Dell to close its U.S. stores!

[V00DOO]

Dell is abruptly abandoning its Dell Direct Store effort, saying customers now have other ways to get their hands on the company's products.

The computer maker said Wednesday that it will close all 140 of its U.S. kiosks as part of the company's ongoing shift in how it sells its products. The company launched the kiosk effort in 2002 as a way for customers to see products firsthand before ordering online or by phone.

"In the past six months the company has adopted a retail strategy that enables Dell to connect with customers it has not necessarily reached in the past," the company said in a statement.

Dell spokesman Bob Kaufman said the company plans to close the kiosks, the majority of which are in malls and shopping centers, in a matter of days. Kaufman declined to say how many workers are losing their jobs, or the cost to Dell of ending the effort, but said that affected workers would receive severance and outplacement assistance.

The company is not closing its kiosks outside the U.S. In recent months, the company has moved its products into a number of retailers, most notably Best Buy, but also Wal-Mart Stores and Staples.

"Moving into retail is a prime example of Dell listening to its customers," said Tony Weiss, vice president for Dell's Global Consumer business, in a statement. "Ever since we began our journey into retail, we wanted to give customers the opportunity to call, click, or visit Dell and have access to our award-winning products. This move fits in with how our broad global retail strategy is evolving."

The move follows a similar one several years back by Gateway, which had built up a larger network of stores, but closed them as it acquired retail specialist eMachines and started selling more broadly in stores. Gateway has since been acquired by Acer.

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Does this mean Californian does not have to pay sales tax from buying Dell Home?

 

[Gibson486]

I have never seen a Dell Store.

 

[xeemzor]

Damn, I used to abuse the kiosks to get extra $ off. I got one of my 2407wfps by going to guy and telling him I'd buy it if he gave me the $25 closing coupon.

 

[BeauJangles]

In terms of cost-savings, I'm sure there is a benefit, but having your own chain of stores helps for brand recognition. Just look at the Apple Stores.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I have never seen a Dell Store.

Me either. And with WalMart and BestBuy on board, I don't see why they'd need them.

 

[Anubis]

dell had B&M stores?

 

[HannibalX]

I always hated being harassed in the mall by some self proclaimed tech guru at the Dell kiosk.

 

[maddogchen]

any possible closeout sales then?

 

[Lorax]

if they are indeed closing their kiosks, that kinda stinks since it's the only way i know of to actually see their computer/laptops before buying one.

 

[destrekor]

it's only the kiosks. That's all they've had. And since they are now in true B&M stores, they don't need those mall kiosks.

Originally posted by: Lorax
if they are indeed closing their kiosks, that kinda stinks since it's the only way i know of to actually see their computer/laptops before buying one.

best buy? walmart?

 

[3NF]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I have never seen a Dell Store.

Me either. And with WalMart and BestBuy on board, I don't see why they'd need them.

You'd buy a computer from WalMart or BestBuy

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: 3NF

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I have never seen a Dell Store.

Me either. And with WalMart and BestBuy on board, I don't see why they'd need them.

You'd buy a computer from WalMart or BestBuy

What makes it any different than buying from Dell? A retailer is a retailer.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
any possible closeout sales then?

Well . . . maybe possibly the display models?

Saw the closures coming when Dell started being available at Staples, Walmart, etc.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: 3NF

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I have never seen a Dell Store.

Me either. And with WalMart and BestBuy on board, I don't see why they'd need them.

You'd buy a computer from WalMart or BestBuy

um, I'm pretty sure this is better for consumers. Dell controls what products are in the B&M stores, and what the prices are. Much like Apple products in a B&M store. But now you get the convenience of that store being in your hometown, versus buying online or through a kiosk. That kiosk doesn't have tech support, and dealing with an online-only company is more of a pain than going into a store and returning an item or whatnot. Sure, a lot of things will still be by mail only as far as tech support goes, but that's still better than only kiosks and an online/by phone store. More sales too. Win win for both sides of the equation here, both the consumer and Dell are benefited by Dell's products being in B&M stores.

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: maddogchen
any possible closeout sales then?

Well . . . maybe possibly the display models?

Saw the closures coming when Dell started being available at Staples, Walmart, etc.

You might have to go in person. All the kiosks by me don't seem to be answering the phone.

 

[Nitemare]

only Dell store I have ever seen was in Austin...

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: xeemzor

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: maddogchen
any possible closeout sales then?

Well . . . maybe possibly the display models?

Saw the closures coming when Dell started being available at Staples, Walmart, etc.

You might have to go in person. All the kiosks by me don't seem to be answering the phone.

Oh...is it like display models only? I'd take a 24 inch LCD for 80% off...

 

[KK]

I hope this takes away the sales tax for ordering online.

 

[3NF]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: 3NF

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I have never seen a Dell Store.

Me either. And with WalMart and BestBuy on board, I don't see why they'd need them.

You'd buy a computer from WalMart or BestBuy

um, I'm pretty sure this is better for consumers. Dell controls what products are in the B&M stores, and what the prices are. Much like Apple products in a B&M store. But now you get the convenience of that store being in your hometown, versus buying online or through a kiosk. That kiosk doesn't have tech support, and dealing with an online-only company is more of a pain than going into a store and returning an item or whatnot. Sure, a lot of things will still be by mail only as far as tech support goes, but that's still better than only kiosks and an online/by phone store. More sales too. Win win for both sides of the equation here, both the consumer and Dell are benefited by Dell's products being in B&M stores.

I see your point, but what's better for me is to buy the parts myself through NewEgg or such other place and build it myself

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I have never seen a Dell Store.

I saw a kiosk at a mall once and I was really surprised.