Fry's has been criticized from time to time for their mediocre customer service, highly targeted advertising (including suing people that post pictures of their newspaper ads online), and convoluted rebate processes. They were extremely late entering the game with the Frys Online website, having to buy the domain name once they finally decided to create a page. Considering their target market that last is probably a near-deal-breaking point. A significant portion of Fry's inventory appears to be returned or refurbished items (I have contributed to those returns probably 1/3 of the time I purchased from Fry's).
I must say that for most of my computer component purchases I will research using Pricewatch and often buy from a local group, such as ENU.
Why, then do I love Fry's so much, then?
1) Eye candy!
I love browsing the aisles and seeing what new toys are available. I should clarify that "toy" in my vocabulary might just as easily include a Surround Sound speaker set, Big screen TV or Wi-Fi sensing keychain as it would a new Wii game or Radio-controlled helicopter. Fry's has no end of product displays to start any geek salivating.
In addition to the products, there are always the themes in certain stores. Our Portland store is pretty boring, but I love hitting one of the themed stores when I travel to California.Whether it be the Mayan temple in San Jose.
The Alice in Wonderland themed one in Woodland Hills
The Alien Invasion themed one in Burbank
Or the City of Industry store
Each offers a fun distraction while you peruse the latest gadgets.
2) Special Deals
Every so often Fry's has unbeatable deals. My favorite is the paper special they do every couple months. 1 ream for $.99. When this is on I give each kid a dollar and hit a different cashier. This is a trick I remember my mother doing with us on Safeway deals growing up.
3) Free "rental" program
My friend Jon mentioned this one to me and I thought it was a stroke of genius. Not sure whether you are ready to buy that new widget? Is your thingamajig being repaired? Try Fry's free rental program. Since Fry's has so many returns their return policy is wonderfully simple. Return it within the given time for any reason and you get a full refund. As long as you take care of the item and keep all the packing material, manuals, and pieces this offers a great way to try before you buy. Thank you, Jon, for the inspiration!
So no I don't buy all my stuff from there and no I don't always trust their pricing, but I still love trips to Fry's whenever I am in the neighborhood. My car regularly experiences a mysterious pull to the right as we near the Wilsonville offramp. If you have a Fry's nearby, especially a themed one, I strongly recommend a trip. If not, I'll take you to mine the next time you are in town.
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5 comments:
Nicely written my dear. And Yes, I still fall for the "the car is pulling to the left" trick every time we near the Wilsonville Exit.
We've been to the alien invasion one when visiting Bruce's brother Marc. I think stores like that are great for specific purposes and definitely for hard core geeks. I have to admit that I have huge issues with customer service though and if we had one near us I'd definitely make that one of those Bruce goes to by himself stores because having worked in customer service for so long I just can't handle stores with lackluster employees.
Agreed on the Customer service. You can't go in there expecting to be educated. You either need to know exactly what you want and just tell them to take your order verbatim or you go in to just window shop.
are you talking about the food? because i'm not in the mood for the food frys.
did you put this down twice? or did I go to the same page?
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