Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Baynesville Electronics
You-do-it Electronics Center Exit 19A off Route 128 in Needham, MA They seem to be doing well. Been there, nice place.
You-do-it was a favorite of mine when I lived in Boston. Here in NJ my favorite is Green Brook Electronics (269 Rt. 22 East, Green Brook). Been trying to convince the owner to take a trip to IA.
On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 11:00 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
You-do-it Electronics Center Exit 19A off Route 128 in Needham, MA They seem to be doing well. Been there, nice place.
You-do-it was a favorite of mine when I lived in Boston.
Here in NJ my favorite is Green Brook Electronics (269 Rt. 22 East, Green Brook). Been trying to convince the owner to take a trip to IA.
I remember Green Brook Electronics! That place is awesome (I used to live down the street in Bridgewater). Devin -- Devin J. Heitmueller http://www.devinheitmueller.com
Argo Surplus 391 Canal St, New York, NY 10013 269 Electronics 269 Canal St, New York, NY 10013 Radio Shack 205 West 23rd
I just noticed something about that area. There's a Micro-Center only 10min away. It's an up and coming franchise business in several states. If anyone is familiar, that is basically the next-gen electronics store that's become trendy in a way. They source many of the modern components and modules, etc typically found in today's DIY projects. Something what Radio Shack was in the 60s,70s,80s. That would be a major concern for competition. Dan
I just noticed something about that area. There's a Micro-Center only 10min away. It's an up and coming franchise business in several states. If anyone is familiar, that is basically the next-gen electronics store that's become trendy in a way. They source many of the modern components and modules, etc typically found in today's DIY projects. Something what Radio Shack was in the 60s,70s,80s. That would be a major concern for competition. Dan
I love Micro Center. There's one in Patterson NJ. The people who work there actually (gasp) know about the stuff they sell. Used to live dwon the street from the one in Cambridge MA.
On Oct 19, 2016, at 13:52, Dan Roganti via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I just noticed something about that area. There's a Micro-Center only 10min away. It's an up and coming franchise business in several states. If anyone is familiar, that is basically the next-gen electronics store that's become trendy in a way. They source many of the modern components and modules, etc typically found in today's DIY projects. Something what Radio Shack was in the 60s,70s,80s. That would be a major concern for competition.
Well, in a way. I grew up in that area (about a mile south of Baynesville), and they're quite different stores. I'll say that Microcenter is competition for things like cables (for example, they're the only two places in the area I can think of to go if you wanted to find a DE9 serial cable), but Baynesville sold things like resistors/diodes/ICs, higher-end electronics tools and radio equipment that Microcenter just doesn't sell (and, conversely, not much in the way of PC gear). That Microcenter is really new, though; used to be a Computer City and a CompUSA out that way when those were things, but the Microcenter is less than five years old, I think. I think the time had just come for Baynesville, and the folks who ran it (who were all super-nice, especially the guy who looked like Garrison Keillor) are probably more than ready to retire. It's a shame, but I can't imagine it was financially viable anymore. - Dave
I think the time had just come for Baynesville, and the folks who ran it (who were all super-nice, especially the guy who looked like Garrison Keillor) are probably more than ready to retire. It's a shame, but I can't imagine it was financially viable anymore.
- Dave
whenever I went into Banesville, I asked "are things going well sales-wise?" and I was always told yes. Not that they have to tell customers what's going on, but I got the impression all was well. It may be that the owner wanted to retire and lagging sales encourage him/her/them to pull the plug. Bill
That Microcenter is really new, though; used to be a Computer City and a CompUSA out that way
Never heard of Computer City, but CompUSA was a disaster. The people there knew NOTHING about computers. The people at Micro Center always impress me with their customer service.
I helped open up and worked at a Computer City in Freehold for a brief time in the mid-90s. It was one of many Tandy offshoots, somewhat similar to CompUSA. After I left, the chain was bought out by CompUSA, which is what took that location's place. Obviously, CompUSA went under not too long after the acquisition. In Computer City's case, they were pretty good about training, and especially letting vendors come and demonstrate the products. Not everyone was cut out for or especially interested in learning more about the subject matter, though, which I'm sure applied to CompUSA and no doubt applies to most big box retailers. -Bill ======================================================== Bill Loguidice, Managing Director; Armchair Arcade, Inc. <http://www.armchairarcade.com> ======================================================== Authored Books <http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Loguidice/e/B001U7W3YS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1> and Film <http://www.armchairarcade.com/film>; About me and other ways to get in touch <http://about.me/billloguidice> ======================================================== On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 2:41 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
That Microcenter is really new, though; used to be a Computer City and a
CompUSA out that way
Never heard of Computer City, but CompUSA was a disaster. The people there knew NOTHING about computers. The people at Micro Center always impress me with their customer service.
On Oct 19, 2016, at 14:41, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
That Microcenter is really new, though; used to be a Computer City and a CompUSA out that way
Never heard of Computer City, but CompUSA was a disaster. The people there knew NOTHING about computers. The people at Micro Center always impress me with their customer service.
CompUSA was essentially Computer City's successor (at least in that region), with approximately the same level of service. They just had better marketing. Don't get me wrong, I like Microcenter; it's a lot like Fry's out in Silicon Valley, but smaller. I wish we had one nearer Philadelphia. But it's no replacement for a real electronics store, which is a thing that is rapidly dying out. - Dave
On 10/19/2016 02:55 PM, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
On Oct 19, 2016, at 14:41, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Don't get me wrong, I like Microcenter; it's a lot like Fry's out in Silicon Valley, but smaller. I wish we had one nearer Philadelphia. But it's no replacement for a real electronics store, which is a thing that is rapidly dying out.
Not sure is useful to you: Micro Center 550 Lancaster Ave, St Davids, PA 19087 -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 3:10 PM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
On 10/19/2016 02:55 PM, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
On Oct 19, 2016, at 14:41, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Don't get me wrong, I like Microcenter; it's a lot like Fry's out in
Silicon Valley, but smaller. I wish we had one nearer Philadelphia. But it's no replacement for a real electronics store, which is a thing that is rapidly dying out.
Not sure is useful to you:
Micro Center 550 Lancaster Ave, St Davids, PA 19087
yea I thought there was on in the Philly neighborhood I keep checking their website for new locations I've been bugging them for years to open one in Pittsburgh There's more locations in Ohio alone than in PA Since I moved here 15yrs ago, it's become dormant in the electronics retail The joke here is there's more Bars opened per capita than any other business. Nothing beats having a local store on a wknd when you're short on parts. Dan
On 10/19/2016 03:26 PM, Dan Roganti via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 3:10 PM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Not sure is useful to you:
Micro Center 550 Lancaster Ave, St Davids, PA 19087
I'm not sure how I initially missed this: Address: 33 S 42nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Has weird hours (closes at 5:30). -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
On 10/19/2016 05:41 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
I'm not sure how I initially missed this:
Address: 33 S 42nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
You're joking, right?
Well I wasn't (sorry a bit groggy after a quick ride and my asthma is acting up). I now see why the comment. It's not a micro center but something Google tossed into the mix (University Micro Center, Not a Micro Center). -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
On Oct 19, 2016, at 17:57, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
On 10/19/2016 05:41 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
I'm not sure how I initially missed this:
Address: 33 S 42nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
You're joking, right?
Well I wasn't (sorry a bit groggy after a quick ride and my asthma is acting up). I now see why the comment. It's not a micro center but something Google tossed into the mix (University Micro Center, Not a Micro Center).
Yeah, I had seen that a year ago and gotten my hopes up, but it did turn out to be just a local computer repair shop. - Dave
Don't get me wrong, I like Microcenter; it's a lot like Fry's out in Silicon Valley, but smaller. I wish we had one nearer Philadelphia.
From their web site: there's one in the suburbs. 550 East Lancaster Avenue St. Davids Square St. Davids, PA 19087
But it's no replacement for a real electronics store, which is a thing that is rapidly dying out.
Sad but true.
I visit that location regularly. Fair bit of stock especially in the DIY section. It's right off of Route 30 and the Blue Route (476). Chris On Oct 19, 2016 3:20 PM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Don't get me wrong, I like Microcenter; it's a lot like Fry's out in
Silicon Valley, but smaller. I wish we had one nearer Philadelphia.
From their web site: there's one in the suburbs.
550 East Lancaster Avenue St. Davids Square St. Davids, PA 19087
But it's no replacement for a real electronics store, which is a thing
that is rapidly dying out.
Sad but true.
On Oct 19, 2016, at 3:20 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Don't get me wrong, I like Microcenter; it's a lot like Fry's out in Silicon Valley, but smaller. I wish we had one nearer Philadelphia.
From their web site: there's one in the suburbs.
550 East Lancaster Avenue St. Davids Square St. Davids, PA 19087
Yeah, I know about that one. Driving out to the suburbs is such a pain, though. They could easily put one in the city in several locations I can think of. - Dave
On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 2:28 PM, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
On Oct 19, 2016, at 13:52, Dan Roganti via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I just noticed something about that area. There's a Micro-Center only
10min
away. It's an up and coming franchise business in several states. If anyone is familiar, that is basically the next-gen electronics store that's become trendy in a way. They source many of the modern components and modules, etc typically found in today's DIY projects. Something what Radio Shack was in the 60s,70s,80s. That would be a major concern for competition.
Well, in a way. I grew up in that area (about a mile south of Baynesville), and they're quite different stores. I'll say that Microcenter is competition for things like cables (for example, they're the only two places in the area I can think of to go if you wanted to find a DE9 serial cable),
Micro-center is much more diverse than that, I couldn't say it compares to places like Baynesville, given they are a franchise and these tend to limit the selection. But their website demonstrates they offer a good assortment of components and modules. Again it's only for DIY projects, but still a much bigger assortment than Radio Shack. And unless it's out of stock, which they can order rather quickly, they provide 30min in-store pickup when ordering online. And the person in the interview, I gather it's their son, certainly didn't look old enough to retire. Dan
On 10/19/2016 01:52 PM, Dan Roganti via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
I just noticed something about that area. There's a Micro-Center only 10min away. It's an up and coming franchise business in several states. If anyone is familiar, that is basically the next-gen electronics store that's become trendy in a way. They source many of the modern components and modules, etc typically found in today's DIY projects. Something what Radio Shack was in the 60s,70s,80s. That would be a major concern for competition. Dan
I remember some 20 years ago when the only three Microcenters were 2 in Columbus ( they use to be head quartered there - and might still ), and Mayfield Hts ( a suburb of Cleveland. ). When I lived in Mentor, I use to go there a lot, and also here: http://www.electronicsurplus.com/ Fortunately, being where I'm at in MD now, there are a couple Microcenters within reasonable driving distance. But, sadly, there is nothing like Electronics Surplus. As a side note, anyone from the Cleveland area may remember Electronics Surplus as Western Salvage until sometime in the late '80s or early '90s when they were bought out and changed their name. The use to be in Downtown on Prospect. All from a day when Cleveland was a great city ... before they tore down the steal mills to build a Walmart ... but I digress ... - Derrik -- -- Derrik Derrik Walker v2.0, RHCE dwalker@doomd.net "Those UNIX guys, they think weird!" -- John C. Dvorak
participants (10)
-
Bill Loguidice -
Christian Liendo -
Christopher Gioconda -
Dan Roganti -
David Riley -
Derrik Walker v2.0 -
Devin Heitmueller -
Evan Koblentz -
Neil Cherry -
william degnan