Philip,

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 10:21:14 +0100, Philip Pemberton wrote:

> > Rule 7: Yes, radio shark stinks.  I still give them a lot of busines=
s
> > because there is no alternative locally.

> Replace "Radioshack" with "Maplin" and you've got the UK version.

I have to disagree here - Maplin still sell components, and although the=
 shops' stocks aren't what they were,
you can get everything next-day mailorder if necessary.  And they will s=
ell individual resistors (1 penny each
for 1/4W metal film 5%), and "starter packs" of 10 of each of the E12 or=
 E24 series, whereas RadioShaft in the
US only sell packs of 5 of a value at about $1!

Agreed they do charge like a raging bull for some things, but they also =
have some good special offers (a 120mm
magnifyer with ring-fluorescent on an "anglepoise" arm for =A320 - I'll =
be getting one later today! :-)

They aren't the supplier they used to be for electronics hobbyists, but =
then the hobby has declined.  Where
there used to be half a dozen monthly electronics magazines, there are r=
eally only two now (and one of those
comes from the Netherlands) so I can understand their diversifying into =
consumer electronic toys, radios,
audio and so on, but at least they're still there and their nearest shop=
 is a 10-minute drive from me!

However, see my other message "Credit where it's due"...

Cheers,

Howard Winter
St.Albans, England

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