Maplins use it or lose it?

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  • October 27, 2017 at 10:40 am #13105
    Ed PEd P
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      @edps
      Forumite Points: 39

      Looks like times are hard for Maplins as their suppliers are having difficulty in getting credit insurance according to El Reg. I hope they weather the storm as I frequently use them when I need something urgently. If you  want to support them and happen to be passing an outlet do pop in. According to El Reg they have a lot of interesting Xmas toys etc.

      October 27, 2017 at 11:17 am #13106
      The DukeThe Duke
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        @sgb101
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        Only wish I had one close. Though I think it’s the sign of the times. Between eBay, amazon and ali, people will always choose them to buy the bulk of any project, and use the likes of maplins for the bits they forget.

        No business can last forever being an afterthought seller. Just look at toy R Us over the pond. Biggest big box toy store, going down the tubes. Restructuring $2bn debt just a few months back. They blamed on lines stores. Maybe they should be looking closer at their own owning store. It’s a really crappy experiance at both Toys R US and Smyths toys. To late and not enough effort.

        I can only imagine they are hoping this holiday period will see then through. I hope the don’t go bust with out fulfilling any kids presents. Would be a bit crappy of you spent all your Xmas budget at toys r Us, for it to fail before it shipped.

        October 27, 2017 at 12:03 pm #13107
        Dave RiceDave Rice
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          @ricedg
          Forumite Points: 7

          I can increasingly get specialist WiFi gear through Amazon at the same price as my specialist supplier. I have just done this to get  2 Ubiquiti APs delivered to the Amazon locker (they’ve just arrived) as I won’t be in on Monday and Tuesday and need them Wednesday. So great for emergencies when you know what you want. However I will continue to support my normal supplier. Next day pre 12 is only £6 and their advice and support is free.

          Hikvision have gone the other way. They have brought out a of range of cameras aimed at the end user and withdrawn the supply of everything else. You can only buy them from a supplier who deals with trade only. The “low end” cameras are still fantastic with features like Darkfighter Lite, but they lack the fancy analytics (but do have things like line crossing and intrusion detection). The support we get from both the supplier and Hikvision is amazing. Free certified technical training – you have to pass an exam not just attend – regular technical briefings and previews of the next cameras. We will soon be able to provide under vehicle cameras that scan a vehicle passing over it. Tie that in with number plate recognition and you can automatically spot any changes like stolen goods as well as bombs. It’s portable too.

          October 27, 2017 at 1:39 pm #13108
          PlaneManPlaneMan
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            @planeman
            Forumite Points: 196

            The one near me is handy but can be very expensive. On the flip side they do have crazy sales from time to time.

            October 27, 2017 at 2:02 pm #13109
            blacklion1725blacklion1725
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              @blacklion1725
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              There’s a Maplin in Romford – prime location – difficult to see the business model for them now though – must have used it twice tops in the last 5 years. Prime real estate and a bit “jack of all trades master of none” – hope they keep going but like a lot of the high street odds are against them. Debenhams seemed to have sussed the online/highstreet balance but I believe they are in schtuck as well.

              October 27, 2017 at 8:20 pm #13112
              The DukeThe Duke
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                @sgb101
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                Yes BL, same with M&S they have great online, home and store delivery, but still hit the buffers of his year.

                Not that I’m a big M&S user, but I they do great trousers, shirts and ties. Trousers are cheap too, around £30 a pop, their shirts are of very good quality, but at about £30 I find them not so great value. Well they are good value, as they are fit and wash well, but at the end of the day it’s just a work shirt. So I find £30 for a non designer shirt a bit steep. Doesn’t stop them being my first port of call for work clobber and funeral ties. For some reason I can never find my black ties. I think I leave them in taxis etc, usually always quite lubricated by the end of each one. Strangely always a good day out a funeral. Unlike weddings that normally end in arguments or fights.

                October 27, 2017 at 9:50 pm #13113
                DrezhaDrezha
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                  @drezha
                  Forumite Points: 0

                  In terms of Maplins, I think I’ve used them more over the past six months than I have in the last six years! Been able to jump in and get some items I’ve needed such as a Pi for short notice projects.

                  In terms of M+S – first port of call for underwear and work trousers. Shirts usually come from TM Lewin now as they do a four for £100 deal. Which seems a lot but I had a good 5 years our of the previous ones!

                  "Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

                  October 27, 2017 at 11:32 pm #13115
                  Dave RiceDave Rice
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                    @ricedg
                    Forumite Points: 7

                    If you want “workwear” you can still wear down the pub, look at £12 the pop for Two Tone Polo Shirt  that will probably last forever.

                    I’ve got a wardrobe full as they do fat boy sizes that are still long in length?

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