Daily Link

Rumor no more: CompUSA to close in January – all of ’em

 UPDATE: It’s not a rumor anymore.  CompUSA is done for and will declare bankruptcy after the holiday$.  Now, I feel for those who will lose their jobs.  And it’s too bad that no one can run a big-box computer retailer with decent prices and good service.  CompUSA did neither.

Forget Best Buy.  Even if they give good advice it can’t be heard over the din from their home theater department.

Engadget is spreading rumors about the imminent demise of CompUSA. The chain closed half its stores last year in a cost-cutting move. The source is a gleeful internal Best Buy memo.

Let’s look at this locally. Walk into the San Rafael CompUSA. Wait, first wade through the cloud of cig smoke hanging over the CompUSA associates on break. Then walk in and try to get help. Or find something. Then do the same thing at Staples. Staples’ service wins even if they may not have to gadget in stock.

I’ve never been a huge fan of CompUSA’s service but it is good to have a big box computer store in the neighborhood.

Best Buy? “Have you though about buying a warranty for your AA batteries? I can set you up with a three-year coverage plan for those batteries for only $56.00.”

Get to know newegg.com.

Then again, the CompUSA sales could be good.  

From what I hear their first round of store closing sales weren’t that good as newegg often beat the CompUSA sales prices.

Good news for: BestBuy (if not their customers).  Local mom and pop computer stores could really benefit if they can provide service that matches their higher prices.  Personal tech shoppers who have service skills and knowledge could fill the vacuum nicely if their customers are willing to pay.  Get the computer online and setup machine and software in their home.  People will pay those who can pull this off consistently and are reliable.