Glad it's not just me that gets the wrong items from CPC including this tuesdays delivery which included 2 RF adapters of the same type which somehow weren't when the package (very promptly) arrived.
I remember when RS and CPC/Farnell were expensive, Maplin were cheap and Tandy sold crap. Tandy have made way for Maplin and Maplin have made way for CPC. Maplin aren't a patch on what they used to be, and neither are the products they sell (there's a hefty review of their jump starters on YouTube, showing that the battery inside is a fake).
24p for a 10K resistor? They used to be 3p each, and from CPC they still are!
CPC are now starting to aim at Joe Public with TV ads and stuff, let's just hope they don't go down the same slippery slope though.
Maplins are basically criminally expensive and the goods are similar in naff quality to the old "Realistic"gear.CPC are a bit cunning,they bombard you with emails and mailshots containing "Bargains"which aren't really bargains since the headline prices exclude VAT handling charges and the like.
Maplins are basically criminally expensive and the goods are similar in naff quality to the old "Realistic"gear.CPC are a bit cunning,they bombard you with emails and mailshots containing "Bargains"which aren't really bargains since the headline prices exclude VAT handling charges and the like.
At least it's good to see a company actually opening shops rather than shutting them. Their prices must be affected by the costs of maintaining a high street presence.
At least it's good to see a company actually opening shops rather than shutting them. Their prices must be affected by the costs of maintaining a high street presence.
I do agree, even though personally I don't like them much and wouldn't buy a box of batteries from them!
and personally find them ok. On the 1 occasion I had to return something, the money was returned to my credit card on the spot, no quibbles. Which is more than you can say for some stores.
I remember being in Tandy when I was a kid, my dad used to look in them and I would go in as well. Don't remember if we bought anything but I think I liked browsing their shops.
I remember being in Tandy when I was a kid, my dad used to look in them and I would go in as well. Don't remember if we bought anything but I think I liked browsing their shops.
When we had one on the island, they seemed to be more focused on Electronic Keyboards (the muscial kind) more than anything.
That reminds me of Tandy to an extent, they also seemed to try to position themselves as more mainstream but look what happened to them.
when ever I talk to someone about our Maplin, I keep calling them Tandy. Just habit.
When I heard that we was having a Maplin, I was so pleased, I thoguth i would be down there as much as I used to be down our Tandy store, but i have not. Grown older I suppose and got no need for some of the stuff i used to buy from Tandy, but I still use Maplin for their batteries and connectors
My local Maplins is incredibly helpful. It seems quite a small branch though, which maybe helps.
Pretty good in our Store as well, like yours it is a smaller store. I have had no problems with them apart from the fact they keep asking for my name and address so they can send me even more junk mail.
I still occasionally buy the catalogue, (got the Autumn/Winter 2010/11 one here). I used to always have the latest Tandy catalogue, mainly to drool over the world band receivers.
They tend to be the "shop of last resort" for me.
I will only buy something I'm desparate for and *really* can't wait a couple of days for.
The staff in my local are actually pretty good tho' and most of them are as geeky/ nerdy as me so are always able to offer sensible advice if required.
But the truth is, they're too expensive for the small impulse bits and bobs and their generic, no brand stuff is often unreliable...
We've bought the steam train noise kit, roulette kit, and two types of dice kit. My daughter got the hang of soldering quite well and all the kits work as they're supposed to. One of the dice kits is a bit unfair - the chances of a six is 1 in 8, as is the chance of a one.
What ever happened to RS by the way? Are they still around? Used to use them a lot, but not been in for years.
Was in Maplin today - needed a little tiny screwdriver that I couldn't get in B&Q, managed to get what I wanted so quite pleased. Was slightly annoyed at the saleswoman's attempt to sell me 2 for 1 batteries....for a screwdriver? Eh?
By the way - "Maplin's" was a fictional holiday camp. "Maplin" is an electrical store
Comments
We've repeatedly had the wrong item, missing items, or faulty items sent.
Rapid, on the other hand, are very good... http://www.rapidonline.com/
Maplins are basically criminally expensive and the goods are similar in naff quality to the old "Realistic"gear.CPC are a bit cunning,they bombard you with emails and mailshots containing "Bargains"which aren't really bargains since the headline prices exclude VAT handling charges and the like.
Realistic was RadioShack, which i've always been told was a well respected brand... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realistic_%28brand%29
I do agree, even though personally I don't like them much and wouldn't buy a box of batteries from them!
The small indie electronics shops are now all gone.
Not ideal, and will vary between stores, but the only game in town.
Radioshack - trading as Tandy - were much worse !
I remember being in Tandy when I was a kid, my dad used to look in them and I would go in as well. Don't remember if we bought anything but I think I liked browsing their shops.
When we had one on the island, they seemed to be more focused on Electronic Keyboards (the muscial kind) more than anything.
Strange! I don't remember the one I was in having those but they used to have a lot of gadgety type stuff.
when ever I talk to someone about our Maplin, I keep calling them Tandy. Just habit.
When I heard that we was having a Maplin, I was so pleased, I thoguth i would be down there as much as I used to be down our Tandy store, but i have not. Grown older I suppose and got no need for some of the stuff i used to buy from Tandy, but I still use Maplin for their batteries and connectors
That is another reason why I hate Carphone Warehouse
Pretty good in our Store as well, like yours it is a smaller store. I have had no problems with them apart from the fact they keep asking for my name and address so they can send me even more junk mail.
I will only buy something I'm desparate for and *really* can't wait a couple of days for.
The staff in my local are actually pretty good tho' and most of them are as geeky/ nerdy as me so are always able to offer sensible advice if required.
But the truth is, they're too expensive for the small impulse bits and bobs and their generic, no brand stuff is often unreliable...
Does she like the kits?
Was in Maplin today - needed a little tiny screwdriver that I couldn't get in B&Q, managed to get what I wanted so quite pleased. Was slightly annoyed at the saleswoman's attempt to sell me 2 for 1 batteries....for a screwdriver? Eh?
By the way - "Maplin's" was a fictional holiday camp. "Maplin" is an electrical store
Didn't know they had stores, but the website is certainly still going strong... http://uk.rs-online.com/
They don't have 'stores' they have 'trade counters'.