Jump to content

PC Club

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 65.116.250.245 (talk) at 15:35, 22 May 2008. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Advert(edit talk links history)

PC Club

File:PCClublogo.gif

Type Private retail
Founded 1992
Location City of Industry, CA
Key people (as of 2006)[1] Jeff Lan, CEO
Lin-Ru Chen, CFO
Industry Computer hardware
Top Competition Best Buy Co., Inc.
Fry's Electronics, Inc.
Products Desktops
Laptops
Peripherals
Services In-store computer repairs & upgrades
Website www.pcclub.com

PC Club is a privately-owned, United States-based chain of computer hardware stores established in City of Industry, California in 1992. The stores were located primarily in west-coast states and stocked hardware and peripherals for PCs and complete computer systems assembled under the brand name Enpower.

History

Former CEO and company founder Jackson Lan, in an interview on June 1, 2002: "I saw an opportunity when I first came to the United States: Ten years ago, many customers started to learn more about computer technology. They were willing to open their PCs to upgrade their slow system with the latest processors or motherboards, or by adding networking or hooking them up to different printers. This gave me a great opportunity to start PC Club, which specializes in do-it-yourself computer upgrades. I opened our first small store in City of Industry, Calif., back in 1992, with five employees."


Management

Jackson Lan

Prior to moving to the United States in 1989, Jackson Lan had worked as General Manager of US operations for VIP Computer Inc., Program Manager/Business Process Re-engineering for Nan Ya Plastic Co. Ltd., and was District Sales Manager for Hewlett-Packard "in Taiwan and Singapore for six years ... [He had] established extensive relationships with different computer manufacturers and electronic firms."

In 1991, Jackson formed Computer Wholesale Inc. in the City of Industry, California with great vision and anticipation. Soon after the wholesale business started, Jackson quickly realized that in order for his business to succeed, he must focus on customer service and add value to the products sold to the customers.

From 1993 to 1994, Jackson served as the President of the Southern California Chinese Computer Association (SCCCA). Proven by the success of the company, Jackson was a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. In the following year, Jackson’s achievement and leadership were further recognized by the government of Taiwan. He received the honorable Overseas Chinese Award and the Overseas Chinese Young Entrepreneur Award.

In his latter years, Jackson became a dedicated Buddhist. Combining Buddhism and his wisdom, he developed his philosophy of life - "Happiness, Love, Harmony, Cleanse, Execution". His business theories and philosophies of life not only posted a positive impact on employees’ professionalism, but also provided insight to their personal life.[2]

A fine example of entrepreneurship and visionary in the computer retail industry, Jackson passed after a long battle with cancer in the City of Hope hospital on December 23, 2005 at the age of 55. He coined the phrase "Have a Better Day, Every Day", an affirmation he practiced both professionally and personally.

Jeff Lan

Mr Jeff Lan was appointed as the President of PC Club since Jan 2006. Jeff had previously been of management status at Audiovox[citation needed] and is on the Board of Directors of the Chinese American Information Technology Association (CAITA).

Products

Enpower

Enpower is the name brand for computer systems sold through PC Club for over 16 years. What makes Enpower systems different from many large distributors is that they are built from brand new , name-brand parts and they include a full-install copy of Microsoft Windows (rather than a recovery disc loaded with extra software).


Business model

PC Club sold directly to both consumers and local resellers from inside 38 brick-and-mortar stores (as of July 2007) and on their website. They provided live tech support by phone, maintained an online forum and would answer questions through E-mail. In-store repairs and upgrades were available at all locations with an average turn-around time of 1-3 days[3].

Marketing

In its last few years as a company PC Club promoted their existence more actively through mainstream advertisements, while in the past, the company was predominantly popularized via word-of-mouth.

May 13, 2008 - Company Shut Down

On May 13th 2008, PC Club closed without warning to employees or returning service customers their property. As of May 14th, there has been no verified source for customers to contact regarding their personal computers in for repair and still locked behind PC Club's doors.

As of May 13th, all employee-related questions should be forwarded to: employeeinfo@pcclub.com

For related PC Club legal matters, please contact this law firm:

The Law Office of Robert C. Hsu 2555 E. Colorado Blvd Suite 306 Pasadena, CA 91107 Phone: 626.584.7055 Fax: 626.604.0345 robert@rhsulaw.com

The PC Club website has also been shut down in a similar quick fashion, a place-holder announcing the closure of PC Club with a "thank you" for years of service. 

NOTE: Web site is back up...seems to be running OK. 15 May 2008 22:30hrs PDST

This is the Sign posted on PC CLUB store doors:

"Dear Customers, We regrettably want to inform you that PCClub filed for Chapter 7 today. If you have any question or concern, please email customerinfo@pcclub.com We truly apologize if this decision will cause you any inconveniences and we want you to know that your business has been appreciated over the years.

-PCClub Management"

May 16, 2008 - PC Club Reopens

NAOC Holdings Acquires PC Club

2008-05-16 19:10:53 - - S&S Public Relations Mindy Franklin (480)361-9575 mindy@sspr.com NAOC Holdings, a Los Angeles-based expansion stage venture capital firm, today announced it has acquired PC Club, a California-based personal computer retailing chain with 37 locations nationwide. The acquisition will allow all PC Club stores, as well as the chain's two retail Web sites, PCClub.com and ClubIT.com, to remain open with business as usual. "Brick-and-mortar accessory computer stores are still a valued commodity in the US," said NAOC spokesperson Alan Hunter. "We know PC Club with its long history, quality technical service and computer accessory assortment will continue to have strong potential for continued business operations. A technology retail outlet is the next logical addition to our portfolio, and we expect this will be a mutually beneficial relationship."

NAOC Holdings has put together a group of legal, financial, and industry experts to build one of the leading home computer appliance conglomerates. The technology investment experience the company will bring to the relationship is invaluable for PC Club's retail offerings.

"Our new relationship with NAOC Holdings will give us an opportunity to grow our market share and expand beyond the western and central US," remarked Kim Chu, Senior Sales Manager at PC Club. "In addition, we'll now have the ability to reorganize and to work on expanding our compelling product line."

NAOC's acquisition of PC Club will leverage the venture capital firm's already broad investment experience with consumer electronics. Today's acquisition of PC Club's assets will allow the retailer to honor all customer and vendor relationships and agreements.

PC Club has existed as a computer parts store and repair center for professionals all across the country, offering upgrade kits, LCD monitors and other computer parts and services since 1992. The company expects the added infusion of funds to provide the means for them to expand from their current 37 locations.

The acquisition was effective as of May 15, 2008. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About NAOC

Los Angeles based NAOC is an expansion stage venture capital firm investing primarily in tech-enabled business service, information technology and communications companies. Established in 1996, NAOC manages a pool of capital in excess of $200 million, and is currently investing its fourth fund, raised in 2006. In addition to growth capital and board level guidance, NAOC offers its portfolio companies free research and M&A services along with annual executive education programs at leading business schools.

To learn more about NAOC's investment criteria and approach to value creation, please visit naoc-holdings.com.

Chain's 37 Stores and Two Ecommerce Web Sites to Remain Open for Business as Private Equity Firm Infuses Capital

Products

Enpower

Enpower is the name brand for computer systems sold through PC Club for over 16 years. What makes Enpower systems different from many large distributors is that they are built from brand new , name-brand parts and they include a full-install copy of Microsoft Windows (rather than a recovery disc loaded with extra software).

Notes and references

  1. ^ PC Club Company Profile - Yahoo! Finance
  2. ^ feed scott: In memory of Jackson Lan - PC CLUB Founder
  3. ^ PC Club Rolls Out InstaCare Program

Unbiased System Reviews

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PC_Club&oldid=214207495"