In the 1980's I bought lots of gear from Maplin, mostly stuff to run a mobile disco. I bought a 225WRMS amplifier kit and disco decks and record decks and sound to light kit.
They seemed to be quite competitive then.
Went in to Maplins today to buy a 1.5m HDMI lead.
They wanted £25 for it !
Went home and bought two off ebay for £1-50 each.
I really value Maplin as its just down the road if I run out of a component for an important job but I wont pay extortion amounts for gear.
I try to support them as much as I can but they really are no longer competitive.
They seemed to be quite competitive then.
Went in to Maplins today to buy a 1.5m HDMI lead.
They wanted £25 for it !
Went home and bought two off ebay for £1-50 each.
I really value Maplin as its just down the road if I run out of a component for an important job but I wont pay extortion amounts for gear.
I try to support them as much as I can but they really are no longer competitive.
I know the feeling.
They're at the other side of town for me, but it's that or CPC at the next town (10 miles away).
Some of the stuff they sell is neat, like a GPS thing that will help you find home/your car etc, I think it's around £10.
I have contemplated some of the kits they sell, but I don't think I'd buy one...
They're at the other side of town for me, but it's that or CPC at the next town (10 miles away).
Some of the stuff they sell is neat, like a GPS thing that will help you find home/your car etc, I think it's around £10.
I have contemplated some of the kits they sell, but I don't think I'd buy one...
Maplin Kits
Over the years I purchased a number of Maplin’s kits. Each kit had some minor issues with it, each instance quite easy to work around. Maplin kits are far from those Heathkit offered, but for someone with a somewhat better than novice understanding of electronics, they were priced right.
Last year I purchased a K4020 Mosfet power amplifier (supposedly a high efficiency class A amplifier) from them and found numerous serious problems with it. The schematic Maplin provided could not possibly represent a functional, working unit. Furthermore the components provided didn’t match the supplied part list, nor did the printed circuit board match the schematic either. When I inquired as to the problems I discovered, they replied that many units have been sold and that there are no issues with it.
When I pointed each issue out in excellent detail, including pictures of their faulty schematic and reasons why the circuit cannot be made to work as they have provided, they did not even attempt to answer any one of issues, again stating the unit has no known problems. They inquired if I had built the unit yet as they had supplied it and I replied them that I could not reason to do so as it would definitely destroy the outputs.
With the components Maplin supplied, there is no way possible to make a functionally satisfactory amplifier, regardless any arrangement I can conceive. From all the information they did provide I find their concept has serious flaws. One could arrange the components such that it would provide amplification although it would be nearly impossible to keep it from going into high frequency full power oscillation regardless.
They never made any further attempt to resolve the issue.
I notice they no longer sell the unit.
Over the years I purchased a number of Maplin’s kits. Each kit had some minor issues with it, each instance quite easy to work around. Maplin kits are far from those Heathkit offered, but for someone with a somewhat better than novice understanding of electronics, they were priced right.
Last year I purchased a K4020 Mosfet power amplifier (supposedly a high efficiency class A amplifier) from them and found numerous serious problems with it. The schematic Maplin provided could not possibly represent a functional, working unit. Furthermore the components provided didn’t match the supplied part list, nor did the printed circuit board match the schematic either. When I inquired as to the problems I discovered, they replied that many units have been sold and that there are no issues with it.
When I pointed each issue out in excellent detail, including pictures of their faulty schematic and reasons why the circuit cannot be made to work as they have provided, they did not even attempt to answer any one of issues, again stating the unit has no known problems. They inquired if I had built the unit yet as they had supplied it and I replied them that I could not reason to do so as it would definitely destroy the outputs.
With the components Maplin supplied, there is no way possible to make a functionally satisfactory amplifier, regardless any arrangement I can conceive. From all the information they did provide I find their concept has serious flaws. One could arrange the components such that it would provide amplification although it would be nearly impossible to keep it from going into high frequency full power oscillation regardless.
They never made any further attempt to resolve the issue.
I notice they no longer sell the unit.
I bought a Velleman K8060 amp kit from Maplin as my first build. They sell the kits but no suitable heatsink or transformer.
I emailed their "technical support" but they must be very busy, it has been over 4 years now and they haven't replied yet.
World class customer service.
John
I emailed their "technical support" but they must be very busy, it has been over 4 years now and they haven't replied yet.
World class customer service.
John
They are going the way of Tandy, I'm afraid.
They started out selling a huge range of components for the enthusiast.
Over the yers this has been whittled away to a minor part of their business. Presumably there is more (if any) profit in complete toys and boxes.
They don't even do a decent range of PC parts - can't keep up with the stock problems of changes every six months.
I'll put $10 on them not being around - or radically changed - within five years.
They started out selling a huge range of components for the enthusiast.
Over the yers this has been whittled away to a minor part of their business. Presumably there is more (if any) profit in complete toys and boxes.
They don't even do a decent range of PC parts - can't keep up with the stock problems of changes every six months.
I'll put $10 on them not being around - or radically changed - within five years.
Whilst i agree with everyones comments, Maplins can only stay in business by stocking the most popular items. If it eventually becomes a boys toy shop, then so be it.
As DIYers we are a minority, and probably account for a tiny fraction of their sales.
Only online sellers with non existant overheads can afford to cater solely for our demands.
I think the only way to combat these trends, is to spread our enthusiam for our hobbies and hope that the next generation will become more involved.
It's going to be a battle though, when most teenagers simply don't contemplate the idea of making anything............. except for a mess in their bedrooms.
As DIYers we are a minority, and probably account for a tiny fraction of their sales.
Only online sellers with non existant overheads can afford to cater solely for our demands.
I think the only way to combat these trends, is to spread our enthusiam for our hobbies and hope that the next generation will become more involved.
It's going to be a battle though, when most teenagers simply don't contemplate the idea of making anything............. except for a mess in their bedrooms.
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I think that 25 quid is pretty competitive, for a high-street store. I was in Costco the other day, who are supposed to offer warehouse pricing and their 1.5m HDMI cable was 15 quid.
Cable companies have taken Sony's sales tactics to new extremes by effectively rewriting the truth about cables through propoganda. In the 80's and 90's, most hifi folk would have laughed you out of the city had you tried charging that much.
Now, people seem to look down their nose at you if you don't spent at least 10 quid per meter for the cable. Oh, and don't forget the rocket ship decals that must be attached too.
But you're right, shops like Maplin and Radio Shack are becoming more about starter kits and finished electronics and less about diy. There's just not enough volume in parts for a high street store.
Exactly the same is happening in Australia and NZ with a similar firm, Dick Smith. Stock of components is very limited and not being replenished. Staff are ignorant. However they are trying to compete with other consumer product firms with cheaper poorer quality products, and customer numbers seem to be falling.I guess they too won't survive.
Jaycar on the other hand being more hard-core electronics provides a good service and seems to be thriving.
Jaycar on the other hand being more hard-core electronics provides a good service and seems to be thriving.
D.S.E. aims to be another JB HiFi "clone"
In Sydney they have already gone that way. Even their online store has either limited, or no stock of previously sold items.They got out of the kit business some time back.
SandyK
P.S.
Many U.K. members have purchased kits and components from Jaycar via their Freecall number.
Most are surprised at how cheap the kits are in comparison to U.K. prices.
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This isn't just a recent endeavour with regards to Maplin, they have been going down hill over the last 10 years.
Interestingly I got into the DIY side of things because I couldn't afford the insane prices that the boutique hifi stuff demanded. Of course I was 14 at the time so having a large amount of expendable income would have been very unusual. Either way it pathed the way for where I am now and I am absolutely thankful that it did.
It definitely depends how one got interested in the DIY scene in the first place.
I have always been interested in how things work, from a very early age, at a fair ground or similar I'd be crouched down looking underneath the rides and mechanical displays, trying to see how they worked. The old steam driven things tended to be the best!😀
This interest was innate and the world wouldn't have changed it whatever it was like. Be it a washing machine, escalators, car engines or even just an extractor fan, I wanted to dismantle it or remove the covers so I could see what was going on inside. This curiosity made way for wanting to build things myself. I'd like to think that that would still exist in some of today's youths, regardless of how technology and fads may go.
Interestingly I got into the DIY side of things because I couldn't afford the insane prices that the boutique hifi stuff demanded. Of course I was 14 at the time so having a large amount of expendable income would have been very unusual. Either way it pathed the way for where I am now and I am absolutely thankful that it did.
It definitely depends how one got interested in the DIY scene in the first place.
I have always been interested in how things work, from a very early age, at a fair ground or similar I'd be crouched down looking underneath the rides and mechanical displays, trying to see how they worked. The old steam driven things tended to be the best!😀
This interest was innate and the world wouldn't have changed it whatever it was like. Be it a washing machine, escalators, car engines or even just an extractor fan, I wanted to dismantle it or remove the covers so I could see what was going on inside. This curiosity made way for wanting to build things myself. I'd like to think that that would still exist in some of today's youths, regardless of how technology and fads may go.
Having been to maplin today I can express my support for the place. I did have to ask the guy at the components desk to go get the cheap version of the 4 AAA batteries I wanted (all the ones on the shelves were £10-12 for the same capacity, these were £4).. but hey ho, at least they had them.
I'm used to small corner shop-esque maplins, with the normal overpriced high street fair on the shelves and anything more interesting requiring an enquiry at the parts desk... sure it used to be JUST parts desk, but they have to survive on the high street. But recently I have noticed in other parts of the country (I'm from central south) large warehouse style maplins with almost all of the catalogue on the shelves and impressive parts desks with decent stock. They must be making enough off the types who go in and drop silly money on cables etc to not only stay alive but expand, which is no bad thing in my book, they are the only real 'electronics' chain left in the country, try going in to currys for some basic components your missing... "Errr, whats a resister sir?". Mail order is fine, but when you want something NOW, I'm glad they are still around.
I'm used to small corner shop-esque maplins, with the normal overpriced high street fair on the shelves and anything more interesting requiring an enquiry at the parts desk... sure it used to be JUST parts desk, but they have to survive on the high street. But recently I have noticed in other parts of the country (I'm from central south) large warehouse style maplins with almost all of the catalogue on the shelves and impressive parts desks with decent stock. They must be making enough off the types who go in and drop silly money on cables etc to not only stay alive but expand, which is no bad thing in my book, they are the only real 'electronics' chain left in the country, try going in to currys for some basic components your missing... "Errr, whats a resister sir?". Mail order is fine, but when you want something NOW, I'm glad they are still around.
I can relate to that.
But todays youth generally take everything for granted.
We run two youth clubs in an area which is not exactly deprived. Sometimes i take my projects along to do some work on them. Seldom do any of the kids show any interest, and if they do.....they usually say, why bother when you can go out and buy one.
You can't blame the kids, it's what they get from their parents.
I had a lady (probably in her late thirties) ask me to put some new hinges on the gate. When i got there she said "my husband couldn't do it". I had assumed she was single.
Of course he could do it. But he'd rather play golf.
It's regrettable that Maplins carry a vastly reduced range of components as I often find a need for something at short notice, but Farnell (Farnell United Kingdom | world-leading distributor of electronic and maintenance, repair and operations products.) have a huge range and no shipping costs on most items, the stuff arrives within 1-3 days depending on when you place your order. Make sure you check that stuff you order is in stock, as out-of-stock items can result in delays in shipping stuff that is in stock.
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wakibaki;2268215 but Farnell ([url=http://uk.farnell.com said:
I tend to use RS as the p+p is free and there is no min order. I was shocked to see them selling ecc82's at knock down prices.
I also found Cricklewood electronics good for hard to find items and they are very good on price too.
As I said before, CPC (a farnell company) isn't too far away for me - Dad can pass it on the way to/from work, so that's very handy. They do almost anything you could need as a diy-er.
I'm glad you guys have been saying "generally", "usually" etc about today's youths, being 16 myself. I do, however, know the type of person described.
Chris
I'm glad you guys have been saying "generally", "usually" etc about today's youths, being 16 myself. I do, however, know the type of person described.
Chris
Maybe it's a reflection of less electronics DIY interest in the UK than a few years ago, and a total lack of focus which now means they do nothing well.
Even recently I used them, a triumph of hope over experience: everything I want is generally out of stock. So now I have the choice of epay (cheap components with free post) which does work pretty well for DIY stuff now, or CPC, RS, Mouser, Rapid etc.
We used to be blessed with TV repair shops to get stuff from too - but no one fixes TVs anymore in this eco-conscious throw-away society we've been given.
Even recently I used them, a triumph of hope over experience: everything I want is generally out of stock. So now I have the choice of epay (cheap components with free post) which does work pretty well for DIY stuff now, or CPC, RS, Mouser, Rapid etc.
We used to be blessed with TV repair shops to get stuff from too - but no one fixes TVs anymore in this eco-conscious throw-away society we've been given.
I think you hit the nail on the head, there is now so much choice of companies for components. Ebay too has made a big difference.
I guess Maplin will just follow its nose going from previous sales of what sells and what doesnt.
The other problem for Maplin is the vast number of sellers of amplifiers etc
It is more cost effective to just buy one than build one. Then they had the problem of people ringing up when the amp kits didnt work.
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