Maplins in trouble

[Beobloke]

I used to buy a lot from Maplin when they offered a choice of product, such as interconnects and connector plugs and sockets but for the last couple of years their range of stock seems to have diminished to just the cheapies. If I want quality, I have to go online. They used to stock a range of audio hi-fi such as speaker cable, speaker stands (I bought both from them ten years ago) speaker drivers, etc. but not any more. Their stock nowadays is a lot of cheap Chinese made novelty items or unknown branded disco stuff.

This is my issue with Maplin. As you say, they chiefly seem tobe sellers of cheap disco gear and computer parts these days - none of which interest me. What happened to the great audio kits you used to be able to buy?!

It's funny how you progress though. I remember discovering Tandy as a child and thinking it was a wonderful place, until I got more into electronics in-depth, and so moved on to Maplin. Then I discovered that RS and Farnell had much wider ranges and were cheaper, although it took a while before they'd sell to the general public.

[Sherwood]

The writing has been on the wall for years.

https://forums.theregister.co.uk/post/reply/2429274?

RIP

[Ammonite Audio]

It has indeed. Much of what they sell seems to be the cheapest and poorest quality Chinese stuff, but priced much, much higher. Did they not see Amazon and eBay coming? Most people nowadays know tat when they see it and will venture online to see what else is available, for lower prices, and for next day delivery in the case of Amazon.

I'm very sorry for the staff but Maplin's day was passed many years ago.

[Shovel_Knight]

To be honest, I’ve been to Maplin only once when I urgently needed a VGA cable for an ancient projector, but the cheapest they had was 39 euros (WTF?!) and in the end it was much cheaper to add a VGA cable to my Amazon order and upgrade shipping to the Next Day option...

[nutteronthebus]

Just heard on the radio that they have gone bust now in administration ( may be a bargain to be had ) but a sad time for the staff

[struth]

It has indeed. Much of what they sell seems to be the cheapest and poorest quality Chinese stuff, but priced much, much higher. Did they not see Amazon and eBay coming? Most people nowadays know tat when they see it and will venture online to see what else is available, for lower prices, and for next day delivery in the case of Amazon.

I'm very sorry for the staff but Maplin's day was passed many years ago.

yup, alas, have to agree. i will struggle to get bits for my maplins bolt now.

[Jazid]

I am sorry about this. There is a store at the eastern end of my high street and in the basement they have a range of components and catalogues. The range is quite large and exceedingly handy on a Saturday afternoon. Agreed not in RS/CPC-Farnell territory but large enough and there's no waiting for Monday or Tuesdays post.
But here's the rub: it's printed in a thick paper catalogue and 95% is not even VISIBLE in their online store. The catalogues are hidden away and cost money, so nobody buys them and few even seem to know about them as evidenced by this thread, whilst the disco/starter kit tat and shonky cheap toys are well known.
There's a market there still but it maybe needs a lower profile presence, a sensible online presence, and I suspect much lower overheads to make it work. I hope they can manage it...

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[Sherwood]

Just heard on the radio that they have gone bust now in administration ( may be a bargain to be had ) but a sad time for the staff

Yes, instead of old tat at outrageous prices, there may be some old tat for sale at old tat prices!

[GrahamS]

What happened to RadioShack? isn't that what Tandy was originally called?

[RobbieGong]

Shame if Maplins go, too many long standing names have disappeared.

Thing is businesses like these have to be forward thinking in these times otherwise you go down