Dick Smith Electronics

[Ford_The_Win]

I've pretty much given up on the major big box retailers and their slick 'n sleazy salespeople and have bought my last two major appliances (a Westinghouse chest freezer and Speed Queen washing machine) from Appliances Online. In both instances their prices were the same as Hardly Normal/Good Guys, but they delivered for free which neither Hardley's or GG would do, nor were they interested in beating the deal I had with Appliances Online. When delivering my new washer, it rocked up at 10am on the day they said they'd deliver, they also unpacked it, leveled and hooked it up for me, and took away my old washer, all included for free in the purchase... the benefits of low overhead costs I guess?? No salespeople to give me the irrits or any run around. Hardley Normal wanted $50 to deliver (I live about 3km from their store...) and wouldn't set up the new machine, wouldn't take away the old machine, nor would they dispose of the packaging. I won't bother with HN or GG next time.

[Boosted8]

That's really interesting Yellow Festiva. Every time I go into a Good Guys store, they swarm me like ants crawling over a jam sandwich.

It's not your responsibility to keep their employees in line but on the flip side, I imagine the manager may have given you a sweeter deal if you'd explained the situation to him.

Acting outraged always helps too.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

The Good Guys don't 'always price match!!!!'

Just before Christmas I went to Bing Lee to arrange ALL my appliances for my new house. Sat down, went through my needs and wants, talked about different models and others I may have overlooked.

Got my shopping list with model numbers and already discounted prices and walked around the corner to the Good Guys.

After obviously waiting in the oven section for 20 minutes for the sales person to finish with their customer (he made eye contact with me several times) he then just walked off to the fridge section and asked if anyone needed help.

Ok, so I walk to the fridge section, that's where the action seems to be.

Wait another 10 minutes then finally get someone asking if I need help.

I told him I need two 600mm LPG ovens to be promptly told that no one makes them and there is no way I can get it before Christmas.

He then tried to walked away... I told him I don't want it before Christmas and that their own site has them listed!

He then told me he 'thinks' Westinghouse used to make them but 'thinks' they no longer do.

I explained to him that I'm not in a rush and willing to wait. I then told him that I wasn't impressed with the fact his co-worker saw me waiting for 20 minutes then just walked off to aimlessly talk to other random people. I then told him I'm here to stock a new house (listed the stuff I needed) and that I'm also not impressed with this dismissive attitude.

He checks online by going to the Westinghouse site. I told him to go to his own site as that's where they are.

Found the oven that didn't exist and he gave me a price $100 more than Bing Lee. Explained that I had already been to Bing Lee and if they can slightly better the price I'm ready to commit now.

He told me that I had a very good price already and that if he was going to price beat it by only $10 it wouldn't be worth his while then said OK and proceeded to walk away! No mention of the fridge I also needed, nor the cook top, range hood, microwave etc at all.

I couldn't believe it actually how blase he was!

Went back to Bing Lee, told the person I appreciated the time they took with me and was ready to make the deal. She then did a better price again and racked up a $7200 invoice.

Plus I got a free turkey and 6 bottles of wine lol!

Meh....

Sometimes they won't take your money, no matter how had you try to give it to them! :P

Should've gone back there and shown him the invoice with the $7200 he missed out on!

[mechanic]

LeadFoot81
Yep, that's how I operate as well. I'd rather give more money to a salesperson who treats me with decency than give less cash to an arrogant *****.
I think the adage '" Money talks and bull**** walks " applies in these cases.

[Beastie]

An interesting read

https://foragerfunds.com/bristlemout...t-of-all-time/

[Adamz Ghia]

If you click the link at the end of the article you'll see Forager called it right from the start.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Woolworths don't have a good track record. Masters is also struggling.

http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...b1e017b636fe2f

[mechanic]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...b1e017b636fe2f

Masters 7000 employees, Ubulu Nickel losing nearly 300.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Sometimes they won't take your money, no matter how had you try to give it to them! :P

Should've gone back there and shown him the invoice with the $7200 he missed out on!

Better still, I went back to Bing Lee and got a 10kg front loader as well

Wonder where I will go to get the TV's, Home entertainment stuff, small appliances and the rest of the gadgets I need....

[Adamz Ghia]

My brother's store received their stocktake results. Now he works in a store in a higher socioeconomic neighbourhood, they were missing over $55,000 worth of stock. They were told not to record stolen items under a certain dollar amount as shrinkage, they were to just ignore it.

I can only imagine the figures in the stores in the lower socioeconomic areas.

[FairmontGS]

Just announced that the administrators haven't managed to sell the business as a going concern so all 300 stores will be closed and staff laid off.

[Adamz Ghia]

Absolute joke.

Shareholders have short memories, the next time private equity tries to sell a polished **** people will still line up.

[Syndrome]

Do a small time theft and end up in gaol. Do big time, white collar theft and walk scott free.

[danzvtil]

http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...=1458037255681
Kogan Aquires the Dick Smith Online business from the receiver.

[b0son]

Kogan is certifiable of he thinks this is money well spent.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by b0son

Kogan is certifiable of he thinks this is money well spent.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks he's wasted money.

He's thinking buying power but everyone now thinks Dick Smith is a tainted brand so who would buy online from Dick Smith now?

[Beastie]

I read somewhere that Kogan is looking at floating his business and that buying Dick Smith added extra value (not sure how).

[Yellow_Festiva]

So he has just bought the right to use the name and online presence?

What happened to all the unsold stock?

Thought Kogan would have bought that all up cheap and re-brand it?

Wonder what the new DSE site will look like?

[olfella]

Originally Posted by b0son

Kogan is certifiable of he thinks this is money well spent.

I think I remember people such as Hardly Normal say the same when the first started out. You have to be a bit crazy to take risks but if it works...

[FPV+fteT3]

Some cheap DSE TV's coming soon..

http://www.smh.com.au/business/retai...ocial_facebook

[PHANTMXR6]

How does one claim warranty on said cheap tv, eventually....

[olfella]

Originally Posted by PHANTMXR6

How does one claim warranty on said cheap tv, eventually....

I think that is one one the reasons Kogan himself is worth arround 300mil. He has a reputation as having the worst after sales followup. So to answer your guestion, not easily.

[Boosted8]

I honestly think Kogan has made a poor choice in buying the DS brand.

It is a powerful name in the industry but now it's a name that simply represents broken promises (gift cards, etc).

[olfella]

Originally Posted by Boosted8

I honestly think Kogan has made a poor choice in buying the DS brand.

It is a powerful name in the industry but now it's a name that simply represents broken promises (gift cards, etc).

From what I can gather it is all about allowing him to sell known brands and diversify. He will also have access to the database of previous customers. So he must think the brand is sound and previous owners were to blame for the woes.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Boosted8

I honestly think Kogan has made a poor choice in buying the DS brand.

It is a powerful name in the industry but now it's a name that simply represents broken promises (gift cards, etc).

Kogan has alread stated he will honour all gift cards, he is a smart man, time will tell.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by tempted

The same mob who created the Dick Smith disaster is now looking at entering the hardware business as a rival to Bunnings. Unbelievable.
http://m.smh.com.au/business/retail/...10-gnfbx9.html

Masters was the business that tried to rival Bunnings
You are well & truly behind the times, Woolworths created DSE disaster, Woolworths has now created Masters problem.

[Boosted8]

Originally Posted by olfella

From what I can gather it is all about allowing him to sell known brands and diserify. He will also have access to the database of previous customers. So he must think the brand is sound and previous owners were to blame for the woes.

The name Dick Smith certainly holds a lot of power in Australia. I don't think their online store has much presence though - they sold a lot of their stock via eBay any way.

Originally Posted by trublu

Kogan has alread stated he will honour all gift cards, he is a smart man, time will tell.

I respect him for what he has achieved but every great businessman throughout history has made mistakes. I didn't know he had promised to honour gift cards. As you said - time is the ultimate teacher.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by PHANTMXR6

How does one claim warranty on said cheap tv, eventually....

You don't need it if it's dirt cheap, just buy another.

[olfella]

http://www.techguide.com.au/news/mob...escue-package/

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by trublu

Masters was the business that tried to rival Bunnings
You are well & truly behind the times, Woolworths created DSE disaster, Woolworths has now created Masters problem.

Master's problem has become terminal.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business...61db2ef0ff8a68