Blockbuster - Another High St store in administration
Discussion
Blib said:
South Park had it right a few months ago with their Halloween special.
Yep, wasn't a bad episode that.The blockbuster in Sutton, Surrey alway seemed to have people in here, even the last time I was in there back in November there was a queue at the tills.
Trouble is now with HMV, Blockbusters and gamestation gone, I can't buy computer games on my high street anymore. My internet connection is crap (3 days to download a game on steam). Well, I guess I'll just have to get them off Amazon, at least there doing well.
Truth is, people haven't really got the money to spend on games and music etc. People are more worried about eating, keeping warm and keeping there house. The 16 to 25 age group have been hit hard these last few years, and I'd say these would have been the main buyers of music, films and games.
Personally, It looks like I'll be a 3 day week soon (due to the car companies and other manufacturers having a hard time). I think the wheels have fallen off the wagon UK, big time.
Edited by Noesph on Wednesday 16th January 20:59
z4chris99 said:
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hstewie said:
hstewie said: I'll throw in a vote for Topps Tiles. We have one in our town and I don't think I've ever seen a single vehicle in its car park.
I reckon they do well with trade? Recessions hit highly geared businesses the most in general. People may have slowed spending but they are still spending. A well managed and lean business can last a long time on reduced revenues, even trading losses.
What we are seeing is a clear out of flawed and indebted firms. Debt is the common link in reality. The timing with the current spate is classic post Christmas. Inventory is at its lowest and cash from the tills the highest and the tax bills are just around the corner.
Edited by DonkeyApple on Wednesday 16th January 21:19
I'd toss in Wilkinsonn name into the ring
Why ? too much of what they sell is cheaper in places like poundland
They seem to have large members of staff and HUGE stores
My own experience of their on line ordering is hopefully not representative : Ordered a great 5 tier glass shelf thing to put on a monitor/ mini pc and then 4 shelves of CD's - idea was good the unit looks great
Price wise VERY GOOD would have bought direct at store but no stock held so it was order and either fast delivery to home/ normal 5 day delivery to home or collect at store - chose fast (extra cost) delivery to home - not available as was being despatched via manufacturer - odd discrepancy on their site
Couldn't be bothered making phone call to check so simply opted for delivery and collection from store wasn't panicking would arrive hopefully within a week, checked after few days despatched, told store contacted you when ready to collect rang store "yes we will ring you etc" left few days no call - odd rang store " no sorry" left it 2 more popped into store and asked " no sorry you need to take it up with "them"
THEM is actually err them if you think about it
So I did I sent nice clear e mail - response was delivered to store several days previously and person had spoken to store it was there printed off e mails went to collect - they found it and to be fair apologised - good enough for me just seemed disorganised but was 3 2 and half weeks before xmas
2 weeks ago ordered high gloss shelf same thing deliver to store collect, pretty much same thing arrived at store not notified though was bemused when I did collect it again taking e mails etc and was told well we need to check notes cos you see we ring people they don't answer nothing much we can do - err right way to go comrade
Collected it installed it looks fine but............... Hopefully that's an anomaly and normally they are spot on but I got a definite feeling of "oh its on line not our problem"
I have written to them detailing this last weekend
Would I bother again dunno qualitys fine etc maybe just have it home delivered
Why ? too much of what they sell is cheaper in places like poundland
They seem to have large members of staff and HUGE stores
My own experience of their on line ordering is hopefully not representative : Ordered a great 5 tier glass shelf thing to put on a monitor/ mini pc and then 4 shelves of CD's - idea was good the unit looks great
Price wise VERY GOOD would have bought direct at store but no stock held so it was order and either fast delivery to home/ normal 5 day delivery to home or collect at store - chose fast (extra cost) delivery to home - not available as was being despatched via manufacturer - odd discrepancy on their site
Couldn't be bothered making phone call to check so simply opted for delivery and collection from store wasn't panicking would arrive hopefully within a week, checked after few days despatched, told store contacted you when ready to collect rang store "yes we will ring you etc" left few days no call - odd rang store " no sorry" left it 2 more popped into store and asked " no sorry you need to take it up with "them"
THEM is actually err them if you think about it
So I did I sent nice clear e mail - response was delivered to store several days previously and person had spoken to store it was there printed off e mails went to collect - they found it and to be fair apologised - good enough for me just seemed disorganised but was 3 2 and half weeks before xmas
2 weeks ago ordered high gloss shelf same thing deliver to store collect, pretty much same thing arrived at store not notified though was bemused when I did collect it again taking e mails etc and was told well we need to check notes cos you see we ring people they don't answer nothing much we can do - err right way to go comrade
Collected it installed it looks fine but............... Hopefully that's an anomaly and normally they are spot on but I got a definite feeling of "oh its on line not our problem"
I have written to them detailing this last weekend
Would I bother again dunno qualitys fine etc maybe just have it home delivered
P
I stream Netflix via either a laptop or Xbox360. The picture goes direct via HDMI to a Panasonic 50" plasma, and the sound goes in to a Yamaha amp and Kef speakers. It's not a hugely expensive setup, but it's not cheap rubbish either. The quality I get is great! Yes, if I go and stand 2 feet from the screen, it's not as perfect as Bluray, but watching from the sofa 12 feet away, it's good enough not to be able to notice a difference. When I try watching directly on my laptop on a sodding Virgin trains wifi link on the way to Preston, however, it's blocky and horrible! The biggest difference is 76Mbps home internet vs something like 760K on the train.
Sure, for people who've got their plasma screen set up to provide a cinema-style experience sat 3 feet away from the screen in a darkened room, it's probably not going to satisfy them at the moment, but for the vast majority of people who still have their screen and their chairs arranged in a way which makes sense for using the room as a lounge rather than a cinema, I doubt the streaming services will come in for much criticism so long as the broadband connection is up to the job.80 meg ( regularly hit 70). Doesn't matter for sky go as you can download in full before watching.
Kermit power said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
Wow gutted.
I use blockbuster a lot. For the price of an over priced and sub-quality movie download rental, I can drive to blockbuster and rent the Blu-Ray and have infinitely better picture and sound.
LoveFilm, NetFlix and SkyGo... all of them have absolutely naff video quality. Streaming and download in full prior to watching. Both are st. They're even worse than videos you might find on a certain bay full of pirate types. I rented Total Recall from Sky GO. 1.2 Gig it was and it was worse than a 700 MB DVD rip. In short there should still be space for a B&M rental store because the online versions don't supply the same quality or if they do, they're not as spontaneous an option (ie order the DVD and wait rather than just deciding on the spot that you want to watch a movie and go to blockbuster)
Very sad to see them go.
What download speed do you get at home? As I understand it, the likes of Netflix will give you quality matched to your download speed to favour an uninterrupted viewing experience over outright picture quality with lots of pauses for buffering.I use blockbuster a lot. For the price of an over priced and sub-quality movie download rental, I can drive to blockbuster and rent the Blu-Ray and have infinitely better picture and sound.
LoveFilm, NetFlix and SkyGo... all of them have absolutely naff video quality. Streaming and download in full prior to watching. Both are s
t. They're even worse than videos you might find on a certain bay full of pirate types. I rented Total Recall from Sky GO. 1.2 Gig it was and it was worse than a 700 MB DVD rip. In short there should still be space for a B&M rental store because the online versions don't supply the same quality or if they do, they're not as spontaneous an option (ie order the DVD and wait rather than just deciding on the spot that you want to watch a movie and go to blockbuster)Very sad to see them go.
I stream Netflix via either a laptop or Xbox360. The picture goes direct via HDMI to a Panasonic 50" plasma, and the sound goes in to a Yamaha amp and Kef speakers. It's not a hugely expensive setup, but it's not cheap rubbish either. The quality I get is great! Yes, if I go and stand 2 feet from the screen, it's not as perfect as Bluray, but watching from the sofa 12 feet away, it's good enough not to be able to notice a difference. When I try watching directly on my laptop on a sodding Virgin trains wifi link on the way to Preston, however, it's blocky and horrible! The biggest difference is 76Mbps home internet vs something like 760K on the train.
Sure, for people who've got their plasma screen set up to provide a cinema-style experience sat 3 feet away from the screen in a darkened room, it's probably not going to satisfy them at the moment, but for the vast majority of people who still have their screen and their chairs arranged in a way which makes sense for using the room as a lounge rather than a cinema, I doubt the streaming services will come in for much criticism so long as the broadband connection is up to the job.
daveydave7 said:
I'd toss in Wilkinsonn name into the ring
Hmmm I can see where your going with that suggestion, however I think Wilks has pulled something a bit special since just before the demise of Woolworths.They appeal to the money conscious middle ground (and students) without looking as dire and cheap as poundland/stretcher/klm. Basically the Woolworth customer of old.
Their stock is normally decent name brands and although some of their "own brand" items (furniture included) can be a bit weak its still no worse than the "expensive" items poundland.
(their furniture is generally on par with what Argos offers, if not identical
daveydave7 said:
Ah Cath Kitson the designer and her startac
Did anyone buy any of the mad routs designer cases for those Nokia phones she put her name too ?
My wife probably did, if Cath's done it she's got it - handbag, bag, purse, phone cover, baby changing bag, cups, plates......Did anyone buy any of the mad routs designer cases for those Nokia phones she put her name too ?
I think they'll do quite well as all their stores are quite small and in off-prime spots, keeping costs down, plus they're only in affluent areas so far.
Oily Nails said:
Hmmm I can see where your going with that suggestion, however I think Wilks has pulled something a bit special since just before the demise of Woolworths.
They appeal to the money conscious middle ground (and students) without looking as dire and cheap as poundland/stretcher/klm. Basically the Woolworth customer of old.
Their stock is normally decent name brands and although some of their "own brand" items (furniture included) can be a bit weak its still no worse than the "expensive" items poundland.
(their furniture is generally on par with what Argos offers, if not identical
I think your right on many counts it's just that locally in 3 town I can think of they right near to places like poudland and Home bargains etc and many of their stores are massive places which must be expensiveThey appeal to the money conscious middle ground (and students) without looking as dire and cheap as poundland/stretcher/klm. Basically the Woolworth customer of old.
Their stock is normally decent name brands and although some of their "own brand" items (furniture included) can be a bit weak its still no worse than the "expensive" items poundland.
(their furniture is generally on par with what Argos offers, if not identical
I absolutely think your right on the furniture thing the stuff I got is very good stable solid well made for self assembly and I would suspect probably the same supplier as Argos even
My mate reckons the floating shelf I got is identical to his Argos one incidentally
KLM is that another cheap shop outlet not heard of them here
Personally I would hope they survive I use them for toiletries and cat litter/ cat food etc and I don't assume my own experience of the order and collect is representative at least I hope not I did notice that they scaled back the amount of foods they sell around 18 months ago
Four Litre said:
I'm going to say Homebase. Every time I've been silly enough to go there, they never have anything. Stores all tired looking, staffed by kids who couldn't give a f**k. Cant believe their still in existence.
That & the fact that the prices they charge are simply astounding.Same group as Argos though & I can see them doing alright
Four Litre said:
I'm going to say Homebase. Every time I've been silly enough to go there, they never have anything. Stores all tired looking, staffed by kids who couldn't give a f**k. Cant believe their still in existence.
I agree. Horrible, hateful places. The last few times I have popped in have been miserable shopping experiences. As you say; tired shops, poor staff, crappy overpriced products (which are often damaged or broken, and nobody has bothered to take them off the shelves). I really can't see them lasting much longer. daveydave7 said:
I'd toss in Wilkinsonn name into the ring
Haven't they already gone bust and then come back from the grave? Or am I getting confused with a similar chain? Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 16th January 23:51
Noesph said:
Truth is, people haven't really got the money to spend on games and music etc. People are more worried about eating, keeping warm and keeping there house. The 16 to 25 age group have been hit hard these last few years, and I'd say these would have been the main buyers of music, films and games.
Personally, It looks like I'll be a 3 day week soon (due to the car companies and other manufacturers having a hard time). I think the wheels have fallen off the wagon UK, big time. :
Sorry to hear you're struggling personally Personally, It looks like I'll be a 3 day week soon (due to the car companies and other manufacturers having a hard time). I think the wheels have fallen off the wagon UK, big time. :
People are spending though, although perhaps just not in shops as much as they did.
Haggleburyfinius said:
Do any of these places exist outside London?
I'm in Birmingham and I don't think we have any of them in the City Centre.
There is a fat face in the city centre (mailbox)I'm in Birmingham and I don't think we have any of them in the City Centre.
Then there are ones in Solihull, Leamington Spa and Stratford upon Avon
..which gives a slight clue as to the demographic of your typical Fat Face customer
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