Dick Smith: 189 of 386 stores set to close

[keithr]

So what?
http://www.wiltronics.com.au/

There have always been places like that, the thing about the old DS was
that they were round the corner if you wanted the odd resistor or
capacitor. Jaycar is the nearest thing now.

 

[Krypsis]

because it's a throwaway situation now with electronic items. you wont
find many TV repair shops these days.

The items are throwaway because of their cheapness. The cost of repair
frequently exceeds the initial cost of the equipment. As well, much of
the stuff you buy these days is either not designed to be repaired or
the cost of components to do so makes it prohibitive.

 

[bristan]

"Don McKenzie" wrote in message Off with Dick’s head: 189 stores set to close

Its just evolution.
I just had a Samsung led tv repaired because the earphone socket had broken.
The whole board was replaced and it only had two boards inside. Even techs
are not using many components

Silicon chip is full of arduino and picaxe as well as other microprocessor
projects.
Components will probably only be available from niche suppliers in the
future.

Many businesses have come and gone/going due to changing technology. Kodak
being a prime example







woolworths’ strategic review of Dick Smith is drawing to an end, and CLSA
analysts predict 189 of the retailers’ 386
stores could close as a result.

Parent company Woolworths is reviewing the electronics retailer due to
underperforming sales, and CLSA analysts believe
the best option is to reduce store numbers.

"We believe that Woolworths will close up to 189 stores (out of 386) that
are deemed unviable and invest significant
effort in pursuing an online strategy to support the 'bricks and mortar'
presence," analysts David Thomas and Richard
Barwick wrote in a report entitled "Off With Dick's Head".

"While some may see this as a band-aid measure, we believe it will give
Woolworths an ability to improve profitability,
continue to be a relevant player in consumer electronics and allow it to
minimise the initial liability-writedown,” the
report read.

Full Story:
http://www.connectedaustralia.com/N...with-Dick-s-head-189-stores-set-to-close.aspx

Cheers Don...

====================

--
Don McKenzie

Dontronics: http://www.dontronics-shop.com/

DuinoMite the PIC32 $35 Basic Computer-MicroController
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/the-maximite-computer.html
Just add a VGA monitor or TV, and PS2 Keyboard.
Arduino Shield, Programmed in Basic, or C.

 

[Clocky]

because it's a throwaway situation now with electronic items. you wont
find many TV repair shops these days.

Plenty of people are hobbyists (like me), but almost everyone sources their
information and parts online now.

 

[Clocky]

yes, I know. Dicky had kits for just about everything. but the
electronic parts and components were pretty cheap and nasty and
overpriced. He made his money by importing cheap junk and selling it
at inflated prices, and from his kits. in those days he had little
competition, but you could always get better electronic parts from
electronic parts stores like Radio Parts, until they started selling
the cheap stuff to compete. I recall when Radio Parts used to sell
mostly German plugs, sockets, etc. then when they started selling the
imported shit you couldn't even solder half their stuff without it
falling apart. Dicky was also one of the first retailers to get into
computers, with the Sinclair, etc., He had little competition with
the PC's.

DSE never sold the Sinclair range. He sold mostly cheapo knockoff clones of
Apple, Tandy (CAT, System 80), and rebadged Vtech (HK) produced stuff like
the VZ200, VZ300 and Wizzard consoles. To be fair to him, whilst he did
import all this stuff, he also introduced computers to people who otherwise
may not have been able to afford one.
After Woolworths got involved they started selling later Commodore PC's, as
well as their own branded range. Probably some clones as well.

 

[SG1]

"Don McKenzie" wrote in message Off with Dick’s head: 189 stores set to close

Its just evolution.
I just had a Samsung led tv repaired because the earphone socket had
broken. The whole board was replaced and it only had two boards inside.
Even techs are not using many components

Silicon chip is full of arduino and picaxe as well as other microprocessor
projects.
Components will probably only be available from niche suppliers in the
future.

Many businesses have come and gone/going due to changing technology.
Kodak being a prime example

Good example of a company killed by it's own invention and not following up
on it.

 

[Krypsis]

DSE never sold the Sinclair range. He sold mostly cheapo knockoff clones of
Apple, Tandy (CAT, System 80), and rebadged Vtech (HK) produced stuff like
the VZ200, VZ300 and Wizzard consoles. To be fair to him, whilst he did
import all this stuff, he also introduced computers to people who otherwise
may not have been able to afford one.
After Woolworths got involved they started selling later Commodore PC's, as
well as their own branded range. Probably some clones as well.

Back in 78 - ~ 82 DSE sold Exidy Sorcerer computers as well. There was a
user group for them IIRC. Advanced for its time but still it fell by the
wayside. I bought a Sorcerer from Rod Irving Electronics (RIE). It was
the last he had in stock in his (then) only store in Northcote, Vic. It
was a display model and I kept it for a few years before passing it
along to a friend in the mining game in WA for use as a word processor.

RIE gathered a few more branches, a warehouse and bankruptcy. I last saw
him when he was opening his Box Hill store in what I considered a poor
location. Had a bit of a chat about the state of affairs in the
electronic component industry. He told me that his largest profit
margins were in components. He had a bunch of women in his warehouse
stuffing plastic bags with resistors, capacitors, diodes and the like.
Huge markups on the components but was lucky to get 10 - 20 percent on a
beige box PC of that era.

 

[Rod Speed]

Good example of a company killed by it's own invention and not following up on it.

It hasnt been killed, its only in Chapter 11, which allows it to continue.

And it isnt even possible to follow up on the invention that destroyed its basis
in a way that avoids the result they got.

 

[Jeßus]

No it didn't.

I worked for DSE and parts sales were almost insignifcant

Yes, but when exactly? You mention online and Jaycar, most of us are
thinking back to the 1980's, at least.

 

[Jeßus]

They were at one time handy for electronics, like components and stuff and
had a decent range of tools for electronics work...

And also agents for Yaesu. DSE was very useful back in the old days
and a lot of the staff were actually knowledgeable about electronics
(!)

 

[swanny]

Back in 78 - ~ 82 DSE sold Exidy Sorcerer computers as well. There was a
user group for them IIRC. Advanced for its time but still it fell by the
wayside. I bought a Sorcerer from Rod Irving Electronics (RIE). It was
the last he had in stock in his (then) only store in Northcote, Vic. It
was a display model and I kept it for a few years before passing it
along to a friend in the mining game in WA for use as a word processor.

RIE gathered a few more branches, a warehouse and bankruptcy. I last saw
him when he was opening his Box Hill store in what I considered a poor
location. Had a bit of a chat about the state of affairs in the
electronic component industry. He told me that his largest profit
margins were in components. He had a bunch of women in his warehouse
stuffing plastic bags with resistors, capacitors, diodes and the like.
Huge markups on the components but was lucky to get 10 - 20 percent on a
beige box PC of that era.

Sure, you can get 500% markup on a resistor, but then you are only
making a few more cents. Hobbyist component supply is not really high
volume. 10% on a $1000 beige box is still going to be easier and more
profitable than 500% on a bag of resistors.

 

[Clocky]

Back in 78 - ~ 82 DSE sold Exidy Sorcerer computers as well. There
was a user group for them IIRC. Advanced for its time but still it
fell by the wayside. I bought a Sorcerer from Rod Irving Electronics
(RIE). It was the last he had in stock in his (then) only store in
Northcote, Vic. It was a display model and I kept it for a few years
before passing it along to a friend in the mining game in WA for use
as a word processor.

Quite right, I forgot about the Sorcerer is one I don't have yet.

RIE gathered a few more branches, a warehouse and bankruptcy. I last
saw him when he was opening his Box Hill store in what I considered a
poor location. Had a bit of a chat about the state of affairs in the
electronic component industry. He told me that his largest profit
margins were in components. He had a bunch of women in his warehouse
stuffing plastic bags with resistors, capacitors, diodes and the like.
Huge markups on the components but was lucky to get 10 - 20 percent
on a beige box PC of that era.

That's true and whilst components may have had a huge markup you also needed
to sell them in volume.

 

[Petzl]

Sure, you can get 500% markup on a resistor, but then you are only
making a few more cents. Hobbyist component supply is not really high
volume. 10% on a $1000 beige box is still going to be easier and more
profitable than 500% on a bag of resistors.

Haven't been there for a while is David Reid Electronics 127 York St,
Sydney still selling bits? (behind Queen victoria building).

 

[Clocky]

Yes, but when exactly? You mention online and Jaycar, most of us are
thinking back to the 1980's, at least.

They only dropped the parts line last year, but even a decade ago they were
insignificant as far as profitability goes.

 

[Yaputya Leftlegin]

They only dropped the parts line last year, but even a decade ago they
were insignificant as far as profitability goes.

Sad but true.
When Dick Smith started up, parts and kits were the main attraction.
I bought my first amplifier as a kit from Dick Smith at Gore Hill by mail
order.
There was only one Dick Smith store at the time (1973).
The amp kit was an EA Playmaster 136, and the kit was perfect-nothing
missing.

 

[felix_unger]

The items are throwaway because of their cheapness. The cost of repair
frequently exceeds the initial cost of the equipment. As well, much of
the stuff you buy these days is either not designed to be repaired or
the cost of components to do so makes it prohibitive.

I know

--
rgds,

Pete
-------
“If Julia is the answer, then what was the stupid question?!”

"Julia finally got something right. Older people don't vote Labor, because they have seen too many incompetent, mismanaging, money-wasting Labor governments"

"I regard the prime minister to be in breach of the written agreement she signed, leaving me no option but to honour my word and end my current relationship with her government. We should be able to trust our politicians to keep their word. Frankly a deal is a deal" - Andrew Wilkie, Federal Member for Denison

“All that's needed now is a small miracle to rid us of the worst prime minister and the worst government in Australia's history”

"If the WORLD as a whole cut ALL emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over on thousand years" - Tim Flannery, Climate Commissioner

 

[felix_unger]

And also agents for Yaesu. DSE was very useful back in the old days
and a lot of the staff were actually knowledgeable about electronics
(!)

yes, he only employed electronics nuts



--
rgds,

Pete
-------
“If Julia is the answer, then what was the stupid question?!”

"Julia finally got something right. Older people don't vote Labor, because they have seen too many incompetent, mismanaging, money-wasting Labor governments"

"I regard the prime minister to be in breach of the written agreement she signed, leaving me no option but to honour my word and end my current relationship with her government. We should be able to trust our politicians to keep their word. Frankly a deal is a deal" - Andrew Wilkie, Federal Member for Denison

“All that's needed now is a small miracle to rid us of the worst prime minister and the worst government in Australia's history”

"If the WORLD as a whole cut ALL emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over on thousand years" - Tim Flannery, Climate Commissioner

 

[felix_unger]

"Don McKenzie" wrote in message Off with Dick’s head: 189 stores set to close

Its just evolution.
I just had a Samsung led tv repaired because the earphone socket had
broken. The whole board was replaced and it only had two boards
inside. Even techs are not using many components

That's all they do now -replace the PCB. and they don't repair the old
board. it's just case of replace with new.

Silicon chip is full of arduino and picaxe as well as other
microprocessor projects.
Components will probably only be available from niche suppliers in the
future.

Many businesses have come and gone/going due to changing technology.
Kodak being a prime example







woolworths’ strategic review of Dick Smith is drawing to an end, and
CLSA analysts predict 189 of the retailers’ 386
stores could close as a result.

Parent company Woolworths is reviewing the electronics retailer due to
underperforming sales, and CLSA analysts believe
the best option is to reduce store numbers.

"We believe that Woolworths will close up to 189 stores (out of 386)
that are deemed unviable and invest significant
effort in pursuing an online strategy to support the 'bricks and
mortar' presence," analysts David Thomas and Richard
Barwick wrote in a report entitled "Off With Dick's Head".

"While some may see this as a band-aid measure, we believe it will
give Woolworths an ability to improve profitability,
continue to be a relevant player in consumer electronics and allow it
to minimise the initial liability-writedown,” the
report read.

Full Story:
http://www.connectedaustralia.com/N...with-Dick-s-head-189-stores-set-to-close.aspx


Cheers Don...

====================

--
rgds,

Pete
-------
“If Julia is the answer, then what was the stupid question?!”

"Julia finally got something right. Older people don't vote Labor, because they have seen too many incompetent, mismanaging, money-wasting Labor governments"

"I regard the prime minister to be in breach of the written agreement she signed, leaving me no option but to honour my word and end my current relationship with her government. We should be able to trust our politicians to keep their word. Frankly a deal is a deal" - Andrew Wilkie, Federal Member for Denison

“All that's needed now is a small miracle to rid us of the worst prime minister and the worst government in Australia's history”

"If the WORLD as a whole cut ALL emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over on thousand years" - Tim Flannery, Climate Commissioner

 

[Clocky]

That's all they do now -replace the PCB. and they don't repair the old
board. it's just case of replace with new.

Wrong. Samsung do repair boards where it is economically viable (like
replacing the caps in the power boards in some of their TV models) but it's
not done by the partswapper but by a service and repair centre.

I know this for a fact as I have a friend who is a service tech with
Samsung.

 

[felix_unger]

Wrong. Samsung do repair boards where it is economically viable (like
replacing the caps in the power boards in some of their TV models) but it's
not done by the partswapper but by a service and repair centre.

I know this for a fact as I have a friend who is a service tech with
Samsung.

well maybe they do with the older stuff, but not with Plasma / LCD
panels. at least that is what two Samsung techs have told me


--
rgds,

Pete
-------
“If Julia is the answer, then what was the stupid question?!”

"Julia finally got something right. Older people don't vote Labor, because they have seen too many incompetent, mismanaging, money-wasting Labor governments"

"I regard the prime minister to be in breach of the written agreement she signed, leaving me no option but to honour my word and end my current relationship with her government. We should be able to trust our politicians to keep their word. Frankly a deal is a deal" - Andrew Wilkie, Federal Member for Denison

“All that's needed now is a small miracle to rid us of the worst prime minister and the worst government in Australia's history”

"If the WORLD as a whole cut ALL emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over on thousand years" - Tim Flannery, Climate Commissioner