theferrett sent a letter to Circuit City the other week, about their firing their 3,400 most experienced and highest paid employees. Which inspired me to do so also, and I just got back a form letter (of course).

But today, he posted a link to this article from the Washington Post: Circuit City's Job Cuts Backfiring, Analysts Say.

""I think even though sales were soft in March, this is clearly why April sales were worse. They were replaced with less knowledgeable associates," said Tim Allen, an analyst with Jefferies & Co.

In particular, the televisions showing disappointing results are "intensive sales" requiring more informed employees, Allen said. "It's a big-ticket purchase for somebody. And if they feel like they're not getting the right advice or are being misled by someone who doesn't know, it would be definitely frustrating. They will take their business elsewhere.""

Can you say Duh?

And Circuit City's stock's dropped about $3 since the actual firings. Maybe Wall Street's wising up to the fact that "downsizing" usually isn't great for companies? I can hope.

Buy Nothing Day is November 25th.

Is there really any good reason to go shopping? Just sit back, hang with your friends and family, and boggle over the people who would risk death by trampleation just to get a DVD player for $30 at Wal-Mart. 'Cause, seriously, what the hell?

(Of course, I may be a corporate sellout and end up having to work a couple of days that day, I wonder how well saying "Y'know, I can't come in after all, I realized that encouraging pointless consumerism is against my religion, and this is one of our most sacred holidays." would fly with the managers.)