Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble? • Hacker News Board

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#251

Post by leovander » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:15 PM UTC

whalesalad wrote: post #227

jedberg wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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'm in Southern California, Costa Mesa to be exact (near Irvine and Huntington Beach). Microcenter is in Tustin.

I just wish it wasn't next to the 5 entrance on the 55. Maybe that is a good thing, if not I would make my way there more often. Reporting from Costa Mesa as well.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#252

Post by dexwiz » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:19 PM UTC

Fry's is undergoing the same warehousification as the rest of brick and mortar retail. Going to an electronics store used to be an event: new models, attractive displays, knowledgable staff, clean stores, bright lights. I suspect MBA management has squeezed every margin not directly connected to profit. This leaves the inventory, but removes any expense wasted on the experience of the store. New models? No, just the ones that sell the most. Knowledgable staff? No, only those willing to settle for essentially minimal wage. Clean stores? No, we cut the staff and only sweep as needed. Bright lights? No, turn off every other bank to be "green" (and save on electricity.) So the stores have become a step above warehouses.

When the most attractive feature of a store is in-store pickup, it is no longer an event to go to a store, but a logistical footnote in your day. Items are no longer sold by staff, environment, and experience, but instead as a commodity. While many people here may say they want to shop undisturbed, a large portion of purchases, especially high dollar ones, are made with the help of an eager sales person who is encouraging you to spend money.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#253

Post by dv_dt » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:21 PM UTC

It's really odd, their 2018 revenue is reported at 2.3B (though as a private company, I don't know how one gets believable numbers).

https://www.forbes.com/companies/frys-electronics/#469688c75...

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#254

Post by onlyrealcuzzo » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:23 PM UTC

dexwiz wrote: post #252

Fry's is undergoing the same warehousification as the rest of brick and mortar retail. Going to an electronics store used to be an event: new models, attractive displays, knowledgable staff, clean stores, bright lights. I suspect MBA management has squeezed every margin not directly connected to profit. This leaves the inventory, but removes any expense wasted on the experience of the store. New models? No, just the…

MBA's aren't to blame for everything.

Margins used to be skyhigh on electronics. Things were new and hot and changing rapidly. People didn't know a whole lot about what they were buying, they needed educated. And it required educated staff, and the margins were high enough to afford them.

Electronics are mostly a commodity now. There's less of a difference now between a TV store and a shoe store.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#255

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:24 PM UTC

idiot900 wrote: post #156

nradov wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You aren't actually required to have your receipt checked. I just walk straight out and ignore them.

You’re in their store. If you don’t want to follow their rules, don’t enter their store.

[deleted]

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#256

Post by echelon » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:24 PM UTC

linguae wrote: post #107

I usually purchase my computer components from Newegg. However, whenever I was impatient or pressed for time, I used to go to Fry’s. I remember one time in 2011 driving from Santa Cruz to Campbell to pick up a hard drive to replace one that suddenly failed; having to wait days for shipping would have been more inconvenient. Fry’s is a great convenience in these cases. It’s unfortunate to see Fry’s in the zombified st…

> I travel to Japan regularly

Sorry for prying, but I'm curious. Is this for business? Do you plan your flights around travel sales? How's your Japanese?

I'm asking because I'd like for similar arrangements.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#257

Post by dubyah » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:26 PM UTC

ben174 wrote: post #180

jcranmer wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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)…

Simple: MicroCenter left California. It’s extremely difficult to do business here and be profitable with the tight margins involved in computer retail. California is booting them out and spoon feeding non B&M retailers like Amazon.

Not that simple given their sole California location in Tustin has been doing quite well. Fry's imploding has only made it even more popular.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#258

Post by rrix2 » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:29 PM UTC

derefr wrote: post #248

andykx wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure what the numbers show, but I think, as people who are interested in tech, we often forget a large segment of the population needs some in-person assistance when choosing new devices. My dad asks me every time he needs a new laptop, TV, or whatever. He has no interest in doing the research himself. Anecdotally, my local Best Buy is always packed. I do a good amount of shopping online, but I also like to g…

> I'm not sure what the numbers show, but I think, as people who are interested in tech, we often forget a large segment of the population needs some in-person assistance when choosing new devices. My dad asks me every time he needs a new laptop, TV, or whatever. He has no interest in doing the research himself. Sounds like you could make a good business out of being an "online shopping guide", to help people pick th…

That sounds like what wirecutter.com does these days across a pretty wide selection of product categories. Just got a new pillow through them after drowning in Amazon reviews looking for a good side sleeping pillow.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#259

Post by bnjms » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:30 PM UTC

amyjess wrote: post #35

rossdavidh wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is the Micro Center in DFW doing? I see other electronics retailers doing ok, so I think Amazon is just the coup de grace.

I haven't been there in a while, but from what I've heard from friends it's doing well. You may also want to check out Altex. They have a store in Carrollton, and my experience visiting there a few months ago is that they're _very_ well-stocked and with excellent prices at that.

Good tip. Never heard of Altex but I’m in Carrollton a lot.

Re: Is Fry’s Electronics in trouble?

#260

Post by mikey_p » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:31 PM UTC

I'm a huge nerd and I loved just wondering around the store getting ideas for projects, etc, but I can't help but think that the overall shopping experience was terrible. Wonder in past random bins of laptop fans and USB desk lamps through an outdated books section. Find something that you want, and half the time you had to have a sales person write up a sheet on it so that they'd get their commission, and then go stand in line, just go have to get the thing from a giant chain-link security cage, and then when you finally leave the store someone has to look through all your bags and check the stuff against the receipt.

They might have had selection when no one else did, but the experience was practically designed to be as annoying and uncomfortable as possible.