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Okay, so how is everyone feeling about MicroCenter now? I used to live in Allston and would ride my bike to the one in Cambridge, it was sick. I live 45 minutes

Okay, so how is everyone feeling about MicroCenter now? I used to live in Allston and would ride my bike to the one in Cambridge, it was sick. I live 45 minutes (in no traffic conditions) away now and rarely make the drive.

mbreese 6y ago
Depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for parts for a last minute electronics weekend project, Microcenter is a mess. (I am closest to the Cincinnati location). I still found what I needed, but it was a mess. Don’t get me wrong, you can find a lot of parts, but mainly things from companies like Adafruit. But the section was so disorganized it made it take forever to find the one specific part I needed (and their website said was in stock). And if you need electronics components, the Microcenter stock is nothing like Frys. A few random LEDs, switches, etc. but not much selection. I half wonder if the disorganization is part of the appeal — you have to actively find what you’re looking for. And when you do — it’s a win. However, for other things (hard drives, monitors, 3D supplies), I’ve found them to be great. Especially when you can find what you’re looking for and can get it faster than shipping from Amazon, et al. I’m thankful to have a store near me.
- solotronics 6y ago
  I usually just ask one of the kids working there, you let them put a sticker on what your buying and they get a commission so it's a win-win to me. I go to the one near me every couple weeks and buy something mostly because I can't imagine living without a decent computer parts store to browse in. Heck I bought a DJI drone there it was the same price as on amazon so why not? Support a physical store or they will disappear.
  - mbreese 6y ago
    > Support a physical store or they will disappear. Exactly. Even though finding the part I was looking for (a LiPo charging circuit) was a pain, it was still priced the same as if it was online, and I could get it fast. And yes, the kid that helped find a locked up RPi pico for me was extremely excited to tag the rest of my stuff. If I want to make sure that the store is still around, it’s important to keep supporting it. That’s been my basic COVID lesson.

mbreese 6y ago

Depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for parts for a last minute electronics weekend project, Microcenter is a mess. (I am closest to the Cincinnati location). I still found what I needed, but it was a mess. Don’t get me wrong, you can find a lot of parts, but mainly things from companies like Adafruit. But the section was so disorganized it made it take forever to find the one specific part I needed (and their website said was in stock). And if you need electronics components, the Microcenter stock is nothing like Frys. A few random LEDs, switches, etc. but not much selection. I half wonder if the disorganization is part of the appeal — you have to actively find what you’re looking for. And when you do — it’s a win. However, for other things (hard drives, monitors, 3D supplies), I’ve found them to be great. Especially when you can find what you’re looking for and can get it faster than shipping from Amazon, et al. I’m thankful to have a store near me.

solotronics 6y ago
I usually just ask one of the kids working there, you let them put a sticker on what your buying and they get a commission so it's a win-win to me. I go to the one near me every couple weeks and buy something mostly because I can't imagine living without a decent computer parts store to browse in. Heck I bought a DJI drone there it was the same price as on amazon so why not? Support a physical store or they will disappear.
- mbreese 6y ago
  > Support a physical store or they will disappear. Exactly. Even though finding the part I was looking for (a LiPo charging circuit) was a pain, it was still priced the same as if it was online, and I could get it fast. And yes, the kid that helped find a locked up RPi pico for me was extremely excited to tag the rest of my stuff. If I want to make sure that the store is still around, it’s important to keep supporting it. That’s been my basic COVID lesson.