2020 Retailers in trouble thread
Discussion
jakesmith said:
Tyre Smoke said:
Son needed a new laptop. Found what I needed on Currys website. Available for collection or delivery. So we decided to go to the store and check the laptop and buy it if it was really what we wanted.
Get to Currys. Nobody interested in selling anything. Approached two sales people who were chatting to each other and was told they would find someone for me. Err, why can't you help? So eventually another sales person turns up. I point to the laptop and ask if I can buy it. No, sorry we haven't had any stock of those for two weeks. So I point to another one. Ahh, yes can have it ready for pick up in two days. We don't have any stock here. So what's the point if this huge store? So you can ask any technical questions...
Went home and ordered another laptop on line, delivered next day. High Street (any retail store) is dead or dying.
Laptop stock is absolutely decimated at the moment across most retailers due to unprecedented demand. Yes you had a sGet to Currys. Nobody interested in selling anything. Approached two sales people who were chatting to each other and was told they would find someone for me. Err, why can't you help? So eventually another sales person turns up. I point to the laptop and ask if I can buy it. No, sorry we haven't had any stock of those for two weeks. So I point to another one. Ahh, yes can have it ready for pick up in two days. We don't have any stock here. So what's the point if this huge store? So you can ask any technical questions...
Went home and ordered another laptop on line, delivered next day. High Street (any retail store) is dead or dying.
t experience in store, just saying though.I ended up ordering a better laptop for the same money on laptops direct that arrived at 11am the next day.
Yet another waste of time, every time I give curry's another chance it is the same experience.
Ian974 said:
I'm finding this quite often with a number of shops.
Happy to go out and buy something in person and not overly worried about the best price, just want what I want and with clothes in particular, see what it is before I buy.
Does any store ever carry any stock? Nope...
Including Argos, which is the whole point of the place. Bought a TV from them, chosen as they were instantly available, only they were not. Had to wait 4 days. No-one, including Argos has been able to explain why.Happy to go out and buy something in person and not overly worried about the best price, just want what I want and with clothes in particular, see what it is before I buy.
Does any store ever carry any stock? Nope...
surveyor said:
Ian974 said:
I'm finding this quite often with a number of shops.
Happy to go out and buy something in person and not overly worried about the best price, just want what I want and with clothes in particular, see what it is before I buy.
Does any store ever carry any stock? Nope...
Including Argos, which is the whole point of the place. Bought a TV from them, chosen as they were instantly available, only they were not. Had to wait 4 days. No-one, including Argos has been able to explain why.Happy to go out and buy something in person and not overly worried about the best price, just want what I want and with clothes in particular, see what it is before I buy.
Does any store ever carry any stock? Nope...
Curry's are a completely different matter, everything I've tried to buy from them (apart from a tablet) they've not had in stock, couldn't order it and couldn't tell me when it would be back in stock! That's everything from cameras to stereos to TV's and fridges. I have no idea how they keep going.
Currys - LOL same here, can never manage to buy anything, don’t even bother anymore but my mate did actually manage to grab myself and a few others about 5 Oculus Quest 2s from there the other day, I was waiting for a call to say none in stock so I could order online #shockerrrr
Argos - normally bang on with stock except post COVID I’ve struggled with printer ink and sourcing new printers. Stock decimated nationwide due to home working I believe.
Halfords - don’t usually use them but stuck in Devon hungover and the Cayenne had thrown up an oil message, wipers needed replacing too and I had a two hour drive home that evening. Had a good experience in store, staff did everything for me including topping up the oil and replacing all 3 wipers, but I paid handsomely for it! Guilty but impressed.
Apple - iPad Pro stock was none existent after launch for a while, stand in box, do this do that just to gain access to store, bought online from JohnLewis in the end arrived next day.
Shopping on high street is no longer enjoyable, more expensive and generally more difficult to source what you need, I just wait 24hrs and have a courier hand it me at home these days. Shame as I do enjoy taking the missus shopping and having food and a pint etc. Just can’t see it being sustainable for much longer for majority of shops
Argos - normally bang on with stock except post COVID I’ve struggled with printer ink and sourcing new printers. Stock decimated nationwide due to home working I believe.
Halfords - don’t usually use them but stuck in Devon hungover and the Cayenne had thrown up an oil message, wipers needed replacing too and I had a two hour drive home that evening. Had a good experience in store, staff did everything for me including topping up the oil and replacing all 3 wipers, but I paid handsomely for it! Guilty but impressed.
Apple - iPad Pro stock was none existent after launch for a while, stand in box, do this do that just to gain access to store, bought online from JohnLewis in the end arrived next day.
Shopping on high street is no longer enjoyable, more expensive and generally more difficult to source what you need, I just wait 24hrs and have a courier hand it me at home these days. Shame as I do enjoy taking the missus shopping and having food and a pint etc. Just can’t see it being sustainable for much longer for majority of shops
jonamv8 said:
Currys - LOL same here, can never manage to buy anything, don’t even bother anymore but my mate did actually manage to grab myself and a few others about 5 Oculus Quest 2s from there the other day, I was waiting for a call to say none in stock so I could order online #shockerrrr
Argos - normally bang on with stock except post COVID I’ve struggled with printer ink and sourcing new printers. Stock decimated nationwide due to home working I believe.
Halfords - don’t usually use them but stuck in Devon hungover and the Cayenne had thrown up an oil message, wipers needed replacing too and I had a two hour drive home that evening. Had a good experience in store, staff did everything for me including topping up the oil and replacing all 3 wipers, but I paid handsomely for it! Guilty but impressed.
Apple - iPad Pro stock was none existent after launch for a while, stand in box, do this do that just to gain access to store, bought online from JohnLewis in the end arrived next day.
Shopping on high street is no longer enjoyable, more expensive and generally more difficult to source what you need, I just wait 24hrs and have a courier hand it me at home these days. Shame as I do enjoy taking the missus shopping and having food and a pint etc. Just can’t see it being sustainable for much longer for majority of shops
No need to even wait 24 hours now either .Argos - normally bang on with stock except post COVID I’ve struggled with printer ink and sourcing new printers. Stock decimated nationwide due to home working I believe.
Halfords - don’t usually use them but stuck in Devon hungover and the Cayenne had thrown up an oil message, wipers needed replacing too and I had a two hour drive home that evening. Had a good experience in store, staff did everything for me including topping up the oil and replacing all 3 wipers, but I paid handsomely for it! Guilty but impressed.
Apple - iPad Pro stock was none existent after launch for a while, stand in box, do this do that just to gain access to store, bought online from JohnLewis in the end arrived next day.
Shopping on high street is no longer enjoyable, more expensive and generally more difficult to source what you need, I just wait 24hrs and have a courier hand it me at home these days. Shame as I do enjoy taking the missus shopping and having food and a pint etc. Just can’t see it being sustainable for much longer for majority of shops
You could order something in the early evening get it delivered special delivery by 9 ( currently 11 due to covid) the next day .
So it seems like this thread has devolved into all kinds of sub-threads in the absence of retailers throwing in the towel...
...but why haven’t they? Why is it so quiet? we had an initial flurry, (which I suppose must’ve been those already in trouble or who were already planning a restructure)
...But we’re now 8 months or so into a step change in customer behaviours, what’s stopping more from going under? Rent freezes must’ve have helped; has demand risen back up somewhat? Are our retailers in fact PE fuelled megacorps with sufficient online presence to whether the storm?
Christmas retail is surely going to shift online in an unprecedented way; am I right in believing that many retailers make the bulk of their sales over the Christmas period? If so are we looking at an exodus in Q1? Etc...
...but why haven’t they? Why is it so quiet? we had an initial flurry, (which I suppose must’ve been those already in trouble or who were already planning a restructure)
...But we’re now 8 months or so into a step change in customer behaviours, what’s stopping more from going under? Rent freezes must’ve have helped; has demand risen back up somewhat? Are our retailers in fact PE fuelled megacorps with sufficient online presence to whether the storm?
Christmas retail is surely going to shift online in an unprecedented way; am I right in believing that many retailers make the bulk of their sales over the Christmas period? If so are we looking at an exodus in Q1? Etc...
Curries are surely one of the worst retailers in the UK. I’ve often needed IT equipment at short notice and tried them and I don’t think they’ve ever had the item in stock.
The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
dmahon said:
Curries are surely one of the worst retailers in the UK. I’ve often needed IT equipment at short notice and tried them and I don’t think they’ve ever had the item in stock.
The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
I’m not so sure. Most things can be next day from Amazon. In some areas they can be same day or even within 4 hrs.The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
I think a lot of retailers are pinning their hopes on Christmas to save them. Perhaps, as must be the way with Currys, their online presence is propping up their physical stores. Certainly the one I was in had more staff than customers and must cost a fortune to run. Ok, rent freeze and no business rates must be a massive help to a say, 20,000 sq ft shop, but they're not sustainable.
I see places like Currys, Bensons for Beds, Furniture Warehouse, etc taking a brutal approach to store closures in the new year.
I see places like Currys, Bensons for Beds, Furniture Warehouse, etc taking a brutal approach to store closures in the new year.
dmahon said:
Curries are surely one of the worst retailers in the UK. I’ve often needed IT equipment at short notice and tried them and I don’t think they’ve ever had the item in stock.
The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
Yes, usually rubbish stock and rubbish staff. We need a better quality operation but the internet has killed off a big chunk of the total market for the stores.The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
I was in a Currys PC World last night about 5pm and it was busy with staff helping lots of customers meaning someone politely came over whilst dealing with their customer and asked if I could hang on 2 minutes whilst he called through to a colleague on a break who then came and helped me to buy what I wanted which was in stock. Am I doing it wrong?
BrabusMog said:
I was in a Currys PC World last night about 5pm and it was busy with staff helping lots of customers meaning someone politely came over whilst dealing with their customer and asked if I could hang on 2 minutes whilst he called through to a colleague on a break who then came and helped me to buy what I wanted which was in stock. Am I doing it wrong?
Hang on to that store, it could be the last Currys remaining open!
It's the first time I'd been in one for a couple of years, I was expecting to have to order it from Amazon on my way back to the car based on what I've read about them on here over the years 
jammy-git said:
I think we're being a little overly critical here. There's a worldwide shortage of laptops and computer equipment due to the huge amount of people now working from home!
It's not like Argos are deliberately not buying in stock of items that are currently hugely in demand!
Except there isn't. Apart from Currys, I was able to choose a laptop, from numerous online places, and have it delivered next day. Currys couldn't deliver to the store for two days. Home was even longer, don't know why.It's not like Argos are deliberately not buying in stock of items that are currently hugely in demand!
Tyre Smoke said:
Son needed a new laptop. Found what I needed on Currys website. Available for collection or delivery. So we decided to go to the store and check the laptop and buy it if it was really what we wanted.
Get to Currys. Nobody interested in selling anything. Approached two sales people who were chatting to each other and was told they would find someone for me. Err, why can't you help? So eventually another sales person turns up. I point to the laptop and ask if I can buy it. No, sorry we haven't had any stock of those for two weeks. So I point to another one. Ahh, yes can have it ready for pick up in two days. We don't have any stock here. So what's the point if this huge store? So you can ask any technical questions...
Went home and ordered another laptop on line, delivered next day. High Street (any retail store) is dead or dying.
I had a similar experience with a printer from Currys. Went to large out of town retail park with view to seeing it in real life and making sure it was ok. If so buy it and take away.Get to Currys. Nobody interested in selling anything. Approached two sales people who were chatting to each other and was told they would find someone for me. Err, why can't you help? So eventually another sales person turns up. I point to the laptop and ask if I can buy it. No, sorry we haven't had any stock of those for two weeks. So I point to another one. Ahh, yes can have it ready for pick up in two days. We don't have any stock here. So what's the point if this huge store? So you can ask any technical questions...
Went home and ordered another laptop on line, delivered next day. High Street (any retail store) is dead or dying.
Oh no, they had 1 printer available in the store which you could buy and take away. Spoke to the sale lad and asked about printers. Apparently the stores dont hold stock of things now with exception of TVs. He said he would order one on his tablet to come in next day. All done, paid and got text next day to say it had been delivered and ready to collect. Turned up. No sign of order. Well daft arse sales kid had ordered it to store 200 miles away. So had to order again, pay again and wait another day for delivery and another week for refund on original order.
I knew Currys werent great this is completely shambolic.
jammy-git said:
I think we're being a little overly critical here. There's a worldwide shortage of laptops and computer equipment due to the huge amount of people now working from home!
It's not like Argos are deliberately not buying in stock of items that are currently hugely in demand!
All of my bad experiences pre date covid and were in stores at different ends of the country.It's not like Argos are deliberately not buying in stock of items that are currently hugely in demand!
Since covid a couple of times I've bought direct from manufacturers. I couldn't find a Canon printer in stock anywhere apart from Canon themselves!
dmahon said:
Curries are surely one of the worst retailers in the UK. I’ve often needed IT equipment at short notice and tried them and I don’t think they’ve ever had the item in stock.
The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
Just remembered another one, my mother wanted two monitors the same with DVI sockets as her docking station only had DVI. We ended up going to 3 different currys before we found a branch that had two monitors the same. She didn't even care what brand they were as long as they were the same.The staff are completely disinterested too apart from the bit where they try to up sell the extended warranty.
It’s a shame because I think a good, well stocked electrical retailer with knowledgeable staff could still thrive.
So I asked the helpful assistant if they had DVI sockets and he said "Yes". We get home, I open the first one and guess what......
We then ended up driving back to return them. In all we wasted five hours on a Saturday to end up empty handed. I could have ordered them in five minutes on Amazon and had them the next day.
I have given currys a few other chances since then and always come home empty handed. When I hear they are closing down I will have zero sympathy as they did it to themselves. Numerous times I have been there, money in hand to just pay and take my item and they have nothing in stock.
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