Retail Store Closure 27/1/2024

Retail Store Now Closed!

It comes with great sadness that I have been forced to close the retail store after 35 years in business due to ridiculous rising rental, outgoings, insurance and other costs. With the huge rise in interest rates, this has forced rental prices to skyrocket too. Unfortunately, I am not able to justify the cost increases that my landlord was asking moving forward and I have had to make some very big decisions.

Since 1989, Another World Computer Centre has served the Melbourne community with it's great range of products, outstanding service and integrity. 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, hardly any holidays, rarely any sick days off, I've put my heart and soul into this business. However, the time has come for a change.

The retail landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years, especially with whole Covid thing. With diminishing margins due to competition from the large retail players and online marketplaces, it hard to justify having the physical store any longer. More and more customers are favouring online services rather than supporting their small local retailers. Unfortunately, that comes with a cost. Cheaper prices doesn't always mean better service or quality and this is what happens. Small businesses need help from local customers more than ever. You'll never get the advice and service from a big retailer or online marketplace like you get from your small specialty business like mine.

Like the humble corner milk bar or your local butcher, small independent specialty retailers like myself are becoming a thing of the past, and it's sad really. People won't appreciate how valuable we are to the local community until we're gone. I've heard it many times, people telling how much they appreciate what I do because they can't get that level of service anywhere else and they'll be so lost without me. I've literally sold and serviced thousands of computers over the last 35 years to the local and wider community around Melbourne and beyond and have received many accolades over the years such as twice taking out the Australian Achievers Award in my category. Such a shame that it's come to this.

Never fear however!

I've shifted with the times and moved my business online, meaning that the online store will still be fully operational and will continue to supply a huge range of products via mail order. Products can still be ordered and shipped directly to your door using Australia Post or drop-shipped directly from my suppliers ensuring fast warehouse to door delivery. Some products will be dropped, mainly old items or items that can be readily purchased from large retailers, but new products that are unique and have a point of difference will be added ensuring that my store will continue to provide a great range of products that you may not find anywhere else. Also via the online store, for your convenience, you will also have a greater range of payment options such as credit card, PayPal, ZipPay, AfterPay, Direct Debit, Bitcoin and more.

The shop phone has been diverted to my mobile so you will still be able to Contact me if you need to chat about any product requirements, or advice regarding servicing your computer. I am also offering an onsite service where I can come to you at home or the office by appointment to perform installations, repairs, upgrades, and service work, similar to services like Geeks-2-U at a competitive hourly rate and callout fee to cover my travel time and petrol costs.

I'm also offering custom built computers for gamers, home and business users where I can build computers to your specific requirements and organise home delivery and setup as part of the service.

Of course, I am still supporting all the Reelplay TV products including new boxes, accessories and subscription renewals as well.

It's not goodbye completely, it's just different. I'm still offering the great service that you've come to know, and be able to share my 35 years of knowledge and experience with my loyal customers, and hopefully acquire some news ones along the way.

As part of moving forward, I've discounted hundreds of products at or below cost so that I clear them out. Take a look at the Clearance page for all the specials. Hurry, because once they're gone, they're gone!

I sincerely thank you all for your business over the many years and hope to continue our relationship well into the future!

Regards

Paul Pritsis