Maplins

[Snetty]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

The website is still up https://www.maplin.co.uk
Last year I splashed out on a CCTV system through Maplins. The installation was carried out by a sub-contractor. It works a treat and I can monitor everything from Nairobi,through an app on the phone....... but what a sad and a difficult time for the staff and the suppliers.

Why are these companies going under?

No one is just prepared to make a living these days, its all about the greed.
Its a great shame but if the majority haven't got much of a disposable income stores like these will find trading tough.

[Nick Greg]

Originally Posted by Sprinter

Haven't been in a Maplins for years because here in Derby we have R.F. Potts.

A proper old style store with just about everything. The type of place where you ask them for a widget with a wibble fitting and rated at 8.5W. They have to think for a minute, say they'll have a look upstairs and upon returning say...

'How many do you want?'

They still going? Lived in Derby 40 years ago and as a kid used to spend many an hour in there. Great shop. Still on Babington Lane?

[steve-45]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Why are these companies going under?

Because a lot of people now treat shops as a showroom, then go home and look on the internet for the same thing but a few pound cheaper.

Internet sales will always beat "physical" shop prices as their overheads are so much lower especially with no High Street business rates to pay.

Yes, I know Maplins were no cheap but they are certainly handy when you need something fast otherwise its a week plus wait from China ....

[Nick Greg]

Originally Posted by steve-45

Because a lot of people now treat shops as a showroom, then go home and look on the internet for the same thing but a few pound cheaper.

Internet sales will always beat "physical" shop prices as their overheads are so much lower especially with no High Street business rates to pay.

Yes, I know Maplins were no cheap but they are certainly handy when you need something fast otherwise its a week plus wait from China ....

This is certainly very true. Also they carry a massive store inventory of, in many cases, relatively slow moving stocks. And if many shoppers are like me I used to go in browse for ages and end up spending just a few quid. I'm amazed it has lasted this long.

[Sprinter]

Originally Posted by Nick Greg

They still going? Lived in Derby 40 years ago and as a kid used to spend many an hour in there. Great shop. Still on Babington Lane?

Yup, still there, ever the same.

[mystabe]

Originally Posted by Nick Greg

This is certainly very true. Also they carry a massive store inventory of, in many cases, relatively slow moving stocks. And if many shoppers are like me I used to go in browse for ages and end up spending just a few quid. I'm amazed it has lasted this long.

I seen remember being desperate for some spade connectors at some point and for one reason or another Maplins were about the only option - it cost me nearly a fiver I think for something like 5 each of male and female ones. I know it's the high street but at those kind of prices it's no surprise they had slow moving stock!