I’ve always known that Maplin electronics is not the cheapest place around when it comes to electrical components but I hadn’t fully realised till I popped in there today to pick up a few bits how grossly over-priced compared with other leading stores it really is. In some cases the same product is twice as expensive in Maplin compared with elsewhere. Its good for the one off essential but for anything else, steer clear - its a rip off.
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What a wicked thing to do.... to make me dream of you.... 
Niall Said,
June 23, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Maplin are fine for components, not for equipment…
obviously they can never compete with RS.
Chris Worfolk Said,
June 25, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
What was it you were comparing?
I only use Maplin for things like connectors that I can’t find anywhere else.
trevor Said,
July 2, 2007 @ 9:22 am
Why not try Farnell (http://uk.farnell.com) - they’ve a bigger range of electronic components than RS and are usually better priced too! thier website contains a wealth of technical data on products - including downloadable manufacturer datasheets as PDF files. Delivery is usually next day.
terry Said,
June 1, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
RS and Farnell are a total rip off guys. product quality overall is good but they are grossly over-priced. Absolute rip off cant stress it enough.
Try Rapid Electronics if you want common components 1/4 carbon film resistors are 0.5p each or less if you buy more. RS are bound to be at least 10 times as much.
Maplin haven’t got a clue, poor range, stock is quite terrible in store. They would rather sell you a cheap rubbish plastic toy. Ever seen any makes you actually heard of no because they source crappy Chinese makes for cheap shove some nonsense Maplin created chinky brand name to it and try to flog at massive markups. Low quality outlet avoid.
igorUK Said,
June 29, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Maplins is just horrible. . . the prices make baby Jesus Cry.
Some simple diode - £0.15 + they add VAT on top of something that is already rediculously expensive. Same simple diode is 3p elsewhere.
And the only people who go there are:
1 - noobs who can’t be bothered to shop around
2 - ppl who are desperate and need w/e on the day
nic Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
maplins prices are shocking:
for example:
kam led par 36 average price 38-39 pounds
maplin price……..49 pounds
smoke fluid 1litre average price 4-6 pounds
maplin price …….7.99
red laser crab average price 18-25 pounds
maplin price…….39.99 nearly double!
i would love it if maplins was cheaper,i would definatly buy from them if it was.theres a maplins local to me but the prices are so high i just walk out in disgust .much cheaper buying online even with the postage!
i mean do maplins not check prices on-line?
theres tough financial times ahead ,maplins had better lower its prices because people will just go elsewhere