Maplins Electronics

I pity myself on any day that I have to resort to giving these people money. They are overstaffed with staff who know nothing about what they sell! The shop is confusingly laid out. They want to help you straight away but as said before know nothing about what I at least want to find. They’ve done away with any of the electronic components and now everything comes bagged up with a arbitrary mark up which has no relation to cost or real world value. Save your time and money and go to RF Potts.
Some of their ranges are just baffling in the extreme and such an unspecialised ‘specialist’ retailer must be getting slain in the marketplace with the internet. If a customer is geeked up enough to want neon case lights for their computer then they are capable of a google search which will be cheaper, easier, laid out in a more logical manner and avoids the irritating staff.
The usual price for a nondescript component should be about 3pence. They seem to think that acceptable pricing involves putting in a plastic bag and charging £1.69.
As an example I once went to the (now removed) ‘components centre’. I was asked what I wanted, I said I wanted a pair of 500kOhm linear pots. What did I mean pots? You know, potentiometers or rheostats, but only ¼W so y’know what I mean eh? No he doesn’t know what I mean. I have to give him the parts number from the catalogue so he can open the right little draw. What? I’m not rocket surgeon mate! Oh, quite.
The same scenario in RF Potts will yield the question fixed or switching, indented or normal? and a choice of sizes, prices and mounts.

Shop selling variety of electrical items. Always seemed to be overstaffed but they are not very aware of what they sell. Found a WII charger on their website, used the stock checker, said there was 9 in stock, went into the store and they did not know what I was talking about. When they found it, it was twice the price stated online, then they found out that it was due to an incorrect price ticket. Seems to be no rhyme or reason to layout. Also loads of shelves, so hard to get around with a buggy.

Maplins is always the place you get told to go when looking for electronic gadgetry or wiring but I fins them very irritating.
Everything seems well over priced and I am sure you can pick it up at other places for a fraction of what Maplins charge.
The staff are irritating too. They come up to you as soon as you go in the store and start the What can I do for you annoyance but when you actually tell them what you are looking for they look at you with a vacant face and seem to have no idea about the actual products they sell.
The store is small and hard to get round and hard to find where anything should be.
Something even more annoying that I noticed recently is that the prices are all on the shelves but they move a lot of stock around and don’t move the price tickets. For example, I was looking at a stereo system that seemed to be a great price and when I found a salesman to speak to about buying it, it seems that the price was of another system that they didn’t even have in stock and this system was actually £200 more.
I walked out at that point.
If you want any computer parts or DIY items then go to Potts on Babington lane.

Maplin Electronics is located on East Street and is a short walk across the road from the Eagle Centre market. It specialises in an array of electical produts and is great for finding things that aren’t available in Westfields.
Although the shop itself and its interior is quite dated, the range of products is by far the best in Derby. Its amazing how much stuff they can get into one store. Not everything is cheap in there– but you can find some bargains!
Definatly worth a look if you are in the area. You often find yourself coming out with things you never intended to buy!

Maplin is a great electronics specialist store, with a wide range of products. The sales staff really know their stuff, and are happy to help you find the product you’re looking for, or to advise on what part you need.
It’s useful to know that Maplin also has a really good website, which allows you to check the stock level of products in your local store — this could save you a trip if an item is out of stock, or alternatively if you see something on the website you can check the stock and go and pick it up the same day.