ha ha haaaa Maplin have a forum - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 06:42:11 am
content: Just got an email from Maplin inviting me to their all new forum. Oh I couldn't resist..... wonder how long before find me hard to deal with......Naturally there are more mods than members and they look clueless to say the least

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 11:38:22 am
content: And now Digikey as well - "TechXchange"...

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 11:47:41 am
content: Yea, hopefully the information provided is better than the goblebuk the maplin mods are providing. It's one ofthe biggest shambles around

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 04:43:54 pm
content: I wonder how long it'll take before Simon is banned?I don't know whether I'll bother joining

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 04:46:51 pm
content: oh I'm going to have funnnnnn !!! It is really funny to see all the made up threads by the mods and all the rubbish they are coming out with. There is not even an obvious link on the homepage to the forum which is kind of dumb and I've already offered to work from home providing answers to customer quesries on the website....

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 04:49:22 pm
content: oh and I told them to call the "components" forum "electronics", i mean cmon how dum and childish and small minded: lets discuss components

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 04:56:21 pm
content: my post in the feedback forum has already been deleted

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 05:22:54 pm
content: I've just checked my email and noticed I've not been invited to join, not that I care of course.Quote from: Simon on April 13, 2011, 04:56:21 pmWhat exactly did you say?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 05:27:22 pm
content: Oh can't remember but was not rude just to the point (to make a change) and signed off as an ex-customer. I think i said something about prices and quality but it was before my morning coffee so can't remember how i worded it. The category description did invite constructive criticismI've just told another know it all mod/staff member bluntly that you can't get 1A out of a 9V battery and yes a diagram would be nice (yes the idiot posted a parts list and thought we'd figure out how to make it)

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 06:01:41 pm
content: nice one simon you should ask why it was deleted and repost it.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 06:07:52 pm
content: thing is i can't remember what exactly I said and well I'm not looking to get banned immediatelyI'll just make life perhaps uncomfortable and start pointing people here - after all it's my duty as an honest person, I can;t leave them in the hands of incompetent malins staff. I'm feeling really sorry for those staff that have obviously been made to "create a community", some of the threads are so false it's crazy and the whole category layout is very "upper management" style, why have a power and a components forum ? it's all electronics

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 07:21:54 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on April 13, 2011, 06:07:52 pmYes, they are going rather overboard in seeding it in places! Maybe if they get a bigger community going it'll balance out a bit.QuoteLooks like the forums mostly line up the the product categories on the website; don't remember if the paper catalogue uses similar categories (I think the last one I bought was the first full-colour edition!). I guess doing it that way makes it easier if they want to put links to the forum on the website and have them go to somewhere 'relevant'; there's a new 'forum' tab on the site which apparently finds related posts on the forum, but not sure if that's across the whole thing or by category.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 07:37:51 pm
content: Do we really need yet another 'electronics' forum? People need to stop reinventing the wheel and innovate.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 07:49:21 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on April 13, 2011, 04:46:51 pmsounds like a good offer.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 10:33:34 pm
content: The only way they could do it, is if you only get taken on if 90% of people are happy with your responses.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 05:56:41 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on April 13, 2011, 10:33:34 pmThat won't be hard, I'd vow never to use the word "support" that will relieve a lot of peopleQuote from: baljemmett on April 13, 2011, 07:21:54 pmyea well it makes for an unnecessarily large and empty forum and it make no sense to discussions. Yes they seem to be pushing maplin products hard. I'd say maplin have decided to become a world power or they are about to go underThis whole forum thing looks a bit desperate to me

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 04:54:26 pm
content: It seems pretty pointless as a general electronics forum because the rules forbid linking to external sites and doing so will get the post edited.http://forum.maplin.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=161

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 05:14:47 pm
content: yea their rules are a bit stupid, usual management dick headiness, if they think people want to go on a forum like that just to discuss the "wonderful" world of maplin products well it's doomed from the start. They also tell you to send them an email about issues and problems with products so yea it's just a massive publicity stunt that will never work (or they will have 10 users at a time as the rest will be banned on an on going basis)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 05:52:28 pm
content: I'd be interested to know how they can justify selling components at such silly prices.1 white LED, only £1.84.http://www.maplin.co.uk/5mm-superbright-white-led-45936I can buy 5 sticky LEDs with batteries included from PoundLand for £1 and it's not like buying from Maplin brings better quality. I'm better off with PoundLand, at Maplin there's no data sheet, no brand name and no customer support but PoundLand are cheaper and they don't pretend to know what they're talking about.Maybe they should stop selling single LEDs? I'd rather be forced to buy 5 branded white LEDs for £2 even thought it's expensive, I'd pay the extra for convenience and having a propper data sheet.Again look at the quality of some of the responses to questions.http://www.maplin.co.uk/5mm-superbright-white-led-45936Q) Does this 5mm Superbright LED need a resistor or can it be run directly from a 3V source?A) they need a 3.5v source to work.No you idiot, you need more than 3.5V and a resistor.Q) will this led run from a 12v battery or is the max voltage 3.6v??A) The maximum voltage that this can cope with is a 3.6V DCYou moron, the LEDs can run from 12V if a suitable resistor is used and if you weren't some retard with a D or below in physics you'd be able to calculate the correct value using Ohm's law.Q) With continuous use, what would the expected life be of this type of LEDA) 1000+ hoursI'd never buy an LED which only lasts 1000 hours, even the cheapest nastiest LED should last ten times as long as that.Q) Can i run these LED's off a button cell and if so which one? If I can, can i run 2 LED's off the one button cell or will two have to be used? ThanksA) No sorry this product does not support that.Maybe if you'd suggested using three button cells in series, you might have made a sale.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 05:58:22 pm
content: I don't think they are allowed to say that somethingissupportedit would go against their best morals. Yea the mods/staff members offering advice are pitiful at best.

author: TheWelly888
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 05:59:41 pm
content: Maplin used to be so good for electronic stuff back in the 1980s but from the 1990s on, their range of stuff changed so much that I got put off and a visit to my local Craplin store now usually sees me leave empty handed and uninspired.Their paper catalogue was a bible for electronics enthusiasts with pinouts and extracts from datasheets in them and wonderful sci-fi style artwork on their covers. It's been at least 15 years since I last bothered with Craplin's paper catalogue yet I was amused to see piles of them on sale in Nottingham's branch of Craplin. {sigh}I've had a look and I agree with you Simon, it's a joke!

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 08:37:59 pm
content: Quote from: TheWelly888 on April 14, 2011, 05:59:41 pmYes Maplin went into decline somewhere around the late 90s. Their catalogues got thicker and thicker until reaching their peak around '97 then kept shrinking ever since.QuoteThey used to produce a range of magazines with good projects and you could buy datasheets in paper form but it's all gone now. I think it's because electronics as a hobby has been in decline since I became interested and the Internet taking off in the late 90s making ordering on-line the norm spelt the end for Maplin as a hobby supplier.Anyone remember Tandy? Also known as RadioShack in the US. I've always remembered them being expensive though: a pound would only buy a pack of two plain vanilla red LEDs, a single 555 timer or 741 op-amp and that was at 1994's prices! Maplin were the decent alternative, providing the same components at around a filth of the price. No wonder RadioShack pulled out of the UK due to competition from Maplin.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 11:11:29 pm
content: The kind of elecronics stores like Maplin in the UK or Conrad here in Germany have all had to change their product range away from electronics towards selling all kind of crap to stay in business for two reasons, the Internet has become a very powerfull competitor and the classic electronics hobbyist is practically gone.In the last ten years many independent small electronics shops had to close because of that and the big names have responded by selling everything, even if it's got nothing to do with electronics.Conrad now sells everything from garden hoses to crappy hifi gear. Their stores are still there, but are now temples of consumer rubbish that beggars belief. The electronics counter has been moved to the darkest corner and if they've got the thing you want in stock they have prices that make you faint.In addition they generally seem to employ people that have no clue about electronics whatsoever.I've been working in the business for the last 12 years and it is becoming harder and harder to keep business running. A small shop like ours can't stock all the gazillions of parts a big company like Digikey or Farnell carry. Maplins and Conrad retail stores certainly have the same problem.I've only been in a Maplins store twice while on holiday in London but I did get what I wanted, a 5V plug pack and a PCMCIA USB2.0 controller, so no complaints there.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 02:09:18 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on April 14, 2011, 05:52:28 pm"i dont f*ckin know" is a better answer.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 05:23:09 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on April 15, 2011, 02:09:18 amThat's what "No sorry this product does not support that" meansI just told em on their SSD thread that yes I'm moving to SSD's myself but not maplin ones, jesus they want over £200 for drives I can get for under £90 on ebuyer

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 06:09:00 am
content: Quote from: david77 on April 14, 2011, 11:11:29 pmThe main reason was the rise of the home computer and later the PC. Many electronic hobbyists moved to home computers when they started to become popular, and many kids these days go straight to the PC.The Internet later just tought the remaining customers that they no longer have to live with the local monopoly of the electronics shop. The Internet shops are the logical consequence of the electronic shops not going with the times. I remember very well that the electronics shops from my youth didn't have and didn't want to sell home computers. One was even so stubborn to refuse to sell parts like CPUs, RAM, EEPROMs or bus drivers, to those who want to do some work on their home computers.And like many others I don't miss the times when the local electronic shops had the monopole and dictated what parts you shall have and what parts just didn't exist. And when they charged you extra for a xeroxed copy of a datasheet.Still today the local shops haven't got their basics right. The ones in my area are still dark, dirty and dusty places with arrogant shop owners who still after all that Internet revolution thing think they can dictate what hobby electronics is and what isn't.QuoteIn my area the small electronic shops could prevent going out of business by(a) cleaning their dirty filthy shops (regular use of a duster and a vacuum cleaner would be a start, putting some fresh paint on the walls would be a good idea, too),(b) fixing or installing proper lightning in the shops so you don't think you ended up in a '70th adult entertainment shop,(c) specializing on service,(d) rethink their price calculation,(e) rethink their opening times (closing at 16:00 means potential customers have to take some time of from the job to go there), and(f) adding modern stuff to their offerings.QuoteWhich is actually a chance for the small shops, by specializing on electronics.QuoteThey can do that, because the small electronic shops look even worse. If small shops would get their act together (see above), they could beat this large shops by looking proper and offering special services.But I see small shops who seem to have come kind of contest who can have the darkest, dirtiest place with the rudest, incompetent people (often the shop owner).QuoteSame for small shops here.QuoteSame for the small shops here, with one exception.QuoteBut Farnell doesn't sell to non-businesses in Germany. So you could act as an agent for your customers. You don't have a special part? You offer to order it for your customer, and deliver it to his house (partner with a local Pizza service ...).

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 06:13:19 am
content: I can just imagine a store owner getting slapped for asking: "would you like pizza and fries with that ?"

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 05:42:26 pm
content: What I don't understand is why Maplin have ramped up their prices so much. I accept there's an extra cost for running a store with till staff, security etc. but that's not gone up any more than any other shop in the last 15 years and the cost of the components themselves has being falling.I can't believe how much Maplin are charging for 0.6W 1% metal film resistors, 24p each!http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?menuno=12459&page=1Farnel sell them for £0.054, £0.0648 each, there's a minimum order of 50 but that's still only £3.24 so it's hardly a problem.http://uk.farnell.com/vishay-bc-components/mrs25000c3651fct00/resistor-mrs25-1-3k65/dp/9467882RS are cheaper, £0.044 each, £0.0528 including VAT, minimum order of 25 so the minimum price is £1.32 including VAThttp://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=6834196Rapid are the cheapest I could find, £0.015 each, £0.018 including VAT, minimum order of 100 but £1.80 isn't going to break the bank.I'd rather Maplin stop selling single 0.6W metal film resistors, even Tandy didn't do that, maybe £1 for a packet of 10 resistors, still expensive but not a total rip-off.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 07:51:33 pm
content: Yeah, 24p per resistor is a shameless rip-off.For example I buy 1% 0207 resistors for about 0.006EUR each at a quantity of 1000 pieces. I do sell them for 0.10EUR qty 1-9 or for 0.08EUR qty 10-99 and for 0.04EUR from 100 pieces.You wouldn't believe how many people come in asking for just one bloody resistor. Strictly speaking selling one resistor is madness, but I do it and people have to accept the higher price for that.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 09:34:25 pm
content: well my mention of cheaper prices elsewhere in the SSD thread was removed (but not the whole post)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 10:36:44 pm
content: Quote from: david77 on April 15, 2011, 07:51:33 pmBut you're not comparing like with like, that's SMT.Quote from: Simon on April 15, 2011, 09:34:25 pmCan you blame them? They don't want to invest money in running server for it to be used to advertise competing products - they warned you that's treated as spam in the rules.All I can say is good on them for not removing the whole post. I suppose if you want to help someone who enquires about a product but you know of a cheaper one elsewhere, it's better to send them a PM but there's no guarantee it won't get intercepted.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 11:02:19 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on April 15, 2011, 10:36:44 pmNot true. 0207 refers to this type of resistor:http://de.farnell.com/multicomp/mf25-10k/widerstand-0-25w-1-10k-0207/dp/9341110@Simon: Directing someone to another seller on Maplins forum is not on. That's like telling another customer to go to a competitor in front of store staff. That's hurting business and understandably that is frowned upon.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 06:59:49 am
content: Quote from: david77 on April 15, 2011, 11:02:19 pmI did not say where I was going or post any link at all, I just stated that I was not going to get them from maplin as I could get them elsewhere at 25% the price (and no that is not an exaggeration !)Of course the whole post was not removed, I'm one of the most active people on there, I'm sure I'm been talked about a lot behind closed doors, I've not been nasty or tried to cause trouble (I never would) but I've been blunt in my replies.As far as i can tell there is no PM system. It is with great reluctance that I use this word in a context I'd never like to but i do have to say that the way it is run is a tad.... Nazi ! you cannot do a lot but what they want you to and that way is boring. If they are trying to make up a fan base and create a devoted community they never will, not like that.Oh and they really think that in the near future we will be transferring KW of power wirelessly.... yea dream on my little craplins

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 08:41:46 am
content: Quote from: Simon on April 16, 2011, 06:59:49 amI suppose it depends on what specific technology you're talking about here, but wireless power transfer is quite achievable. I know for a fact that 7kW over an air gap of about 150mm can be achieved, while staying within international safety standards for magnetic field exposure. That's plenty to charge even a very powerful car in reasonable time....a Rolls Royce Phantom, for example:http://livingproper.com/2011/03/rolls-royce-selects-haloipt%E2%80%99s-wireless-charging-systems-for-its-green-luxury-car/edit: spelling

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 10:02:05 am
content: Quote from: david77 on April 15, 2011, 11:02:19 pmThat's still not a fair like with like comparison: those resistors are 0.25W and the ones in Maplin's are 0.6W.Rapid sell >10R 0.25W metal film resistors for £0.95 for a pack of 100, £1.14 including VAT.http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Resistors-Potentiometer/Metal-Film-Resistors/MR25-0.25W-1-Metal-film-resistors/29791If you want cheap get crappy 5% carbon film for £0.60 including VAT for a pack of 100.http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Resistors-Potentiometer/Metal-Film-Resistors/MR25-0.25W-1-Metal-film-resistors/29791Quote from: Simon on April 16, 2011, 06:59:49 amNo surprise there and if you posted your email, it would probably get deleted.QuoteRelax, this isn't Electrotech online.Quote from: mkissin on April 16, 2011, 08:41:46 am7kW over a 150mm gap is hardly anything new.

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 10:27:49 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on April 16, 2011, 10:02:05 amNo, and if you read carefully you'll note that I didn't say it was. I was merely pointing out that wireless power is a Real Thing.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 10:39:40 am
content: If you put it like that wireless power has been around since the discovery of electricity but it isn't what most people think of when they hear the words wireless power.

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 10:56:18 am
content: I don't follow you. What would you say "most people" think of when they hear the words wireless power?I was just giving a practical example of a system which exists today, and which transmits power wirelessly over a reasonably significant air gap.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 11:56:18 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on April 16, 2011, 10:02:05 amOk, it seems I haven't been quite clear enough. In my above example I meant metall film resistors 0,6W 1% type 0207, exactly what Maplin are selling. The Farnell link was just to make clear what I meant with 0207, that it's not SMT.I think you didn't get my point. Even 1,00EUR is too much for 100 resistors of that type in a wholesale context. I wanted to make clear what resistors in wholesale actually cost compared to what the retailers charge.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2011, 01:25:27 pm
content: Quote from: mkissin on April 16, 2011, 10:56:18 amI mean on the Maplin forum there's all sorts of crazy talk about solar panels on the moon beaming wireless power to earth and no more 230V 13A sockets - these are the sorts of things most people think of when you mention wireless power.Anyway, I've actually found some good component deals on Maplin.A dual miniture potentiometer is only £0.99 which is cheaper than Farnell, RS Components and Rapid. It's probably a mistake in the pricing as it's the same as a single potentiometer.http://www.maplin.co.uk/dual-miniature-potentiometers-2204