Sometimes I find myself shopping for things that I’d prefer to go out and get within the same day, but now I’d have to order and wait a few days to get…So I’m wondering what some of those things may be for you?
Electronic parts. There used to be several local shops and a Radio Shack where you could go in and just buy basic electronic components (capacitors, resistors, photocells, transistors, breadboards, potentiometers, you name it). They phased all of that out in favour of toys and trinkets before just folding.
Now I have to order on Mouser or Digikey and wait. Sure there’s WAY more variety, but I miss being able to just run & grab something I might have forgotten (or, let’s be honest, fried somehow).
The only hope I’ve had near me is Microcenter. Only place I’ve seen in ages where I can walk out with at least some resistors and sensors but the selection can be…eh on some items.
I keep thinking about checking one out, but nearest is 42 miles away and their prices are not competitive. I miss Fry’s.
I miss Fry’s too. Got so much cool stuff there before online shopping was safe and convenient.
But they totally dropped the ball. The weird disconnect between their brick and mortar store and their online store, the constant out of stocks that was the norm, even over a decade ago. Not to mention the “sticker of death” on all the returned product they put back on the shelf.
So glad we still have a few of those kicking around in our city, but they just can’t compete unfortunately.
I try supporting local, but I’m not spending 25% more just to do that.
Cables. All the ones you can find local are at least twice the price of online, and many are impossible to find outside of microcenter.
Also good, safe powerstrips. The local ones are cheap with bad outlets. Better to find a certified one online.
Man, Im hunting for a good powerstrip for my desk right now too.
That Isobar is tempting, but seems overkill for a PC.
If it’s not specifically called a surge protector, it’s probably not worth it. It’s difficult to even find a good surge protector online without getting flooded with cheap power strips because SEO makes them all show up in the same searches. But they are not the same. Power strips are little more than splitters with a switch. A surge protector will actually offer your devices some protection.
Electronic components. Almost all small parts shops are gone.
Hobby shit.
There used to be a hobby shop in town that catered to all kinds of things, from metalworking, to mini figures, to sewing and leathercraft. Model kits, trains, science kits, and if I remember correctly they even had a small section dedicated to chemistry supplies.
That was when I was a child.
Now that I’m actually in to several of those things, it’s closed. My parents used to go for TTRPG stuff.
I’d love to not have to drive an hour and a half to pick up a leather stamp, or pop in to see if they got a new shipment of metals I need. And don’t get me started on outdoor hobbies. The best we’ve got is a few shitty national chain sporting good stores.
appliance parts.
Used to be so many stores that sold parts for self repair. Most of them have disappeared (at least around me), and the few that remain are either a ridiculous drive away, or ridiculously expensive. Like, sure, I could drive 3 hours to your store, buy the part I need for 70 bucks, and drive 3 hours back home.
Or I can go online and order the part and have it in a day or two for less than quarter of the price.
Im lucky theres a dude nearby selling parts out of a small shop. Hes a wizard at appliances, too, so even though the parts a lot more expensive (because he sells OEM stuff and not Chinese knock offs), hes got a lot of knowledge you can glean from him.
