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Circuit City trims HDTV selection, blames 1080p for slipping sales
To be perfectly honest, it's only disappointing that it has taken Circuit City this long to realize that relying primarily on the sales of highly marked-up HDTVs to boost its bottom line was a direful decision. Still, it is impressive to see the company finally break away from its past and "no longer regard TVs as the centerpiece of its product strategy." Reportedly, the firm will soon be eliminating many models from its floor, giving users fewer selections and aiming to sell more 42-inch and under models that may fall below the magical $1,000 price point. Interestingly enough, CEO Phil Schoonover was quoted as stating that his outfit had really been "emphasizing 1080p, maybe to its detriment," and noted that 720p ought to be "good enough" for today's modern shopper. Right, we're sure the plummeting sales have nothing to do with that Wally World across the way.[Image courtesy of ICSC]
Get The Darkness for only $49.99
Doing a second pass over our Sunday newspaper ads, we noticed that Circuit City is offering The Darkness for ten bucks cheaper than retail. This week, both online and in-store, The Darkness is available for the low, low price of $49.99, but doesn't include the 2K Sports Darkling like Gamestop offers. Oh well, $10 is $10, so save some cash and pick the game up over at the city of circuits unless you are hell-bent on getting the 2K Sports Darkling. If you are, we understand.
Deal of the Day: Guilty Gear Judgment for $13
Fighting fans don't have too many options on the PSP. Guilty Gear Judgment takes ARC System Works' awesome 2D sprites and puts them in the palm of your hand. This PSP fighter includes 20 characters, multiple gameplay modes ... and can be found for cheap at Circuit City. $13 (plus shipping) will allow you to take the game home.The game received generally favorable reviews, earning a Metacritic score of 78.[Via IGN]
Buy a DS and get a free game
Circuit City has a sale going where purchasers of any DS Lite get the choice of a free game ($19.99 and under). Just taking a quick glance at the games that fall under that category, there isn't much there, but you could get your hands on Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits or Sonic Rush if you don't own them already. Or, if you're looking for a good gift idea, why not get someone a DS Lite with a copy of Brain Age?
Circuit City shoppers invited to compete in World Cyber Games
The nation's best cyber-athletes are already beginning to gather in New York City for the World Cyber Games US Open. Who knows what kind of trials they've endured as they've trained for months, quite possibly years, analyzing the subtleties of each individual frame of animation found in their favorite video game. These competitors, after tirelessly battling countless opponents, will ultimately prove themselves by facing their greatest challenge yet ... you.For those confident in their gaming skills, it's not too late to join the World Cyber Games. The WCG is the leading video game tournament in the world, offering corporate sponsored cash prizes that are beginning to rival other more legitimate sporting events. Those that want to partake in the competition will want to find one of 28 Circuit City stores that are participating in the newly announced World Cyber Games Tour.The Tour will feature two tricked out motor coaches, loaded with HDTVs and tournament games, including: Gears of War, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gothem Racing 3, Tony Hawk's Project 8, FIFA Soccer 07 and Need for Speed Carbon. Players will be competing for a chance to earn wild card slots into a regional WCG event, where they'll have a chance to be defeated by one of the nation's top players. For more details on the tour, visit Circuit City's website.
Purchase Shadowrun or Forza 2, get a free game
This week at Circuit City online or in-store, when you purchase either Shadowrun or Forza 2 you get a free Xbox 360 game valued at $19.99. It's a pretty good deal seeing that Circuit City's rival Best Buy doesn't offer any incentive to buy either game. Though, you'll be hard pressed to find a good 360 game for $20 as we only could dig up games like Cars, Rockstar's Table Tennis, The Outfit, and (shudder) Bomberman: Act Zero in that price range. But, it's a free game for purchasing a game you already wanted to purchase ... you game to purchase?Read - Buy Forza 2Read - Buy Shadowrun
4' Master Chief wall graphic free with preorder
If you have yet to preorder your copy of Halo 3, then we've uncovered a super deal for you. Circuit City is offering a FREE 4' tall Master Chief wall graphic with any Halo 3 Standard or Limited edition preorder. But for some reason this offer isn't valid for Legendary edition preorders, which we find a little odd. So, simply plop down a minimum of $10 on a preorder and you'll get a 4' tall Master Chief when the game ships in September. Heck, some of us may be willing to pay the $10 just to get the sweet wall graphic. Hurry fanboys and go preorder, preorder like you've never preordered before!
LG's Super Multi Blue BH100 hitting retail en masse
Although LG's Super Multi Blue standalone hybrid player snuck into a few CompUSA's before the street date and subsequently landed in several highly frequented big box retail locations, the firm is hoping to broaden the reach of its peace making device by getting it to more locales. The BH100 will reportedly ship en masse to the "800-plus network of US Best Buy stores" this June, and "at the same time, the player will spread to significantly more Circuit City outlets" than it's currently in. The company noted that as production hurdles have been overcome, it's growing easier to get these out to lesser-known stores, e-tailers, and a wider range of CCs and BBs, but interestingly, it was stated that there were "no announcements yet regarding a second-generation Super Multi Blue unit that might beef up its HD DVD capabilities."
Cut-rate cases at Circuit City
Looking for a decent case to clothe your DS Lite with, but not willing to spend more than a few bucks? Even if you lack the craft skills to create one from scratch, there's still hope for you frugal folks.Circuit City has thrown Intec's DS Lite Ultimate Leather cases into the bargain bin, selling the magnetic clasping cover for $2.99. You could probably buy one with just the change you'd find on the electronics retailer's parking lot or in its pay phone coin returns. Try not to be too obvious about it though. You'll look like a homeless vagrant foraging for pennies, and the store manager might call the cops to escort you off the property.Intec's cases come in white, pink, black, blue, blue, and camo, some of these colors having "Crocco" variations or only being available with the crocodile texture. The sale is available both in-store and online, but much like Nerf's DS Lite Armor, the styles are shipped randomly. Even the vagabonds will point and laugh if you come around with the pink, crocodile-leather case that you'll inevitably get after ordering from Circuit City's site.[Via CAG]
RCA's EZ201 Small Wonder camcorder now shipping
Keeping its promise to have the EZ201 Small Wonder on store shelves this Spring, RCA has just announced that its flash-based camcorder is available now at Circuit City locations. As expected, this 5.25-ounce video recorder sports a ho hum enclosure, no optical zoom, 512MB of internal memory, a 1.5-inch LCD, MemoryManager software, and a SD expansion slot as well. The device is also compatible with Box.net's online storage / sharing service, touts an EZ Grab feature that allows users to easily snag still shots from live action footage, and can function for two solid hours on a pair of AA cells. Best of all, however, is the price that CC is currently charging for this budget-minded device, as the $119.99 asking price is a full $10 less than we had previously seen, and you'll even get a 1GB SD card thrown in gratis.[Via Physorg]
Consumer Alert: Circuit City recalls Verge TV mounts
There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. [period] Sure, that flat screen hanging on your wall was a big investment but can you imagine what a 100+ lb screen falling from five feet could do to a child? Circuit City has issued a joint, voluntary recall for their in-house Verge brand TV mounts. This recall is for the tilting models only - VPSW103M & VPSW103M2 - as apparently, with an upward force, the locking mechanism could fail, causing the TV to fall forward. Not good. Circuit City does have a free repair kit available to correct this defect - call (888) 666-9897. Even if you aren't using this Circuit City house brand mount, go check your mount to make sure everything is nice and safe. [via HDTV Almanac][warning: link is a .doc file]
The retail presence of the format war
With a full year of the format war under our belt we grabbed our camera and took some pictures of both formats on display at local retailers. We hit Best Buy (with a Magnolia built in), Circuit City, Target, Wal-mart, Sears, K-Mart, Sound Advice, and Costco. We tried to get some pictures from the east coast and the west coast of the US in a few major retailers, and discovered how different their offerings are depending on location. Check out the full gallery after the jump and a synopsis.
LG's LN740, LN735 and LN730 GPS units on sale in US
Believe us, the last thing we need is three more ho hum GPS units in the 3.5- to 4-inch range, but we've been waiting so long for LG's renditions to hit the US market, we'll give 'em a pass. Just as previewed before CES, LG's LN730, LN735 and LN740 portable navigators are finally hitting American soil, and are supposedly available as we speak at Circuit City and "other fine retailers." The trio features touchscreen displays, SiRF Star III GPS receivers, maps covering the United States and Canada, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and "millions of POIs" to keep you entertained whilst crossing the country. The LN740 takes top honors, as its slightly larger screen and real-time traffic capabilities trump the lesser-spec'd siblings. So if you've been roaming around aimlessly waiting for these bad boys to get a pricetag with a currency you understand, we'd recommend locating your nearest gadget store and plopping down the $449.95 (LN740), $349.95 (LN735), or $299.95 (LN730) required to pick one up. More snapshots after the jump.
Deal of the Day: Circuit City brings cheap gaming
It looks like Circuit City is having a sale on a wide assortment of PSP titles. While you can peruse them all, we have a few recommendations for you: Bust-A-Move Deluxe $40 $10 Lumines $20 $13 Mercury Meltdown $20 $15 The Warriors $20 $15 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories $20 $15 Chili Con Carnage $30 $20 Mortal Kombat Unchained $30 $20 Lumines II $30 $20 May we recommend Chili Con Carnage? Steve reviewed the game, noting the "long campaign with loads of hilarious, cool and memorable experiences." Circuit City offers free shipping with orders over $25, so you may want to pick up more than one game from this list.[Via CAG]
Circuit City, Napster team up for subscription-based music service
Following Best Buy's move to team up with SanDisk and Real for an online music service, Circuit City has now conjured up a deal of its own as it works with Napster to provide yet another subscription-based solution. The simply-titled Circuit City + Napster seemingly won't deviate from what Napster's current service already offers, but the partnership does tease "access to exclusive songs and new releases on a weekly basis" when it launches on April 29th. In what appears to be little more than a marketing effort to get the $14.95 per month service into more retail space, the low-key offering will give new customers their first month gratis, five free song downloads (you know, the ones you "keep"), and the ability to purchase individual song downloads at 99-cents apiece. Furthermore, prepaid download cards can be snapped up in bundles of 15, 25, or 60 tracks, and we can only assume the playback restrictions from the current Napster service will carry over into this.[Via Yahoo]
Deal of the Day: Rockstar gets really cheap
This week's circulars are highlighting the PSP price drop, and some fantastic deals on some great Rockstar games. The Warriors, which received a prestigious 8.5 review from PSP Fanboy, is getting even cheaper, dropping down to a mere $15 at Circuit City. Sure, it's a port--but it's a mighty fine game on the handheld.Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is also entering the Best Buy bargain bin this week: it'll be available for a mere $20. Who said PSP games had to be expensive?[Via IGN]
Discount retailers want to sell more handsets
With 65% of U.S. mobile handset buyers going to carrier outlets and counters to buy all those handsets, that leaves the other 35% of US wireless customers looking at other sources for all those cellphones by our math; physical and online retailers pick up that slack. Which, exactly? Wireless Week reports that powerhouse retailers like Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target and Wal-Mart are (unsurprisingly) doing their part. Hey, are those calling plan commission bells we hear? Anyway, Wal-Mart has gained ground from the days of selling low-end phones and plans, offering a decent assortment from more than a few carriers these days; Best Buy is doing well also, while Radio Shack -- once chummy with several carriers -- is apparently being beaten badly by the bigger consumer electronics and discount chains, and the news that its outlets won't be getting the iPhone in store can't be easing the heartburn. Of course, we figure this kind of fierce competition can only be good news for consumers, so bring it on; if the big boxes want to beat carriers' corporate stores dollar-for-dollar on handsets, you're not going to hear a peep of complaint out of us.
Tweeter stores streamlining stores/operations
Life can be hard for upper-end electronic relaters these days. Well with Walmart poking fun at 'em in commercials and Home Depot contemplating getting into flat screen sales but we strongly feel that stores like Tweeters will find that niche they need to survive. They will not, and shouldn't, compete with big box pushers like Best Buy and Circuit City's but rather focus in on custom installations and competent salesmen. Their restructuring plan includes shutting the doors of 49 stores, two regional locations and exiting certain regions of the country. The company is closing all the stores in California, Tennessee, Alabama, New York, and most of Georgia within two to three months. While we don't understand how some of those states are not preforming for Tweeter, they know their company a whole lot better than we do. The rest of the plan includes retooling other stores into their Digital Playground layout and "significant reinvestment in its people." Hopefully Tweeter can survive these low price/low revenue days cause as nice as it is to get a low price, it's almost as nice as shopping in a professional, knowledgeable atmosphere.[via CE Pro]
Call of Duty 3 GE gets the discount fever
After finally getting around to reading this Sunday's fifteen pound paper we've stumbled upon a pretty good deal for Call of Duty fans. This week at Circuit City you can get the newer 360 version of Call of Duty 3 Gold Edition for only $39.99. Though, it looks like it is sold out online, so you may have to stop by your local store to get this deal. The difference between the original COD 3 and the gold edition is that the gold edition comes with a bonus disc of additional content and a key code to download the Valor Map Pack off of the XBLM for free. That's a $10 savings my friends. See, reading the newspaper can be fun, that is when you find good deals on video games.
HD DVD looks Circuit City's way, compels independent filmmakers
Although the most recent reports (well, in the US, anyway) have insinuated that Blu-ray disc sales are claiming the lead over HD DVDs, you can bet the (currently) losing side isn't sitting around idly. While various parties have claimed victory over the other, it looks like the HD DVD camp is opening up a previously closed door by pushing Toshiba players into Circuit City stores. Apparently, Circuit City hasn't been exactly fond of carrying Tosh's HD DVD units up until now (or vice-versa), but getting the devices in front of hordes of potential buyers has reportedly enticed a myriad of HD addicts to pick up said units. While a spokesperson for Toshiba declined to get specific, she hinted that having its second-generation players in the big box retailer's store for just a few months allowed them to "eclipse the lifetime sales of the company's first-generation players." On a not-so-surprising note, it seems like consumers might see even steeper price drops sooner due to the newfound BD pressure, and in a presumed attempt to find yet another genre to grab tight to HD DVD, Microsoft is joining the team in order to persuade independent filmmakers to consider the format. Of course, only time will tell if the little guys can actually make it on the high-definition format, but you won't see us complaining with HD DVD titles hitting stores whilst never making their silver screen debut.
