More Smith’s Merchandise Up For Liquidation

The next wave of merchandise will be liquidated from bankrupt Smith’s Home Furnishings this weekend.

Computers, software, big screen and direct-view televisions, stereo equipment and VCRs will be sold along with other home electronics and appliances.

Sale launch time is 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fred’s Appliance and Home Entertainment, 2525 N. Monroe.

The previous liquidation sale at Fred’s featured large appliances. An ongoing furniture sale at the former Smith’s stores is being handled by Maynards Industries of Vancouver, B.C.

At the Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 appliance liquidation at Fred’s, many customers said they were eager to know when electronics items would be sold.

“I must have been asked (that) 20 or 30 times,” said store owner John Amistoso.

Appliance merchandise was in some cases marked down below dealer cost. About 400 items were liquidated. Amistoso said this sale would include about twice that amount of merchandise, and items will be sold at even greater discounts.

“This inventory we bought at a deeper discount” than before, he said.

Brands include Packard Bell computers, including some Pentium-based units; Microsoft and Word Perfect software; Pioneer stereos and bigscreens; and Zenith direct-view TVs. They also include Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid.

Fred’s bought the inventory from NationsCredit, a finance company that is one of Smith’s creditors. The money Fred’s paid to NationsCredit will count toward Smith’s debt to the company. The merchandise comes from Spokane and Tri-Cities Smith’s stores.

, DataTimes