YES - Maplin are back as online.

[Andyroo]

Just followed a bit.ly link on sensors at it took me to Maplins but rather than the 404 or no domain it took me to a single page asking me to sign up for a discount voucher valid after they reopen.

Interestingly they have two job openings for web development and started tweeting again 26th Oct.

I did wonder why they did not web based when they hit problems - let’s hope it works and is good for bits

[hippy]

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/09/1 ... aplins_ip/

[Andyroo]

Thanks for that, not a site I visit often

Interesting statement “so the residual SEO value has gone." - except for all the links on boards and makers memory. So far I caught myself wishing for Maplin three times in the last month when I needed bits that I then had to wait days for eBay to deliver...

[rpdom]

I remember when Maplin were nearly 100% mail order. I could order online (via dial-up modem link) before 1990.

[Heater]

I remember frequenting the first Maplin store in Westcliff-on-Sea in the early 1980's. It was heavenly.

Later I built their Helium-Neon laser kit and made some white light viewable holograms with it. My write up on that was published in the Maplin Magazine circa 1996.

Great times.

Last time I visited a Maplin store, three or so years ago on a visit to Blighty, it was very depressing.

Luckily the AdaFruits, SparkFuns, Raspi Foundations, and others have taken over that old Maplin role.

[mooblie]

They were (IMHO) always hopelessly price-uncompetitive - both online and in-store. Unless they change that in the new incarnation, I'm not interested.

[rpdom]

They were (IMHO) always hopelessly price-uncompetitive - both online and in-store. Unless they change that in the new incarnation, I'm not interested.

In the early days their pricing trashed the limited competition. You could buy two standard resistors from Maplin for 0.5p, or pay 5p each in other shops.

[Andyroo]

They were (IMHO) always hopelessly price-uncompetitive - both online and in-store. Unless they change that in the new incarnation, I'm not interested.

This will be the decider - do you go ‘stack it high it cheap’ and try to compete with Amazon, Alibaba etc etc, do you go specialist and charge a fair price with good service, or do you go high price oddities?

First one stands no chance, last one even less - I hope they learn from high priced crap and go for good quality at good prices. Hell, I would pay above standard for good service with solid kit as I’m fed up of Chinas random delivery times, Europe knock offs that almost work and local price gouging for minimal choice.

Tough target but I think a market is there for them to tap.

[oldjake]

They used to be an electronics shop. You could wander in on a Saturday morning with your circuit diagram badly drawn on the back of an envelope. The guy you spoke to would have a quick look, maybe change the value of a resistor here or a capacitor there and you'd walk away with a little bag of goodies to build your automatic fish feeder.

Last time I went into our local one which was only a few weeks before they shut down, it was just a poor copy of the gadget shops in large shopping centres selling crappy gifts - Darth Vader bedside lights, etc, or dodgy drones and RC cars. I bought an ethernet crimping tool for more than I really wanted to pay but I wanted it now, and it was rubbish. It made me very sad. I ordered one from Amazon for a third of the price, it arrived the next day and actually did the job I wanted it to do.

I just hope Jones has a proper idea of what he wants it to be and that it's scaled in a way that doesn't dilute its original values. I suspect not as that won't give him a quick return. He'll turn it into a cheap plastic monstrosity, hated by angry people who disappointed their children on Christmas day.

[Andyroo]

Well something is happening as they are now looking for accounting staff aswell as development!

Also they are having a give away starting on Monday 10th Dec. No idea what or if it’s twitter or web or both. It may be the final clearance or signal new stock - who knows.

[Andyroo]

And they are back.

No components yet but a fair selection of Pi Bits for STEM and general use

They are basically boxed items only so far.

https://www.maplin.co.uk