simon hudson Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 I try to use our local shop too and for exactly the same reasons. It also used to have a very loyal local following partly due to its attitude during the miner's strike (as Simon may well remember) not something that the bigger countrywide stores can boast about. Another example of this 'local value' was when, a few years ago, I bought a portableTV as a Xmas present. It was the week before Xmas and quite busy. I selected the one I wanted, it was carried out the back of the shop to my car and I was told to "come back after Xmas to sort out the payment". You do keep going back to places like this. BoD if it was the shop I'm thinking of it was probably me, or you know who that put the TV into your car and yes we looked after the miners and am proud to say that. They all stayed with us and many of them still shop there. I go back home often and even now when I walk down the street people stop and chat.I was very lucky to get a job down here doing the same thing with the same level of customer care. But back on track yes you can get things cheaper good luck to anyone who does theres still a lot of people out there who either A) Don't want the hassle of doing it themselves B)Haven't got a clue C) Want a good follow up service ie "how do I turn it on" or how does my Sky work(which they've had for 10 yrs plus) and believe me it does happen There again you pays your money takes your chance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belsay Lad Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Their staff are shall we say more than encouraged to sell extended guarantees just like the other big C retailer and the reason for your postcode is for one of the big insurance/service agents is to pester you That is why if asked I give the postcode of the house where I was brought up (my parents are now both deceased and the house was demolished under a compulsory purchase order several years ago to make way for a new road!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted November 2, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 2, 2012 BBC are now reporting that Comet is in Administration http://www.bbc.co.uk...siness-20187877 Information for customers Administrators will have to decide whether Comet vouchers and gift cards will be honoured Generally, gift card holders are fairly low on a list of creditors when a business folds Extended warranties are overseen by a separate business so will remain valid. Only if that company ceased trading would a trust fund be set up to meet obligations to customers who hold extended warranties The Comet website is currently out of action Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2A-Rail Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Glad to see that extended warranties are still covered, bought my PC from Comet about a month ago. Can't say I saw many people in the local branch, always seemed to have more staff than customers. Johnny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted November 3, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 3, 2012 Not sure if it's just our PC here at home but whenever we wanted to do any price comparison or research, the Comet website was the worst of the lot that we looked at - seemed to freeze regularly and the comparison between two items never worked for us. Did anyone else notice that their website was slower/faulty/cr@p ?? Mike Their aftersales service was worse than the website, go on ask me how Iknow...................... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted November 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 3, 2012 I always get the feeling in threads like this that a large percentage of members must be quite affluent judging by the 'I always use local businesses' type posts on here, which is very laudable if you can afford to. On some larger purchases there can be a cost saving of upwards of a hundred plus pounds by using internet retailers, plus of course it's brought to your door - I simply can't afford to do anything other than shop around for most of my needs and wants. Our local independant (H&H Biggleswade) beats the big stores on price and service, our son brought a Bosch washing machine a couple of weeks ago from them, the price was less and delivered free. I brought a DVD/Video combo from them a couple of months ago, again it was cheaper and when they delivered it, it was set up and a quick demo given and while he was here he improved the TV picture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary hill Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I hope the "Turnaround" specialists who took it over (about a year ago?) for £2 took out an extended warranty, because I don't know how they imagined they would turn round a business with higher prices than the competition, no stock, rude, unhelpful and ignorant staff, shoddy rundown stores and a very poor internet presence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike at C&M Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 You could almost transpose this post into the current thread on the demise of the local model shop. Just about sums up the current retail world. Wally I always dread the 'customer' who walks in and then starts with the words "I've bought this item on Ebay and......" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Feel sorry for those who will loose their jobs at this time of year. But like many others who have spoken, the writing has been clearly on the wall for a long time. I don't know what exactly they have been doing wrong in terms of business plan but evidently it has not been up to that of the competition. For white goods and general electrical we use either John Lewis or a local non-high street giant who always seems to beat everyone on price and delivery - probably because they only have to pay the staff and family not big offices, admin and IT. Over the last year or so we have bought a number of new kitchen items, a tv and a PC for a gift and each time we have given Comet a chance, but each time have left thinking uncomfortable with the price/service and generally unimpressed. In the end none of the items were bought on the internet, so I don't think that is the whole problem. The high street is changing but if I'm honest I don't really care. The only thing I miss is a good DIY store/ironmongers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 ....if I'm honest I don't really care. ... ...and besides, the other Comet is still producing kits..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 The problem Comet faced was they were selling a commodity, which means you are having to differentiate yourself based on the "Customer Experience" (i.e does the experience of buying in your shop leave your customers feeling warm). It seems they failed to do this against stiff competition, if you look back at the Best Buy entry to the UK they reinvented what good looked like from the people who greeted you in the store to a grocery style delivery slot choice. Currys recognised the threat and rose to it, Comet didn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 ...and besides, the other Comet is still producing kits..... The other Comet is alive and well and living in Hatfield Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Q Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 The other Comet is alive and well and living in Hatfield Bernard But not the aircraft it was named after or it's derivative the Nimrod. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Metr0Land Posted November 4, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 4, 2012 err wasn't the pub named after the DH88 Comet? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 The Wigan branch of Comet was modernised and enlarged only a couple of years ago. Allways worth a walk round on a saturday morning while the lad was at Karate class, and occasionally I bought some things there. Staff there were pleasant, no bad experiences like others. I will miss this shop. I feel a bit sorry for the staff affected, especially so near xmas. I believe the real villian is the company who took it over for £2, asset stripped it and left it in such a way that they coolly walk away with £millions, leaving customers in the lurch, not honouring store cards etc. MORAL - DON'T buy store cards anymore (any), give cash instead - cash is (and allways will be) king. Brit15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon hudson Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 Feel sorry for those who will loose their jobs at this time of year. But like many others who have spoken, the writing has been clearly on the wall for a long time. I don't know what exactly they have been doing wrong in terms of business plan but evidently it has not been up to that of the competition. For white goods and general electrical we use either John Lewis or a local non-high street giant who always seems to beat everyone on price and delivery - probably because they only have to pay the staff and family not big offices, admin and IT. Over the last year or so we have bought a number of new kitchen items, a tv and a PC for a gift and each time we have given Comet a chance, but each time have left thinking uncomfortable with the price/service and generally unimpressed. In the end none of the items were bought on the internet, so I don't think that is the whole problem. The high street is changing but if I'm honest I don't really care. The only thing I miss is a good DIY store/ironmongers. I think you will care when the High street no longer exists I think most High Streets look the same have the same old multi national retailers that's exactly why the Independents have to survive.Our High street has a superb family butcher and an incredible ironmongers( a veritable emporium) and one or two other family buisnesses but all are struggling.That super little ironmongers will be sorely missed I know from personal chats he is struggling as much as our shop is.The conversation every morning with other retailers usually runs "Hows buisness" answer "Well we are opening the doors" The whole Comet thing though is happening with Argos and Curry's. Unfortunaley over 6000 people are losing their jobs and that is the tragedy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 err wasn't the pub named after the DH88 Comet? Correct. Both must date from about 1934 Just to the right out of shot is a model of one on a pole as the pub sign. I seem to remember seeing one at Old Warden some years ago. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 The problem with Comet was they got up my nose! Her indoors) We want one of these Microwaves. Salesman) Certainly. And of course you'll be wanting the extended warrantee. Me) Why, is it no good? Salesman) The warrantee cover you for three years sir. Me) If it's likely to break down in three years I dont want one. Thanks for the warning. And we made for the door. Older salesman ran across the floor to intercept us... Er, can we start again sir? Me) Not a chance mate! My son was bamboozled for a warrantee in Comet. I wouldn't go near the damn place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I did buy a small appliance in Comet once, probably a coffee machine. It was around £27. When I went to pay the young lad on the till said that he was supposed to try and sell me an extended warranty, but as that would be around £33 he was not going to make himself look stupid. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan100 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 "...and besides, the other Comet is still producing kits..... " You betcha. Geoff Comet Models Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 "...and besides, the other Comet is still producing kits..... " ... and without extended warranties Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted November 5, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 5, 2012 aftercare service is good though..... "Geoff, I've changed the motor on that GB5 and need a worm to suit a 2mm shaft, can you help? ......" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted November 5, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 5, 2012 The problem with Comet was they got up my nose! Curry's/PC World is no better. As soon as you enter the stores (Comet or Curry's) you get the "Can I help you sir?" I reply "No thank you" and seconds later another will ask the same question. After this has happened 3 times I will announce very loudly that " I am fed up of being pestered and I am leaving" Suddenly they become all apologetic and try and keep you in the store, but it's too late. Comet (not Curry's) used to be better than that and only approached when it was obvious you needed help. But it's been rubbish for some years now. Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I went to our local Comet last summer because the washing machine had packed up. A simple process: looked up on line which machine I wanted, bought it and then went to the Ruislip showroom to collect. No trouble at all and the staff at Ruislip, though looking a little harassed, were most efficient. It was all I could ask for and I am sorry that the firm, and its staff, are in such a bind. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 As soon as you enter the stores (Comet or Curry's) you get the "Can I help you sir?" I actually like that (grovelling assistant) approach when you are in a store, perhaps once when you enter and once when you enter a new floor area. It used to be common in old department stores and still is in most stores in the US. What I do not like is the pushy must make a sale approach. Sales assistants should be there to assist and make the shopping experience more pleasurable than the stressful experience it can be. They should have product knowledge, discretion, and extreme courtesy, something that was not the case in Comet (or indeed many similar stores). Though in many stores it can be difficult sometimes to find someone to open the till to make a purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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