Last month it was reported that Irwin Jacobs is selling Hopkins-based Jacobs Trading liquidation to Liquidity Services,

an online company. For Twin Cities shoppers, it also means the closing of the liquidation retailer, Brand Name Deals, a part of Jacob's Trading.

The closing sale begins Wednesday, Oct. 12 and will end by Christmas. Discounts will vary and some items such as electronics won't get an additional discount immediately, said one employee. Other items, especially slower moving bulky stuff such as flat-packed wood entertainmnet centers will be discounted an additional 60 percent. Scratch and dent dorm fridges (only a few left) are $8 each. Manager Pat Kyllonen wrote in an email that $2.9 million worth of merchandise will be liquidated (50 truckloads) "We will need to be very aggressive in our pricing and markdowns," she wrote. That's because the store used to get about three truckloads a week to keep it in stock, but with at least 50 truckloads, that means about five ttrucks to be unloaded each week.

I am sorry to see a liquidator leave the market. There was a time when Brand Name Deals offered some of the best deals on electronics (big screen TVs, computers, stereos), but in the last several years the selection and quality declined.

While I have always applauded BND for its refund policy of 7-14 days, too many electronic items that I purchased didn't work. That was fine because of the money-back return policy, but chances are that all sales will be final during the Going Out of Business sale. If you're buying electronics, shop very carefully and be sure to test the item in the store.

Prices could change on a daily basis, Kyllonen said.

So who's left after Brand Name Deals closes? The best liquidator, before and after BND closes, is Discount 70 in Columbia Heights. I have found the selection at Discount 70 to be a little better than at BND and with slightly lower prices. Neither store ever won any prizes for display but Discount 70 is cleaner store. It will be interesting to see if its invenotry improves after BND closes. To be fair, DealSmart is also a good competitor in Mounds View and Little Canada.

What's your favorite liquidator? Brand Name Deals, Discount 70, DealSmart or somebody else?