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Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

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Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#281

Post by ansible »

mod50ack wrote: post #148
CoolGuySteve wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In NYC I've had good luck with Amazon Prime Now for urgent computer parts. I've gotten an SSD, power supply, and CPU fan for various work needs within a couple hours and without having to go on an excursion. So thank you, Rube Goldberg machine of human misery, for saving my work day on more than one occasion.

Microcenter has worked for me in NY. And they match Amazon pricing.

Since I first saw the on-going demise of my local Fry's, I've been attempting to buy any computer parts from my local Microcenter, even if it is a little more expensive.

I don't want them to go out of business too!

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#282

Post by macintux »

logfromblammo wrote: post #272
macintux wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you aware of any real alternatives for electronics hardware in the Indy area? With RadioShack dead and Fry's dying, I honestly have no idea where to go.

If you absolutely need it ASAP, drive the 3 hours to Riverfront Plaza in Chicago. Otherwise, plan ahead and use online retailers.

It’s more the browsing factor. I typically don’t know what I need, and it’s much easier to get a feel for my options when I can see the variety up close.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#283

Post by linuxhansl »

I first read of Fry's in Douglas Copland's "Microserfs" long before I came to California.

One of the first things I did after arriving was to visit Fry's in Palo Alto to soak it all in... I was in the BAY AREA!!

Sad to see them (perhaps, likely) go!

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#284

Post by lukewrites »

When Fry's opened up here in the PNW I was looking forward to seeing what theme the store would have - it was a bummer when it wound up being a generic big box store. But still, Fry's was Fry's, and we got some great deals there (mostly thanks to their price match policy) and found some really neat stuff.

One of the things I was looking forward to in fatherhood was taking my kid to Fry's. They always had really cool science/tech toys.

We've now got a two year old, and a month ago we went to the Renton Fry's for the first time in, well, probably two years, and it's absolutely desolate. There were still a few cool toys, though - I got him a Soccer Hoverball [0] - so at least I got to do that once with my son.

0 - https://www.frys.com/product/9768454

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#285

Post by logfromblammo »

mark-r wrote: post #275
logfromblammo wrote: post #271

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the stated, euphemistic reason. The real reason is that they are doing security theater. Finding something you may have forgotten at the checkout is the only possible benefit to the consumer, so they play it up as a point of customer service, to partially counteract the unreasonable queue they create for exiting the store . If the genuine concern was forgotten items, they would do the additional QA check at th…

The reason you don't want your programmers doing your QA is that they're too likely to make the same mistake twice. Same with having the point of sale people doing the receipt checking. I've considered using a collapsible box that I bought at Costco to pack my items after a shopping trip there. I wouldn't have the original receipt for it though, so I don't know how much hassle it would be. Haven't tried it yet.

I didn't suggest that the checkout person do the QA. They already have 1 or 2 people standing at the door. Move them to the checkouts and do QA as people start to leave. AKA look at the checkout to see if there's anything still there as the cashier closes out the sale and starts with the next customer.

It's a moot point, because good QA is not the goal.

You could swap collapsible boxes with someone who shops at Sam's Club, if it worries you.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#287

Post by williamstein »

ninguem2 wrote: post #24

I wonder what that means for the American Institute of Mathematics ( https://aimath.org/ ). It is partially sponsored by John Fry.

Having worked with AIM a lot over the years, I'm also very curious about this. In my experience, the people who work at AIM fulltime are very professional and experienced at putting together high quality grant proposals, and already receive substantial NSF funding. I'm thus optimistic that they can survive longterm without the direct support of John Fry.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#289

Post by ansible »

yborg wrote: post #138
nkrisc wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same experience with Chicago (Elston) and Rockville, MD Micro Center stores. The employees are helpful and knowledgeable, I've found prices to be good, and being able to bring something home in your own vehicle is also valuable. That's opposed to waiting for it to be tossed onto your porch from across the yard or just simply stolen. I actually purchased a 34" ultrawide monitor from the Rockville store recently specif…

Downers Grove Fry's is more or less a ghost town, and has been for more than a year at least by all reports. It's impossible to believe that they can cover their overhead. The "changing to a consignment model" thing is laughable with Fry's gigantic stores, the whole thing is just bizarre.

Yep. I went on a Saturday afternoon in the summer of 2019 to buy a power supply. They had a poor selection in general, and didn't have a full or partially modular PS in stock at all.

Went to Microcenter later that day. Moderately busy store, fully stocked shelves, and a decently knowledgeable staff.

I also just bought an open-box video card there last weekend, which ended up saving me another $35 USD. I like having the option to just return it to the store if there is a problem, I'm a little more worried about doing this via an online retailer.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#290

Post by mikeryan »

jedberg wrote: post #223
whalesalad wrote: post #84

The Fry’s by my house is a disaster zone of sadness and empty shelves. The Microcenter up the road has completely blown up as a result. It’s regularly packed to the gills. The employees know it. They’re always referring to how bad it is at Frys and that’s why their store has become so popular. Microcenter is down right dangerous. There are shelves and shelves of new Ryzen processors and those Bucky ball looking Intel…

Out of curiosity where are you located? As far as I can tell, all the Microcenters in the Bay Area have closed down. We still have Central Computer, which is where I had to go to get my last part when Fry's didn't have it (the special screwdriver for opening the newish Mac laptops).

I was wondering if Central was still around. They used to be my SF go to when building my own PCs.
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