Fry’s Electronics - buh-bye

[candcallen]

I'm guessing Fry's was similar to Radio Shack?

No, Frys electronics sold everything from individual capacitors or circuits to appliances and electronics.

 

[Axxe55]

No, Frys electronics sold everything from individual capacitors or circuits to appliances and electronics.

Like I said, I have never even been in a Fry's, so I had no knowledge of what exactly they sold.

 

[baboon]

Yes, and living in the country, 30 miles from town, it is

Right now in looking for a power recliner to fit my 6'6", 280# arse. I won't order it online because I insist on sitting in it first to try it on for size. I'll most likely buy it locally and pay the delivery/setup fee - if they aren't trying to bend-me-over with the mark-up! It isn't worth the risk of throwing my back out again to unloaded and wrestle it through the door!

I have a Golden!

 

[popper]

Actually Fry's was a grocery retailer in Ca, bought out a failing computer chain. Actually pretty reasonable until last couple years when the 'foreigners' took it over.

 

[easy rider]

I'm guessing Fry's was similar to Radio Shack?

Not really, they had a lot lower prices on electronics, then say Best Buy, at that time.

 

[festering]

In Houston, there is a store called Micro Center, alot like Fry's but not as big. They have everything computer and electronic related. I think there is one in Dallas also.

 

[mp_tx]

I'm guessing Fry's was similar to Radio Shack?

Imagine Radio shack and Best Buy had a baby. That was frys.


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[Sasquatch]

I'll miss Frye's. For those that never went, it was an electronics-centric version of Costco. They had dozens of circuit boards, mother boards, chips, speakers etc. You could build a computer from individual parts. You could build your own basic computers and solder your own circuit boards together. You could get individual parts & pieces, you could get components, you could buy complete computer systems. They also sold steroes, TV's, DVD players, fridges and freezers... for a computer nerd, electronics geek, or radio nut - they were a playground.

They sold movies - and even had a porno section roped off with red velvet rope (at least the one in Wilsonville, Oregon did) - they sold video cames, computer games. They also had toys for the kids, board games. The Wilsonville store at one time had a food court - I dunno if that was standard, or a left over from when it was Incredible Universe (same concept, same stuff, a lot of the same staff after IU went under and was bought by Frye's) - they had Pizza Hut, IIRC Taco Bell, and BK in the food court.

I built a bunch of computers pieced together from parts I got at Frye's.

The checkout process sucked ass, as it was Walmart like in that they usually had one cashier on duty, and you were funneled into a single line and had to wait. And then the receipt nazi at the door had to check everything, even though he just watched you come from the damned check stand. But the rest of the experience was golden.

 

[Brains]

Fry's was great, right up until they decided to change their business model. They got tired of the inventory expense and rapid depreciation on low margin computer hardware, so they had the brilliant idea to try a consignment model. In other words, if you wanted to sell your products in a Fry's store, you had to stock it on your dime and Fry's would take their profit when the item sold. The manufacturers were, understandably, not on board with this and simply stopped supplying them.

 

[MTA]

I have sold many a gun in their parking lot. Shame to see them go

 

[2ManyGuns]

In Houston, there is a store called Micro Center, alot like Fry's but not as big. They have everything computer and electronic related. I think there is one in Dallas also.

I believe they were MEI MicroCenter in days past. Back in the day, I was heavily involved in Distributed Computing Projects, ECCP-109, Seti@Home, Folding@Home, and some others. I would mail-order some stuff from MEI. The good old days when 1 Ghz+ CPU's were new, RAM was limited to 640 MB, Windoze was even worse than now... Good memories, DR Pepper could be purchased for $.99 per 12 pack on sale days. Staying awake for days coding in C, C++, PROLOG, Basic, Turbo Basic, Turbo C, dipping my toes in FORTRAN and UNIX. Damn, I have forgotten so much!

 

[Darqhelmet]

Fry's was great, right up until they decided to change their business model. They got tired of the inventory expense and rapid depreciation on low margin computer hardware, so they had the brilliant idea to try a consignment model. In other words, if you wanted to sell your products in a Fry's store, you had to stock it on your dime and Fry's would take their profit when the item sold. The manufacturers were, understandably, not on board with this and simply stopped supplying them.

that explains a lot about which items remained on the shelf as they died.

 

[easy rider]

I have sold many a gun in their parking lot. Shame to see them go

So this was you?

 

[OneGunTX]

When they first opened in Houston, my wife and the kids used to enjoy going to Fry's. Their inventory of goods was unique and it was a fun store. Then the management when downhill. The had empty shelves and poor customer service. We stopped going. Microcenter is a better option, better customer service.

 

[Axxe55]

Fry's was great, right up until they decided to change their business model. They got tired of the inventory expense and rapid depreciation on low margin computer hardware, so they had the brilliant idea to try a consignment model. In other words, if you wanted to sell your products in a Fry's store, you had to stock it on your dime and Fry's would take their profit when the item sold. The manufacturers were, understandably, not on board with this and simply stopped supplying them.

WalMart stores has been doing that for decades on most of their higher ticket items. Walmart also buys in much larger volume than other chain store similar to WalMart as well, which is why WalMart can sell at so much of lower price as well. Walmart buys in volume to stock thousands of stores when they purchase items to their stores.

 

[mad88minute]

Great, now where am I supposed to go for great pricing combined with shitty service?

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If anyone is in the Houston are Micro Center is like fry's. Not 100% the same, but a good place to shop.

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[Vaquero]

Fry's.
Black Friday.
1995.
Houston.
I bought our first home computer.
It helped launch our children's current careers.
It helped further mine.

Damn near the worst shopping experience of my life.

 

[pronstar]

There’s a micro center in Dallas, too

Even in the best of times, Fry’s carried a ton of offshore Chineseum junk.
From brands no one has ever heard of LOL


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[deemus]

They have been dead for a couple years now. Nothing on the shelves really to speak of and even less people to “help”.

This. Nothing on the shelves for a couple years. Even simple stuff.

Yes, and living in the country, 30 miles from town, it is tempting to order things online and have them dropped at my gate. For items I use regularly and purchase often, I've actually ordered things from Amazon and Sam's.
Still, there are certain items for which this does not work.
I want to try on a garment before I buy it (unless it's an item that is pretty standard - like Wrangler Cargo Pants in my usual size, or a replacement set of sunglasses like the ones I just lost, etc).

I still try to shop local, and will even pay a bit more if I'm dealing with friendly, helpful people.

Right now in looking for a power recliner to fit my 6'6", 280# arse. I won't order it online because I insist on sitting in it first to try it on for size. I'll most likely buy it locally and pay the delivery/setup fee - if they aren't trying to bend-me-over with the mark-up! It isn't worth the risk of throwing my back out again to unloaded and wrestle it through the door!

I bought a Lazy Boy oversized. It’s really comfy. And plenty wide for large folks.

 

[oscars774]

This was Frys in austin in Nov 20.
View attachment 267374 View attachment 267375

Same in Houston


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