Fry's Electronics, the decades-old superstore chain with locations in nine American states, has gone defunct. MarVac should have been in my route too, but I just never made it there. Agreed, online sales makes it nearly impossible to compete price wise as long as freight doesnt bite you, but time becomes the issue. I do like Mouser and been with them since well nevermind. Not surprised Frys shuttered. Renamed it Aint got it.. 2020 and all its ills have claimed another stalwart among PC builders and electronics hobbyists: Frys announced yesterday that they have closed up shop for good after nearly 36 years in business both as a brick-and-mortar wonderland and an online mecca for all things electronic. Bay Area TV station KRON-4 was the first press outlet to confirm the news late Tuesday, saying that Fry's will shut down all 30 of its American locations. Fry's moved again to its final Sunnyvale location at 1077 E Arques Ave. at the corner of Arques and Santa Trinita Ave, the former site of a facility of the Link Flight Simulation Division of the Singer Corporation. Ive had good luck getting stuff from Micah at A2D Electronics (Ottawa, ON: https://a2delectronics.ca/) in the past. Ive even made sure make a pilgrimage there when I have visited since moving away. https://www.vakits.com. [21] On September 10, 2019, The Mercury News reported that customers were finding barren shelves in most stores, speculating that the chain was about to fold;[22] Fry's responded by stating the company was changing to a consignment model with its vendors and was not planning to close any store other than Palo Alto. The answer is well, we can order it for you Yeah but that isnt why I am here! by The shelves were 20-30% full and not a computer in the place, so I knew this day was coming. Any electronics store with a cafe/coffee shop at its centre where I could happily spend many hours browsing and purchasing Leathermans and Maglites for 1/4 of their price back home I had to be sensible with weight in the suitcase was something Ill miss. Our site will be temporarily unavailable during this time. Showing 1 - 6 of 6 products. Bid on Wholesale Consumer Electronics Lots in our Online Auctions - Find Major Brands From a Trusted BBB A+ Rated Source - Register Today Liquidity Services Brands. I was also very sad to see Radio Shack go, even though it was crappy in a lot of ways, but hey, Ive been going since I was a kid back in the 60s. Not what it used to be a couple of years ago. Yah, I like ordering from there too actually need a sealed lead acid I should check them out for I didnt realise they had a physical store until a few months ago when mentioned on here derp. [7] He gave a portion of the proceeds, around $1 million, to each of his sons, John (who had worked as the IT manager for the supermarket chain), W. Randolph (who goes by the nickname "Randy"), and David, none of whom had much interest in grocery store retailing. Leading source for wholesale and closeout inventory with thousands of auctions daily from 7 of the top 10 largest US retailers. I asked a couple of employees (pre-COVID, I believe) why the shelves were suddenly so barren and they repeatedly assured me that they were renegotiating supplier contracts. It seemed obvious that was not the case. Hah, yeah, there was what was supposed to be the best seafood restaurant in town that used to be open for dinner more years back than anyone in my gen could remember, but in my memory was only open 11-3 for lunch I guess the two old folks homes nearby kinda kept it going, but it struggled on for years like that but they never did any maintenance to the building, paint was all peeling outside, and when the roof finally got a leak the health inspectors closed it. [29][30][31][32], In 2003, actors Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sued Fry's for $10 million each for posting their images on television sets on their print ads and flyers without permission. Shamsyrup liked Touchscreen Control Panel for Grbl. Plus its just 10 mins from me. I mean, come on Look at china The horrible, unspeakable things that they do to their people en masse How could you ever be ok with funding this? Not including sales gimmicks. (I cant figure out where to fit it, but there was also the amusing incident where a Ferrari-driving VP was found to have embezzled $65 million.). But in the case of Fry's, this transition was met by electronics manufacturers who, in the Internet-rich era of 2019, had far less incentive to put their wares unpaid onto store shelves. According to Frys website (PDF copy for posterity), all 31 stores across nine states were suddenly and permanently shuttered on Wednesday the 24th, citing changes in the retail industry and the widespread difficulties wrought by the pandemic. You absolutely wont regret it. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. The internet is a great thing in many ways however, we can clearly see what it is doing to local retail sales. All Rights Reserved, By submitting your email, you agree to our. They were staying ahead of the game LOL. Its hidden in a little office strip block on the corner, pay attention to the signs. Denver/Boulder used to have a bunch of good electronics stores. In August 2019, Fry's announced that it would close its oldest extant location in Palo Alto, by January 2020; the company said its lease at the location would not be renewed. Priced to sell quickly! #100BestBudgetBuys (Opens in a new tab) #AllAboutEVs (Opens in a new tab) Tel: 352-300-3548 Freezers, Coolers, 10x15 Walk-In Coolers & Freezers, Ovens, and Racking for Sale! Living in the Eastern US, I wasnt near one but went whenever I could visited the Downers Grove, IL store around Christmas 2019. UFO crashing into the building? Make sure you go in the back/warehouse area. Where I live, Microcenter is king, and it has been truly awesome to watch the hobby electronics section expand from a single four-foot panel in a dark corner to the multi-aisle marketplace it is today. We took over the local Active Tech Store in Calgary, Alberta. [28], In 1997, Forbes reported on a series of issues about Fry's customer service and unorthodox business practices. Their specials are great. The Campbell location closed on November 10, 2020. I used to frequent HSC in Sunnyvale, but the owner retired/sold the business to Excess Solutions on 7th St in San Jose. The company cited "changes in the retail industry. Rare was the day Id find an employee who knew anything about their products, checkout lines were long, returns were incredibly slow, and the company was well-known for taking product returns, slapping on a discount label, and sticking them right back on the shelf. (Comment Policy). Umwhat? If you just buy what they sell for the price they sell it there is no competition. I took tons of pictures for my kids and really hoped I would be able to show them at least one eventually. Radio Shack wasnt afraid to try innovative product ideas a few were brilliant, a few were terrible and most were at least interesting. It was headquartered in San Jose, California in Silicon Valley. People are quick to blame cheap stuff on the internet for killing the retail stores but where would they be without it? With all the possibilities shrinking for all of us, it affects small towns first. But they do have some overlap; they are all places where hobbyists might obtain electronic components. [16], As the business expanded, the original Sunnyvale store closed, and a newer, larger store was opened across Lawrence Expressway on Kern Avenue. VIEW GALLERY - 6 IMAGES. ", "Fry's Electronics putting warehouse in Hanford", "Fry's to close its Palo Alto doors for good in January", "Fry's Electronics stores soon to close, seeing same fate as Toys'R'Us? 636 NW 27th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475 When will we mourn the loss of internet shops? Among the allegations was that the company had an internal policy, identified as "the double H" or "hoops and hurdles", to delay or prevent customers from obtaining refunds. (but Ive got Abts headquarters showroom practically around the corner). [citation needed]. The hobby could have died completely and these stores might have gone out of business a lot sooner. Fry's Electronics was an American big-box store chain. But big-box retailers have long struggled in an Internet-shopping era, and the California-centric Fry's hadn't looked particularly strong as the pandemic wore down what appetite remained for in-person shopping. Were choosing winners and losers and feeling like our local millionaires are better than some other countrys millionaires. When I was there a few years ago, they were still using green CRT monitors for checkout and customer service. https://www.electronicsurplus.com/, A shameless plug for https://vetco.net/ over in western WA :). Visited Frys once when visiting the Bay area in 2007. Alas that means that it hasnt fully kept up with some of the progress in the industry; last time I was there (a bit over a year ago, a bit before the pandemic hit) you still couldnt buy solder paste or SMD soldering tools there. Dont get me wrong, I understand that local stores serving local areas have a lot more overhead than a big warehouse serving the world but there are still limits of what is reasonable. Mouser and Digi-Key were explicitly friendly to individuals from the start and actively courted ur-makers such as radio amateurs. For the. Our hobby was in decline through the 80s and 90s. Theyll have most components in stock in the back, and out front there is an ever changing supply of junk, and we all know how much we love a good pile of junk. for awhile. Goodbye, old friend: With the closure of Fry's Electronics, it's the end of an era for PC and tech obsessives. What a shame. No Microcenters within hundreds of miles of me. Im clearly missing something in its comparison to a retail electronics outlet Frys. That has left the older distributors playing a game of catch-up ever since. Great prices doesnt hold up without product. The one in Anaheim was fun to browse. One is in a truckstop in Breezewood, MD. Visiting there was an experience like none other, and no matter how often you went you were guaranteed to find new (to you) things. 6 products. A couple of them like Lafayette (RIP) and Allied would begrudgingly accept mail orders and payment by check, and you could even buy from them with cash if you visited their headquarters. It was fun to to see all the stuff they carried. [41], In September 2012, Fry's Electronics agreed to pay $2.3 million, and to implement preventive measures, to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation[42] lawsuit brought by the U.S. The best thing is, you could often get them cheap on closeout if you waited long enough and went through every week (my favorite hobby!). Frys stores were a huge step ahead of Radio Shack, The Good Guys, CompUSA, Circuit City and even Best Buy. Well, thankfully we still have some MicroCenter goodness a few miles away in Westmont. And we sincerely thank all our customers for shopping local. And they will sell you individual parts. I liked Frys, but I like online shops too. And the place had an excellent cafe. They may not have an Adafruit section and theyre probably not open after 5:00PM or on the weekends, but these stores are still kicking and they need us now more than ever. Historically, Circuit City and CompUSA were major competitors in the computer space, but they collapsed during the late-2000s recession, leaving Microcenter and Newegg as Fry's main competitors. Fry's Electronics, one of the last big brick-and-mortar electronics store chains in the United States and a Silicon Valley institution in particular is permanently closing nationwide . Janice, Lawrence, and John are always a big help. They definitely lost their way. The company deleted its Facebook page, and set the company Twitter account to protected, hiding all activity. In August 2014, Fry's Electronics operated 34 brick-and-mortar stores in 9 U.S. states: California (17),[19] Texas (8), Arizona (2), Georgia (2), and one each in Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.[20]. This article has been updated since its original publication to include a statement from Fry's Electronics. One day in the not too distant future I fear we WILL pay the price. But for me, it feels like were at the end of the era of gadget stores, now that the one I grew up with is gone. You-Do-It Electronics in Needham, Massachusetts used to be really good. Weve been conned by the (pick your online purveyor of cheap goods) $1.99 including free shipping from the other side of the planet. Learn More 24ft Kitchen Trailers for sale! On the evening of February 23, 2021, several internet sources began claiming employees were given notice that all remaining stores would close to the public nationwide, with the Frys.com website scheduled to go offline at 12:00 am PST. Weird Stuff in Sunnyvale was always fin to visit to, but I believe they too closed up for good a few years ago. Thy even have two working RCA tube test machines, mostly used by musicians and boat anchor ham radio owners. For Adafruit and Sparkfun stuff, Elmwood Electronics (Toronto, ON: https://elmwoodelectronics.ca/) is also good. Karen Dowarot wrote a comment on project log An essay about knobs. the people who work there). My local Frys store in Downers Grove Illinois didnt really have a theme. The second place for will-call or mail order is Alltronics, very near Anchor in Santa Clara. For a store with a lot of weird and much more knowledgeable staff, try A1 Surplus, on Queen West. It is always sad to see a electronic distributor go out of business. Buying your food in a large corporate store or online in a community that historically has survived on local purchases of locally grown food, you are simply contributing to your own communitys demise. Fry's Electronics was an American big-box store chain. 385 Fry's Electronics, the decades-old superstore chain with locations in nine American states, has gone defunct. As of Feb. 24, the stores, website, and social media accounts are closed, and the company says they were doomed by changing retail shopping habits and complications from the Covid-19 pandemic. Its dishonorable to pick a local tech experts brain for all the details about an item and then buy it cheaper online. Theyd also try to check every item against your receipt as you left, something that (unlike Costco, where you sign a members agreement) you didnt need to let them do. It added a childrens toy aisle, huge racks of As Seen on TV gadgets, even perfume. [53][54], Fry's Electronics aggressively tried to defend its trademark and domain names. Not spectacular on electronics, but hey have interesting stuff and the basics. In the Silicon Valley we also lost CompUSA and Micro Center, and stores like Halted (known for actual circuits, not computers) and WeirdStuff Warehouse (a wild experience itself, read my thread) have long since closed their doors as well. The birth of ubiquitous consumer credit cards (and small business cards shortly after) happened around the same time, making it easier to pay for orders and eliminating the delays and overhead of establishing an account. I still use an exchangeable-bit precision screwdriver that I got from them some 20 years ago high-quality German-made, not the crappy eyeglass tiny screwdrivers you get in the dollar store that break the first time you use them. I made the lunch trip a couple times, but it was hard to justify going 5.5 miles for a lunch burrito when there was a Chipotle less than half a mile from work. [citation needed], Since Fry's acquired seven stores from the Incredible Universe chain of stores, the company had reduced the elaborateness of its themes. When I was active duty my friends and I would drive from Fort Hood to Austin to visit Frys on the weekends. Have tried to order off their website before, but got an order together, submitted, annnd got email back saying everything was out of stock, so not very trusting of it at all, especially since it does not look like it changed. Every time I go to MC its packed, though its usually a Saturday morning. Aint you never seen no sci-fi set 100s of years in the future? Updated: 11:23 PM EST February 24, 2021 INDIANAPOLIS Fry's Electronics has announced it is closing its chain of 31 stores for good. I am surprised they made it this far. That is really disappointing to hear, their new PC stuff was often chintzy or pricey but they had stuff not available elsewhere locally. Who else sold electronics along side health and beauty aids? That location really could have used a giant squid crashing a UFO into a volcano or something. I never did see a reason why Active Electronics faded. The closures are the end of an era in the brick-and-mortar. Each of the three Sunnyvale store locations was located within 1mi (1.6km) of the others.[13]. I am nowhere near Van Nuys, but I do order from All Electronics. By 2020, the chain had already established a transition to consignment-style selling, which meant not paying manufacturers up front for merchandise before putting it on store shelves. Theres a YT video about the architect that designed themed building like that. I have known hundreds of small business (store) owners and I would say that they were poorer and worked far harder than most people Ive ever known in a corporate job. ), Hence, Fry's locations began earning a notorious reputation forbarren store shelves. [Main image source: San Jose Frys by Bryce Edwards; CC-BY 2.0]. If you rooted around and avoided the stickers, their bargains were incredible. This news truly saddens me. Fond memories of browsing the cramped spaces of Al Lashers in Berkeley, California. I will miss Frys. The computer I am using to type this was built from Frys parts. I am more than capable of ordering myself!. [50] David Burlini attended Santa Clara University around the same time that the Fry Brothers were attending. Help spread the word about your favorites that are still open in the comments below. I was there last year and it was still selling mostly Radio Shack products. Sigh. Liquidation.com will be undergoing . Awww man, I always wanted to look at that bit of Tottenham Court Road near the British Museum and UCL, but on maps/streetview now, it looks like one store started selling Apple phones then everything turned hipster. Wire, headers, connectors, hardware, enclosures, speakers, motors, tools, test equipment, radios, tubes, and tons of military surplus. Fry's Electronics, the beloved chain known for its colorfully themed storefronts, is shutting down for good. Frys electronics actually have reasonably price components. The Frys around here was starting to show signs this would happen for quite a while. By using our website and services, you expressly agree to the placement of our performance, functionality and advertising cookies. Lets use this thread to recommend said old-school supply stores, maybe itll help keep them alive! Fry's is. TVs, Computers, Cell Phones, Cameras - Fry's Food Stores Home Shop All Departments TVs, Computers, Cell Phones, Cameras ELECTRONICS Headphones Blu-rays & DVDs Streaming Computer, laptops & Tablets Cameras & Camcorders TVs & Home Theater Video Accessories & Consoles Video Games Speakers & Soundbars Computer Supplies & Accessories Connected Home They do have a substantial selection of maker-oriented stuff from Adafruit, Sparkfun, and Velleman. [47] In October 2006, a grand reopening of Frys.com introduced the online store with the same name as the retail outlets. The tech superstore has been a favorite of computer enthusiasts for almost 36 years. The writing has been on the wall for Frys since last April, I would say, when reports surfaced that its San Jose store might be replaced with an office campus reports that often neglected to mention that Frys corporate headquarters also occupied the same address. States that didnt shut down have lower death rates so its quite clear the extended lockdowns had little to do with public health. 8380 Resource Drive There was a big components store in Boise in the 90s that I went to a few times, but when I went looking for 62 pin card edge connectors for a IBM/PC project they didnt have any, claimed it was because they arent standard. Jarrett Cigainero has updated details to ADS-B on a real RADAR CRT. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. You might say we could have collaborated online as we do now but bought our supplies local but that only really works for people who lived near something good like a Frys or a Dick Smith. [9][14] At first, roughly half the store was stocked with groceries, including fresh produce, but the groceries section quickly diminished to displays of soft drinks and snack foods. Not bearly a half assed hacker in the store nevermind a qualified Sales associate. Such a fun place to visit. Fry's Electronics stores look like they're heading for liquidation, but the retailer, which operates eight stores in Texas, says its stores will be restocked . YouTuber star Bitwit famously conducted a video investigation that showed the depths the once-great stores had sunk to and how the company shipped extra inventory to its Las Vegas store just in case journalists stopped by during CES 2020. If you are ever in Orlando, skip the park for half a day and go to SkyCraft electronics. Hours at first were theoretically 9-5 right, so one day I manage to get down there about 5 after 9.. not open yet.. hang around a bit, staring in windows at the rest of the plaza, 9:25, still no sign of life.. and I had an appointment, so Im gone.. okay, another day a wednesday, arrive at 3pm hours have changed now only open until 2pm weds.. ok whatever.. maybe a month passes.. see their ad in local rag Now open Saturdays great, thats a lot easier, 9-1pm, so this Sat is not good, next Saturday then, arrive around 11am Sorry, Family Emergency on the door, seriously?? Fry's Superstore is your one-stop shopping destination for the most cutting-edge items on the market today. If you wanted to make things you would have to get an engineering degree and then a related job for a large coorporation. I think they do mailorder. I dont know where most audiophiles would go for listening anymore, thats a big loss (since Best Buys selection is pretty slim, do they even have those magnolia rooms anymore?). I made a tradition to go back every time I made it up that way. As Tuesday wore on, the Fry's retail site flickered in and out of normal service, even letting customers buy products after KRON-4's report went live. Their media stock (DVDs and video games, computer books) was better than anyone elses, but that market doesnt really exist anymore with downloadable music, movies and games and computer books were always going to be out of date. 24 per page . Declining badly over last six years. I did get a knock-off JYE-Tech kit from Simcoe, though, but everything else I got from them has been okay. Not as much as I used to but I know I have spent gobs of money there. The Reuseum in Garden City, Idaho https://www.reuseum.com/ all kinds of surplus etc. Their stock on stereo equipment and large appliances was always top-notch: good place to compare for listening to speakers, amps, etc. Luckily we still have Orvac electronics. [15] Most components from most OEMs, were available for purchase, to assemble a desktop computer, la carte. Frys Electronics, one of the last big brick-and-mortar electronics store chains in the United States and a Silicon Valley institution in particular is permanently closing nationwide, the company has officially confirmed Wednesday, following Tuesday evening reports from SF Bay Area broadcaster KRON4, as well as Bill Reynolds and Matthew Keys. The stores began selling (As Seen On TV) products, educational toys, solar powered projects, arduino and raspberry Pi projects as a way to atract more customers. Inconsistent application of the price match policy. Fry's Electronics today announced that after nearly 36 years it's going out of business "as a result of changes in the retail industry and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic . Report an issue or PM me. http://a1parts.com/. It was truly a hackers emporium. If anyone in Indy has a lead on another I would love to hear about it. [11], John's idea was to use the model of grocery retailing, with which the brothers were familiar, to sell computer and electronics supplies. https://www.murphyjunk.net. Were probably talking about a hobby when we talk about buying small part quantities online. Fry's Electronics to permanently close all stores (msn.com) The remaining Fry's Electronics stores are all shutting down (engadget.com) Fry's Electronics workers claim managers told them retailer is closing its doors (eastbaytimes.com) I'm a bot to find news from different sources. Staples (our computer/supply store) rarely has what I need. I found the chemistry and other supplies to make for an excellent browsing experience. Also dropped by HSC Electronics. [33][34], On Black Friday 2007, customers at the Renton, Washington location complained that Fry's employees were offering to let people cut in front of a long line for a fee. [26] Bay Area broadcaster KRON-TV confirmed the closure later that evening. I loved going to Sayal electronics and A1 when I lived in Toronto. I have known few store owners who were millionaires, unless you considered the value of their building to be cash which isnt the case. What angers me is theyd likely still be around if it werent for misguided lockdowns, thanks to Governor Hair Gel here in California. A lot of local stores were always really unreasonably bad about price and selection *cough* Rat Shack *cough* or hours that dont serve working people almost every mom and pop store. You are going to drive prices up and selection and quality down. Bay Area TV station KRON-4 was the first press outlet to confirm the news. The electronics surplus store down the street closed years ago, but this place keeps chugging along. My business is now bankrupt. Interesting surplus/distress stuff. Fry's Electronics was founded by the sons of grocery magnate Charles Fry, who's family founded the Fry's Food and Drug chain. In 2019, rumors about the chain folding spread rapidly, mainly because shelves were empty for long periods of time and stores seemed to emphasize makeup and fragrances over electronics. Fry's Electronics Has Declared Bankruptcy Electronics Store Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Due To COVID-19 Pandemic The coronavirus pandemic has claimed yet another business victim- Fry's Electronics. It was frequently not a smooth experience. Whats saddest to me is that this was just about the last vestige of Silicon Valleys hardware heritage. None of them pay taxes and receive government welfare. Frys was great if you needed something Right Now; Mouser has better prices and selection, though you have to buy enough to overcome the cost of shipping. Last I checked there were numerous surviving independent RS stores. Several years ago, when I lived in that area, Id also buy components from Jameco Electronics. West Palm Beach, FL 33404 Now, apparently, their floors will be barren, as well. You have to be careful when you go there because you might just go in with one project you are working on and walk out with three more. I start coming in looking for radio receiver parts and theyre like foxhole radio? Yes but also no, and we had a fun conversation about my latest designs. Display: 24 per page. I wish there was a place to go around here (Radio Shack was the last in this area, and it was sorely lacking).
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