Comet electrical stores - closing down sale starts

11:17am Thursday 8th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

Comet stores - closing down sale starts Comet stores - closing down sale starts

A MODEST sale has started at stricken electrical goods retailer Comet following its collapse into administration.

Administrators Deloitte announced a “massive stock liquidation” sale on its website this morning from 9am, for all 236 of the group’s stores including the Blackpole Retail Park premises at Worcester.

In-store there, a steady stream of curious punters and bargain-hunters were browsing the shelves now full of knock-down priced goods with discounts of mainly 10 or 20 per cent, and in some rare cases 30 per cent.

Nearly all televisions had been marked down 10 percent, with similar discounts on white goods.

Laptops, digital cameras, sat-navs, camcorders, Blu-Ray and freeview players had also been reduced.

Not all products were being discounted however, and some prime-label goods such as those manufactured by Apple electronics and Dyson vacuum cleaners were conspicuous by their absence.

Meanwhile, ‘restraint of trade’ ROT notices barring sale to the public had been placed on Morphy Richards kettles and toasters.

Administrators Deloitte is looking for a buyer for the business, but reports suggest it may be broken up, and stores will start closing by next week.

There had been widespread speculation of a ‘firesale’ but Deloitte said: “The discounts are gentle."

“It's not a hard sale.

They added: “We are not commenting on speculation about store closures."

Online, the store's website has changed to a question and answer page, telling customers those with orders not yet part-paid or secured by deposit will not be honoured.

It also says there will be no refunds, and consumers with faulty goods will have to rely on manufacturer warranties for recourse.

Deloitte said on Tuesday it would now accept pre-paid gift cards from customers and those issued through the charity, the Family Fund, but corporate clients’ discount cards are still not being accepted.

The firm went into administration last Friday.

Comet rival Dixons is delaying the start of its seasonal workers recruiting drive, to offer Comet staff a chance to join the business.

Comments(16)

Realistblue says...
12:59pm Thu 8 Nov 12

10% off is hardly a sale.... let us know when the Ipads are half price ;)

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Hwicce says...
1:47pm Thu 8 Nov 12

10% is "discount for cash" not a sale.

A sale starts at 20%, a "massive stock liquidation" should be 30% or more.

I think my money will stay in my pocket, which is probably why Comet are in a mess in the first place.

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one94 says...
1:58pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Just been in and there isn't anything you can't find cheaper online. Talked to the staff and they wouldnt even negotiate on prices, saying these were the maximum discounts they could offer.
.
Sad for the satff, but have to give it a massive FAIL as a "fire sale"

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Mrs anonymous says...
2:08pm Thu 8 Nov 12

I went in this morning armed with my amazon app. Even with the discounts, pretty much everything is still more expensive then amazon. Definitely not a fire sale. And I'd say they are targeting the 'gullible shopper' which lowers my opinion of them further.

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MrStJohns says...
2:14pm Thu 8 Nov 12

I feel sorry for the staff its never nice to be in the position of losing a job.

But as far as sales and support comet are by far the worst iv come across, some months ago I went in with £500ish cash looking to buy a fridge/freezer.
As is my usual way, Cash = a discount, not in comet though and you even get a rude reply for asking. Apollo2000 next door, where more than happy to help and gave a decent cash discount.

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Selprof says...
5:04pm Thu 8 Nov 12

It appears to be a sale in name only as some prices are actually HIGHER today than they were on Saturday. Example - fridge freezer was £649 on Saturday and now £799 -10% liquidation discount - approx £70 more expensive.

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brooksider says...
6:05pm Thu 8 Nov 12

MrStJohns wrote:
I feel sorry for the staff its never nice to be in the position of losing a job.

But as far as sales and support comet are by far the worst iv come across, some months ago I went in with £500ish cash looking to buy a fridge/freezer.
As is my usual way, Cash = a discount, not in comet though and you even get a rude reply for asking. Apollo2000 next door, where more than happy to help and gave a decent cash discount.
Currys next door?

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Kenni says...
9:04am Fri 9 Nov 12

Nowadays I think people will go to these electrical stores soley to try out goods, ask questions and then buy online.

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MrStJohns says...
9:45am Fri 9 Nov 12

brooksider wrote:
MrStJohns wrote:
I feel sorry for the staff its never nice to be in the position of losing a job.

But as far as sales and support comet are by far the worst iv come across, some months ago I went in with £500ish cash looking to buy a fridge/freezer.
As is my usual way, Cash = a discount, not in comet though and you even get a rude reply for asking. Apollo2000 next door, where more than happy to help and gave a decent cash discount.
Currys next door?
not that im aware i think next door had, gammon or similar last night. ;-)

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mumof3ufc says...
3:09pm Fri 9 Nov 12

went there this morning thinking its gonna have a good sale.. but 10% off... you can get most stuff cheaper in other stores then what they have took off

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Jabbadad says...
11:21am Sat 10 Nov 12

I recall reading reports in this paper where the police had been called to evict a customer who had dared to complain about unsatisfactory goods sold him and the store were adamant that it was the manufacturers problem not theirs. When that is not the case when the retailer are those who under the sales of good act who are responsible to firstly offer repair, exchange the goods or return your money, within a reasonable amount of time.
This store was known for being anti the warranty game although like many retailers they tried to sell you additional warranty, which of course will now be of no use to the customers
I am also sorry that staff have lost their jobs, but this company were so unhelpful to customers, they have to take the blame for their own demise..

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katiekins says...
9:20am Sun 11 Nov 12

The Apollo savings are better and they are not even closing down!!!!!

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Hamilton60 says...
10:23am Mon 12 Nov 12

I hate to say this but the number of times I have been into Comet stores only to be ignored amounts to lack of courtesy. Their staff training must have been zilch. I can honestly say I have spent in the region of £1,200 recently on various goods and I started off in Comet but went to Curry's where I had fantastic service. Not even a glance in my direction or a 'can I help you' in Comet. On all occasions the staff were too busy chatting amongst themselves. And yes, for white goods, there's noone one to beat Apollo or the service.

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Guy66 says...
12:54pm Mon 12 Nov 12

Hamilton60 wrote:
I hate to say this but the number of times I have been into Comet stores only to be ignored amounts to lack of courtesy. Their staff training must have been zilch. I can honestly say I have spent in the region of £1,200 recently on various goods and I started off in Comet but went to Curry's where I had fantastic service. Not even a glance in my direction or a 'can I help you' in Comet. On all occasions the staff were too busy chatting amongst themselves. And yes, for white goods, there's noone one to beat Apollo or the service.
Ever tried John Lewis!

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Hamilton60 says...
1:18pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Guy66 wrote:
Hamilton60 wrote:
I hate to say this but the number of times I have been into Comet stores only to be ignored amounts to lack of courtesy. Their staff training must have been zilch. I can honestly say I have spent in the region of £1,200 recently on various goods and I started off in Comet but went to Curry's where I had fantastic service. Not even a glance in my direction or a 'can I help you' in Comet. On all occasions the staff were too busy chatting amongst themselves. And yes, for white goods, there's noone one to beat Apollo or the service.
Ever tried John Lewis!
I have tried John Lewis but believe that giving Apollo my business is to support local caring people who have customer service in their bones and do not leave a customer standing for ten minutes who obviously needs help. John Lewis is a big company with great service etc but they are nameless people on line.

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brooksider says...
5:54pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Hamilton60 wrote:
I hate to say this but the number of times I have been into Comet stores only to be ignored amounts to lack of courtesy. Their staff training must have been zilch. I can honestly say I have spent in the region of £1,200 recently on various goods and I started off in Comet but went to Curry's where I had fantastic service. Not even a glance in my direction or a 'can I help you' in Comet. On all occasions the staff were too busy chatting amongst themselves. And yes, for white goods, there's noone one to beat Apollo or the service.
I can't believe how uncompetitive the local electrical shops are.
I tried Currys, Apollo 2000 and the Wash house but ended up buying from a shop in Gloucester, saving 15% on Worcester prices.

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