PC Club
{{Short description|American computer hardware store}}
{{Infobox company
|name=PC Club
|logo=PC Club logo.svg
|type=Private retail
|location=City of Industry, CA
|foundation=1992
|defunct=2008
|fate=Bankruptcy
|key_people = Chris Chen, CEO (as of 2008)
|industry = Computer hardware
|products = Desktops
Laptops
Peripherals
|services = In-store computer repairs & upgrades
}}
PC Club was a privately owned, United States–based chain of computer hardware stores established in City of Industry, California, in 1992. The company closed all its stores on July 29, 2008. PC Club operated primarily in the West Coast states. It offered hardware and peripherals for PCs, as well as complete desktop and notebook computers assembled under the "Enpower" brand name.
History
Taiwanese businessman Jackson Lan founded PC Club in 1992 as its first CEO. Following Lan's death in 2005, the company went through turbulent times. Jeff Lan, Jackson's brother, was appointed president of the company in January 2006. On April 8, 2008, Jeff Lan was appointed advisor to a new PC Club chairman, James Cheng, while Sunny Lin was named the company's next president. However, in May 2008, all its brick-and-mortar stores were closed in addition to the company's e-commerce website (clubit.com) during another ownership transfer to NAOC. On May 16, the stores and website were reopened after the company was acquired for an undisclosed amount by NAOC Holdings, a leveraged buyout holding company.
On July 23, 2008, PC Club closed 14 of its locations. Less than a week later, on July 29, the store shut down the remainder of its locations.
Business model
PC Club sold directly to both consumers and local resellers through its brick-and-mortar stores and via its website. At one point, they had over 60 store locations in 12 different states, typically placed within walking distance of CompUSA, Best Buy or Fry's Electronics.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014547/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/42823682.html?dids=42823682:42823682&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+30,+1999 PC Club Finds Its Niche by Sticking Close to Its Rivals] It provided live tech support by phone, maintained an online forum, and answered questions through e-mail. In-store repairs and upgrades were available at all locations.
Marketing
PC Club promoted itself through mainstream advertising and word of mouth. PC Club also had TV commercials in limited areas.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-30-fi-51511-story.html LA Times article: The Strategist Next Door]
Category:1992 establishments in California
Category:2008 disestablishments in the United States
Category:American companies established in 1992
Category:American companies disestablished in 2008
Category:Companies based in the City of Industry, California
Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008
Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Category:Computer companies established in 1992
Category:Computer companies disestablished in 2008
Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States
Category:Defunct computer hardware companies