MSE News: Maplin goes into administration

neilmcl

Anyone wanting a bargain should check out the auctions at John Pye, particularly Nottingham & Derby, over the coming weeks, Maplin are one of their big customers.

http://www.johnpye.co.uk/

motorguy

waamo wrote: »

They've gone bust because people won't pay their prices it's as simple as that.

because they can get them online cheaper, not because they can necessarily get them cheaper on the high street.

Unless you're a brand / selling a brand that you have control over the prices of, you're fairly stuffed. Selling generic components and people will just buy the cheapest.

Its almost impossible to compete with online retailers from a bricks and mortar high street store with excruciatingly high overheads.

People just buy stuff online now wherever possible and thats only going to become even more prevalent.

I'd say i do 95% of my shopping online these days. It would be extremely rare of me to go in to a town / shopping centre for something.

seatbeltnoob

Is it safe to buy something from maplin? I need a izettle device. I already have one bought directly from izettle for a fair price, the subsequent one will cost me full price (£80). I noticed maplin selling them for £40 used.

neilmcl

seatbeltnoob wrote: »

Is it safe to buy something from maplin? I need a izettle device. I already have one bought directly from izettle for a fair price, the subsequent one will cost me full price (£80). I noticed maplin selling them for £40 used.

"Safe" as in what respect? Safe, as far as getting a warranty honoured should something go wrong - shouldn't really be an issue if its a manufacturer backed warranty. Safe, as in your consumer rights - well you're pretty much stuffed in that respect if they completely go out of business.

stragglebod

neilmcl wrote: »

Anyone wanting a bargain should check out the auctions at John Pye, particularly Nottingham & Derby, over the coming weeks, Maplin are one of their big customers.

http://www.johnpye.co.uk/

You'll still be able to buy the same stuff cheaper on ebay.

seatbeltnoob

neilmcl wrote: »

"Safe" as in what respect? Safe, as far as getting a warranty honoured should something go wrong - shouldn't really be an issue if its a manufacturer backed warranty. Safe, as in your consumer rights - well you're pretty much stuffed in that respect if they completely go out of business.

getting money back if product is faulty, if paid by credit card

DCFC79

seatbeltnoob wrote: »

getting money back if product is faulty, if paid by credit card

You maybe be protected by the credit card co if its faulty.

If it costs more than £100 then your covered, read this https://www.moneysupermarket.com/credit-cards/guide-to-credit-card-protection/

prowla

I wouldn't mindy paying a smidge more, if the staff were any good, but Maplins charge way too much and the staff are useless and generally advise you to try their online site.

One conversation in a Maplins...

Staff: Can I help you, sir?
Me: Yes, please, I'm looking for a Speakon plug.
Staff: A speaker plug, sir?
Me: No, a Speakon plug - it's a particular type of connector.
Staff: Well, sir, our speaker connectors are over here.
Me: Ah yes, thanks - here's a Speakon connector.

Last time I went in one (last week), I was looking for a USB hard drive caddy; theirs was too expensive, so I went two doors along to Currys and bought one th3ere for under a tenner.

takman

twhitehousescat wrote: »

hated in my home town , moved in , town centre , undercut 3 smaller independents , closed them down , then moved to out of town shopping complex with little stock

If they were undercut by Maplins then they must have been really really expensive!. Also you can't blame Maplins for them closing down, shops close down because people choose to not use them.

But Maplins are generally expensive and their staff have very limited knowledge. From my experience I'm not surprised they closed down. When I have been in there they havn't been able to show me where something is because they don't understand what I want. Then when I do find it and see it's 4 times the price of somewhere online I would have to pretty desperate or stupid to buy It!.

Caddyman

Sad for Maplin staff and I hope they find employment elsewhere.

Unfortunately, like so many High Street retailers these days, the public are shunning them to buy the same product or an equivalent, online, usually far cheaper. Almost every major home appliance purchase I've made in the last few years, has come from an online retailer. I have been into my local Maplin store, used it purely as a viewing medium and then walked out and found the product I needed from the likes of Amazon or eBay.