good network storage products?

 

[crisss1205]

Here's an idea folks. Don't EVER EVER EVER buy a protection plan or an extended warranty. It's pretty common knowledge that these are a horrible deal just one step from a scam. Why do you think they push them so hard? They often don't make any profit from the item they're selling and make all the profit from the plan. The salespeople get commissions and bonuses from selling these plans. They are almost pure profit.

The above is more true for electronics products. Many products will drop so much in price over the next few years that a plan costs more than replacement will.

There's hardly any risk in selling a protection plan. They know the numbers. For every $66 protection plan they sell, there may be only .66 cents in claims.

Everytime someone wants to sell you a plan on a dryer, a stereo, a fridge, a car, a phone, etc. turn it down. Start keeping a tally in your head of what you're saving. $100, $400, $150, etc. And guess what? One day you'll get burned for a couple hundred bucks. But in the meantime, you've saved thousands of dollars.

Just say no. Save the money. Invest it or something.

EDIT: And yes, that includes AppleCare. You'll find better assistance on the web. -- OK, if you're a complete computer newbie and don't have a friend or associate or anyone that can help you figure out how to turn your computer on, get it. But once! Learn how to operate the thing and then take care of it and put that cash in the bank.

Look, on my old HP laptop I bought the 3 year plan and its a good thing I did because it broke 3 weeks after the manufacturers warranty and I got it replace, then I got the 3 year on my tv from Best Buy and 2 years after I got the TV it would just shut off. So for me the plan was worth it because it saved me $3000!

EDIT: But with the AppleCare you get 3 years of phone support and without it you get 90 days.

 

[longofest]

Here's an idea folks. Don't EVER EVER EVER buy a protection plan or an extended warranty. It's pretty common knowledge that these are a horrible deal just one step from a scam. Why do you think they push them so hard? They often don't make any profit from the item they're selling and make all the profit from the plan. The salespeople get commissions and bonuses from selling these plans. They are almost pure profit.

...

EDIT: And yes, that includes AppleCare. You'll find better assistance on the web. -- OK, if you're a complete computer newbie and don't have a friend or associate or anyone that can help you figure out how to turn your computer on, get it. But once! Learn how to operate the thing and then take care of it and put that cash in the bank.

I have had 2 Apple computers go bad on me that were completely replaced by AppleCare, and I am about to go in for service with my MacBook whose battery does not charge despite its battery still being in "good" health according to sysprofiler. Even if they only replace my Magsafe on this latest iteration, I'd easily say that the plans are worth it for the hardware support. Telephone support I'd agree with.. it's more hastle then its worth. But I definitely disagree with your overall notion that extended warranties are bad.

 

[ReanimationLP]

The website will be closed down tomorrow.

They plan on winding down operations by the end of March.

I'll most likely be laid off tomorrow, seeing as my store has no unfinished work, everythings at the repair depot or waiting to be picked up. We're not allowed to take new orders in at all.

(I work for CC as a Firedog tech.)

Guess I better start scrounging together all of my computer stuff and get it sold to try to make money.

EDIT - Circuitcity.com displays the FAQ now.

 

[gkarris]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

Hopefully this will open markets up for Fry's Electronics (those of you who live in California, Texas or las vegas know what I mean!).

They beat the smack out of Best Buy.

.. and Chicago..

Unfortunately, much of the stuff I've bought there were returns or new that were DOA.

I much prefer MicroCenter.

 

[techfreak85]

Hopefully this will open markets up for Fry's Electronics (those of you who live in California, Texas or las vegas know what I mean!).

They beat the smack out of Best Buy.

or oregon!
i love my frys.

 

[longofest]

Just read the FAQ that they've posted on their website (refresh... you may still have the "closed" sign cached). Didn't realize they employed so many people (34,000)

 

[cubedweller]

This makes me think about the $66 protection plan I bought on the speakers I just purchased. If it is backed by CC then I am screwed. Good news is that I haven't opened the speakers yet so I can always take them back and order them from Amazon.

If you read the posted link to CC FAQ it states that their extended warranties are serviced through a 3rd Party Insurer and will remain in effect even after CC closes its doors.

 

[SirOmega]

i think a lot of it is advertising, store placement, store setup, and pricing.

i rarely ever saw CC ads, and even fewer stores by the right malls. also any CC that i have walked into has been dimly lit and a bit dark, even confusing to walk around it and find things. best buy is clearly lit and well marked. their prices might not have differed greatly, but i know its much easier to spot, and find a best buy by me, along with them probably having better relations with the wholesalers.

just speculation on my part though.

This is pretty much spot on - BB always had the choice locations. Every CC I know of has a ****** location. Personally, its 12 miles to the nearest CC, and 1.2 miles to the nearest BB.

 

[joemama]

EDIT: And yes, that includes AppleCare. You'll find better assistance on the web. -- OK, if you're a complete computer newbie and don't have a friend or associate or anyone that can help you figure out how to turn your computer on, get it. But once! Learn how to operate the thing and then take care of it and put that cash in the bank.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I always buy AppleCare and I'm glad that I do. I've had logic boards replaced, monitors, keyboards, memory. you name it. It's well worth the price.

Other electronics, perhaps. But that's the first thing I thought of. What about those people with extended warranties?

Regardless, I'm glad to see CC go down. What's the point when you can buy from Amazon with no tax, free shipping and free setup? I saved about $600 on my TV this way.

 

[ivladster]

Good bye Circuit City~

 

[UbuntuFu]

Look, on my old HP laptop I bought the 3 year plan and its a good thing I did because it broke 3 weeks after the manufacturers warranty and I got it replace, then I got the 3 year on my tv from Best Buy and 2 years after I got the TV it would just shut off. So for me the plan was worth it because it saved me $3000!

EDIT: But with the AppleCare you get 3 years of phone support and without it you get 90 days.

I got a 27" SONY Wega from them 9 years ago and made the mistake of buying the extended warranty thinking if it breaks I would get a new model. Didn't break. However I did buy a Canon Powershot digital camera from Best Buy and got their warranty and it failed three months later they just gave me a new one and I kept the battery & charger (left it at home and they didnt ask) and that almost paid for the protection itself!

So it's really a gamble, but I agree with the original intent. Don't buy the extended warranty. It's just a lot of profit for the company. Best Buy is nice because they just give you a new one on the spot.

Also not many people know but most good credit cards have an extended year for electronics anyway. My platinum VISA has this. In my opinion Applecare is not worth it.

 

[miggitymac]

Here's an idea folks. Don't EVER EVER EVER buy a protection plan or an extended warranty. It's pretty common knowledge that these are a horrible deal just one step from a scam. Why do you think they push them so hard? They often don't make any profit from the item they're selling and make all the profit from the plan. The salespeople get commissions and bonuses from selling these plans. They are almost pure profit.

The above is more true for electronics products. Many products will drop so much in price over the next few years that a plan costs more than replacement will.

There's hardly any risk in selling a protection plan. They know the numbers. For every $66 protection plan they sell, there may be only .66 cents in claims.

Everytime someone wants to sell you a plan on a dryer, a stereo, a fridge, a car, a phone, etc. turn it down. Start keeping a tally in your head of what you're saving. $100, $400, $150, etc. And guess what? One day you'll get burned for a couple hundred bucks. But in the meantime, you've saved thousands of dollars.

Just say no. Save the money. Invest it or something.

EDIT: And yes, that includes AppleCare. You'll find better assistance on the web. -- OK, if you're a complete computer newbie and don't have a friend or associate or anyone that can help you figure out how to turn your computer on, get it. But once! Learn how to operate the thing and then take care of it and put that cash in the bank.

I'll get the warranties for anything with LCD screens. Because if the screen goes out after the 1 year manufacturer's (which they often do on many products), you're pretty much hooped.

 

[Bakey]

You and me both....... I hope I find something!!!!

Yay!

Last nail in the coffin eh fellas?

For some reason I'm thinking of the word... Vultures, I really don't know why!!

Woolworths anyone?

 

[Macsterguy]

I am sorry for all of those who have lost their jobs. Good luck in finding new one's...