TigerDirect

The company was founded as BLOC Development Corp., a publisher of utility and application software products starting with FormTool, in 1985. The original company was a pioneer in utility software with several top 10 titles. The original founders were: Frank Millman, Jorge Torres, Frank Haggar, Phil Bolin, Stephan Whitney, and Bob Horton. Frank Milman and Jorge Torres conceptualized the first product "FormTool".

In 1989, Tiger Software became a subsidiary of publicly held Bloc Development Corporation. BLOC Development was also the parent company of BLOC Publishing (a sister company of TigerSoftware), which continued the development and publishing of the company's flagship product "FormTool", and 20 other products; and SoftSync, former publisher of the "EXPERT Software" titles and the Macintosh accounting software "Accountant Inc."). BLOC Development later changed its name to TigerDirect.

TigerDirect abandoned the profitable software development in favor of the TigerSoftware catalog by 1991. Unfortunately, the new model under the leadership of Gilbert Fiorentino was unprofitable, and the company was sold in distress to Global DirectMail (now known as Systemax). In 1994 TigerDirect launched a series of profitable smaller catalogs that included GraphicsExpress, as well as CDROM and Mac catalogs. In 1996, after an aborted attempt at acquisition by Hanover House, it was acquired by Systemax (NYSE: SYX){{cite web|url=http://www.systemax.com |title=Systemax.com |publisher=Systemax.com |date= |accessdate=2014-01-27}}

On January 6, 2008, Systemax announced the acquisition of the CompUSA brand, trademarks and e-commerce business, and as many as 16 CompUSA retail outlets in Illinois, Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.{{cite web|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1205083/systemax_announces_definitive_agreement_to_acquire_selected_assets_and_retail/index.html?source=r_technology|title=Systemax Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Selected Assets and Retail Stores From CompUSA|last=Savage|first=Sam|date=2008-01-06|website=RedOrbit|accessdate=2008-01-06}} On May 13, 2009, Systemax similarly acquired Circuit City's intellectual property, including its trademarks, brand name, and domain names.{{cite web |url=http://syx.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=376853 |title=Firm buys defunct Circuit City's brand, domain names |publisher=Syx.client.shareholder.com |date=2009-04-13 |accessdate=2014-01-27 |archive-date=2017-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205155340/http://syx.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=376853 |url-status=dead }} The deal took effect six days later for a price of $14 million. The defunct CircuitCity.com website was restored after the Systemax purchase. In late-December 2012, both brands were shuttered and consolidated into TigerDirect.com.{{cite web|url=http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/systemax-cut-circuit-city-compusa-brands-exit-pc-manufacturing/103788|title=Systemax To Cut Circuit City, CompUSA Brands, Exit PC Manufacturing|last=Smith|first=Steve|date=2012-11-02|website=Twice.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105061817/http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/systemax-cut-circuit-city-compusa-brands-exit-pc-manufacturing/103788|archive-date=2013-11-05|accessdate=2014-01-27}}

On March 16, 2015, TigerDirect announced that it would close all but three of its retail stores in an effort to focus exclusively on online and business-to-business sales. Canadian operations consisted of 6 stores in Southern Ontario and all closed in 2015 (and replaced by the online distribution centre in Richmond Hill under Acrodex or PCM Canada){{Cite web|url=https://www.wifihifi.ca/content/index/page?pid=2844|title=TigerDirect to Close All But Three Stores, Focus on B2B Sales|last=Hucker|first=Wally|date=2015-03-16|website=Wifi Hifi Magazine|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=2017-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126050142/http://www.wifihifi.ca/content/index/page?pid=2844|url-status=dead}} The locations left open were located in Jefferson, Georgia, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and its then-headquarters location at Miami, Florida. The company also closed a distribution center in Naperville, Illinois.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/systemax-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2014-financial-results-2015-03-10|title=Systemax Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2014 Financial Results|date=2015-03-10|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=2019-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016155359/https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/systemax-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2014-financial-results-2015-03-10|url-status=dead}}

In November 2015, PCM Inc. acquired Systemax's "North American Technology Group", including TigerDirect, for $14 million. The division had, by late 2015, incurred operating losses of $68 million (in contrast to its other businesses, which had an operating profit). The acquisition was closed on December 1, 2015 with the sale of its business-to-business customer list and intellectual property. The transfer of Systemax's web assets is to occur by February 15, 2016. The company also announced the shutdown of its remaining distribution center and retail stores.{{cite web|url=https://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/300078869/blockbuster-deal-pcm-buys-north-america-systemax-b2b-business-tigerdirect-brand.htm|title=Blockbuster Deal: PCM Buys North America Systemax B2B Business, TigerDirect Brand|last=Burke|first=Steven|date=2015-11-18|website=CRN|accessdate=2015-12-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/300078924/systemax-to-lay-off-500-as-it-shuts-north-american-technology-business.htm|title=Systemax To Lay Off 500 As It Shuts North American Technology Business|last=Novinson|first=Michael|date=2015-11-23|website=CRN|accessdate=2015-12-29}}

In late-December 2015, the site began holding a clearout sale with no returns accepted; a company spokesperson stated that the site was liquidating its current stock in preparation for its formal transfer to PCM.{{cite web|url=http://consumerist.com/2015/12/28/tigerdirect-has-new-owner-wont-accept-returns/|title=TigerDirect Has New Owner, Changes Return Policy On Christmas|last=Northrup|first=Laura|date=2015-12-28|website=The Consumerist|accessdate=2015-12-29}}{{cite web|title=TigerDirect Clearing Out Inventory with Sitewide Sale, Future Uncertain|url=http://www.maximumpc.com/tigerdirect-clearing-out-inventory-with-sitewide-sale-future-uncertain/|website=MaximumPC|accessdate=3 February 2016}}

TigerDirect re-launched its electronics e-commerce website on February 15, 2016 under PCM Inc. ownership. The new TigerDirect.com was a technology store offering a wide variety of technology products. Tiger Direct maintained a substantial B2B customer base and restructured its marketing engine to serve newer customers under the parent company of PCM. PCM also operated TigerDirect.ca for their Canadian operations. Its Canadian website closed in November 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.tigerdirect.ca/secure/sunset.asp|title=TigerDirect Canada is closed|website=TigerDirect|date=2019-11-25|access-date=2019-11-25|archive-date=2020-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526214226/https://www.tigerdirect.ca/secure/sunset.asp|url-status=dead}} and in the end of March 2023 the company ceased all retail operations.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=TigerDirect.com will be retired on March 31, 2023 |url=https://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/campaigns/deals.asp?campaignid=3982 |url-status=dead |access-date=2023-03-14 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314130804/https://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/campaigns/deals.asp?campaignid=3982 }}

On November 4, 1999, case C3903, the Federal Trade Commission issued a decision and order against TigerDirect for violations of the Pre-sale Availability Rule, the Disclosure Rule and the Warranty Act.[http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/c3903.shtm Case C3903] at FTC website Without admitting any wrongdoing, TigerDirect agreed to "not represent that it provides On-Site Service unless all limitations and conditions that apply are disclosed", "fulfill obligations under the warranty within a reasonable period of time after receiving notice from the consumer", and "cease and desist from failing to make warranty text available for examination prior to sale, failing to disclose what is not covered under any given warranty or the procedures needed to have warranty work accomplished and failing to disclose that certain states may give the consumer legal rights in addition to those provided by the warranty."

In early 2005, the company filed a lawsuit against Apple Computer Inc. (now Apple Inc.), alleging trademark infringement, dilution and false designation of origin with Apple's introduction of Mac OS X v10.4, marketed with its codename "Tiger". Although TigerDirect had registered several tiger-related names with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Apple received trademark approval for version 10.4 (Tiger) of its OS X operating system in 2003. TigerDirect registered opposition against Apple's filing with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and on May 13, 2005, Apple won an emergency hearing. The judge ruled in favor of Apple, considering the marks to be distinct.{{Cite web|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/05/05/13/court_sides_with_apple_over_tiger_trademark_dispute|title=Court sides with Apple over "Tiger" trademark dispute|last=Jade|first=Kasper|date=2005-05-13|website=AppleInsider|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16}}

InfoWorld's Robert X. Cringely reported in 2006 that "Tiger's sister company OnRebate.com, which handles payouts for the discount dealer, appears to specialize in the 'insufficient documentation' gambit,"{{cite web|url=http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/microsoft-tech-support-swoons-google-promises-moon-585|title=Microsoft tech support swoons, Google promises the moon: When 21st century software meets 12th century bureaucracy|last=Cringely|first=Robert X.|authorlink=Robert X. Cringely|date=December 29, 2006|website=InfoWorld|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|accessdate=November 28, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/microsoft-and-novell-go-kablooey-second-life-gets-gooey-180|title=Microsoft and Novell go kablooey, Second Life gets gooey: Sometimes even $440 million can't buy you happiness|last=Cringely|first=Robert X.|authorlink=Robert X. Cringely|date=December 1, 2006|website=InfoWorld|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|accessdate=November 28, 2009}} Consumer-reported difficulties obtaining the rebates led to an investigation by the Florida Attorney General{{cite web|url=https://hothardware.com/news/florida-attorney-general-to-investigate-tigerdir|title=Florida Attorney General To Investigate TigerDirect|last=Weirick|first=Chad|date=2008-01-29|website=HotHardware|accessdate=2014-01-27}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/12/Business/TigerDirect_snags_3_C.shtml|title=TigerDirect Snags Three CompUSA Outlets|last=Albright|first=Mark|date=2008-02-12|work=St. Petersburg Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205052727/http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/12/Business/TigerDirect_snags_3_C.shtml|archive-date=2008-12-05}} and a failure to maintain a satisfactory BBB rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org/nis/newsearch2.asp?ID=1&strBCode=06330000&ComID=0633000027000500|title=TigerDirect BBB Report|website=BBB Southeast Florida|accessdate=20 December 2006}} According to a former controller at TigerDirect, improperly unpaid rebates were intentional: "...the concept was that if the customer complains, you send them out the check to make them happy. But if they don't complain, they totally forget about it. That is the concept of these rebates. People forget that they sent them out."{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2009/08/31/daily85.html|title=State sues TigerDirect, OnRebate|date=2009-09-04|website=South Florida Business Journal|accessdate=2014-01-27}}

On April 17, 2009, Dell, Inc. filed a lawsuit against TigerDirect.[http://regmedia.co.uk/2009/04/23/dell_v_tiger.pdf Dell, Inc. v. TigerDirect, Inc.], Case No. 09-CV-3879, S.D.N.Y., 17 April 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/217200276/dell-sues-tiger-direct-alleges-old-computers-sold-as-new.htm|title=Dell Sues Tiger Direct, Alleges Old Computers Sold As New|last=Kovar|first=Joseph F.|date=2009-04-27|website=CRN|accessdate=2014-02-12}} Dell alleged that TigerDirect, a former authorized reseller of Dell products, sold discontinued and outdated Dell products as new and under a Dell warranty. Dell also alleged that the products were from a third-party and advertised with an unauthorized, modified version of the Dell logo. Dell became aware of this when TigerDirect customers contacted Dell to demand price matches.

On September 4, 2009, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum filed suit against TigerDirect, OnRebate, and their parent company Systemax, charging the companies with failing to provide rebates to customers. Systemax responded that a separate class action lawsuit making similar allegations had been filed in federal court in 2007 and was dismissed on August 31, 2009. The company denied the allegations in the Florida Attorney General complaint; the suit was eventually settled for $300,000.{{cite web | title = Attorney General Reaches Settlement With Systemax | publisher = Office of the Attorney General of Florida | url = http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/46824E6FF7CE2D21852577C800522497 | accessdate = 2011-06-15 | archive-date = 2010-11-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101102033805/http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/46824E6FF7CE2D21852577C800522497 | url-status = dead }}

In 2014, Marketplace, a Canadian consumer advocacy newsmagazine show on CBC Television, TigerDirect was featured in Season 42, Episode 4, 'Faking It,' "Online reviews: When companies edit your review". The show featured a consumer who had purchased several computers from the retailer and subsequently gave a poor review for service. The review was edited by TigerDirect prior to the review being placed on the firm's website.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/blog/jeffs-reviews-before-and-after-and-tigerdirects-response|title=Jeff's reviews before and after, and TigerDirect's response|date=2014-11-14|website=CBC News|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2014-12-24}} The consumer contacted TigerDirect several times to have the edited review removed but failed until Marketplace contacted TigerDirect, on his behalf.{{cite web | title = Online reviews: When companies edit your review | publisher = CBC | url = http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2014-2015/online-reviews-when-companies-edit-your-review | accessdate=2014-12-24}}

In 2014, brothers Carl and Gilbert Fiorentino were arrested and charged in federal court with scheming to obtain $9 million in kickbacks and other benefits and to hide their gains from the Internal Revenue Service while working as senior executives at Systemax Inc. and its TigerDirect Inc. unit. The government alleged the brothers schemed to obtain kickbacks for steering company business to certain contractors between 2002 and 2011. In one case, the brothers received more than $9 million in cash and other payments for steering more than $230 million in business to an Asian supplier of computer parts and accessories.{{Cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article4037822.html|title=Coral Gables brothers charged in TigerDirect kickback scheme|last=Brannigan|first=Martha|date=2011-11-20|work=Miami Herald|access-date=2019-10-16}} In 2015 Gilbert Fiorentino pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge, while Carl Fiorentino pleaded guilty to both fraud conspiracy and tax evasion. Carl Fiorentino had faced significantly more time than Gilbert Fiorentino, but U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez decided to sentence them to similar prison terms. Gilbert received 5 years in prison while Carl received {{frac|6|1|2}} years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/brothers-guilty-of-fraud-at-systemax-computer-company-sent-to-federal-prison-by-miami-judge|title=Brothers guilty of fraud at Systemax computer company sent to federal prison by Miami judge|date=2015-05-26|work=Fox Business|access-date=2019-10-16|agency=Associated Press}} In March 2016, the Fiorentino brothers were ordered to pay a total of $35 million in restitution to Systemax.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/03/02/systemsax_restitution/|title=Former Systemax execs ordered to repay $35m to the biz|last=Kunert|first=Paul|date=2016-03-02|work=The Register|access-date=2019-10-16}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.macobserver.com/article/2005/05/16.13.shtml "Apple successfully defends itself in TigerDirect lawsuit"], MacObserver.com. (May 16, 2005)
• Murrell, John. [http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/columnists/gmsv/11524826.htm "Mr. Jobs, you have TigerDirect holding on Line 1 and someone from Kellogg's on Line 2"], SiliconValley.com. (April 29, 2005)
• Cohen, Peter. [http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/04/29/tigerdirect/index.php "More details emerge on TigerDirect lawsuit"], Macworld. (April 29, 2005)
• Kawamoto, Dawn. [https://archive.today/20130120050433/http://news.com.com/Lawsuit+could+grab+Tiger+by+the+tail/2100-1045_3-5689986.html "Lawsuit could grab Tiger by the tail"], CNET News.com. (April 29, 2005)

{{Commons category|TigerDirect}}

• [https://web.archive.org/*/www.tigerdirect.com Official website] (Archive)

Category:Defunct consumer electronics retailers of the United States

Category:Online retailers of the United States

Category:1985 establishments in California

Category:American companies disestablished in 2023

Category:American companies established in 1985

Category:Retail companies disestablished in 2023

Category:Retail companies established in 1985

Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Companies based in El Segundo, California