Systemax snaps up Circuit City's brand and domain name

Just like it did in January of last year, Systemax is snapping up leftovers from a now-defunct national consumer electronics retailer. As part of the post-bankruptcy proceedings, Circuit City Stores Incorporated recently closed a deal that'll net it $6.5 million. The price for the coinage? Systemax taking control of its trademarks and internet domain names. Circuit City stated in the filing that the sale of its intellectual property and internet assets would bring "significant recovery for the sellers' estates and creditors," and we're also told that Circuit City would be able to snag an unspecified share of sales from the brand name. Look out, Best Buy -- we hear Systemax has eyes for you, too.

[Thanks, Sid]

[Sneakz @ Apr 13th 2009 6:36PM]

So Tiger Direct, CompUSA and Circuit City are all now the same company?

[Adam @ Apr 13th 2009 6:41PM]

And yet the prices are still higher than a lot of other online stores...

Compusa does however have a lot of great deals on refurbished stuff!

[Thunda Chunky @ Apr 13th 2009 6:41PM]

They all kinda suck anyway. Just my opinion but Best Buy is the, well, best.

[rcarm @ Apr 13th 2009 6:43PM]

Circuit City's website will now look like Tiger Direct's.

[Riley @ Apr 13th 2009 6:45PM]

If when you say Best Buy is the best, you actually mean Newegg, then yes

[Jon @ Apr 13th 2009 7:09PM]

"They all kinda suck anyway. Just my opinion but Best Buy is the, well, best."

Best ... at ripping off old people ..

[deezy @ Apr 13th 2009 7:57PM]

TigerDirect, CompUSA, Ultra, Global Computers, Misco, InfoTel, and SYX are all just one branch of the Systemax portfolio. The company is prepping for something big..

[Setnev @ Apr 13th 2009 7:36PM]

"And yet the prices are still higher than a lot of other online stores..."

@Adam

Actually, a lot of stuff on TigerDirect is cheaper than the same thing on Newegg. Hard drives and video cards for example are usually cheaper than newegg even with newegg having free shipping and tiger charging shipping.

[yellowperil @ Apr 14th 2009 9:17AM]

I'm starting to think all these newegg people are getting paid for every mention. I shopped at both and I must say there isn't much of a difference. Sometimes TigerDirect/CompUSA has a better price, sometimes it doesnt. Who gives a shit. Just worry about the price, being loyal to a company doesn't get you anything except missing out on a better deal because you dont shop around.

[Alex @ Apr 13th 2009 6:40PM]

This is a rumbling in the making of a monstrous super-conglomerate of technology and media retailers. Me likey. Bring down Best Buy! (Well, actually don't. But give them a run for their money. Competition is GOOD.)

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Apr 13th 2009 8:49PM]

um... isn't the it the intention of a monstrous super-conglomerate to cut off the heads of its rivals & absorb their power until there's only one left thus leaving the market without competition?

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Apr 13th 2009 8:49PM]

um... isn't it the intention of a monstrous super-conglomerate to cut off the heads of its rivals & absorb their power until there's only one left thus leaving the market without competition?

[Alex @ Apr 13th 2009 9:00PM]

Well I suppose, but it's necessary for them to get to the size at which they can actually compete. Oligopoly is better than monopoly, I'd say.

[Nick @ Apr 13th 2009 9:35PM]

I think that they are making a good investment, keeping the brand alive and then rebuilding it. If they decide to sell any of these brands I am sure that they will make the monies like crazy.

[yellowperil @ Apr 14th 2009 9:17AM]

Its like highlander.... there can be... only one!

[bandigolo @ Apr 13th 2009 6:45PM]

love the pic.

[Aaron Basrai @ Apr 13th 2009 6:46PM]

that pic is classic!

[Triscuit @ Apr 13th 2009 8:34PM]

Does this mean that I *could* get my job back? I worked at CC for a few months before they closed, and I (hate me for it if you wish) loved every minute of it. The thing that sucks is that I ~was~ seasonal, they put me in entertainment (where you bonus as a regular employee, also where you have to prove yourself before they'll let you set foot in the department), and then they told me I was one of 3 or 4 seasonals that they were keeping. Then they closed. FML.

[Triscuit @ Apr 13th 2009 8:36PM]

Crap, not supposed to be a reply. My internet connection comes and goes as it pleases, so I didn't remember that I had clicked reply before my connection was lost and I reloaded the page.

[bandigolo @ Apr 13th 2009 9:52PM]

If you aren't smarter than the comment system, you're a perfect hire for Circuit City. Store Manager material, at least. You can use me as a reference if you want.

[telepheedian @ Apr 14th 2009 10:16AM]

@bandigilo:

Everyone knows this comment system is uncontrollably horrible, cut him some slack.

[bandigolo @ Apr 15th 2009 12:00PM]

It was a joke. More directed at CC than a personal jab at Triscuit. I make comment blunders all the time. In fact, I just sent in my CC app.

[Sunny Sehgal @ Apr 13th 2009 6:54PM]

Bring back circuit city!

[Melvin @ Apr 13th 2009 6:57PM]

Refurbs with rebates... :-\

[rstoplabe14 @ Apr 13th 2009 7:07PM]

Wonder what that means for us CompUSA workers, I guess we're expanding soon!!

[rick @ Apr 13th 2009 7:11PM]

I really hate the way Systemax resells a lot of used stuff as new.

If I really, really wanted an opened product when paying for new, I'd shop at Fry's.

[reiththestud @ Apr 13th 2009 7:49PM]

I've always known Tiger Direct to clearly advertise when things are "NEW" versus "Refurbished". Unlike BB and others.

[jason @ Apr 13th 2009 10:42PM]

kinda like the way Gamestop does

[N9T6 @ Apr 13th 2009 7:13PM]

anything that ends Best Buy's monopoly .. my gf worked there for a year and their markups are more than 60% of cost .. so even if it means with Systemax opening up a chain with a 10% markup ... I'd still sleep better at night knowing I don't have to deal with a store that is gonna bend me over every time I need to purchase something electronic immediately!

side note: Long live newegg!

[Alex @ Apr 13th 2009 7:38PM]

Really? Because my buddy who worked there said that they barely make money on anything except TVs and warranties.

[Kamokazi @ Apr 13th 2009 8:18PM]

I worked for CompUSA for 2 years during college, and had coworkers that went on to BestBuy and they said it was pretty much the same: it varies greatly based on item.

Desktop computers are horrible margin...on a $400 desktop, it's not unusual to only see $20 of markup. Laptops are a little better, but not my much. TVs are pretty decent, software and games suck...the real money is in three places: accessories, service, and those damned warranties. The other stuff is just there to get you in the store to buy those.

I'm sure you're all aware that the $25 6' USB cable shows as $1.85 cost in the system (I phrase it that way because I know that's not even the -true- cost), but pretty much all accessory items were like that (but not to that extreme). Mice and keyboards they would charge full MSRP, which was often about 40% margin. Printer Ink suprisingly enough isn't a very big one for the retailer...manufacturer sucks that up (although there could easily be a kickback invisible to the employee).

The service in the tech shop and installs, etc. are just as bad as the warranties. 80% margin easily. Cellular is of course huge, too. Sprint gave us about $200 for a new line of service (employees got $20, later cut down to $5...stingy bastards) on top of equipment subsidies passed on to the customer.

[kal326 @ Apr 14th 2009 10:54AM]

What little computer periperals they do have they have some margin on. I was looking around for a laptop backpack that would fit a 17" model, after trying a about every 17" model at every store but Best Buy I ventured there as a last resort. Some of there stuff like memory and laptop hard drives are marked up redicously. A WD Blue 320 laptop drive was priced at 179.99 at Best Buy. At Microcenter down the road the same drive as $109.99 or $89.99 OEM pack. Best Buys memory prices are unlubed prison rape at best. Its sad when they have memory on sale that is over 50% off and its still more expensive than other brick and mortal retailers. You have to wonder if people see one or two memory products at 55-60% off on sale while the rest are 60-70% higher that they don't realize they are getting screwed.

The only time I buy anything at Best Buy is if its on one of their dirt cheap sales and it comes with 0% interest financing for 18-36 months, like my DLP TV. I don't buy any accessories, warranties, or services from them along with it regardless of how hard they try to pitch how "I HAVE TO HAVE IT".

[wudini @ Apr 13th 2009 7:14PM]

i wonder what happens to the firedog brand...

[Setnev @ Apr 13th 2009 7:38PM]

Staples is buying the intellectual rights, Maybe!

[sweet greggo @ Apr 13th 2009 7:27PM]

All your serkit siteez are belong to us.

[Setnev @ Apr 13th 2009 7:36PM]

WTF!!

[Setnev @ Apr 13th 2009 7:37PM]

Its funny that i notice there are 2 nissan maximas in the parking lot in the picture. Kinda random, but hey, ima fan.

[Erv @ Apr 13th 2009 7:55PM]

the dead buying the dead

[Triscuit @ Apr 13th 2009 8:37PM]

Does this mean that I *could* get my job back? I worked at CC for a few months before they closed, and I (hate me for it if you wish) loved every minute of it. The thing that sucks is that I ~was~ seasonal, they put me in entertainment (where you bonus as a regular employee, also where you have to prove yourself before they'll let you set foot in the department), and then they told me I was one of 3 or 4 seasonals that they were keeping. Then they closed. FML.

[IphoneWinner @ Apr 13th 2009 8:57PM]

One you know you newegg

Many people are still not in the know, sadly I know.

[IphoneWinner @ Apr 13th 2009 9:11PM]

I realize I wrote that badly...

One you know, you newegg

Many people are still not know; its very sad.

[yellowperil @ Apr 14th 2009 9:26AM]

Still pretty bad.


I say Fuck newegg...

I say shop around. Check deal sites. Dont be loyal to one company. How about them apples.

[IphoneWinner @ Apr 13th 2009 9:13PM]

^^^in^^^

Is there a way to delete or edit comments?
I'm tired atm and apparently making typos left and right.

[CH3BURASHKA @ Apr 13th 2009 9:39PM]

Wha-wha-wha...?

[The Fresh Panda @ Apr 13th 2009 10:13PM]

Why just why?

[Jimmie @ Apr 13th 2009 11:29PM]

T-Mobile Complaint

Gimmick

The deal: I was told that I was going to receive a rebate from T-Mobile for buying a new phone

The ripoff: I received no rebate in the mail. Just a letter saying that I would not be getting a rebate because I did not sign up for a data plan.


The situation. I bought the phone at a T-mobile store and was told by the representative in the store that everything was fine and that I would receive a rebate. I even asked him is their any restrictions and he said no (He even helped fill out the form). I have poor vision and relied on the representative to help me. He lied and I was ripped off.

I called T-Mobile and tried to file a complaint and was told that they had no information of the sale.

T-Mobile takes advantage of customers and those with disabilities.

[bio_haz @ Apr 13th 2009 11:48PM]

Best But is only good for stuff on sale, or the customer returns online for cheap.

[Joe Anstine @ Apr 14th 2009 12:11AM]

excellent pic.

and this could be a good thing...maybe?

[MHoward078 @ Apr 14th 2009 1:41AM]

Damn it Circuit City! Why... won't... you.. die?!?!?!?!?

[Col. Readily Apparent Upon Cursory Inspection @ Apr 14th 2009 3:26PM]

Haven't you heard? The first outbreak of Liquid Snake Syndrome happened at Circuit City.