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Geoff Hannis #72873 28/02/18 8:29 PM
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Check out the Maplin website ... especially the small print at the bottom. frown

Meanwhile, someone has just recommended Bob Potts on Babington Lane, Derby to me. "Selling obscure bits and bobs since 1933"!

Perhaps we need to start a new thread for local component shops. smile

Anyway, Jessops came back ... so maybe we shouldn't give up on Maplin just yet.


If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Geoff Hannis #72874 01/03/18 8:56 AM
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There's a good analysis here. With some interesting (and accurate) comments, as usual. smile

Originally Posted by Geoff Hannis
Perhaps we need to start a new thread for local component shops.
Rapid Electronics. Great if you live in or near Colchester (just off the A12). But they also do on-line sales and delivery, of course.

Last edited by Huw; 15/08/21 10:22 PM. Reason: Link removed as domain owner has changed.

If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Geoff Hannis #72875 01/03/18 10:03 AM
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Essex boy !!!!

Malcolm #72876 01/03/18 10:17 AM
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Ha, ha. smile

Not me, Malcolm ... when I was stationed at Hyderabad Barracks (now a housing estate), that "business park" was just a green field. frown

Instant trivia:- the original Maplin business was started from a bedroom in Rayleigh (Essex).

More trivia:- Colchester has the longest railway platform in England (for the troop trains, don't you know)!

Meanwhile, any decent electronic components shops in Rome? think

Here in the UK (outside of Essex, that is) it seems that on-line has to be the answer now.


If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Geoff Hannis #72879 01/03/18 10:49 AM
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You asked....

When in Rome....
Giupar Elettronica Pastorelli Srl
Gamar Srl
GB Electronica (various locations)

ps...
longest platform, probably in an effort to get all the drunken soldiers returning from the Smoke (myself included) off the train in one piece whilst it's still moving...

Malcolm #72882 01/03/18 11:16 AM
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Any links (for our collection - and amusement)? think

Meanwhile, here's another from The Shires. smile

[Linked Image]

In January 1974 the whole battalion marched (with the Corps of Drums leading) in "Full Scale Marching Order" (including rifles) from Hyderabad Barracks all the way through town to the railway station, whence to travel across the country by Special Train to Liverpool ... to embark via the Grey Funnel Line to You-Know-Where. That march through town, with (most of) the locals standing and gawping - and some even cheering - was the most inspiring occasion of my (less than) illustrious career. It felt (and must have looked, and sounded) like something from the First World War!

I wonder which unit (barracks) you "enjoyed" serving with there, Malcolm?


If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Geoff Hannis #72886 01/03/18 12:56 PM
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This resonates for me... (from Geoff's link to The Register)

Quote
Maplin died years ago when it stopped stocking components, its prices became less competitive and staff less informative.


Also this, in the Guardian...
Quote
Connor said he was keeping his eye out for Lego or Star Wars toys for his five-year-old son, but found that – despite the business’s troubles – prices were still too high. “I’ve just compared one item they’ve got over there to what’s on eBay,” he said. “It’s £40 and you can get it for £15 online.”


Goodbye High St. frown

Huw #72887 01/03/18 1:00 PM
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I've almost got through most of The Register comments, and there are some really spot-on ones there; but (so far) this one is my favourite:-

Quote

Me and Maplin go back a long way. To about 1978 to be precise. Those were the days of "PO Box 3, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8LR". The catalogue better than any reference book. The flimsy separate price list. The coloured vouchers you got with each order (which could be exchanged for more bits). The photos of all staff in the catalogue, from Doug to Ivy the tea lady. The two shops in Southend and Hammersmith.

Maplin had a brilliant mail order business. They could have built on that, over and over, and when the web came along they could have made a modest mint out of it. Instead, they took the retail shilling, opened up a multitude of - let's be honest - tat bazaars, and the rest is sadly now history.

There were some genuinely great people at Maplin, so thoughts go out to them all today. And I'll raise a glass tonight to the old days, where between Practical Electronics and Maplin I wasted enough pocket money to get me where I am today.



If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
Geoff Hannis #72888 01/03/18 1:08 PM
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That address is burned into my memory, as (sadly) is my member number - as I used it so frequently. rolleyes


I found an old 1958 version of Practical Electronics in my Dad's workshop, but I remember buying my own first copy of Everyday Electronics in 1974.

Wow! Where did the years go?

Last edited by Huw; 01/03/18 1:11 PM. Reason: Memories
Huw #72889 01/03/18 1:20 PM
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Once they had staff who knew an OA71 from a BC108, but most staff today could not even wire their laces, let alone (like most of the population now, I suspect) a 13-Amp plug. whistle

Maybe we were (and I believe we were) the Lucky Ones, Huw. smile

2N3904 these days.

Maybe Ed will be along in a minute or two.


If you don't inspect ... don't expect.
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