Financial News
- 9 November 2012, 15:42
Collapsed Comet 'Massive' Sale Slated Online
Customers who rushed to a sale at Comet have expressed disappointment over the level of discount.
The electronics retailer had announced a "massive stock liquidation" ahead of store closures as early as next week, but angry shoppers took to Twitter to complain about the price reductions.
Scott Houston said: "Comet 'Firesale' is no more than 10-15% off. Prices aren't even competitive with online prices. Time wasted."
And Matt Arthur tweeted: "Anyone thinking of going to the Comet 'liquidation sale', don't bother. 10% off audiovisual, 20% off kitchen appliances, still cheaper online."
Ajay Deshpande added: "If you are looking for cheap electrical goods then don't go to the Comet 'sale'!"
In response, a spokesman for administrator Deloitte said: "The discounts are gentle. It's not a hard sale."
The sell-off, which began at 9am on Thursday, is only available in its 236 stores, with customers unable to buy products online.
But some customers did manage to bag a bargain, with Alex Pegg tweeting: "In-pulse (sic) buy of the day, an Apple ProBook (£100 off from Comet)".
The electrical chain said gift vouchers would be accepted on sale items, following the temporary suspension of the tokens over the weekend.
But it warned customers it would not offer refunds, and any items ordered before the company went into administration that have not been paid for will not be delivered.
Comet's administrator Deloitte is in the process of winding down the business following its collapse on Friday, which leaves 6,600 jobs hanging in the balance.
But rival Dixons, which owns Currys and PC World, postponed hiring 3,000 Christmas staff by a week to allow Comet staff to apply.
It said it was "amazed" by the number of Comet employees that had enquired about positions so far.
Deloitte is attempting to find a buyer for the business and would not comment on speculation over store closures - although reports suggest stores could start to be closed next week.
If the chain does collapse, it will become one of the biggest high street casualties since Woolworths in 2008.
what do you think?
Mike Anon
No refunds on any faulty sale goods? I won't be buying anything, I've had faulty goods from Comet before. I'm not that desperate for a few pounds off.
Jo Brierley
I stopped shopping with them years ago due to faulty goods, rubbish service and really poor aftercare service. Perhaps I wasn't alone
Lorgar Aurelian
And that's why they're going out of business. Curry's always been better in every way.
shirley sutton
How you going to return them if they're closing down that's why it's reduced!!!
ali baba
i am going to comet today goods will still be in warranty people
Michael Hawkins
Just buy by credit card if over £100.00 - if all goes wrong the card company has to refund your money - many goods come with a manufacturers guarantee
johnmcfarlane10
Heres hoping all the stsff find jobs
Stuart Robinson
Hardly surprising. Would be pc world next at a push given there over priced ways preying on the gullible to flog em 1/2 a tonne of stuff they don't need. You stay in the business by being competitive not relying on a name.
Steve Marshall
I went to comets today and currys next door were still cheaper on similar products, I'm sure if comets knock 30-50% off its products they'll clear the shelves in a day
bjnk
The idea of an administrator is to realise as much money as possable for its creditors, or prefrably secure a buyer to take on the liabilities and return the company to profitability. They will not do that with your suggestion.
Eric Clutterbean
i went to comet to purchase a radiogramophone to play my lps they said they didnt have any i am disgusted at them waisting my time they dony even sell repacement valves for my television
David Francis
Why don't you send them a telegram to complain?
Gordon Berry
I can't believe they had no valves!!!
Peter Coates
Like all the other retailers, offering ninety per cent off. All crooks. If they still make a profit by discounting then it must be a big one.
Diane Rogers
When do retailers offer 90 per cent off never seen that,companys are in business to make money. Like it or not
tyneview33
It's because of all greedy people wanting bargains all the time which is putting people out of work.
IRONSTINE
no its the greedy privileged and out of touch government
Lorgar Aurelian
There is no sale. I went down last weekend and Currys were still cheaper.
Gerry Mckenna
Think twice about buying exstended waranteys look what happened to Rumberlows now Commet bewarned.
Lorgar Aurelian
Oh i know Gerry, wouldn't dream about a major electrical purchase from Comet even before they went bust, i was looking for peripherals, cabling, screen cleaners and the like.
jimmy jelly1979
you're all sheep , MOO! MOO! . you're all blind, this is not about tv's , dvd's and cookers . it's about oil ! . wake up! . america , the evil satan is using comet stores to steal our oil . you all sit there and while your country is stolen from under your feet
Alison E. Blaber
Blimey theres some greedy people out there, jumping on the band wagon and probably hoping to flog the buys on ebay in time for Christmas. Peoples comments about being disgusted with the small discounts - GET A GRIP, theres going to be alot of people out of work thats disgusting not the fact you haven't been able to fill your boots!
Lorgar Aurelian
Well Saint Alison, that's one high horse you're astride, it may surprise you but people will always do that and have done throughout time. Buying these goods is not without risk in itself. In fact, by buying up stock we may be the best chance these people will stay in work. It is sad that jobs may be lost but so might anyone's. And is it any surprise they're going bump when Curry's is STILL cheaper?
Diane Rogers
Well said Alison I work in retail vultures picking over the bones.
bjnk
Well said Alison.
Dave Harrison
Alison Well done. Makes a nice change someone actually thinking about others rather than bemoaning their apparent lack of a bargain
bjnk
Lorgar, your totally out of touch if you think buying up the stock gives the employee's the best chance of staying in work. This is an administration process, employee's names will already be registered with DWP and staff in the jobcentres will have ether been or planning to see staff in the very near future. Definately not Saint Lorgar.
shirley sutton
How can people complain that they've not discounted enough when there's going to be hundreds of people losing their jobs right on Christmas - selfish attitude
Lorgar Aurelian
Because they claim there's a sale. There's not.
Diane Rogers
What did the signs say
shirley sutton
There is a sale up to 30% off that's a sale is t it?
Diane Rogers
The words up to says what it is
shirley sutton
What do you want if its reduced its a sale? Go and see the big things have got 30% off - for goodness sake people are losing their jobs and you're winging over up to????
Diane Rogers
Exactly Shirley.people see what they want to see I get it all the time where I work they don't care about the staff loosing their jobs
bjnk
It is not a sale, can no one read what it says in the store windows.
Lorgar Aurelian
Caveat Emptor people...
Gordon Wright
How true...............
jane cumming
These peaple out for bargains and complaining are no better than rats leaving a sinking ship.
shirley sutton
Agree with you Jane
Diane Rogers
Well said
t.bulgin
Why ? They are hunting for bargains, seems like a good thing to do in hard times. Are you saying that you wouldn't pick up a bargain if it came your way and it was something you wanted ? It's not like they are taking from the people who have lost jobs. I may have missed something, but I really cannot understand your logic.
t.bulgin
jane, what do you expect rats to do when the ship sinks ? and don't humans leave it as well if they can ? Silly saying really, when you think about it.
bjnk
As the days go by the administrators will start to reduce the price further, then more and more vultures will decend to feed off the corpse. There could even be argueing and fighting over items and not one of these people will give a hoot about the plight of the staff, just like the venture capitalists who bought comet for £2 and recieved a £50 million dowry,they have already eaten well.Of course they have thrown away the carcass for us taxpayers to fund the funeral.
Windows Live User
If the pricing of lines looks attractive it will be sold in bulk to competitors in a good deal for the administrators. Not sold piece by piece to the public. Dont hang around looking for "gifts"
bjnk
WLU, its only usually goods that are in warehousing which will be sold to a bulk buyer as they will not be shipped out to the branches because of the cost in doing so. All items including fixtures and fittings at branch level will go on general sale to anyone.
ali baba
this news is about a sale. what people are angry about is the way comet at the end is still trying to con people by charging over the odds we all have empathy for staff, but this news has no significance with the staff losing there jobs
Diane Rogers
How are they conning people
ali baba
Hello Diane. Comet is not competative price wise, hence their collapse. They made people believe their sale was big. "massive stck clearance" accompanied by "administration" should mean more then 10% off lol
Diane Rogers
That's not a con.it's how retail works at the moment they need every penny
bjnk
The idea of an administrator is to realise as much money as possable for its creditors, or prefrably secure a buyer to take on the liabilities and return the company to profitability. It is not a SALE. Unfortunatly by the looks of it no buyer has been found, what we are seeing is probably Comet in the last throws of death, and all the implications to the staff and creditors.
Windows Live User
It's a Sale not a give-away
Neil C
Must say if a company will not pay down on its debts when times are good then what do you get when it's bad. Collapse!!! Pure management issue at the top and accounts not making sure creditors were being paid in the first place. Staff will be last to be paid and management will be first to leg it with the jewels.
ynysygwas
As far as I can judge the reduced prices at this closing down 'sale' are still higher than other shops. I bought a radio in Comet today and find I could have still got it cheaper from Amazon! Proves that Comet were overpriced/non-competitive and helps explain why they've gone under.
Russell6730
10:46am on 8/11/2012
The rule is when buying in these circumstances is dont even think of buying on line and dont buy anything from the shop you can't carry out.
PinkyLilac
11:01am on 8/11/2012
Some loon will buy a washing machine which will break down the moment comet goes bust..
Jo Brierley
1:58pm on 8/11/2012
You cant buy online...at least I couldn't . I tried to see how much everything was first and I couldnt get into the site.
Peter Edwardson
2:18pm on 8/11/2012
Good advice.
Gordon Berry
7:42pm on 8/11/2012
The washing machine should be covered by a manufacturers guarantee