On 01/03/2018 12:22, charles wrote:
In article
,
Ian

wrote:
On 2018-03-01, Andrew Gabriel wrote:

I worked for a startup ISV in the late 1990's, and although we were
mostly software, we bought quite a lot of hardware. Initially, that was
all through Maplin because I knew them from my hobby, but eventually we
wanted more specialist things they didn't stock, so I applied for an RS
account. Back came reams of paperwork to fill in. A few days later,
with the paperwork still in my in-tray, and Farnell salesman knocked on
the door and said "Can I open a credit account for you?". I said yes,
and they didn't require any paperwork. Maplin and RS both lost out to
that. It was one hell of a coincidence - I did wonder if someone inside
RS was leaking data out to their competitors.

Apropos not much, I always considered Maplin a bit of a toy shop rather
than a serious electronics components supplier, even back in the 80's. I
was spoiled by having Electrovalue in walking distance though, anyone
remember them?

Yes. Excellent catalogue with pinouts for TTL - but that was in the '70s. I
visited them too, but had to drive.


Spent hours queuing there on Saturday mornings. Problem
with Maplin was they never seemed to have everything in stock, and if
you're building something, missing even one part is a killer.

Later discovered Farnell, and even got a trade account set up while still
at Uni, at their suggestion. This was in sharp contrast to RS, who
wouldn't even let me have a catalogue. Put a lot of business in Farnells
direction since then, and precisely none to RS.

Not surprised Maplins are on the rocks. As has been said, town centre
retail is dead. Battle the car-hating councils obstacle course to get
there in the first place. Pay more in parking than for next-day delivery.
Dodge the chuggers and beggars to get to the one store you actually need
to visit. No wonder there's only pound shops, betting shops and takeaways
left, it's only fit for people with lots of free time and no money.

don't forget hairdressers & barbers

Charity shops and mobile phone shops. (Why does a shopping centre need
three or four mobile phone shops? Why does it need *any*? Surely just a
shelf in a hardware store or supermarket.)

--
Max Demian