Headlines - Scan.co.uk expands its Bolton store with huge new retail section

[Saxamafone]

In-store prices same as the website?

Looking good btw, shame I dont live anywhere near Bolton

[Betty_Swallocks]

I wish there was something like this within 50 miles of me. I really don't like buying online but it's the only option if you want high end kit. If there was somewhere I could go to buy over the counter and actually talk to people I'd be there.

[drunkenmaster]

Errm, all I can think is the 3 extra heatsinks they'll sell to people who come to pick up orders per month are nothing compared to the 5000 orders a month that are more expensive, or make less profit due to all that wasted warehouse space.

[muddyfox470]

Where's the ATi and AMD stuff?

It's all well and good a nice shop (that is no doubt going to be a bit of a job to keep clean ) but surely you aren't being as impartial to customers if you are pushing through Intel and NVidia based systems? I would have thought as a computer retailer you would have had a duty to give impartial advise to all customers based on their system requirements and how deep their pockets are; and historically AMD systems have tended to be cheaper.

Doesn't anyone else think the same way? [I didn't see a single AMD or ATi related item in that shop - from the photos]

[kalniel]

Doesn't anyone else think the same way? [I didn't see a single AMD or ATi related item in that shop - from the photos]

No way. If a manufacturer pays a premium to get extended floor space/promotion then they should be able to - SCANs a business, not a not-for-profit impartial service.

[muddyfox470]

No way. If a manufacturer pays a premium to get extended floor space/promotion then they should be able to - SCANs a business, not a not-for-profit impartial service.

It still does not make sense, to have products in the warehouse, but not display in the shop...
Sure Scan may have got a nice little handout with sponsorship for displaying Intel and NVidia stuff hence the racing car. However can you not remember what happened to the DSG group when it was found out that Intel were paying big royalties for those companies not to stock/sell/display AMD products.

Ultimately it is Scan's decision to sell and display what they wish, but there are two things that are concerning me, customers come in and are drawn in end up buying an Intel based system although it may not be suitable for them and Scan selling very few AMD/ATI products because they haven't advertised the fact they have any in the store.

[sawyen]

Well, ok now put it simply..

Is there an easy way to get to Scan's retail outlet? i.e. by train and bus?

I'm from Sheffield and I'm really eager to pay Scan a visit at some point, but in this case... I don't intend to drive there (with the fuel prices now) and I may be willing to pay for a taxi however if it cost more than a fiver to get there from a train station then probably not..

Maybe the guys at Scan can shed some light..

Loyal customer here, but just not dedicated enough if its miles away from civilisation..

[d1ck0]

Yeah theres a Train Station right on there doorstep its called Horwich , when u get out of train station head for the retail park and Scan is on the left behind a KIA ? car Showroom , walking distance , get train past Bolton , heading to Preston. Hope this helps

[Danishwonder]

Well, ok now put it simply..

Is there an easy way to get to Scan's retail outlet? i.e. by train and bus?

I'm from Sheffield and I'm really eager to pay Scan a visit at some point, but in this case... I don't intend to drive there (with the fuel prices now) and I may be willing to pay for a taxi however if it cost more than a fiver to get there from a train station then probably not..

Maybe the guys at Scan can shed some light..

Loyal customer here, but just not dedicated enough if its miles away from civilisation..

Or save you money and just get free shipping !! when you buy more than (Is it £20? ) al you have to do be member at hexus

[sawyen]

But something's always missing from online sales..

I like the feeling of a retail shop with things I can actually see and hold.. plus, I like the feel of technology retail places as they make me feel so much at home..

Also, I tend to buy more in these places as by seeing the thing in person makes that purcahse so so much more likely..

[DR]

In-store prices same as the website?

Looking good btw, shame I dont live anywhere near Bolton

Identical - and you can order online and pickup in store... QCollect

Errm, all I can think is the 3 extra heatsinks they'll sell to people who come to pick up orders per month are nothing compared to the 5000 orders a month that are more expensive, or make less profit due to all that wasted warehouse space.

It is an interesting sight at a weekend - and clearly you have never been there - with queues hundreds of people long - the guys at SCAN aren't crazy they know the pull and affect their collect service has... (!) Also - they already had a retail place this is a rebuild and replace on it in order to give more room and service to customers.

There will be more news from SCAN soon on a lot of things which will make things even better for the etail customers - but I can't say anything as of yet.

Oh look, a hexus article on how great scan is.

Hexus & Scan sitting in a tree kay eye ess ess eye en gee

Thanks for this insightful and useful post - you are a welcome asset to the community.

As you know - SCAN and HEXUS do work closely together, and I think you will find this is a genuine story - I would be surprised if any member of the community did not see the value in HEXUS & SCAN working together.

Cheers

David.

[CrazyMonkey]

Looks very srubbishrubbishrubbishrubbishy, shame i wont be visiting it any time soon

[drunkenmaster]

To be fair, if I lived closer I would order and go pick up from their, but that would be despite the shop and more to do with the fact its still the only place in the UK I can't know before even going to look at the website, that I can get whatever I want delivered tomorrow. I used to go and pick up stuff from overclock.co.uk before they moved their warehouse (the original overclock not the newly taken over version), at the end of the day, walk in sales in a technology industry aren't where the money is anymore.

Sure there are people who prefer to go to a store, and its quite nice to sometimes see all the stuff you don't buy. But most people who buy kit for work, home computers want the best price, thats where the argument starts and finishes for most buyers and collection service if you happen to be close enough just makes emergency items or impulse buys quicker to pick up and cheaper than lots of places if delivery price is not included anymore. Not saying collection isn't important. Overclock had a lot of people collect after paying online or coming in with a premade order to pay in cash, and were happy to do so even when walking into a box sized front room with some nice amd/intel/gigabyte posters and insane heat(no ventilation).

Overclock probably suffered from lower capital + smaller warehouse limiting buying options which meant offering good prices meant very very small margins and thats most likely why didn't make it. The key to staying competitive would seem to be those things, the amount you can buy and store, and the amount you can buy from distributors or direct from manu's dictating how much you pay and who gets first shot at stock. While i kind of hate OCUK, and don't fall for most of their "we'll get stock first" crap, they do often get the day early batch and rather disgustingly, but fantastic business wise, make a killing off the prices they sell those for.

Now a serious question would be, would hundreds of people be queing to go and see the Scan store, if they could get next day delivery? I used to order from them a lot, since the move I've order smallish things i can wait for, or something I can't find anywhere else, but when the option of paying the same price, but waiting 12 hours from dabs or ebuyer, even ocuk( and die a little inside) than pay the same price and wait 3-4 days for something.

[NightshadowUK]

Now a serious question would be, would hundreds of people be queing to go and see the Scan store, if they could get next day delivery?

Yes. Ain't nothin' sweeter than walking out with a bag / box / trolley of new hardware and fitting it that same day. I'm getting all tingly just thinking about it.

Being more serious, Scan's located on the edge the Middlebrook (Reebok Stadium) retail park, and you'd be surprised at just how many average Joe's go in to pick up a couple of SD cards or a new keyboard, as they're MILES cheaper than the on-site Comet and Currys. With the collection point, shoppers can treat it like any other store (many probably have no idea of Scan's e-reputation) and they're more than willing to queue up for 15 minutes if it means they can save £10 on a single, basic item.

[sawyen]

Yes. Ain't nothin' sweeter than walking out with a bag / box / trolley of new hardware and fitting it that same day. I'm getting all tingly just thinking about it.

Being more serious, Scan's located just off the Middlebrook retail park / Reebok Stadium, and you'd be surprised how many average Joe's go in just to pick up a couple of SD cards or a new keyboard as they're MILES cheaper than the on-site Comet and Currys. People can treat it just like an average shop (many probably have no idea of Scan's e-reputation) and they're more than willing to queue up for 15 minutes to save £10 on a keyboard.

nod.. nod... I'd rather shop with a trolley full of boards and chips and graphics card than visit the cold online environment..

[NightshadowUK]

Oh! And being able to RMA in-store is a God-sent.