2009.01.21
Beneficiaries of Circuit City's demise
Since the news of Circuit City's demise, there's been much discussion about where the Circuit City faithful will shop once the electronics retailers' stores shut down nationwide and in Roanoke. Some of you have shared why you do or do not enjoy shopping at Circuit City's rival, Best Buy.
Best Buy won't benefit from all of the former Circuit City shoppers. According to this Dow Jones story, other retailers, such as Wal-Mart, Staples and Amazon.com, stand to win some of the business.
Even so, analysts speculate that at least 40 percent of the sales that would have gone to Circuit City will indeed shift to Best Buy.
So, tell me, if you have been a loyal Circuit City shopper, where will you shop for electronics once the stores are closed?
The liquidation sales began at Circuit City last weekend. Did you land any deals in Roanoke or elsewhere? From what has been reported, most of the items only have been marked down by 10 percent so far.
Last weekend, liquidation sales also began at Goody's, another retailer that is going out of business. But many of the sales haven't hit the 50 percent or deeper range yet. Most of the prices for apparel and shoes have been marked down 40 percent.
More times than not, these liquidation companies will mark stuff up from the original price, then put a trivial percentage off...like the 10% that we see now. When the deals get really good, all you have left is a bunch of garbage no one wants...PanasonicHD DVD players and copies of 'An Inconvenient Truth'.
I always shopped at Best Buy or Audiotronics. CC didn't seem to have the inventory, and I didn't like playing 'Find the Associate' when I needed help.
Comment by Rich — January 21, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
try ACS Home Entertainment on Orange Ave.
they have quality TV's and always seem
to have in stock items, and personalized
service. I have talked to several people
who have used them, and had a good experience.
Comment by Derrick — January 21, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
I went to Circuit City this weekend to check out the deals, but the line stretched all the way to the back of the store! So I suggest that if anyone wants to take advantage of the liquidation, they pick an off time to drop in.
I don't personally have a preference for electronics stores, but some of my friends are loyal to Lee Hartman & Sons at Hershberger and Cove.
Comment by Lindsey — January 21, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
I loved Circuit City when it was still at crossroads and the sales people were on commission and ready to help. Although I do miss Holdren's even more. Circuit City was always the most friendly store in Roanoke and an Virginia based-company to support.
Best Buy is so difficult to get in and out of during the holidays, and its hard sometimes to get a sales person to help. It always seems they are too busy doing somehting else or helping someone in a suit rahter than the guy in a t-shirt and jeans. I will shift my buying to online or Wal-Mart(even though I dont like too) for the most of my purchases I can wait for for a few days..
Comment by Scott — January 21, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
I am not a Circuit City, OR Best Buy shopper. Prefer Staples over these. The convenience of the store and much less crowded, plus I can also take care of my business shopping as well.
Comment by John Gallagher — January 21, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
I'll be doing my computer & accessory shopping with Staples and OfficeMax now, since I never liked Circuit City and Best Buy has been downright awful the last few times I've gone. Any other electronics I'll get at Target or Wal-Mart. Appliances I'll buy from Lowes. Music & movies I'll buy online.
Comment by Other John — January 22, 2009 @ 9:01 am
very few deals at circuit city they went back to sticker price w/ 10% discount and misc 20 to 30 percent discount i just came from circuit city
walmart and best buy beat thoses prices with out any sales just bought 52 inch and new blue ray from sears circuit city could not even touch it deal and looking for new computer now just because they say going out of bussiness does not mean you are getting the deal need to check around b/4 buying
Comment by cherie — January 22, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
I have not liked CC since they moved. Never could get any help. When I was looking for a new computer three years ago I stopped by two time and spent a long time in the are where the computers were. Even had associates walk past me and not offer help. So I went to BB where the deal was better with the 0% interest. But even they nearly lost the sale as the person that WAS helping me walked away to help someone else after he had answered my questions. I had even told him that this was the computer I wanted. I think the last major purchase I made at CC was a stereo for my truck 4 years ago and haven't purchased more than a DVD or two since. Went there two years ago to get a new DVD player and they were higher than BB and there was no help. Did get help when I was looking for a cable for my camcorder (and I thanked that person) but I refused to pay nearly $60 for their Monster cables and they had nothing else cheaper. These Monster brand cables are a over priced rip off and BB sells them too so don't be fooled. Yes you need good cables but these are overkill unless you live in a power plant. This fact has been proven by Consumer Reports and Cox cable. Also when purchasing electronics (TV/Computer!!!!) keep an eye on the person helping you. They will try to put expensive cables in your cart when they are "helping" you get everything you need. They tried this when I got my computer by laying a $30 USB cable in my cart. I caught that when I was ringing out. Told them I have three at home and would never pay $30 for a cable.
When it comes to Wal-mart watch what you buy there. I have hear from more than one person their electronics are second run. Lets say for example that Sony makes a production run of TV's and when they test them the ones that fail get repaired. These are the ones Wal-mart gets. This is all but confirmed as the model number of the exact same TV is different between them and say BB.
I too had horrible service at BB at one time but since things have gotten so bad service has been good lately. Only problem I've had is thing tend not to be restocked. Example DVD's that are on sale and the amp I want for my surround sound. Oh and good luck getting help in the car audio department at BB, CC or Audiotronics if your over 25 and do not have you pants hanging down. Been ignored at all while the help said people that walked up after me. All because I want a head unit and not $2 in subs and amps.
Comment by Mike D — January 22, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
I have visited Circuit City many times over the last 20 years, but with the advent of the internet, I've found that one can always find better deals online than you will find in the store, 99 out of 100 times. Even with 10 percent off, you still have to pay tax, which pretty much negates the discount. Most websites have free shipping and no tax, so why hassle with a store?
I will go to Wal-Mart or Best Buy if there is a last-minute item that I need and can't wait to have shipped, but that's an extreme case.
Responding to Mike D's comment about cables, it's true. You can go to a place like monoprice.com and find the same quality cables as Monster for a fraction of the price.
Comment by Jesse — January 22, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
I never go to CC or BB! Just don't like the business model. My saying about BB is "Best Buy is definitely NOT the best buy!" For cables and etc I've found Big Lots to be a good source. They do not have a huge selection, but if they have what you need I've found them to be the cheapest by far. I mostly go to the store in Salem, and it's easy in/easy out.
Comment by Dennis — January 23, 2009 @ 10:49 am
Wanted to buy a head unit for car a couple of days ago. Asked a friend to check out CC for me and what they had. Liquidating company says their sales are good @ 10% off. No bargains to be had. Of course there's still no service after the sale.
Don't sell short the independents. Audiotronics goes out of their way to provide the latest markdown prices, plus they tell the "real" story on what you're buying.
Comment by Steve — January 23, 2009 @ 11:47 am
Steve I can agree with you on Audiotronics for that part about the real story. But I haven't been back since they flat out ignored me in the car audio department. I was the only customer there at the time and there were three people standing around chatting. I had used them before and liked them from that experience. I had in fact returned that day to purchase a stereo and only needed help deciding on witch of two that would be best for me. But I guess since I told them when I was in a few days before that I didn't need anything extravagant that they didn't feel the need to assist me. Some may say why I didn't ask for help. Well a place as small as Audiotronics I shouldn't have to hunt down help. I guess when it comes to car audio if you don't pull up in a Honda with a coffee can muffler you don't get service. They sure were helpful when I got my first DVD player back when $250 was a deal on one, and then again when I was looking for a new TV.
Comment by Mike D — January 23, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
I can't confirm the Wal-Mart deal with electronics, but I did discover a few years back when buying a stereo (that i thought was brand new) that it was a dicsontinued model that Philips no longer sold. I then found that the new model sold for less elsewhere, so my good deal wasn't so good after all. It did not appear to be a defective and repaired model, but was not worth what I paid. I have since noticed that many of their high-end electronics are a few months older than what it sold at other stores, which is part of what keeps their prices lower.
Comment by Other John — January 23, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
On another note about store closings, I saw an article on Yahoo earlier that listed several very large retailers that are in trouble and could either close entirely this year, or significantly reduce their size. They included places like Zales, Eddie Bauer, Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, and Gap...among others. Is there any truth to this (it was mentioned by a financial/retail expert)?
Comment by Other John — January 23, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
We have always preferred Best Buy over Circuit City... I think it's the store layout more than anything.
Comment by Di — January 23, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
WHEN SHOPPING FOR ELECTRONICS, I CHOOSE PROFESSIONAL STORES. I FIND LEE HARTMAN AND SONS IS PROFESSIONAL, AND CARRIES ONLY QUALITY PRODUCTS. IN EVENT SERVICE OR (SELDOM) A RETURN IS NECESSARY, LEE HARTMAN AND SON IS ALWAYS WILLING TO SEE THAT THE CUSTOMER IS SATISFIED. ALL OF MY ELECTRONIC PURCHASES ARE FROM LEE HARTMAN AND SONS. THEY HAVE NEVER DISAPPOINTED ME . WAYNE
Comment by wayne cook — January 24, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
I liked Circuit City beacause it was easier to get in and out of and also because it was a Virginia based company. Roanoke does not have a great selection of places to buy electonics so it will be even harder to find deals and selections going forward. I will probably continue to research online, possibly buying more onine now. Sams Club, Staples, and Office Max will probably be where I buy at locally. My choice for all computer related shopping is at PC Land on Williamson Rd. The closing of Circuit City leaves the valley with a serious void for electronic purchases.
Comment by Guy — January 25, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
Scott,
I agree with you, though. While BB occasionally has good prices, you don't see sales associates on the floor too much, except when you don't need them.
Have you tried wearing a suit when you go into BB?
As for CC, I can't say I will miss them. The few times I visited, the sales associates weren't knowledgeable enough to help me, and they didn't seem to have a great selection or good prices. At the same time, they at least provided competition for BB, which is going to have a virtual monopoly now (since when did Wal-Mart sell good computer merchandise? Their other electronics are decent, but not in the computer realm).
Comment by Potterfan — January 25, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
I have already noticed for the last two weeks that Best Buy sales ad has been light on good deals. Without competition they will be just like Kroger when Harris Teeter left. Went from great deals to no deals and higher prices. Best Buy does have their no interest for three years on TV's which sounds tempting. But read the small (and I mean very small) print and you must buy a Geek Squad service also which is VERY over priced and a big rip off. They are priced from around $249-$479!!!!! I'm not as sure on the lower price and don't know if there all details they don't list. But from an ad a week ago that had some detail, on the lower price all they do is come out to you house and set the level on your TV for the "best viewing experience" by hanging a device on the screen. In my opinion not only is this way over priced but is for the most part unnecessary. The average person will not notice much of a difference. If you have a room set up with no windows and watch you movies in the same light you might get a benefit. But in a normal living room just the change in night and day will throw these setting off. From what I understand from their paper the higher priced service includes hanging you TV and running and hiding wires. Again this may benefit some but not many. These service are basically another ploy to make big easy money just like the extended warranty. 99.9% of the time you will never need it. I have never had an electronic break in the first three years. My Tv is 7 years only and my surround sound set up is nearly 10 and everything still works fine. Sorry I posted yet another long post but I hate it when company's try to take advantage of the unknowing.
Comment by Mike D — January 26, 2009 @ 3:58 am
Amazon often tops everyone on electronics with the lowest price and oftentimes free shipping. Ebay has some deals as well. Best Buy is OK. Lee Hartman has good people, with the latest state of the art stuff, but their quality comes at a price. They are far and away the highest around, but very nice folks. Holdrens? The shenanigans of those guys spoke for themselves. The liquidation "sale" at CC is a bunch of baloney. Like someone else said, the liquidators' mission is to get the most they can for the creditors and for themselves and they are ruthless. Markups prior to pretend markdowns are common in that business.
Comment by Mike — January 26, 2009 @ 4:01 am
Mike D is the sky falling too? You are a nut! Wal-Mart does not sell refurbished items as new. Way to fall for the urban legend. Wal-Mart does however buy in bulk which usually means items purchased there will have a different item number. For example a Sony TV bought at Wal-Mart might be a WM1234 versus the standard SNY1234 or whatever. You are correct about the Monster cables so you have totally drank the kool-aid yet.
As for Best Buy not having any competition, just read through the other posts. Best Buy has plenty of competition and they know it. This time of year the sales always die off a little. The sales are planned way in advance and once the ad is set it runs. There is no way BB knew circuit city would be going out of business right now. Just look at the Sunday paper the weekend Circuit City made it's closing announcement. There was a circuit city ad in that paper. Do you think Circuit City really wanted to let that ad run? They didn't have a choice though because of when it was planned.
Another thing I find funny is that when sales people are on commission they follow you around like crazy and people complain. But as soon as you take them off commission they are hard to find and people complain. Best Buy is a "Big Box" store. Those stores are for people who know what they are looking for and need minimal assistance. If you are looking for a TV and you don't know what HD stands for, you need to go somewhere else.
My last comment is for Guy. Guy, did you know Circuit City moved to Valley View? Not sure how there location is easier to get into and out of. That little island they are on has been the death of several businesses since it was built. During the holiday's you can forget getting off that island unless you come out the back and turn left to loop the mall. They should've waited for a better spot or moved to Tanglewood.
Comment by Greg — January 26, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
I just turned 32 and I remeber when Best, Roses, and Brendles were still around in Roanoke..lol
Comment by Mikki Mowse — January 27, 2009 @ 8:25 am
I haven't even considered going to CC since I hear there are no deals there and all sales are final. So I went to BB today to get a new Amp/receiver for my surround sound since my old one is dying a slow death (been going out for more than a year). They finally had the one I wanted back in stock (and only one) after checking for the last month. I also was going to get a self powered sub since I never got that part of my sound system 9 years ago. Well guess what!? They didn't have it in stock and can not order it since it's on back order. So purchased nothing! About the only problem I have had with BB is the lack of stocked items. Sometimes waiting to get waited on like tonight, had to wait nearly 20 minutes. Hmmm they said it's on back order but when I got home I checked Sony's sight and I can get the sub and my amp (which is $10 cheaper) and have it shipped tomorrow. So I will either give Autotronics another shot (for the first time in 4 years) and if I strike out there I will order directly from Sony.
Comment by Mike D — February 8, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
We have always struggled with the likes of Circuit City here at ACS. Their ridiculously low prices on entry/mid-level televisions, combined with their less than adequate product knowledge, has stripped all real value out of the customer’s educational/decision making process. As we learned long ago, the world isn’t flat. Accordingly, not all television needs are properly met with flat panel technology. For example, if you are a real sports fan or video gamer and you do not need to mount your TV over your fireplace, the DLP technology is what you need. Not only does this technology stand up to the performance requirements (fast motion and no burn-in), it is priced way below respective flat panels. A 65” Diamond series DLP (not found in box stores) runs about $2,600. A somewhat comparable flat panel will run you about $6,000 to $8,000 (also not found in box stores). Best of all, the DLPs utilize a lamp technology similar to home theater projectors. While these have a lifespan of 2-3 years, they are designed to be changed by the TV owner and now run just $99 on current models. If anyone needs help determining the right TV technology, come by our store on Orange Ave. We have great audio/video products not found in box stores. If we cannot get you what you want, we will gladly point you in the right direction. A big thanks to Derrick for the kind comments below. Matt
Comment by Matt — April 9, 2009 @ 9:45 am