Why bother to take on a failing company (and its debts) when you can let it die and then pick over the bones of the profitable bits much cheaper? That seems to be par for the course nowadays.
Maplin to be sold (surprise surprise) - What would you change to make it survive?
- Thread starter Hades
- Start date
Why bother to take on a failing company (and its debts) when you can let it die and then pick over the bones of the profitable bits much cheaper? That seems to be par for the course nowadays.
There clearance sale will probably still be more expensive than the same item on amazon and the likes though
They could slash 90% and still be overpricedThere clearance sale will probably still be more expensive than the same item on amazon and the likes though
Nah, some stuff I want has been cheaper there in recent months, depends on the product
The only things i will watch for is cheap cctv kits
It doesn't matter what they change, they won't be able to compete. Currys/PC World have survived because they sell large items a large proportion of people still like to see in person before they buy. Maplin sells all the stuff people are happy to buy online. Take the £2 Amazon HDMI cable, for example. It's highly unlikely Amazon is making any profit on these cables, infact, it wouldn't surprise me that after overheads, they lose money. However, unlike Maplin, Amazon is large enough to do loss leaders. They realise that, even though shipping is £2, people would rather spend £20 and get free delivery. Amazon is a monster and trying to compete with them, especially if you're a high street store, is futile.
I use Amazon, fairly frequently too, but it bothers me how much of a monopoly they have. Sure, I could put my money where my mouth is, but Amazon is just too damn convenient.
I use Amazon, fairly frequently too, but it bothers me how much of a monopoly they have. Sure, I could put my money where my mouth is, but Amazon is just too damn convenient.
Soldato
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Yep, BBC confirming it's collapsed into administration as well, only and hour or so after Toys R Us.
Soldato
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after having an horrendous Sunday morning on the high street, I personally can't wait for them all to go bust.
Stuff not in stock, other stuff damaged, website says local store doesn't stock an item (yet its on the damn shelf), poor quality and snotty staff saying "cant give you a refund for that damaged item as you've opened it......and that's after an hour in the car and £4 car parking.
MSG to Amazon.......I really hope you can find a way to pay even less tax and take over more of the high street! Carry on doing what you're doing and never change. Cheap prices, next day delivery and no quibble returns.
I'm looking forward to them taking on Asdas and Tescos next.
The 14 day cooling off period was a major blow to the high street imho. It transformed customer service and gave the internet shopper much needed confidence.
Stuff not in stock, other stuff damaged, website says local store doesn't stock an item (yet its on the damn shelf), poor quality and snotty staff saying "cant give you a refund for that damaged item as you've opened it......and that's after an hour in the car and £4 car parking.
MSG to Amazon.......I really hope you can find a way to pay even less tax and take over more of the high street! Carry on doing what you're doing and never change. Cheap prices, next day delivery and no quibble returns.
I'm looking forward to them taking on Asdas and Tescos next.
The 14 day cooling off period was a major blow to the high street imho. It transformed customer service and gave the internet shopper much needed confidence.
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I'd be careful what you wish for. Amazon can afford cheap prices, loss leaders and no quibble returns as they are working towards monopoly and the destruction of rivals. If / once achieved... I wouldn't expect them to be so accommodating.
Future Amazon: What? You wanna return that do ya mate? No. What are you gonna do? Get it cheaper from a rival? MWA HA HA HAAAA!
FWIW: I use Amazon myself.
Very true, classic monopoly tactic is to reduce profit margins until your competition can no longer survive. Once they own the market prices go up.
Another issue is third party marketplace sellers having their customer base stolen from them. If Amazon sees a particular item selling well they can put themselves as a cheaper seller killing off the original business.
As said above I still use them though, just too convenient and I don't have money to splash on more expensive local sellers. But I do see a need for regulation to protect the marketplace from one dominant power.
Caporegime
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Ironically Comet had a clearance and was followed by Maplins which itself will be having a clearance. Working in the retail sector is risky business!
We used to go to Toys R Us mainly to window shop while checking prices online. Half the time driving home empty handed and ordering online.
We used to go to Toys R Us mainly to window shop while checking prices online. Half the time driving home empty handed and ordering online.
Associate
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No surprise when they are selling DJI products at 50% more than anywhere else! Everything was massively OP - Even computer parts set at double from other stores.
Example the DJI Phantom 4 Maplin price £1600 DJI phantom 4 from well know online site £810 ! Massive different.
Example the DJI Phantom 4 Maplin price £1600 DJI phantom 4 from well know online site £810 ! Massive different.
It's not just online though. Cake box of 100 Verbatim DVD-R at Maplin - £35. Cake box of 100 Panasonic DVD-R at ASDA - £16. If you're not even competing with bricks and mortar (that doesn't even specialise in your own field), you might as well give up trying to beat the Amazons, Ebays or anywhere else on the internet. And when you're selling hi-tech and electronic products, you can guarantee that the majority of your customers are comfortable ordering stuff from the internet.
Soldato
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well if the clearance sales are anything like comets was (which sold items still more expensive than currys) I wouldn't bother driving over to check.
Picked up the fly more spark package in maplin for sub £500 last year .. Cheapest at the time