Maplin Electronics

Wide variety of electronics for the techy guru and the novice (given the assistance by the knowledgeable staff). I came here immediately to attempt to solve my laptop converter needs. After 4.5 days without my laptop, internet, cell phone etc they were very patient with my high strung nature (giggles). While we did not find the converter that was acceptable for my laptop I was extremely pleased with how kind the staff was. I have found in my 6 days here that not everyone working in customer service, should be. Just sayin…
I ended up going elsewhere but they made the suggestion as where to go and I thank them for that.

I should probably state in advance, that I not only used to work in another branch of Maplins, but I also now work for a competitor. At the same time, this allows me to add a critical eye unique to an employee/​ex-​employee to the way in which it runs.
My experiences with this store have mostly been to talk to the manager, who I used to work with. However, none of the remaining staff other than he have ANY idea of who I am. Regardless, when I enter, I get instantly greeted with a smile and a hello (albeit sometimes a bit forced and fake feeling, but they also usually look pretty new. It’ll sink in, don’t you worry! Give it a few more months and you’ll be saying it wherever you go, son!). It doesn’t take too long, depending upon the level of business, to be approached for help. Maybe it’s because I look like I know what I’m doing, and thus a potential big spender — especially when I’m in my suit — but I’d like to think it’s just my natural charm and their desire to worship me.
When I actually make purchases — as Maplins quite often do have some very good prices, especially for smaller bits ‘n bobs, as well as some items sometimes fairly difficult to find elsewhere — the cashiers are efficient, in both time and service.
My only gripe with the place is something that you’ll notice in most Maplin stores, but especially in the Kingston store due to their limited back area; if you go on a delivery day, which I believe is about 3 times a week, you’ll have to watch out for their blue delivery boxes dotted around the floor. Potential death trap, and health and safety liability case in the making.
I can’t mark more because, quite frankly, I’ve never sought their service on something, unlike Cari, so I’ll leave that side for her review.

So, I don’t really understand most of what is sold in an electronics store. Once, when asked to sum me up, my darling step-​brother called me an ‘IT retard’. In my defence, I have none — he is right. So you can imagine how I feel when I need IT help and I walk into an electronics store — it is a mixture of confusion and a firm belief that I am about to get royally ripped off.
This is why I like Maplins. They are actually helpful, and don’t seem to seize on my lack of IT skills and up sell me a load of gear that I will never use. Also, when I go in, it is never crazy-​busy, so I can grab a staff member and get him to lead me around the store as if he were my guide dog.
I occasionally go here to compare prices; items often seem to be a little cheaper here then in other, bigger shops like Dixons. I have brought memory sticks, speakers, i-​pod bits and bobs (I believe that is the technical term) and adaptors here with ease and little fuss.