Dick Smith up for sale

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#576369 2-Feb-2012 16:58

Chainsaw:
SaltyNZ:
Chainsaw: DS still have lots of stuff I can't get elsewhere, like adapters, splitters, printable discs, small electronics stuff and more. There's nowhere else that sells that stuff in my city. I'd hate to see them go.

You can always try Jaycar.
Not in my town I can't.

I wasn't aware there were some towns Jaycar's online store wouldn't ship to...

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Dunnersfella

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#576431 2-Feb-2012 19:45

jonherries:

Thinking about how apple manages their retail (most profitable stores per square foot in the world) maybe Dick Smith should concentrate on:

Better trained staff
Removing commissions for staff
Focussing on offering a better service
Giving online discounts for buying online, and offering pick up at the store with that (same day).
Not doing the upsell
Stocking good stuff not crap
Offering something people can't get elsewhere (maybe the combination of components and knowledge)

Better trained staff - Yes, of course. Every business can benefit from this.

Removing commissions for staff - Not sure... the most successful stores listed here do this (everyone seems to be comparing JB Hifi to DSE), it's more to do with the QUALITY of staff hired to begin with in my opinion. Hiring at minimum wage (or below *cough Noel Leeming / Bond 'n Bond*) isn't going to attract the best of the best...

Focusing on offering better service - Well yeah, see training.

Giving online discounts... Everyone else is doing this, wonder why they're not? Other, than as everyone is pointing out, margins are shrinking and maybe they simply can't afford to cut profits any further?

Not doing the upsell - Um... I don't know how that would work in a world dominated by loss-leaders. Actually, I do. Badly. They need all the upselling they can get. I'm sure it annoys you, but frankly, you can always so no...

Stocking good stuff, not crap - Well yeah, goes without saying. But then again, not everyone can afford the higher end gear. There's definitely a market for low end kit, and it's a big market to ignore. Especially when you're not so much a destination / specialist store, more of a 'ma and pa' organisation.

Offering something people can't get elsewhere... - Well yeah, exclusivity of brands is the key. I'm not sure if components are the right answer though. I believe that's more to do with looking backwards, and not to the future. I believe the point made earlier re: convergence sales techniques is key. Sure they currently struggle to demonstrate this, but it's not too tricky. Heck, sales people using smart phones to flick audio / video around via DLNA / Airplay. Turning on TV's via phones / tablets etc - then providing a service to install this for a decent price. That would be cool.

Loismustdye

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#576572 2-Feb-2012 22:19

In my neck of the woods there is HN, Norman ross, dse x2, Bond and bond, noel leeming, JB hifi and smiths city.
I only frequent 2 of those stores, DSE and JB hifi. Both have far better service, knowledge and friendlier, far less pushier salespeople than the others. Dickies tends to have resonable prices on goods randomly throughout the year (got our TV at $500 less than elsewhere and with freebies), JB has better prices on accessories and so-forth.
I hope they don't close the ones here, as the competition in Palmy is tight at present and that makes it better for us consumers pricewise.
DSE only foible IMHO (and dealings with them) is the lack of price-matching now and instead having the jargony "dicks deals".

Chainsaw

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#576644 3-Feb-2012 08:32

SaltyNZ:I wasn't aware there were some towns Jaycar's online store wouldn't ship to...

But I enjoy going into the shop, and for some stuff I don't know what exactly what I want, and yes, the staff help me.

Plus, I didn't even know they had an online shop! But still prefer going in if I can.

wellygary

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#576667 3-Feb-2012 09:23

According to an article in the Dom Post this morning
"Woolworths says it will shut fewer than 5 Disk Smith stores , it had an idea of which stores would close but could not name them yet"

In Wellington I would bet that some rationalisation will occur between the store in Manners Street and the one on Vivian Street,

(Having Youbee announce that they are going to set up an "Apple store" across the road from Disk Smith in Manner Street, will probably also factor into their thinking.....)

jonb

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#576694 3-Feb-2012 10:34

In Auckland I imagine they'd shut the older shop on Wyndham Street. It's the useful one with all the components, but seems to be pretty empty everytime I pass.

SepticSceptic

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#576707 3-Feb-2012 10:42

If they close DSE, just where the heck am I gonna get my System-80 spares and accessories ?
:-)

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scottjpalmer

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#576739 3-Feb-2012 11:31

wellygary: According to an article in the Dom Post this morning
"Woolworths says it will shut fewer than 5 Disk Smith stores , it had an idea of which stores would close but could not name them yet"

In Wellington I would bet that some rationalisation will occur between the store in Manners Street and the one on Vivian Street,

(Having Youbee announce that they are going to set up an "Apple store" across the road from Disk Smith in Manner Street, will probably also factor into their thinking.....)

Also in the Dom Post today, there are plans for DS to move across Manners Street into the new complex but they won't confirm if that will still happen.

mattwnz

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#576805 3-Feb-2012 13:20

I think my local one will close. The town is almost dead, and dse is almost always empty when I go in. It will be sad if it does close.

semigeek

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#576808 3-Feb-2012 13:29

jonb: In Auckland I imagine they'd shut the older shop on Wyndham Street. It's the useful one with all the components, but seems to be pretty empty everytime I pass.

Is that the one where you walk down a set of stairs into the shop? If so, that's probably one of the better DS around

b0untypure1

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#576953 3-Feb-2012 18:18

jonb: In Auckland I imagine they'd shut the older shop on Wyndham Street. It's the useful one with all the components, but seems to be pretty empty everytime I pass.

bingo! everyone complaining about components and how DSE have moved on from electronic parts read above

lol

mattwnz

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#576957 3-Feb-2012 18:31

b0untypure1:
jonb: In Auckland I imagine they'd shut the older shop on Wyndham Street. It's the useful one with all the components, but seems to be pretty empty everytime I pass.

bingo! everyone complaining about components and how DSE have moved on from electronic parts read above

lol?

Although 10 years ago when these stores did sell components, they seemed to be doing well. One problem though with them selling components, is that the price of the components is high. It can be cheaper to buy an old device on trademe, and remove components from the circuit board. I presume there are also overseas websites, such as deal extreme that sell components cheaper, which has eatten into their market. The advantage of DSE was that it was an instant purchase.

Skolink

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#577062 3-Feb-2012 22:59

In Christchurch they have two stores in Riccarton Mall! Surely one of them will close.

Dunnersfella

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#577095 4-Feb-2012 07:08

Um... it did close a while ago. It's now a BNZ.

merve0o0

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#577110 4-Feb-2012 08:09

I'm not really surprised we order a few things from them at work. Orders usually take over a week to arrive.

For components we use element 14 or radio spares as most stuff is over night shipping.

I personally only use dse for USB keys if I need one that day.

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