Thursday's Boston Globe.

Try this link (http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/05/11/tweeter_may_seek_ch_11_protection/)

They just closed 50% of their stores a month or two ago.

Could we call this the AVScience form effect ?

"Consumers are also doing more on their own, as they compare prices, read expert reviews, and buy products online."

"A lot of the footwork is being done on the Web; no longer do consumers go to a store and start to ask questions about a product," said Peter King , director of connected home devices at research firm Strategy Analytics.

Art

Could we call this the AVScience form effect ?

"Consumers are also doing more on their own, as they compare prices, read expert reviews, and buy products online."

"A lot of the footwork is being done on the Web; no longer do consumers go to a store and start to ask questions about a product," said Peter King , director of connected home devices at research firm Strategy Analytics.

Art

I read an article a few weeks ago about all of this. And it put the blame directly on Walmart's prices on flat screen TV's and other consumer electronics. Accroding to the article, Tweeter, Circuit City, and Comp USA were all in big trouble. Both Tweeter and Comp USA are having massive store closings. Circuit City is cutting way back on employees. So far, Best Buy is diverse enough that they have managed to overcome the problem.

About a block from where I work, there is a Best Buy, a Comp USA, and a Tweeter all grouped together in a strip mall. Both the Comp USA and Tweeter are closing.

Could we call this the AVScience form effect ?

"Consumers are also doing more on their own, as they compare prices, read expert reviews, and buy products online."

"A lot of the footwork is being done on the Web; no longer do consumers go to a store and start to ask questions about a product," said Peter King , director of connected home devices at research firm Strategy Analytics.

Art

I was thinking the same thing. AVS has become more and more popular on the outside world as time goes on. A lot of people seem to turn here for answers. I go away sometimes and come back every so often when I need to know something. Its a good place for it.

But the buyers who don't even have a computer or aren't accomplished at computer research don't mind going to Best Buy and such to check it out the market or for info, then just getting it (or something close enough) at the cheapest place, Walmart and the big box clubs.

I think the truth is, most of the public view these items as fungible and go for price merely judging by eyeball on the spot, not concerning themselves with the technical details,which they probably consider trivial.

What may seem odd to us is that people who worry about all the possible alternatives and having a future proof product and all the connectivity problems and especially those that want the hand holding and apparent stability of a stick are brick store are the niche market.

Glance and buy is probably the big group. Because everyone has a friend or relative who will help them put it together if they have a problem, because those folks like to be experts. Ring any bells?

I was thinking the same thing. AVS has become more and more popular on the outside world as time goes on. A lot of people seem to turn here for answers.
Agreed, just like at Radio Shack:)