Topic: Future Shop

[tenpenny]

So all the Future Shop stores closed, and some will be converted to Best Buy and reopen in a week.  While they didn't have the best prices, they were convenient.  I hope our local one re opens.

Sent from my Vic20 using Java Moose

[Snowman]

Another victim of retail saturation. How many home electronic stores do I need within 5km?

[Ex-airbalancer]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/future-shop-stores-closed-across-canada-some-to-become-best-buy-1.3013534

I am surprised they did on a Saturday

They should change the stores over in 2001 when BB bought FS

[Bubba]

Another victim of retail saturation. How many home electronic stores do I need within 5km?

In Winnipeg, the FS stores were within walking distance of BB.  Made little sense.

[pi314]

The model used to be that if people were out and about shopping, they'd first check one store, and then check the other and when the prices were the same, they'd buy the product.

Not as applicable when everyone has pocket-computers that can look up amazon prices before buying.

[EV Dan]

It sucks for someone who bought a TV or something pricey a day before and now, if not satisfied, there is no store to return it to. 
What really is killing them IMO is lack of flexibility. Some time ago I wanted a high end Pioneer blu ray player. FS had a contact with Pio Canada. I had the cash but they had no idea how to make a special order and take the money.
They need to take advantage of the retail environment. Get a starbucks corner, sell vinyl records, simply offer what online shops cannot. Lots of ppl including myself prefer getting stuff from a brick and mortar store if the price is comparable. 

[initial_D]

Based on the CBC news release, all FS purchases will be honored at BB stores.

I did notice Costco stores nowadays have way more stock in big screen TV, and offer 'dirt cheap' extended warranty'. With no gravy add-ons like over priced extended warranty ,  AWESOME must haves like the Monster cables, profit margins are slim for the big box stores.

[Schmengie]

If there was a competitive Canadian alternative to Best Buy I'd choose it every time, but there isn't. FS was the only choice in Vernon even if it was only superficially Canadian.

[tpl]

When we moved here our local plaza was Zellers and Cdn Tire. Then it gained a Future shop, then Zellers became Target, now just a lonely Cdn tire...won't be any shortage of parking.

I suspect that we are just too far from the Kitchener or Cambridge BB that our FS will become a BB in a week or two.

[pi314]

If there was a competitive Canadian alternative to Best Buy I'd choose it every time, but there isn't. FS was the only choice in Vernon even if it was only superficially Canadian.

Canada Computers, NCIX, TigerDirect (though now online only).

I'd rather give money to Costco, though, since they pay their workers well and has amazing return policies

[Schmengie]

If there was a competitive Canadian alternative to Best Buy I'd choose it every time, but there isn't. FS was the only choice in Vernon even if it was only superficially Canadian.

Canada Computers, NCIX, TigerDirect (though now online only).

I'd rather give money to Costco, though, since they pay their workers well and has amazing return policies

I was referring to brick and mortar stores, none of those are located here. The nearest Costco is in Kelowna, too far away to be even remotely convenient. I do hope that Costco moves into the Vernon Target location but that doesn't seem likely.

[johngenx]

I'd rather give money to Costco, though, since they pay their workers well and has amazing return policies

Costco might not be Canadian, but yeah, they pay way above minimum wage and treat their workers better than just about any other retailer.  That matter a lot to me, so they earn quite a bit of my business.  Enough that my Executive membership covers my annual dues and more.

[Solstice2006]

If there was a competitive Canadian alternative to Best Buy I'd choose it every time, but there isn't. FS was the only choice in Vernon even if it was only superficially Canadian.

Canada Computers, NCIX, TigerDirect (though now online only).

I'd rather give money to Costco, though, since they pay their workers well and has amazing return policies

Those stores carry some computers and electronics.  But there are many things that Futureshop & BB carry that they don't, and usually the selection is better.  Movies, and Music, appliances, home theatre, for example.

[mwqa]

Only bought on price at Future Shop - I didn't like the aggressive salespeople.

Not surprised they are gone. Even compared to Best Buy, FS selection was getting worse and worse. They were always making pricing mistakes in my favor, too. More than once I was given something for free because of a "pricing error". Those kids on the tills just didn't care about the bottom line. That's the "McDonaldfication" of retail for you!

I will miss the name though. Future Shop - had a nice ring.

[OliverD]

Costco might not be Canadian, but yeah, they pay way above minimum wage and treat their workers better than just about any other retailer.  That matter a lot to me, so they earn quite a bit of my business.  Enough that my Executive membership covers my annual dues and more.

Costco's advantages are offset by how crappy shopping there is. Inconsistent product selection and availability, ridiculous lines, you can't even leave the store once your purchase is complete until your receipt is checked in another line... I buy some stuff from Costco, partly out of "convenience" because it's across the street from my office but for the most part I avoid it like the plague.

[OliverD]

Another victim of retail saturation. How many home electronic stores do I need within 5km?

In Winnipeg, the FS stores were within walking distance of BB.  Made little sense.

This was pretty common in larger markets. At one point even smaller cities like Moncton and Fredericton were slated to get Best Buys near the existing Futureshop stores but that was a few years ago. They did it so that people would have the perception of competition.

[Snowman]

Costco might not be Canadian, but yeah, they pay way above minimum wage and treat their workers better than just about any other retailer.  That matter a lot to me, so they earn quite a bit of my business.  Enough that my Executive membership covers my annual dues and more.

Costco's advantages are offset by how crappy shopping there is. Inconsistent product selection and availability, ridiculous lines, you can't even leave the store once your purchase is complete until your receipt is checked in another line... I buy some stuff from Costco, partly out of "convenience" because it's across the street from my office but for the most part I avoid it like the plague.

Agree 100%. Have not stepped into one in ten years.

[johngenx]

True that product consistency is not Costco's strong suit - but I'm not nearly as put off by the rest of it.  Of course, I am there in "off peak" times so I rarely line up.  The amount of food I consumer makes shopping there a necessity for us.

[CanuckS2K]

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Costco and shop there very often......for both personal items and even brewery ingredients.  I only shop there during the mornings of weekdays so I can't attest to the lines.  I find that they offer unique items that can't be found otherwise locally.  I buy clothes there, groceries, electronics, household items, etc.  Their warranty is absolutely top notch, and that's the main reason that I will continue to shop there (along with their prices).  Best retail chain I've ever set foot in IMHO. 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Costco and shop there very often......for both personal items and even brewery ingredients.  I only shop there during the mornings of weekdays so I can't attest to the lines.  I find that they offer unique items that can't be found otherwise locally.  I buy clothes there, groceries, electronics, household items, etc.  Their warranty is absolutely top notch, and that's the main reason that I will continue to shop there (along with their prices).  Best retail chain I've ever set foot in IMHO.