I always prefer to shop at locally owned small businesses so it is a great disappointment to write a negative review of Electronics Plus at 823 Fourth Street in San Rafael, especially since it has been around for such a long time. However that does not excuse terrible customer service. Their salesperson sold me electric adapters for travel in India. Turned out they were the wrong adapters for India. An honest mistake. When I returned these incorrect and unused adapters I asked for a refund. Although this was their error, they refused a refund. Their policy is No Refunds only Exchanges even when the return is due to their own error. So you get stuck with a piece of paper to keep forever in your wallet even if you have no need for any of their products. In this store, the customer is always wrong. Caveat Emptor! read more

I love this store but frankly don't have enough experience with it to give a fair review. But based on many short visits over the last 25 years, it has a great selection including parts for hobbyists and ready to go products for normal people. I just wish I lived closer to it. Totally jealous if it's in your neighborhood. read more

It's pretty amazing what you can find here, old school electronics shops like this are very hard to come by nowadays. Sometimes you just need a part, and I can get it here immediately and not in an Amazon 5pack. read more

Not many like this in the world today. A place where you can find something you need right now, some gizmo you may not know what it is but you do know this place has somebody who knows and has it in a box ready to go. OK you can maybe buy some of this stuff from Amazon maybe for less and maybe it's what you need, and if it isn't you can usually send it back. But these guys aren't selling EchoDots or iphones or other fashionable consumer devices. Electronics Plus is where you can get more esoteric material and some information from an actual person and who's able to explain how to make it work for you. I don't bother comparing prices in such a situation. Someday these guys will hang it up and we'll have another burrito joint here, and then you'll know what you had but it's gone. read more

best electronic parts and components in Marin County. They have a large selection of wire by the foot. read more

Electronics Plus! My favorite store Where else could you get a lightbulb for this In stock Right now read more

Electronics Plus - Electronics Near Me - San Rafael, California

This place is awesome. Literally when you think they don't have what you need boom it's there and you don't have to wait a few days ordering online. This place is a gem and has saved my ass many of times. Anything electronic you need they more then likely have it. We have to do whatever we can to keep places like this around. Last of a dying breed. Stores closing left and right this place is had stuck it out. Check it out they have all types of interesting items read more

Remember the old Radio Shack electronics kits and all the techie stuff they used to sell before the dawn of Computers? For those of you who know what a soldering iron is, you probably know what I'm talking about. Electronics Plus is a store for true believers. Yes, you can buy a lot of this stuff cheaper on eBay, but some of us want to see and feel what we're buying and it helps to have store staff to help you explain the options of how to put all this stuff together. No kidding. read more

I needed a replacement now that Al Lashers is gone. I traveled up to San Rafael and it was worth the trip. I was really impressed with the selection. It is so important to see what you're buying. There is so much on display. Definitely coming back. read more

Avoid at all costs if ordering online, especially internationally. I ordered some specific cables and paid a hefty amount for both the product and shipping. However, the cables I received were not the ones shown on the website as the manufacturer had apparently changed the cables without Electronics Plus knowing. When this issue was brought up with Electronics Plus, I was told that I would have to pay over $40 in postage for returning the wrong cables, and for shipping the replacements. According to staff, "the only other option is where they lose money." Then I was basically told to eat the cost of the cables and to do my best at making the wrong cables work for my purposes. Is this how business works? Electronics Plus is responsible for the accuracy of their products on their website. If you're going to offer international shipping then shouldn't you accept the risks of potentially sending wrong products? Why am I being punished for a mistake that I had no control over? Absolutely terrible experience and will be making sure that others hear about it. I made a yelp account just to post this review... read more

Electronics Plus - Top is what I ordered online, bottom is what I received. - Electronics Near Me - San Rafael, California

I've been here for a number of projects. I'm a novice mostly doing upgrades on my Jeep for overlanding. I've walked in and given them the broad strokes of my plan and gotten enthusiastic assistance and advice. I will always pic a store like this over faceless online retailers. read more

When a very popular electronics store went out of business, I didn't know where I could get parts or help for every day things. My techy son said I need to go to Electronics Plus. They're like that other store but much more authentic, like a nerdy electronics store. He was so right! Even in this CoViD time, I didn't have to wait. There were other customers in the store, all getting help personally. Nick dropped what he was doing to help me as soon as I walked in. He knew just what I needed and didn't try to sell me more than what I needed. Now I'm going to look around my house for more things to fix so I can go shop there again. read more

As a professional electronics tech serving the Bay Area for close to thirty years, it's always been unbelievable to me that there has been no electronics supply house in The City since the early nineties. Since then, it's been easier and easier to get what I need on line but if I'm in a pinch, thank the Tron Gods for these guys, not to mention Al Lasher's in Berkeley. They're pretty old school and are as well stocked as one could hope for, all things considered, for the pro or hobbyist. Lots of good stuff for your BRC projects too. Now that I'm in San Rafael, I'm as happy as a pig in shit. read more

Outstanding knowledge and service. They had the knowledge and the parts that I needed to connect an old computer monitor to a laptop. The staff was knowledgable and patient with me as we determined what cable we needed for our monitor. Highly recommended. read more

longtime, family-run, provides great selection of electonics

These guys are so great. Every time I go in with a problem that I can't solve they come up with great solutions, every time! Thanks guys.

Best electronics store anywhere I highly recommend electronics plus. I have been shopping there for years. Their stuff is great quality read more

The prices are a bit high, I suppose, but one of the guys working there made a three year electrical dream of mine come true. Not only did he get all the parts I needed to turn my taxi sign into a lamp, he offered to do it, not for me, but with me. After about 20 minutes we had turned this cool trinket into a functioning lamp. I really didn't do much to help, other than screw things in, but still, I felt like I was part of it. Eric, you're the man! read more

I've been a regular customer here, stopping in several times a year to support a local business. Last time, several male workers in the back were talking about Christine Ford. They kept referring to her as a "b****" over and over, and made several other really nasty, sexist statements that I cannot repeat here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there is no place for such mean-spirited hatred and sexism in Marin county. I walked out and will not return. Online is much cheaper anyhow. read more

A great resource for electronics supplies. Tons of things for tons of applications. Things as varied as antennas, cables, LED's, capacitors, security cameras, tons of tools, little electronics kits to make your own radio, speakers, speaker mounts, sonic key finders, magnetizers, de-magnetizers, phonograph styli... just tons of stuff. There are things such as an impressive selection of zip ties, from tiny ones to giant zip tie bands large enough for zoo police to subdue an escaped grizzly bear if needed. We're talking big zip ties! The prices may seem high, but I think this is reflective of the true cost of having a shop like this that carries a lot of stock and employs a helpful and knowledgeable staff. I'm always willing to spend more at a shop like this, because the one thing that none of us who needs or wants a shop like this around can afford is the lack of a shop like this. I hope they stay in business forever. read more

Firstly, the guy who I spoke with on the phone was not friendly. At all...and as the conversation went on, his tone became condescending. He attempted to make me feel stupid about a very basic issue, that I was 100% correct about. and he would have realized that immediately had he had the courtesy of actually listening to me. Then, he said he had a few products that MAY be the right one?! THEN told me that if I purchased one or more and it wasn't the right one, he would NOT honor their (7-day) return policy!! Wtf?! I would rather wait a month to have the correct item shipped to me from the other side of the world and pay twice as much, than spend a dollar at this store! Twilight Zone unbelievable. I don't understand how people like this stay in business. Sigh. :-( read more

This is the kind of place where local electronics geeks and TV repairmen go to hang out. A good, somewhat quirky selection of electronics, parts, and books. And in the back, they have a tube tester. Oh. My. God. The last time I saw one of those in an electronics store was Radio Shack circa 1978. I love this store. (see also Al Lasher's in Berkeley - same kind of vibe and selection) read more

If you are in a pinch and need help you can't depend on this store. Employees are great but the owner sucks! Its expensive and they do not give refunds. Buy online and save. Customer no service. read more

I was prepared to let Jay's rudeness pass. I brought in my headlamp for a charging cable. His immediate response, before asking me any questions, not even one, was: "What can I tell you? You're not giving me any information." I had no idea what he wanted. It turns out he needed voltage specs for the lamp. He growled at me as if I was just plain stupid for not knowing what info he needed. Upon inspecting the rechargeable batteries, Jay said "use this battery charger to recharge the batteries instead." I took his suggestion and carried the battery recharging unit home. At home I heard a little something rattling inside the unit, but I chose to ignore it. I put the batteries into the charger for 3-4 hours, and then I tried them and they were dead. The lamp wouldn't light at all, and it was dead too! I took the charger back. "The batteries are dead, what do you want me to do?" he asked in a high pitched angry tone. "Not everything we sell here works you know." Umm..whaat? I told him to refund the money, that I wasn't interested in a replacement. His rudeness escalated. At about the time it peaked, he said "you must be a liberal." I exploded and told him the era of rudeness had passed and maybe he should retire with it. He then accused ME of making it about politics! Believe me, if you think rudeness from local salesmen is what is great about shopping on Fourth St. in San Rafael, instead of at Best Buy, go see Jay. I suggest you enter with a thick skin and a high tolerance for abuse. Better yet, my suggestion would be to boycott Jay's Electronics place, and all others with similar styles of toxic customer service. read more

This is an electronics parts store. Great store for the hobbyist, electronic repair person, or those who need the occasional electronic component. The place is well stocked with components, most of which are very difficult to find in an actual store. Retail stores like this are extremely rare. Also there is a comprehensive website which complements the store. Knowledgeable and helpful staff can provide essential information to complete your project. Prices are reasonable and selection extensive. Enjoy! read more

AWESOME store, you need electrical parts, they have everything and then some. Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Pretty sure its family owned and been there for a while. read more

A True Gem in Marin! Awesome inventory to satisfy any electronics geek. I've been going to Electronics Plus since I moved to Marin in 1993 (27 yrs). I'm a hard-core electronics engineer/hobbyist and this is my go-to "hands-on" store for nearly all of my projects. Sure, if you're looking for particular ICs or other specific electronic components you may do better with one of the big mail order suppliers. But if you're trying to find project-specific stuff, this is definitely the place to come! They have a great and far-ranging selection of connectors, cases, wire, mounting hardware, components, test equipment, adapters, antennas, amplifiers, LEDs, displays, tools... (My list could go on and on, but you get the point.) They also have very knowledgeable and helpful staff, but I _love_ the fact that I can go in and, knowing where most everything is myself, not have someone standing over my shoulder trying to "help me" decide what I need for my current project. I really cannot say enough positive things about EP. They're in downtown San Rafael and so I'm sure storefront rent and staff wages must represent significant costs and pressure on the business' bottom line, and I truly worry about how they will continue to survive with today's on-line shopping mentality. But patrons need to recognize the value of a real bricks and mortar store and the fact that stuff _may_ cost a little more (or not, once you factor in postage, returns, your time, etc.). I'll end my review with the same words I started: Electronics Plus is an absolute gem and I'll continue to support this business every chance I have. read more

When was last time you were told by a store that you would be better off looking for a part on Amazon to get it cheaper than in the store? Well, for me, it happened at Electronics Plus. That's worth five stars. Nonetheless to say, I bought the part from them and will always go there first. Nice older gentleman too. read more

Prices high but mom & pop can't compete for online Good customer service didn't have the part I needed though apperently not even online either its a rather odd part I was seeking read more

We went there because we want to support local business, but just couldn't do it with the ridiculous pricing....5 times more than online and Home Depot prices. read more

This place is quirky and charming. I love the surly older gentlemen and the fact that it's probably the best and only place to buy all manner of obscure parts and gadgetry. I say "surly" in a loving joking way though---they are incredibly helpful and knowledgable. And funny too, for the most part. If you need anything to do with wires and parts, I would definitely head over there first. Sometimes the stuff is way cheaper than big corporate stores, sometimes not. read more

Mediocre quality, skyhigh prices. I've purchased a number of things here over the years (I'm not proud, but I was in a hurry), and I've had to return about 1 out of 3 them. Shorted out SCSI cable (lucky nothing was damaged), "Brand New" EPROMs that hadn't been erased by their previous owner, that level of stuff. They're good about returns, but after paying through the nose, you kind of expect things to work the first time. Plus, I always feel a little worried about asking the wrong question when they quote a price. ("$30". "That's for a box of 20, right?" "No, that's just for one.") Anyway, Lasher's in Berkeley is about 10-15 minutes away (+$4 bridge toll). If you're spending more than, say, $15, it's almost certainly worth the trip. read more

A fantastic business if what you need you must have right there and then. The prices on every item are 3-7 times higher than EBay merchants selling the exact same Chinese and Taiwanese items. Example, 4 pole 3.5mm cable at $18.95 vs $3.50 on eBay. Are they kidding? read more

The owner/manager there is very knowledgeable and helpful. I just don't understand why there are so many arrogant, patronizing and basically disinterested people working there. The last time I called someone answered and I asked for a USB/serial adaptor. He answered "You have to tell me how the wires are connected." I asked him if he wanted to know if the serial end was db-9 or rs-232. His response: "You have to tell me that too." It's better to go to Frys than waste your time with people like him. The other employees I have spoken to are usually not much better, and seem more concerned with proving you wrong and showing how much they know than actually helping you to find what you need. read more

called the guy up on the phone and he took the time to figure out what I needed where office depot and radio shack didnt. Great service even if I didnt buy anything. Thanks! read more

This is the type of place you want to stick around. They have everything you need & knowledgable staff to help with any electric project. Go here before going to chain stores. Keep your money local! read more

I don't know much about Electronic Plus, however, Eric may just be the most honest person in San Rafael. He found my mother-in-law's wallet on the ground in central San Rafael one afternoon this week, took it to the police station, and much to our shock, she got a call to come claim her belongings that same day! Thank you, ERIC! Honesty is a virtue and we'll definitely be sharing the story with others. read more

This store has saved me several times. Such a great thing to have an electronics store that has real electronics (other than radio shack - ugh). Minus one star for the high prices. read more

A family owned and operated store through 3 generations. Wow. Where do you find that these days? The son saved me bo coup bucks on my computer speakers. I had an old adapter he transformed into a useful one; one that now runs my stereo speakers. Within minutes, I had music. I saved money. I am one happy customer! read more

I go to this place for all my electronics. They always have what I'm looking for, they know what they are talking about, and will spend the time with you to ensure you are getting the right stuff for your needs. I needed some resistors. The guy behind the desk was asking me all sorts of questions to make sure i had the right ones, spent about 5 minutes of talking and explaining, and giving me back up plans if for some reason I couldn't get my device operational, and all for a $2.15 sale. THat is more than todays cashflow. They are in it for the long run, and they have a customer for LIFE read more