Hi all,

 

I wanted to make up some speaker cables so thought I'd head down to the new DSE in Kapiti and get some supplies.

 

They've recently changed sites to a new retail space so I was looking around for where they put the wire, components and other bits and pieces.

 

Hmmm. Front of the store, of course not, back of the store, not that I can see... Wander aimlessly looking for a while... Oh there's the wire, 5 spindles nearly empty, nothing that I actually want (Cat6)

 

Banana plugs... Um, OK, where are they ? Hey, there they aren't... Audio adapters... Meh.

 

Finally found a massive cabinet at the back of the store at ground level, 3 drawers, 80mm high each and 800mm wide with the nothing in them.

 

Three tiny drawers with mostly empty little inserts, WTF ?

 

Where do I buy banana plugs in Kapiti ? Where can I get CAT6 ? Where can I get binding posts for the plugs I can't get.

 

DSE is rubbish. Please Mr Jaycar open a store in Kapiti or Porirua at least.

 

Disappointed... Humph !

 

Sedge.

Bugger! Cat6 at Mitre10? plugs TM but you have to wait. Dick Smiths has been generally useless when I've been in to my local store. Gone are the days when DS was a proper electronic store.

Look on the DSE website - almost all of the electronics products are discontinued or have been removed completely. It's not where the money's at. It's one of the many reasons I left the company.

 

Good luck with the DIY.

I've found caps in DSE that were so old some of the legs had rusted through. That was the one by lambton quay. They've not been electronics stores for almost ten years now. Once a tore runs out of components they remove the rack and put some more cell phones or ipods in it's place.

Yeah I think the way DS is going they will be selling Beds, coffee tables and Perreaux amps before you know it:)

LOL!, very good Mr Speedy

The DSE at Westgate has re vamped and now is set out very much like JB. Payed over $10.00 for a Balun last week and it is truly a 20 cents worth item. Absolute crap. It's in a blister pack so you dont know until you open it. I went past the next day and popped in to tell them about it and I got "Well, do you want it or not? " asked in a F#CK YOU VERY MUCH kind of way.

Good night DSE!

Yes, Jaycar have well and truly taken that part of the market. The one on Barton St in Hamilton was reasonable till a couple of years ago, but now its just a box moving brand, not interested in anything us audio enthusiasts would like to see on the shelves.

The DSE on Ward Street (Ham) used to be good too, even more 'tech' than the Barton St one if my mind serves me right*

 

The DSE Mega (or whatever they are called at Sylvia Park) used to have a sprinkling of DIY stuff - enough for me to visit on occasion. Then when I needed something, went back and found they are renovated and had become a black and yellow Noel Leemings. Pointless. Turned around and visited New Market DSE which still has some items. Can't be bothered with Jaycar Kyber Pass - the traffic/parking around there mean it's a no-go.

 

* no guarantees

If you think the Jaycar Nmkt parking is poor, try visiting Jaycar Wairau Nth Shore...a traffic nightmare. (Wkends is best time for JCar Nmkt.)

 

Their stock range is not bad tho...reasonably extensive & some quality brands as well as cheaper stuff.

 

In Akld we are also served by Surplustronics, but the only way to get into town is via public transport! Susplustronics also have 'cleaned up' their stock in recent yrs, no longer the junkyard (treasure trove) it once was.

On-line is where it's at these days.

 

I'm not sure what the moderators would say but I would like a 'sticky' thread at the start of this DIY forum with good online stores for the DIY enthusiasts....we could all add new posts as we find good stores we deal with.

 

Owen Y;132829 wrote:

If you think the Jaycar Nmkt parking is poor, try visiting Jaycar Wairau Nth Shore...a traffic nightmare. (Wkends is best time for JCar Nmkt.)

 

 

 

Their stock range is not bad tho...reasonably extensive & some quality brands as well as cheaper stuff.

 

 

 

In Akld we are also served by Surplustronics, but the only way to get into town is via public transport! Susplustronics also have 'cleaned up' their stock in recent yrs, no longer the junkyard (treasure trove) it once was.

 

That's why I do most of my shopping online.....

 

Check

 

Digeeeeeeekey

Mouser

They have N.Z dollar sites and $110 spends with free shipping. I think the good idea now is to shop big and save.

 

Think ahead 1-2 yrs maybe in terms of parts and buy double what you need now.

 

Jaycar is going the same way as DS

 

Have you seen how they have slowly moved some of the stock around in the stores over the last year?

Getting more toys/remote cars and Chinese shit in and getting rid of the parts stock.

As above use the internets for these types of products. Surplustronics.co.nz has a good range of wire and audio adapters, and is in NZ.

I tend to be an impulsive weekend DIYer. However, I'm not going to be motivated enough to drive over an hour each way for binding posts on a whim, I'd rather spend time with the family.

 

Right then, Mr DSE, you lose, I'm off down the internet... To be impulsive... In advance.

 

Owen Y;132829 wrote:

If you think the Jaycar Nmkt parking is poor, try visiting Jaycar Wairau Nth Shore...a traffic nightmare. (Wkends is best time for JCar Nmkt.)

 

 

 

Their stock range is not bad tho...reasonably extensive & some quality brands as well as cheaper stuff.

 

 

 

In Akld we are also served by Surplustronics, but the only way to get into town is via public transport! Susplustronics also have 'cleaned up' their stock in recent yrs, no longer the junkyard (treasure trove) it once was.

 

Surplustronics still have mountains of old crap - but it is all out at their warehouse out off Rosebank rd. Bruce has been flogging off pallet loads of it via Tardme but there is still a metric crapload to go. Eventually all the leftovers from when NZ had an electronics industry will be gone. Strangely enough, RS Components (whom I used to, for price reasons, consider a supplier of last resort) have proved to be remarkably reasonable in pricing for stuff bought in bulk (Recently got 100 IGBTs as used in QSC repairs off them for considerably less than Mouser or Digikey prices). Arrow are brilliant for bulk BJTs.

M

 

nixon76;132825 wrote:

Can't be bothered with Jaycar Kyber Pass - the traffic/parking around there mean it's a no-go.

 

 

 

* no guarantees

 

Yes Jaycar Khyber pass is a prick of a location for all those reasons, but you can always try Jaycar Manukau if you lurk out east/south...probably not quite as well stocked as Khyber pass but heaps better than DSE Manukau or Botany...and easy to get to.. no where near as traffic snarly as Khyber Pass

Heh, the JC over from the prison is my local and I've never failed to get a park there. However, I know what you mean about Khyber Pass Rd, especially around rush hour. For parts I'd rather spend similar money overseas for better quality shizzle, especially from Aus.

Any idea what Bruce from Surplustronics' name is on trademe?

Always looking for another pallet of old crap!

 

Another online place to look at is Soanar. They are based in OZ, but have shipped to me in NZ faster than RS or Farnelly can from the other end of Auckland!

 

I think they own Jaycar - or the other way round, coz their catalogue has essentially the same components, but at about 1/2 the Jaycar price.

 

-G.

 

 

moby;132970 wrote:

Surplustronics still have mountains of old crap - but it is all out at their warehouse out off Rosebank rd. Bruce has been flogging off pallet loads of it via Tardme but there is still a metric crapload to go. Eventually all the leftovers from when NZ had an electronics industry will be gone. Strangely enough, RS Components (whom I used to, for price reasons, consider a supplier of last resort) have proved to be remarkably reasonable in pricing for stuff bought in bulk (Recently got 100 IGBTs as used in QSC repairs off them for considerably less than Mouser or Digikey prices). Arrow are brilliant for bulk BJTs.

 

M

 

 

Gag Halfrunt;133012 wrote:

Any idea what Bruce from Surplustronics' name is on trademe?

 

Partydirect is one of the names.

SURPLUSMAN, email bruce@surplustronics.co.nz

Wandered into DSE Botany yesterday on my way home :eek::eek::eek::eek:

 

used to have a few useable bits n bobs .. the store has been totally turned upside down... no electronics 'stuff' to be seen...a new layout..... just mobile phones, laptops, tellies and associated acc's.... .. and all flashed up decorwise...(polishing a !@#$ springs to mind..)

 

....Bond and Bond Mark II ...

 

Gag Halfrunt;133012 wrote:

 

 

 

Another online place to look at is Soanar. They are based in OZ, but have shipped to me in NZ faster than RS or Farnelly can from the other end of Auckland!

 

 

 

I think they own Jaycar - or the other way round, coz their catalogue has essentially the same components, but at about 1/2 the Jaycar price.

 

 

 

-G.

 

They're both owned by the same guy I believe, the Soanar office in Auckland is above the Jaycar store in Mt Wellington.

DSE have been on the downhill ever since Woolworths bought the whole chain.

 

Jaycar is good for small quantities, Mouser Digikey or Parts Express for large orders.

BTW. Parts Express have a good deal going on the already very cheap Pioneer B20FU 8" fullrange, but they use Fedex so I'll bet freight would be a killer. Still at US$19 for a quite decent fullrange......... tempting

 

Gary