Maplins, a joke? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 09:42:15 pm
content: A guy drives to his local Maplins and asks for 3 trimmer pots, a 1K, 5K and 10K; the assistant then hands him the pots in a bag; the guy pays for them at the till and then drives home; a few hours later he discovers he has actually been given: 2 x 1k pots and 50k pot. Lol!No - you're right, it's not funny.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 09:58:38 pm
content: Er....Okay?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 10:01:33 pm
content: I have no sympathy for anyone who is stupid enough to not check before they leave a place like Maplin.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 10:02:47 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 23, 2013, 10:01:33 pmSince I'm from the US: Does Maplin = RadioShack?

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 10:08:29 pm
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on July 23, 2013, 10:02:47 pmSimilar yes.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 06:58:19 am
content: Not quite as bad... they may try to sell you a disco light or car stereo... but they do at least have semi decent components stock available. Just wish they stocked low ESR capacitors and some decent schottkies - most of which I'd use for my PSU repairs.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 08:46:15 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on July 24, 2013, 06:58:19 amLike Mike said, I should have insisted on checking them; on the few occasions I've been desperate for the odd part i've never had any problems before; but it was near to shop closing time and I just needed the 3 pots to finish my new widget.One good thing about Maplins though is if you need a part quick and you live close to a shop - you can just pop in; and they stay open to 8pm most evenings.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 01:34:37 pm
content: I went back to shop at dinner, and they replaced them; I checked the values myself just to make sure. Over dinner time I soldered them in place on my PCB.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 01:46:58 pm
content: Retailers in the UK must be better than here. I would be slightly annoyed but entirely unsurprised, certainly not enough to say anything.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 01:57:23 pm
content: What do Maplin actually sell to make money?I get the occasional component from them, but normally they either don't have what I want or its too expensive. When one considers the cost of postage for components, Maplin isn't really worth the bus fare.I must say though, I did once find a member of Maplin staff who seemed to know what he was talking about.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 09:18:15 pm
content: They're doing something right. Post-tax profit £12.4m on £210m turnover isn't too bad for a retailer nowadays.https://www.duedil.com/company/01264385/maplin-electronics-limited/financialsThat being said, it is their lowest profit for the last few years, probably in part to do with the economic downturn.I suspect the components biz breaks even or possibly even acts as a loss leader to get techy customers into the store and make them buy the real winners -- such as the toys/games/gadgets, computer parts, consumables (wire, solder, batteries) and tools.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 09:52:00 pm
content: QuoteAs tom66 says almost certainly the toys and gadgets at Christmas and some of the occasional big ticket items such as the disco stuff. Probably simplest to look at what they're pushing on the web site - chances are those are the bulk buys on which they are making decent margin.

author: Grayfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 09:59:40 am
content: I take it they are like jaycar for us australians.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 10:02:38 am
content: Quote from: Grayfox on July 25, 2013, 09:59:40 amI've never been down under, so am unfamiliar with Jaycars. Here's the Maplin website.http://www.maplin.co.uk/I've always found the staff to be enthusiastic.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 10:59:46 am
content: Hi,'A Joke' is probably a bit harsh.........I've mostly found their staff quite enthusiastic and even knowledgeable on occasion when asking for components I needed *NOW*.Also, given that around my area they are one of only two local electronics stores I'd say we should be supporting them with a wee purchase every now and then.Ian.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 02:05:36 pm
content: Quote from: IanJ on July 25, 2013, 10:59:46 amhi, maybe! perhaps Ben knows his stuff, but I missed out the bit where the staff member mentioned that I could always test them with a multimeter set on continuity. My comment wasn't really a serious rant, but I do think companies that call themselves experts need to honor that across all branches of their shops.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 02:49:16 pm
content: In every electronics chain store you'll find some people who know what they're talking about and lots of staff members who don't. That's especially true for the parts desks of such stores. They'll be trying to have at least one person who knows about components there at all times but invaryably the parts desk will be manned with incompetents at times.These incompetents are the problem, they do have a tendency to mix things up because they don't understand what they're selling. So a 50k trimmer will end up in the 1k bin.These incompetents also sell 1,27mm pitch ribbon cable to customers for mains wiring under carpet. I have many more stories like this, I work in a store like Maplins on the parts desk.