EPO Computers

Incredibly helpful and friendly guys working here and a large selection of parts from tubes & transistors to arduino and raspberry pi. If there’s something you can’t find, ask one on the staff and they’re more than willing to talk about whatever project you’re working on.

address is incorrect on website… they moved across the tracks on hwy 3 behind the valero :)

The first thing I noticed coming in to the store was that there was zero effort to organize the products, label them, put prices on them, or even make them easy to find. It was more like looking through the garage stash of an old tinkerer than a retail store. That is the best and worst part about the store: you can find random things a good prices, but it might be nearly impossible to find that one special thing you came in there for.

I have been going to EPO for 5 or 6 years now, I cant ask for anything more. Ike most reviews Chinese parts are abundant but also a-​lot of Japanese. I have never had a problem with any components that i have purchased, parts include, cameras, lenses, mosfet, caps, POT’s, any and every kind of connectors, heat shrink, you name it. Everyone is happy to help and are more than welcome to assist you, even on a personal level. This is a place to make friends, learn new things and above all find stuff that is IMPOSSIBLE to find. If you want a company that has an on-​line inventory try china you idiots, this is a local shop that can not afford an on-​line inventory because the sole fact that they carry electronics made 40 years ago, AND that they carry thousands upon thousands of items that any nerd would want.
5 stars across the board, Good job EPO

As good as it gets. Took my desk top to them today for slow speed issues. They spent about 10 – 15 minutes checking it out on the work bench while I waited. They said they found nothing wrong. They were extremely professional and courteous. I browsed through the store while waiting and appeared to be well stocked with computer equipment, security systems and all related electronic gear. The repair man explained what be wrong with my system at home. I went home and made a few adjustments to my internet system and it works fine. They didn’t charge me anything. Recommend them highly and plan to use them in the future.

I’ve been going to this store since they used to be located on the opposite side of Highway 3 back int he mid 90s. While I keep going back, this store could be so much more if they put some effort into it. Most of the parts in here are lower grade but they charge premium prices. They also seem unwilling to budge on pricing, e.g. there has been a large pile of 2 meter ham radio antennas that are marked about twice as high as they should, and there is still a huge pile of them there as of today. I first saw these 5 years ago!
As another reviewer said, I’d give it 2.5 stars if that was an option.
Good:
— A close place to pick up obscure electronic parts
— Occasional good deals. I picked up several computers here a couple of years ago for a very good price
— Most of the time the staff is very helpful
Bad:
— Parts such as resistors, transistors, diodes, semi-​conductors, etc are low grade Chinese junk, yet they charge high grade prices. I’d rather them charge even more for higher quality parts, as it would be a lot quicker than using Mouser or Digikey and I wouldn’t mind paying a bit more.
— Seemly unwilling to lower prices of merchandise that would sell if they came down on pricing
— A lot of crap that will never sell taking up floor space. The owner really should go on ebay, look at COMPLETED AUCTIONS and then set prices accordingly to the non moving stock.

This is really mainly for used new/​used electronic parts e.g. batteries, resistors, etc… Great if your into that kind of thing. You could get a lot here to start your project.

Based on two visits, here are my observations:
The Bad
1)Customer service is not at the level needed for such a small establishment.
2)Returns are highly frowned upon. Be prepared for employees to be rude if returning an item.
3)The store is dated and dingy. I didn’t notice the smell others have commented on.
4)No online inventory
5)Hours of operation can not match big chain stores.
The Good
1)It appeared that a customer was getting semi-​friendly serviced on her desktop computer.
2)Staffing seemed adequate.
3)Both visits had a prompt, friendly inital greeting.
4)The cashiers were friendly.
5)No line
If I could select 2.5 stars instead of 2 I would have.