Circuit City Closing OKC Stores

[BB37]

Read last night Circuit City is closing 155 stores nationwide. A check of CC's store locator this morning only lists two OKC-area stores, Penn & Memorial, and I-240. Apparently the Norman and NW Highway & Portland stores are on the hit list.

CC's financial problems have been well-documented the past couple of years, so this isn't much of a surprise. Sucks for the employees, though.

[SeinfeldBlock]

Ridiculous. The store in Norman has been open for what, a few months? Why even build it to close it? I went in the other night and there were a few (literally) other customers in there.

[AAC2005]

I certainly won't miss Circus City, because I've haven't had a good experience with them in a long, long time (this includes Maryland AND Oklahoma). The last time I visited the I-240 store, they weren't busy at all, but I could have just walked out with the merchandise - that I had to search for with no assistance - for the length of time I spent waiting at the check-out counter for someone to acknowledge my presence...or maybe that's what they were waiting for, to bust up an otherwise boring day!

[BB37]

A year or so ago, CC fired all their experienced, commissioned salespeople and replaced them with hourly, minimum wage types, so your experience isn't surprising. As mentioned in the original post, CC's financial troubles have been public knowledge for several years, going back to when they discontinued sales of appliances. They can't compete with Best Buy in the same market segment, or with WalMart on the low end.

This move is likely the beginning of the end for Circuit City.

[Midtowner]

Circuit City's problem is the same thing which hit RadioShack (a place I worked for many years during high school and undergrad). They at one time had a tenured, knowledgeable, well trained and well compensated sales force. Upper management wanted to make short term profit gains, so they cut back on the sales force in terms of manpower and compensation. This, in turn has hurt their sales.

Also, by cutting back on experienced salespeople, they in turn destroyed the quality of the pool from which management was hired. Management in places like that is chosen from within. Middle management is also for that matter. The result of this policy is that after a few years, management consists of folks who at one time were happy to work for pay just about (or at) minimum wage -- there are a few good candidates in that talent pool, but generally, there's going to be higher theft, turnover and absenteeism.

You get what you pay for and Circuit City is reaping the rewards of their policy. Radioshack is too, for that matter.

[jsibelius]

The mass firing of higher-paid employees happened about 2-1/2 or 3 years ago. They (quietly) realized they screwed up, or so I heard, and tried to rehire some of the employees they let go. But there was still the PR nightmare they created with the public, since we were also ticked off at them for treating their employees, and their customers, that way. Ultimately, this is the result.

I could kinda tell they were heading downhill when their glossy Sunday newspaper ads became smaller. Then they started putting them on rough paper instead of glossy paper. I wasn't actually doing any shopping there because I had already endured one too many customer service nightmares at their hands to give them any more chances. I've only been to Circuit City here in OKC once - to return a TV I bought in Texas when it stopped working properly. When forced, they actually honored the extended warranty we bought. Instead of buying another TV, we bought a bunch of small electronics that won't matter if they die.

[hoya]

I've been to Circuit City about three or four times (also in Maryland and in OKC). The last time I went there was about five years ago. The service was terrible, and they had a guy standing by the door to check your bags when you leave. So I basically walked 10 feet from the register to the door, and the guy asks to look at my receipt and look in the bag.

This really irritates me.

So I start to make a big scene about it, start to just walk out the door and tell him to eff off, and he gives me this "please don't be mad, this is my job" look. So I let him look at the two DVDs that I bought, and I vow never to return there again. Unlike New Year's resolutions, this one I can keep. The terrible service doesn't make up for them basically accusing every customer of shoplifting.

Meanwhile, in OKC (not my area of Maryland, though), there's a handy Best Buy down the street, where the staff are helpful when you need them and leave you alone when you don't. They have better selection and their prices are lower. Hmm... I wonder why no one shops at Circuit City...

[BB37]

Circuit City's problem is the same thing which hit RadioShack (a place I worked for many years during high school and undergrad). They at one time had a tenured, knowledgeable, well trained and well compensated sales force. Upper management wanted to make short term profit gains, so they cut back on the sales force in terms of manpower and compensation. This, in turn has hurt their sales.

Also, by cutting back on experienced salespeople, they in turn destroyed the quality of the pool from which management was hired. Management in places like that is chosen from within. Middle management is also for that matter. The result of this policy is that after a few years, management consists of folks who at one time were happy to work for pay just about (or at) minimum wage -- there are a few good candidates in that talent pool, but generally, there's going to be higher theft, turnover and absenteeism.

You get what you pay for and Circuit City is reaping the rewards of their policy. Radioshack is too, for that matter.

I had a couple of stints with RS back in the 70s and 80s. Their product pricing has hurt them also. Big ticket items (receivers, speakers, etc.) were always overpriced at regular list, and that was way before Best Buy, Circuit City and WalMart. Today, the only products that distinguish them from the big box retailers are connectors and adapters, and electronic parts like resistors, capacitors, etc; they're still just about the only game in town for those items.

[BB37]

The mass firing of higher-paid employees happened about 2-1/2 or 3 years ago. They (quietly) realized they screwed up, or so I heard, and tried to rehire some of the employees they let go. But there was still the PR nightmare they created with the public, since we were also ticked off at them for treating their employees, and their customers, that way. Ultimately, this is the result.

I could kinda tell they were heading downhill when their glossy Sunday newspaper ads became smaller. Then they started putting them on rough paper instead of glossy paper. I wasn't actually doing any shopping there because I had already endured one too many customer service nightmares at their hands to give them any more chances. I've only been to Circuit City here in OKC once - to return a TV I bought in Texas when it stopped working properly. When forced, they actually honored the extended warranty we bought. Instead of buying another TV, we bought a bunch of small electronics that won't matter if they die.

I noticed 2-3 weeks ago that CC had started printing their Sunday inserts on newsprint instead of glossy, so that kinda telegraphed the current crisis.

They'll probably have sales at the closing stores; I'd be real reluctant to purchase an 'extended warranty' from them, though. They'll probably be out of business before the 'extended warranty' expires.

[Midtowner]

I had a couple of stints with RS back in the 70s and 80s. Their product pricing has hurt them also. Big ticket items (receivers, speakers, etc.) were always overpriced at regular list, and that was way before Best Buy, Circuit City and WalMart. Today, the only products that distinguish them from the big box retailers are connectors and adapters, and electronic parts like resistors, capacitors, etc; they're still just about the only game in town for those items.

It's been a while since you visited then. They have consolidated those parts down to little drawers. The selection is very, very limited.

Yesterday, I wanted to build a sort of 'booby trap' to scare off the SOB who has been stealing the wood off of my wood pile. I wanted a low voltage (9VDC) siren and some sort of switch I could actuate with a string and a small enclosure. Simple, right?

Nope. They didn't even have enclosures anymore. It was pathetic.

It seems they fancy themselves a store which now sells products which create residual income, e.g., cell phones and satellite systems. Trouble is -- no one goes there because if their products aren't overpriced, the accessories will be ($40 for a cell phone charger).

[BB37]

It's been a while since you visited then. They have consolidated those parts down to little drawers. The selection is very, very limited.

Yesterday, I wanted to build a sort of 'booby trap' to scare off the SOB who has been stealing the wood off of my wood pile. I wanted a low voltage (9VDC) siren and some sort of switch I could actuate with a string and a small enclosure. Simple, right?

Nope. They didn't even have enclosures anymore. It was pathetic.

It seems they fancy themselves a store which now sells products which create residual income, e.g., cell phones and satellite systems. Trouble is -- no one goes there because if their products aren't overpriced, the accessories will be ($40 for a cell phone charger).

Back in the spring I had to build a burgular alarm for my daughter's science fair project (HER project, but Dad does all the work). IIRC, they did have a 2-3 types of enclosures, but I passed on 'em since this was a one-off project that would be gathering dust after the demo. Found everything else I needed.

I think Radio Shack will outlast Circuit City, but their long-term prospects don't look good.

[jsibelius]

I had a couple of stints with RS back in the 70s and 80s. Their product pricing has hurt them also. Big ticket items (receivers, speakers, etc.) were always overpriced at regular list, and that was way before Best Buy, Circuit City and WalMart. Today, the only products that distinguish them from the big box retailers are connectors and adapters, and electronic parts like resistors, capacitors, etc; they're still just about the only game in town for those items.

You're right about Radio Shack. If (maybe when) they go out of business - and they had a big personnel boo-boo just last year when they pink slipped a bunch of employees via e-mail - where on earth do you find all those unique adapters and connectors and the occasional employee who actually knows something about it? They really ARE the only game in town, as far as I know.

I noticed 2-3 weeks ago that CC had started printing their Sunday inserts on newsprint instead of glossy, so that kinda telegraphed the current crisis.

While I haven't been shopping at Circuit City, I HAVE been watching them closely ever since the mass firing. I noticed the newsprint ads probably 12-18 months ago. They hired a new CEO recently. Maybe hoping to turn things around? I think the guy's gonna be looking for a new job very soon.

[Midtowner]

Back in the spring I had to build a burgular alarm for my daughter's science fair project (HER project, but Dad does all the work). IIRC, they did have a 2-3 types of enclosures, but I passed on 'em since this was a one-off project that would be gathering dust after the demo. Found everything else I needed.

I think Radio Shack will outlast Circuit City, but their long-term prospects don't look good.

Trouble is I wanted everything to run off of a 9 volt battery. Burglar alarms, at least the Shack's variety run at 12VDC. I could run it off a big 'ol lantern battery, but I wanted it to be all stealthy-like.

[Insider]

I went by the Circuit City in Norman yesterday. They are extremely over priced. DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE "STORE CLOSING" SALE! IT IS A RIPOFF!

For instance, the Samsung TOC LN52A650 was 'on clearance' for $2550 at the Circuit City in Norman. The Circuit City website has it for $2399.99.

They are expecting you to walk in thinking you are getting a better deal than normal and will not pay close attention. BEWARE! Even the movies were overpriced. They marked all of the movies 20% off. I looked at 3-4 movies that were still $5-$10 more expensive than Best Buy and Walmart.

[yukong]

I went by the Circuit City in Norman yesterday. They are extremely over priced. DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE "STORE CLOSING" SALE! IT IS A RIPOFF!

For instance, the Samsung TOC LN52A650 was 'on clearance' for $2550 at the Circuit City in Norman. The Circuit City website has it for $2399.99.

They are expecting you to walk in thinking you are getting a better deal than normal and will not pay close attention. BEWARE! Even the movies were overpriced. They marked all of the movies 20% off. I looked at 3-4 movies that were still $5-$10 more expensive than Best Buy and Walmart.

Very common practice on going out of business sales. Psychology of "sale prices" and "%" off tags. This is why they were closed on Tuesday. They were marking items up, then putting the % off tags on them. I went into the store at NW Exp and Portland to look at SATA hard drives. I had priced some at Bestbuy and then went to CC. The close-out sale price at CC was several dollars more then the every day price at BB. Ripoff.

[ultimatesooner]

I went to the one on NW Expressway yesterday as well, no deals worth buying but there were a lot of people in there spending $$

[sgray]

Yeah, I was over there when the line-o-lux entered the store at 10am and man it got quiet when everyone started looking at what they had done. I figured the 'deals' wouldn't be too good at first, but come one! The regular $5-6 'deal movies' were marked back up to their regular 'list price' of $9.99 to $14.99 and you can take 20% off that... YEAH RIGHT... forget that!

There were some people buying into it though...

[jsibelius]

Liquidation Sales are not the good deals people think they are. Especially when Circuit City's credit is not so good at any of their stores. Anything they don't sell here can be trucked to a store that isn't closing to beef up their sales floor, which from what I understand, is running pretty thin these days.

[bishop186]

The thought of Circuit City closing shop around here saddens me. I honestly always preferred Circuit City to Best Buy. It always felt like a more professional store.

[namellac]

I'd love to see a FRY'S electronics store here. Imagine a [Best Buy/Radio Shack/Office Depot/TigerDirect] all rolled up into a building the size of Bass Pro! I went for my first time in Houston last month. From resistors and capacitors, all the way up to 72" Flat Panels, and everything in between! Just incredible! NERD HEAVEN!

FRYS.com

[southernskye]

We buy most of our computer parts online from Newegg, if we are in Austin then we go to Frys.

[bishop186]

Oh, man, Fry's. Back when I lived in California that was where I went. It is Nerdvana.

I'm with skye there, though, I buy most of my parts from Newegg now.

[Bunty]

I went by the Circuit City in Norman yesterday. They are extremely over priced. DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE "STORE CLOSING" SALE! IT IS A RIPOFF!

For instance, the Samsung TOC LN52A650 was 'on clearance' for $2550 at the Circuit City in Norman. The Circuit City website has it for $2399.99.

I'd rather have a Samsung 50" plasma, anyway. LCDs suck.

[MadMonk]

Suck in terms of picture quality or what? I've been contemplating purchase a new TV and I've not done much research, but the LCDs that my relatives have look pretty good. Plasmas are nice, but expensive. I've also been hearing negativity concerning their longevity (though I haven't really researched it myself).

[BB37]

I'd love to see a FRY'S electronics store here. Imagine a [Best Buy/Radio Shack/Office Depot/TigerDirect] all rolled up into a building the size of Bass Pro! I went for my first time in Houston last month. From resistors and capacitors, all the way up to 72" Flat Panels, and everything in between! Just incredible! NERD HEAVEN!

FRYS.com

Amen to that! Especially now that PC Club has gone under.