What?
I actually liked using these guys, they can't go! Dammit, stupid degree, I haven't bought new stuff in a while... if you stay, I promise I'll find money to get more stuff!!!
Komplett closes retail ops across Europe
Online computer components retailer Komplett ASA has pulled the plug on several of its European websites. The Norway-based firm today shut down a number of its operations across Europe, including its British, French and German websites. The channel outfit, which has 16 internet shops in 10 countries, posted the following …
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 09:10 GMT Joe Desbonnet
Great company -- glad IE operation is still going
I've been ordering from Komplett (.ie) for many years and they have never let me down (can't say the same for the delivery guy however).
Website was a breeze to use and order from. Any problems were quickly resolved. Technical questions answered with reasonable competence.
I'd be curious to know what prompted this.
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 09:10 GMT Kevin Whitefoot
Long live Komplett!
I have no idea what their foreign operations were like but I have bought plenty from them at home in Norway. So far they have been the epitomy of what a web shop should be: efficient, reasonably priced, fair.
And their behaviour when returning goods under warranty is, in my experience, very good indeed. Actually the Logitech XBox controller that failed is still in my junkbox because they simply took my word for it and sent me a new one.
So I hope this isn't the beginning of the end but rather a strategic withdrawal and chance to regroup.
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 09:10 GMT Anonymous Coward
Komplett won't disappear
Komplett is huge in Norway, so they won't disappear. I just read an article about them (not surprisingly), and they are certainly not in any financial problems. They do make a profit, but most of it comes from Norway. Their Norwegian site was twice as big as all the other countries combined. I guess they will focus more on smaller markets and leave the large markets alone.
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 13:48 GMT Gerry Doyle
P+P?
For anyone ordering from UK online stores it's the P+P rates that have always been the killer, it's as if they simply did not want to do business with anyone abroad.
If something from dabs was cheaper than komplett you could be sure that this would be wiped out by their P+P. Trying to order a bass guitar I was quoted 75 of your British pounds for carriage, while Thomans in Germany charged a maximum of 15 euros and free if over a certain amount - and that's right up to entire PA and lighting systems. I've ordered sets of large hardback books all the way from the USA for less than Amazon.co.uk charge for a single slim volume.
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 16:14 GMT Christopher A Light
Curates Egg
OK, s bunch of you loved them to bits.
I bought from them twice. Twice I got faulty goods, twice I got (very) delayed delivery. The delivery was entirely DHLs fault, probably the worst courier firm I know of. But the faulty goods really put me off, bad luck it may have been, but after twice in a row I wasn't inclined to go through the resultant delay a third time.
Komplett aren't the only firm I've had poor experiences with and decided to avoid in future though...
Overclockers for me these days. Fast, reliable, good deals and, when you do get the odd DOA, well, they sort it out cheerfully and commendably quickly.
I for one won't be missing Komplett.
What these firms seem to fail to understand is that what most of us want is:
• An easy to use, well designed shop
• Accurately described items
• Accurate stock level indication
• Goods delivered promptly and in working order
• Reasonable prices (cheap is NOT always the priority - not when you need something NOW
• A simple but secure payment system
• Prompt delivery by a reliable courier service at a reasonable price
If they fail to tick the boxes, well, there are plenty of others to check out...
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 16:14 GMT Doug Lynn
Been a online computer reseller 10 years, can't make money selling parts or computers
Hi, I started in 1998 and did well for 3 years and then the 'big guys' got on the internet and killed it for small resellers, they sell at wholesale prices, no more 15% markup, which what it takes to make a profit after paying for parts, advertising and expenses. Ebay is a joke for selling new computer parts, between Paypal and Ebay they charge over 10% to sell a computer part. Only good for selling used/old parts for clearance. Some of the big computer sites are actually owned by computer manufacturers and distributors, competing directly with their own resellers. An example is ABS computers who owes NewEgg, Malabs owns EWiz. Mitac owns Synnex and Tyan. The problem is the gray market, substandard parts, OEM selling off their surpluses, etc. The only way to make money is high end system integration and repair of computers. Its so bad now even the big computer retailers are folding, Monarch Computers, CompUSA. The problem is consumers don't know how to buy smart, get quality parts only, get better warranty and service, its just price, price, price. You do get what you pay for and don't get what you don't pay for. There is so much fake parts out there, just look at the Cisco clones the USA DOD bought unaware...I make my money now doing NASA system integration, last big project was ground computers for GLAST project, thats in orbit studying the far reaches of the universe. The heck with selling parts or computers. Brand name computer you make 3-5% markup, enough to cover your expenses, nothing else for profit. Pretty soon if you want a computer part, you will have to go to Walmart and pay full retail price, or mail order it, there will be no more computer stores. Some retail stores won't even sell branded computers, there is no money in it, and they even lose money. Sorry for the whining but wanted you to know to treat your local reseller nicer and expect to pay more for local sales and service.
'
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 16:23 GMT Christopher A Light
Oh really?
OK, s bunch of you loved them to bits.
I bought from them twice. Twice I got faulty goods, twice I got (very) delayed delivery. The delivery was entirely DHLs fault, probably the worst courier firm I know of. But the faulty goods really put me off, bad luck it may have been, but after twice in a row I wasn't inclined to go through the resultant delay a third time.
Komplett aren't the only firm I've had poor experiences with and decided to avoid in future though...
Overclockers for me these days. Fast, reliable, good deals and, when you do get the odd DOA, well, they sort it out cheerfully and commendably quickly.
I for one won't be missing Komplett.
What these firms seem to fail to understand is that what most of us want is:
• An easy to use, well designed shop
• Accurately described items
• Accurate stock level indication
• Goods delivered promptly and in working order
• Reasonable prices (cheap is NOT always the priority - not when you need something NOW
• A simple but secure payment system
• Prompt delivery by a reliable courier service at a reasonable price
If they fail to tick the boxes, well, there are plenty of others to check out...
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Wednesday 25th June 2008 20:05 GMT Anonymous Coward
hopefully komplett.ie will stay up
In Ireland, komplett.ie often beat the others on price, but what matters to me is that htey always had prompt delivery and excellent service. I've bought hard drives, USB sticks, mp3 players, quite a bit of kit over the years.
the one item I had a problem with was a creative zen sleek. Komplett advertised a 2 year warranty (easily checked as they give you a lot of info on your purchase history), which meant when it started to hang and lock up after most of a year I spent too long trying to repair it's database and update firmware before eventually looking for a replacement. Turned out Creative only offer a 1 year warranty, so when I complained to komplett, they replaced it immediately with a newer model, no quibbles. Great service every time. Hang in there komplett.ie, lord knows everywhere else charges an arm and a leg to deliver to the republic, so you'll still be getting my business!
MikeC
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Biting the hand that feeds IT
