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.