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I really miss Crap USA and Circuit

HaHa. I have a small computer repair shop and got a call this week from a customer who wanted a Socket AM3 mobo with firewire, wifi and 8 sata ports. And it must be microATX. They need it right away.

I sent them to compUSA. The said they were out of business. I sent them to circuit city. They said they were out of business. I asked him why. He said because it costs too much to stock computer parts in b&m when they are so cheap online.

I said sounds right.

Then he asked me again if I had that kind of mobo.

My old intern and I had a good laugh.
 
No, none chain, computer/electrical part stores where you guys live? Hell, I live in a backwater southwestern city and we have several.
 
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
No, none chain, computer/electrical part stores where you guys live? Hell, I live in a backwater southwestern city and we have several.
Click to expand...

That's key.

Here in Tampa, we have Best Buy(s), that really tops out at graphics cards, and a few CompUSAs that are now TigerDirect run. I love those, great for when you need a part in a pinch, and the prices reflect their website which means you're never paying more than a few bucks higher than say, Newegg.
 
microcenter took over the building that was once compusa here =) The other compusa building is still vacant, and is closer to me... but at least it's more than just best buy.
 
All we have left is the local Worst Buy. I used to work there a while back, so it is even more akward when I need a quick 'puter part. I miss CC and CompUSA. Sure, we have one or two small B&M stores, but who actually needs computer parts during regular business hours?
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
Now Worst Buy is the only place in town to pick up emergency puter parts.
Click to expand...

Tiger took over one of our CompUSA's they are pretty awesome for a B&M. my Altec Lansing ADA-885THX's died and I picked up a set of Z-2300's for under $100 same day.

I still think my old speakers were better, but these are more punchy.
 
We recently got a future shop here. Pretty sweet actually. They tore down the strip bar to build it. While some people were sad, geeks rejoiced.

Though it would really rock if we had a store that sold actual components like motherboards, but doubt that would happen. We had a small one with an internet cafe/repair shop and they closed shop as that type of business runs at a loss when you factor in rent, etc. You have to overprice stuff to make profit, and most people will just order online. I actually attempted to get into that business and one thing for sure, the profit margin is maybe 1% if you want to compete. In fact, I found that sites like Tigerdirect are STILL cheaper then what it cost to buy wholesale. My business was too small for me to hold any stock and I did not have physical space so I had to order on demand, so if people are going to wait, they may as well order online themselves. In fact I had a few shipments that I totally made a loss on, as they came up over 100 bucks and my pricing only factored in 40 bucks of shipping. I also used to fix PCs and stuff and that was really the only place I made profit as I would just order a part and overcharge for it as a convenience fee. Repairing alone would be semi profitable, but when I hit college I had no time anymore so I closed shop.

If I lost my job I'd probably attempt it again though.

But yeah, I think localized computer stores are pretty much dying. Only the really huge ones survive.
 
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