Alternative to Rip-off Maplins

Helper_Monkey

Hey folks,

I'm so sick of Maplins. It's such a rip-off and on a recent visit I found the staff to be less than helpful.
It just really grinds my gears the prices of their electronic components and tools.
The straw came when I bought a set of jeweler's screwdrivers which came with some pliers and wire strippers. It cost about 15 euro, and were the WORST quality, and most useless things I've ever bought. The tops of the screwdrivers rotated in their mount and the wire cutters wouldn't cut undercooked bacon.

So, does anyone have an suggestions of alternative electronic suppliers (I'm mainly interested in components)? Also if anyone had details of delivery options for these companies that would be nice.

Thanks

ejmaztec

The only ones that I can think of off-hand are below. I don't think that there are any bricks and mortar outlets similar to Maplin, apart from Peats, which isn't exactly nationwide.

I wouldn't like to say whether any of these are reasonably priced or not, as it depends on what you're after.

http://www.farnell.com/ie/capacitors/


http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/


http://www.donberg.ie/offers/

Helper_Monkey

Thank you! I'll check them out now.

T

Thephantomsmask

www.cpconline.ie

www.bowood-electronics.co.uk/

Helper_Monkey

CPCireland seems to be the dogs ticklys, havent ordered yet, but all seems groovy.

Thanks so much guys.

T

Thephantomsmask

I've used them a few times, they're good value. The Bowood website is handy for getting a small order of components as they charge very little shipping compared to cpc.

kgm

Avoid Donberg. They are seriously over priced and screw your on postage and banking fees !!!

user1842

Ordered form radionics loads of times and they are excellent. You need to know exactly what your looking for though.

Skopzz

Helper_Monkey wrote: »

Hey folks,

I'm so sick of Maplins. It's such a rip-off and on a recent visit I found the staff to be less than helpful.
It just really grinds my gears the prices of their electronic components and tools.
The straw came when I bought a set of jeweler's screwdrivers which came with some pliers and wire strippers. It cost about 15 euro, and were the WORST quality, and most useless things I've ever bought. The tops of the screwdrivers rotated in their mount and the wire cutters wouldn't cut undercooked bacon.

So, does anyone have an suggestions of alternative electronic suppliers (I'm mainly interested in components)? Also if anyone had details of delivery options for these companies that would be nice.

Thanks

eBay - it just takes effort and patience.

catchpole

This thread brings up the question of what premium -over the online price- is it worth paying to have a bricks-n-mortar shop? TBH I quiet like going into Maplins and having a poke around, just curious what people think.

ejmaztec

catchpole wrote: »

This thread brings up the question of what premium -over the online price- is it worth paying to have a bricks-n-mortar shop? TBH I quiet like going into Maplins and having a poke around, just curious what people think.

Definitely not the premium that Maplin expects to get, which seems to be off the wall in most categories.

I only buy from them if the item that I need happens to be in a sale, except on the occasion that I needed a can of air-duster, which even at sale-price, was €5 more than in Harvey Norman (who aren't exactly cheap at the best of times).

TOMP

Try this company -

https://www.chip.ie/main/home

syklops

ejmaztec wrote: »

Definitely not the premium that Maplin expects to get, which seems to be off the wall in most categories.

I only buy from them if the item that I need happens to be in a sale, except on the occasion that I needed a can of air-duster, which even at sale-price, was €5 more than in Harvey Norman (who aren't exactly cheap at the best of times).

I really like Maplins, because for many years, they were the only place in the 32 counties to get certain 'specialist' items. Luckily for me, and at the same time, unfortunately for Maplins, all the 'speciality' bits only cost between 2-20 quid. If I wanted a particular type of pigtail for a particular type of 2.4 Ghz connector, they were the only place to go. I remember about 6-7 years ago, my wifi pcmcia Orinoco card sat down, and I needed a new one sharpish. The only supplier of one in a 200 mile radius, was Maplins at a hefty 39.99.

That said, even I cant be blinded by their expensive items. The way I feel about it is, it is not cheap to buy a load of obscure electrical parts, and have staff stand around trying to sell them a la "Excuse me sir, can I interest you in 2.4 Ohm resistor?". To keep the books balanced, they sell 'other' stuff. From radio controlled cars to Christmas trees that wiggle and music boxes that make, you know, music, they sell 'stuff', to people that will buy 'stuff'.

OP, you bought a jewellers screwdrivers set in what is basically an Electrician's good's store. Next time you want really good jeweller's screwdrivers, go to a jewellers good's store, or go to argos, where I got my jewellers screw drivers. Argos have nice stuff and very clear return policies. Maplin will have a replacement for the diode in the torch you already mentally threw out.


I am not affiliated with them, but I like them and they had stuff I needed when I needed them, that Woodies, Power City and Craughwell Electric did not have on sale.

punchdrunk

http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/

good site that