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.

Didn't think it was possible to rival HMV on price for DVDs and CDs? Will let CeX persuade you…read moreotherwise! It's a great exchange shop - you can sell off any of your unwanted electrical items, I find that you don't tend to get very much for things like DVDs but at least you get something back in your pocket if your mum starts threatening to take your collection to the charity shop! I've never bought anything more substantial, like a phone or game console, although they do sell them readily, I can't help agreeing with Craig in that much of it could well be taken-from-somebody's-hand rather than actually second-hand but nevertheless this Bristol branch offers a wide range of most things electrical. I particularly like coming here off a morning and spending a good hour rumbling through the stacks - it's always fun to go for an odd ball, something you've never heard of, sometimes it's brilliant and sometimes it's one to trade back to CeX!

This is a strange second hand electrical goods shop; it doesn't feel much like the dusty, manic…read moreones I remember from my youth. It feels shiny and new and you sometimes forget that all the stock was unwanted by someone. I mean I saw an iPad in there today...an iPad!!! Who got bored of it so fast they felt the need to sell it! And why weren't they allowed a refund from Apple, the thing only came out about a week ago!? They have a huge range of electronics in this shop; it's great just to have a browse. They have technical components and computer equipment for the tech guys who might want an upgrade, but they also have a great selection of cameras and laptops. They have a huge amount of computer games and DVDs and you can sell them yours once you've finished with them. I am not sure how good they are with the prices they will give you for them, but at least they are here to give us the option. Some of the stock prices seem a little high, but I am sure some haggling would be allowed.

It might not be an Argos extra which is sometimes a bit annoying as some of the things in the…read morecatalogue are not immediatley available, but is is however providing you with space and choice... but still, you can add some life to the store! The staff are relatively lifeless, and sometimes quite brash and rude as they try to work through all the customers as if they are cattle being passed through branding. Aside from Saturdays you can always find yourself a catalogue without having to fight your way through the hords.

Everyone remembers that joy when the new Argos catalogue came out and you spent a day looking…read morethrough at all the things you wanted to buy, even though you were only 8 and you would struggle to put together the funds to buy just 1 thing one your wish list! Even though the excitment has wained slightly in recen years I still enjoy looking through the Argos catalogue, especially if I am looking for some household item that needs replacing. This Argos is more impersonal than most, you can almost go through your whole shopping experience without talking to anyone as they have an electronic purchasing point.

The name is not deceiving. It is a small shop of electrical supplies owned by a Mr. Denman. There…read moreis a mountain of light bulbs at the front of the shop, light bulbs of every kind, colour, shape and size. They do not sell a great range of electrical goods but for the basics it is certainly a cheap shop where you are guaranteed to get the essentials of the electrical world. The men are cheerful and always happy to advise you.

Having worked in a trade counter myself, i would like to consider myself a bit of a connoisseur…read more This place is ship shape, organised, well priced, well staffed and well stocked. I had to come in and get myself a light switch, and it was about a quid cheaper than the Cotham hardware store, and if that is not enough to get you in here then nothing is!

When I win the lottery, this place is number three on the visit list (after going to quit my job…read moreand the Ferrari dealership). They've got Hi-Fis to make your eyes water here. Gorgeous sound quality from even some of the cheaper stuff on offer will put you in a bad mood and go home to your I Pod speakers. It's not just about audio here, although that's definitely what they do best. The TV selection is excellent. They're really good at helping to buy you the right thing. I don't know my LCD from my plasma. They were able to explain, without talking down to me, the benefits of each in a way that made sense. Something every shop selling expensive goods needs to be able to do, but a lot can't. Somewhere that deserves having several hundred quid spent at, Richer Sounds offer a better alternative to the big chain warehouses that sell electronics.

Busta Rhymes is an artist whose name I took a long time to realise what it meant. As slowly as…read more'bust a rhyme' crept in I also realised that perhaps this place wasn't run by someone called Rich but that the sounds are actually richer. A long standing flagship on Whiteladies rd this is Richer Sounds and this is where the knowledge lies. Many years in the game the more than competent staff know pretty much all there is to know about speakers, amps, sound and all the rest of it. Check online if you want before you come here but they're always full of high-end hardware and absurdly low prices. They'll put you together a terrific bundle and they even have a fully sound proofed demo room to try before you buy. Two thumbs up to Richer Sounds I say.

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.

My kettle was looking very grim so I thought I'd put it out of its misery and have it put down. I…read morechucked it in the skip and went on the hunt for a new one. I'd walked past Ablectrics a few times and it stuck in my mind as the place to go for basic electrical goods. Therefore, that was the first place I went to find a new kettle. I looked in the shop and saw an array of goods all lit up by the bright fairy lights in the window. There were a few kettles (as well as other items) on show and with a varying range of prices. Kettles were from £9.95 to over £60 - showing the window-shopper that there was something for them whatever their budget. I went inside and asked about the cordless £9.95 kettle. The man at the counter was friendly and knew the item straight away. Within seconds I was convinced and bought the kettle - happy that it was not a standard kettle from a larger supermarket or somewhere similar.

This is a small, independent electronics shop on the Gloucester Road. I went here when I moved into…read moremy flat in order to buy a cheap (yet effective) landline phone. (Support local business, I thought - don't go to Argos!) Once you're inside, there is a small corner where you can browse a few of the more expensive electronic items, housed within a glass cabinet, then there's the counter that separates you from the staff and all of the stock. I can see how this is a pretty good idea, as the other guy who happened to be in the shop at the time was completely crazy - I guess electronics stores must attract them. The fellow behind the counter was very friendly and quickly pulled out the correct item for me from the back of the shop. Only £6! Excellent. I left satisfied in the knowledge that I had supported an independent retailer and didn't have to pay an arm and a leg to do so. Good times.

There are obviously a plethora of charity chops around Bristol (and indeed here on East Street…read morealong) and generally speaking what you get in each one from day to day is down to the luck of the draw. This one, however, is a bit different as it concentrates solely on home furnishings and electronics. Basically they've gone to the trouble of selecting all the best donations of this kind and stocking them here. Because of the extra trouble they've gone to the prices are perhaps a little higher than your average charity shop, but they are saving you time and the money of course still goes to a good cause. If you need some home furnishings, this is one of the few charity shops in the city that it's worth traveling a distance to have a good browse in.

The British Heart Foundation is a national charity that supports research, prevention and care of…read morethose with heart diseases. A specialist charity shop where they have gathered together all the electricals and furniture donated into one big shop. You can pick up toasters, TVs and a bed all here. Items are very good quality and all electricals have been tested.