To Our Tweeter Contributors
During this time of year it is a common practice to try to be generous and kind to your fellow human beings, no matter your religious persuasion, or lack of same.
If nothing else, it is time to review the old year, be thankful for your blessings, set resolutions to change bad habits and look to the new year with hope. Many change their tunes during the holiday season and act like they really believe in the words, “Do unto others as they would do unto you.”
And then you run into a mob like Schultze Asset Management and you wonder how they can sleep at night.
If you’ve been in the consumer electronics industry for a while, you have seen the demise of some pretty big players. The classic has to be Crazy Eddie with stock fraud, theft, jail terms, escapes overseas, etc., etc., which is a story that could have become a saleable movie screenplay. There have been chains that closed like Nobody Beats the Wiz (which everyone eventually did), Tops Appliance, Silo, Lechmere, Good Guys, Highland Superstores, CompUSA, Trader Horn, Brick Church Appliance … you get the picture. At the end of a retailer’s run, it can get difficult but it doesn’t necessarily have to get ugly.
As parents often tell their offspring, in tough situations like these all you have left is your reputation. You can go out responsibly, with honor.
Or you could go out like George J. Schultze and the rest of his organization and attempt to shutter Tweeter in the dark of night.
Is it a despicable performance? Just read the many comments on our Talkback section whenever we post a story or blog about Tweeter’s final months. To those former Tweeter employees and consumers who have contributed to the TWICE Web site in moving this story forward, we thank you for your input and are honored that you trusted us to get the word out on what was really going on.
In covering this sad story TWICE has found out what “citizen journalism” is about for the first time. We have been able to check many of the unsolicited emails and Talkbacks to confirm that many of the rumors were facts. We thank you for that, but we are sorry this came under such dire circumstances.
Based on management’s performance over the past couple of years the “Tweeter” brand in this industry has become an epithet to many consumers and many industry veterans.
I should remind everyone that it wasn’t always so. Tweeter was founded by Sandy Bloomberg in the 1970s based on his passion for consumer electronics and thinking he could make a buck selling it. He did for many years. The decision to go public and to try to expand nationwide began its demise. But at its height Tweeter was a great training ground for many industry executives and was influential in developing new A/V merchandising techniques that benefited everyone.
While we mourn the passing of Tweeter, we hope that new technologies and the opportunities the CE industry can provide will attract more entrepreneurs to this industry. And we hope that those former Tweeter employees who have a love and passion for this business get back into the CE business and can grow and prosper.
JoeConolly commented:
If I ever meet this jackal Schulze in person, I'd beat him within
an inch of his life. Something tells me he will get what's coming
to him. He thinks he will get away with this, but he'll get his. If
there is a hell, this guy has punched his ticket.
JoeConolly commented:
GarykPatton commented:
GarykPatton commented:
I have been looking looking around for this kind of information.
Will you post some more in future? I'll be grateful if you will.
KattyBlackyard commented:
KattyBlackyard commented:
Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder'n bout this issue,so thanks
for posting
JaneRadriges commented:
JaneRadriges commented:
Hi, interest post. I'll write you later about few questions!
Kelly Brown commented:
Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder'n bout this issue,so thanks
for posting
Kelly Brown commented:
ApplyCreditCards commented:
ApplyCreditCards commented:
Hi, cool post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for
writing.
JP commented:
JP commented:
Anyone notice that Schulzes website, www.samco.net is down?? Not
sure if its temporary...maybe someone hacked it like they did to
Tweeters site..
JP commented:
Anyone notice that Schulzes website, www.samco.net is down?? Not
sure if its temporary...maybe someone hacked it like they did to
Tweeters site..
Joe P commented:
Unfortunately I did not have time to check out the Union League
gathering. I did however email the wizards at Wharton who think
Schultze is worthy of speaking as an expert about anything. They
were as mute as Schultze is. I also emailed the trustee George
Miller the other day...there is nothing new to report. Still too
early in the process to see if i am going to get my money back. I
am still as angry as ever, and the lack of news does not help.
Anyone else hear anything further on this thief and the status of
the bk?
Joe P commented:
Unfortunately I did not have time to check out the Union League
gathering. I did however email the wizards at Wharton who think
Schultze is worthy of speaking as an expert about anything. They
were as mute as Schultze is. I also emailed the trustee George
Miller the other day...there is nothing new to report. Still too
early in the process to see if i am going to get my money back. I
am still as angry as ever, and the lack of news does not help.
Anyone else hear anything further on this thief and the status of
the bk?
Joe P commented:
oldtech@hotmail.com commented:
Did anyone attend the Union League gathering on Feb. 27, 2009?
oldtech@hotmail.com commented:
oldtech@hotmail.com commented:
Did anyone attend the Union League gathering on Feb. 27, 2009?
JP commented:
www.whartonrestructuringconference.org/panelists.html#Schultze The
link above shows Mr. Schultze is going to be in Philadelphia for a
conference of "experts". I work right across the street from this
place. I am tempted to stage a small demonstration expressing my
displeasure at being ripped off of $2,500.00. If anyone would care
to join me, please feel free!
JP commented:
www.whartonrestructuringconference.org/panelists.html#Schultze The
link above shows Mr. Schultze is going to be in Philadelphia for a
conference of "experts". I work right across the street from this
place. I am tempted to stage a small demonstration expressing my
displeasure at being ripped off of $2,500.00. If anyone would care
to join me, please feel free!
JP commented:
motion commented:
motion commented:
My best advice about the W-2 form is that if you don't receive one
then use the information from your final pay stub from Tweeter.
Hopefully all employees held onto it.
motion commented:
My best advice about the W-2 form is that if you don't receive one
then use the information from your final pay stub from Tweeter.
Hopefully all employees held onto it.
One of the Many Abused Employees commented:
One of the Many Abused Employees commented:
And where does everyone think their W-2 Forms will come from for
this past year since Tweeter no longer exists? Time to contact the
IRS!!!
One of the Many Abused Employees commented:
And where does everyone think their W-2 Forms will come from for
this past year since Tweeter no longer exists? Time to contact the
IRS!!!
Joe P commented:
It is truly disgusting what Schultze did to his customers and
employees. It's a shame that its only posted on these electronic
formats, and not on a more national scale. This is a guy who: 1.
intentionally screwed customers out of deposit money and
merchandise. 2. sold customers electronics that were in for repair
to other customers. 3. left customers homes in disrepair that were
having installations done that happened to fall between the Bk
cracks. 4. Intentionally collected warranty money MONTHS before the
bk went through and never paid the warranty companies (aka theft).
5. Screwing employees out of bonus monies owned, ignoring WARN acts
and tying up 401k money that people might have needed to live after
screwing them over. Apparently all this is within the law according
to the brilliant Trustee George Miller who is trying to MAXIMIZE
the estate. He screwed me out of $2,500 of deposit money that I am
fighting for. I have sued him personally from the courthouse that
the Tweeter store was located in that took my money. I have hounded
Attorney generals, the trustee (who is a jerk), consumer advocate
websites and anyone who will listen. Still no success. Keep
fighting, hopefully this story will get the attention if fully
deserves.
Joe P commented:
Joe P commented:
It is truly disgusting what Schultze did to his customers and
employees. It's a shame that its only posted on these electronic
formats, and not on a more national scale. This is a guy who: 1.
intentionally screwed customers out of deposit money and
merchandise. 2. sold customers electronics that were in for repair
to other customers. 3. left customers homes in disrepair that were
having installations done that happened to fall between the Bk
cracks. 4. Intentionally collected warranty money MONTHS before the
bk went through and never paid the warranty companies (aka theft).
5. Screwing employees out of bonus monies owned, ignoring WARN acts
and tying up 401k money that people might have needed to live after
screwing them over. Apparently all this is within the law according
to the brilliant Trustee George Miller who is trying to MAXIMIZE
the estate. He screwed me out of $2,500 of deposit money that I am
fighting for. I have sued him personally from the courthouse that
the Tweeter store was located in that took my money. I have hounded
Attorney generals, the trustee (who is a jerk), consumer advocate
websites and anyone who will listen. Still no success. Keep
fighting, hopefully this story will get the attention if fully
deserves.
mike commented:
I guess this will be the offical way for ex tweeter employees to
comunicate. I worked for Sound Advice for 5yrs. No one can explain
to me how they can keep our 401k. Many of us need the money just to
survive me being one. Geo. Miller is no help. Any employees with
any suggestions can email me at sbeach116@comcast.net
mike commented:
mike commented:
I guess this will be the offical way for ex tweeter employees to
comunicate. I worked for Sound Advice for 5yrs. No one can explain
to me how they can keep our 401k. Many of us need the money just to
survive me being one. Geo. Miller is no help. Any employees with
any suggestions can email me at sbeach116@comcast.net
shattered commented:
look at the bright side, by the time 401k $$ is unfrozen maybe the
market will come back ! I only need to have it go up 39.7% to get
back to previous value........If we only knew then what we know
now, we would have switched it all to the Fidelity money market
fund and then taken out a loan for the max 50% of the balance and
then waited for Miller and company to give us the rest sorry,
couldnt resist Monday Morning quarterbacking....best wishes to all
in 09.
shattered commented:
shattered commented:
look at the bright side, by the time 401k $$ is unfrozen maybe the
market will come back ! I only need to have it go up 39.7% to get
back to previous value........If we only knew then what we know
now, we would have switched it all to the Fidelity money market
fund and then taken out a loan for the max 50% of the balance and
then waited for Miller and company to give us the rest sorry,
couldnt resist Monday Morning quarterbacking....best wishes to all
in 09.
snagitseven commented:
snagitseven commented:
I confirmed what HOMED0131MGR said about the 401K with the EBSA, a
401K division at the Dept of Labor. They told me our money is safe
but could take up to year before it's resolved by closing the plan
and distributing the money. Makes no sense it should take that
long, but there you are.
snagitseven commented:
I confirmed what HOMED0131MGR said about the 401K with the EBSA, a
401K division at the Dept of Labor. They told me our money is safe
but could take up to year before it's resolved by closing the plan
and distributing the money. Makes no sense it should take that
long, but there you are.
motion commented:
motion commented:
I appreciate the input of Former Employee. I believe that Schultze
took such a beating on Wall Street that he sacrificed Tweeter to
help pay off his enormous debt to Wells Fargo, the only debt he
cared about. I believe he seized every last bit of revenue he
legally and illegally could to pay them off, then he went Chapter 7
and ran like a coward. If no one questions or investigates him then
he gets away with it. This method of closing down a business will
become perfectly acceptable.
motion commented:
I appreciate the input of Former Employee. I believe that Schultze
took such a beating on Wall Street that he sacrificed Tweeter to
help pay off his enormous debt to Wells Fargo, the only debt he
cared about. I believe he seized every last bit of revenue he
legally and illegally could to pay them off, then he went Chapter 7
and ran like a coward. If no one questions or investigates him then
he gets away with it. This method of closing down a business will
become perfectly acceptable.
Former Employee commented:
I would be willing to bet that the monies that were supposed to go
to ServiceNet for the contracts sold went to the life support
machines keeping Tweeter alive. Even if Twice did directly ask
George Schultze this question he wouldn't give a real or truthful
answer. Let's face it, the guy is a crook, cheat and a liar. Since
the events of Tweeter closing started this guy has hid in the
shadows. Which also shows that he is a chicken and is afraid to
speak for himself. George, if that is not true then speak up.
Former Employee commented:
I would be willing to bet that the monies that were supposed to go
to ServiceNet for the contracts sold went to the life support
machines keeping Tweeter alive. Even if Twice did directly ask
George Schultze this question he wouldn't give a real or truthful
answer. Let's face it, the guy is a crook, cheat and a liar. Since
the events of Tweeter closing started this guy has hid in the
shadows. Which also shows that he is a chicken and is afraid to
speak for himself. George, if that is not true then speak up.
Former Employee commented:
motion commented:
I have a question for Steve Smith, editor-in-chief of Twice. Has
your publication directly asked George J. Schultze where the money
meant for Service Net, the warranty provider of Tweeter, ended up?
Customers paid good money to Tweeter for warranty coverage from
August to November, but the portion meant for Service Net was kept
by Tweeter. The President of Service Net has publicly stated that
Tweeter was instructed to stop selling the warranties in August,
but continued to do so until November 10th. Please answer.
motion commented:
motion commented:
I have a question for Steve Smith, editor-in-chief of Twice. Has
your publication directly asked George J. Schultze where the money
meant for Service Net, the warranty provider of Tweeter, ended up?
Customers paid good money to Tweeter for warranty coverage from
August to November, but the portion meant for Service Net was kept
by Tweeter. The President of Service Net has publicly stated that
Tweeter was instructed to stop selling the warranties in August,
but continued to do so until November 10th. Please answer.
Kilroy commented:
The real problem is that there are lots of people like George
Schultze in the business world today. That is one of the major
things wrong with America today. Hopefully, in the end he will get
what is coming to him. I am sure that this situation with Tweeter
will hurt is company. He had no clue on running a CE retailer. He
totally under estimated what it was going to take to turn them
around. All he was looking for was to make a quick buck. Sorry
George, you lost. Wonder who his next victim will be?
Kilroy commented:
Kilroy commented:
The real problem is that there are lots of people like George
Schultze in the business world today. That is one of the major
things wrong with America today. Hopefully, in the end he will get
what is coming to him. I am sure that this situation with Tweeter
will hurt is company. He had no clue on running a CE retailer. He
totally under estimated what it was going to take to turn them
around. All he was looking for was to make a quick buck. Sorry
George, you lost. Wonder who his next victim will be?
motion commented:
I believe George Schultze underestimated the amount of negative
press his behavior has brought to his company. I can't imagine what
person would want to do business with such an untrustworthy man. He
acted selfishly at the worst time of the year. He is a corrupt
individual probably left only to associate with others of his kind.
His existence is a sad one.
motion commented:
I believe George Schultze underestimated the amount of negative
press his behavior has brought to his company. I can't imagine what
person would want to do business with such an untrustworthy man. He
acted selfishly at the worst time of the year. He is a corrupt
individual probably left only to associate with others of his kind.
His existence is a sad one.
motion commented:
j white commented:
I was a manager for the St Petersburg Sound Advice about 7 years
ago. I am wondering if anyone has access to an employee list for
sound advice employees in Florida, specifically in the tampa bay
area. I work for a growing Insurance firm in tampa and we are
looking to expand our team. If anyone has any information or names
and numbers please forward them to white33707@yahoo.com.
j white commented:
j white commented:
I was a manager for the St Petersburg Sound Advice about 7 years
ago. I am wondering if anyone has access to an employee list for
sound advice employees in Florida, specifically in the tampa bay
area. I work for a growing Insurance firm in tampa and we are
looking to expand our team. If anyone has any information or names
and numbers please forward them to white33707@yahoo.com.
Former Employee commented:
Former Employee commented:
I worked for Tweeter for 10 years and left in '07 before the first
bankruptcy filing. By the beginning of '07 the hand writing was
already on the wall. Too many missteps and bad decisions on
executive management drove the nails faster and faster into
Tweeters coffin. Sandy Bloomberg as Chairman of the Board and
former owner (when they were privately held), should bare allot of
the blame. In his position he should have done a better job at
steering the ship of the "
Former Employee commented:
I worked for Tweeter for 10 years and left in '07 before the first
bankruptcy filing. By the beginning of '07 the hand writing was
already on the wall. Too many missteps and bad decisions on
executive management drove the nails faster and faster into
Tweeters coffin. Sandy Bloomberg as Chairman of the Board and
former owner (when they were privately held), should bare allot of
the blame. In his position he should have done a better job at
steering the ship of the "
HOMED0131MGR commented:
HOMED0131MGR commented:
Well, the problem with the 401K is going to continue for sometime
with the information I was given today. I contacted Fidelity a
couple days ago and they gave me a number for a George L. Miller
(215)561-0950/(215)680-0780 and said he was the person to contact
for questions about this matter. I left Mr. Miller a message and
got a call back today saying that the 401K was under liquidation
and would be a YEAR or more before we would be able to do anything
with these accounts. I just don't get it the money in these
accounts was contributed to by us and is our money in my 6 years
with Tweeter I have only had 1 contribution from the company and
was pennies on the dollar. If anyone else has had any luck with
this post a response here. I am seeking another investment manager
to get further information and ideas on handling this matter.
HOMED0131MGR commented:
Well, the problem with the 401K is going to continue for sometime
with the information I was given today. I contacted Fidelity a
couple days ago and they gave me a number for a George L. Miller
(215)561-0950/(215)680-0780 and said he was the person to contact
for questions about this matter. I left Mr. Miller a message and
got a call back today saying that the 401K was under liquidation
and would be a YEAR or more before we would be able to do anything
with these accounts. I just don't get it the money in these
accounts was contributed to by us and is our money in my 6 years
with Tweeter I have only had 1 contribution from the company and
was pennies on the dollar. If anyone else has had any luck with
this post a response here. I am seeking another investment manager
to get further information and ideas on handling this matter.
Bill Sheehan commented:
As a 30 year industry veteran and former Tweeter employee the
demise of the company and the bizarre behavior of George Schultze
are sad and facinating (like a car wreck). The real tragedy though
is what this represents for the industry. The middle of the market,
as represented by the specialist retailer, is quickly disapearing
leaving custom installers at the high end and mass market
everywhere else. What this means is price and margin erosian,
already an epidemic, will accelerate. The entire industry will
suffer as a result, manufacturers, distributors, sales reps, retail
sales people and the thousands of others that have made their
living selling step up products. No margin, no profit, no industry.
Bill Sheehan commented:
As a 30 year industry veteran and former Tweeter employee the
demise of the company and the bizarre behavior of George Schultze
are sad and facinating (like a car wreck). The real tragedy though
is what this represents for the industry. The middle of the market,
as represented by the specialist retailer, is quickly disapearing
leaving custom installers at the high end and mass market
everywhere else. What this means is price and margin erosian,
already an epidemic, will accelerate. The entire industry will
suffer as a result, manufacturers, distributors, sales reps, retail
sales people and the thousands of others that have made their
living selling step up products. No margin, no profit, no industry.
Bill Sheehan commented:
shattered commented:
See link below, explains why we were all shut down overnight on Dec
1st once Shultze had paid off Wells Fargo......from
netdockets.wordpress.com Tweeter Opco Seeks Conversion to Chapter
7; Party Immediately Objects December 3, 2008 · No Comments
Tweeter Opco, LLC filed a motion yesterday requesting that the
bankruptcy court convert its chapter 11 cases to cases under
chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code. The debtors have requested a
hearing on the motion today. Tweeter stated that it has been
informed by Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC that the conditions for
termination of Tweeter’s right to use Wells Fargo’s
cash collateral had been met and, as a result, Tweeter’s
right to use cash collateral ceased on December 1, 2008. Tweeter
states that it needs the use of cash collateral to continue to
operate its businesses and conduct an orderly liquidation. Further,
Tweeter asserts that its Second Lien Holders have refused to
consent to the use of their cash collateral. As a result, Tweeter
closed its remaining stores and terminated its employees on
December 1, 2008. Therefore, Tweeter requests that the cases be
converted to chapter 7 cases. What an ***hole.....
shattered commented:
shattered commented:
See link below, explains why we were all shut down overnight on Dec
1st once Shultze had paid off Wells Fargo......from
netdockets.wordpress.com Tweeter Opco Seeks Conversion to Chapter
7; Party Immediately Objects December 3, 2008 · No Comments
Tweeter Opco, LLC filed a motion yesterday requesting that the
bankruptcy court convert its chapter 11 cases to cases under
chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code. The debtors have requested a
hearing on the motion today. Tweeter stated that it has been
informed by Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC that the conditions for
termination of Tweeter’s right to use Wells Fargo’s
cash collateral had been met and, as a result, Tweeter’s
right to use cash collateral ceased on December 1, 2008. Tweeter
states that it needs the use of cash collateral to continue to
operate its businesses and conduct an orderly liquidation. Further,
Tweeter asserts that its Second Lien Holders have refused to
consent to the use of their cash collateral. As a result, Tweeter
closed its remaining stores and terminated its employees on
December 1, 2008. Therefore, Tweeter requests that the cases be
converted to chapter 7 cases. What an ***hole.....
steve commented:
steve commented:
There is an appropriate way to shut down a company. And George
Schultze can write a book on how not to do it. He has left his
faithful employees without a straw to grasp on to. Had George shut
this down with dignity and integrety, there wouldnt be so many
people posting their disgust for George Schultze. If George would
have done this right you would have read many sad eulogies mourning
the death of a great company. Bur since George decided to steal
from his customers and employees, all anger is directed at him.
Nobody is angry that he decided to pull the plug, they are angry
because George acted like an everyday street thug stealing from
anyone he could. I am sure his investors are proud of the way he
lied and cheated to close this company down. I guess it will be our
day to laugh when he cheats his hedge fund investors out of their
millions. One thing is certain, a leopard does not change it spots,
and the day will come when SAMCO makes news again, hopefully the
SEC will be of more assistance than the bankrupcy court has been to
us.
steve commented:
There is an appropriate way to shut down a company. And George
Schultze can write a book on how not to do it. He has left his
faithful employees without a straw to grasp on to. Had George shut
this down with dignity and integrety, there wouldnt be so many
people posting their disgust for George Schultze. If George would
have done this right you would have read many sad eulogies mourning
the death of a great company. Bur since George decided to steal
from his customers and employees, all anger is directed at him.
Nobody is angry that he decided to pull the plug, they are angry
because George acted like an everyday street thug stealing from
anyone he could. I am sure his investors are proud of the way he
lied and cheated to close this company down. I guess it will be our
day to laugh when he cheats his hedge fund investors out of their
millions. One thing is certain, a leopard does not change it spots,
and the day will come when SAMCO makes news again, hopefully the
SEC will be of more assistance than the bankrupcy court has been to
us.
Former Tweeter GSM commented:
Former Tweeter GSM commented:
The true downfall to Tweeter was Judy when she decided that
spending money on gadgets and widgets that did not fit the Tweeter
model. Also the constant change without ever running with an idea
that kept us from being what Home Entertainment, Sound Advice, and
the rest of the little guys that were consumed by Tweeter. Schultze
had no idea what he was getting himself into and has no clue how to
get out of this issue with integreity. The one thing that Schultze
did do was give all of us 1 extra year of working for what was once
the best of the best in consumer electronics.
Former Tweeter GSM commented:
The true downfall to Tweeter was Judy when she decided that
spending money on gadgets and widgets that did not fit the Tweeter
model. Also the constant change without ever running with an idea
that kept us from being what Home Entertainment, Sound Advice, and
the rest of the little guys that were consumed by Tweeter. Schultze
had no idea what he was getting himself into and has no clue how to
get out of this issue with integreity. The one thing that Schultze
did do was give all of us 1 extra year of working for what was once
the best of the best in consumer electronics.
Steve Smith, TWICE commented:
Steve Smith, TWICE commented:
To No One's Fault: I agree that Bloomberg, Jeff Stone and began
Tweeter's demise. But that's another subject. My point is the way
Schultze Asset Management exited the business leaving employees and
consumers, among others, hanging.
Steve Smith, TWICE commented:
To No One's Fault: I agree that Bloomberg, Jeff Stone and began
Tweeter's demise. But that's another subject. My point is the way
Schultze Asset Management exited the business leaving employees and
consumers, among others, hanging.
Steve Smith, TWICE commented:
To No One's Fault: I agree that Bloomberg, Jeff Stone and began
Tweeter's demise. But that's another subject. My point is the way
Schultze Asset Management exited the business leaving employees and
consumers, among others, hanging.
Steve Smith, TWICE commented:
Steve Smith, TWICE commented:
To No One's Fault: I agree that Bloomberg, Jeff Stone and began
Tweeter's demise. But that's another subject. My point is the way
Schultze Asset Management exited the business leaving employees and
consumers, among others, hanging.
motion commented:
No One's Fault just found fault with over 1000 employees. who is
this dimwit?
motion commented:
No One's Fault just found fault with over 1000 employees. who is
this dimwit?
motion commented:
No One''s Fault commented:
More than a thousand employees. Lots of anger and bitterness. No
accountability. Blaming Schultze is a joke. He bailed Tweeter out
the first time. He was nothing more than a heart-lung machine for a
patient that was comatose and brain dead. Remarkable that he takes
the rape for this, even from you, Steve!! Of course it was Sandy's
fault, and Jeff Stone's, and many of those thousand employees who
are today's victims.
No One''s Fault commented:
No One''s Fault commented:
More than a thousand employees. Lots of anger and bitterness. No
accountability. Blaming Schultze is a joke. He bailed Tweeter out
the first time. He was nothing more than a heart-lung machine for a
patient that was comatose and brain dead. Remarkable that he takes
the rape for this, even from you, Steve!! Of course it was Sandy's
fault, and Jeff Stone's, and many of those thousand employees who
are today's victims.
motion commented:
I take a little comfort in knowing that Schultze's abysmal failure
to revive and maintain a relatively small CE operation like Tweeter
will be seen as an embarrassment by the world of big business.
Schultze Asset Management will have to carry rhe stigma of their
leader's failure, incompetence and dishonesty for a time as well.
When I look in the mirror I can tell myself that no one in America
despises me. Schultze however can't. Tweeter has left the industry
under a cloud of shame, deceipt and fraud thanks to this "
motion commented:
I take a little comfort in knowing that Schultze's abysmal failure
to revive and maintain a relatively small CE operation like Tweeter
will be seen as an embarrassment by the world of big business.
Schultze Asset Management will have to carry rhe stigma of their
leader's failure, incompetence and dishonesty for a time as well.
When I look in the mirror I can tell myself that no one in America
despises me. Schultze however can't. Tweeter has left the industry
under a cloud of shame, deceipt and fraud thanks to this "
motion commented:
Tweeter Ex commented:
Tweeter Ex commented:
Take heart fellow travelers, Schultze may not emerge unscathed. The
Massachusetts Attorney General and the Federal Department of Labor
are both interested in the funding for the healthcare plans and
there is a class action lawsuit already underway in Delaware
regarding Schultze's violation of the WARN Act.
Tweeter Ex commented:
Take heart fellow travelers, Schultze may not emerge unscathed. The
Massachusetts Attorney General and the Federal Department of Labor
are both interested in the funding for the healthcare plans and
there is a class action lawsuit already underway in Delaware
regarding Schultze's violation of the WARN Act.
Long live S-Video commented:
The economy has won. While I still believe in $10.00 a foot
audioquest cable, the consumers believe in $100.00 HTIB. They
believe in $770.00 plasma big screens. They believe in IPODS as the
best sounding things ever. High Fidelity is gone as we no it. Yes,
I do believe in a sound stage and imagieng but that is not the
average consumer. Yes, Tweeter is done but they were just one of
the last store clinging onto a hope people would want something
better. Leave it to Sony to make different tv models to ship to
cosco and bjs , that are lower performance, but have the right buzz
words to make tweeter loook more expensive on better models.
Long live S-Video commented:
The economy has won. While I still believe in $10.00 a foot
audioquest cable, the consumers believe in $100.00 HTIB. They
believe in $770.00 plasma big screens. They believe in IPODS as the
best sounding things ever. High Fidelity is gone as we no it. Yes,
I do believe in a sound stage and imagieng but that is not the
average consumer. Yes, Tweeter is done but they were just one of
the last store clinging onto a hope people would want something
better. Leave it to Sony to make different tv models to ship to
cosco and bjs , that are lower performance, but have the right buzz
words to make tweeter loook more expensive on better models.
Long live S-Video commented:
Rex Halverson commented:
Rex Halverson commented:
At the end Tweeter was more than just the Tweeter of Sandy
Bloomberg and the many top notch people there. During their
acquisition they absorbed the many fine regional independents
around the country (Sound Advice for one prominent example) that
had been the alternative for the consumer looking for better
service and/or products in their markets. With their passing (and
Circuit's failure to fill this niche) there is a great gap between
the custom installation oriented independent and the mass market
retailer. Who will educate the next 'generation' regarding
performance differences and new technologies? Not all of the
amazingly growth in CE product popularity was the result of massive
ad campaigns - much was the result of hundreds of thousands of
individual presentations made over the years in these retailers.
Rex Halverson commented:
At the end Tweeter was more than just the Tweeter of Sandy
Bloomberg and the many top notch people there. During their
acquisition they absorbed the many fine regional independents
around the country (Sound Advice for one prominent example) that
had been the alternative for the consumer looking for better
service and/or products in their markets. With their passing (and
Circuit's failure to fill this niche) there is a great gap between
the custom installation oriented independent and the mass market
retailer. Who will educate the next 'generation' regarding
performance differences and new technologies? Not all of the
amazingly growth in CE product popularity was the result of massive
ad campaigns - much was the result of hundreds of thousands of
individual presentations made over the years in these retailers.
Brightlightoftruth commented:
Steve thanks for the mention. Fact is Tweeter was, in its heyday,
one of the best employers on the planet.It may have ended
regardless of who was in charge or what decisions were made in the
recent past. However, it did not have to end with the lack of
professionalism, impulsiveness or disrespect to the customers or
employees. Although we should have seen this coming. When Schultze
first took over the company his squeeze play with Mcguire was to
fire people irrespective of their role with the company. He even
fired the only person who could assess state taxes resulting in
over 250k in fines. His solution was brilliant, hire them back.
That was the first shot across the bow that this rich kid in charge
of a hedge fund was not a professional businessman but a wannabe
player in the specialty space. And dont let his "board of advisors"
off the hook. This group needs to grow a pair and tell him when he
has his head up his asss. The end likely would have been the same
but without the indignity, embarrassment or humilation to the
customers, employees, brand or industry.
Brightlightoftruth commented:
Brightlightoftruth commented:
Steve thanks for the mention. Fact is Tweeter was, in its heyday,
one of the best employers on the planet.It may have ended
regardless of who was in charge or what decisions were made in the
recent past. However, it did not have to end with the lack of
professionalism, impulsiveness or disrespect to the customers or
employees. Although we should have seen this coming. When Schultze
first took over the company his squeeze play with Mcguire was to
fire people irrespective of their role with the company. He even
fired the only person who could assess state taxes resulting in
over 250k in fines. His solution was brilliant, hire them back.
That was the first shot across the bow that this rich kid in charge
of a hedge fund was not a professional businessman but a wannabe
player in the specialty space. And dont let his "board of advisors"
off the hook. This group needs to grow a pair and tell him when he
has his head up his asss. The end likely would have been the same
but without the indignity, embarrassment or humilation to the
customers, employees, brand or industry.
Victim of the Grinch commented:
Has any (former) Tweeter employee sought legal counsel to date?
Class action suit concerning shenanigans pulled by Schultze?
Victim of the Grinch commented:
Victim of the Grinch commented:
Has any (former) Tweeter employee sought legal counsel to date?
Class action suit concerning shenanigans pulled by Schultze?
KennethDHowell commented:
Steve's post is spot on.We had fine
Execs,ScottSrolis,JoeLopiccolo,James Garelli,great
trainers,JeffRogers, Andy Lippit, and from my perspective some of
the most conscientious,savvy commissioned sales people that this
industry has seen in a long time. I have been in retail over 35
years now, and the demise of Tweeter is one of the saddest days in
my history. How do we teach, coach, and cousel young people into
always doing the right thing, learning the sales craft, and being
loyal to your company, when the Law of the land lets these crooks
hide behind their coattails. Mentoring in this environment is
nearly impossible. I worry for all retail, and just as much for the
consumer....a former Tweeter GSM
KennethDHowell commented:
Steve's post is spot on.We had fine
Execs,ScottSrolis,JoeLopiccolo,James Garelli,great
trainers,JeffRogers, Andy Lippit, and from my perspective some of
the most conscientious,savvy commissioned sales people that this
industry has seen in a long time. I have been in retail over 35
years now, and the demise of Tweeter is one of the saddest days in
my history. How do we teach, coach, and cousel young people into
always doing the right thing, learning the sales craft, and being
loyal to your company, when the Law of the land lets these crooks
hide behind their coattails. Mentoring in this environment is
nearly impossible. I worry for all retail, and just as much for the
consumer....a former Tweeter GSM
KennethDHowell commented:
shattered commented:
The latest problem is the 401k accounts, Fidelity cant release them
for us to rollover elsewhere until we're officially terminated, (we
still show as active employees) No one to contact at Tweeter,
Fidelity says they are working on it, but its been awhile now. ouch
shattered commented:
shattered commented:
The latest problem is the 401k accounts, Fidelity cant release them
for us to rollover elsewhere until we're officially terminated, (we
still show as active employees) No one to contact at Tweeter,
Fidelity says they are working on it, but its been awhile now. ouch



















