Maplin has just 48 hours left to avoid administration

[jim]

A prime example is Richer Sounds which started at one location in London Bridge in the late 70s which is still there today.

As far as I know, that particular shop isn't there any more.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

As far as I know, that particular shop isn't there any more.

Looks like they moved to a bigger store around London Bridge:

https://www.richersounds.com/stores/london-bridge/

The old one was utterly tiny - remember getting stuff from there during a sale,and it was hard to even turn around in it.

[SkywalkerLuke]

I have always found Maplin to be very expensive, although love the electronic components they sell. Hopefully they'll sort it out and we won't loose another high-street retailer.

[ByteMyAscii]

Another store front that couldn't keep up with the internet.

The problem is a store trying to compete on price.
And realistically many cannot do that.
So instead they should look at what physical store can do that a website cannot, connect face to face.
A customer should feel they can get advice and help.
Instead of the actual experience we got in one of their stores, where the staff were more interested in discussing their social lives.

Customer service, that is what high street stores need.
Staff who assist, rather than fight for your commision or ignore you outright.

[watercooled]

It's a shame - they are still somewhat unique in the variety they offer but I agree with what others have said - they seem to have moved towards being another generic consumer electronics store. As a kid I did love looking through the paper catalogue for components for various projects, of which they had a great variety and a well-made catalogue (even if you did have to pay for it).

Unfortunately, my reaction to shopping in there recently tends to be HOOWWWW MUUUCHHHH!?!?!?

I mean for convenience you don't mind a few quid more, but charging £15 for one of those DVI-VGA adapters is outrageous, and that's sadly true of lots of the generic stuff they sell.

[Rebo00]

Want to buy a 10m hdmi cable? That's £30.
Or order from Amazon Prime for £5...

[watercooled]

Want to buy a 10m hdmi cable? That's £30.
Or order from Amazon Prime for £5...

You mean £50? https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-hdmi-cable-10m-a95xb

Or if you want a 'pro' one, that'll be 100 notes: https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-pr...able-10m-a25xc

[spacein_vader]

The problem is a store trying to compete on price.
And realistically many cannot do that.
So instead they should look at what physical store can do that a website cannot, connect face to face.
A customer should feel they can get advice and help.
Instead of the actual experience we got in one of their stores, where the staff were more interested in discussing their social lives.

Customer service, that is what high street stores need.
Staff who assist, rather than fight for your commision or ignore you outright.

This.

Nobody can compete with Amazon on price. You can either try to and hope that just being a physical store with lowish prices and terrible service will suffice like Curry's/PC World, or you can do the above like John Lewis do. Which of those would you rather buy a TV from?

[3dcandy]

Problem is that with a great deal of their stuff being on the cheaper end it makes the issue appear that much worse. At least John Lewis tend to seel you a nice tv. Maplins stuff is not in the same price league at all. Putting a cheap Chinese import on sale at more than 3 times the price it is online will never work in this day and age, even if the staff are knowledgeable and great. They need to find a niche in the market, evolve or die. Simples. It appears it is the latter

[peterb]

You mean £50? https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-hdmi-cable-10m-a95xb

Or if you want a 'pro' one, that'll be 100 notes: https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-pr...able-10m-a25xc

The really sad thing is that someone said they (the 'cheap' ones) were good value for money!!!!!

[watercooled]

I remember a friend of mine, who is otherwise fairly placid, ended up genuinely offended after a visit to Maplin - after seeing a cable he needed (something like a DVI - HDMI) on their website for a reasonable price, he visited the store only to be lectured on how it was some limited online-exclusive price but they could sell him an identical one in-store for something like triple that.

The thing is, when that sort of product is the reason a lot of people drop into the store, surely somewhat lower margins (e.g. by honouring their own online prices) are better than just not making the sale at all?

[Wrinkly]

Another store front that couldn't keep up with the internet.

Partly. Partly, another victim of Brexit.

[philehidiot]

Partly. Partly, another victim of Brexit.

You'll have to clarify to me how us leaving the EU played any part in this. I'm perfectly willing to accept it but making a statement like that demands justification given how it's used as a catch all for everything. Prices on imported goods have increased everywhere and being a big business they should have been able to mitigate this as much as everyone else. Until we leave the customs union, external tarrifs / free trade within remain and so should have made no difference to pricing as yet.

The problem here as far as I can see it is that maplin went from a small electronics shop with low overheads catering to a niche to trying to be an electronics superstore selling anything and everything electronic. The prices were horrendous. As as example, in the old days I'd have gone and bought the electrical components for my radio controlled car and built it (probably with a trip to the model shop for chassis components). These days you go in and buy a radio controlled car pre built for you. Just like you can get off Argos or Amazon. They went too broad and ended up competing where they couldn't compete. If I need a part for something these days I don't go to Maplin becuase for years their prices have been utterly stupid and there are few occasions I can't wait a day for Amazon.

I'm amazed they made it this long as they've always had old stock at way above the going rate (since they went from a little electronics shop where I got my first soldering iron and breadboard from to a big "superstore") and the knowledgable, honest staff disappeared. The idea of "I don't know if this is right for me, I'll go to Maplin, I can trust them" just went out of the window and you ended up with them being the same as PC World. "Why should I pay double for this 'premium' HDMI cable?" "errr... it runs faster".... "great, so all my TV programs will sound like people are mice on acid as they'll be talking so fast? Get away from me".

I think it's a matter of commercial genius that Maplin have lasted so long in the digital age of disposible electronics.

[Iota]

You can either try to and hope that just being a physical store with lowish prices and terrible service will suffice like Curry's/PC World, or you can do the above like John Lewis do. Which of those would you rather buy a TV from?

PC World / Curry's, not so much the issue of price but for the great customer service I've received from them. For example I returned some powerline adapters last month without the receipt, that I purchased last year in may / june that were faulty (lots of CRC errors) and received a full refund without any quibbling. How many physical stores do that?

[spacein_vader]

PC World / Curry's, not so much the issue of price but for the great customer service I've received from them. For example I returned some powerline adapters last month without the receipt, that I purchased last year in may / june that were faulty (lots of CRC errors) and received a full refund without any quibbling. How many physical stores do that?

John Lewis will for a start. Seems you've found the exception to the rule for service at a DSG outlet.

You'd get a 5 year guarantee on the same Tele at JL Vs a 3 year 1 at PC world.

[Troopa]

HERE IS WHY THEY FAILED:
20m HDMI lead:

Maplin £79.99
Amazon £26.56 with free delivery!