TigerDirect: First Major Internet Retailer to Accept Bitcoin Via BitPay

Today, TigerDirect announced its embrace of Bitcoin through BitPay, Inc. TigerDirect has met the needs of customers for over 25 years and is known for high
Today, TigerDirect announced its embrace of Bitcoin through BitPay, Inc. TigerDirect has met the needs of customers for over 25 years and is known for high
Op-ed - TigerDirect: First Major Internet Retailer to Accept Bitcoin Via BitPay

Today, TigerDirect announced its embrace of Bitcoin through BitPay, Inc. TigerDirect has met the needs of customers for over 25 years and is known for high quality, discount electronics. TigerDirect is a subsidiary of Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX), a Fortune 1000 company. There was no lack of excitement from the Tiger Direct Team as the front end of the website clearly displays their embrace of bitcoin with a backdrop of physical bitcoins. Who will the next high profile merchant be!

BitPay and Tiger Direct Issued the following press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIGERDIRECT IS THE FIRST MAJOR INTERNET RETAILER TO ACCEPT BITCOIN VIA BITPAY

Online superstore to be largest retailer to accept new form of digital currency as payment

Miami, FL (Monday, January 20, 2014) – TigerDirect.com has announced today that they will be accepting Bitcoin– a peer-to-peer digital currency- as a method of payment on over 200,000 products. TigerDirect is the first major US electronics retailer and largest company to date to accept the digital currency Bitcoin via BitPay.

Bitcoin has become a modern-day sensation, boasting a payment technology that competes with traditional payment methods. By cutting out the middleman, buyers and sellers of Bitcoins can deal with one another using direct deposits into electronic wallets.

“TigerDirect has always been on the forefront of alternative online payment methods and delivering the most convenient ways for our customers to shop,” says Steven Leeds, Director of Corporate Marketing at TigerDirect. “With individuals building their own high-powered PCs with parts offered on our site to mine Bitcoins, it’s a logical fit.”

After several months of reviewing the options for processing Bitcoin, TigerDirect has chosen BitPay to provide its customers the most reliable means of transacting Bitcoin payments on their website. TigerDirect will not only accept the digital currency as payment, but will also sell the computer components used to mine the currency as well. “We’ve partnered with AMD to build the largest assortment of mining graphic cards from Sapphire, MSI, VisionTek, Diamond and XFX in the industry.” Customers will be able to utilize Bitcoin as payment on both the desktop and mobile websites.

This non-traditional move should come as no surprise for those familiar with TigerDirect as a trusted name for computers and consumer electronics. In 2013, TigerDirect made waves with their presentation of the Second Annual Tech Bash, showcasing the latest in electronics to over 12,000 consumers at Miami Marlins’ Park; enjoyed over seven million views on the “Epic Rap Battle: Nerd vs Geek” viral video written and directed by Rhett & Link; expanded their product offerings to new categories; and offered select customers free shipping through ShopRunner.

Staying ahead of the competition as the go-to spot for all things tech, TigerDirect’s BitPay acceptance is another example of the online superstore’s dedication to customer satisfaction, and using innovative technologies for the best shopping experience, in-store and on-line. TigerDirect will start accepting Bitcoin on Thursday, January 23rd.

Details regarding the acceptance of Bitcoin at TigerDirect can be found at http://www.tigerdirect.com/bitcoin. Bitcoin will not be accepted for payment at TigerDirect physical retail locations, only online.

About TigerDirect: For over 25 years, TigerDirect. (http://www.tigerdirect.com) has served the needs of both personal and business computer users, selling consumer electronics, computers, digital media technology and peripherals via eCommerce, business to business, and retail channels. TigerDirect is a subsidiary of Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX).

About Systemax Inc.: Systemax Inc. a Fortune 1000 company, sells personal computers, computer components and supplies, consumer electronics and industrial products through a system of branded e-Commerce websites, retail stores, relationship marketers and direct mail catalogs in North America and Europe. The primary brands are TigerDirect, MISCO, WStore and Global Industrial.