Visitors to Overclock.co.uk - parts supplier to hardware enthusiasts - were met this morning with a message stating that the company had ceased trading.
The website of the Wokingham based company gives no further details on the e-tailer's closure.
Calls to Overclock's sales and customer service lines ultimately lead to connection errors, after navigating through the automated system.
Ear to the ground, it seems the company has entered administration.
This news comes even though the company seems to have a generally good reputation, sporting a strong HEXUS.trust rating and many positive comments from HEXUS.community members who are saddened to hear of the closure.
Overclock isn't the first to fall, of course. The whole UK PC market could be described as dicey at the moment, with even the likes of Evesham struggling to keep afloat.
It goes to show that while e-consumers like good customer service, the smaller companies need to have a niche, lest they be out-priced into oblivion by the competition.
We've still not heard from any Overclock.co.uk representatives (as of 2pm Friday 7th Sept). We'll let you know if we do.
Update
We have heard that this closure is related to health issues with one of the owners, it's been a struggle, and they tried to keep the operation running, however this has been up in the air for a while.
Update 2
Overclock is now back online having been purchased by JLT Computers Limited. More details of the change of hands of the domain can be found here.