If you stumble upon Circuit City's website on your home computer, or get an email from them, no you're not imagining things.
Circuit City "dot com" is back in business ...selling HDTVs and computers with the same familiar red logo. The Web site looks almost identical to the one that shut down a few months ago, when the chain liquidated in bankruptcy.
But caution: it's not the same store that you remember.
Who's behind the "new" Circuit City?The company that owns computer retailer "Tiger Direct" bought the name, logo, and other rights, and is now selling electronics as CircuitCity.com, online only. It will not be reopening the shuttered stores.
You may find some great deals. But some cautions: there is no connection with the former store, and they will not handle returns or other claims from the original store.
In fact, when we compared CircuitCity.com to TigerDirect.com, we found the sites almost identical, with the same items, at the exact same prices.
Read the Return Policy CarefullyHowever, the new Circuit City site's return policy is one of the toughest in the business, according to
PC Magazine.- There are several major brands for which they will not accept returns for any reason...even if that new computer or printer won't work: you will have to deal directly with the manufacturer.
- And all returns must meet an "Inspection Criteria" the list of reasons for which they may reject a return is long. One piece of missing packing material, and your return can be denied.
- Finally, if you want to fight them, good luck. The fine print explains that when you make a purchase, you agree not to take part in any Class Action lawsuits, and you agree that if you want to sue them, you can do it only in Small Claims Court in Miami-Dade County, Florida: you can't sue them by filing a claim in your local courthouse.
So be sure to read the fine print in their return policy before ordering anything, so you don't end up disappointed, and you don't waste your money.
