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Central computers just opened a store almost right across the road from the Sunnyvale Fry's.
Well, "trouble" is the wrong word. Fry's is more like "dead man walking". The last time I went to Fry's was maybe 1 year ago. If you walk around, all of the electronics are older models, the game shelves are filled with games that are all several years old, even things like hard drives, etc are all old and expensive. There were no salespeople to help except in places like the TV area. The car stereo area, which is wh…
Well, "trouble" is the wrong word. Fry's is more like "dead man walking". The last time I went to Fry's was maybe 1 year ago. If you walk around, all of the electronics are older models, the game shelves are filled with games that are all several years old, even things like hard drives, etc are all old and expensive. There were no salespeople to help except in places like the TV area. The car stereo area, which is wh…
> Fry's is dead. Chalk one up for Amazon and automation a-la Andrew Yang. It's easy to say that, but then the retort is why isn't Micro Center suffering the same issues? The two should be facing exactly the same pressure from Amazon, so the reasons for Fry's failures has to be more nuanced than "internet retailers are sucking everyone dry." For my part, I'm much more willing to buy computer parts in person because a)…
I have no idea which part of the country you live in, but I would be shocked if in the Bay Area, Micro Center would be considered a "success". I can see how some stores, depending on their business agreements, might be able to stay alive through support, etc.
But for example, last year I ordered a graphics card on Amazon and it arrived on a Friday. I tried installing it on Saturday, and discovered it was broken, so I ordered a new one on Saturday afternoon. It arrived on a Sunday, before 9am. It was the most amazing experience.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The one in the Bay Area (Santa Clara Mercado) closed years ago and became a Walmart. As far as I know, there's only one in SoCal still open (Tustin).
There's one in Sunnyvale, one in Fremont and one in Palo Alto.
One time I had to get a laptop last minute, they (fry's) tried to get me to buy one laptop, told them I will look around first, which I did and foud what I wanted, asked them to help me get that model after which they basically ignored me and refused to interact with me for like half an hour to 45 minutes where finally a manager stepped in and personally helped me.
Another time, I wanted to buy some game I think as a gift. I declined to give my name/address since I was paying cash and suddenly I needed to show my id and a credit card or else I'm committig fraud or some ridiculous thing.
I've seen them make nasty comments about a customer's appearance to the customer's face too.
And this is at different locations. Microcenter started to get their way,but I was so shocked how they turned around. It's hard to explain,like the sales people will helpfully just ...help you find things without being rude. The cashiers will ask for an address (and get pushy at times) but they are fine without one.
I will just buy online if I have to give up my name anyways. Cash gift cards and deliver it to a trusted person. All the variety I want too. The one advantage aside from accessibility retailers had was privacy and that's outthe door now. Amazon/newegg does not do facial recognition,gait analysis and track my phone in order to buy something in their site.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The one in the Bay Area (Santa Clara Mercado) closed years ago and became a Walmart. As far as I know, there's only one in SoCal still open (Tustin).
There's one in Sunnyvale, one in Fremont and one in Palo Alto.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The one in the Bay Area (Santa Clara Mercado) closed years ago and became a Walmart. As far as I know, there's only one in SoCal still open (Tustin).
There is still one open in Sunnyvale a few miles away from Santa Clara Mercado, but I’m not sure how much longer it’ll be around.
Same thing everyone else reports: it was dark with a few bored employees wondering around aimlessly. Alternating messy and bare shelves. Absurd amounts of floor space compared to the trade they were doing.
They did have 50' ethernet cables, though.
The store in Phoenix not only had bare shelves, but the extra warehousing space in the back corner was all empty. I went there on Black Friday this year to find the shelves still empty.
Now, the nearest Fry's is 45-60 minutes away from me, so I've only been in about 3 times in the last decade. The most recent was equally depressing. We didn't find what we were looking for and it probably would have been damaged even if we had.
Well, "trouble" is the wrong word. Fry's is more like "dead man walking". The last time I went to Fry's was maybe 1 year ago. If you walk around, all of the electronics are older models, the game shelves are filled with games that are all several years old, even things like hard drives, etc are all old and expensive. There were no salespeople to help except in places like the TV area. The car stereo area, which is wh…
Microcenter's success would seem to indicate that perhaps Fry's issues aren't macro, but more management?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I used to live near the Fry's in Tempe, Arizona. Even 5-10 years ago, I didn't really like going there that much. Their prices weren't that great any more, and returning merchandise was a bad experience. It was clear their best days were behind them. Amazon has been a better experience for a long time now. It was cool how you could find a lot of odd electronics items there (components, soldering equipment, wire, etc.…
> Amazon has been a better experience for a long time now. You mean Amazon doesn't police your receipt and merchandise at a checkpoint as you got out of the store?