laptop died and Dick Smith are not a computer store???

[waynemorgan]

so my laptop dies this morning. I suspect the E-ide controller is stuffed. Decided to go to the DSE powerhouse to get an external Usb enclosure to install the hard drive try to boot off. Dse salesman "we dont have those - you need to go to a computer store". Im stunned. Seriously? When did dse lapse into this crap?

[MrWasabi]

They are not a computer store. They are an electrical wholesaler who happen to stock some computer gear but not all. You wouldn't find a motherboard or power supply for example.

Their macs aren't even sold by them, mac resellers are contracted to come in and sell them

[Ratmick]

Dick Smith went downhill when they were sold to Woolworths years ago. Now they aren't worth shit, whereas when I was a teenage electronics geek in a small country town with a DSE Reseller they were god's gift.

You can't buy anything useful in there now, it's all retail shit and as they aren't cheap nor well-stocked nor offer anything no other electronics retailer offers I expect them to eventually go under. Stores like JB Hifi, who beat them in every market segment they compete in, thrive in this environment. DSE is going to die a slow and lingering death and all you'll have left in three to five years will be the 'Super-Stores' in the outlying suburbs where now there are three small stores full of the same shit paying astronomical rent in the Melbourne CBD.

Mick

[waynemorgan]

thats exactly my point Mick. In the early 80s i built my first computer with parts from dick smith. Maybe im turning into a grumpy old man . . ."we used to live in a pothole in the middle of the road"

[Ratmick]

thats exactly my point Mick. In the early 80s i built my first computer with parts from dick smith. Maybe im turning into a grumpy old man . . ."we used to live in a pothole in the middle of the road"

In 1976 when I was 12 my step-father did an 'Industral Electronics' course at the South Australian equivalent of a local TAFE college. When he finished the course he gave me a pile of electronics stuff, and that's where is all began. Dick Smith used to resell their stuff out of a small shop in Mt Gambier called 'Hutchisons Electronics' who were eye-wateringly expensive for someone earning $8 a fortnight delivering papers. I used to order in stuff mail-order from Adelaide. Jeez I used to hang out for their deliveries.

And yep, we're getting old. Jaycar is now the store my friend . At least they have individual components, plugs, sockets etc and aren't staffed by 12 year olds that wouldn't know shit from clay.

Mick

[mike-s]

It's a shame about DSE, as i used to use them for my one-stop-random electronics shopping. Alas i saw those days numbered a year or two back when they closed down one of their megastores (i happened to pop by on their last open day) and one guy said that they are all going the way of trying to be a harvey norman. I was waiting in disgust for the day to come for my local to turn into a whore of babylon, alas it happened 4 months ago now. They have some nifty stuff, but aside from *maybe* a ups in the corner they have nothing that bing lee, big w or jb hifi don't have unfortunately.
It is a shame, a really handy "icon" of a brand has gone a way i don't think will do them too much good. I know there is the whole "adapt & survive" thing, but im not holding my breath it'll help these chaps.

As said, jaycar stock a fair few things. You may also want to stop by a local pc store (i.e. computer targetm harris technology, msy) and get a enclosure there.

[robracer]

Was thinking along the same lines a year ago when I went into a DSE for some solder was in there for 30 seconds & walked back out the door very unsatisfied "Jaycar rules" but only cause thats all we got

[hoffy]

**GEEK ALERT**

[MrWasabi]

Was thinking along the same lines a year ago when I went into a DSE for some solder was in there for 30 seconds & walked back out the door very unsatisfied "Jaycar rules" but only cause thats all we got

If you want an alternative and have an abn try WES Wagner electronic services. It's basically what dse used to be.

[Colette]

**GEEK ALERT**

[tim]

For the external drive... yeah local computer store.....

DS changed entirely when it was sold..... Jaycar is the bastion of the geeky retail store market.

I can't believe that tandy stores still exist. Their "geekiness" factor is not like Jaycar etc, and with Bunnings, JB, Bargain Stores etc stealing their market it's interesting they're even able to pay rent..... "location location" I suppose.

If you've got an ABN you can buy from Electus at Silverwater (sydney) (jaycars wholesaler and give a good discount)
RS Components and Farnell for commercial componentry, HUGE range.