From big chain stores like this place, you wouldn't always expect such a personable service, as I received from the chaps in here. Well, all I can say is that as brief as my visit was it was memorable and I was given perfect service. As I walked in, with a mission in mind, I was welcomed by one of the fellows at the counter. I said my hellos and continued to search for the item I'd trawled across town for. (Yes, it's in an out of the way location, but don't give up -it's right off New York Road and easy to spot once you've crossed.)
The item in question was a female to female ethernet adaptor, for the purposes of system linking Xboxs. Yes, I am indeed a geek, but when you've experienced the joys of shooting zombies with four of you in the same lobby (perhaps even using the headphone set like proper nerds) you can judge as you please. I'm telling you, it's the shiznit. Where PC World failed (that's a review for later) Maplins triumphed.
In the end, I asked one of the members of staff. Before even escorting me to the items, with a gleam in his eye, he asked was I linking PCs? Nope, Xboxs. Left For Dead 2. System Link funzies. Well, he directed me straight to the adaptors, and away we went! Even better, I had been told by my housemate to merely get a female to female, and had we gone for that we'd have gotten nowhere fast. As soon as we arrived at the section, he told me to hang on as he'd a feeling I'd need a slightly different adaptor to make it work - no bother, his colleague has some sort of degree in networking. He came back a couple of minutes later and underlined that, yes, I would need this *directional one (*directional isn't the word. I've forgotten the word, but it's not the standard one!) otherwise the Xboxs wouldn't talk to each other.
Oh, OK, cool. I said I'd take both, just in case, and he assured me that which ever didn't work I could bring back to the shop no problem. Feeling 100% assured he was doing nothing but be totally helpful, I bought both (no real price difference in either, mind) and took them gaily home. Sure enough, like the stars they are, it was the non-standard one that worked -nothing happened with the basic one. SO! My ramblings cut short after such verbosity: Trust the dudes at Maplin. They're ace, and I'm well pleased. We'd have been stuck without their prowess.
Also, at a glance, the prices are cheaper than PC World, staff nicer and less 'sales' focused, and the store is a lot more relaxed. Don't go PC World. Go Maplins. YES! read more