Zavvi Clearout [Archive] - Forums @ The Digital Fix

LIGHTRAY

25-12-2008, 15:12

None, other than their 2 for £25 range, it's hilarious because you walk in their stores and the clearout is shifting plenty of DVDs, CDs, and games off their shelves, then you walk over to the Blu-ray section and they have so many titles (almost all over £20), they're having to fill up cardboard boxes under the shelves!! :nuts:

Cheers, saves me trekking into town tomorrow and braving the sales madness. Guess I'll have to be satisfied with the BR Godfather box-set I picked up in Woolies for £21 the other day. :D

Captain_Howdy666

25-12-2008, 17:41

they're having to fill up cardboard boxes under the shelves!! :nuts:

Virgin/Zavvi/HMV do this quite a lot over Christmas. Basically it saves a whole lot of running back and forwards to stockrooms looking for product. When an item sells out from the shelf space it's much easier to have it replenished from a box under the shelf than having to do a stockroom run every time.

But could this mean a return of Tower Records at Piccaddily?

Virgin bought out the UK arm of Tower a few years ago, so I doubt we'll see a return anytime soon :(

AKPiggott

25-12-2008, 18:05

Virgin bought out the UK arm of Tower a few years ago, so I doubt we'll see a return anytime soon :(

A shame. :(

I can't ever see that site ever being more than a big music/film store though. Be weird otherwise.

SteveC

25-12-2008, 18:08

Virgin bought out the UK arm of Tower a few years ago, so I doubt we'll see a return anytime soon :(

Exactly - Virgin stores were sold to Zavvi not that long ago. I wonder if Virgin will take back their stores...

tipicus

25-12-2008, 19:09

Devil May Cry 4 (PS3) £12.99

Loads of copies of this in-store at PC World (Ashford at least) for £9.99 :)

nmirza

25-12-2008, 19:54

I think Cloverfield is on Play for about 3 quid.

Steve1977

26-12-2008, 00:05

Thats the 1 Disc version I believe.

Disappearer

27-12-2008, 18:20

Saw both DVD versions of Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford in there, both going for £3.99.

RiceRocket

27-12-2008, 20:41

Saw both DVD versions of Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford in there, both going for £3.99.

Disappointing.
That was the only bargain (but I've got it:() I saw myself when I went in there today with a load of xmas cash expecting to buy quite a "few".
Got better results in HMV ;)

Probably best to wait for the "administration discounts" IMO.

Ste7en

27-12-2008, 21:13

The MetroCentre one had loads of the Laurel and Hardy sets for forty quid on Christmas Eve, but they had none left today :(

Thomasd

28-12-2008, 00:10

They did have the Fratellis new album in their sale for £10.99 :|

GProject

28-12-2008, 00:58

Saw both DVD versions of Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford in there, both going for £3.99.
Cheers, I'll be in there to pick up a 2-disc version if it's still in the cardboard slipcase with the book - been waiting to see this all year!

gjkendall

28-12-2008, 07:50

Cheers, I'll be in there to pick up a 2-disc version if it's still in the cardboard slipcase with the book - been waiting to see this all year!

Its on Sky Movies next week!:thumbs:

Grandmaster

28-12-2008, 08:40

Exactly - Virgin stores were sold to Zavvi not that long ago. I wonder if Virgin will take back their stores...

Will Virgin take back their debts too?

bigman

28-12-2008, 09:41

Will Virgin take back their debts too?

The common belief seems to be that Richard Branson saw the writing on the wall for the chain a few years ago and didn't want the 'Virgin' name to be associated with such a large collapse so that's why he handed it over (and insisted that the name was changed).

GoatersLeftShin

28-12-2008, 12:29

They aren't taking gift vouchers as well just in case anyone is planning to head there to use their Christmas presents!!!

FunkyD

28-12-2008, 12:38

IndianaJones00

28-12-2008, 13:58

They aren't taking gift vouchers as well just in case anyone is planning to head there to use their Christmas presents!!!

Disgusting isnt it, my brother spent about £60 this year getting people Zavvi Gift Cards as presents and they are all worthless.

douglasb

28-12-2008, 14:12

Will they be selling off stock dirt cheap on the last day? Isn't the job of the administrators to get whatever they can for stock? Surely that means things like boxed sets going for a couple of quid if not sold by closing day?

Any potential buyer may want the stock to get them started - and I reckon they'll find a buyer.

AKPiggott

28-12-2008, 14:19

They aren't taking gift vouchers as well just in case anyone is planning to head there to use their Christmas presents!!!

How is this legal? :mad:

danielzavitz

28-12-2008, 14:30

How is this legal? :mad:

I believe if they were purchased in the last month or so you can send them to the administrators for a refund, but before that I think there are no guarantees you'll ever see a penny.

MetalGearAl

28-12-2008, 15:03

Had a look in Cambridge yesterday but didn't see a lot of note at the moment, though did pick up the Spaced 3-Disc set for 7.99. Held off that for a long time since I have the series separately, but this was a low enough price to get the set for completeness :)

nicknack

28-12-2008, 15:14

Spotted Jeff Wayne's - The War of the Worlds 7 Disc Collectors Edition (http://www.zavvi.co.uk/jeff+wayne%27s+war+of+the+worlds-music-Jeff-Wayne-War-Of-The-Worlds-Coll-Edition/642708/qc.r10.1/p.jsf) for £39.99 in the Exeter branch yesterday

Airwolf

28-12-2008, 16:02

I went in into the Manchester Arndale branch yesterday didn't see much, nearly all the box sets that they had on sale before Christmas were still at the same price but with brand new sale stickers on them

PaulN

28-12-2008, 16:43

I believe if they were purchased in the last month or so you can send them to the administrators for a refund, but before that I think there are no guarantees you'll ever see a penny.

Q: I have a Zavvi gift voucher, can I redeem it?

It is expected that all customers who purchased zavvi gift vouchers from zavvi stores from 27 November 2008 will receive a full refund in respect of the unredeemed value of the gift vouchers. Unfortunately, it is not possible for vouchers to be redeemed in stores.

All customers who have unredeemed vouchers acquired since 27 November 2008 should write to the Joint Administrators at the following address, quoting their voucher number(s), enclosing the original voucher(s) and quoting their full name and address for return correspondence:

zavvi Vouchers
c/o The Joint Administrators of zavvi Group
Ernst & Young LLP
100 Barbirolli Square
Manchester
M2 3EY

We recommend that customers keep a copy of vouchers for their records.

Regrettably, it will not be possible to refund vouchers acquired prior to 27 November 2008. Customers with unredeemed vouchers acquired prior to 27 November 2008 should write to the Joint Administrators at the above address, asking for their claim to be registered as an unsecured claim.

Please note, due to the large volumes of vouchers that are currently outstanding it is not possible to discuss individual customer queries in person at this stage.

tizza

28-12-2008, 16:47

They are still breaking their own t&cs tho, I would slam the voucher on the service desk and walk out with dvds to the same value. If the security gaurd gives you any grief kick him in the balls on the way out.

Simple really,

billandted

28-12-2008, 16:50

Might as well wait until either someone buys it or it closes down as the prices are about the same.

dazzM

28-12-2008, 16:52

Im popping over to the Bristol Galleries branch tomorrow. Might hit Woolies there if its still open

RESSEH

28-12-2008, 16:56

Im popping over to the Bristol Galleries branch tomorrow. Might hit Woolies there if its still open

It was open on saturday with everything at 70% off. There wasnt that much left however. and that was in the morning! :o

IndianaJones00

28-12-2008, 17:07

How is this legal? :mad:

Something to do with the fact that its technically no longer Zavvi, once the Administrators came in it became a different company so the company the Gift Cards are for no longer exsists.

Im popping over to the Bristol Galleries branch tomorrow. Might hit Woolies there if its still open

The Woolworths in the Galleries closed yesterday, at least according to the branch closure information I read earlier today.

dazzM

28-12-2008, 17:34

The Woolworths in the Galleries closed yesterday, at least according to the branch closure information I read earlier today.

cheers for the info mate. going to visit zavvi anyway

Niklos

28-12-2008, 19:32

john316

28-12-2008, 20:55

BlueDwarf

28-12-2008, 22:08

cheers for the info mate.

Big W by the MOD is open until Jan 2nd I think.

William Shatners Wig

29-12-2008, 00:10

If you bought gift cards or vouchers with a credit card your credit card company will more than likely insure you for the full amount (or maybe a large % of it).

spinynorman

29-12-2008, 17:51

Not many bargains in the shop today - you wouldn't even know they were in administration.

Lots of bods there - walking in then walking out....:shrug:

bigman

29-12-2008, 18:47

Not many bargains in the shop today - you wouldn't even know they were in administration.

Lots of bods there - walking in then walking out....:shrug:

Why should there be? Being in administration doesn't automatically mean they start selling everything off. That may happen a bit further down the line.

mattmccabebrown

29-12-2008, 18:58

Was at Bluewater today. Also very disappointing. They had lots of stock, especially the tv series, but there was very little you couldn't get cheaper anywhere else, with the exception of Jesse James :thumbs:. Speaking of Bluewater, the HMV is very disappointing also. Maybe the Play sale isn't so bad afterall, but then again :thinking:

tizza

29-12-2008, 19:08

:lol: I hope no one takes you seriously...

Ok so dont kick the security guard in the nuts.

But if that happened to you, wouldnt you feel robbed. If you do slam the voucher on the counter and take the goods, what really could the police charge you with, you are the vcitm, you have had monies stolen from you. If they are refusing to take a voucher that zavvi issued then they should change all the store names into something else, as far as the public are concerned it IS still zavvi.

bollecks

29-12-2008, 19:38

Why should there be? Being in administration doesn't automatically mean they start selling everything off. That may happen a bit further down the line.

Exactly, there are two stages to administration:

1. Try to sell the business as a going concern.
2. If not, liquidate the business, like Woolies.

What happened with Woolworths is actually very rare and caused mainly by it's top notch locations making the stores worth more empty than as a going concern.

DHR

29-12-2008, 19:40

Got to say i can see why they have gone under, their prices always seemed to be higher than elsewhere i looked for a good while, best i found was "little miss sunshine" for 2.99!

tizza

29-12-2008, 20:22

Same with hmv, but they survive by having a mega sale every two month.

Ste7en

29-12-2008, 20:43

They are starting to creep their prices back up. That is for sure.

Scott C R

29-12-2008, 21:18

What happened with Woolworths is actually very rare and caused mainly by it's top notch locations making the stores worth more empty than as a going concern.

Yes and no, Woolies had £385m of debt and over that last couple of months were being forced to pay cash when buying goods from suppliers because trade credit insurers were no longer prepared to insure suppliers to Woolies. And you would have to be crazy to buy Woolies Business for a £1 when that was against you. The supermarkets and others just want the stores they are not interested in any of Woolies business.

HMV will have to be careful as increasing prices since they are they only big players for music, dvd etc on high street now is a dangerous strategy.

bollecks

30-12-2008, 08:42

Yes and no, Woolies had £385m of debt and over that last couple of months were being forced to pay cash when buying goods from suppliers because trade credit insurers were no longer prepared to insure suppliers to Woolies. And you would have to be crazy to buy Woolies Business for a £1 when that was against you. The supermarkets and others just want the stores they are not interested in any of Woolies business.

HMV will have to be careful as increasing prices since they are they only big players for music, dvd etc on high street now is a dangerous strategy.

You wouldn't have had to buy for £1 and take on all £385 million of debt. There'd be no point going into administration if you did! The administrators are legally obliged to raise the most money they can get and they calculated that the stores were worth more than any of the offers to buy the business.

douglasb

30-12-2008, 08:54

dazzM

30-12-2008, 09:06

I do reckon Zavvi will find a buyer. Home entertainment is a pretty steady business and as people stop going out as much, games/DVDs will remain bouyant. I guess the high street still needs to work out a better model but there are still plenty of mums/grans, 13 year old kids without credit cards, etc. who just want to walk into a shop and buy stuff.

The trouble is that dvds/etc are too cheap. When you have shops like hmv/play/zavvi selling recently released titles at very competetive prices its no longer about making money. Id say its more about trying to get rid of competition. Added to the fact a lot of dvds that are bought arent retained by the customer and are sold second hand on auction sites, also reducing sales further. This alone will be hitting the high street quite hard.

DHR

30-12-2008, 10:09

They are starting to creep their prices back up. That is for sure.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed this for CDs its always been relatively pricey but the offers have always been good. I got a box set of Will Farrell stuff for £20 the other day, looking at it now though it would have easily been £15 a few months back in the sales.

Max Maz

30-12-2008, 10:32

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed this for CDs its always been relatively pricey but the offers have always been good. I got a box set of Will Farrell stuff for £20 the other day, looking at it now though it would have easily been £15 a few months back in the sales.

I agree completely, I was in Zavvi yesterday and there wasn't anyhting of interest to me, and I normally at least buy a couple of bargain cds. I thnk their prices have almost certainly gone up since they went into administration.

Xenole

30-12-2008, 11:15

Looked at some blu-rays today and some were only twice the price of anywhere else.
Not exactly encouraging buying unless you've not got a clue of the cost elsewhere.

jester

30-12-2008, 11:55

I think the model of "music and DVD" retailing as we know it will steadily decline. I can even see HMV struggling in the future as competition from supermarkets increases.

If ISP's can get speeds and capacity up then that will be the final nail in the coffin with only a handfull of specialist shops not directly cmpeting against the likes of ASDA/Tescos etc.

Kwebbotaurus

30-12-2008, 14:11

Anyone know if they have the "Battlestar Galactica Seasons 1-4" box set cheap?

spinynorman

30-12-2008, 19:28

I think people are missing the point about Zavvi - they no longer have a supply chain in place, which means they'll be running out the stock the stores have then that's it.

Any new buyer, if there is one, will need to have a supply chain of it's own or negotiate a new one - very difficult with competition from HMV and the like.

Prices will fall when bills need to be paid, like shop rents/salaries etc. I really feel sorry for the staff who are working on a knife edge, like 'will I get paid at the end of the month..' :eek:

Wait 'till next year - prices will hit rock bottom as the administrators need for cash increases, then it becomes a turnover vs profit issue.

Sorry to hijack the bargain thread - this'll be my last post on the matter. :clap:

GProject

30-12-2008, 23:37

Looks like people have snapped up the Jesse James 2-discers at the Arndale Centre store (boo!). Plenty of single disc sets though, along with all kinds of other assorted, expensive, stock.

Mills

31-12-2008, 00:43

I'm surprised people are saying they generally find Zavvi expensive - I usually find that it's cheaper than HMV when I'm browsing (particularly TV boxsets and older CDs. Not so much games though.)

But anyway, on the topic of bargains, this is the normal January sale, not an administration-based thing (indeed, the sale started before they went into administration).

They've got some good deals on. Amongst others I've seen
Peep Show season 1-5 for £15
2100 Microsoft Points - £14.99
XBox 360 wireless network adaptor - £39.99
360 wireless controller £22.99

The main problem is they're selling out of all the really good deals.

The gift card issue sucks though, not only for the customers, but I bet it's making the staff lives even more unpleasant!

Mr Majestik

31-12-2008, 12:59

Got a nine DVD boxset of Peppa Pig for £24.

I know it's not for most people on here but for parents of toddlers this is the bargain of the century.

Niklos

31-12-2008, 13:51

I think today is the last day for Liverpool (Clayton Street), Southampton and Aberdeen Bon Accord branches, tho' there are no "everything must go" sales.

shaq365

31-12-2008, 14:06

The Aberdeen Bon Accord branch was already closed yesterday...

sideshowbob

01-01-2009, 19:30

2 metre HDMI cables which look OK were £3.99 in my local Zavvi. Worth having in at that price.

This one ... (http://www.zavvi.co.uk/games-Playstation+3+Hardware-HDMI-Cable-V13/793083/cc.r10.1/p.jsf)

springer

01-01-2009, 19:40

Blu-ray of the Rush live show 'Snakes And Arrows' is priced at £14 but rings up at £12 - easily the cheapest I've seen anywhere. Saw in the New Year with this and a very large single malt - stunning disc.

Ste7en

01-01-2009, 20:10

jester

02-01-2009, 01:01

In Hull they are selling GH:World Tour with Drums etc for the amazingly low price of £179.99.

£140 in Game btw!

Sootie

02-01-2009, 12:10

Highly recommend the Frank Skinner Stand Up Collection for £6.29 - was labelled £6.99 instore, but there is an extra 10% off at the till. Not really much else in the sale that caught my eye

RPG

02-01-2009, 12:23

internetuser

02-01-2009, 12:57

Newcastle one had 10% off all prices. Still nothing that cheap in it.....

MikeyT_1

02-01-2009, 13:46

Newcastle one had 10% off all prices. Still nothing that cheap in it.....

As you said it's 10% off everything (excluding ipods and hardware) in my local as well so must be a nationwide thing.

Nothing of note, will wait for 20% - 30% signs to surface.

johnsy

02-01-2009, 16:37

My missus called me at work today from Zavvi. She has been after Desperate Housewives S2 (yeah, I know...) for a while now, which they had reduced to £28, and she wondered if she should get it. A quick squint at Price Searching revealed good old HMV (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=10) had it for £14.99. Sums up exactly why Zavvi have failed - even their clearance items are hopelessly overpriced...

godber

02-01-2009, 18:48

Well, I thought £13.49 for Peep Show 1-5 was pretty good, so much so I went to 3 stores to find it :-)
Also temtpted by complete Only Fools at £72 and complete Dads Army £36.

Niklos

02-01-2009, 21:14

Nothing of note, will wait for 20% - 30% signs to surface.

Ah, happy memories (of sorts) of the last days of MVC and needing a shopping basket the day it got to 60% off everything...

My local branch has already closed. :(

01keith

03-01-2009, 13:44

Highly recommend the Frank Skinner Stand Up Collection for £6.29 - was labelled £6.99 instore, but there is an extra 10% off at the till. Not really much else in the sale that caught my eye

Yes sootie, was gonna post this cracking bargain myself. Wanted this set before christmas and decided to wait. i saw it had dropped to £15 on Play, I was tempted. I went into town as my GF wanted to go and we popped into Zavvi. There was a poster in the window advertising it and i walked straight up and grabbed myself a copy. Got the same discount as you, was £6.99, then taking off 10% and VAT discounts. What a bargain, gonna start watching in a mo.

MetalGearAl

03-01-2009, 13:49

Ah, happy memories (of sorts) of the last days of MVC and needing a shopping basket the day it got to 60% off everything...

My local branch has already closed. :(
Remember that, I got Alias S2 for £4 which I'm still yet to watch.

sparkyrob

03-01-2009, 13:57

Picked up MGS - Portable Ops on the PSP in Bristol today which was at a clearance price of £9.99 but had another 10% taken off (so I got it for £8.99). Bargainous. Shame they aren't splashing the big price reductions evenly across all formats though.

Retronana

03-01-2009, 16:46

I wonder what'll happen to the ELVIS stock lookup system? I had to do a project about that thing when I did my Computing A-Levels years ago :dork: Donkeys years old, but still one of the best stock systems going!

Epos Linked Virgin Information System

Great back office system when I worked with it in the early 90's...

Pheonix

03-01-2009, 20:31

Picked up a Supreme Commander Box Set for £8.99 and Stalker for £5.99, less the 10% off at the till.

PaulN

03-01-2009, 21:27

Friends and Sex & the City box sets come to £45 with the extra 10%, seems like a good deal.

Pheonix

04-01-2009, 00:00

Talking of box sets, they had Family Guy Seasons 1-6 + a bonus DVD priced @ £79.99, again, presumably minus the 10%.

dancleary1

04-01-2009, 00:06

well done everyone, leave no bones unturned FFS

jester

04-01-2009, 08:11

badgerprincess

04-01-2009, 08:47

We got Fido there on dvd yesterday, was £5.99 to start with but also got the 10% off.

Ste7en

04-01-2009, 11:02

?

Oh, it's a typical knee jerk 'holier than thou' reaction.

He means to say that anyone taking advantage of the 10 percent off is a vulture :|

I picked up an official Wii RGB SCART lead and a couple of Wii games for the kids :)

PaulN

04-01-2009, 12:11

He means to say that anyone taking advantage of the 10 percent off is a vulture :|

We should take his advice and avoid Zavvi, it is the the only way to save it :nuts:

springer

04-01-2009, 13:55

holier than thou

Ste7en

04-01-2009, 15:43

holier than thou

Oops! Schoolboy error :)

jester

04-01-2009, 17:47

Cannot remember ever having a bargain at Zavvi or when it was Virgin. Will not be missed in my opinion.

I always classed them as one of those retailers who take the ****.

Retronana

04-01-2009, 17:51

Cannot remember ever having a bargain at Zavvi or when it was Virgin. Will not be missed in my opinion.

I always classed them as one of those retailers who take the ****.

I think you mean tried to sell goods at a profit as opposed to selling at less than cost...

Bit strong to accuse them of taking the P....

evilsly

04-01-2009, 17:54

I spent a lot of money when virgin first started doing the 5 dvds for £30 offers, years ago.

and I'm sure many others on this forum did too

jester

04-01-2009, 18:19

Always found them to be more expensive than other retailers. "Other" retailers does not mean cut throat supermarkets but the likes of WHSmiths, Game, and even HMV etc.

Staff in Hull have always been surley cannot be bothered student types and generally poor customer service so I stand by my taking the **** comment.

GH: World Tour £40 more expensive than the next nearest national chain ffs!

Always struck me as a store that traded on the whole Virgin empire and name and now thas gone not much left.

Retronana

04-01-2009, 18:29

Agreed they were never the cheapest, although the guy who is the cheapest very often doesn't make any money..

If we want only cheap prices we will get the retailers we deserve, Tesco and no others.

WH Smith support on home entertainment is very fragile, don't be surprised if they don't stock any HE product after April 2009

hmv may take its position of dominance in the specialist HE marketplace and either put pressure on suppliers to drop prices even further (putting a few out of business) or chose to increase its prices to gain back some of the margin they have used to battle with Zavvi.

Same argument for Game...

We are slowly heading towards the Wall Mart scenario in the UK...sad times

stampax

04-01-2009, 18:40

01keith

04-01-2009, 18:51

I think you mean tried to sell goods at a profit as opposed to selling at less than cost...

Bit strong to accuse them of taking the P....

To be honest I do as well and I think the same about HMV. They are selling new CD's at £12.99, ridiculous!!!!!

farmroad38

04-01-2009, 18:54

Cannot remember ever having a bargain at Zavvi or when it was Virgin. Will not be missed in my opinion.

I always classed them as one of those retailers who take the ****.

I would say that I built the backbone of my DVD collection from Virgin when, as has been mentioned, they had their 5 for £30 offers on. At the time, it was cheaper than pretty much anywhere.

I'd agree that they weren't that cheap since they became Zavvi, but even so I've bought the odd thing there at a reasonable price.

Retronana

04-01-2009, 19:05

To be honest I do as well and I think the same about HMV. They are selling new CD's at £12.99, ridiculous!!!!!

Not ridiculous, that's the price...

I think there is a perception that CD's are sold at around £2 a unit and the extra £10 or so is retailer margin...far from it.

As per one of my other posts, we are seeing a massive move away from specialists to supermarkets and internet retailers, both of these retailers are making minimal if any margin on HE product, great for the consumer in the short term but it is not sustainable in the medium term.

Having been on the wrong end of negotiations with some of the supermarkets its evident their plans to see off the generalists and specialist retailers now working and this year we will see less availability of HE product in the UK, Tesco & Asda won't be stocking much outside of the top 40.

This currently will leave the net to pick up the non top 40 sales, but again at little margin as we are all accustomed to paying cost for our goods.

It really is heading the way of the banking collapse, its so sad that consumers can't see it coming, massive lack of choice and higher prices are just around the corner

douglasb

04-01-2009, 19:30

... massive lack of choice ...

Word. Basically people seem to think that specialist/niche DVDs for example can turn a profit from online sales alone.

Shakey21

04-01-2009, 22:31

Not ridiculous, that's the price...

I think there is a perception that CD's are sold at around £2 a unit and the extra £10 or so is retailer margin...far from it.

As per one of my other posts, we are seeing a massive move away from specialists to supermarkets and internet retailers, both of these retailers are making minimal if any margin on HE product, great for the consumer in the short term but it is not sustainable in the medium term.

Having been on the wrong end of negotiations with some of the supermarkets its evident their plans to see off the generalists and specialist retailers now working and this year we will see less availability of HE product in the UK, Tesco & Asda won't be stocking much outside of the top 40.

This currently will leave the net to pick up the non top 40 sales, but again at little margin as we are all accustomed to paying cost for our goods.

It really is heading the way of the banking collapse, its so sad that consumers can't see it coming, massive lack of choice and higher prices are just around the corner

I understand to a point what you are saying but Fopp, until they overstretched themselves and got ****** by the music industry were one of the very few sucess stories in this area. For example I went into a Fopp store one Monday (about 18 months ago) and picked up the three re-issues of Sly and the Family stone CDs for £5 a piece, HMV not 2 minutes walk away wanted £11.99 each, and Fopp were turning a profit. So I think that if the business model is right then specialist retailers can make a profit but its about having choice at the right price and availability of stock. The number of times I've been into HMV on a given album release date only to be told its special order only means that I'm not going to continue bothering, if they had the CD I wanted at £10.99 and it was on Amazon for £8.99 but I could have it there and then I would stump up the extra couple of ££s.

That is the problem, big stores, badly laid out, no staff and non competitive pricing, sort out the stores by employing knowledgable eople who actually want to do the job and not retards and students on minimum wage and sell things at a reasonable price with stock available and people will quickly come back.

thejetsons

04-01-2009, 22:52

All the new releases in the Manchester Fopp are shockingly over-priced but older stuff is very cheap.

Don't understand why they charge about £20 for recently released DVDs in there.

Ste7en

04-01-2009, 23:18

I like Fopp (and I'm a Dapper Dan man). You can't beat them for their back catalogue prices and little 'oddities' every now and then. Shame my nearest one is in Edinburgh, but I always make a point of calling in whenever I'm up there.

But their prices on new stuff is shocking. Guess they have to at least 'try' to turn a profit.

douglasb

05-01-2009, 08:36

That's the thing. FOPP have/had a very specific model that involved bulk buying (especially in overseas markets) often redundant stock and therefore being able to offer stuff cheaply. Their new and main catalogue stuff was always comparable with other stores pricewise. You walked in able to buy the 3rd Ramones album for £4 but there was no guarantee they would have any of the other Ramones albums. And now that the likes of Play/Amazon have cornered the £4/5 market, the high street can't compete on range or price - only leaving convenience as a factor.

Ste7en

05-01-2009, 09:02

bollecks

05-01-2009, 09:09

The problem with Play/Amazon is that you 'visit' knowing what you are looking for.

With Fopp you can browse around and, because of their prices, pick up stuff on impulse. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn't. True, you couldn't pick up an entire back catalogue from an artist.

Last year I picked up a heap of Tartan Asia Extreme DVDs in the Manchester Fopp and plugged some holes in my Tom Waits back catalogue from the Edinburgh one. I don't think I paid over four quid per item.

Couldn't agree more. In the long term, sales of entertainment products from books to blu ray will really suffer if they're only available online because shopping is a leisure activity in itself and people lose the ability to browse and discover.

However, with estimates of 4000+ empty high street shops by mid year, rents should fall and the gap between internet and retail prices will gradually drop as a result.

bigman

05-01-2009, 09:10

Isn't FOPP now owned by HMV anyway? So if HMV does become the only High Street chain you're hardly likely to see FOPP competing with them anyway, are you?

Retronana

05-01-2009, 09:15

Agree on the comments in regards to Fopp, not been in a stores since the last few were taken over by hmv although the stores were generally pretty good.

Fopp main advantage was in some ways its ultimate downfall, as a small operator they were able to pick up smaller deals that are in the UK wholesale market, picking up between 500-1000 units of some ends of lines, very much a big fish in a small pond at the time.

The merger/purchase with Music Zone increased the store base and those types of deal didn't work so well, 500 units of a title wouldn't normally be enough to cover all stores to a good minimum stock depth.

This left them pitching for the same deals at hmv & Virgin which they were unlikely to win.

The original Fopp model was a great one, trading under the radar picking up stock parcels at low prices and offering at good prices and still making good margin.

01keith

05-01-2009, 09:20

I understand to a point what you are saying but Fopp, until they overstretched themselves and got ****** by the music industry were one of the very few sucess stories in this area. For example I went into a Fopp store one Monday (about 18 months ago) and picked up the three re-issues of Sly and the Family stone CDs for £5 a piece, HMV not 2 minutes walk away wanted £11.99 each, and Fopp were turning a profit. So I think that if the business model is right then specialist retailers can make a profit but its about having choice at the right price and availability of stock. The number of times I've been into HMV on a given album release date only to be told its special order only means that I'm not going to continue bothering, if they had the CD I wanted at £10.99 and it was on Amazon for £8.99 but I could have it there and then I would stump up the extra couple of ££s.

That is the problem, big stores, badly laid out, no staff and non competitive pricing, sort out the stores by employing knowledgable eople who actually want to do the job and not retards and students on minimum wage and sell things at a reasonable price with stock available and people will quickly come back.

I don't get why people with the internet shop in high street stores for brand new releases. They are always cheaper online and instead of wasting your time going into town and the cost of getting there ie Petrol, parking or bus fare, pre order online and get the product on the release date. i've always pre ordered new products and got them on the release date.

Ste7en

05-01-2009, 09:36

The original Fopp model was a great one, trading under the radar picking up stock parcels at low prices and offering at good prices and still making good margin.

But haven't they tried to revert back to that model? If that is possible after the HMV buyout?

Retronana

05-01-2009, 09:41

Fopp actually did itself in, nothing to do with the music industry.

Fopp could have traded as it was, it took the risk of taking on the responsibility of the Music Zone stores and that led to its downfall.

I'm sure if they had not made that move they would still be trading today in the maner that they were before the Music Zone purchase and then the subsequent rescue of some stores by hmv.

As for the proposed solutions, they won't work, paying staff more and lowering your prices, in this climate that won't get very far...

Retronana

05-01-2009, 09:45

But haven't they tried to revert back to that model? If that is possible after the HMV buyout?

My comment was in regard to why it failed and not how it trades at the moment, I've not been in a store for a while so its difficult for me to say what it does now.

AFAIK, Fopp has a separate buying team in Wardour Street so its possible they are still trading in the old school manner the original Fopp always did.

douglasb

05-01-2009, 10:04

I guess the sad thing is that maybe the model I want doesn't work any more. I'm at the stage where there's not a terrible amount of music I still want. After 25+ years of record buying I've had plenty opportunity to get stuff, so it's basically new releases and the occasional re-issue or archive affair. Given there's not a terrible amount of new acts I'm that fussed about (and also having spent 25+ years buying more than a few indifferent albums ...) and the fact that, given the chance, I'd often rather spend £4 on a 2nd hand vinyl copy than £5 on a CD, I'm not a big earner for the industry any more. Tell you what I do miss tho: the ability to pop down on a Monday a pick up a couple of new singles (ideally vinyl). You could still do that in our local Virgin up until about 2 years ago. The result is that I have to *really* want to single to go to the effort of ordering it online. The impulse buy has long gone, so the industry gets less of money.

Basically, I want a shop where I can go and kill 20 minutes once or twice a week without necessarily buying anything (!). No wonder it's falling apart.

Mills

05-01-2009, 14:38

Basically, I want a shop where I can go and kill 20 minutes once or twice a week without necessarily buying anything (!). No wonder it's falling apart.

Well given that only around 20% of the people who walk into a shop buy something you're not the only one! (That's for a well-performing store, although the number would be higher around Christmas.)

Anyway, back to Zavvi, personally I maintain they've been cheaper than HMV for the majority of things I want. (Although, yes, GH:WT is overpriced, and I'm sure other things are too.) In fact, I started shopping there when I picked up GH3 the day after release day at a cheaper price than it was on Play who had also failed to deliver it on time (and I then got a student discount to send it even cheaper).

And it should be 20% off everything (except hardware and ipods) starting today. But I haven't actually left my house, so if they decided last minute not to follow through with that don't blame me!

douglasb

05-01-2009, 14:53

And it should be 20% off everything (except hardware and ipods) starting today. But I haven't actually left my house, so if they decided last minute not to follow through with that don't blame me!

Ha! Guess what? I went and browsed during lunch and ended up spending about £13 on DVDs. Just 10% off but saw a couple of other things we might 'need' but have to check whether we already have them or not!

NicolaUK

05-01-2009, 16:08

Not ridiculous, that's the price...

I think there is a perception that CD's are sold at around £2 a unit and the extra £10 or so is retailer margin...far from it.

Absolutely, I had to buy some titles from a studio recently and even with my discount they were more expensive than Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8)

utero

05-01-2009, 17:44

Our local is looking totally gutted and the were shifting the majority of stock to a single floor. Looked at the blu-rays but again with an extra 10% off, the majority were still more expensive than online and therein lies the problem.

I still think there's room on the highstreet for music retail but the size of some of these stores is just a massive overhead headache if they're to compete

johnsy

05-01-2009, 23:45

I popped into the large one in London's Oxford Street this evening and still at 10% off the stickered price, and still seemed to have a massive amount of stock.

I'm sorely tempted by the Laurel and Hardy boxset and if that is reduced by 20% then I'm gonna have to get it! Can anyone confirm that they have moved to 20% yet? Or is it on a store-by-store discretional (sp?) basis?

Mills

06-01-2009, 02:23

Sounds like they're sticking at 10% tbh. (Given that I heard the news from people working at the Oxford St store.) Sorry for getting your hopes up. I guess they'll increase it at some point though (of course, if they don't get a buyer they'll have to.)

BlueDwarf

06-01-2009, 16:58

Shelves of absolute crap mostly left at the store in Bristol Cribbs.

I notice they have scrapped the "2 for £25" deal, and priced BluRays at around £14.99.
Take off the 10%, and you get £13.50. So, 2 for £27.

Feel sorry for those workers losing their jobs, but won't shed any tears if Zavvi go bust.

Wendelius

06-01-2009, 19:11

I notice they have scrapped the "2 for £25" deal, and priced BluRays at around £14.99.
Take off the 10%, and you get £13.50. So, 2 for £27.

In Bluewater last week, they told us that all £14.99 Blu Rays qualified for the 2 for £25 offer. You could mix and match them with Blu Rays with stickers. So we did.

Wendelius

Mills

06-01-2009, 20:11

Yeah, that offer finished a couple of days ago, all the 2 for £25 Blu Rays are now £14.99. It was just a special short promotional thing I think.

neilalford

07-01-2009, 07:50

Shelves of absolute crap mostly left at the store in Bristol Cribbs.

Feel sorry for those workers losing their jobs, but won't shed any tears if Zavvi go bust.

Trouble is, that will mean that (for instance, in Cribbs) there will just be HMV who are usually more expensive than Zavvi, with a more cramped store and less choice and W H Smiths who don't exactly have a huge selection of DVDs either.

douglasb

07-01-2009, 08:17

Our WHS only offers the top 10 or 20 and a handful of deal items. And that's a city centre branch.

However, our Zavvi still appears to have plenty stock of everything - although I'm guessing there'll be nothing left in the stockroom to re-fill with.

TigaSefi

07-01-2009, 08:24

Was there plenty of 2100 Microsoft Points at Zavvi Oxford Street for £13.50 ?

EDIT: They had the 2100 Lips card and they worked. compared to £42 for 5,000 thru MS own service, a massive bargain.

bigman

07-01-2009, 09:51

Our WHS only offers the top 10 or 20 and a handful of deal items. And that's a city centre branch.

Our WHS in Derby is the same - it sells purports to sell DVDs, CDs, games, books etc but has an appalling selection of any of them. It's only ever worth looking there as a last resort as it's highly unlikely they'll ever have what you want unless it's a current top seller.

But apparently that's all part of their new business model - they only sell the 'high margin' stock.

questover

08-01-2009, 07:52

Avoid this for Disney DVD's, as they've bumped their pre-clearance prices up to the RRP of £20.

The only time I've seen that base price is when they have the 2 for 1 Disney offer.

Wendelius

08-01-2009, 10:10

Lower prices from Friday?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7817531.stm

The adminstrators of music, games and DVD chain Zavvi have closed 22 of the firm's stores with immediate effect - costing 178 jobs.

The remaining 92 stores will stay open, with a sale of up to 50% off beginning on Friday, Ernst and Young said.

Wendelius

douglasb

08-01-2009, 10:21

Whoah. Sopranos complete for about £50 then - although the dreaded "up to ..."

MetalGearAl

08-01-2009, 10:50

Saw that Sopranos set in Zavvi and it looked very nice, would be great to pick it up cheap. I've got to pop in to town tonight anyway so might take a look at what they've got in stock there tonight, haven't been in a while.

bigman

08-01-2009, 14:20

Whoah. Sopranos complete for about £50 then - although the dreaded "up to ..."

And of course the 'original' prices bumped up by up to 50% as well before applying the 'discount'.......

redrhino

08-01-2009, 14:53

Was going to go to my local tomorrow for a wee look but its on the closed list.

DamienB

08-01-2009, 15:39

Trouble is, that will mean that (for instance, in Cribbs) there will just be HMV who are usually more expensive than Zavvi, with a more cramped store and less choice and W H Smiths who don't exactly have a huge selection of DVDs either.

Apparently there's this thing called the internet where you can buy things...

MetalGearAl

08-01-2009, 16:45

Just checked the website and it says the Southampton store closed today, so I'm guessing that BBC list isn't exhaustive. Worth checking the site before making a special trip.

forum

08-01-2009, 16:51

Whoah. Sopranos complete for about £50 then - although the dreaded "up to ..."

Saw a lot of Soprano boxsets at my local one in Oxford.

forum

08-01-2009, 16:57

Lower prices from Friday?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7817531.stm

Wendelius

Was looking at The Press Association site, but they, and a few other news sites, claim that prices will be slashed by a further 20% to 50% from Friday.

redrhino

08-01-2009, 17:24

Was looking at The Press Association site, but they, and a few other news sites, claim that prices will be slashed by a further 20% to 50% from Friday.

Actual press release states:

"It is with regret that the Joint Administrators of zavvi UK today announced the immediate closure of 22 zavvi UK stores. The Joint Administrators will continue to trade the remaining 92 stores throughout the UK and also today announce further reductions off current discounted prices, with 20-50% off across almost all product lines with effect from Friday 9th January."

further reductions off current discounted prices - would suggest 20-50% off the previou 90% cost, if that makes sense. Though, it also suggests still no discounts on games consoles, ipods or virgin mobiles.

Mills

09-01-2009, 03:17

Seems I'm in the minority here but I'm gutted, and hope that the remaining stores get bought up by someone.

As for the sales, apparently it's 50% off vinyl, 30% off books, posters, badges etc and 20% off cds, blu rays, dvds and games. Oh, and I'm 99% sure that it's not 20% off the previous 90% cost, I'd imagine they're just increasing the percentage of the discount. I'll agree that it's not very well worded though.

kieranbrown

09-01-2009, 06:15

Saw a lot of Soprano boxsets at my local one in Oxford.

What for £50?? :n0rty:

Airwolf

09-01-2009, 06:23

Are they still giving the extra 10% for Virgin CC?

manutd123

09-01-2009, 07:15

Are they still giving the extra 10% for Virgin CC?

no

chenman

09-01-2009, 07:43

Just been into Zavvi in Liverpool st (Bishopsgate) and then wont discount the Xbox live 12 month memberships anymore, so they are 29.99, instead of 23.99 (20% off)

neilalford

09-01-2009, 07:45

Apparently there's this thing called the internet where you can buy things...

Not as convenient though and no good if you want the DVD quickly, especially if it's a boxed set that wont fit through a letterbox. Plus, it's nice to be able to quickly glance at all the new releases and see if anything catches your eye.

Ste7en

09-01-2009, 08:58

Are they still giving the extra 10% for Virgin CC?

:lol:

I asked them that instore last week.

01keith

09-01-2009, 09:28

Apparently there's this thing called the internet where you can buy things...

I said the same thing a few pages back. Why the hell would you spend more money in high street stores when you can get things cheaper on the internet. if you haven't got the net, then you have to shop in high street stores, but when you have the internet, you don't have to waste time going into town, paying for fuel or bus fare getting there and paying for parking if you travel by car. You can just sit in the comfort of your own home, take your time, look at different products and compare prices, order and get them shipped to your home free of charge.

When i mentioned it being ridiculous a few pages back to pay £12.99 for a CD, some people said, it wasn't. I worked out, it would take me 30 mins to get to town and back home again, so about £2.00 for fuel, another £2.00 an hour for parking in town and the cost of the aforementioned CD - £12.99, that's a total cost of = £16.99. The same CD on the net would cost £8.99 and it gets deliveried to your door. That's a saving of £7.99 getting off the net, and nearly enough to buy another CD.

I did all my christmas shopping on the net, bought over 30 presents. Not one problem and saved a load compared to high street shops. I then went into town on one occasion with the GF as she wanted to go into Boots and i was getting totally annoyed with other people. Why do people become so ignorant at christmas. That's why i love shopping on the net. No people to bother me, free delivery and a huge choice of products.

douglasb

09-01-2009, 09:39

That's fine.

Let's imagine a scenario where the concept of a shop no longer exists because everything can be bought online.

Not only does an entire sector of the economy disappear, but the face of our towns and cities changes too. Major parts will become derelict. The other businesses that rely on shop workers (newsagents, sandwich shops, bus companies, etc.) will probably go under. I can't remember the stats but a massive amount of the commuters into London are employed in retail.

Is the standard model broken? Probably, but the somewhat misanthropic model ("no people to bother me") you suggest completely ignores how ****** the country would be if shops kept closing and the economy couldn't work out a way to replace them.

01keith

09-01-2009, 09:50

That's not what I'm saying. Everyone wants to save money and get things cheaper. With access to the net things are cheaper, so why would you put yourself out of pocket by shopping for a CD or DVD in the high street. People without access to the net at work often ask me to look for items on the net. Recently I was asked to get the Top Gear Polar Special. I found it on the net for just under £12. The person i bought it for said HMV wanted £20 for it. I saved him £8.00. I told him the price, he had the choice to go back into town and spend £20 on the set but opted to get it from me for £12. he wanted the cheaper option and that's someone without internet access.

Mr Majestik

09-01-2009, 09:50

Call me old fashioned but i like walking round shops and actually picking up the product before i buy it.

Dan

09-01-2009, 09:59

Call me old fashioned but i like walking round shops and actually picking up the product before i buy it.

What's with this radical thinking.

Terribly_Mauled

09-01-2009, 10:00

I like walking round shops in my lunch break, picking up the product, checking information on it [marked Blu Ray regions for example], and then going home or back to the office and buying it online. Batman on Blu Ray for example... £4 saving over hmv.

douglasb

09-01-2009, 10:01

That's not what I'm saying. Everyone wants to save money and get things cheaper.

Hey, I want stuff cheaper too. Which is why I tend to buy CDs, DVDs online too. Which is why I said the current high street model is probably broken. I don't know how we fix it. Maybe councils need to cut business rates and shift some of the burden to council tax payers? If retailer's overheads were less, maybe they could compete with online.

But the whole "Oh, they deserve to go out of business because they suck!" line is so short-sighted.

If it's ALL about price, we should just ship ALL the British jobs that could be done cheaper to Bangalore and be done with it. Then we can sit on the dole ordering our fags and Crisp & Dry online.

Soprano

09-01-2009, 10:05

Is this the thread about Zaivvi clearout sale items??

Ste7en

09-01-2009, 10:06

Ratfink

09-01-2009, 10:09

Yeah, that would be nice. I may take a wander down there later, and will report if I see anything. I was mainly after a live sub, but if they're not discounting those, then I'm not too bothered about heading down.

James45

09-01-2009, 10:29

That's fine.

Let's imagine a scenario where the concept of a shop no longer exists because everything can be bought online.

Not only does an entire sector of the economy disappear, but the face of our towns and cities changes too. Major parts will become derelict. .

So what? Move with the times. When the car was invented many small towns in America disappeared off the face of the earth because people no longer needed to stop there as they would have with a horse, it's progress. The old model doesn't work anymore, so come up with a new one.

new

09-01-2009, 10:32

Is this the thread about Zaivvi clearout sale items??

Anybody noticed anything worth having in there new:
" up to 50% off sale" ?

James45

09-01-2009, 10:35

I'd like to know how much the Sopranos set is as well.

jester

09-01-2009, 10:58

Anybody noticed anything worth having in there new:
" up to 50% off sale" ?

No.

DavidMcGowan

09-01-2009, 11:47

I'd like to know how much the Sopranos set is as well.

In the Loughborough store, they had two different versions of the boxset. Both were priced up at £97, or thereabouts, before the 20% discount applied to all DVDs.

douglasb

09-01-2009, 11:54

It'll pretty much depend on what's still in branch locally. They've got a fair number of DVDs for £2.99 before discount. Stuff like Almost Famous. So basically DVDF prices ...

They've got some series of Curb Your Enthusiasm for £8 after discount which is £2 cheaper than you'll find online.

Sheepking

09-01-2009, 12:12

sopranos was marked up at £100 so £80 after 20% discount.

Frank skinner boxset of 3 stand up DVD's for 6.99 before discount was the only thing i bought.

nicknack

09-01-2009, 12:41

I picked up the Die Hard Quadrilogy (Zavvi Exclusive 8 Disc Version) for just under £16 in Exeter Zavvi. A good price for a box set you can't get anywhere else.

Be careful though the 4 disc set and the 8 disc set are both priced at £19.99 (with 20% off)

dunkrag

09-01-2009, 13:00

I've just picked up the Sopranos set for £80.

entrywound

09-01-2009, 13:09

Was in the Walton on Thames branch earlier, didn't really spot anything of note, but they did have Rock Band Instruments Edition on PS3 for £79.99 minus the 20%, bringing it down to £64 or so. Seemed a good price to me, not that I have a PS3, mind!

NVRAM

09-01-2009, 14:13

Sopranos at a bit more of a discuont would be nice, wanted it for a while but its still a decent amount of cash

MetalGearAl

09-01-2009, 14:39

It's just 20% off DVDs + games, IIRC. 30% is for t-shirts and 50% off vinyl.

voyager7

09-01-2009, 14:50

Tried getting some PS3 controllers but was told by one member of staff there is no further discount on the £27.99 marked price. Her colleague said that was strange as he had bought 2 yesterday and the till gave him 10% off (not staff discount) any one else experienced buying controllers etc?

internetuser

09-01-2009, 17:11

I can't believe I'm saying this but I wish more places were like Gamestation.

Same prices online as instore (mostly). None of this "Oh, that is our online operation, it has nothing to do with us" shenanigans.

Life would be so much simpler.

EDIT: Oops, sorry Soprano :)

My local gamestation is more expensive than the website,bar the offers of the week. they also said to me they could not match any of the online offers....

PCWorld are the best for the store/online deals. I like the order online store collect thing.

SShaw

09-01-2009, 18:58

All the Blu-Rays that were in the 2 for £25 offer are now £15 each (£12.00 after taking off 20%). So thats a whole saving of 50p over yesterdays prices. While I understand they are trying to save the company my frustration with the duplicity of the offer was such that I spent my money elsewhere.

Mills

09-01-2009, 19:02

Just been into Zavvi in Liverpool st (Bishopsgate) and then wont discount the Xbox live 12 month memberships anymore, so they are 29.99, instead of 23.99 (20% off)

I wish I'd read that earlier! Not that the Zavvi in Birmingham had any left anyway, but it might have been enough to save me the journey in. They were definitely suffering quite badly with stock levels though, although I didn't do a massive bargain hunt was mainly there for live membership and the (very unlikely) off-chance they might still have a couple of other things I was looking for in.

voyager7 - I agree that it's weird you couldn't get a further discount but quite frankly I'm amazed that you managed to find any controllers at all!

Oh, and if you find any, the Rock Band instrument set for 360 should also be around £64 now.

ghost.ottercrab

09-01-2009, 19:10

I picked up The Godfather Blu-Ray set for £23.99, I thought that was a pretty decent price.

cpheonix

10-01-2009, 13:16

Has anyone mentioned the Friends boxset yet? Was in the Oxford St branch and it has 10% off the already cheap £50 price - not bad!

Ste7en

10-01-2009, 13:24

Shouldn't it be 20 percent off now?

raymondlin

10-01-2009, 13:26

I picked up Band of Brothers BD today for £30, thats with the 20% off.

smiller

10-01-2009, 13:32

Not many decent prices in the Milton Keynes Zavvi yesterday, especially in the games sections, where given that things like Rock Band 1 were still £50, discount or not you can still get them cheaper, like, everywhere!

They'd sold out of Xbox Live subs but did have a couple of 2100 points for 14.99, which is about £2 under the going rate, would have picked some up but just bought a load.

Still plenty of stock on the shelves though, so lots to be seen, can't say I looked all that hard.

Alan b

10-01-2009, 13:35

My local store had each Stargate Box set for £29.99 plus the 20% off which takes them to £23.99 which according to Price Searching (http://www.pricesearching.co.uk/Ref/6) is the cheapest around.

RiceRocket

10-01-2009, 14:29

My local store had each Stargate Box set for £29.99 plus the 20% off which takes them to £23.99 which according to Price Searching (http://www.pricesearching.co.uk/Ref/6) is the cheapest around.

Unless you're completing your collection, better to buy the whole lot as complete plus the specials for £140 from Amazon/Play IMO.

mrogsie

10-01-2009, 14:48

Got Animal Crossing pack for the Wii, with that talking thingy, for £44.99 on Monday! Nice Christman bargain. didn't know they were going under, tho!

Animal Crossing pack now @ £35.99 got it for my daughter's birthday :)

tpr007

10-01-2009, 16:37

Just left zavvi at cribbs, and it was woeful.
Most items, especially games are shockingly expensive still.
I did pick up the Blade tv series for £4.80, although that's probably all it's worth!

Ghost Dog

10-01-2009, 17:45

I got the West Wing Complete Boxset for £39.99 inc the 20% off today, which works out at less the £6 per season, so a pretty good deal.

Also they had Mass Effect PC for £4.99 with 20% off taking it to £3.49 already got it on 360 though.

philbw

10-01-2009, 22:48

[edit]
I did pick up the Blade tv series for £4.80, although that's probably all it's worth!
The Blade boxset was previously in Zavvi's 3 for £10 sale...

cprompt

10-01-2009, 22:52

Was in the Stevenage store yesterday; pretty lame selection (as usual - Zavvi/Virgin never had anything I wanted) and even with the 20% discount, they will still more expensive than the HMV next door but one. Put it like this, in the one year that that Zavvi store has been there, I have probably bought 20 DVDs from HMV in-store and on-line. I have bought nothing whatsoever from Zavvi.

I'm genuinely sorry for the people who will lose their jobs, it is a terrible shame, but I'm not sorry to see Zavvi go. Of course, it may prompt HMV to increase their prices, but I'm hoping the likes of play.com will keep them honest.

NVRAM

10-01-2009, 23:22

Had a look in Zavvi newcastle earlier today,

Nothing special tbh, the one thing I did fancy grabbing was some Xbox live points, none on shelf asked guy at counter, yeah weve got em we just dont display them...

Went to cupboard pulled out 10 or so, saw him open every one, soory seems someones nabbed em :(

Mass effect is well worth the price mentioned above tho, great fun game.

I was hoping to nab rock band 2.... 49.99, even witht he discount I think not ¬_¬

Ste7en

10-01-2009, 23:27

Did they still have loads of West Wing sets in the 'toon?

NVRAM

10-01-2009, 23:29

didnt see mate,

only boxset im interested in grabbin atm is sopranos, and maybe Sarah conner chronicles as I missed the end of last series.

Ste7en

10-01-2009, 23:40

Okay, cheers anyway. I might still pop in tomorrow.

I guess the Sopranos set is 80 quid at the moment. Not bad.

The MetroCentre branch is pretty empty. Well, not gutted but it is emptier than normal.

manutd123

11-01-2009, 00:36

I guess the Sopranos set is 80 quid at the moment. Not bad.

Can't say it's that great a price really.

It £81 delivered at HMV with student discount.

Ste7en

11-01-2009, 08:54

How much without? :shrug:

George Mucus

11-01-2009, 10:39

Went to the Huddersfield one to get the Frank Skinner set and it's shut already :(

PhoenixAsh

11-01-2009, 11:14

How much without? :shrug:

It's a 10% student discount, so it must be £90.

Ste7en

11-01-2009, 11:33

Wouldn't know that since I'm not a student :nuts:

Tenner more than Zavvi then. What I said still stands, 80 quid isn't a bad price.

Mills

11-01-2009, 16:05

The problem now is that a lot of the stuff they had going cheap has now sold out, meaning the majority of the stuff left is the items that were expensive to start with. Having said that I did pick up The Orange Box (360) for £16 yesterday. Could probably have got it slightly cheaper online, but out of all the high street stores it was easily the cheapest. Next best price was £20 and that was second hand.

AndyWilson

11-01-2009, 16:52

The Frank Skinner set was marked up @ £19.99 in hastings, but luckily scanned at £5.50-something....

Dazzle

11-01-2009, 16:59

Went to the Huddersfield one to get the Frank Skinner set and it's shut already :(

It was shut on friday, for all I know it could have shut before then?

mrwriter

11-01-2009, 17:42

Salford Quays one is shut as well.

Hoskas

12-01-2009, 08:59

It's a 10% student discount, so it must be £90.

They arent doing the 10% discount any more as are in administration

Ste7en

12-01-2009, 09:01

They arent doing the 10% discount any more as are in administration

Damn! HMV as well? :nuts:

PhoenixAsh

12-01-2009, 11:46

They arent doing the 10% discount any more as are in administration

I think we were talking about HMV, not Zavvi...i'm never sure though.

Random

12-01-2009, 13:54

HMV are fine - it's Zavvi that aren't doing student discounts anymore.

Went in to take a look a week ago. Big signs advertising 10% off this and 20% off that - bloody pointless when their standard marked price is higher than everywhere else. The 'discounted' price just ends up being the same as/just over the normal prices of other places. If they're going to be that greedy even when closing down, they deserve to close.

Anyone know who gets all their stock after they go?

douglasb

12-01-2009, 13:59

If they're going to be that greedy even when closing down, they deserve to close.

The bread in our corner shop is more expensive than Tesco. Is the owner a greedy, capitalist pig-dog who deserves to be hung from the nearest lampost?

wonderfibre

12-01-2009, 14:56

obviously!

yaffle

12-01-2009, 15:01

The bread in our corner shop is more expensive than Tesco. Is the owner a greedy, capitalist pig-dog who deserves to be hung from the nearest lampost?

If every item he stocks is more expensive than elsewhere, and there is no compelling reason (e.g. more convenient location) to use that shop rather than Tesco, then whilst he may not be a greedy, capitalist pig-dog he would certainly need to take a good, long look at his business model if he's to stay out of trouble. Which is, I think, the point Random is making.

questover

12-01-2009, 15:02

ali

12-01-2009, 15:12

I think what people are compaining about is that they've marked up the price of items before they discounted them.

I paid £8 for the Disney Little Mermaid DVD before Christmas in Zavvi, and now it's marked clearout price is £23 (before 20% discount).

The same goes for most of the Disney DVD's suddenly the marked price is the full RRP - not what they were being sold for prior to the start of the clearout.

Most Disney DVDs (well, those marked with the Disney logo, and what they call key franchises like Pirates and HSM) are 'retro funded' - ie Zavvi pays full price for them and then Disney will retro the price back down. I'm guessing most of this stock is from EUK, and hence no more retros are available for it.

Ste7en

12-01-2009, 15:15

I think what people are compaining about is that they've marked up the price of items before they discounted them.

I paid £8 for the Disney Little Mermaid DVD before Christmas in Zavvi, and now it's marked clearout price is £23 (before 20% discount).

The same goes for most of the Disney DVD's suddenly the marked price is the full RRP - not what they were being sold for prior to the start of the clearout.

But almost all shops do this. Way back when WH Smiths was one of the only ones with regular sales on DVDs (kinda around the same time HMV kicked in with their 3 for 20 quid deals) they always used to hike their titles up to 20 quid each (25 quid for a double disc) before a buy 2 get 1 free deal.

raymondlin

12-01-2009, 15:29

I picked up Band of Brothers on Bluray cheaper than it is online, so it's not bad, The West Wing is £40 at the til and that's cheapest at anywhere.

Indivduals DVDs though are indeed not that big a bargain.

Ste7en

12-01-2009, 15:35

I'm waiting for a further reduction on The West Wing. If I can get it for less than 40 quid I'll be happy :)

Ben Martin

12-01-2009, 16:03

but will it still be available? they had sold out at the birmingham store when i went in today (as expected, unfortunately). and due to the circumstances they obviously won't be getting any more.

if your nearest store has it for £40 (inc. 20% discount) i'd bag it while you can.

Airwolf

12-01-2009, 16:16

They have sold out in Manchester Arndale as well, they had some in last Friday presumably from the Salford Quays store.

raymondlin

12-01-2009, 16:30

I've also picked up Sex and the City boxset too for £40, which is cheaper than me getting the last 3 seasons separately which i currently don't have. And that it comes in a Virgin/Zavvi exclusive box which is better designed and better made than the standard one sold elsewhere.

manutd123

12-01-2009, 16:32

Hgm04

12-01-2009, 17:11

There were atleast a few West Wings in Merry Hill yesterday.. may be of help to anyone in the area.

marcburrage82

12-01-2009, 17:30

You're nuts if you don't think £40 isn't already a bargain. I paid £100 and don't regret it one bit. Best. Television. Ever. ;)

Ste7en

12-01-2009, 19:35

I never said it wasn't a bargain. I just want a bigger bargain :lol:

thomasc1982

12-01-2009, 20:27

Definitely noticing in my local Zavvi things are slowly sold out... not had any TDK or Indy 4 on bluray for ages...so the reductions are working I think... Get the feeling there wont be anything good left by the time they get to knocking 40% off!

I picked up Sleeping Beauty Bluray for £12 though which seemed ok

Random

12-01-2009, 20:37

Wendelius

14-01-2009, 13:37

18 more stores are closing: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7828117.stm

Picadilly (Tower Records) is one of them. I wonder if that was with immediate effect or if there is time for one last trip?

The list is:

STORE CLOSURES AND JOB LOSSES
Basingstoke, 16
Belfast (Castlecourt), 22
Cambridge, 10
Cheshire Oaks (Outlet Village), 11
Crawley, 18
Londonderry, 15
Edinburgh (Gyle), 13
Gateshead, 12
Glasgow (Argyle St), 18
Grimsby, 9
Hull, 19
Newry, 11
Newtonabbey, 11
Piccadilly (Tower), 110
Romford, 13
Stevenage, 10
Watford, 24
Woking, 11

Wendelius

Sheepking

14-01-2009, 13:54

Edinburgh Gyle is closed so i guess the others are too.

thomasc1982

14-01-2009, 14:19

so when they close stores, have they been selling off everything dirt cheap or just moving it to other stores to sell still?

Mr Majestik

14-01-2009, 14:34

I'd imagine they'll just move the stock.

Airwolf

14-01-2009, 16:05

They move the stock as those stores are closed with immediate effect.

sideshowbob

14-01-2009, 17:16

Chester city centre still open - reasonable stock levels, so might be worth a nosey.

AKPiggott

14-01-2009, 17:46

Hope they do something good with the Piccadilly store...

SShaw

14-01-2009, 18:17

so when they close stores, have they been selling off everything dirt cheap or just moving it to other stores to sell still?

The adminstrators press release states that one of the reasons for the closures is insufficient stock for the group as a whole.

LordoftheDance

14-01-2009, 18:36

I was in town earlier and noticed that HMV are selling the excellent This is England for £25 whereas Zavvi have it for £11.99.

Bit of a no-brainer really! :nuts:

sgibson

14-01-2009, 19:21

The Belfast store was a bit of a no-brainer since they have a second (newer) one in the very plush Victoria Square less than three minutes walk away.

Joe91

14-01-2009, 20:11

I was in town earlier and noticed that HMV are selling the excellent This is England for £25 whereas Zavvi have it for £11.99.

Bit of a no-brainer really! :nuts:

You'd have to have no brain to pay £11.99 when it's £4.99 on the HMV website (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=10&url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/advancedSearch.do?searchType=2&pGroupID=5&artist=&title=&catalogue=OPTD1011&primaryID=5&affiliate=td&lpgrp=network&tduid=73f70e3abe67c08ef78ea8f9e24dc0dd) :nuts:

LordoftheDance

14-01-2009, 20:13

You'd have to have no brain to pay £11.99 when it's £4.99 on the HMV website (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=10&url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/advancedSearch.do?searchType=2&pGroupID=5&artist=&title=&catalogue=OPTD1011&primaryID=5&affiliate=td&lpgrp=network&tduid=73f70e3abe67c08ef78ea8f9e24dc0dd) :nuts:

Blu-ray version, I mean. :)

MetalGearAl

14-01-2009, 22:54

Was gonna say, I bought This Is England from Zavvi the other week for £4.50 :D

GProject

14-01-2009, 23:38

Unless you want a This Is England 2-disc digipack DVD (might be an HMV exclusive?), because HMV are selling them for £20!

beastlybeast

15-01-2009, 07:39

18 more stores are closing: Picadilly (Tower Records) is one of them. I wonder if that was with immediate effect or if there is time for one last trip?

Wendelius

It was all closed down when I went there yesterday lunchtime at around midday. :( :wave:

Oxford Street was still open though.

cpheonix

15-01-2009, 16:26

Planet Earth complete series DVD for £15 with 20% off = £12. I don't think you can find it cheaper anywhere else unless I'm mistaken.

SirHugo

15-01-2009, 17:03

It was all closed down when I went there yesterday lunchtime at around midday. :( :wave:

Was going to go up tonight - you've saved me a trip. Haven't been to any of the Zavvi stores since they've gone into administration.

Shame about the Picadilly store though - great place to have a browse late night after having a few drinks

SirHugo

thomasc1982

16-01-2009, 08:22

Any word of them moving to a 30% reduction yet? :) There are a few blurays I am temtped by...

Psycho

16-01-2009, 11:54

Has anyone seen the DVD of The Life Collection in Zavvi for a good price?

Psycho :nuts:

Thomasd

19-01-2009, 17:49

Was in Norwich today and picked up Rhys Darby: Imagine That for £6.39, thought that was a great price.

RPG

19-01-2009, 17:51

I picked up Kraftwerk - Man Machine on vinyl for £2.50; hurrah!

BlueDwarf

19-01-2009, 19:19

Do Zavvi stores generally have vinyl? Can't say I have ever noticed.

JimLin

19-01-2009, 19:39

18 more stores are closing: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7828117.stm

Picadilly (Tower Records) is one of them. I wonder if that was with immediate effect or if there is time for one last trip?

The list is:

Woking

Wendelius

It's a double whammy for Woking, as Zavvi is about 3 shops along from the former Woolworths. Zavvi was never as good as Virgin though. I went in at xmas and their selection of CD's was dire and much smaller than when it was Virgin.

wonderfibre

20-01-2009, 07:24

Do Zavvi stores generally have vinyl? Can't say I have ever noticed.

they didn't have any in the Bristol Cabot Circus store :(

Ste7en

20-01-2009, 08:14

It's a double whammy for Woking, as Zavvi is about 3 shops along from the former Woolworths. Zavvi was never as good as Virgin though. I went in at xmas and their selection of CD's was dire and much smaller than when it was Virgin.

So that would be after EUK went tits up then ;)

philatio

20-01-2009, 10:18

Trafford yesterday. Got 'The Host' for £3.99
Was only reading about it the other day so bit of a billy-bargain I think.

RAPepper

21-01-2009, 17:12

Might be worth checking tomorrow - as I went passed our branch in Reading they were putting a "More stock reduced" sign over the old 20% sign. (It was closed so couldn't find out any more info)

UKBoy

21-01-2009, 17:22

Might be worth checking tomorrow - as I went passed our branch in Reading they were putting a "More stock reduced" sign over the old 20% sign. (It was closed so couldn't find out any more info)

Thanks for that, will contact them to check if its an increased percentage off everything, or just a few lines.

Have been looking at series of "The Wire" on dvd but even with the 20 % off currently, they are still cheaper from the likes of Amazon/Play/HMV but if it goes to 30 % or 40 % off then that'll tip the scales in Zavvi's direction.

Jedi_MasterDave

22-01-2009, 08:53

Was in Oxford st, London zavvi yesterday and saw the following bargains..

GH: World Tour Complete band set £119
Rock Band Drum Set £53
Rock Band Band in A box was £80-something can't remember!

The above were AFTER the 20% discount was applied and were multi format although I saw mostly 360 versions.

Also saw AC/DC live at Donington on Blu-ray for £6.99 before discount.
Might be a bargain for someone....

They also had a few HD-DVDs in the 360 section upstairs; £28 for Beowulf, oh my!!!!

I bought Indiana Jones Playing cards for a friend for £1.40!! wooo! ;)

Dave.