Businesses in financial trouble

[3s-gtech]

Do feel for all these people at the moment, what a stinker of a new year. Retail is changing so much - I do think there's a long term future in the humble high street shop and eatery but not with their current business models.

[crc-ict]

Do feel for all these people at the moment, what a stinker of a new year. Retail is changing so much - I do think there's a long term future in the humble high street shop and eatery but not with their current business models.

 

Indeed, agree with you there, especially with restaurant chains.

 

With the continued march of rising prices and static wages, who can afford to regularly go out and spend £50-60 just for a meal for two and a couple of drinks? It's not affordable, and in a lot of cases, isn't good value for money either.

[6Foot2]

Link: https://twitter.com/SouthendNewsNet/status/990276339365285889 [southend News Network Picture Tweet]

 

[DJ-1701]

In Swindon as of yesterday it's a minimum of 40% off now, and 70% seems to have been the maximum for a while (even though they still have an 'Up to 60% off' sign in the window too). Although their hours are to 7 or 8pm, understandably they are shutting at 6pm now.

[SpuffMonkey]

I've been keeping an eye on a few bits I fancy - but even now they are still more expensive than buying online!

[LeMarchand]

I've been keeping an eye on a few bits I fancy - but even now they are still more expensive than buying online!

 

I popped in over Easter and thought this.

 

I did read a post elsewhere suggesting that bargains can be had in the small hobbyist bits and bobs (wires, transistors etc) but that it may be that the administrators feel that they can get a better price for the high value/popular stuff in a post-closure eBay shop.

[synaesthesia]

Yup, this is the trouble. For the cost of a blister pack of 5 resistors at Maplin, you can buy a roll of 100 online from just about anywhere else. I literally bought a whole breadboarding kit with cables, clips and mobile power supply for the same cost as just a set of breadboard cables from Maplin.

[bald_pig]

My local store is currently 50%-70% off, they are closing in a week.

 

My understanding is that any unsold stock from each wave is getting sent to the West Thurrock store, as it's the largest in the country. Luckily it isn't too far from me!

[rich_tech]

From looking at local one here, the “up to” discounts are just stickers, they haven’t really dropped prices those are still ridiculous compared to online here, it’s no wonder they went bust

[DJ-1701]

It appears the Maplin website is now closed (https://www.maplin.co.uk/), but stores may still be open.

[bald_pig]

It appears the Maplin website is now closed (https://www.maplin.co.uk/), but stores may still be open.

 

Literally the second line.

[h=2]However, our stores are still open[/h]

[DJ-1701]

Literally the second line.

 

Yeah, but who I assume they aren't updating that now.

[Blue_Cookeh]

tbf I got a USB OTG cable from one of their stores for about £3.50 (down from about £12!!)... certainly beat waiting 6 weeks for one from China!

[TTG_Alice]

Yep, been there

 

Good, they can do one. Feel for the staff, but all the Maplins stores round here appear to be staffed by PC World rejects, so you can guess the quality they are. They're only just better than Apple Geniuses.

Expensive rubbish and I've only ever felt the need to wander in when I need something *now*. And even then, I've often walked out in disgust muttering about Amazon Prime and waiting until tomorrow.

[SpuffMonkey]

Went back to our Maplin to see if there were any decent bits left = alas the fancy keyboards I had my eye on were all gone - I did spot these for sale though - does ANYONE use BNC nowadays??

 

[difinity]

Went back to our Maplin to see if there were any decent bits left = alas the fancy keyboards I had my eye on were all gone - I did spot these for sale though - does ANYONE use BNC nowadays??]

 

Analogue CCTV.

[MatthewL]

I use BNC for an aerial in roof to radio on desk/pc.

[DJ-1701]

At out local one, items are 50% off, and up to 80% off at the moment.

About a week after they started the closing down sale, they reduced their opening hours to 6pm on the weekday... it's amazing the amount of people that still turn up and try to go in there after 6pm... and sometimes after 7pm...

[Blue_Cookeh]

I got a USB OTG cable for £4 from Maplin the other day... before-closing-down price was £12!! I was still feeling a little ripped off but I didn't want to wait for a cheap Chinese eBay job... that's the only thing they were really good for.

 

Or that one time I needed an ADSL filter right now 3 years ago.

[bald_pig]

I'm kind of tempted by the £30 UPS I saw this week...

[Pottsey]

I'm kind of tempted by the £30 UPS I saw this week...

 

Be careful although I think the £30 ones are ok. I brought the 2000 VA UPS thinking it was a bargain only to find the fan is so loud its completely unsuitable for home use and it cannot be returned. Not much I can do but try and sell it on for £80.

Edited May 18, 2018 by Pottsey

[DJ-1701]

Just been to our Maplin. They got rid of the 50% off all stock and replaced it with Last Few Days, so makes it sound closure is nearly here. They still have the up to 80% off sign of course.

[Martin]

Well the above mentioned 30m BNC cable was reduced to a mere GBP5-00 yesterday (from an original price of GBP35) - looks like the final days/hours of the sale!

[Fazza]

Anybody want a Maplin car?

 

https://www.hilcoind.com/sale/Maplin/featured

[Blue_Cookeh]

Anybody want a Maplin car?

 

https://www.hilcoind.com/sale/Maplin/featured

 

That BMW looks tidy for 71,000 miles!

Edited May 21, 2018 by Blue_Cookeh