Didn't Circuit City go out of business?

[Goldchamp]

Then why have I been getting emails from them? Did someone buy their name and using it online?

http://www.circuitcity.com/

EDIT- Never mind i see now...

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
On May 19, 2009, Systemax Inc. purchased the Circuit City brand and website. Systemax Inc. has been in business since 1949. Systemax Inc. is a leading multi-channel retailer of computers, electronics, and industrial products in North America and Europe. Systemax Inc. is a publicly traded company on the NYSE under the symbol SYX.

[Caine]

beware this one too.  there's already a following of CC #2's bad company antics.

[Rumpy]

Systemax, I think is RadioShack's parent company. I might be wrong, but the name does sound familiar.

[Rumpy]

Systemax, I think is TigerDirect's parent company. They're now a Circuit City partner, and I'm guessing they took control of the Circuit City domain.

[disarm]

Systemax, I think is TigerDirect's parent company. They're now a Circuit City partner, and I'm guessing they took control of the Circuit City domain.

correct...Systemax is the parent of TigerDirect, and bought both the Circuit City and CompUSA brands when they went out of business.

[Blackjack]

A couple similar cases are The Sharper Image (which exists as an online-only retailer brand, and produces some products at Bed, Beth and Beyond, but isn't the same company whose stores grew like crabgrass at malls for many years):
http://sharperimage.com/?page_id=273

And Montgomery Ward, which went kaput as a retail store chain several years ago, but still exists as an online-only biz.

I guess the thing to keep in mind is usually when a biz gets liquidated, its "brand name" is still considered valuable, so chances are, someone else will bid for it and keep using it in some way.

Gaming wise, Atari (which today is really just a game publishing brand) comes to mind.

[Blackjack]

A couple Circuit City footnotes...

* Here in Virginia at least, an electronics chain called HHGregg Appliances and Electronics has taken over most of the former (long vacated) Circuit City storefront locations. It hasn't opened any of them yet, and seem to be in the process of hiring for them:
http://www.hhgregg.com/
-Interestingly, HHGregg doesn't sell desktop computers -- they only sell laptops. They seem to sell consoles and videogames a bit, but not PC games.

===============================
*I saw this notice at Micro Center's site when I was looking up something today:

Customers of the Former Circuit City!
On August 28, 2009, Micro Center acquired the postal mailing list of Circuit City Stores.
Customer information is also collected through Micro Center’s acquisition of Circuit City’s customer database.  

We will advertise to selected people in this group to encourage in-store and/or online purchases from us, and will solicit information from these customers when they buy from us, or want to voluntarily sign up for our mailing lists.

To opt-out of any communications from Micro Center, our Marketing Partners or other companies, refer to the opt-out sections below.

*So, if you suddenly start getting Micro Center snail mails/e-mails, and don't want them, visit their preferences page to opt out of it:
Micro Center Preference Center
http://f.microcentermail.com/asbs/servlet/SS?F=3285960
*I think it says you can also opt out by e-mailing or calling them but the pref. center seemed the easiest way.

[Scuzz]

A couple similar cases are The Sharper Image (which exists as an online-only retailer brand, and produces some products at Bed, Beth and Beyond, but isn't the same company whose stores grew like crabgrass at malls for many years):
http://sharperimage.com/?page_id=273

And Montgomery Ward, which went kaput as a retail store chain several years ago, but still exists as an online-only biz.

I guess the thing to keep in mind is usually when a biz gets liquidated, its "brand name" is still considered valuable, so chances are, someone else will bid for it and keep using it in some way.

Gaming wise, Atari (which today is really just a game publishing brand) comes to mind.

Recently discovered this practice exists in the wine industry....Grand Cru and Estrella have been been out of business for 10+ years however the brand names are owned by the same guy who makes 2 buck chuck....and he is now putting out Estrella and Grand Cru labeled wines for $2.99.......

[Kurt Stevens]

A couple Circuit City footnotes...

* Here in Virginia at least, an electronics chain called HHGregg Appliances and Electronics has taken over most of the former (long vacated) Circuit City storefront locations. It hasn't opened any of them yet, and seem to be in the process of hiring for them:
http://www.hhgregg.com/
-Interestingly, HHGregg doesn't sell desktop computers -- they only sell laptops. They seem to sell consoles and videogames a bit, but not PC games.

===============================
*I saw this notice at Micro Center's site when I was looking up something today:

Customers of the Former Circuit City!



On August 28, 2009, Micro Center acquired the postal mailing list of Circuit City Stores.
Customer information is also collected through Micro Center’s acquisition of Circuit City’s customer database.  

We will advertise to selected people in this group to encourage in-store and/or online purchases from us, and will solicit information from these customers when they buy from us, or want to voluntarily sign up for our mailing lists.

To opt-out of any communications from Micro Center, our Marketing Partners or other companies, refer to the opt-out sections below.

*So, if you suddenly start getting Micro Center snail mails/e-mails, and don't want them, visit their preferences page to opt out of it:
Micro Center Preference Center
http://f.microcentermail.com/asbs/servlet/SS?F=3285960
*I think it says you can also opt out by e-mailing or calling them but the pref. center seemed the easiest way.

HHGregg has been in business for quite some time.  They have had one in Bloomington, Indiana where my parents live for years. I was never that impressed with the prices but I know a lot of people in that area prefer them to Best Buy for appliances and TV's.  I liked Circuit City better except for the fact that there never seemed to be a cashier available to take my money there.

[Caine]

The disappearing cashier is one if CC's trademark business practices. It's right up there with the battery sales pitch from radioshack clerks and clueless best buy sales people.

The worst fallout from CC going under is the lack of competition for best buy. No reason for good sales any more. Same thing happened o Fry's.

[disarm]

The worst fallout from CC going under is the lack of competition for best buy. No reason for good sales any more. Same thing happened o Fry's.

i have a P.C. Richard & Son opening in the old CC building near me in a couple weeks...some east coast electronics store that's expanding quite a bit recently, including six new stores in connecticut this summer.   i don't know if it's a good place to shop or not, but it can't hurt to have another large electronics store opening directly across the street from my nearest Best Buy...

[Purge]

A couple similar cases are The Sharper Image (which exists as an online-only retailer brand, and produces some products at Bed, Beth and Beyond, but isn't the same company whose stores grew like crabgrass at malls for many years):
http://sharperimage.com/?page_id=273

And Montgomery Ward, which went kaput as a retail store chain several years ago, but still exists as an online-only biz.

I guess the thing to keep in mind is usually when a biz gets liquidated, its "brand name" is still considered valuable, so chances are, someone else will bid for it and keep using it in some way.

Gaming wise, Atari (which today is really just a game publishing brand) comes to mind.

Recently discovered this practice exists in the wine industry....Grand Cru and Estrella have been been out of business for 10+ years however the brand names are owned by the same guy who makes 2 buck chuck....and he is now putting out Estrella and Grand Cru labeled wines for $2.99.......

Isn't that the same guy who owns Gusteau's ?

[Blackjack]

The HHGreggs here in Virginia have started opening up now. I dropped by one over the Labor Day weekend.

I don't think a gamer will find anything there. They have no videogames, PC games or any games to speak of. No DVDs or CDs. That all makes sense marketing-wise (everyone's buying most of that stuff digitally or from online retailers so why waste shelf space/inventory on stuff that almost never sells?), I guess I still expect to see those in stores of this ilk. They had a few select console accessories, most in boxes behind glass. They had what seemed a very limited selection of laptops, but purposely carry no desktop PCs.

What they do have are TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs, TVs and more TVs. Did I mention they have a lot of TVs on display? I swear I have never seen so many TVs in one store in my life. They pretty much occupied the entire perimeter of the store. And they had a fairly large selection of appliances, including many refrigerators and laundry machines. The main "employee booth" seems to be in the center of the store.

I didn't test it, but their ads claim their employees are best-trained in the industry. At the least, they don't seem to be trained to ask you every 5 seconds "CAN I HELP YOU? HUH?" It seemed like they're helpful if asked but otherwise leave you be, fwiw.

[Rumpy]

Systemax used to run Radio Shack in Canada.

[Laner]

Electronic Express, a regional electronics store, has been moving into the vacated Circuit City and CompUSA buildings in my area.

[YellowKing]

I didn't expect much out of our HH Gregg when it opened but I ended up buying a camcorder and refrigerator from there, and (almost) a TV (unfortunately it was too late to cancel my order from Amazon).

I don't know about their regular prices, but I've always had good luck with holiday sales from them. The camcorder was part of their opening day sale and I found it $50 cheaper than any reputable dealer I could find online. The refrigerator we got a great deal on and 2 years no interest w/ rebate. The TV I would also have gotten $100 cheaper than Amazon. Have had good luck with their sales staff too.

[disarm]

many of the former CC buildings in Connecticut are being converted to 'P.C. Richard & Son' stores.  they just opened one near me a week or two ago, and it's mostly a big appliance store...lots of home appliances, TVs, audio equipment, and other small electronics.  they have a single case with a few video games, but the selection is very limited, and they don't deal in movies or music at all.  it is a very nice store inside, but it's not a place i can see myself returning to unless i'm specifically looking for something they offer.  there just doesn't seem to be much there for browsing...not like walking into a BestBuy to skim the latest movie, music, or video game sales.