Fry's Electronics

Fry's Electronics has reasonable prices, but there are certain things that must be avoided. Like trying to pay with a personal check, or in my case, trying to charge a purchase on an open account. The company I work for does $ 500 million + in Los Angeles, and we pay our bills in less than a week. But every time, and I do mean EVERY time I present a Purchase Order, the clerk has never seen one before and I get to wait, and wait, and wait while the education process happens. The last time I wanted to charge $ 400 worth of Blank CD's. The clerk didn't know how to process a P.O., so it got handed off to someone a level up. That person didn't like that the top of the sheet said "Purchase Order / Check Request".
It can be used for either. Nonetheless, even though we've been using this form for years at THIS STORE, there was a problem. The second issue was that there is space for two signatures on the P.O. Only one was signed. By me. I can approve up to $ 500 by myself. Higher than that takes two signings. I explained this to no avail. Finally, I surrendered. I'd been there 45 minutes while they wasted their time and mine. I can get blank C.D.'s from Polyline for less money, and CERTAINLY less hassle. Fry's problem is that the mistrust they have in their employees trickles down to everyone. No one is to be trusted, even regular customers they see multiple time a week. When I finally surrendered, told the P.I.C. I didn't want to waste more time negotiating the validity of my P.O. and was leaving, the huge ear-to-ear grin explained it all. I had been trying to put something OVER on him. Of course! I have nothing better to do than rip off Fry's for petty purchases.
Seriously, Fry's is OK 95% of the time. But PLEEZE train the clerks how to process something besides a credit card !!

Even if you don't go for the great electronic deals, go scope out the 1950's Sci-fi motif found everywhere in the store!!! Everything from "When Worlds Collide" to "The Day the Earth Stood Still." And watch out for martians all over the place.

I've read a few of the b.s. reviews on this website ... I live 20 miles from the Burbank, CA Fry's and find the drive ALWAYS worth the effort. 1) Prices are always very competitive 2) Returns are allowed with no questions 3) after-purchase service is fair.
A zealous salesman oversold me by "promising" that a Fry's tech would come to my home and install new computers, new wireless network, hook up to DSL modem, install 3 network printers, and have all of the computers talking to each other as well as talking to each of the printers. Of course, the tech came out and ONLY hooked up the wireless router claiming that the other promises shouldn't have been made by the salesman.
Needless to say, I was at Fry's the next day complaining and the result was that the STORE MANAGER (Todd) ordered up that the service department take care of me according to the salesman's promise. They sent a guy out and everything was solved. So, yes I had a big problem with Fry's ... but Fry's had a big solution for me. That's all you can ask of your retailer. Try getting this kind of service from a mail-order discounter. Try doing any better with Best-Buy, Circuit-City, Dell etc... They all have irritating problems, it's how they solve that counts. Go Fry's! p.s. At all times I was respectful of the Fry's employees with regard to the difficult position they were in trying to help me.

I have found that the Fry's employees know jack about their products unless you are the game section, which happens to be kids that obviously that play these games that they sell. If you want to buy stuff at Fry's that is high end technology, make sure that you take a friend that knows something about the product to give you advice rather then talking to the sale guys.

PROS: Great products when not tagged with the white label
CONS: Employees that know nothing that ther are selling

The main problem I have with Frys is that I am more knowledgable that their employees on their products. They really need to pay there help more to bring in real computer guys.
good selection though. Parking is good, the store is clean and had great decor (spaceship crashing through the front of the building)

While Fry's might ahve a large selection and very low prices, they lack one quality: customer service. Most of the employees know nothing about the products they are selling. A lot of the products are seconds. They have the worst return policy. When you try to return something, they make sure every little piece of paper and all the packaging are there.

PROS: Good Selection, Low Prices
CONS: Poor Customer Service. Bad Return Policy

I've been to various Fry's Electornics across the west coast and this is my favorite--the exterior design of a spaceship crashing through the wall is priceless, as is the continuous alien decor inside.

i love this place because it has everything i need that's electronics related in one place. parts, accessories, computers and every computer related items imaginable and unimaginable under one roof. its a very good store to just spend few hours looking at different technologies that's available currently. one thing negative is there seem to be too many workers that just don't do anything than hang around without helping customers sometimes. what i mean is this. when you have a question about a certain product, those that can help are always helping other customers. even though you see a few that are just talking and doing nothing, they can't help you because they are not a part of that particular department.
other than the above minor glitch, it's a fantastic store with incredible number of customers every time i go there. it's always packed. excellent, all inclusive solutions to any of your electronic needs. great store.
magazine section also kicks butt. selection-wise, they can beat most mega-bookstores.

PROS: varieties and choices. you need it, they have it. very convenient.
CONS: sometimes there aren't enough knowledgeable staff to help you.

This Fry's is much better than the one in Manhattan Beach. It's better organized and generally has a friendlier and more knowledgable staff. Returns and exchanges aren't such a hassle here. Good sales and prices.

yes,they have so many choices.and the lowest prices probably from all the similar stores like best buy or circuit city.you can find products with lower quality also.

PROS: many products
CONS: not many store locations

This store is very big and they have such a huge variety of stock. They have everything you can think of for your computer and electronic needs and wants. The prices are pretty decent when they have sales. The only problem I have with the store is they have a lot of great prices but they are after mail in rebate. I have not had very good luck with their mail in rebates, I avoid anything that has one if possible.

huge selection of electronics and computers and televisions. If you are looking for any kind of electronics and you don't find it here you won't probably find it anywhere else. Avoid saturdays if you can since it iks really crowded and it gets impossible to talkj to someone in case you need help.

At Fry's you will find good electronics at good prices. I love shopping here and I shop here frequently. If you don't know much about the item you are looking for then don't come here because the employees don't seem to know much. More employees need to be hired.

This place is an electronic nirvana. They have virtually everything you need for computers including heatsinks, memory, motherboards, Cpus and even cases which is something you won't in other electronic chains. The organization can be a bit messy but if you need anything electronic and at a very cheap price then fry's is the place for you. They have an insane amount of DVDs and CDs so this place is amazingly good so check it out.

Behind the now defunct Mar Vac Electronics of Pasadena, this is the mother lode of electronics stores. However, the "help" here is very poor. I'm not sure why they even bother paying these people to be on the floor. The shelves are packed and if you have issues making up your mind then your in big trouble because they have dozens of choices!

For those who love browsing, Fry's is electronic heaven. A Costo for eletronics (and much more), Fry's is situated near Burbank Airport which makes it great for wandering while waiting to do an airport pickup. The prices are very good and they have virtually anything imaginable in the way of electronics and appliances, stereos and tvs, etc. My only beef with Fry's is that you usually have to hunt down a Salesperson, even on a non-weekend day, and I've found them to be more interested in selling you the item than in answering your questions. I don't find the staff to be extremely knowledgeable but if pressed, they'll find you someone who is. I usually leave Fry's with something (even if it's not the item for which I was looking) and it's a totally fun place to while away the afternoon.

They should hire more employees and train them better. What I do like about this store is that they carry so many different types of electronics. The store is pretty big and the prices are good. I would only shop here on weekdays before the afternoon! Other than that good luck.

My boyfriend and I went into the the store wanting components for a wireless internet system. We needed something for a PC. We found something in the Mac section that worked for PCs and Macs (we also have a Mac) but wanted a store clerk to explain the differences of a couple of things to us. The first person we spoke to told us nothing of any use and told us the item that works for both only works on Macs (later disproved by my Mac savy friend) told us to go to aisle 19 and walked away. Aisle 19 was no less confusing and there was no one around to help so we wandered to customer service. The two girls there knew nothing and directed us to a man and the end of the aisly. He was extrememly rude and would give no further help than to vaguely gesture at a couple of boxes while saying you need this for a laptop and the other for a desktop, all the while looking in a different direction. He hurridly left before any of our questions were answered. So we went back to 19, then 13. I went through 3 people in

PROS: - decent prices
CONS: - the worst, most uninformed, unhelpful customer service staff I have ever encountered. EVER!

Every tuesday is the day that new DVD's and CD's are released. At FRY'S they also discount them for the first few days. When you are on a Budget it is really helpful. You have to go to the store at certain times so you do not get caught up in the long lines. I do not go there on weekends, even though they have a great amount of cashiers and system installed to speed the lines up. They also have all kinds of electronics, appliances, video and dvd players and TV's and much more. Each of their stores are done in a different theme. You have to visit all of them for the great art design. Make sure you keep your receipt if you are going to return something.

PROS: Everything you want in the same place
CONS: Long lines and crowded

How can I describe Fry's Electronics? They have a lot of electronics: computers, TVs, video games, and lots more, and their prices are pretty reasonable. Unfortunately, their customer service is poor. Though I shop at Fry's regularly, I don't completely trust the place. If you want to be assured of having a positive experience shopping for electronics, go to Best Buy instead and be prepared to spend more. But if low prices are important to you, Fry's is worth checking out... just don't say I didn't warn you!

Wery GOOD!

Fantastic selection (especially for low-level geeky hardware like opamps and breadboards) and a great place to shop until you need help with something.

If you need to make a return, be prepared for massive lines filled with angry customers.

Sales associates are next to useless, though occasionally by freak accident you'll find someone who is really smart.

Be sure to avoid the packages with the return sticker on it.

Guard your shopping cart carefully lest it be stolen from you - then you'll have to walk the entire football-field length back to the shopping carts to get another one.

Just search any search engine for "Fry's Sucks" and you'll see all kinds of complaints.

Oh, good grief. Please don't make me shop here. It's like the zoo that you go to when you want to see stinky old geeks. And sit in line for returns.

But, it's Fry's!!!

Yes, the customer service was shipped in from medieval times. Yes, the shelves are a mess. Yes, the lines are long. And yes, the staff knows less about the equipment than you do.

But it's Fry's. The selection! It's geek heaven. Where else can you pick up, in one trip, a cheap DVD player, a multimeter, Halo 2, a flatscreen TV, a soldering iron, an Apple Laptop, a DC motor, an unpackaged processor, and a Mountain Dew?

PROS: They've got every conceivable gadget, doodad, and gizmo
CONS: You must fend for yourself. God help you if you try to return something.

Recommending the Burbank Fry's is a bit complicated. It is very large and has almost anything computer or electronics related you could possibly want. On the other hand, the service is not that great and they are understaffed. The prices are usually good, but sometimes it's difficult to find the product you want because of the way they shelve things. So if you know what you want Fry's is a good place to start, if you're unsure and need help, then maybe not. They take returns but are slow about it. I want to give it a B-/C+ but that option isn't there so I went with the C.