News Micro Center Adding Three New Stores: Indianapolis Opens in June

[Admin]

In a world where many tech businesses are contracting, Micro Center is expanding.

Micro Center Adding Three New Stores: Indianapolis Opens in June : Read more

 

[emike09]

They really need to open a store in Utah. Somewhere near Point of the Mountain, between Salt Lake and Utah county. Utah is a massive tech hub with tons of geeky people who love computing.

 

[FleshharrowerX]

Well given that Fry's closed down and had a primo location in Austin that was still empty 6 months ago (I've moved since then), my bet is that Microcenter will be at this location. The next closest one is in Dallas followed by Houston both of which are over 2.5 hours by car. Also, Austin is the computer geek hub of Texas and does not have any real computer ethusiast stores now other than Best Buy.

 

[Leptir]

It makes perfect sense. There are some things that are better when you can see them in person, especially when the store has a good selection. Like choosing a case or a keyboard/mouse or checking out a monitor or laptop. Also, sometimes you need something immediately and can't wait for Amazon to deliver.

I live a good distance from my local Microcenter and yet I visit it every so often, it's just worth it, they always have an excellent selection. To me the mystery is why Fry's or CompUSA could not figure out a good, sustainable business model. As for Best Buy, as a computer store, they are hopeless.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Phoenix would be an ideal location as well. With the death of Fry's all we have is Best Buy.

 

[Leptir]

Well given that Fry's closed down and had a primo location in Austin that was still empty 6 months ago (I've moved since then), my bet is that Microcenter will be at this location.

I don't think Microcenter is interested in prime locations, that just doesn't seem to be their business model. Wherever they are located, they always seem to attract a good crowd, so why spend money on an expensive location?

 

[cyrusfox]

My only issue with microcenter is high pressure sales people wanting to assist at every turn while you are browsing, reminds me of the glory days of Fry's (RIP). I am sure the aggressive help has something to do with their compensation structure.

I am more of a browser than buyer at microcenter, but it is nice to get some clickety keyboards and try some gadgets out. I do appreciate the electrical component side of their stores and when you need something now its great to have one. Store pickup works really well to (and avoid the salesman). I hope they can grow organically and survive.

 

[USAFRet]

My only issue with microcenter is high pressure sales people wanting to assist at every turn while you are browsing, reminds me of the glory days of Fry's (RIP). I am sure the aggressive help has something to do with their compensation structure.

I used to frequent the Cincinnati store, and never saw that.
But that was many years ago, so things may have changed.

I'd LOVE for them to open one here in SE Virginia.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I like the St. Louis store. Used to be in there weird sometimes people might ask if I worked there. I got to know my way around the PC parts are pretty well.

 

[Eximo]

Most good. Never made the trip to the stores in Ohio from Indy because the cost to get there was more than the difference in shipping if I just bought it online. Now it will be convenient.

Castleton Square mall area, actually still quite a trip for me. But nothing like driving to OH.

 

[USAFRet]

Most good. Never made the trip to the stores in Ohio from Indy because the cost to get there was more than the difference in shipping if I just bought it online. Now it will be convenient.

I drove past the Cincy store twice a day, to and from work.

 

[punkncat]

A couple of my buddies in Florida wouldn't mind having one.

I love shopping with Microcenter. I typically make my selections online and just pick up at the counter. My few dealings with salespeople have been neutral to pleasant.

 

[FleshharrowerX]

I don't think Microcenter is interested in prime locations, that just doesn't seem to be their business model. Wherever they are located, they always seem to attract a good crowd, so why spend money on an expensive location?

Oh I didn't say it was an expensive location, it's not, it's just outside the main loop and already has the space. The point really is that Micro Center is going to open another location in Texas, Austin is the most likely bet given the population, the high tech industry there., and the lack of competition.

 

[bluvg]

Micro Center often has stellar promo deals on CPUs and RAM--often better than you can find online (though +tax obviously). During the tougher parts of the pandemic, they were also often one of the few places to find stock (at retail prices, too, when everyone else was gouging) for certain items, e.g. 5900X and 5950X.

 

[gggplaya]

My only issue with microcenter is high pressure sales people wanting to assist at every turn while you are browsing, reminds me of the glory days of Fry's (RIP). I am sure the aggressive help has something to do with their compensation structure.

I am more of a browser than buyer at microcenter, but it is nice to get some clickety keyboards and try some gadgets out. I do appreciate the electrical component side of their stores and when you need something now its great to have one. Store pickup works really well to (and avoid the salesman). I hope they can grow organically and survive.

"High Pressure"??? All you have to do is say no, I'm looking around. Those people are there to help you, sure they get a commission, but they don't force you to buy anything like a car salesman. 99% of them are just super geeky and just love talking about the latest technology. They also give very helpful advice to people that don't know much about the latest computer parts.

 

[gggplaya]

It's refreshing because while other retailers are closing stores and bracing for a recession, Microcenter is expanding!

They really need a store in the Seattle area.

 

[AgentBirdnest]

They really need to open a store in Utah. Somewhere near Point of the Mountain, between Salt Lake and Utah county. Utah is a massive tech hub with tons of geeky people who love computing.

Yes! Of course I'd love to see one in southern Utah where I'm living now, but Point of the Mountain would be a perfect location that makes perfect sense. I'd happily make a 2 hour drive to shop there.

 

[smrose]

A key strategy in keeping their margins low is not buying adverts. That's not delightful for the newspapers that could use the ad revenue but does help with prices.

 

[nimbulan]

Like many others here, after Fry's went out of business there's nothing here but Best Buy. The closest Micro Center is 1000 miles away and they've had so many deals I would have jumped on if a store were within an accessible distance.

 

[Co BIY]

My thoughts :

How are people only spending 45 minutes in the store?

Everything about Microcenter is old school retail except the products. The Denver store is very dense with product and "eager" sales reps. When I went this last weekend it was the busiest and best stocked I've ever seen it.

They definitely don't pay for premium location. When people are coming from states away they don't need drive-by business. The Denver store is behind a 7-11 and a Falafel shop and next door to a shoe repair store.

 

[USAFRet]

How are people only spending 45 minutes in the store?

If it's your local store, no problem.

Stop in on the way home from work to pick up something.

 

[TechieTwo]

The problem I have with Micro Center is that they exploit consumers. Since it's a long drive to the nearest one to me they only get my business when they have something I want or need now. While their prices are generally competitive they aren't better than I can typically find online including delivery. Making me drive a long distance to purchase a product they could sell me online does not encourage me to buy more from them.

I fully understand that getting people in stores can cause many to buy other items they never intended to buy but that's not how I roll. It may be there Biz model but it doesn't work well for me when I am inconvenienced to make a purchase at their store a long ways from my home.

 

[USAFRet]

The problem I have with Micro Center is that they exploit consumers. Since it's a long drive to the nearest one to me they only get my business when they have something I want or need now. While their prices are generally competitive they aren't better than I can typically find online including delivery. Making me drive a long distance to purchase a product they could sell me online does not encourage me to buy more from them.

I fully understand that getting people in stores can cause many to buy other items they never intended to buy but that's not how I roll. It may be there Biz model but it doesn't work well for me when I am inconvenienced to make a purchase at their store a long ways from my home.

"exploiting consumers"?

How, exactly, are they forcing you to make that long drive?

 

[domih]

San Francisco Bay Area here. I did not care when Fry's closed down. I was already going to Central Computers for years. The perfect little computer stores carrying the products for the power users who know what they are looking for. They do not carry the pos stuff you found in Fry's or still find in BestBuy. Prices are similar to NewEgg and sometimes better. Good range of choice too. Otherwise I buy used stuff on eBay. I avoid Amazon or BestBuy like the plague.

 

[drtweak]

SO GLAD the only one in CA is only 1 exit away from my work.