With the constant 20% off coupons, and bare shelves, Fry's has to be circling the drain. The number of computer and monitors has been decreased so much, that one can only wonder why. Their creditors must not be extending them credit. Maybe all of their sales now are purely a cash grab.
I really wish I was wrong about this, but the writing has to be on the walls.
And then "True Legend" woke up...
@4ddrp that's funny
FRYS HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING COMPANY TO WORK FOR . THE COMPENSATION IS GREAT AND COLLEAGUES ARE GREAT PPL. ITS SUCH A EASY AND WELL COMPENSATED JOB THAT FORMER EMPLOYEES KEEP SHOWING UP JUST TO ASK QUESTIONS OR EVEN RE- APPLY. YES I CAN NAME SO MANY NAMES BUT SOME OF THEM ARE .... KEVIN GLASS ... DAEE HERNANDEZ ... MIGUEL LARA ... CALEB... ETC..... FRYS ELECTRONICS IS LEGENDARY.
Sad. The San Marcs, CA store is 75% empty, as of 12/10/2019. I asked several employees and was told they'll be reopening next year (2020) and will be getting all new inventory ... that they were "changing vendors". I suspect that's the story the employees are being told to keep them on board. I remember all the happy times I've spent shopping there, but Amazon and Walmart have slowly put many of the brick and mortar stores out of business. Sad, but the internet has simply changed the way we shop ... nobody's fault ... just progress, I guess.
As i walked the isles I took pictures with my iPhone as i will truly miss my monthly trips to Fry's to see all the new electronics and check out what was on sale. A sad day that makes me just want to cry.
I went to the Las Vegas store today and it was empty.....hardly anything on shelves.
On the way out the door, I asked the checkout lady what was going on...her answer:
"we're having vendor issues." Translation: we're not paying our bills and no one will
ship us a pencil.
No one on the earth believes any of this b.s. I think more people believe Joe Biden didn't
know his son was making millions from the Ukraine than believe Frys will be here January 1.
I was recently at the Austin store and was nearly bare of any type of inventory–even the TV I came in for in a recent ad was long gone. An employee tried to argue tariffs were to blame, but considering how China devalued their currency making the tariffs cost nothing on our end,.. I believe after talking to a manager "off the record," it's more likely it is that Fry's was extremely behind on vendor credit.
The Fry’s in Burbank is a dead zone for sure. Our store is themed. It’s got a space ship that crashed into the front of the store, and crazy Martians, giant ants, cool little town sets ups ( kinda like how Millers Outpost used to be). My question is, are they going to auction that stuff off after they close? It sure would be a waste if they just demolished it.
I think it's no longer just 'how can they be open while selling no merchandise?' Few random interesting discussion threads on reddit about how they could be doing some finance shenanigans like extending themselves credit from themselves to pay themselves as both owners and operators of the corporation and properties, and the debt incurred is written off and then don't have to pay taxes on the negative income, etc, etc. I don't pretend to know the ins and outs (or even really the basics) of corporate tax structure and loopholes, but might be what we're seeing here.
Essentially starting to sound like the longer they stay open and the less money they make, the less taxes they have to pay when the whole thing finally implodes, all the while paying themselves out of their own debt. Whatever is going on, it seems to be way past when any normal store would be able to stay open without having employees or stuff to sell. The Renton store I know is getting close to a year since I noticed the stock was starting to dwindle, and probably 6-8 months since it's been just empty. Nobody could stay open through that unless there was some creative money shuffling going on.
Burbank has vast areas of empty space. Some of the display racks have the same item hanging from multiple pegs to pretend it's not empty. And it's 2 weeks before Christmas! That enormous piece of land is too valuable for Fry's to continue in its current state.
Same her in San Diego. Went in all shelvs 80 percent empty. Water leaking allover into buckets. They had no blueray movies. Even the candy wall was empty by the cashiers. No one in line. Drove by store black friday at 3:40 am no one camping outside.
I can't believe it.
Just left the woodland hills store, and not a hard drive, motherboard in stock. They did have 1 video card. In the last few weeks I have seen the same at the Burbank, Manhattan Beach and City of Industry stores (and industry is a crazy huge store).
In December's past they had been overflowing with goods, often prompting me to purchase things that I thought I would need later just because the prices were good. Now, there isn't a point in bothering to even look.
In December past, there would be constant lines, today, none. I can't see how they will survive without the holiday sales.
To those wondering about employees at Duluth and if they are able to work at Milton Frys.
There are hundreds of employees that, 6 months ago were full time but now are part time with anywhere from 20 hours to 4 hours, depending. The business looked into legal laws to see just how far they could lower everyones hours both full timers and part time. I.e. it doesnt matter if Milton takes them in the pie is the same size so everyone will be getting much, much less hours.
Summary: Are employees getting screwed over. Answer: Yes.
And honestly the real reason they are offering the transfer is most likely to avoid paying unemployment fees. The company showed its loyalty to its employees six months ago. Its nonexistent. 80% of employees are gone.
Anaheim, CA store is a wasteland. Was told by the employee that they're having "vendor issues". I asked what that means because I was in the store two months ago and haven't seen any improvement. He said it takes a while because "lawyers are involved." I'm guessing the low level employees know just as little as the pubic though.
From what I saw in person and what I've read on here, it seems like they're on borrowed time.
As an example: Fry's in Austin has sales on Lipton tea. They have been completely out of stock for 3 months in Austin Texas. Salesman told me it is due to the China tariff. Lipton Tea is made and bottled in the USA. It it clearly to me that Fry's is hanging on by their business fingernails and trying to make a go of it. A losing cause at that. I really loved to go to Fry's and see the products and did not paying 5 or 10% more than I could buy on the internet. I'm afraid Fry's did not keep up with the time, internet sales and it just a matter of time before I hear they are in court requesting bankruptcy protection. Be aware any warranties may be invalid if that occurs.
We are sorry you weremisinformedcompletely correct. All of ourDuluthemployees are spending the next 3 weeks helping get all of the store’s remaining inventory transferred to ourMiltonhigher-volume sales locations until there's nothing left to sell. After this is complete, everyDuluthemployee in the businesshas a job in our Milton location should they choose to staywill be laid off without notice, which we hope they all do!
Fixed their Fakebook post!
Was in Fry's Las Vegas today. No visible motherboards, video cards, or hard drives. Where many things like electronics should have been they filled the space with boxes of chairs. The Wall of CPU and RAM prices had more blank or empty spaces than not. It doesn't seem to be as empty as the San Jose store was leading up to black Friday but they are just better at hiding it.
Note: I did hear a rumor from an employee that they had already stiffed some vendors.
Fry's claims its Duluth employees are still working in the store, and all have jobs at the other location. Anybody verify? Their statement from FB when people asked about employees being left out to dry:
We are sorry you were misinformed. All of our Duluth employees are spending the next 3 weeks helping get all of the store’s inventory transferred to our Milton location. After this is complete, every Duluth employee has a job in our Milton location should they choose to stay, which we hope they all do!
Let's cut through the b—s—.... There are only so many vendors out there. There is very limited stock in the stores. The store in Diluth closed and is now history. Don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining. Fry's is closing albeit slowly. But the handwriting is on the wall. Let's hope that the employees are able to find better jobs elsewhere and can collect unemployment until they do. It's no crime to go out of business, but it's a sin to lie to the employees and public about it.
Ditto City of Industry, CA.
Same disrespect for customers; same untrue explanation, "Fry's is trying to locate new vendors."
I just recently visited the Downers Grove, IL store 12/2/2019, which I had not been there in over a year. The parking lot empty(about a dozen cars). I assumed the store hours changed. Nope, so I continued to walk in to a baron store. I wanted a new hard drive and they only had several in stock. I did purchase a $20 pair of Bluetooth head phones. My girlfriend found 14 bottles of New York seltzer water which she bought all of them. I asked the cashier and he said they were switching vendors. In the end he mentioned that his hours and other coworker hours have been cut back.
I was just at SJ Fry's today (12-5-2019)...shelves were at least 60% empty. The HDTV section was around 80% empty. I haven't been to Fry's in about 6 months as they haven't had anything on sale since then that I wanted to buy. Years prior, I would often visited Fry's 2-3 times per week to pick up sales stuffs. Long gone were the BF Day where I had to wake up at 5am to wait in long lines of at least 500 people around their building...that was maybe 5-7 yrs ago at most. I think Fry's will just closed it's door unannounced when the time comes.
The last Sears around SJ area is also in liquidation. I was joking with my mom 2 weeks ago saying how I don't think Sears will make it past March of next year. Then I visited the mall this week and found out it's liquidating up to 50% off already!!!
SOON WE WILL ALL SIT AT HOME AS OUR LIVES TURN.........
@YbiPZw8-4bcsb from what I can see their heat shrink suppliers haven't shipped them any stock for over 8 months. They probably still have the displays in the hopes that their ex-supplier will go the consignment route which doesn't seem likely. Been getting my heatshrink straight from their old supplier at www.contextengineering.com.
I feel very lucky. A bought a Sony TV 2 years ago on Black Friday with an extended warranty for 4 years. about 2 weeks ago my TV screen had A-line in it I called them they set out a repairman. it can't be fixed he said. I contacted Frys and they brought out a new television, a Samsung in a Box to replace it. I guess I hadn't been in the Arlington Texassrore in a while. I had a go get some parts did hang it from the wall as I walked in I was just floored!! it was empty nothing there just empry shelves. I feel very lucky I got my new TV.
I just "yelped" Fry's in Diluth, GA and it said that it has permanently closed.
Also, who is the clown pretending to be John Fry who said that the stores are stilled stocked?
Stocked with what? Bottled water?
I purchased an item online and picked it up at the Duluth, GA store. I noticed their stock of heat-shrink tubing was completely bare (the labeled, holding tubes were there, just no product), and commented to the "manager-looking" individual who helped me retrieve my online order about the sad state of the shelves. He told me with a complete straight face that they had a bunch of boxes that just came in and the shelves would be re-stocked in short order. The item I purchased was defective so I went back to the store - the NEXT DAY - to exchange it, and was met by a locked door... an employee said the store was closing. He told me I had to go to the Milton, GA store, which I did. The Milton store had no stock of the item I'd ordered (did a return) and when I checked their stock of heat-shrink tubing... zippo! Something is amiss when - during the time of the year when brick & mortars are making the majority of their yearly profits - the shelves are bare and they are closing stores without so much as a peep of advance notice. Just sayin'
All of the comments below are incorrect. Fry's stores are still stocked with merchandise and will not be closing.
John Fry
Going next week to the Wilsonville, OR Fry's to pay my last respects. There about a month ago, and shocked at the condition. Asked two employees about situation, and got the canned response relating to restocking issues, and denying closure. Used to be a weekly visit, and it was hard to find a place to park. They put out a huge pull out ad in the paper every Friday which fueled the weekly visit. The go-to place for electronic components, and computer parts. Looks like the music is over.
Hours ago....
I just visited the San Marcos location (12/4/2019). I was so shocked by what I saw that I came home and researched on the net...which landed me here. Been building liquid cooled PCs since 2003. It is difficult to witness the death of an empire, Fry's being but one fallen soldier. Let me tell you, at least 75% of ALL store inventory was missing. Rain was falling through the roof into buckets on wet carpet, and the entire area from the stereo aisle to the headphones aisle was cordoned off. All stereo inventory (and displays) were gone. All cpus, mobo and displays were gone. All gaming consoles: gone. ALL hard drives: GONE! Only a fool would deny the obvious. I doubt their daily sales are even covering the electric bill. In my opinion–only a guess!–they will close in less than 60 days. I doubt employees will even know until the day the doors shut.
Been going to Fry's since they opened back in the day and the Austin TX location is the same as everywhere else, empty. Over the years I've noticed when you called you may never get answered, it became horrendous and I'd just take my business elsewhere because I didn't want to waste a 25 mile R/T. These stores are huge, too large and should have been cut in half long ago (Best Buy size). They should've trimmed down supplies in a BIG way due to the internet. Maybe they should have provided PC classes to novices wanting to build or maintain a PC or home theater. Simple fact, they carried too much inventory which didn't cycle quick enough. Hate to see them go, innovation, customer service and stock can be found elsewhere. Maybe a school or mega church will take the space...time will tell.
Still getting the promo codes. Was in Downers Grove location and workers still claiming they're not closing. Story is they're changing suppliers. I asked why they took out the rows of pallet racks that was right past the Computer area a while ago. Answer was, pallet racks? I guess they have high turnover rate too.
Fry's Duluth officially closed. Sign was put on the door and locked down. They were told that the store was to be closed end of Feb 2020 but just decided to close yesterday.
No piror notice was given to employee.
I was in the one in Wilsonville Oregon recently. It was just as everyone else describes, but they'd resorted to filling one spot of floor by putting out the air conditioners.
In November.
Fry's in Anaheim, CA is completely bare. No laptops, parts, TVs, appliances. The statements from Fry's saying they are currently ordering product to restock shelves is ridiculous. They're ordering product? All of it? For every store? Nationwide?! It's a shame. Been visiting Fry's my whole life but I've never known them to be particularly innovative and have always seemed to have more than a couple counterintuitive business practices. As a nonsequiter I remember back in the day before cell phone cameras you could be kicked out of the store for taking pictures inside the store.
I don't know why this is a surprise to me, giving all the struggling brick-n-mortars out there, but I went into Fry's in Irving, TX the other day and was totally shocked. I'm so used to Fry's being the one store you go to for your tech holiday gifts and just seeing it packed with merchandise, shoppers and holiday employees, but this place was totally the opposite. Long asiles of empty displays, nothing in the main asile whatsoever where the latest big screens used to be for the holidays, no decorations, the electronic parts asile picked clean with the exception of a sole little transitor here or resistor there. A book here, a software box there but so empty. Even some of the lights weren't on. A handful of monitors were on display in back. I really couldn't believe it. The decline of the malls really underscored the major shift in retail, but this was another watershed moment as far as how bad it's gotten. I'm going to miss going out to the stores for my holiday shopping.
I know it's convenient to buy just about everything online nowadays, but there are things you'd rather buy at the store (video card, tv, cpu...)..if something goes wrong you can head right back and get it replaced or get your your money back. For any small computer assessories, it's very convenient to order from Amazon or get it from Ebay..BUT there's a wait. If you want it right away because your video card just got fried and you have an important thing to do and it's due the next day..you can't. You would have to get whatever at Bestbuy that t might not suit you. Best Buy lacks the variety as Fry's. Anyway, this void is creating more inconvenience for lots of people to get something like a video card..etc. Micro Center is just too far. This really s—s.
What I don't get is that...why aren't they liquidating their inventories and get it over like any store going out of business? Instead every day they're opened as any other day; they would incur electricity costs, rents, employees (not much), etc.
Went to Fry's today. They didn't even have the lights on.
Went to the Fry's in Concord yesterday (Black Friday) out of curiosity of what the store would look like. It was just as dead and empty as any other day. I counted maybe less than 10 staff at the store, including only 2 cashier, and this is Black Friday. There was only 1 guy working the TV AREA where in the past youd have at least 3 or 4 working just one of the counters. Half the TV section was missing displays as was the monitors/desktops/laptop areas. Xbox and PS4 games were all one shelf! And the video games section was mostly stocked with as seen on TV c-ap and portable air conditioners. Who wants to buy air conditioners when it's 30 degrees out? To Fry's credit they did actually have a few Nintendo Switch Lites so it seems like they are getting current day product but now I wonder if they just had staff go down to Target to pick up a few retail price in order to look relevant. Seeing what I saw yesterday on Black Friday, it's pretty safe to say Fry's will be dead in 2020.
I went to the Phoenix store today, Black Friday, and was shocked. I parked 5 spots from the front door because the parking lot was almost empty. The store had at more than 50% of the shelves empty. Even the "As seen on TV" shelves are almost bare.
There was no line at the registers, only 2 people checking out. I remember on Black Friday when there were 20 registers open and the line wound back and forth before it turned and ended in the back of the store.
The kid that waited on me was new and didn't know much. I talked to an older guy at the Customer Service Desk and asked him if the store was closing. He said, well they are still hiring and pointed to a sign. I asked him about the empty shelves. He told me he had worked there for 10 years and never seen it seen it before.
I must say that I used to buy something from Frys almost every week because of the deals on the Deals of the Day but I don't think I have been there in at least a few months because the deals have s—ed. It's sad to know my favorite gadget and connector place will probably by gone soon. I'm guessing by years end.
The bad thing is, if I need a phone or din plug, where will I go. No Radio Shack and soon no Frys to drive to and get it now. I hate the thought of resorting to ordering it on line and waiting for it to arrive and holding up my projects.
Good bye old friend. I for one will miss you when you are gone.
Alpharetta, GA store is desolate. No inventory. They are done.