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Conrad Electronic to close all stores in Germany
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themadhippy:

--- Quote ---(open 9am-5pm M-F so screw anyone shopping for personal reasons)
--- End quote ---
But aint that always been the way, its not that long ago when it was trade account only
janoc:
I have been to Conrad in Lille (now closed, serves only mail order since two/three years ago) and now here in Mannheim and Frankfurt. However, it is really good only for emergencies when I need something right now. Most of the things they sell there are either generic consumer stuff (appliances, lighting, computer, hifi and such - a lot of it crazy old and obsolete!) and the rest ... A few bits and bobs for model and RC folks, some 3D printers, drones ...

While they still do carry some electronic components and tools, either the stuff you want is not in stock or it is - and with good 200-300% markup. And even then it is most often just the lowest quality, cheapest junk imported from China, only rebadged as one of their store brands. If they were actually importing the good quality items at least but alas ... Their online store carries also decent brands like Fluke or Amprobe but I have never seen one of those in the physical stores.

And heavens help you if you didn't write down the Conrad's part number beforehand - the guys in the "theke" can be really really annoyed if they have to search for e.g. resistors or connectors by value. It is not completely their fault, though - their computer system is as bad if not worse as the website.

I quite don't understand what they expect from going B2B only for physical stores - do handymen and companies actually shop there? Why would anyone do that, given the prices and poor choice?


Speaking of - I have only moved to Germany last September, I would appreciate any tips from "locals" where to buy electronic components here for personal (not business) use in small quantities.

In France I used mostly RS because they had free shipping over weekends. I could obviously go to Farnell or Mouser but the ~20€ shipping/handling charge is a pain and I don't buy stuff that often to be able to accumulate the 50€ or so order to avoid that fee in a reasonable time.

Is there some distributor in Germany that is a bit less hostile to small orders?
cdev:
If people need electronics parts in northern NJ there is a parts counter at NTE electronics in Bloomfield, which has been in operation for decades, under different names..

 I used to go there as a child and could buy any of a large number of different ICs, transistors and other electronics parts. Its still like that. 

They are particularly good for power transistors. This is the best electronics distributor in the NYC metro area. (for modern electronics)


https://www.nteinc.com/


their northern NJ distributor is
https://www.solidstateinc.com/products/

SOLID STATE INC.

46 Farrand Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
United States  at the same location, off of Bloomfield Ave in Bloomfield.

As a kid I would shop there. One wrote what you needed on a paper order form and they would deliver it up at the parts window.

There is also a really good ice cream store near there. I forget their name.
langwadt:

--- Quote from: KaneTW on April 16, 2022, 12:04:40 pm ---Makes sense. There's generally no reason for me to order from Conrad over more specialized stores, and the few times I needed something *now*, they didn't have it in stock.

--- End quote ---

that's the problem, to be really useful for stuff you need *now* they would need a huge inventory and you can't make a business out of a huge inventory and occasionally selling a few euros worth components to someone who forgot to order them online
david77:
Had to happen sooner or later. Oh well, good by old friend.

I hope they keep selling to B2C customers online. Not like RS and Farnell who won't sell to me here in Germany.
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