Comments on: Liquidated at Circuit City

A young single father's career in retail electronics is stalled before it really gets started, as Circuit City closes stores.

[Joliet Eddie]

I've never expected any retail employee at any electronics store to be of any technical use to me. So my expectations were low. On that note, I have purchased equipment at both Best Buy and CC over the past couple of years: four laptops (two at each store), a dSLR camera at CC, video equipment at BB, etc. What the stores provided was a chance to get your hands on a laptop or a camera to check out the ergonomics, which is IMPOSSIBLE to do online. Online reviews are only partially helpful in this regard. I've ordered online from both stores with in-store pickup and both were efficient. Also ordered with direct shipping, with no problems from either. BUT only after I had checked out the real deal in the store. If we're all eventually reduced to buying JUST on line, it will be a very unpleasant experience with lots of returns.

[Phantm006]

I worked for the Circuit City here in Georgia, trust me, moving up would not have benefited you at all. I was the Customer Service Supervisor, and i'm guessing that by your interview you were on the PFT. There is not benefit of moving up at "The City". I come from the Home Theatre and was there when the 3400 got fired, i lost alot of friends that day, and the only thing stopping me from being 3401 was about 10 cents in pay. My first day on the job as a supervisor i was told to "fix it". No training, and no time to orient myself with the job. Being someone who worked there in upper management i knew about alot of this awhile back. They don't care about their employees, and in turn, about their customers. They put themselves in that situation. I dont feel sorry. Good Luck Dude....

[macaronius]

I hate this kind of journalism that has to play in some 21-year-old, single father. Like it's our problem or we should feel sorry for him? He's the one that created a baby when he was 18-19 and obviously out of wedlock.

But cheer up son! Losing a retail job as a stocker will be the easiest job you'll ever lose.

[LuvThatCO2]

I do like CC more than best buy. For computer compents like video cards they tend to be better (at least in this area). But I agree with other posters, CC's arent run very well. When I go to my local store, more than half the time they dont even have anyone at the registers. You have to stand around like a numskull hoping one of the employees - notices you. My wife wont go there because they simply ignore her and wont assist her.

So ultimately, while they recession certainly hasnt helped them, you cant blame CC's woes on it. They just havent been able to compete with other chains.

[mooney101]

A tech store that carries out of date products, that are over priced, and they wonder why they are in trouble:) If your in the tech store business, I think its time to rethink your business model.

[mewen]

Good riddance! I went to CC to buy an apple video cable. They had the cable hanging on a peg below a BIG sign that said 50% off apple av supplies. I took it to the cashier, she rang it up full price. I said "the sign said 50% off". She said "the regular price is 68 dollars" (it was priced at 49.99, same price as every where else). I told her that even then at 50% off it should have been 35 dollars. she refused to budge, the manager, who I could see in the office refused to come out, sending instead some big dude. He said that the sign was a mistake and apple won't let them discount. What a crock of BS. I told them I didn't believe a word they said and to stop making things up. While I am sorry people are losing their jobs, I am not sorry that CC is going belly up. Bad business if you have to lie to customers.

[john55440]

Circuit City's biggest mistake was the mass firing of all experienced salespeople, replacing them with inexperienced, lower paid, new hires. It's not like their original salespeople were getting rich.

I don't trust Best Buy at all. It seems that they regularly get caught in one anti-consumer practice or another.

[thelemurking]

I have NEVER been in a Circuit City where the employees were friendly and helpful. Every single CC I have been in, seems to have the same problem. No one manning the registers, and the employees off in a corner talking with each other and act annoyed when you interrupt because you either need something or need to check out.

I don't know if it was company policy to hire a bunch of clueless tweens who would rather talk with one another than help customers, but one of the biggest reason no one I know shops at CC is because of their choice in employees.

Then again as already mentioned... computer components are way way overpriced and somewhat outdated. Why would I pay $199 for an 8600gts card when I can get a 9800gtx for $199 at NewEgg? Or for that matter, might as well just go for the GTX 260 from MSI which is now $40 off and comes out at $199. So you can get a card 2 generations ahead for the same price as the one 2 generations behind at CC. I don't think so Sparky!

So overpriced and rude useless employees are the main reason why CC is sucking so badly.

[deoguin]

CC is not going out of buisness. If some of you knew anything about economics or maybe ever read an entire story you would know chapter eleven is reorganization. A majority of the stores are doing well. How do I know I happen to be related to a store "manager" where he is still making a six figure salary so much for treating employees bad. He has worked hard for them and hard work usually pays off. So if you want to do a smear story on CC think about how your lies become snowballs and people hear you and actually think you might know what your talking about and all the stores will suffer your lies.

[Orion Blastar]

Welcome to Circuit City, where Bankruptcy is state of the art!

Welcome to Circuit City, where Liquidations are state of the art!

Welcome to Circuit City, where Store Closings are state of the art!

Welcome to New Egg and the rest of the Internet Computer Stores, where we undercut Circuit City's prices are state of the art!

[rrod182]

Best Buy is no better. I bought an xbox 360 that was defective out of the box and lost the receipt amidst all the holiday ruckus. They refused to work with me even though I used my credit card. I never heard of such asinine policy. I had to buy another and return the first in the same box, and wait for the refund.

Every other retailer I've purchased from, including Amazon, even Fry's electronic has better return policy. They lost all my business right way. amazon.com can't be beat.

[birdtford]

I feel sorry for this person and for anyone that has lost their job. What about the person that has had a career for 30 years,and has faced being laid off or is facing lay off. This person had a job for 7 months, not for 7 years. Before getting the job at CC, he was a line cook (i.e.flipped hamburgs). Why doesn't CNET report about the people that have made this country and world. With out us, the younger generation wouldn't have what they have today.

[MMC Racing]

Step one: Keep your d**k in your pants
Step two: Go apply at Fry's.. This guy was working at the worst of his 3 options in the Phoenix area.

[dhavleak]

I feel bad for the guy in the article, and others in his position - I really do. There are many different issues that this article brings out, beyond just the recession.

First - what's he doing as a single father at age 21, and already having been through a custody case? That's such a difficult situation to be in to begin with. At 21, he's just a kid himself and it's really unfortunate that he's in that situation. I really blame the whole pro-life movement for indoctrinating so many kids into making choices that put them in these ridiculous situations. Imagine if they spent the same amount of effort spreading awareness about contraceptives /safe sex /being responsible instead.

The second part is about how the kid was working as a line cook before starting his "retail electronics career" at Circuit City. There's no such thing as a career in retail if you're on the shop floor unless you become the store GM and them move to corporate through that. And that's true of all retail. Also true for line cooks. We need to start setting higher standards for our kids. We're letting them down very badly by letting them think that they can make a serious living off jobs like this. They really need to understand that they need to finish school, go to college, and then get jobs. Don't even think about anything else until you're done with college -- especially not having kids. Community college is fine -- but a college degree is a must.

I hope things work out for Campo - I'm glad he already has something lined up.