Comet's fire sale kicks off this morning, with the retailer fighting to make a little more cash from existing stock as it enters administration.
The retailer, which is now being run by administrators Deloitte, promises that its entire stock is reduced from 9am today in what it's calling a "massive stock liquidation". If you've been pondering a new fridge or laptop, this could be your chance to snap up a bargain.
The sale appears to be limited to physical shops, however, with Comet's new, reduced site seemingly offering no way of buying gadgets online.
The sparse website currently only details store locations, FAQs on the company's administration and yesterday's update confirming that gift cards would be accepted during the sale itself.
I've contacted Deloitte to ask whether the sale will allow for online buying, and I'll update this story when I hear back. If not, prepare to hoof it to your nearest business park.
Comet is being slowly but inexorably powered down, following news that it had failed to reverse losses that saw the chain purchased for a mere two quid this time last year.
6,500 jobs are on the line as Comet becomes the most recent victim of online shopping, though Dixons Retails has commented that it plans to try and scoop up some employees looking for work, at least for the Christmas season.
Is there anything Comet could have done differently? And will you be fighting your way to the front of the sales? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 43
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anonymous 8 November, 2012 09:46
Waste of time....maximum discount are 10%.....!!!
anonymous 8 November, 2012 09:54
I'm off to look later but if it's not worth it I wont bother
anonymous 8 November, 2012 10:31
Discounts of 10% don't really strike me as a firesale, especially if it's 10% off an inflated RRP.
Couple of pics on twitter showing alleged discounting list. Anything you might actually want is 10%, with other discounts at 15, 20 and 30%. You can imagine the rubbish they're trying to get rid of with the 30% off...
anonymous 8 November, 2012 10:40
It makes sense to start at 10%. If it's a sale over a set period, the discounts will probably improve until the final day, the buyer then takes the risk of the item they want being sold out at an earlier discount rate. It's the best way of maximising revenue on remaining stock.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 10:44
30% off TV Stands and Accessories
20% off Printers and Printer Cartridges
20% off Small Kitchen Apps
15% off Computer Accessories and Peripherals, including software
10% off Cameras, Laptops, TVs, White Goods
10% off Audio
0% off anything Apple!
anonymous 8 November, 2012 11:15
Can imagine the biggest 'discounts' will be on stuff like cases/cables - stuff like that usually has the highest mark up
anonymous 8 November, 2012 11:23
It doesn't make sense to start with 10% when that discount is based on inflated RRP. Comet is known to use price establishment to offer "value" to the unsuspecting - it's one of the reasons its gone under as it was simply non-competitive on prices. Footfall will increase due to the announcement of the firesale but I don't see huge amounts of revenue being reclaimed unless the discounts are increased. Smartphones make it so easy to check whether you are receiving a genuine discount on something now.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 12:19
10% off a comet price is a waste of time. By staggering the sale they assume people will bother to come back. Not to mention the additional costs of running the ads etc.
If they don't sell it to consumers it'll go bulk and they will make very little prepare to see alot of discounted stuff on fleabay..
they need to have a balance to maximise revenue but starting under an average summer sale is going to put people off as its not a liquidation -particularly when it only brings them inline with Amazon, no doubt D+T have told them they can make millions by selling at ridiculous price x.....
expect plenty more hype before any actual discount.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 12:31
just returned from comet i went to try buy a mac book pro only %10 off
waste off time rather deal direct with apple i asked assistant for a demo on the retina
she didnt know what it was i replyed nether wonder u going bankrupt
bad staff......
anonymous 8 November, 2012 12:33
Keeping it all offline was a good call, otherwise no-one would be in the stores at all.
No doubt the cynics at D+T HQ are hoping that Comet's current 'uniformed' customer will wander in and think they've got a bargain.
Risky they're a rare breed.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 12:35
I like most visited the stores for opening, Have something in mind that i want to buy but was prepared to have a look see what else was on offer, as most of the posts state, 10 off what are already inflated prices does not seam a discount to me i'm afraid. However, I got the details of what they would offer me but find I can still buy elsewhere cheaper and with extra add on's so wont be rushing to buy anything yet..... Yes there is a chance that what i want goes before i get to it, but somehow, i would rather pay a price im happy with than pay anything just because of a "Special offer".
Will watch this space for further comments/updates.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 13:14
The same thing happened at Best Buy when I worked there. Most items were actually more expensive, but low and behold, we sold so much stuff. That be the power of a 10% sticker. Most of the good price reductions happened later on, but obviously the good stuff had gone by then.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 13:16
Comet - Birstall
Just been to see what all the hype is about and it was very, very busy
5% off Kindles and iPads
10% off everything
20% off cookers / ovens and other things woman related (JOKE!!!)
30% off TV stands etc...
Worth a visit - the staff were even quite helpful!!!
anonymous 8 November, 2012 13:50
It was quite good I thought, ok 10% off apple not great but 20% and 30% off majority of products was worth while queing for !!!!
anonymous 8 November, 2012 13:53
waste of time and effort its inflated prices then 10% off leaving the goods at normal price some stuff was even cheaper in currys argos and tescos its ridiculous
anonymous 8 November, 2012 14:42
The Comet ''closing down sale'' really is a con o.O
I am really surprised to be honest.
My local Comet is on a retail park with a Currys/PCworld and an Argos.
I compared prices and found same exact item for similar price in all 3 stores.
The item I compared in Comet was marked as having a HIGHER original RRP that it actually has and was marked down from that inflated to figure to match RRP but have a 10% sign on it. I felt conned and mislead so left to purchase my item at Argos for one pound more (no sale on there but same prices as at Comet)
Staff were rude and unhelpful and projecting their annoyance at being fired onto the final customers. (Ive been out of work and looking for a year+ so no sympathy from me)
Since when has an 'All must go'' style of ''closing down sale'' offered such weak offers that are comparable to non-sale prices in competitors stores ??
I say buy nothing from Comet and force the greedy Admin company trying to sell old Comet stock to sell it to receivership firms at half its value, then maybe admin companies wont try this same stunt on the public in future.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 16:22
You lot are all morons. Try and take a moment to think about the 6000+ staff without a job this Christmas. Min 10% off all items is just a starting point, it rewards those loyal customers who would have bought anyway. I'm sure you vultures will get your bargains in the next few weeks, when the stock runs out and we close the doors for good.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 16:30
Went to the Comet sale today and it's dire. I went in looking to buy a TV and a Laptop - and possibly a tablet too if the discounts were big enough - but 10% off items that were originally 20% more expensive than the likes of Richter Sounds, and online retailers like Amazon only served to show why Comet are in the position they are in.
I bought a kettle in the end so as not to go home empty handed. 20% off that made it £0.50p cheaper than Argos.
khalid 8 November, 2012 18:13
not been so not missed anything .
anonymous 8 November, 2012 18:41
The 16GB Nexus 7 was in the sale at £189, next door at Curry's (who aren't having a liquidation sale!) had it for £179 (+ a £20 cashback offer if you bought a case). No wonder they went bust....
Bassam Al-Mawry 8 November, 2012 19:14
I can get better deals from Argos...
Craig Barratt 8 November, 2012 20:57
I got a Samsung BD-E8500 for £195, so my experience differs from most of the above :-D
anonymous 9 November, 2012 08:07
THE BEST THING YOU CAN BUY TODAY is "The Waste Makers" by Vance Packard-great non-fiction book about conspiracy.
anonymous 9 November, 2012 09:00
complete waste of time went looking at a henry hoover. they had it priced at 129.99 and 20% off but went next door to currys and got much better service and it was only 104.99 anyway. so seems they have overpriced their items in the first place.
anonymous 9 November, 2012 11:27
As I knew the news before the rest of the uk and before it seems that comet did with some stupidly baught in stock, iv been in a new job for 7 months. However a lot of people here are moaning about 10% off on most goods?! Are you kidding me? That's around 95% of the profit margin in most of these products, and apple? Apple dictate to all retailers such as dixons and such what they can take off these and when they go end of line only then they can discount them. 10% is massive. Tryed buying a display model of a laptop or pc from a dixons store? How's 5% for you? That good enough? Buy the stock from a fallen giant, be part of giving something back for your stupid problems, bad manors and 'ruined' christmas's. Dear general public, 10% is huge, you get a cheaper item than competitors if it's not good enough go try asking for 10% from a competitor and please be nice for a change!!!!
anonymous 9 November, 2012 15:49
Went to comet sale to be completely disappointed at discounts, it would seem by vast majority this is not real sale. As there has been such a furlore over comet accepting gift vouchers, maybe this "sale" is to force people with vouchers to exchange them for goods of almost equal value (I Mean comet already has their cash, and people need to get rid of vouchers quickly) why give them goods as well. Once all vouchers returned discounts will drop. Maybe I,m just being cynical ???
anonymous 9 November, 2012 16:46
It's not just 10% there's 20 & 30 aswell, I went in and got an ipad 2 in white for £266 :)
Bassam Al-Mawry 9 November, 2012 18:00
@anonymous 11:27 10% isn't a lot, for example Argos regularly do 20%, 1/3 and even half price sales.... 10% isn't even worth the journey to comet & the risk your taking when buying from a retailer that will not exist for much l
anonymous 9 November, 2012 18:47
anonymong 16:22 there's always one arse wipe telling people what to think, shut it boy your the moron. so everyone is a moron because you said so LOL
who would be stupid enough to be a loyal customer (YOU) to an overpriced rip off shop that still can't get sales in a sale Lmfao. Your stupid you obviously going to be a former employee very soon so you make yourself look very idiotic. and sonny there's more than 2.5 million peeps without jobs and not just for Xmas.
so before you try to insult peeps try and use that brain cell
anonymous 10 November, 2012 09:00
Anonymous 18:47 instead of being a complete prick say something constructive!
anonymous 10 November, 2012 17:40
The service at commet was the worst i ever experienced so neverwent in. Did'nt the staff know it would affect the life of the organisation!
anonymous 11 November, 2012 01:22
@anon 16:22. Like the other guy said its clear your an employee and sorry bout you job. Would the money from the "sales" go to you?. or in some rich mans pocket. I would never buy from comet, evrything is cheaper elsewhere.
anonymous 11 November, 2012 15:54
@anonymous 10 Nov 09:00 Shut it big man what I said was totally constructive idiot! ironically what you just said was far from constructive. Lmfao some people are so stupid! so before you go around calling peeps pricks make sure your not being one yourself!
I doubt very much that anywere near 6000 people will be jobless because of this.
anonymous 15 November, 2012 00:42
My wife works at Comet and will be out of work soon as stores close she is fed up with being asked when is it comets last day of trading some customers have not got a heart. currys so called life line is only to suit them they could not give a bean about comet staff.
anonymous 17 November, 2012 11:47
Please tell me that youre heading to keep this up! Its so very good and so important. I cant wait to read far more from you. I just feel like you know so very much and know how to make people listen to what youve got to say. This weblog is just as well cool to be missed. Great things, actually. Please, PLEASE keep it up!
online wholesale store
anonymous 17 November, 2012 20:35
NO SALE AT COMET. Why waste your petrol like i dd. It is all cheaper on line or even my local shop they will give me a better discount.
anonymous 19 November, 2012 10:44
Went to our local Comet in Dunstable and to be honest it was not worth the petrol. All the RRP's seemed to be high before the discount was taken off. If they were selling at these prices before the SALE no wonder they are closing down.
anonymous 20 November, 2012 19:44
I WAS once a customer of COMET in Measglas Newport Gwent, but they crap on me from a great hight when they refused to replace a £800 television I got from Comet when it stopped working after 4, thats FOUR months,I wanted comet to replace it with a NEW one but they refused. I was the customer but they treated me like crap. Well if that was the way they treated the customers they deserve to go bust. When my son told me the news I had to do a jig and shout HURRRRRAY and good riddance to BAD rubbish.
I have NEVER set foot in a comet store again.
anonymous 23 November, 2012 10:07
I like comet
anonymous 23 November, 2012 19:46
Went to the Inverness store to purchase a camera. Total cost £469.00 with supposed discount. Went home and did a bit of research and found the same camera for £396.00!!!! No wonder they're closing!!!! My advice DON'T GO THERE!!
anonymous 24 November, 2012 14:10
went inoto comet the other week when sale started bought 3 ipad's worth 500 a peice got them at a even bigger reduction 300 a peice thats 600 as a saving also bout tv tvstand at a further reduction
anonymous 5 December, 2012 20:48
Wholeheartedly agree with majority of comments always was an overpriced pointless store pointless rebranding expenditure leopards dont change their spots as this was always the sad 2nd fiddle donkey & overpriced joke shop in the retail electricals sector will not be sorry to see it gone with useless staff that didnt know there products & who should have been on piece work for volume sales but werent & were predominantly paid hourly so stood around talking about what they did or was gonna do over the weekend, This market is fickle & comet has seen the internet purchasing boom finish it off
Had to laugh at the comments from the knobhead thats got comet written right through him, hes no doubt gonna be crying himself to sleep when he collects his last pay check , you have had it too good too long ! welcome to the real world dickhead !
Hope your house & car gets repossessed & your missus leaves you with the kids to feed & fucks you off to be with a real man that would nt get rattled about losing a job pick yourself up & keep batting or are you a real life fuckwit !!!!! ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE !
anonymous 15 December, 2012 11:08
been shopping at comet a few times now and i have got brilliant bargins a range cooker for 140 which is normally 800. dishwasher which i got for 180 which was 386 got a built in electric oven and grill for 50 which is 350 rrp also got a dyson hoover for 125 all packed it was brilliant i got 50% 90% off my items