Mplex

motorguy

Visiondvd wrote: »

Mplex
A small inde it/retail outlet that once thrived, then went tits up.
Maybe because of the price they charged for repairs and media and more or less everything else pple got wise.
Big S cashed in and flew .
Now it is run by ex staff who are eager beavers.
I think that sums it up for Mplex.

I dont think thats 'gotten greedy' its 'trying to pay their bills'

Have you any reason to believe they were any higher in price for repairs than any other high street retailer?

Or are you comparing them to the 'fly-by-night' 'advertise-in-the-local-paper-on-a-pay-as-you-go-number' merchants who pick your pc up in their car whilst claiming the dole, not paying tax and not paying VAT?

Are they not the greedy ones?

yorkie98

I was in the lisburn store last week, the Lisburn and Smithfield stores are still open and they have opened a new store on the Albertbridge Road, they are under new management and are changing their name, I just can't remember what to right now.. PC Smart or something I think..

chunter

If you don't have the footfall, there's no point having retail premises.

I can get two sets of homeplugs from ebuyer for £30 each next day delivery. Even with ebuyer's £10 surcharge for NI delivery, it's still £20-30 cheaper than buying them from the local computer shop.

It's the computer stuff especially, that gets hit by online sellers. Because the people who buy the stuff know exactly what to buy. They don't need the advice.

It's a mug's game having a computer shop.

LooK at the Dixons group (see 5 year graph)
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary-chart.html?fourWayKey=GB0000472455GBGBXSTMM

A.L.D.A

chunter wrote: »

It's a mug's game having a computer shop.

Most shops are a lost cause. Between rent, rates and utility bills it is an expensive way to sell. Rents can be anything from £8 to £50 per square foot! That is before you turn on the lights, pay for fitting out, obtain statutory approvals, comply with disabled access and Health and safety legislation, pay tax etc etc etc. All these costs have to be passed on to the customers.

But we are all short sighted for as shops close then choice declines. Specialist shops stock items that super markets and the likes of Argos do not. There is also the loss of expertise and knowledge and people to ask. We should value service a lot more.

Also if the current trend continues, what will our high streets look like? The brave new world of the future looks to me to be very fragile.

highrisklowreturn

Have always found mplex to be spot on for computing advice and would be sad to see them go. Having bought a lot of stuff online recently I have belatedely realised there is nothing comparable to actual advice and support irrespective of what cost it comes at.

chunter

But not all online retailers are great.. take DABS for example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220873350603?item=220873350603

spot the problem...

motorguy

chunter wrote: »

But not all online retailers are great.. take DABS for example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220873350603?item=220873350603

spot the problem...

I dont think anyone is saying that online retailers are better - just cheaper.

They're box shifters at the end of the day - all stacked up in some big warehouse.

BUT Joe Public only gives a monkeys about price now. There is no perceived value in customer service - until something goes wrong.

A.L.D.A

pgilc1 wrote: »

BUT Joe Public only gives a monkeys about price now. There is no perceived value in customer service - until something goes wrong.

True and it is all very short sighted. I am not a retailer, but I do wish people would buy even a percentage of their goods in locally owned shops. Certainly in the likes of hardware and building materials I have found it cheaper than driving to some soulless place or paying delivery charges.

Visiondvd

A small lesson in retailing.
The only competitive edge a local retailer will have is, convenient ,advise and returns and if possible price is a bonus.
So I sell you a laptop at internet prices, good, It is what you wanted on my advice, good.
Oh dear it breaks two months later, dont worry I'll sort it for you,no need to worry about aftersales online etc, good.
Now the same laptop online, price is the same, but it didnt quite meet your criteria. ah well, !!!!! It broke, now what do I do?
Do I post it ?
Do I wait for a month while it is repaired, lost ? what about my documents? !!!!! what do I do.
After waiting a month still no laptop, I having withdrawel symptons from not being online, ah well.
Should have bought local.
Anyway my ink is cheap as are my disk as are my laptops and any repair is flat fee £30.00 labour.
There still is room for computer shops.