A while back I asked Tech Talk to suggest names for my store. After months of negotiations, lawyers and other shenanigans I signed a lease and paid a deposit today for a 1,200sq ft storefront in Mission Valley. Formerly Quiznos and then NYC Deli (for a few months at least) the space has been completely renovated and cleaned and is a blank canvas for me to build whatever I want. Undead Electronics. You kill it, we bring it back to life. Or alternatively Undead Electronics: We have brains.

Inb4 "buy an ad". We're not open yet (and I will when we are). I start my buildout next week so figured I would take a moment to ask for opinions: is there anything YOU want to see in a local electronics shop? Anything you'd like stocked that you can't get or is too expensive elsewhere? Any custom products you'd like me to build and have available?

7/3/2013 2:40:52 AM

might consider getting a quality 3d printer and charging people to use it

7/3/2013 7:55:18 AM

I'd like to see Raspberry Pi & Arduino stuff locally. Saves me from having to wait for a shipment.

7/3/2013 8:26:29 AM

free computer workshops for freshmen

[Edited on July 3, 2013 at 9:48 AM. Reason : also congrats ]

7/3/2013 9:46:20 AM

bawls and all the specialty dew flavors. OLPC, $45 tablets, raspberry pi - cheap stuff to play with that you can make 10-15% on. the university will have you beat on new machine pricing of quality machines and big box stores on cheap ones. offer warranties contingent on pre-purchase inspection/immunization. groupon style guest lectures - cisco training, junOS training, etc. gadget consignment. most of all, a sweet mame cabinet with 4 player tmnt and 6 player xmen

7/3/2013 10:06:19 AM

toasted subs

7/3/2013 10:56:59 AM

Things that other stores don't keep in stock (that you should probably sell online too because there isn't much turn over on them which is why people don't keep them in stock)

Like Ram, sound/video cards.

Advertise screen repair on laptops... kids break them a lot and just trash the whole thing.

I second the 3d printer thing... i think you could make bank on that with all the engineers.

Something like portable USB batteries would be cool too so people have a place to dock their iphone.

7/3/2013 11:08:07 AM

definitely like the first slogan better than the second.

and as others have stated, I dont think you can beat a lot of the stores on hardware itself, but offer more expertise/training, gadget repair, and the electronic consignment idea was great. Throw some coffee, tables (wired with power), and couches in as well.

7/3/2013 11:51:41 AM

One thing to keep in mind with the 3D printer is that there is a public (well public for students) scanner and printer available in Hunt Library. I'd guess there is probably still demand, just keep that in mind when running the numbers.

7/3/2013 1:02:16 PM

I intend to have both a 3d printer (I built it myself) and laser cutter in the store. One of the services I will offer will be laser engraving on laptops, and I'll run stuff on the 3d printer for people by request. I'll also probably have one or two 3D printers for sale and other interesting custom-built gadgets like nixie tube clocks and small robots.

Believe it or not Radio Shack carries a decent range of Arduino stuff, but I'll have some of the more difficult to find types and some raspis on the shelf. Heavily caffeinated beverages is a good idea. I won't be selling much in the way of new systems, but I'll have a nice range of repaired and refurbished laptops, desktops, laser printers, monitors, networking and server equipment, etc. Most of our business will come from repairs and we will accept broken equipment for store credit. Since we'll specialize in repairs we'll stock a wide range of parts like ram, hard drives, power supplies, adapters, video cards, and discreet components like capacitors and DC jacks and replacement screens. Anything I have in stock I'll sell at a small markup if somebody wants to do it themselves and not wait for shipping.

I already had the idea of a MAME cabinet, that will DEFINITELY be something I build after we've been open for a bit.

7/3/2013 7:30:54 PM

We have had quite a few people call us up looking for a local source for electronic components like capacitors and resistors things like that. We usually just suggest radio shack or online but most of the time they have already checked radio shack and are in need for a repair quickly and don't want to wait on shipping. I'm sure it's a pain to keep this stuff stocked but if you do ill gladly refer people to you to at least check with

7/3/2013 8:22:20 PM

Overpriced USB flash drives at the register for impulse buyers

7/3/2013 10:01:06 PM

I need to use a 3D scanner

7/3/2013 11:26:19 PM

^Of course, heh.


Doss2k: I'll have a pretty comprehensive inventory of capacitors (mainly low-ESR type), kits with nearly every common value of resistors (both surface mount and through-hole), various ICs and other components that commonly need replacement. Obviously I won't go through the trouble of marking for retail sale or displaying them (I wouldn't even have the room!), but if someone wants to buy components I'll be happy to sell anything I have in stock by request at a reasonable price (higher than ordering online, but certainly lower than Radio Shack). Since the profit I make from those sales will go toward expanding my inventory of components and I'll be making more regular orders it benefits me as well, and customers get a lower price than they would paying shipping for just a few parts (plus instant gratification). Everybody wins! I always wished there was someplace local that did just that, so hopefully it will bring people in the door who otherwise might not have stopped by.

7/3/2013 11:34:19 PM

I, for one, would like to see more apple prototype devices for sale

7/4/2013 12:11:37 AM

One of the few things I've needed in a hurry when doing a remodeling project are networking wall plates/keystones.

7/4/2013 10:35:58 AM

Best of luck competing with the Tigerdirect store on Capital... That said, I second the above posters Bawls suggestion.

7/4/2013 10:01:59 PM

aaronburro beat me to teh funneh

7/4/2013 10:30:19 PM

The ability to process tax free payments on state PCARDs.

7/5/2013 12:59:38 AM

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 12:59 AM. Reason : dp]

7/5/2013 12:59:38 AM

Moox: I won't really be competing with Tigerdirect. Most of what we do will be repair work and interesting/unique electronics you can't get anywhere else. Most shops check things in and ship them off to repair, and I think having an interesting store where you can have a skilled technician help you and fix your stuff right there quickly will do well. Obviously I won't be stocking large amounts of commodity components like motherboards and barebones systems, we just won't be doing the kind of volume needed to make money there and its not the kind of store I want. There will be a limited selection of parts and components; things the store needs internally and that we can charge a very competitive price for.

The Bawls suggestion is taken to heart and I like it a lot. I've spoken to them and they're pretty cool. We'll have a cooler in the store and sell by the case as well. I'll also probably carry a few other interesting caffeinated beverages and maybe candy/mints. Seems like a neat way to get people in the door!

7/5/2013 3:14:35 AM

I 3rd bawls incase you really weren't convinced yet

7/5/2013 5:08:17 AM

I 3rd bawls incase you really weren't convinced yet

7/5/2013 5:08:17 AM

We will have Bawls. Lots of it. Ice cold singles in a cooler or by the crate, they're giving me an entire truckload (and were happy to do so, talk about a cool company!). For the real win take it over to Ruckus and have them add some liquor.

7/5/2013 6:16:32 AM

need pictures of the store

7/5/2013 9:31:18 AM

Now that the BAR LAN club is probly defunct, you clearly need to have ruckus cohosted LAN parties. I'd be all over that if people still do such things. Maybe college kids all play consoles now.

7/5/2013 10:03:56 AM

Depending on your space, planned staffing and available resources: Workspaces and workshops.

I've always sort of thought that if I were in charge of turning Radio Shack around, I'd start implementing something I've always wanted in electronics shops like Apple's Pro Care lessons: $99 / year gives you access to one one hour session per week where you can come in, sit down one on one with one of their guys and they will show you anything from basic computer skills to using Final Cut Pro to edit your latest indie film. So something like that but for electronics hobby stuff, soldering, circuits, arduinos etc. Obviously you'd probably have to adjust the pricing and number of lessons as I doubt you have Apple's deep pockets and staffing resources, but basically something that encourages people to come in and learn and then buy stuff to keep learning. Kind of like the hobby shops that have their customers building model rockets on a table in the back.

Or as a two sentence pitch on the idea: Radio Shack will sell someone a basic electronics circuit lab/kit and send them home to figure it out. You let them play with the kit in store for free / nominal price and sell them a whole arduino kit and send them home with ideas on how to use it and an incentive to come back for parts.

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 11:47 AM. Reason : asd]

7/5/2013 11:46:50 AM

you probably couldn't advertise this but i'd like to see a professional console hacking service. I'd love to play some downloadable PS3 games but my firmware is too high and now i think i had solder and mess to even get it close.

7/5/2013 12:48:25 PM

these

7/5/2013 1:27:15 PM

Quote :

"Now that the BAR LAN club is probly defunct, you clearly need to have ruckus cohosted LAN parties"

I've considered this, but there are liability issues I would have to figure out. What I might do also or instead is have a tournament-style playoff using repaired consoles . . . . CoD Zombies perhaps, and the winning team gets a gift card and t-shirts. That way people are playing on store equipment rather than lugging in their own machines.

Quote :

"'d like to see a professional console hacking service."

I'll be happy to change or modify consoles for legitimate purposes (such as running Linux), with a stern disclaimer that they're not to be used for pirating, cheating, or other illegal conduct.


Jaybee1200: bwahahaha, I'd totally stock those for the lolz.

7/5/2013 5:47:22 PM

What's the Wolf Web Discount Program gonna look like?

7/5/2013 6:17:38 PM

when's this place open?

I need a new place to hangout after the gun range.

WILL YOU BE GUN FRIENDLY?

7/5/2013 6:40:11 PM

Quote :

"and the winning team gets to a gift card and t-shirtsto talk to a girl, a real one"

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 8:12 PM. Reason : d]

7/5/2013 8:12:17 PM

^Our front desk employee is a girl, so that will happen any time someone comes in.

Quote :

"What's the Wolf Web Discount Program gonna look like?"

Good question, I WILL probably do a discount for TWWers. I'll figure it out after setting final pricing.


ComputerGuy: I have no problem with people who carry safely and legally, but not much reason for guns in an electronics shop. One of the reasons I really liked Mission Valley as a location is because its such a safe and secure area . . . other shopping centers in the area can get pretty sketchy sometimes. Our buildout starts this week and I'm hoping to be open by the end of the month!

Quote :

"need pictures of the store"

Its not terribly exciting at the moment seeing as we just signed and haven't begun building yet. We got it cleaned, repainted, and completely empty.


1337 b4k4: I've actually thought about doing some robotics, electronics, 3d printing, and arduino workshops. Again there are liability issues that will need to be figured out first.

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 8:34 PM. Reason : meh]

7/5/2013 8:33:52 PM

Can you put a pinball machine in there? I guarantee I'll be in there 3-5 days a week

7/5/2013 8:44:50 PM

^I havealways wanted to restore an old pinball machine. Put it as a maybe.

7/5/2013 9:02:02 PM

that place was on espn that one time

7/5/2013 9:43:43 PM

^Wait, what now? NYC Deli? They were only open like 4-5 months before getting evicted.

7/6/2013 2:15:35 AM

Get a star trek pinball or an addams family pinball machine.

I really want to open an arcade up...dunno if Mission Valley is the place...but it's gotta be up there.

7/6/2013 4:20:51 AM

Your famous used HP laser printers. Printed thousands of pages for my wife through pharmacy school and printed a ton of crap for my wedding.

7/6/2013 11:18:24 AM

Definitely get a pinball machine in there. Would give people a reason to come in

7/6/2013 2:39:39 PM

Plants vs Zombies costumes on all employees.

7/6/2013 3:33:28 PM

I think it was during the football espnu all-access

7/6/2013 3:36:31 PM

I second the idea of a workstation people can use

7/6/2013 7:09:52 PM

^ what for? and who proposed that idea?

7/6/2013 7:24:12 PM

Electronic tools you can rent out, or at least use in the store. maybe rent/reserve times slots at work stations?

Not everyone has access to NCSU's lab equipment.

Oscilloscopes, function generators, electronic probes, TI-Calculator accessories/probes, etc.


These things would be awesome.



Oh a parrot would be awesome too. Like a store bird or something. People will stop by to see the bird. There was a place in Jacksonville, NC that had a bird. It was a hobby/art shop if I remember correctly. I always loved going in to see that beautiful bird.

[Edited on July 6, 2013 at 8:02 PM. Reason : .]

7/6/2013 7:57:15 PM

~

7/7/2013 12:50:41 AM

A soldering service where ece students pay you to solder their projects.

7/7/2013 1:50:32 AM

I'm no Quinn, but I can do some reliable/clean soldering on the side for $$$.

7/7/2013 4:18:18 AM

fuck parrots, get a cage and put 5 of those perfect polly things in there. that would be hilarious.

7/7/2013 8:06:49 AM