From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands
But now where will I get my overpriced consumer electronics?
Published on February 28, 2007 By Zoomba In WinCustomize News

The retail electronics space is about to get a lot less competitive.  CompUSA announced yesterday that it is set to close more than half of its US retail locations within the next 3 months, dropping expensive and low-performing locations to focus in on their top performing stores.  After closing 126 locations, CompUSA will receive a $440 million cash infusion from an unknown source.  This is all part of a major cost-cutting and restructuring effort for the electronics retailer.

This is the latest entry in the company's recent shrinking history, with rumors floating about closing locations as late as last September, and the announcement on Monday that it would be closing two stores in California, one in Texas and on in Illinois. 

This comes on the heels of Circuit City announcing earlier this month that 70 of its stores were on the chopping block.

So far, it seems like Best Buy is the only one weathering the current retail storm.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Feb 28, 2007
BestBuy seems to know how to keep you coming back with their Reward Zone entity and they give great sales and their price comparison policy is great...why go anywhere else unless you can't find what you need? The others need to do something similar to keep their loyal customers. I think if we stop all this uneven trade with China, Japan and Mexico we would see a big boost in our own economy.
on Feb 28, 2007
I'm pretty bumbed that we'll be losing our store here in Omaha.
on Feb 28, 2007
my experience with crapusa has never been all that great. I agree Best-Buy is a lot nicer, but im not sure if they carry as many computer type items.

I think we are going to see a lot of this kind of consolidation in the coming months/years, there are just to many new stores out there. I just got an email today that there is a new Circuit City opening 20 miles from home, along with the other 6 in my area (50 mile range) i think its stupid, too many stores!

It will even out i guess.
on Feb 28, 2007
Well they USED to be a great place to shop. I stopped shopping there though when online prices were SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than theirs. It used to be you could look up a price and they would be close enough that for a little more I could pick up the item at CompUSA right NOW. Then I had a few problems with the rebates...I HATE rebates...so I just stopped going there. I figured they may be in trouble when they added the big screen TV's and console games. I dont really know if people think COMPUSA for those items AND they are still too expensive.
I did make a stop in about 4 months ago to pick up a power supply for an old computer. They did not have one that would fit (the computer store doesnt have a power supply for me..hmmm theres a problem) , but I did pick up a 1gb SD card with a free USB reader after rebate. Well I still havent gotten the rebate because they say the UPC was missing. Cancel me going back anymore. All of the required items WERE in the envelope , in a ziploc bag, paperclipped together. Sorry they said. Well luckily I DID take a picture of the items in the ziploc bag BEFORE I sent it for the rebate! The store did take care of it but that added hassle was enough for me.
on Feb 28, 2007
You know whats funny. In the city of Roseville, CA Theres a Frys Electronics opening up in a couple of weeks across the street from CompUSA. You can count on this store going out too....
on Mar 01, 2007
It seems that there are fewer and fewer "Computer" stores as opposed to "Electronics" stores (did you want a washer and dryer to clean your PC with) in order to draw in a more diverse crowd of people to shop(and buy). Probably why Gateway never succeeded in having mainstream stores too. Even Circuit City has started selling their own "Geek Squad"(Fire Dog). I guess we will have to get used to getting our best deals for computers at online stores or ebay. Tis a sad day for PC enthusiasts.
on Mar 01, 2007
CompUSA still has a great selection of comptuer stuff, much more than retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City.  However, they are still way more expensive than buying from online retailers such as Newegg.


on Mar 01, 2007
Yeah, Newegg has it going on and so does Buy.com
on Mar 01, 2007
CompUSA still has a great selection of comptuer stuff, much more than retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City. However, they are still way more expensive than buying from online retailers such as Newegg.


Not true, the new case I want (the CoolerMaster Mystique) is way cheaper at CompUSA. $99 there compared to $130 at newegg (not including the shipping). But it is annoying that there are so few actual *computer* stores around. BestBuy is crap for that, except printers. I just get all my stuff from newegg anyway.
on Mar 02, 2007
Fry's Electronics is the best place for the hugest selection and rock bottom prices..Dont excpect great customer service, but there prices are sickingly low...
on Mar 02, 2007
We have 2 Fry's Electronics in Phoenix Az, they are both larger than walmart and filled to the brim with more mother board choices in stock then you can shake a stick at, at any givin time they have over 75 mother boards to choose from All the major makers of CPUs motherboards and Ram and a huge aile of just video cards.They sell Mac,HP,Toshiba,Fujitsu,Sony,Plus there own brand of PC's, They Got every tv you can imagine, the're TV Area is easily 3 times the size of Best Buys with 3 to 6 AV theater rooms. I got my 55 inch Philips HDTV for 1199 2 years ago when most places couldnt even give you a 42inch for less then 1799...I think well be seeing more of the Fry's Pop up, They're like the Ikea of Home Electronics,DVD's Appliances the whole thing...
on Mar 02, 2007
This is totally true. Fry's rules!
on Mar 03, 2007
Wow, hearing about this "Fry's" place makes me want one... All that exists here is a Best Buy and some Wal-Mart's, and a few small computer shops. When it comes time to build my new computer, I have to go to 4 or 5 different places to get everything. I would order off the Internet, but I am impatient!
on Mar 04, 2007
I'm going to be sorry to see CompUSA go but it's been obvious for a while that they simply can't compete. For uneducated B&M buyers Best Buy is the place to spend your money. It appeals to the people who enjoy being bombarded with pop culture of the lowest denomination. Kind of like Blockbuster, McDs, and the like. They haven't a clue as to what they are buying but it feels good.

CompUSA actually tried to include items geared more towards the geek crowd. However, Frys now has that market with zillions of items for sale. And if price is the main point most people now buy online. NewEgg and retailers like it offer outstanding prices and great selection.
on Mar 05, 2007
I'm pretty bumbed that we'll be losing our store here in Omaha.


Me too, Best Buy, while good does not offer the variety of software and parts that comp usa does
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