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.

Bob's Best Electrical is the kind of shop that makes Gloucester Road really special. I'm not sure…read moreif it is still the case, but when I first moved to Bristol five years ago I heard that Gloucester Road was the longest street of independent businesses in Europe. These days, this long and winding road is occasionally punctuated by small supermarket outlets that could very well have robbed the road of it's unique status. This would be a dismal shame, not least because the local population ardently supports the independent businesses that still form the vast majority on this 3 mile stretch. Bob's Best Electrical is living testament to this fact. It's one of those quirky businesses that stocks an eccentric array of goods with an owner that is deeply knowledgeable, and a character to boot. I have only ever bought light bulbs at Bob's, but have been known to make up excuses to go in, just for the experience. I love that 'stepping back in time' feeling I get when I walk through the door. You get the sense that even the foundations are made out of odd looking spare parts for antiquated machines and gadgetry Bob's Best sell a range of reconditioned second hand cookers and other electrical appliances, as well as servicing your faulty ones. I called by today to see if they had a replacement belt for the spinner in my Hotpoint twin tub, but I got snarled in traffic and arrived too late. (This is one of the problems with Gloucester Road. Being one of the few arterial routes into the city centre it is often heavily congested, so it's always best to leave in plenty of time to get where you're going. Parking is another issue, although around this stretch of road it's often not too bad). It's a little infuriating that I didn't get what I needed, (I have a months worth of washing at home, and there's a strong chance that I'm going to have to resort to some pretty unpopular measures if I'm going to avoid revealing too much skin in the immediate future. Go Fabrese!) They also sell an interesting selection of new goods including toasters, irons, kettles and telephones. I've heard tell that some of the supermarket outlets are run at a loss on Gloucester Road. I find it hard to believe, but a big part of me hopes that it's true. It would be a tremendously sad day if Bob's Best Electrical were to close down.

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.

In this new age world of high tech gadgetry where everyone seems to have a Blackberry, laptop or…read moresomething with the 'I' prefix it is growing increasingly essential that every town have a service and repair shop. This is Kingswood's answer. All the services that you could, would and should expect can all be found down here - from buying a new mobile to getting them unlocked, to buying laptops or just having them fixed or serviced. Basically if there's something you need in the world of electronics or telecommunications then these guys can help out with their good, honest and professional service.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Perhaps it is a world I don't know much about; an industry with which I am not acquainted. The…read moreworld of unlocking mobile phones, regardless, has always confused me. When a phone is locked would one not assume it is the result of a little foul play? True, one may have forgotten their PIN number a few times but this slight and easily avoidable error would have to occur many times to necessitate the opening of an entire shop. In the event, nonetheless, of having locked your phone or needing a new SIM this handy place on Stokes Croft, I am sure, can help out. Admittedly on the one occasion I have gone to this shop looking for a phone the gentleman told me I'd be better going to Tesco where it's cheaper. This, in my opinion, reflects the good man's honesty. This is a business that is very much a service centre. They advertise services that if you want you'll go in for and if you don't you'll just carry on by.

Tony, at Unlock It UK, set up in business on a shoestring about four years ago. Despite a zero…read morepromotional budget, being a one-man-band, and also subject to the vagaries of the economy, he has survived thus far with his sanity in tact. The last four years have definitely tested him in every conceivable way! I have recently been back in touch with Tony about a cracked iPhone screen. Yes, i broke mine too! I had been quoted silly money to get it fixed; originally a whopping £180, and subsequently £120, and £100. The latter quote is from a great little indie mobile phone shop in Weston-Super-Mare, called Phone Tek Nation, but they don't always have the parts, and I'm still waiting to hear back from them. They said they'd contact me when the new iPhone supplies arrived. This was over a week ago, and they had already been waiting a further week since the order. So either Apple can't produce enough spares for these darned fragile bits of kit, or else I've been lost amid a sea of other iPhone users that have also dropped their phones.... I'm glad I thought to call Unlock It, because guess what? As always, the price I've been quoted beats all the rest by a mile!! He has quoted me £69.00!!! This is Tony's forte! he beats everyone on price and gets the job done. By the way, it was Abri at Tudor Mobile Services that put me onto Phone Tek Nation as he doesn't presently service iPhones, and knew I needed a quick fix. He's also in Weston, in the lovely Tudor Mall, opposite Lloyds TSB, and works with most models of phones, keeping the price extremely competitive.