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Rex store is out; Appliance Direct is in
Published Tuesday, February 24, 2009
NATCHEZ — One Natchez business will be closing its doors soon, but another one is ready to move in and open up.
Rex TV Appliances is in the process of liquidating its merchandise in preparation for the store closing, but Appliance Direct will be moving into the location shortly after Rex shuts its doors for the last time.
“Basically Rex is getting out of the retail business all together,” said Bill Branum, regional vice president with Rex. “The corporate focus is shifting to alternative fuels. We’ve had interest in that area for several years.”
Branum said management at Rex made the decision to completely shift the focus of the company recently, and after the decision was made, the process of closing stores has gone quickly.
Rex has had interest in the alternative fuel business since the mid-1990s.
But before the stores were closed, Rex was able to locate a company that was interested in taking over the Rex locations.
Appliance Direct, an appliance retailer from Florida has taken over ownership of the 37 stores that were owned by Rex and are looking to negotiate lease agreements with over 40 stores that Rex leased.
The store in Natchez is owned by Rex.
“It is not just a change of name, it is a completely different company,” Branum said.
In order to prepare for closing, Branum said Rex will have to sale off all the merchandise in the current location since Appliance Direct will bring in merchandise of its own.
“Everything in the store is going to leave,” he said. “We are going to give them a completely empty building.”
The process of emptying the building isn’t lengthy, Branum said, and he expects the store to be closed by the middle of next week.
“Typically we’ve never gone beyond eight or 10 days,” Branum said.
But while the name and merchandise will be changing, Branum said it was his understanding that current Rex employees will return to the location once Appliance Direct opens up.
“They have all been told they will have comparable positions with Appliance Direct,” Branum said. “It should be the same crew, but they will just be out of work for a couple of weeks while (Appliance Direct) will be doing their remodeling.”
Branum said all warranties purchased through Rex on appliances should be honored after the store is taken over by Appliance Direct. He said customers should call 1-800-528-9739 instead of any numbers that are currently used.
Comments
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on February 24, 2009 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great,another rent to own appliance store. What a boost
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
At least, business will be helped, I hope!
Posted by ViLou2True (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
so when is the sell off?? is it going on now???? see if I can get something good before they leave .....
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on February 25, 2009 at 1:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.j...
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I bought a new flat screen two weeks ago from Rex...I hope the new place really does honor the warrantee
Posted by ITSME (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a sad day this is. One of my first jobs was with this company which paid very well but the District Managers where crooks.I loved working for your company and hope with this next company u watch out for these crooked guys and see who was really stealing from your company. David In Hattisburg Ms for example.Good look to a great company.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad they're keeping the same rude , crude employees.
I spent $2600.00 at Christmas and the long haired dude was soooooooo busy talking on the phone to his girlfriend that I had to load the merchandise myself. Then I went back to try to buy an add on and none of the 3 employees in there even asked if they could help me. Glad Rex is gone...take the employees too!!!!!!
Posted by UpNorth (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I walked into Rex's one time and said I would never go back like LOVESNATCHEZ said they are rude and stays on the phone.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 10:48 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Fan_of_the_long_haired_dude (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Other things to know about "the long haired dude" at Rex
- He answers numerous customer calls a day, which involve talking people through their electronics problems. He doesn’t mind because he wants his customer to enjoy what they have purchased.
-He has been known to visit elderly customer's homes on his own time and show them how to operate the electronics that they purchase. He doesn’t mind because he understands that new technology can be tricky.
-He takes calls from customers on his days off and helps them with problems by calling the corporate office to fight for permission to replace items or by calling a manufacturer and fighting to have a warrantee honored, among other things. He doesn’t mind because it is his job, even when he is off.
-He normally works ten hour days, twelve or more during Christmas, and very rarely leaves the store, goes without eating many times during Christmas in order to help customers. He doesn’t mind because it is his job, and he regrets that during the busy season some customers walk away unhappy.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear "FAN",
Obviously YOU'RE the girl he stays on the phone with. Trust me, he's not nearly as virtuous as you say. I have been a business owner for over 20 years and I promise you one thing; A CUSTOMER IN THE STORE TAKES PRECENDANCE OVER ANYONE ON THE PHONE!!!!!!!!!! Bottom line. And REX wasn't very busy during the holiday season this year because they pissed everyone off LAST SEASON.
Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went there ONCE several years ago to buy a stove and asked if the one we were looking at had drip pans for the burners. The reply was "Well, you have to buy your own pots and pans." Here's your sign!!!! Never went back to purchase anything, but did go comparison shopping a time or two...never had anyone hardly acknowledge we were in the store.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! I was in there about a year ago and it reminded me of a car dealership, I stopped going cause I like to browse and didn't feel like dealing with them breathing down my neck the minute I walked in! What a difference a year makes!
Posted by galleygall (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by bigblulights (anonymous) on February 26, 2009 at 3:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ever since the big "W" (Wal Mart) came into town personal contact and personal service has gone out the window. There are still a few shops, mainly in the uptown area, that are locally owned and operated and will probably know you by name if you frequent there occasionally. Since Wal Mart has come to town though the city has gone through an entire generation of children who don't know how to interact with the customer on a one-on-one basis and establish a connection with them. Many employee's now are from a younger generation and they just don't cater to the customer as they should. Unfortunatly this is the way life has turned, sad but true.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on February 26, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had not one, but two rude experiences with the long hair dude. Sorry fella but I ain't rootin' for ya nor shopping with ya.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on February 26, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't remember what I posted but I didn't expect to get deleted. I mentioned a chubbie black dood that was rood to me and the wife.
Posted by crackbaby (anonymous) on February 26, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Being it was stated in this paper that Natchez has a 25% Gay population, maybe a sex shop would be more profitable than an appliance store. That would give a whole new meaning to loading the dish washer?
Posted by rt29 (anonymous) on February 26, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its not often that you have to buy appliances, but today I purchased a washing machine. I went to Sears and bought a machine in less than 15 min. The customer service was excellent. Even down to arranging delivery! Very nice guys and gals. Will do business there again. Just letting yall know that there are friendly sales people out there! As for Rex, I havn't even stepped foot in there.
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