What's up with Currys?

Fast stock clearance before re-stock of new fabuloso new improved products, I expect - does this every now an then - after all we cannot possibly survive on products that are more than two months old, can we?

I don t believe Currys/PC World can compete in the market any more. Ok, I admit that they are handy for several reasons; you can inspect an item before buying (although videos of products (reviews and unboxings) online you can get a pretty good idea about whether the product is right for you), you can buy today and take home straight away. That is it. Most of the items in store can be bought cheaper and easier online (even at sale prices). I bought an inkjet printer recently for £35 which included both black and colour cartridges. When I looked in Currys for a replacement black cartridge I found that they were charging £25!!! So I went to Argos and picked one up for £12. I did however manage to find a laptop which was similarly priced to online models so went and purchased it from this branch. I couldn t believe how much up selling was attempted. As well as the usual 3 year upgrade for a warranty for a low monthly rate, I was asked if I wanted to pay an extra £30 for virus checking software, when I said I would use a Free version of AVG, I was told quite rudely that it would not work with this laptop (running Windows Vista), which I knew it would work with Vista and Windows 7. I proceeded to say that I would be installing Windows 7 anyway. I was then told this would invalidate my warranty. I smiled politely and left.

I regret to say, that you are absolutely right - they have lost touch entirely in my opinion, and it is all flim flam and no knowledge; whenever I do go into a shop of this type at all (rare) I start by telling them I have come in for a product and not sales hype as to what they can get me to buy no warranties or any other way of my wasting my money. It is cheaper to buy new than the extended warranty costs. I am constantly coming across what I consider to be either lies or incompetence in advice received.

@rrrrrichie Sparky and I competed for 12 years quite successfully against the nationals in the PC business. We found that whilst customers came to us because we had product knowledge we used to get the best deal for our customers our national competitors were using scare tactics to up sell products. Because we were in business we all qualified with Microsoft and became Microsoft Gold Partners. As a laugh the kids would go into stores like Currys, Dixons and PC world and ask some really indepth question just to watch the fear come over their faces.
You re right about convenience shopping, but if you don t know what you are buying..... don t rely on these kind of stores. They often take on staff give them a title like technician and Bob s your uncle. Having said that there are some really good nationals that really do train their staff and have good product knowledge.
Sparky shot up to PC World as we needed ram for her laptop that day. She was told that you can t buy ram for lap tops she would have to buy a new laptop. She, of course questioned this as soon as she was able to get her self off the floor and stop the laughing. By this time the kids had noticed mummy rolling about on the floor and though something was a miss. The sales man quickly changed his mind when challenged and said sorry I though you meant hard drive By the time I got over there the kids and Sparky were rolling about in hysterics..... So for entertainment value we don t go to Seal world or the Zoo.... We go to one of these national PC chain stores and have a bit of free fun.
BTW (I m sure you already know this) but changing OS will not invalidate any warranty and AVG Free will work with Vista. If you want cheap ink then I ll email you a link ::6:

Went pass this shop today and guess what... yep, windows still empty 5 days on! Nothing has changed... what you see in th picture above is how it looks right now.

Just come back from town and guess what? yep.... the window display is still the same! That s 6 days now!

Of course, we are still going through the post apocalyptic announcement of five years in which Currys will close 77 of their 177 outlets, as announced 15th May 2008. All profit margin driven in the face of customer demands ( cash-strapped customers ). They are now looking to open 50 mega-stores all over Europe, as a result of last year s revamp and cuts. DSG Internationl are Currys and PC World, and have outlets throughtout Europe. Watch this space ... on The Terrace.

Perhaps they are trying on a new window display..... perhaps they are selling air read# read#

7 days now and no different..... still as empty as can be!

It does say on a big poster that it s the final week of a stock clearance sale. This could be a marketing ploy. If a shop looks like it s closing down, more people go in looking for bargains?? Maybe.