Local Electronics Supplies, obviously changing...

[GlennSprigg]

Years ago, we, (in Australia at least) used to go to Tandys to get equipment & electronic components.
Then 'Dick Smith' stores in Australia used to be the place to go for all that!, though that's all gone by the wayside.
Years ago, where I used to work, for all the real technical components & equipment, I relied on my 'R.S.' (Radio Spares)
catalogue for everything you could ever need or want!  Wasn't the cheapest, but they had it !!!

These days, in Australia, the main-runner is 'Jaycar' Electronics, for components, IC's, & general electronic kits & equipment!
That's ok for quick local convenience, but the Internet availability through the likes of Ebay etc can not be surpassed now,
due to the ridiculously low prices and massive variety, if you can wait 3 to 6 days or so! It's hard to be 'loyal' to local companies,
but they are supplying the same cheap stuff from China & Taiwan etc anyway, though possibly more quality non-fake products.
I feel that all such local suppliers will be forced to close up shop in the future.  Like book stores have had to!!   

[johnboxall]

Altronics
Element14
Jaycar/Electus
RS
Radio Parts
Wagner's
Emona
Mouser
Digikey

Australians still have plenty of choice.

[Kerlin]

a few more -

Wiltronics
Oatley
Radio Parts RPG
Rockby Electronics
Future Electronics
Mektronics - tools
Woodtech
Ocean Electrics

and tons more

[DeanA]

Wow, Oatley Electronics still going (but moved to Ettalong Beach).  Haven't thought about Oatley Electronics since the 1990's when I bought a little solar panel from them.

[GlennSprigg]

Thank you for your replies!  I personally have never heard of the likes of Oatley, Wiltronics, Oatley, Woodtch, Ocean, Wagners, Emona... Etc...
(Although I am Australian, now living in Western Australia).

As such, it indicates the dwindling (Australia Wide!) suppliers here?  I think what my main point is here, is that we ALL know about those
unscrupulous Ebay sites/suppliers that blatantly lie about their products/IC's etc, that at LEAST (I hope!) that such local suppliers mentioned
will at least be 'real' components, even if cheap from Taiwan/China etc. However, in the future, quality promises will be bleak!!   

[Zeyneb]

As a response on the first post. I agree it is hard to be loyal to local companies. There is some hardware store to me in another town. Sometimes when I need something I try their website to find that, but 9 out of 10 times there are no results. But when I call them the guy immediately state they have something like it. But as the sales guy have absolutely no DIY experience they can’t give me the proper information to judge if that product is suitable for me. Also the price usually turned out to be way beyond any reasonable deal. So, I have to decline and then I find some online shop that can deliver a better item for less money even including the shipping cost.

Still I think a large portion of the population don’t have the habit yet to look for online purchases. If they do I think it will be soon end of business for local shops.