Thank you Fry's Electronics!

Amazon is not too far from Fry's. Anybody notice they no longer guarantee two day shipping for Prime eligible items? And they started modifying their return policies. I had a rude awakening not long ago with an expensive item I wanted to return due to a defect. Imagine my surprise when Amazon refused my return even though I had a valid reason. Amazon did not even put a warning during order placement that the item cannot be returned. Been a customer of Amazon since they opened in 1994. Stopped buying expensive computer parts from Amazon after that incident.

To those who say Fry's went out of business because they started selling As Seen On TV items and perfumes. I have been going to their stores since 1991 and they always had those items. The major changes I saw was their food court expansion and DVD/Bluray section added late 90s. Fry's also took up the slack when Tower Records closed by expanding their music CD section.

What surprised me during their heyday was how bad they treated their employees. Anyone noticed how there are no janitors at Fry's Electronics? You will never see an employee take out the trash. Or will you ever see a dumpster outside Fry's Electronics. That is because the owners are so paranoid about employees throwing away items inside the store and then dumpster diving for the same items after their shift is over. Trash was handled by a private security company who screened the trash before they are collected. This type of theft was something popularized by Walmart employees. Fry's just went full gestapo on their own employees.

But even with all their faults I still have fond memories at Fry's Electronics. Fry's Electronics has a special place in my heart. I first saw a video game (Unreal) running on a Voodoo card and decided I would build my own computer. Up until then I was playing Quake software rendered. Imagine my surprise when the demo setup at Fry's had all the items listed to build a similar computer and where to find it all in store. Went home and checked my balance and came back to buy everything I needed on the same day. Fry's used to open at 6am then close at midnight in their Orange County locations in California. Talk about convenience! You can't do that with Amazon. Not even when they tested the same day and 3 hour shipping for the lucky ones who live near a fulfillment center.

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Yeah Amazon can not wait till retail is dead....then Bezos will push the button.....higher prices and no returns...with no competition game over!

" I was unable to purchase my items during Christmas time after waiting in the long line because the card reader machines were not equipped to swipe cards."

I have doubts about your account and everyone who is bashing Fry's Electronics on this website. It seems like a coordinated activity to discredit Fry's Electronics. Never did I have a problem during checkout at Fry's. Even when my card had no chip and had to be swiped. Even if their machine had no swipe feature the employee is more than happy to manually enter your card number. They have to do that because each customer they serve is considered a sale and a commission.

The long lines at checkout is not exclusive to Fry's Electronics so that should not discourage other shoppers. Stores like Walmart and Kmart have nightmare checkout lanes too. If you hate waiting in line then Amazon is always there for your convenience. But Amazon is more expensive. Their Prime membership has skyrocketed in the past few years due to their flawed business model of expanding into video entertainment. I never cared much for their Prime Video that comes with the membership. Primarily because of the limited selection and most importantly low quality video. You have to pay extra to watch HD content. Prime membership went up from $75/yr to almost $150/yr because of the inclusion of Prime Video. They never gave the customer a chance to opt out of service they don't need like Prime Video. Fry's Electronics better not follow in Amazon's footsteps.

I always hated buying things from Frys. The employees walked around the store like zombies pretending the couldnt see the customers and that was if you could find one. They put out these ads for stuff they sold out weeks ago but keep advertising regardless. The checkout process has always been a NIGHTMARE. Making customers wind thru the store only to end up in a line like cattle waiting for slaughter. Returning things was even worse. You had to go to these little covered stands where employees took like 15 minutes to fill out return slips. Then you had to get in the long checkout line to actually get your money back. Once I tried to make a purchase and the chip was damaged. The machines are supposed to allow you to swipe the credit card barcode after 3 chip attempts. Not at Frys. I was unable to purchase my items during Christmas time after waiting in the long line because the card reader machines were not equipped to swipe cards. Finally, I attempted to buy a Samsung wireless chager online. I paid with my card over the internet and got an order number. I get an email saying its ready for pickup. So after I drive out of my way to pick the item up. i'm informed my order was cancelled. I wondered how that could be since I showed the cashier my confirmation email saying item was ready for pickup. Cashier just shrugged, so I asked for a manager. The manager says item csn still be purchased but the promotional price is no longer available. Its a miracle Frys has stayed open as long as it has.

Thread regarding Fry's Electronics layoffs

Thank you Fry's Electronics!

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