This electronics megastore is absolutely hilarious to visit when you're a distinctly arty-looking,…read morenon-technologically savvy female. When I visited as a student - buying something really dull like extension cables and something to do with a modem - I felt like the only bit of colour in an otherwise white, grey and black world. I flounced in and had no idea where to go and what to ask for, and felt immediately ridiculous! I asked the nearest assistant for help, and felt that he, too, probably thought I was ridiculous! They are very, very helpful in here, and luckily very patient when faced with absurd people like me who think it's somehow kooky and endearingly old-fashioned not to have a clue about extension leads! All I know is that I have always managed to get what I need in here, even if I don't entirely understand exactly what I'm buying.

At the bottom of Gloucester road, just before the arches, maplins is an electronics retailer with…read morehighly competitive prices. They've got a good range of item categories, with things like car accessories, networking, lighting, sound etc. It's a perfect shop to pick up those annoying extra parts you need for so many electrical things - connection adapters, for example. They've constantly got some kind of deal on the go, which is widely advertised on their large front window looking out onto the road. The staff, who do seem to be new everytime I go in there, are nonetheless very helpful, and always have good knowledge of technology to help you out. Its only let down is the slight feeling they're a jack of all trades and a master of none - their sound section, for example, houses only the most basic kind of microphones and P.As. If you're after quality then you might be better going to a specialist shop for the product required. All in all, though, Maplins is a pretty useful shop to have in this good position on Gloucester Road.

This is an excellent hi fi shop - really good listening room facilities…read morewhere you can take your own discs and just wig out! After sales service is outstanding, had a couple of problems after purchase and they got sorted straight away.

Top notch Hi-Fi shop where you can take your CD's along for a demo and test…read morewith a bunch of different speakers and just wig out. The after sales service is outstanding!

Awful customer service went there a while back and sold my Nintendo switch and I had only owned it…read morefor a month and they claimed it was scratched and because of that brought it off me for £180 even though they were selling them for £280 used and overall if your planning on selling stuff don't go here just sell it on eBay

Ive always found the best thing about shopping at maplins is the approachability of their staff as…read morewell as there friendliness and knowledge on what products they sell. I went in there a couple months back to get a cable for my laptop, not really having a clue, i took the laptop in and showed the guy at the cable desk an straightaway he knew what i needed. I also told him what connections i had on my lcd tv, and he suggested an adaptor. All in all, excellent non pushy environment to shop in and they have loads of stock! prob cheaper to buy stuff like dvdr and hdmi cables off internet stockists.

Have edited the address for Maplin, the old details were listed before they moved up to The Bargate…read moreshopping centre. Maplins is a great store for picking up all those cables and electrical components that you might need. It can be a little expensive at times for the littliest attachments, but for those things you can't find anywhere other the on the internet its very convienient. Staff are usually pretty helpful when you're looking for items. They also stock lots of seasonal items and more gadgets these days, as well as more computer equipment.

I once made the stupid mistake of admitting in this shop that I didn't have the first clue about…read moreelectronics which left me open to being patronised and embarrassed. All I wanted was a replacement microphone for my karaoke machine, not a lecture on why my old microphone was so rubbish they're not surprised that it broke. As I am 'thee of little brain' when it comes to electronics I took along the connector, adaptor and microphone that I was in need of along only to be given the completely wrong bit of kit to take away with me. It was hastily returned the next day, when I was served by somebody so helpful it made me feel a little less bitter about the whole experience. Too little too late - I won't be taking my stupid queries here again!

Sure, this place does loads of useful bits and pieces, as well as a few less useful ones, but…read morethere's one category of items in which it really excels - and for that reason, it is a godsend for the tech hungry among us. Yes, that's right, I'm talking about adaptors. I hate to think how much time and money I've spent in this place trying to find something to connect lead A to socket B or visa versa. I know it would be far cheaper to pick them all up on the internet, but I'm an impatient kind of chap, so when I buy a new piece of kit I want it to work as soon as I lovingly unsheathe it from it's cellophane wrapping. If it's not going to work straight away, then there's really only one option - to Maplin, quick!

Always friendly and very helpful. Stock excellence always have what I need. Shame the Ashton branch…read moreis closed not sure how much I will be able to use them in Fishponds

This is one of those businesses that still leans back in time and clings to the good 'ol days. A…read morecounter at the front and not a lot to peruse for yourself, the kindly gent will nip out back and fetch whatever it is you're after. True this is an electronics shop but it's a bit more for the serious DIY guy or the tradesman than your normal B and Q types; they sell light bulbs, light fittings, fuses, plugs and such like. More than that however is the experience and the type of client they attract. If you're doing something electrical pop in here for your parts and I'm sure you'll wind up chatting to either the owner or another sparky about what's best for you.

Another big electronics superstore, like Currys and similar. I'm not an expert, but I think it's a…read morebit more specialised than somewhere like PC World; it often assumes some prior consumer knowledge. This is a good thing, though - it doesn't dumb down its products and the staff are very approachable. It's worth going when they have a sale on - check out their website for details. In fact, it's quite good to look on the website before going, so you have an idea what to look for and can read up on the products first.

This chain electronics store puts the customer first and has trained their staff well. It's a…read morecomfortable store to shop in with items for your car, office, mobile, school, and even some good lighting for the garden.

Recently I received delivery of a large Fridge-Freezer from Purewell Electrical and I was most…read moreimpressed with the professional service throughout the exercise. Firstly, I was given a time slot which was fully adhered to, aided by telephone messages giving me the latest update on the ETA. When the freezer arrived , it had to be carried up a difficult flight of steps, manoeuvred around tight corners of my lodge, unwrapped and slid into a tight position. Prior to the positioning of the machine, it had to be plugged and plumbed in and a filter attached. All this was done with courtesy and in good humour. Thank you! Tony Partridge ( A truly satisfied customer)

I am ashamed to admit that on many occasions I have visited Purewell Electricals solely to take…read moreadvantage of their staff's fantastic and unrivalled product knowledge, only to go away and buy the products they recommend elsewhere (generally on the internet). The staff here really are fantastic - professional, attentive and really really knowledgeable. I thought John Lewis was pretty good at this sort of thing, but Purewell are brilliant. As you may already have gathered though, what they're not so good at is competitive pricing. Sure, their prices stack up pretty well against other retailers in the immediate area, but I'm afraid I'm not prepared to pay considerably over the odds even if it does mean I leave this place feeling ever so slightly guilty every time I go there. That's not to say I haven't ever bought anything here, but money doesn't grow on trees and for major purchases I know I can do better elsewhere.

I have never been a fan of Currys, but sometimes needs must and so when I needed a new memory card…read moreI swallowed my pride and walked through their doors. I wish I hadn't bothered. I asked where the memory cards for cameras were. A boy gestured in their vague direction. I asked which was the best. He shrugged. I chose one, and asked if it would work in my camera. He nodded. I went out the shop, tore open the memory card and shoved it in my phone. "Not compatible." I went back in, spoke to someone only slightly more helpful who agreed to try the card in my phone before I bought it. He refunded my purchase - or so I thought until I got my bank statement. The refund hadn't gone through. Awful service, and expensive for a high street chain.

No matter how many times this store disappoints me with its poor service (you're often left waiting…read morein an aisle trying to grab someone's attention) and overpriced goods (the internet really has revealed what a rip off the high street has become in recent times), I still find myself tempted inside to check out the tiny notebooks, iPods and other such wonderful mobile electronic goods. But that's just it for me - a place to while away a few minutes of my lunch break, all without the slightest intention of buying anything from here. Check out the stuff here for a chance to see it in the flesh, then buy online.