where do people buy electronics bits n bobs?

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s2h

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#228792 22-Jan-2018 22:53

Hi,

excuse the n00b question - i'm a new import to NZ.

Where do people go in person to buy electronic-y thingumajigs and plugs and hobbyist components now that Dick Smith is closed?

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#1945058 22-Jan-2018 22:56

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the main one in NZ is Jaycar Electronics and Ali express for really cheap items.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#1945059 22-Jan-2018 22:58

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Yes, Jaycar seems to be the way to go if you want face-to-face.

Talkiet

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#1945088 22-Jan-2018 23:52

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Jaycar if you need it now and are prepared to pay 5-20 times the cost from Aliexpress. Case in point - I wanted a 5V regulated power supply and this is perfect...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/arduino-compatible-dc-voltage-regulator/p/XC4514 - $10.90

Or same thing (nearly, and there are identical ones available) on Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-1pcs-LM2596-LM2596S-DC-DC-4-5-40V-adjustable-step-down-power-Supply-module/32522381142.html

$0.66 each, with free shipping.

So I bought six, and paid less than half what I would have paid for one. In fact, the entire price I paid for six of them, plus shipping from China, is less than JUST THE SHIPPING for ONE from Jaycar.

I say bring on an intelligent GST charging regime for internet sales (provided there's not a $40 tariff on every $2 item) and shine a light on this.

Also, I wanted it NOW, so I did spend several dollars on petrol and went to Jaycar in Chch after their website said they had them in stock. I even phoned and got told they had 4 in stock. I got there and guess what they couldn't find. Yeah. I have a hard time feeling sorry for local retailers - but I'm glad I'm not one.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are the product of my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

jnimmo

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#1945132 23-Jan-2018 07:54

Not sure what part of the country you're in but Global PC in Christchurch has a bit of stuff too https://www.globalpc.co.nz/index.aspx

wazzageek

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#1945150 23-Jan-2018 08:55

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There is also surplustronics - more of an audio visual angle (Hence I believe they are now called Sound + Vision?)

https://surplustronics.co.nz/

They have a store in Auckland and are very good with delivery too.

gsr

111 posts

Master Geek

#1945157 23-Jan-2018 09:13

Talkiet:

Jaycar if you need it now and are prepared to pay 5-20 times the cost from Aliexpress. Case in point - I wanted a 5V regulated power supply and this is perfect...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/arduino-compatible-dc-voltage-regulator/p/XC4514 - $10.90

Or same thing (nearly, and there are identical ones available) on Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-1pcs-LM2596-LM2596S-DC-DC-4-5-40V-adjustable-step-down-power-Supply-module/32522381142.html

$0.66 each, with free shipping.

So I bought six, and paid less than half what I would have paid for one. In fact, the entire price I paid for six of them, plus shipping from China, is less than JUST THE SHIPPING for ONE from Jaycar.

I say bring on an intelligent GST charging regime for internet sales (provided there's not a $40 tariff on every $2 item) and shine a light on this.

Also, I wanted it NOW, so I did spend several dollars on petrol and went to Jaycar in Chch after their website said they had them in stock. I even phoned and got told they had 4 in stock. I got there and guess what they couldn't find. Yeah. I have a hard time feeling sorry for local retailers - but I'm glad I'm not one.

Cheers - N

The open source circuit boards CAN be of inferior quality (cheap capacitors etc) if suspiciously cheap from overseas. Returns can be a pain.

sir1963

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#1945159 23-Jan-2018 09:15

wazzageek:

There is also surplustronics - more of an audio visual angle (Hence I believe they are now called Sound + Vision?)

https://surplustronics.co.nz/

They have a store in Auckland and are very good with delivery too.

Used to love surplustronics , they had surplus, used, salvaged gear with a lot on interesting bits and pieces. When ever I was in Auckland I would make the pilgrimage to them.

However last time I went there it was "Meh", I now get some stuff from Jaycar (5 minute drive) and most stuff from Aliexpress.

The Aliexpress stuff can vary in quality, there is a LOT of fake goods on there, but then again there is a lot of good stuff at great prices.

Other options are dx.com, goodluckbuy.com, dhgate.com

Talkiet

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#1945177 23-Jan-2018 09:40

2 people support this post

gsr:

Talkiet:

Jaycar if you need it now and are prepared to pay 5-20 times the cost from Aliexpress. Case in point - I wanted a 5V regulated power supply and this is perfect...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/arduino-compatible-dc-voltage-regulator/p/XC4514 - $10.90

Or same thing (nearly, and there are identical ones available) on Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-1pcs-LM2596-LM2596S-DC-DC-4-5-40V-adjustable-step-down-power-Supply-module/32522381142.html

$0.66 each, with free shipping.

So I bought six, and paid less than half what I would have paid for one. In fact, the entire price I paid for six of them, plus shipping from China, is less than JUST THE SHIPPING for ONE from Jaycar.

I say bring on an intelligent GST charging regime for internet sales (provided there's not a $40 tariff on every $2 item) and shine a light on this.

Also, I wanted it NOW, so I did spend several dollars on petrol and went to Jaycar in Chch after their website said they had them in stock. I even phoned and got told they had 4 in stock. I got there and guess what they couldn't find. Yeah. I have a hard time feeling sorry for local retailers - but I'm glad I'm not one.

Cheers - N

The open source circuit boards CAN be of inferior quality (cheap capacitors etc) if suspiciously cheap from overseas. Returns can be a pain.

As someone with over 500 purchases on Aliexpress, I know you're right... However I also know that most of the time the parts are the same.

(In this case they certainly are)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are the product of my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

vexxxboy

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#1945271 23-Jan-2018 11:49

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The open source circuit boards CAN be of inferior quality (cheap capacitors etc) if suspiciously cheap from overseas. Returns can be a pain.

Returning things to Aliexpress is one of the easiest things to do , in fact NZ online companies should take note, if it is under a certain amount you just need to send a picture and tell them the problem and they will refund your money and you dont have to send it back, painless and easy.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Gordy7

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#1945278 23-Jan-2018 12:09

https://nz.rs-online.com/web/

Gordy

graemeh

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#1945459 23-Jan-2018 14:51

Gordy7:

https://nz.rs-online.com/web/

RS are good because there is free freight with no minimum order size. Their prices range from cheap to expensive and there is often not a great deal of obvious logic to the pricing. Some stock is overnight from Auckland or Australia otherwise it can take up to a week or so.

Element 14 are good too http://nz.element14.com/ their free freight is for orders from $45 + GST (from memory). a lot of stock is overnight from Australia otherwise up to a week or so.

Digikey and Mouser are also worth checking.