Peats 'World of Electronics' (partly) Closing

Xithus · 02-04-2012 8:53pm #1

http://www.peats.com/

Sad to see them close. I remember buying my first computer games and TV from them before I ended up working there for years. Great bunch of lads to work for and with, if any of you read this good luck in the future.

Mods - I wasn't entirely sure where to put this feel free to move it.

Slideshowbob · 02-04-2012 9:24pm

sad to see em go

the influx of Dixons et al did not help

jok_jetset · 02-04-2012 9:31pm

I doubt the Government putting up VAT to 23% helped much either !

cml387 · 02-04-2012 9:35pm

I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did,beaten down by the likes of Komplette and others on the component side and by DSG on the big items.

MrJoeSoap · 02-04-2012 9:36pm

Sad to see, very little choice in this country when it comes to trying out Home Cinema kit etc and this won't help one bit. Best of luck to all who are losing their jobs as a result.

HeidiHeidi · 02-04-2012 9:36pm

What a shame - I'm a bit of a technophobe, and any time I needed hardware and/or advice that was where I headed - asking for informed advice at any of the retail park giants is a complete waste of time!

Another nail in the coffin of personal, informed, specialised service :mad:

cml387 · 02-04-2012 9:39pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

What a shame - I'm a bit of a technophobe, and any time I needed hardware and/or advice that was where I headed - asking for informed advice at any of the retail park giants is a complete waste of time!

Another nail in the coffin of personal, informed, specialised service :mad:

You'd think,but I guarantee nowadays if you asked a question in one of the tech forums here they'd give you better advice and from the comfort of your own home.

Will a day come when we never have to venture outside except for fresh air?

Dublin_Gunner · 02-04-2012 9:41pm

Bought the parts for my first ever computer build in there (well, their old store across the road from where they are now on Parnell street).

A 486 DX4 100 in 1995

I'd be a regular in Peats tbh - really handy to just pop in and get what you need without having to wait for delivery etc

Very sad news

Sir Oxman · 02-04-2012 9:45pm

The message on their site makes for ominous reading for any business out there in today's climate - seems they tried every avenue to reduce costs and came up against the familiar brick wall of sky-high rents.

Reading that it appears the owners are going to do right by their employees, hope that is the case.

Best of luck to the lads and ladies that worked there especially the ones on here.

Northern Monkey · 02-04-2012 9:45pm

Such a shame, I remember getting my amstrad games there as a kid.

Dublin_Gunner · 02-04-2012 10:06pm

I wonder would it be viable for them to resurrect as an online outlet?

They already have a recognised name, and they do supply thing you just can't get anywhere else (such as components etc - though quite how much of their revenue this would have given is anyone's guess).

I hate to see them disappear into the annals of history.

Marinjohn · 02-04-2012 10:08pm

jok_jetset wrote: »

I doubt the Government putting up VAT to 23% helped much either !

I agree 100%........

jok_jetset · 02-04-2012 10:09pm

Genuinely very sad to hear this news. Hard to believe that Peats has been trading since 1934 and survived the 50s, 70s and 80s. Just goes to show the extent of the mess we are in now

I bought a fair few bits and pieces off them over the years. Bought computer games as a kid in the late 70s/early 80s. Put a computer together with components I bought there in the late 90s. Bought some Wharfedale Diamond Floorstanders from them a couple of years back - great speakers and got a pretty good price too. I always found their prices competitive plus they had a good website if you wanted to order online.

Richer Sounds blamed the high rents too when they closed down their Dublin store a few years ago. Not many places left now to go and buy decent HiFi and Home Cinema gear.

Sad day, best of luck to all who worked there.

RichardAnd · 02-04-2012 10:17pm

I'm earnestly saddened by this. I've bought some great stuff in Peats throughout the years and I've never had an problems with them at all. Games, Peats, H&V in trouble, you have to ask where it will all end. The more I read, the more depressed I get.

Crann na Beatha · 02-04-2012 10:17pm

This post has been deleted.

AltAccount · 02-04-2012 10:23pm

I bought a Sony tablet off them a month or two ago, I looked online and was in several Dublin retailers before buying. Peat's service was by far the best.

I wish I had spent more with them, it's very sad to see them go.

Icepick · 02-04-2012 10:43pm

jok_jetset wrote: »

Genuinely very sad to hear this news. Hard to believe that Peats has been trading since 1934 and survived the 50s, 70s and 80s. Just goes to show the extent of the mess we are in now.

Not really.
They just can't compete with big retailers and online shops.

Damien360 · 02-04-2012 11:26pm

very bad news. This is being repeated in so many companies up and down the country. People have no money to spend on anything other than essential goods. All companies dealing in non-essential supplies will suffer until Enda and the fools realise what they are doing to the domestic economy.

Ghost Train · 02-04-2012 11:31pm

Sad indeed

. Bought a few things there over the years, my first 5.1 soundcard, my first mp3 player creative muvo nx 128mb, sony clie sl10 pda, hard disks, dvd writer... big purchases at the time

and a few other things. Best of luck to those who worked there, always found it friendly and helpful place to shop

washman3 · 02-04-2012 11:32pm

Very sad indeed,especially for the workers in Peats.
Enda and his backslapping cronies can take another bow on this one.
Raising the VAT played a huge part in this.
The life is slowly being drained from our great country thanks to the past and present bunch of charletens in charge.:mad:

KTRIC · 02-04-2012 11:36pm

I worked in the Parnell Street store and the South William Street Sony Center back in the last 90's when I finished school. It was a great and unique company to work for to say the least.

I still seen some of the same faces in the Parnell Street store to this day and I'm really saddened to see them close up shop

mike65 · 02-04-2012 11:36pm

I never shopped there but I do remember checking their website for something like a CD burner about 7 or 8 years ago and nearly falling off my chair. Couldn't believe the prices for everything. Made a mental note never to look again. komplett got my business instead.

gandalf · 02-04-2012 11:37pm

Very sad to see Peats go. Bought my first modem off them years and years ago (14.4k!).

I think the current Government messed up quite badly not sorting out the high rents issue and then compounding that with the increase in VAT. Those few people who have got some extra cash (not me unfortunately) are now being scared into hoarding it with a unspecified property tax looming next year which will certainly be a multiple of the so-called "household charge".

I expect Peats & Game to be followed by more big name retail outlets before the end of the year.

Marcin_diy · 02-04-2012 11:38pm

I was wondering how Peats could survive for so many years.
Fact is they had large stock of different goods, but they were much overpriced. I remember well when few years ago when shopping for Laptop went to PEATS, then Currys ( literally 50 meters walk between shops in Blanch S.C.) and the very same model was 100euro more expensive in Peats. The same with other products, at different time. I never bought anything there....

mike65 · 02-04-2012 11:41pm

Is suspect they thought that being an established "prestige" city centre store would somehow protect them from retail trends. They aren't the first to discover most people don't want or need a "bricks & mortar" outlet to help them buy things these days.

ongarite · 03-04-2012 12:27am

Very sad to see them go.
The end of the high-end AV stores in Dublin now.

If your looking to get any proper home cinema gear, there are few choices left in this country. Clooney Audio and RicherSounds in Belfast.

The staff in Blanch were always very helpful.

ChubbyHubby · 03-04-2012 12:42am

When I was looking for a new monitor about 3 years ago I went to peats as I wanted one quickly instead of waiting for internet delivery. Went to peats on Dame Street and asked about an ex-display 24" monitor they had on offer. The discounted price was still a little dearer than the new version of the same monitor on komplett plus it was damaged by the heat of the light in the display case. I brought this up about the damage and internet prices hoping for a discount and the guy said the internet is always cheaper and basically there's no more price reduction. Guess what I did...not sad to see a place that charges rip off prices go.

delta36 · 03-04-2012 12:47am

Very sad to see them go, bought my first stick of RAM from them. Staff were always great, no matter what store I was in.

nowuckenfurries · 03-04-2012 1:03am

Sad to see them go,
I bought alot of my Sinclair ZX Games there in the 80's :eek::o

I hope that they maintain an online store if poss & that all the staff affected get looked after

d@rk l0rd · 03-04-2012 1:04am

Really sad to see Peats close. Used to buy my Commodore 64 games as a kid in the mid 80s in their old store across from where they are now and bought my components there to build my first computer around 10 years ago.

Yeah, rents far too high, VAT too high, impossible to compete with the likes if the massive British chains such as Dixons and people buying online. Such a sad day that they've managed to survive 80 years and now they're gone. This country really is in such a mess! Sympathies with the employees.

KyussBishop · 03-04-2012 1:09am

Sad to see them go indeed, though with the high prices, and competition from online retailers, it was only a matter of time for them (and still is for quite a lot of other retail stores).

the_syco · 03-04-2012 1:10am

Now that Peats have gone, Maplins are the only ones left that sell computer parts. DSG group sells only sells over-priced tat. Have bought a good few things from Peats over the past while, but at this rate, all computer parts will have to ordered online from Germany and the UK.

The difference between the DSG group (PC World, Dixons, Currys, etc) and Peats is that the staff in Peats know their sh|t. The staff in DSG tend to be clueless when asked about the computers, or any questions not written on the small card in front of the product... :pac:

Sponge Bob · 03-04-2012 1:11am

I think they expanded to 11 stores where there was but 1 or 2 only 15 years ago. Caught rotten by rent contracts.

Very sad. I think the name will live on somewhere in the middle of Dublin though.

Mr Peat told staff that “Trade hit its peak in 2007, with turnover that year of €24m, it has since re-trenched to less than half for the current year” and thanking staff, customers and suppliers, he continued, “the Company had a fine heritage for quality, decency and value, it became a popular name on the Dublin retail landscape and it’s departure from the high-street will be a loss to the tradition of family retailing in Dublin.

No lie there, not forgotten !

the_syco · 03-04-2012 1:15am

Sponge Bob wrote: »

I think they expanded to 11 stores where there was but 1 or 2 only 15 years ago. Caught rotten by rent contracts.

Aye. Hopefully they can open a decent store in an industrial park (where the rent isn't as high) with some of their current staff.

Ironman76 · 03-04-2012 1:25am

Very disappointed to hear this. Like some of the earlier posters I used to buy my Atari 130XE and C64 games there in the 80s. If I ever wanted info on any of the latest technology etc I went there.

I remember ten years ago I wanted to checkout surround sound speakers (knew nothing about them) and a chap took me downstairs to where they had them all setup and gave me a 20 min lesson in how it all worked etc even though I wasnt buying them yet. They always seemed to have staff there that knew their stuff. Bought a good few MP3 players, external hard drives and all my blank dvds and cds there too over the years.

Only bought my Q Acoustics surround sound there three weeks ago. Yer man said I can have the display ones for 200 quid cheaper if I wanted. I asked the chap can i borrow a trolley to bring them across to the car and he insisted on bringing them over for me.

Their customer service is and always was bloody outstanding.

Best of luck to all the staff there.

d@rk l0rd · 03-04-2012 1:47am

They really did know their stuff there and always provided great service. They were great for getting nick-nacks but I guess the profit is in big electrical goods rather than nick-nacks and cash strapped people are not spending on big electrical goods. As the_syco said, the staff in the DSG stores are completely clueless. I wouldn't waste my time asking them anything because I'm well able to read the back of a box myself without having them take it and read it back to me and tell me it should do this, that or the other - rather than it does or it doesn't. Really hate DSG stores, apart from the useless staff that don't know or care about their products, they're way way overpriced.
Could Peats not relocate to somewhere cheaper, maybe one store that's easier for people to get to and park and collect their items, where they can keep providing the expertise and excellent service and also establish a greater online presence where they can compete with the big online stores such as Amazon?

Pope John 11 · 03-04-2012 2:05am

Yes, am I correct in saying they were on the opposite side of Parnell Street, to where they existed up to now. If correct, then I remember going in there loads of time during college etc.

mikom · 03-04-2012 2:16am

"The best small country in the world to do business in".

d@rk l0rd · 03-04-2012 2:18am

Yes, you are correct.

They were on the opposite side in a much smaller store. You went in through the right door for all the computer stuff and left door for the other electrical stuff. Aaaahhhh the memories. Can't remember when it was that they moved, I think possibly the early 90s?

uncle_sam_ie · 03-04-2012 8:54am

the_syco wrote: »

Now that Peats have gone, Maplins are the only ones left that sell computer parts.

You don't shop online? Maplins is way over priced on computer parts that are a year or two out of date. I can see them going under as well. It's lack of vision thats killing them. There is no reason they can't compete online and profit with the rest of them.

the_syco · 03-04-2012 9:19am

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

You don't shop online? Maplins is way over priced on computer parts that are a year or two out of date. I can see them going under as well. It's lack of vision thats killing them. There is no reason they can't compete online and profit with the rest of them.

I mainly shop online, but sometimes you need a part today. An example being that you're going to a LAN that day, and your PSU dies.

npj81 · 03-04-2012 9:26am

Xithus wrote: »

http://www.peats.com/

Sad to see them close. I remember buying my first computer games and TV from them before I ended up working there for years. Great bunch of lads to work for and with, if any of you read this good luck in the future.

Mods - I wasn't entirely sure where to put this feel free to move it.

I only rang the Swords shop yesterday about buying a pc controller & a few hours later I heard the news about the closure.

I remember my parents bringing me into Peats when I was a kid to buy me my first computer, a Commodore 64. I just remember standing there waiting around ages for a game to load (Batman i think) as the staff member showed a demonstration of the computer. Any time I did go into their shops I found the staff to be very helpful & friendly. It is sad to see another well established shop close.

At least the company respect their staff unlike GAME as "staff will be paid their entitlements and redundancy due in full"

practice · 03-04-2012 9:35am

The original shop was on the same side as it is now.
Spent many happy hours going thro their many trays of bits and pieces to build an old transmitter in the early 70s.
Just last christmas I got my final purchase there 2x 1tb hard drives.
So sad to see them go.
As for Maplins not in the same league at all.

RichardAnd · 03-04-2012 10:14am

I'm going to take something from this. My younger brother has asked me to get him some game time for World of Warcraft this week. I was just going to credit his account online with a credit card but instead, I'm going to head up to the gamestop in Clare Hall shopping centre and buy it there.

I think that if we all start to make a little extra effort to buy things in shops, we might keep a few jobs that might otherwise be lost. If you have to buy online, perhaps you could go to an Irish online retailer. A little might do alot.

.ak · 03-04-2012 10:17am

Xithus wrote: »

http://www.peats.com/

Sad to see them close. I remember buying my first computer games and TV from them before I ended up working there for years. Great bunch of lads to work for and with, if any of you read this good luck in the future.

Mods - I wasn't entirely sure where to put this feel free to move it.

Dunno if I'd call what you did 'working'

But yeh, +1, great company to work for and sad to see a family business go. Everyone you know has a story to tell about Peats, good or bad, it's a pity to see such a well renowned family business go under after 75+ years.

Dublin_Gunner · 03-04-2012 10:17am

RichardAnd wrote: »

I'm going to take something from this. My younger brother has asked me to get him some game time for World of Warcraft this week. I was just going to credit his account online with a credit card but instead, I'm going to head up to the gamestop in Clare Hall shopping centre and buy it there.

I think that if we all start to make a little extra effort to buy things in shops, we might keep a few jobs that might otherwise be lost. If you have to buy online, perhaps you could go to an Irish online retailer. A little might do alot.

If people would make a more concerted effort to spend their hard earned dough in Irish retailers, we'd help boost the economy and keep our local suppliers alive.

The problem is that these days, it's all too easy to find a foreign retailer online that might save you that fiver you so desperately want to cling on to.

But speaking of Irish online retailers - Memoryc.com is the only place I'll buy RAM. Prices are excellent, and they're based right here + free delivery.

Perhaps Peats could follow a similar model and re-open online. Elara seem to be surviving OK too.

madmoe · 03-04-2012 10:37am

Bought a Galaxy Tab 10.1 off them last year and due to issues with it they took it back and replaced it not once but TWICE! They were always very easy to deal with and sad to hear they are gone now......

Cheers,
M

Funky G · 03-04-2012 10:50am

Very sad news to hear that Peats are closing.

I remember, like others have mentioned here, buying commodore 64 games and sega master system games in the old shop where the FAS office is now on Parnell St.

I only bought a few items in the Blanch store just before Christmas - a new Cat 5 cable and a psu, only because they sold me branded products at really decent prices, plus their service was excellent. Not like the over-priced generic stuff you get in Maplins.

Looking at my office now, 3 of my 4 external hard drives I bought in Peats. Never had one problem with them and the staff are so friendly and very knowledgeable.

readyletsgo · 03-04-2012 10:59am

Terrible news! Best of luck to all the staff in there.

I remember buying all my C64 and some Sega games in the shop across the road, can still picture the shop! Loved how all the 'crap' games were in a basket (for the C64) around the store ground floor and games would go for 50p.

Will be missed!

On another note, will they be having a closing down sale any time soon?

Skerries · 03-04-2012 11:27am

are they closed or are they selling off stuff cheap?

The Corinthian · 03-04-2012 11:58am

Sign of the times.

Not so sure of that. Recessions are often the straw that breaks the donkey's back, but typically do not represent the fundamental problem with the business in question.

Remember, Bewley's (on Grafton Street) went bust during the good times.

The ability to buy electronic goods and software online has been a bit of a game changer to companies like Peats. I looked at their online offering some time ago, but in the end went with a UK e-tailer because it worked out cheaper and faster. Another experience was from about ten years ago, when I went into a camera shop and found a camera that interested me, but at double the price; I asked the shop assistant why it was double what Amazon was charging and he literally just walked away - it was almost as if he knew from experience that it was a waste of time to argue. Same thing in the Nokia shop on Dawson street, around the same time, a connection lead was £80, while on eBay I could get it for £15.

Some people will pay extra to get their product in their hands immediately. Or their game in a nice DVD package. But there's not enough of these customers to pay for the rent and salaries needed to keep physical retail outlets going in many markets - look at Game.

Peats 'World of Electronics' (partly) Closing

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