Dick Smith Enters in Liquidation, Closure of Stores / Closing Down, Sales

Lthe-mal on 04/01/2016 - 11:21
Last edited 02/05/2016 - 15:37 by 3 other users

Dick Smith shares are now in a trading halt with an announcement on debt financing due by Wednesday.

More bad news for Dick.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/dick-smith-shares-ente…

Get the bargains whilst they last because I can't see Dick Smith existing much longer.

Recent Updates:

Discounts via BI:

Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch: 5%
Apple cables: 30%
Game consoles and games: 20%
All TVs: 20%
Samsung phones, tablets and TVs: 20%
All Smartphones (Except iPhone): 20%
Laptops: 20%
Microsoft, including Surface products: 20%
Drones: 20%
DSLR cameras: 20%
Headphones, including Beats: 30%

Older Updates:

General Discussion

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

Comments

    • phocus on 26/02/2016 - 12:55
      +7

      poor you….

      mean while this guy loses his job

      • immo on 26/02/2016 - 13:04
        -5

        I emphasize with him losing his job, in fact i had a great conversation with the other guy yesterday, he was telling me there were signs of this happening for months and he had applied at other places so he wasn't worried, we chatted about what caused it etc. But regardless of me trying to find the price or not he will still his job, and there is nothing I can do about it, does that mean I should not buy anything because I feel bad for them? The new dude could've saved me 40 minutes by using 30 seconds of his time. I’ve been waiting for this particular item since the December sales (was overseas), and it’s for something useful (uni work).

        • watts on 27/02/2016 - 15:12
          +2

          sympathise

    • bennythejet on 26/02/2016 - 13:01
      +6

      The staff don't care. They're more concerned with finding their next job.
      During their crazy pre-Christmas sale I put a deposit down on a laptop because the staff member said they couldn't hold any items but putting a deposit down meant they couldn't sell it to anyone else. Went back the next day to pick it up and it had been sold to someone else. :(

      • GameChanger on 26/02/2016 - 13:19

        What incentive do you have to care?

        • bennythejet on 26/02/2016 - 13:31
          +2

          None. I didn't mean to sound like I'm condemning them. Knowing you will be out of a job in a few weeks is horrible. I can totally understand why they would not give two hoots about the company or any bargain hungry customers trying to swoop in on any last minute deals.

        • GameChanger on 26/02/2016 - 13:38
          +4

          @bennythejet: Yep we now expect even worse customer service.

        • t_c on 27/02/2016 - 14:51
          +2

          @bennythejet:
          "Knowing you will be out of a job in a few weeks is horrible"

          Not having a job was one of the best times of my life.

  • CyberGenesys on 26/02/2016 - 12:56
    +2

    Went to Eastland (Ringwood Victoria), really not a sale. The discounts are off normal prices which just makes this a standard 'weekly' sale for dicksmith. Logitech pc accessories were 20% off and still more expensive than elsewhere. 20% of Netgear had routers still well above everyday standard prices from elsewhere. I'm not sure they actually want to sell anything with the prices they are listing.

  • pyramid on 26/02/2016 - 13:21

    Been to ducky at Swanson street neat telstra shop, Melbourne. Nothing special bargain but there are loads of people n buying stuff…

  • StickMan on 26/02/2016 - 13:37
    +1

    Standard 10-30% off as per any other day in my local store. Seems everyone has this experience.

    Confirmed - Australia has no sales now.

  • KiLeAk on 26/02/2016 - 13:43
    +1

    Also went the store in the Melbourne CBD, mental, people everywhere trying to find a deal - little do they realise they are just buying at normal sale price!

    As nothing is advertised, I did overhear a conversation that if you ask staff they will tell you the better price/discount (normal sale vs closing down sale) - but good luck in finding staff ;-)

    • StickMan on 26/02/2016 - 13:47

      I quietly lol'd, because this morning there were 20 or so people. But we had the same reaction. We all just looked around bewildered and then left the store hahhaa.

  • berger on 26/02/2016 - 13:44
    +8

    It is so frustrating that nearly everyone is expecting items to be marked down so heavily so soon. they have 8 weeks to clear stock, below is a guide i made up, but would be similar in store i think

    the first week, at 20% off, you will find probably 1/3 of the stock will be gone, purely because of the media hype, every TV channel, paper, word of mouth etc.

    second to third week, if the min is 30% off, then some good bargains start appearing..

    when they are at 50-60% off, it will be the crap left, so no half price Macbooks or Ipads.

    whens its 80-90% off its just crap phone cases and probably shop fittings

    • StickMan on 26/02/2016 - 13:49
      +2

      So what you're saying is that the collective Australia is dumb as shit? Because no other country in the world has 'sales' where it's on average like 5% off any one item in the store.

      • Lysander on 28/02/2016 - 10:13
        +2

        When it comes to cleverness with regards to recognising good prices and bargain, the general population in Australia does not win any prizes (OB members and members of other similar sites excluded).
        Otherwise, companies would not still make mountains of money in Australia selling things much more expensive than elsewhere, especially digital goods which can easily be bought elsewhere.
        There is a reason companies hike up prices before they have a sale and then people still buy it because they think it is a bargain. They do it because it WORKS here.

  • franco cozzo on 26/02/2016 - 17:49
    +7

    you know what the real shame is….? how much were going to miss all the 'dick' jokes when they finally do go down under.

  • BobbyJ on 26/02/2016 - 18:18
    +1

    Called Dicksmith and they said Dicksmith have never sold Surface products. Is this true?

    • Associateddaanish @ Dick Smith / Kogan on 26/02/2016 - 19:20
      +5

      Sure is. JB HiFi and Harvey Norman got the retailer exclusive. Obviously you can also buy from MS direct.

      • BobbyJ on 26/02/2016 - 19:39

        Oh, okay. Thanks.

  • mikezillakind on 26/02/2016 - 20:35

    so do you guys think some other store will move in to fill the gap ? not suggesting there is one , somthing we havent needed for a long time is a store that sells everything or less then what every other store sells at a higher % than there competing stores

    • muncan on 26/02/2016 - 21:34
      +7

      Replaced by a Fanny Jones Electronics chain?
      Seems unlikely.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/02/2016 - 22:19

        more like Fanny John's

    • GreatWhiteHunter on 26/02/2016 - 21:43
      +2

      Jaycar is going to move into a lot of their choice sites…

      • [Deactivated] on 26/02/2016 - 22:34
        +4

        Not sure if I want to move in where Dick has been

  • GameChanger on 26/02/2016 - 21:53
    +3

    So the blind are leading the blind.

    Flight Center is offering help to DS staff; FC is a model that will be the next to close down.

    • mikezillakind on 27/02/2016 - 11:26

      FC ? i could see harvey normans going down the crapper ( at least there games/ tv department) how ever gerry holds alot of money.

      • GameChanger on 27/02/2016 - 11:37
        +1

        Flight Centre= FC.

    • Flowerbomb on 28/02/2016 - 21:38
      +5

      Totally agree. FC usually takes up really expensive shopping centre leases, plus there's always more sales reps than customers whenever I walk pass.

      • GameChanger on 28/02/2016 - 21:52

        Yep, honestly think FC won't be here in the next 10 years. They need to shift their business and really concentrate on exclusive flight + hotel packages if they're going to survive.

        I imagine they have a high staff turn over since most would be on commission basis.

  • burningrage on 26/02/2016 - 21:54
    +7

    Guys,

    Be careful before you buy in-store.

    I bought a Cable TV cable clearly marked at $40 and a discount of 40% was offered. So the price after discount would be $24

    Instead, I got charged $30 because the item is in fact shown in computer as having an RRP of $50. So 40% of $50 becomes $30.

    I took the price tag to show the counter and the guy said, "I didn't put the label there and I can't issue refund to you" and continued to serve others.

    Set aside that I was very angry of this clearly fraudulent act, I just want to warn others when buying instore, get the guy to confirm the RRP first before committing to buy. This could be a different item like for example, TV.

    This is Knox Dicksmith and the operator is Angelo. I have all the pictures and the original price tag and the final tax invoice to prove this.

    As a question, can you perform a chargeback on instore purchases?

    • IceCreamBandit on 26/02/2016 - 22:32

      There probably would have been some '*' on the 40% off sign and some condition about the discount coming off RRP or the standard price. Fair enough that you've come here to warn others, but you should have been more vigilant at the register before you paid for it.

      Just try go back tomorrow and speak to another employee or ask for the manager and explain the situation. If you're lucky you'll get the difference back.

      As a question, can you perform a chargeback on instore purchases?

      Are you going to return the cable as well? Or just doing a chargeback and keeping the cable?

      • burningrage on 27/02/2016 - 08:11

        Re: Returning the Cable.

        Yes I will be if the option is available.

        Re: * on 40%.

        I took the RRP tag from the hook and showed it to the staff. As I said, I can upload the tag here to show that it is the RRP.

        Anyway, the purpose of the post is to warn others that what the hook tag price shows may not be accurate. I do agree I should be more vigilant on this.

        I assumed given the predicament the staffs are facing, I would be more trusting they would be doing the right thing. Clearly my trust was misplaced.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2016 - 13:54
      +1

      who told you to pay for an item when it costs more than you were willing to pay?

      dude didnt force you to cough up the money, when he said how much you should of said no

      • burningrage on 27/02/2016 - 16:22
        +2

        Here was the scenario. 20 people were queuing to buy stuff. I gave the cable to staff for scanning and unfortunately i also bought something else so when i was given a final figure, i could only guestimate the figure sounds right. Tapped and Paid.

        Then i got the docket. I looked at the cable item and i noticed its higher than i expected. Pulled out the calc and sure enough it was wrong.

        I showed it to him and the rest is as per above.

        Now you choose either what you are suggesting is actually they are in the right (that is you condone what he did) or you actually dont agree with what he did.

        By all means you dont have to take heed of my experience but you cant say you werent warned.

  • ninetyNineCents on 27/02/2016 - 07:55
    +1

    How the hell is this not Harvey Norman. They are almost the most costly retailer on anything they sell. Their staff are useless at best they just read the txt on the box and stand around.

    • muncan on 27/02/2016 - 09:29

      Mr Harvey argued that Harvey Norman was one of the best-performing retailers in the world, its growth exceeding the Australian economy and retail sales growth.
      http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/gerry-har…

      • ninetyNineCents on 27/02/2016 - 19:36
        +2

        I'm not arguing about the reality, I know that HN business is basically healthy, I'm wondering why.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2016 - 15:14
      +2

      HN is as much a property company as it is a retailer. 40% of its profit last FY was from their property portfolio, and in some years property had made up almost all of the yearly profit the group has made. The franchise model used by HN also pushes a lot of the risk onto individual franchise owners, rather than the main business itself. Also known for its financing/interest free, even though most retailers offer this these days. Also because furniture has ENORMOUS margins, and seems to prop up a lot of the franchisees (most of the Computers/Electrical only HN stores have closed down, at least here in WA in the last 5 years or so - albeit most of those stores were old Rick Hart/Clive Peeters/Chandlers/Billy Guyatts/Vox Group acquisitions)

      • ninetyNineCents on 27/02/2016 - 19:38

        I agree with what your saying, but why does anyone still keep buying at HN?

        • muncan on 27/02/2016 - 19:51
          +2

          Only 0.59% of Australians have OzBargain accounts… possibly HN is targeting the other 99.41%

        • regenade on 28/02/2016 - 02:02
          +1

          @muncan: And out of that 0.59% , 80% of them really just browse on their mobile and just go after the FPDs :P

      • markis10 on 29/02/2016 - 11:11

        You might want to look into how HN operates before commenting BOOCHAN, HN stores usually have a different franchisee for each department, so the furniture margins are not propping up the electronics. Each HN store is four/five businesses under one roof, which is why they have 194 franchised complexes in Australia but 678 franchisees.

    • Lockieasy on 28/02/2016 - 18:40
      +1

      Mostly people are ignorant, but yeah sometimes it's baffling how they make sales.

      My flatmate and I went looking at floorboards in HN without any prior knowledge of their price. The styles we looked at getting were like $60 per s/m. So we go off to nearby Bunnings expecting the prices to be maybe $5 or $10 cheaper. Well we found basically the same styles for just $7 per s/m… So you can guess who we're buying from!

    • malich on 02/03/2016 - 09:22

      Harvey's marketing strategy allows it to be a premium retailer and not rely on heavy discounting.Instead of advertising discounts, they instead offer 20months, 30months, 60 months interest free. The focus is always on finance and never on their prices.

      If you stand near a Harveys counter for 30 minutes you'll notice that most big ticket items are financed.

      What Harvey has done is simplify and streamline the process of buying goods that people don't have the money to afford.

      • PainToad on 02/03/2016 - 13:16

        buying goods that people don't have the money to afford

        Another reason to hate Harvey Norman.

  • werty98 on 27/02/2016 - 08:26

    So, Grand Saturday sale today? As usual?

  • KnownSystemError on 27/02/2016 - 10:16
    +2

    Purchased PS4 controller yesterday morning for C&C as Ingle Farm SA showing as in-stock but could not get to store until today. Received confirmation of order and payment taken. Called store today and most unhelpful staff member said there is no stock left anywhere and that I had been sold item online that was not available. Rude staff member and ridiculous sales process. Good riddance Dick Smith and to staff like that (note - not all DSE staff are bad, just the majority I have dealt with in the past)

    • BillyG687 on 28/02/2016 - 10:01
      +6

      Unfortunately you should've listened to what has been said on every single Dick Smith post since the issues arose. Do not buy online. Do not do click and collect. If you can't physically walk in, pay for it and then walk out with the item, do not buy it.

      • KnownSystemError on 28/02/2016 - 10:05

        I have made other purchases including postage as at least I'm more confident of getting my money back if no stock available. If I only waited until I went into store I would have missed other bargains

        • BillyG687 on 28/02/2016 - 12:48
          +3

          There's countless stories of other customers on here not being successful in getting their money back or at least been given the total run around. You should get your money back, but it's a lot of hassle and risk for a company that is shutting down due to what is ultimately a cash flow problem.

          To me the lower risk was 'missing out' in store and still keeping your money, versus 'potentially getting a good deal, but wasting time trying to get your money back'.

          Hope it all works out.

        • KnownSystemError on 28/02/2016 - 15:50

          Thanks. I'm pretty confident in getting my money back but to blanket say not to make any attempt to buy online means to miss out on some bargains. It is a different scenario post receceivors being brought in than purchasing just before they went bust. The issue being here that a lot of people commenting do not understand that receivers are actually doing what is legally required. My negative comments are about rude staff and inadequate stock management systems

        • kash1 on 28/02/2016 - 16:07

          @kwidjibo: Have you had time to go in and check? Ingle farm are still showing a few of the colours as available.

        • KnownSystemError on 28/02/2016 - 19:09
          +1

          @kashmir: Spoke to a girl on the phone who said they haven't had any controllers for a while. I should go into store as she really didn't seem to give a sh!t.

  • ATAR Survival Guide on 27/02/2016 - 11:17

    Went into the store yesterday hoping for a new tv, but at 20% it's still a rip off/somewhat reasonable. Not the mad sale I was expecting, what about everyone else?

    • franco cozzo on 27/02/2016 - 11:48
      +1

      …its dick what did you expect?

  • berger on 27/02/2016 - 11:40

    Hmm, Dick Smith and associated websites are down…

    • franco cozzo on 27/02/2016 - 11:47
      +4

      …well thats one way to save on overheads

  • JustZoe on 27/02/2016 - 11:54
    +1

    Yep their prices are still $$$$!!
    I was hoping for a magical GoPro Hero4 Silver edition sale - but it's still at $549 which comes no where near the $500 which is the cheapest I can find at the moment.

  • sweetnipples on 27/02/2016 - 12:11

    Looks like they are going to Milk it for all its worth.
    I really cant see any bargains being had

  • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2016 - 16:52

    I really cant see any bargains being had

    Come on people. Be kind. There are some very expensive receivers and liquidators to be paid. And let's not forgot the hordes of bean counters supporting them.

    </sarcasm>

  • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2016 - 16:53

    I suppose the left over stock will find its way to graysonline?

    • ninetyNineCents on 27/02/2016 - 19:39
      +6

      Grays is another ripoff. Prices are terrible, shipping is expensive I have no idea how they are still in business.

      • berger on 27/02/2016 - 20:05

        I saved $8000 by buying my kitchen appliances from Grays… High end brand and only shelled out $1800ish

        Cheap then, some stuff is dear though, but people think there are bargains because it's simply at Grays.

        • ninetyNineCents on 27/02/2016 - 20:11
          +1

          I guess I'm unlucky because when I've looked their prices are not bargains at all.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2016 - 10:26
          +1

          @ninetyNineCents:

          Well observed; I frequently hear people saying they picked up great bargains at Grayonline.

          Clearly I'm always looking at the wrong time or moment.

          That said, I have been very lucky on gumtree from time to time.

  • syousef on 27/02/2016 - 19:40
    +3

    The real liquidation sale was last year when they were throwing out Nikon and Canon DSLRs at ridiculous below cost prices.

  • 87percent on 27/02/2016 - 20:58
    +3

    Has anyone seen those battery operated toys that you put in water and they swim? There's a fish, turtle and a mermaid.. Has anyone seen them in store??

    • juzz0 on 28/02/2016 - 04:52
      +1

      Lol! Comment of the topic, wish I had. All the novelty gizmo drones (that will probably break in a week of you having them discounted by $3 or $4) are just to get customers in the door IMO. All big ticket items are 'Dick Smith' reduced, which means they are now on par with HN and JB. $800 for an i5 laptop with non SSD, integrated gfx and 1336 HD screen is not a bargain. It's amazing that people are buying them just because it's a 'crazy' sale I feel like shaking people and directing them online where they could save at least $100 off that price and not be dicked. Even officeworks are cheaper than this 'sale'. The drone deal posts should be merged as although they are different drones they represent hardly any saving and are not much of a bargain. If they were below $10 yes but they aren't bargains at those prices.

  • suchislife12 on 27/02/2016 - 21:35
    +5

    I witnessed someone pay over $180 for 2 Philips surge protectors today. Receivers must have been cheering

    • Charity on 29/02/2016 - 16:04
      +1

      haha.

      the shopfront window said "closing down bargains" ! how can that not be true!? lol

  • lancedefrance on 28/02/2016 - 09:24

    Does Dick Smith sell computer memory, I am after some DDR3 RAM and was wondering if they sold any. Couldnt find any on their site but wanted to double check. Cheers.

    • cwongtech on 28/02/2016 - 12:22

      Nope.
      Try some local comp shops like MSY or Umart.

  • berger on 28/02/2016 - 09:45

    i wonder if the David Jones DSE stores have any stock left??? That was wound up a month ago…

    • BillyG687 on 28/02/2016 - 12:50

      DJ's was wound up and their stock was sent to the Dick Smith stores. Chances are you should be able to spot some old DJ's stock on shelves that still have their DJ price stickers on there!

  • mikezillakind on 28/02/2016 - 09:59

    yea that reminds me what are david jones going to do lol ? simply not stock tvs and crap that they dont want to sell ?

  • shapers on 28/02/2016 - 14:48

    Just went in store and it was packed, about 30 people lining up checking out with items. There won't be any stock left when the good deals start

    • unity1 on 28/02/2016 - 16:28

      What sort of things were they buying? Most items remaining have probably been cheaper in the past during previous sales.

      • shapers on 28/02/2016 - 17:11

        All kinds of stuff, cables, cameras, toys.. a few shelves are already empty

  • b-hunterr on 28/02/2016 - 16:54

    I'm still annoyed that I wasn't able to get a canon DSLR camera :( . Highly doubt that they'll have any Canon DSLR's left.

    • unity1 on 28/02/2016 - 17:19
      +1

      I saw a Nikon D3300 SLK for $699 less 20%. So even with the 20% off it's still more expensive than other stores.

      • PainToad on 28/02/2016 - 17:49
        +2

        This is the Dick way.

  • berger on 28/02/2016 - 17:24
    +1

    Apparently stores are clearing stock very easily, 20% will go for at least 2 weeks I was told today.

    • unity1 on 28/02/2016 - 17:53

      The way stock is selling now it sounds like there won't be much come weeks 5-8. Chance of picking up a great bargain sound slim.

  • Ughhh on 28/02/2016 - 17:57
    +1

    Every DSE store I've walked past the last few days were full of customers, looking and lining up to pay. No doubt the majority of paying customers just assume 'closing down' sale must equal good deal. Probably won't be much left on the shelves when it hits 50%.

    • Stevecro on 28/02/2016 - 18:23
      +3

      I agree, I was 2 stores today as I happen to drive by them and they were packed. People are lining up with stuff that is 20% off, 30% off at most. By the time we reach 60 - 90% off there will be very little left that anyone really wants. It will be all overpriced cables, older products etc.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/02/2016 - 09:02
    +2

    i walked into 2 dse stores on the weekend, went to for a walk, everything seemed like it was normal price.
    epic bait and switch by dse again.

    • berger on 29/02/2016 - 09:11

      how?

      every single item is on clearance, most staff don't have the time to change price tickets manually. i was at Fountain Gate, and pretty much only the TV's had texta prices written on the tags, everything else just had to take discount off.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/02/2016 - 09:39
        +2

        there was no different prices written in texta, they had HDMI cables on sale for $29.95…

        • Charity on 29/02/2016 - 16:11
          +1

          Let's be honest, there is still enough dodo's buying into the "closing down" sales (i.e. 5% off RRP) that they don't need to discount any further.

          The administrators probably also have a perverse incentive to keep the stores open as long as possible to maximise their fees.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/02/2016 - 09:46
        -1

        because lets say for 3 years DSE has sold this product for 200 bucks… the price has never changed

        all of a sudden closing down sale 20% off is about to start, so what do they do? they put that item thats never cost more than 200 dollars UP…. so now that item cost 400 dollars, but hey, they are giving you 20% off… so you shyould be happy…

        now consider that they have done this with EVERY item in the store, are you starting to understand yet ?

  • seanneko on 29/02/2016 - 09:56
    +2

    How do returns work for things bought in the last few days? If it's faulty can you still take it back for a refund, or is the situation different now that they're in administration?

    • the-mal on 01/03/2016 - 22:18
      -3

      Doubt it. Money can go into the business but they'd be under strict instructions that NO money goes back out of the business.

      You could take it up with the manufacturer, but 99% sure DS won't refund you.

    • Pratty on 02/03/2016 - 17:33
      +5

      My TV that I bought last Friday from DSE was refunded on the Monday after they agreed it was faulty.

      • cloudy on 04/03/2016 - 09:23
        -1

        What? You bought a TV on Friday, and in one business day it's faulty, and they have verified and paid u back? That is impressively fast service and incredibly poor product all at the same time.

        • PainToad on 04/03/2016 - 09:47
          +1

          DOA isn't uncommon. Besides from DSE closing, there's nothing shocking about this.

        • Pratty on 04/03/2016 - 10:55
          +1

          Exactly right, it was marked DOA.

          I didn't sit on the issue for obvious reasons, and got onto them quickly and it was resolved quickly.

          It's all in their receiver terms (available on DSE website) anyway. If you've purchased a product on or after 5th January 2016 and it is faulty, you are able to return it to the store for a refund. Consumer Law still applies thankfully!

  • Ramon on 29/02/2016 - 16:51
    +5

    FYI.
    I was looking the Dick Smith customer FAQ

    http://dicksmithholdings.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/D…

    and I found the following text

    I ordered a product online and paid in full however, I have not collected the product,
    what happens now?

    If you have paid for the product in full, but not collected it, you can still collect the product subject to
    availability. You will need to contact the store to arrange collection.

    If the product cannot be supplied, you will be an unsecured creditor of DSE and will need to lodge
    a claim with McGrath Nicol, the Voluntary Administrators. The McGrath Nicol hotline details are:

    • Frig on 29/02/2016 - 18:32
      +5

      If the product cannot be supplied, you will be an unsecured creditor of DSE and will need to lodge
      a claim with McGrath Nicol, the Voluntary Administrators.

      Ouch.

    • franco cozzo on 29/02/2016 - 18:38

      i.e good luck buddy, join the queue… ;)

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