Comp USA Deceptive Advertising Practices Letter to CEO of Comp USA Columbia Maryland

My letter to the CEO of CompUSA regarding their deceptive advertising practices. I would advise against going to the store to purchase their advertised products.

Mr. Hal Compton, CEO
CompUSA, Inc.
14951 North Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75254

Dear Mr. Compton,

Thanks for the great experience I had at your Columbia, MD location!

It is very comforting to know that every time I go to CompUSA, I can never get any sale items I want, even though the merchandise I want is listed in the circular you place in the Baltimore Sun. Of course, you always have plenty of the regular prices items.

To be more specific, I wanted the NASCAR Charger Race Wheel on sale that was advertised in the Baltimore Sun for my young son. The ad was in the paper in Saturdays Baltimore Sun edition. However, I realize that the sale did not start until Sunday. I happened to be in your Columbia location on Saturday night, Dec. 8th to pick up a few things right before the store closed and asked the manager if I could purchase the racing wheel a little early and get the sale price so I would not have to come back Sunday. Of course, the manager said no (even though Best Buy and Circuit City have always honored the sale price, even if a little early.) I was a bit disappointed. I bought my stuff and left.

Sunday morning around 10:30 I returned to buy the racing wheel and, of course, the store was all sold out. So, I made a special trip for nothing. I realize that the inexpensive racing wheel I wanted is a loss leader and the price is designed to get you in the store. However, it would be nice if you had enough of them in stock so that customers could buy what you advertise.

Considering the flyer said that this was a Two Day Sale (Sunday & Monday,) I figured you would have enough items in stock. Before 11:00AM on Sunday, they were all gone.

This type of situation has happened to me on numerous occasions at your Columbia location and this was the final straw. It is very disappointing to go to a store specifically to buy something and it is not there. I never have had any problem at Best Buy or Circuit City with getting the sale items I want, even if a little early.

As a result, I am no longer going to shop CompUSA for any merchandise anymore. I will be sure to tell all of my friends and family to do the same. I spend about $10,000/year on computer accessories and other odds and ends and you will not be getting any of it. Nice way to keep customers. Best of luck in your business.

Palace
Columbia, Maryland
U.S.A.