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Shopping for Electronics — Parallax Forums

Shopping for Electronics

manxstampmanxstamp Posts: 57
edited 2005-09-15 20:57 in General Discussion
I am travelling from Britain to New York (based in Manhattan)·next week for my first ever·visit. While there, I was planning to look for electronic hobby items (kits, microcontroller projects, robotics etc.), as US prices are much lower than UK and availability of US made items such as Parallax products is better in the US.·I already plan to visit Radio Shack for a couple of BOE-BOTs. Can any list members give me any advice, especially for New York?

I note that the old style 'electronics/component' stores are becoming rare. In the UK they have virtually disappeared. Radio Shack (Tandy as we knew them) closed down in the UK·some years ago and the remaining high street store, Maplin, stocks fewer and fewer components, concentrating on consumer products (mp3 players, digital cameras, PC accessories etc.) No stores stock Basic Stamps which are only available from·a few educational suppliers at fairly high prices. Components are available from large commercial suppliers but small orders carry massive surcharges and delivery costs. What is the US situation?

Thanks for any advice,

John

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Manxstamp,
Isle of Man, British Isles

Comments

  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-09-13 23:23
    I don't know if you can do this....but how about getting a PO Box and have items delivered to it.
    Not sure if you need a US residential address?!?1

    Actually, most places deliver in a few days....why not get things delivered to your hotel?!
    It's nice to browse....no doubt about that....but as you said, component shops are harder to find!
    Look for a digikey/electrosonic outlet....

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    ·

    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2005-09-14 02:54
    John,

    By far the most efficient solution is to place your order with Parallax and have it shipped to your hotel in NYC. You'd use UPS 3rd Day and·receive it·by Tuesday. Or, if you really want to go to RadioShack, check their store locator for the various Parallax products you're looking for - see http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=276-629·for and select "check in-store availability". You'll need the ZIP code of the area you are staying in NYC.

    RadioShack still has a fair amount of components, but the best places with the widest selection·are the surplus electronic stores. These stores are in every major city and they always have a whole bunch of components and related PC stuff. Check Google.

    With the poor exchange rate (for us) you'll find this country quite affordable.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax Inc.
  • Washer MedicWasher Medic Posts: 39
    edited 2005-09-14 03:40
    How about Edmund Scientific www.scientificsonline.com I’m not shore if they have a walk in store any more. I use to lose·hours browsing when they·had a store in New Jersey·
    ·

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    There's nothing a good wack with a hammer won't fix
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2005-09-14 10:32
    The Edmund Scientific store in Barrington, NJ closed down a few years ago and the name 'Edmund Scientific' was bought by another company that sells stuff on-line.

    There's no good store in South Jersey to buy electronics anymore - now that Active Electronics retail store closed 2 years ago.
  • stamptrolstamptrol Posts: 1,731
    edited 2005-09-14 11:43
    John,

    If you're short on time, order your components from Digi-Key www.digikey.com and have them sent to your hotel.

    Their online ordering system is efficient, the system tells you whether the part is in stock or not and there are several shipping options. Having the paper catalog in front of you does make it easier, though. So, get them to send you one with the first order!
    They have a reasonable selection of Stamp stuff.

    I routinely get parts from them in 48 hours from their Minnesota base to eastern Canada.

    PS - New York has got to be most interesting modern city I've ever visited! Enjoy!

    Tom Sisk
  • DannyDanny Posts: 56
    edited 2005-09-14 16:40
    John (Manxstamp):
    It's been years since I've been to NYC, but Canal street had tons of stores selling electronics from components to surplus.
    I used to go there with a couple of geek friends and we would load up for months of experimentation for cheap.
    Ask at your hotel or just take a cab there, if it's still as I remember you won't be disappointed!
    Danny

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    "Never create anything you can't control"
    "The amount of intelligence on the planet is fixed... the population is growing"
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2005-09-14 18:11
    I am a native of San Francisco and all the good shops are in the industrial areas in Oakland and Berkeley. It is across the bay from the actual city. They need cheap rent and free parking to move the surplus. The inner city is too costly.

    In and around Silicon Valley is heaven for surplus. I imagine Houston and Austin in Texas are pretty special too.

    I suspect that once you get rid of your jet lag, you should consider using the YellowPages for Electronics-Surplus. First target the largest ads and then try to see what is near to them. That way you will have a cluster of shops to go to.

    You are likely to end up in some pretty downtrodden areas [noparse][[/noparse]New Jersey, Beth-Stiveson [noparse][[/noparse]sp?} or Brooklyn], so go only in the daytime and if you rent a car - don't rent something that makes you look like Donald Trump, just a cheapie, bottom-line rental {the ones they don't wash}. Try to call ahead and find out if they are near a subway station.

    I have been to New York City only once - 25 years ago. In the two weeks there, people tried to rob me a few times and I had two fist fights. I am not an aggressive or violent dude. It is a very culturally complex city and just turning the corner can take you into a hostile neighborhood.

    People say it is much safer now, but I really have my doubts.

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    G. Herzog in Taiwan
  • manxstampmanxstamp Posts: 57
    edited 2005-09-15 20:57
    Thanks to everyone for their suggestions; I shall explore all the options! I have found some Canal Street, Manhattan electronics surplus stores via the internet. On the matter of personal safety, I have heard about NYC's reputation, although many have reassured me that things are better than in the past. Still, better safe than sorry freaked.gif

    Fortunately I'm travelling back to the UK on a liner (QM2) so I hope to have less trouble getting electronics through security without being thought a terrorist!

    Looking forward to NY,

    John

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    Manxstamp,
    Isle of Man, British Isles
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