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What happened to that article teaching me how to steal stuff?
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@TinkishDelight: They took it off, thankfully. It was tasteless and way too pompous, in case you didn't read the article linked to it. Definitely below the consumerist to link to.
Now, bring on the red heads with cleavage!
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Ohh if I could still get on the companies forums to give them I told you so..
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Here's a question: What about fixtures? I can really use some shelves for the garage and
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@illtron:
At most of the sales that I've been to, they also start seeling the fixtures twoards the end (when there's nothing left to stock them with). My husband got some nice shelving units from GoodGuys for his product. And we got a wicked cool TV stand for about $20.
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@illtron: It doesn't hurt to ask the store. I once worked retail for a company that was going out of business. We were required to do cold calls to a lot of used furniture stores about the tables and shelving units before we publicly posted the info about selling the fixtures. If you can snag a manager and express interest in something you can probably get it before it gets sold behind-the-scenes, especially if you leave a card where you can be contacted.
Even though I still have it in my head that you should be able to get some good deals at a liquidation I have never in my life found that to be true. I went to LinensNThings when they had everything 70% off and found that, although there was only pillow cases some misc. crap left, things were still more than I would pay for them. I mean, if they expect me to believe that an average pair of pillow cases ever cost $80 that's an insult.
@cuchanu: There are still some deals, but I'm ok with it if consumerist wants to perpetuate otherwise--more deals for me. When compUSA was liquidating a year ago I got a 30\" Apple cinema display for $1200, which is still $500 less than retail. I just made sure to check the prices online before purchasing.
@cuchanu: Actually, that USED to be true. The Service Mechandise and Ames Liquidations were great. We got some awesome bargains there. But that was years ago, before the current scumbags.
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@cuchanu: That's exactly Ben's point. Most liquidators, mark up inventory to absurd levels and then start discounting it. Ignorant shoppers see a $1000 Netbook (not notebook) on sale for $600 and they think they've hit the jackpot. Once the sales actually make something worthwhile to buy, the stores are mostly picked over. So, unless you've got a lot of time to kill to monitor the stuff you want, its not worth it.
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@ARP: dude, i want the MSI Wind (on newegg for $350) and i'm not willing to pay $350 for it... who the hell would buy an underpowered POS for $600?
@cuchanu: Hmmm... Not sure what you mean by average pair but I found myself surprised a few weeks ago when my wife came home with pillow cases that were on sale for $70 each and a duvet cover for $250+.
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@cuchanu: I wish this would stop happening. There was an electornics store liquidating back in the day, so I went in hoping to get some good deals. I was walking around checking prices on www.froogle.com with my phone, and everything was way more than the lowest froogle price.
But a Virigin Megastore went out of business too, and I got a lot of CDs and DVDs for at least 50% off. So at least sometimes stores liquidate correctly.
...and it seems like they might work, if they are going to sell them.
@ConsumerKat: I'm a current employee... er, whatever that means. Yes, they'll be selling the shelves and things as part of liquidation.
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Thanks, my gf was just wondering aloud about the extended warranty on her camera
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Hmm, I got an email from SquareTrade with the subject \"Circuit City Liquidation, and your warranty options\"
Circuit City announced today that they are unable to function under bankruptcy protection and are going into liquidation. This means that if you have bought a warranty FROM Circuit City directly, you will no longer be able to get service at the store - you will have to call the insurer that underwrites your Circuit City Advantage plan.Fortunately, you can still protect your Circuit City purchases with a warranty from SquareTrade. Coverage is available for any item that you've purchased or received as a gift from Circuit City in the past 90 days.
If you purchased a Circuit City warranty and would rather get a SquareTrade warranty, you can cancel your Circuit City contract for a pro-rated refund by calling 1-800-555-4615. See your City Advantage contract or the Circuit City website for details.
It doesn't actually say that you're out of luck, but apparently I should want to buy SquareTrade warranties for all my Circuit City purchased items because \"you will no longer be able to get service at the store\". It's a rather sleazy approach.
Great deal with Circuit City credit card - Chase closed the card (6k limit, 0 balance) and added the 6k to my Chase Disney account! Nice!
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@imdgonz: Actually, I called up Chase... my Circuit City credit card was closed out right (I never even got a notification). My line of credit isn't going to my Chase Visa, either. Alas. :(
@imdgonz: My Circuit City Credit Card is still in limbo. Did you have to call them up or did they do it automatically?
Sad to see CC go under. I think BB will have a field day with no competition(I don't shop at Walmart).
Anyone looking for bargains be warned. When CC closed a few stores sometime back(they closed a store close to where I live and I went there looking for bargains), the prices were jacked up and even with the discount the prices were higher than Amazon and other retailers.
One piece of advice: look during the last week of the closeout for Blu-Ray discs. The store here was in the last closing wave, and they had a buttload of Blu-Rays for about a dollar on the last couple of days. The selection wasn't great, but still...
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I have prepared my own FAQ on this subject.
Q: What will happen to all the slacker retards that push worthless,overpriced warranties on trusting customers ?
A: They will now be placed in customer service jobs with wireless phone carriers,cable companies and online tech support for Dell.
Q: Did the CEO's shortsighted,greedy decision to broom all of the experienced ,mature sales staff have any bearing on the neccessity to liquidate ?
A: No. Following liquidation,CC's labor costs as a percentage of sales will be lower than ever.(Zero)
Q: What will happen to my investment in Circuit City stock after the liquidation ?
A: Your stock certificate makes an excellent media for wiping up stubborn oil spills in your driveway.
Q: Will prices actually be HIGHER now that the liquidation companies that have been hired to do the job are a bunch of dishonest crooks that would sell their grandmother for a nickel ?
A: Good question. Prices will enter a fantasyland ,\"through the looking glass\" phase that makes you wonder if the new owners are smoking crack.
Q: So ,Mr. (or MS.) Snarkysnake ,if that is your REAL name, these \"liquidations\" have become a regressive tax on the stupid and uninformed who believe that just because they call it a liquidation,it must be a screamin' deal ?
A: No need to get personal. That is exactly what I am saying.
Q: Is this FAQ almost finished ?
A: Nope. One more.
Q: I s the CC bankruptcy and liquidation a symbol, a metaphor , if you will, for the overall malaise sweeping the country in the midst of the current financial crisis ? Does this mean that capitalism itself is on trial in the eyes of the world ?
A: Did you come up with that question at Starbucks or what ? Hell no. This is just a shitty company that was run into the ground by stupid,incompetent management. No deep truths or fancy explanations. They just screwed the pooch.
@blainer: I second that..u deserve a star and CC deserves to go. Though I feel bad for all the folks who lost their jobs, they must have seen this coming and found greener pastures by now.
I bought a 46 inch sharp lcd from CC on black friday of 2007.I also bought a 3 year warranty. Who exactly is responsible for it?
Can anyone help? Im worried as hell.
I'm trying to find out exactly what their liability is in this situation. The terms of my warranty state that the administrator of the warranty (assurant) would provide a \"Circuit City Gift Card\" if a repair couldn't be done, or a replacement of like quality (to paraphrase). I'm not sure where this \"replacement\" is going to come from if CC no longer exists, unless the warranty company has old (or refurbed) merchandise sitting around that they can foist upon people. I'm wondering if the terms of the Liquidation might spell out that the Liquidator has to cover things such as replacements (not that it matters. CC liquidated my area months ago)
I'm supposed to call back Tuesday to find out what options they are going to give me. I'm not accepting a refurb if they offer one, so I'm pretty much hoping for the best, while scrambling for anything in the terms of the warranty that could help me demand that they close out the warranty via a check that I can spend at a store that is still functioning (such as Bestbuy). A refurb with no warranty is the last thing that someone wants after their last item JUST broke, and I have no idea why warranty companies would think it's acceptible.
Assurant Solutions owns the warranties. You'll have to call them for any service, since your TV is above 25\" you qualify for in-home service. I'm not sure of their number off the top of my head but it should have been included with your warranty paperwork.
I was wondering about The Source, are they closing their doors too? Most likely since I believe are run by CC.
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I hope this teaches everyone once and for all that nobody beats the wiz.
This is why I always shopped at Micro Center anyhow. I used to work at Circuit when we were commissioned sales. Commission sales drives the employee to drive margin. The nice thing about micro Center is that their commission sales people don't beat you over the head to make those sales. As a favor I always make sure to buy extra cables, paper and ink with any printers and load up whenever I buy a computer with all the extras. It keeps them going so I always have someone to go to for help and it keeps me going so I'm not making a million trips to get the things I needed anyhow with gas prices so high. I also make sure to get their service plan because they back it and it's better than any crappy warranty because they really do back their plans. That said I'm also not one of those schmucks that takes advantage of a good thing by trying to rape them for a better bargain and because of that they usually give me a better deal anyhow. I pity anyone that doesn't have a Micro Center in their area really do. Best Buy is a joke with their pimple faced teens who really don't know squat and are just there to punch a timeclock. Now if only they could hire the people that made Circuit City's web site.
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Hey look at the email I got TODAY (11:12 AM):
[email.circuitcity.com]
Some of those deals look pretty good.
@doctor_cos: I got an email from CC today as well, I wonder when they will stop sending them out, or if they will start sending liquidation emails! They also have several contests on their website that I was entering however I stopped entering them today, even if I did win I might never get the prize.
There have also been some questions about what happens to those with the circuit city \"gamer\" cards, apparently its a paid card that you use to get discounts at CC. Will people who signed up for the card be able to get refunds (especially those who signed up recently) or is that money just lost now?
Note to self - Never sign up for any paid loyalty cards from retail stores, because they may close and for other reasons as well.
technically the liquidation sale starts tomorrow, would tonight be a good night for lower prices?
Question for advise here. I made a purchase in September of last year at CC. And the CC Rebate was $10.00 I never received my rebate check In early December I called the 800 number to see what was going on. They told me I didn't qualify for the rebate, even after following every step to the letter.
In Mid December I received the $10.00 rebate check. It's issued by CC and not a rebate company. I still have it. Now, should I deposit the check today or tomorrow? or just call it a loss. If I deposit the check and has no funds I'll get dinged with a bigger bounced check fee from my bank!
What can I do? losing $10.00 is nothing I guess. a $35.00 bounced check fee is something.
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Just came back from CC in Santa Monica, CA. Nothing on sale so far. I tried to get some info out of a saleswoman, who didn't know much either. According to her, she *thinks* it starts tomorrow, but they haven't told her much. I also overheard a salesperson helping a customer with some digital cameras and he kept saying, \"well, if we DO go out of business...\", which I'm sure is a load of sales BS, but I still thought it was interesting.
Reading the story about the liquidation on Cleveland.com (Cleveland Plain Dealer)..generates an ad for Circuitcity.com.
Hilarity ensued.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-351407-100x100.png\")
Does this mean that Circuit City will pull a CompUSA with their \"sale\"?
@Rolcol:
Liquidators set the prices, Circuit City has nothing to do with them as of now. Liquidators traditionally mark items back to the MSRP and then take the discount off of that price. Which usually results in higher prices then the sale prices that would usually be at.
Circuit City credit cards are issued by chase, so it will probably just be re-branded a Chase credit card.
whats happening to 'The Source' stores now?
I bought an \"AA\" battery from CC two years ago and bought an extended 5 year warranty for it. Who will honor it once it quits working?
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I pre-ordered Street Fighter IV and also received a $10 e-gift card. Can I expect to get the game or am I SOL? Can I just cancel the order?
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Circuit City updated their website and the liquidation is supposed to start on 1/17.
Also, it may not be much of a consolation, but HHGregg is accepting Circit City gift cards until 2/1...found that here: [tvlampsnbulbs.com]
I used to work for Circuit City 2 years ago. I feel terrible for some of the more dependent employees.
A month ago I received all kinds of bankruptcy forms from the bankruptcy court asking if I had any claims as a creditor against Circuit City.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm asking a TON of the questions posted on here on the internal forum and at work tomorrow and I will answer the questions the best I can. If you have an UNANSWERED question (Read the FAQ at circuitcity.com first please) Go ahead and reply to this and I will try and get you the answer. Thanks!
@puyro: hey puyro-- if you can help me, i'd be forever in debt. i bought a TV (that was supposed to come with a free bluray player, which was out of stock at the time) on 12/28, and asked that it be delivered to me later. they said no problem, so i got a CC credit line and purchased the tv that day to lock in the price. well, i was just about to call for delivery when i heard cc was going out of business. what is my best course of action now? i'd love to get that tv!!! or am i sol and should just cancel the sale (and the installation fee, already charged) and just buy it amazon? thank you, thank you!!!
Hmmm... you know something... I'm curious. I have a 3 year extended warranty on my GPS. I know all warranties are covered by a 3rd party, but... with most smaller items, if the item breaks, you send it back, and they send you a Circuit City gift card.
I know this because 1. I used to work at CCity, and 2. I once returned a PSP with an extended warranty, they sent me a $250 gift card. I wonder what happens if you use the warranty after the stores are completely closed. They can't send you a CCity gift card.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-258630-100x100.png\")
FYI- reading the local news where the company is headquartered is generally useful in gaining greater insight to the issue when they go belly up-
The sales prices are not in the store computer system yet. So the checkout clerks are calculating them BY HAND and ringing them up that way. It takes double time at the checkout. PLUS they're not taking the proper discount or not at all. Did that to me this morning and good thing I checked before leaving the store. I made them fix my purchase. So, check those receipts before you leave the checkout counter!
Last year, we purchased a Circuit City ADVANTAGE PROTECTION PLAN for our LCD Projection TV for about $375 for 3 year coverage. Not having used it at all for the past year, it was time to call them on Dec 21 when our TV's lamp gave way. Upon calling, they offered to mail me a replacement lamp and gave me a claim number. So far so good - in the distant past this process had taken 2-3 days tops. When I didn't get any lamp till Jan 5 (14 days later). I called back, and was told that the lamp hasn't shipped yet, and they cannot figure out why. I called back on Jan 12 - no sign of it yet, but the representative promised to let me know within 48 hours. On Jan 14 I get a call as promised - no sign of the lamp yet, and the representative told me that she is still waiting for a response from the National Warehouse Center and she'd update me again within next 48 hours (right - you all are thinking this stalling game makes sense now!). On Jan 16, my wife yelled out a few cursewords as she read the news of CC going belly-up - $375 down the drain! And our TV set has been serving as a rather heavy paperweight for about a month now!!
For anyone reading this post, is there any hope that we'd get a service from this plan, or should we say goodbye to our money?
@Angus Bagchee: @Angus Bagchee:
I had a Sharp LCD 46 inch Aquos that had a bad optical output. Didn't know until I tried to hook up a Blu Ray player. Called CC Dec 27th and they gave me some ticket number and then around Monday Jan 12th I got a call saying they were sending me a new Sony. I asked if I could go to a store and shop around a bit. I went to the local (45 miles away) CC and they worked with me but wouldn't do the delivery but I did get a brand new TV and a bunch of other stuff we were looking for. Don't know why they haven't given you your bulb yet. I got a brand new tv without any issures from them. May I say the Samsung 46 inch LCD is amazing.
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We had the same problem with our lamp. Scammy online projection lamp company gave me the most awful runaround. DH finally bought a lamp in person at B&H Camera here in NYC and a friend offered to install it. He wound up re-installing the old lamp, which has been working JUST FINE. So now we have a backup.
It's worth a try to take the lamp out, shake it gently and re-install it. LIke a toner cartridge.
Your warranty is still valid, but it'll still be a pain to get what you need whether it be service and/or parts.
It was a madhouse at the Falls Church, VA store this afternoon; for what, I couldn't figure out. Non sale items were 10% off, and sale items were whatever they were marked. It looked like more items had sale tags than not. Most of the items I was looking for are cheaper at Costco or Amazon. At least now, I'm satisfied that I don't need to go back.
What happens if I walk in and fill out a credit card form NOW? lol
\"bryanoak
5:26 PM on Fri Jan 16 2009
Hmmm... Not sure what you mean by average pair but I found myself surprised a few weeks ago when my wife came home with pillow cases that were on sale for $70 each and a duvet cover for $250+.\"
So how is single life going so far?
Let's make it a mission to plant outside of closing CC stores and Bash any moron over the head stupid enough to buy anything until the prices REALLY go down. If idiots wouldn't buy at the high prices, the liquidators would be forced to REALLY offer bargains
Signs That A Business Is Failing: 1. The senior sales staff are dismissed. New staff are hired off the street or at the local high school. 2. The knowledgeable sales staff are dismissed or downgraded in pay or position, their places taken by relatives of the new staffers. 3. Departments that provided real service, for example special consulting for component matching or even a knowledgeable discussion of audio features are replaced with a generic department staffed by people who know only what their co-workers discuss on breaks. 4. Merchandise stocking information that is based on what the computer tells the staffer, not what the staffer actually finds when physically checking stock. Whereas at my local Von's supermarket and my local B&N bookstore, the clerks actually take me to the goods I want to buy. 5. Merchandise cards that decrease in value over time (unlike my Macy's gift card that was worth the same amount it was when I got it 8 years ago (so I misplaced it - so what). 6. Managers have no authority to discount shopworn items, even if there are no good ones in stock. And more and more.
I popped by my local CC and basically it was 10% off everything, and 20% off cd's/dvd's. I didn't see anything that looked like it was marked up to mark down. I picked up the three disk set of Resident Evil for $17.59 - cheaper than my Target discount price.
I'm suddenly very glad I didn't buy the upsold 3 year in house warrantee for the laptop I got last March.
i liked cc and never had a problem with them....i refuse to enter best buys....they suck.......guess i'll do most of my business on line, at wally's world and staples....oops, i forgot sam's club......
Run away from these sales, I went by the local store today for giggles. They were selling the same TV I just bought at HHGregg for $600 more after the 10% discount.
Two \"managers\" from the liquidation company were tearing apart the CD and DVD section marking UP merchandise and tossing it into shopping carts marked 20% off. A few customers noticed the DVDs in the cart were now more than they were on the shelf, but most didn't notice prices going up in front of them. They were blinded by the neon 10 or 20% off signs.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-236523-100x100.png\")
Same experience here that everyone else has been having...
20% of DVDs & CDs, 10% off everything else. But 10% off list is worse than any sale price they would ever have in the weekly flyer! Not exactly what I would call a \"liquidation\". I'll go back in a week or two when they get a little more desperate...
Out of about 15 CC associates I saw, 90% were just standing around chatting...
I am stunned at the number of stories today about long lines of customers at Circuit City stores buying up merchandise from the liquidators and acting as if they have gotten the deal of a lifetime! Geez, how many reports about how liquidators work will it take for people to get smart and avoid these sales??!
I have a Chase/CC credit card with a large amount of reward point $'s. Does anyone know if you can still use the point $'s in the stores?
I have deposited two CC rebate checks on 1/16/09. Will they be honored?
they had a sign out side saying 30% 0FF ..WELL THAT WAS JUST TV STANDS nothing else what a joke ......so i took the small things i wanted and hid them in the store in a good spot no i wait till its really like 75% off
I bought a special package Sony HDTV with free DVD Blue Ray player last 12/27/08. I did not get the player yet by that time even until now. I called them every week to get this player but they kept saying they don't have it yet. Yesterday I went there and they still can not give it to me. I even called their district manager Mr. Omar Tawil, and he asked me to call the store manager who is on \"Vacation\" according to the employee there. Now, even Mr. Omar Tawil did not answer his line. What should I do? and where can I file complaint?
@JaneZodiac: oh boy. i'm in a similar (but slightly worse) situation. please let me know what you find out! if you find a good number for talking to a human, i'd appreciate it.
Been researching the big screens for awhile in an effort to make the best choice. I have choose my TV and it is even on sale right now at Best Buy for $999 (Panasonic 46\" PZ80U) and Circuit city had their great liquidation sale of $1,799 with 10% off.....I asked the guy if they were serious and he proceeded to try to tell me what a great deal I would be getting. I have never wanted internet on my phone as bad as I did right then to show him the Best Buy price. Sad part is people were grabbing up those lap tops (almost all gone) and Tv's like there was no tomorrow. Just amazes me the blindness people have when they see the words \"sale\". Incase you were wondering....just about every TV I saw in there was a solid $300-$800 higher than they are at Best Buy or online now. Even the \"floor models\" they already ripped off the wall were a rip off. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!
ok so i bought a computer during black Friday, and sent the rebate on time Sept 1st (via online)on January 22 i received a message from cc stating \"We have processed your $150 Rebate at Circuit City.You can expect to receive your reward in the next 5-10 business days. \"and its now march 2nd and when i try to call circuit city and press 5 for the questions about rebates options , the phone goes to a busy signalwhat do i do? can somebody help please
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-433532-100x100.png\")
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What about rebates? I submitted one in mid December(12/13/08). According to their online tracking:
\"Status Detail: Your rebate has been entered and is scheduled for final processing.\"
Should I worry?
@EducatedFlea_GitEmSteveDave: You should be worried as the 3rd party rebate centers are oftentimes not paid until the rebate period is over and they know exactly what the final total is. The \"status\" that they are showing is not guaranteed to be accurate. And the rebate company flunkies will be evasive to your questions.
Take this from someone who had a rebate that was in limbo from ZipZoomFly.com for a Seagate hard drive. The 3rd party rebate center was apologetic, but until they got the check from ZZF, there was nothing they could do. ZZF had decided that since response to the rebate was low, they would just screw this small rebate company and not too many customers. It was only when I did an executive carpet bomb email to Seagate that ZZF actually paid.
Long story short, I would return the product if you can as the chances of you getting the rebate are slim if the rebate company has not gotten funding from CC yet.
@There'sAManOnTheWing!_GitEmSteveDave: Thank you Ben for the update. Thank you Triscuit as well.
@There'sAManOnTheWing!_GitEmSteveDave:
I believe that rebates are handled by third parties too, so you shouldn't be worried about that!