CeX
Encyclopedia
CeX is a second hand
goods chain based in the United Kingdom
specialising in technology
, computing
and video games.
All stores (excluding kiosks) deal in second hand games consoles and the games themselves, with some stores also offering a number of specialist services such as mobile phone unlocking and disk cleaning.
Store size varies from "Phone Kiosks" which deal primarily in mobile phone trade and have a correspondingly small footprint, to the larger stores, such as Southampton - currently the largest store - spanning several floors.
The forum was moderated by both staff and third-party individuals, yet quite harsh criticism of CeX was tolerated and censored only when profanity or potentially libellous posts were made. The forum was not meant for Customer Service issues, but many posters worked for CeX and issues were sometimes resolved by posting about them. As of 26 August 2009, the forums have been closed, and the CeX community is now encouraged to use Facebook
instead.
or Woodstock in form and function (accommodation is provided by tents, entertainment by live music).
Second Hand
Second Hand is the title of an album by Mark Heard, released in 1991, on Heard's own Fingerprint Records. The album was listed at #4 in the book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music ....
goods chain based in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
specialising in technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
and video games.
History
CeX was founded by Paul Farrington and Robert Dudani in 1992 and the first CeX store opened on London's Tottenham Court Road in 1992. The company has around 101 stores, In recent years the "CeX" name has moved away from "Computer Exchange" into an acronym for "Complete Entertainment eXchange", however company letterheads state "CeX LTD is trading as CeX Entertainment Exchange" - so the actual meaning of "CeX" is ambiguous.All stores (excluding kiosks) deal in second hand games consoles and the games themselves, with some stores also offering a number of specialist services such as mobile phone unlocking and disk cleaning.
Store size varies from "Phone Kiosks" which deal primarily in mobile phone trade and have a correspondingly small footprint, to the larger stores, such as Southampton - currently the largest store - spanning several floors.
Business model
A key aspect of CeX's business model is to give the impression that each store is an independent retailer even though the company is in fact part of a nationwide chain. This is expressed in several key ways:- No company uniform.
- Staff are encouraged to banter with customers.
Customer Services And Online forum
As of August 2008, all CeX customer services were moved from a phone based system to a completely email-only service, using a secondary domain name of webuy.com.The forum was moderated by both staff and third-party individuals, yet quite harsh criticism of CeX was tolerated and censored only when profanity or potentially libellous posts were made. The forum was not meant for Customer Service issues, but many posters worked for CeX and issues were sometimes resolved by posting about them. As of 26 August 2009, the forums have been closed, and the CeX community is now encouraged to use Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
instead.
CeXFest
Since 2007, the UK-based stores held a staff-only event named CeXFest. This is viewed as an opportunity for company employees to meet from all over the country, and imitates GlastonburyGlastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
or Woodstock in form and function (accommodation is provided by tents, entertainment by live music).