High-end computers may find a home in discount stores

Discount Store News, Feb 4, 1985 by Larry Carlat

Several chain buyers feel the more sophisticated customer will opt to buy a higher-end personal computer at a specialty store like Computerland, where the whole store is completely dedicated to computers and its peripherals. Although possibly not as sharply priced as mass merchants, this type of store can offer other advantages including credit plans, a much larger software selection and an important intangible, time with the customer.

Finding both the time to spend with prospective customers and trained salesmen are problems many discount chains must wrestle with. But to many, these and other problems do not appear to be insurmountable.

"I wouldn't bet against Jack Tramiel. He's a fighter and a scrapper. I think a lot of people would like to see him fall on his face, but I wouldn't sell him short,' said an executive at a major discount chain.