DSE getting out of the electronics game??

[Kralizec Craig]

John Tserkezis <jt@techniciansyndrome.org.invalid> writes:

S Roby wrote:

The elec. kits (& components) are disappearing: being squeezed out of the
shop, I guess they want Joe(& wife Jane) average in the shop

Same here in Sydney, the kit department hasn't shunk too much, but what has
changed, is there are by far more 'baby' kits that perform small novelty tasks
(assorted beeps or flashes lights), or learning kits.

The days of Sheridan Electronics in Redfern, and several other stores now
long-gone (one operating very near to where the current McDonalds at
Broadway now sits), are fondly remembered because that's what I was
developing my interest in electronics and, particularly with Sheridans, the
store was always a very welcoming place.

DSE's stores are minefields of product-illiterate sales droids.

The business end of the kit scale has certainly shrunk.

That's come about because we have only one electronics magazine now, instead
of two. Given that we've had four electronics mags in Australia, and now
after several abortive attempts which resulted in the blip that was
Australian Electronics Monthly, the takeover of ETI by EA, and finally the
complete death of EA when Federal Publishing wanted to make the mag in a
rival for other mags such as 'T3', etc. which was then assumed by Silicon
Chip, there is now just one truly Australian electronics magazine.

We don't even have an Australian version of Elektor, and that magzine
publishes 11 times a year and must have thousands, if not more, subscribers
in Australia.

Regards,

Craig.
--
SUN RIPENED KERNELS - Surplus Sun Microsystems Equipment, Parts + Accessories
Waterfall, NSW, Australia - Operated by Craig Dewick - Founded in 1996
Main site: www.sunrk.com.au - Ebay Shop: www.ebayshops.com.au/sunripenedkernels
Ph: +612-9520-2547 - Fax: +612-9520-2557 - Mobile: 04-2163-0547 (int. +614)

 

[dmm]

On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:59:42 +0000 (UTC), Kralizec Craig <cd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

John Tserkezis <jt@techniciansyndrome.org.invalid> writes:

S Roby wrote:

The elec. kits (& components) are disappearing: being squeezed out of the
shop, I guess they want Joe(& wife Jane) average in the shop

Nothing wrong with that There's greater profit in selling entertainment/computer
equipment and accessories than components. It just reflects changing markets
and perceptions by the business owners as to how to expand their businesses.

Same here in Sydney, the kit department hasn't shunk too much, but what has
changed, is there are by far more 'baby' kits that perform small novelty tasks
(assorted beeps or flashes lights), or learning kits.

Generates an interest by the young (or not so young) in electronics, and that's
nothing new. Kits such as those were around 20 years ago.

The days of Sheridan Electronics in Redfern, and several other stores now
long-gone (one operating very near to where the current McDonalds at
Broadway now sits), are fondly remembered because that's what I was
developing my interest in electronics and, particularly with Sheridans, the
store was always a very welcoming place.

Mine was "Robbies" near Port Adelaide. Bunch of second/third hand crap
that was purchased via auctions... People bought, and I guess used it.
I did too...

DSE's stores are minefields of product-illiterate sales droids.

I never had that experience when I bought my TV and DVD from the
Powerhouse at Nunawading 18 months ago.

The business end of the kit scale has certainly shrunk.

I wonder if the kit suppliers would agree with you...Since the internet and
online payments have become far more common in the past few years, pcbs,
components and kits have been more readily available. The local suppliers
market has expanded from essentially Australia/New Zealand, to a world-wide market.
That's huge. Now, since India's population is getting better education and their
standard of living is improving, I reckon that the market in electronics
kits there will expand. Then there's China. Although I think China will
eventually be an exporter of kits ( <10 yrs time) and components (~20 yrs)
than an importer.

There are some pcb manufacturers that have designed their own software
and offer it for free, so their customers can design their own pcbs, and
have them made at fairly cheap prices.

Micros are cheaper and easier easier to program now (remember micros with
EPROM and OTP's) with the inclusion of flash memory. And there's a far
greater selection, and far greater availability than there was 10 years ago.
Now there's the PIC-AXE micro, which apparently is even easier to program.

There are many on-line warehouses that can offer such a huge range of
components that were unheard of, much less available a couple of years ago.

That's come about because we have only one electronics magazine now, instead
of two. Given that we've had four electronics mags in Australia, and now
after several abortive attempts which resulted in the blip that was
Australian Electronics Monthly, the takeover of ETI by EA, and finally the
complete death of EA when Federal Publishing wanted to make the mag in a
rival for other mags such as 'T3', etc. which was then assumed by Silicon
Chip, there is now just one truly Australian electronics magazine.

The world economy has changed over the past 10 years. Rationalisation
of the electronics magazines in Australia was inevitable. The old EA will
be missed, but I miss AEM, even though that was mid-80's.

We don't even have an Australian version of Elektor, and that magzine
publishes 11 times a year and must have thousands, if not more, subscribers
in Australia.

As I remember, there was an Australian Elektor many years ago, but it only
lasted one or two years and it eventually published the same articles as in
the European version. Mid '80s I think.

Regards,

Craig.

 

[dmm]

On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:52:09 +0000 (UTC), Kralizec Craig <cd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

"Mikegw" <mikegw20@spam.com.spam.hotmail> writes:

I know that electronic bits at DSE ain't the best usually. But I went to
two stores in my travels this weekend (Bankstown and Moore park superstores,
NSW) the 'electronics' section of these two stores seemed to be about 3/4
the size of what the once were and microwave ovens and hair-dryers popped up
in their place. Anyone else noticed this?

And their prices are twice to three times as much on equivalent items
sourced from other outlets (notable Jaycar, which is still independent and
owned by Gary Johnston! [hello Gary from a former Jaycar employee if you're
reading this!]).

You may be interested in the news that Jaycar have a full page ad in the December 2004
issue of Elektor. Page 51.

http://www.jaycarelectronics.co.uk

<snip>

Regards,

Craig.

 

[Dingo]

Just means the world is a small. Just order your stuff from
www.futurlec.com.au cheap as chips

"dmm" <dmmilne_REMOVE_@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:9tdlv0tgqarf8r1i1popnfrqjfpr4b6p9b@4ax.com...

On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:59:42 +0000 (UTC), Kralizec Craig
cd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

John Tserkezis <jt@techniciansyndrome.org.invalid> writes:

S Roby wrote:

The elec. kits (& components) are disappearing: being squeezed out of
the
shop, I guess they want Joe(& wife Jane) average in the shop

Nothing wrong with that There's greater profit in selling
entertainment/computer
equipment and accessories than components. It just reflects changing
markets
and perceptions by the business owners as to how to expand their
businesses.

Same here in Sydney, the kit department hasn't shunk too much, but
what has
changed, is there are by far more 'baby' kits that perform small novelty
tasks
(assorted beeps or flashes lights), or learning kits.

Generates an interest by the young (or not so young) in electronics, and
that's
nothing new. Kits such as those were around 20 years ago.

The days of Sheridan Electronics in Redfern, and several other stores now
long-gone (one operating very near to where the current McDonalds at
Broadway now sits), are fondly remembered because that's what I was
developing my interest in electronics and, particularly with Sheridans,
the
store was always a very welcoming place.

Mine was "Robbies" near Port Adelaide. Bunch of second/third hand crap
that was purchased via auctions... People bought, and I guess used it.
I did too...

DSE's stores are minefields of product-illiterate sales droids.

I never had that experience when I bought my TV and DVD from the
Powerhouse at Nunawading 18 months ago.

The business end of the kit scale has certainly shrunk.

I wonder if the kit suppliers would agree with you...Since the internet
and
online payments have become far more common in the past few years, pcbs,
components and kits have been more readily available. The local suppliers
market has expanded from essentially Australia/New Zealand, to a
world-wide market.
That's huge. Now, since India's population is getting better education and
their
standard of living is improving, I reckon that the market in electronics
kits there will expand. Then there's China. Although I think China will
eventually be an exporter of kits ( <10 yrs time) and components (~20 yrs)
than an importer.

There are some pcb manufacturers that have designed their own software
and offer it for free, so their customers can design their own pcbs, and
have them made at fairly cheap prices.

Micros are cheaper and easier easier to program now (remember micros with
EPROM and OTP's) with the inclusion of flash memory. And there's a far
greater selection, and far greater availability than there was 10 years
ago.
Now there's the PIC-AXE micro, which apparently is even easier to program.

There are many on-line warehouses that can offer such a huge range of
components that were unheard of, much less available a couple of years
ago.

That's come about because we have only one electronics magazine now,
instead
of two. Given that we've had four electronics mags in Australia, and now
after several abortive attempts which resulted in the blip that was
Australian Electronics Monthly, the takeover of ETI by EA, and finally
the
complete death of EA when Federal Publishing wanted to make the mag in a
rival for other mags such as 'T3', etc. which was then assumed by Silicon
Chip, there is now just one truly Australian electronics magazine.

The world economy has changed over the past 10 years. Rationalisation
of the electronics magazines in Australia was inevitable. The old EA will
be missed, but I miss AEM, even though that was mid-80's.

We don't even have an Australian version of Elektor, and that magzine
publishes 11 times a year and must have thousands, if not more,
subscribers
in Australia.

As I remember, there was an Australian Elektor many years ago, but it only
lasted one or two years and it eventually published the same articles as
in
the European version. Mid '80s I think.

Regards,

Craig.

 

[Matthew Gunn]

So where are these fellas based? I might just duck down there now and
get some bits.
Oh... they appear to be only delivery, and that means needing a credit
card. Apart from the security issues of using a credit card on the net
I don't have one. I quite liked being able to go down the shop and buy
parts.
Not to mention the postage on a $3.00 IC


Dingo wrote:

Just means the world is a small. Just order your stuff from
www.futurlec.com.au cheap as chips

"dmm" <dmmilne_REMOVE_@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:9tdlv0tgqarf8r1i1popnfrqjfpr4b6p9b@4ax.com...

On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:59:42 +0000 (UTC), Kralizec Craig

cd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

John Tserkezis <jt@techniciansyndrome.org.invalid> writes:


S Roby wrote:

The elec. kits (& components) are disappearing: being squeezed out of

the

shop, I guess they want Joe(& wife Jane) average in the shop

Nothing wrong with that There's greater profit in selling

entertainment/computer

equipment and accessories than components. It just reflects changing

markets

and perceptions by the business owners as to how to expand their

businesses.

Same here in Sydney, the kit department hasn't shunk too much, but

what has

changed, is there are by far more 'baby' kits that perform small novelty

tasks

(assorted beeps or flashes lights), or learning kits.

Generates an interest by the young (or not so young) in electronics, and

that's

nothing new. Kits such as those were around 20 years ago.


The days of Sheridan Electronics in Redfern, and several other stores now
long-gone (one operating very near to where the current McDonalds at
Broadway now sits), are fondly remembered because that's what I was
developing my interest in electronics and, particularly with Sheridans,

the

store was always a very welcoming place.

Mine was "Robbies" near Port Adelaide. Bunch of second/third hand crap
that was purchased via auctions... People bought, and I guess used it.
I did too...


DSE's stores are minefields of product-illiterate sales droids.

I never had that experience when I bought my TV and DVD from the
Powerhouse at Nunawading 18 months ago.


The business end of the kit scale has certainly shrunk.

I wonder if the kit suppliers would agree with you...Since the internet

and

online payments have become far more common in the past few years, pcbs,
components and kits have been more readily available. The local suppliers
market has expanded from essentially Australia/New Zealand, to a

world-wide market.

That's huge. Now, since India's population is getting better education and

their

standard of living is improving, I reckon that the market in electronics
kits there will expand. Then there's China. Although I think China will
eventually be an exporter of kits ( <10 yrs time) and components (~20 yrs)
than an importer.

There are some pcb manufacturers that have designed their own software
and offer it for free, so their customers can design their own pcbs, and
have them made at fairly cheap prices.

Micros are cheaper and easier easier to program now (remember micros with
EPROM and OTP's) with the inclusion of flash memory. And there's a far
greater selection, and far greater availability than there was 10 years

ago.

Now there's the PIC-AXE micro, which apparently is even easier to program.

There are many on-line warehouses that can offer such a huge range of
components that were unheard of, much less available a couple of years

ago.

That's come about because we have only one electronics magazine now,

instead

of two. Given that we've had four electronics mags in Australia, and now
after several abortive attempts which resulted in the blip that was
Australian Electronics Monthly, the takeover of ETI by EA, and finally

the

complete death of EA when Federal Publishing wanted to make the mag in a
rival for other mags such as 'T3', etc. which was then assumed by Silicon
Chip, there is now just one truly Australian electronics magazine.

The world economy has changed over the past 10 years. Rationalisation
of the electronics magazines in Australia was inevitable. The old EA will
be missed, but I miss AEM, even though that was mid-80's.


We don't even have an Australian version of Elektor, and that magzine
publishes 11 times a year and must have thousands, if not more,

subscribers

in Australia.

As I remember, there was an Australian Elektor many years ago, but it only
lasted one or two years and it eventually published the same articles as

in

the European version. Mid '80s I think.


Regards,

Craig.

 

[Mike Paull]

On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:52:09 +0000 (UTC), Kralizec Craig
<cd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote:

"Mikegw" <mikegw20@spam.com.spam.hotmail> writes:

I know that electronic bits at DSE ain't the best usually. But I went to
two stores in my travels this weekend (Bankstown and Moore park superstores,
NSW) the 'electronics' section of these two stores seemed to be about 3/4
the size of what the once were and microwave ovens and hair-dryers popped up
in their place. Anyone else noticed this?

Regular DSE stores still have the same range of kits and electronics as
they always have, it is only the PowerHouse stores that are stocking these
items. I imagine the reason they are doing this is because electronics as a
hobby is slowly dying in this country, and if your going to have floor
space it may as well be stocked with items that sell so you can pay the
staff, suppliers and rent.

And their prices are twice to three times as much on equivalent items
sourced from other outlets (notable Jaycar, which is still independent and
owned by Gary Johnston! [hello Gary from a former Jaycar employee if you're
reading this!]).

That works both ways, Jaycar has some items that are more expensive than
DSE, and I suspect both companies have items that are able to be purchased
cheaper from WES and Radio Parts too.

It's gone on ever since the company was bought by Woolworths and turned in a
'retail consumer electronics' chain instead of being a retail electronics
enthusiast chain as it was with Dick still owned the company.

Woolies bought DSE from Dick back in '82, the major changes you speak of
have only happened in the last few years when a number of internal changes
happened. Or are you saying that DSE hasn't been an enthusiasts store since
1982?

The 'Powerhouse' stores are the next level of this, with a huge range of
consumer products at excessive prices which allows DSE to price traditional
electronics products way more than they should be priced but most buyers
don't realise they are being ripped off since they're coming in for the
'consumer' side of the business, not the 'enthusiast' side.

Consumer prices excessive?? What a load of rot! Like every retailer (DSE,
Jaycar, JB Hifi, Strathfield, etc) there will always be someone with the
same item cheaper somewhere however on whole pricing of consumer items in
DSE has been very competative. Your theory that the company is taking
advantage of consumers after enthusiast products and ripping them off is
nothing but a paranoid delusion.

When DSE dropped amateur radio that was about the end of the line for the
company having any realistic credibility with the enthusiast community. So
in the space of 5 years we have lost both a very prominent electronics
enthusiast retailer, and Australia's oldest electronics magazine, and both
have fallen to the same tune of being turned into consumer-focused rather
than enthusiast-focused devices, and both have sunk.

Again I suspect this has something to do with the shrinking Amateur radio
market. Where once it was a natural step for CBers and electronics
enthusiasts alike it is now the last thing on most enthusiasts minds. Even
sales of CB radios are small now compared to what they were in the late 80s
and 90s. Yeasu gear was also very expensive, with radios costing anything
from $400 to $10,000 thats alot of money to have tied up in extreemly slow
moving stock.

It's got even worse now that DSE has taken over Tandy Electronics in
Australia... RadioShack are a hopelessly unimpressive chain of stores and
for an already unimpressive company (the 'Woolworthed DSE') to take them
over is going to do nothing to help the merged companies remain strong in
the electronics enthusiast community.

Since when was Tandy ever strong in the enthusiast community anyway? And if
DSE didn't buy them who else do you think was interested, *if* anyone else
was interested. Maybe Coles-Myer.

RadioShack in the US wanted to offload it, so either way it was going.

And I think your a little bit blind to whats going on in your ex-company.
Jaycar has also moved more into gimics, toys and other non core electronics
areas, why do you think that is? Electronics as a hobby market has shifted
and with it changes have to come, once almost every kid was interesting in
tinkering with something electronic and if that proved more than a passing
fad you went to Technical School and did something about it.

Now the Technical schools are almost all gone, merged with High Schools
where maths, science and computers are the focus. Combine that with the
lack of a manufacturing industry and a whole host of other events and you
can see why some of our traditional shops are moving into more profitable
lines to keep afloat.

However we can also thank computers for giving us the net and a whole host
of new "online" shops which can specialise and focus on our hobby and
deliver to us new and innovative products quicker and cheaper than the old
bricks and morter stores.

Mike

Regards,

Craig.

 

[David L. Jones]

Mike Paull wrote:

The 'Powerhouse' stores are the next level of this, with a huge
range of
consumer products at excessive prices which allows DSE to price
traditional
electronics products way more than they should be priced but most
buyers
don't realise they are being ripped off since they're coming in for
the
'consumer' side of the business, not the 'enthusiast' side.

Consumer prices excessive?? What a load of rot! Like every retailer
(DSE,
Jaycar, JB Hifi, Strathfield, etc) there will always be someone with
the
same item cheaper somewhere however on whole pricing of consumer
items in
DSE has been very competative. Your theory that the company is taking
advantage of consumers after enthusiast products and ripping them off
is
nothing but a paranoid delusion.

I agree, DSE are actually very competitive for a lot of their consumer
goods, often I have found they are the cheapest around, even after
extensive retail and online searching.
For example, I have actually got a couple of the latest DVD box sets
cheaper at DSE than any other place online or shop I could find. I
guess they just got a better deal because they ordered more than anyone
else?
Some computer peripherals seem very competitive too, eg, the $80
printer/scanners. They also have the best price going around on the
cheap Uniden transceivers. These are but a few examples I've seen
recently.

Dave

 

[dmm]

On 6 Feb 2005 02:06:48 -0800, "David L. Jones" <altzone@gmail.com> wrote:

Mike Paull wrote:
The 'Powerhouse' stores are the next level of this, with a huge
range of
consumer products at excessive prices which allows DSE to price
traditional
electronics products way more than they should be priced but most
buyers
don't realise they are being ripped off since they're coming in for
the
'consumer' side of the business, not the 'enthusiast' side.

Consumer prices excessive?? What a load of rot! Like every retailer
(DSE,
Jaycar, JB Hifi, Strathfield, etc) there will always be someone with
the
same item cheaper somewhere however on whole pricing of consumer
items in
DSE has been very competative. Your theory that the company is taking
advantage of consumers after enthusiast products and ripping them off
is
nothing but a paranoid delusion.

I agree, DSE are actually very competitive for a lot of their consumer
goods, often I have found they are the cheapest around, even after
extensive retail and online searching.
For example, I have actually got a couple of the latest DVD box sets
cheaper at DSE than any other place online or shop I could find. I
guess they just got a better deal because they ordered more than anyone
else?
Some computer peripherals seem very competitive too, eg, the $80
printer/scanners. They also have the best price going around on the
cheap Uniden transceivers. These are but a few examples I've seen
recently.

Dave

You can buy toasters and kettles from their Powerhouse Nunawading store now . 80