I have used it when I was working in the Electronics Industry for prototype supplies, Amateur Radio training and equipment, components and various specialty tools read more

I brought 2 reindeer antler headbands to You-do-it Electronics to get new button batteries so that the lights would work again, and Tony went above and beyond helping me. There were some issues with the device that prevented good contact and he spent time fixing it and figuring out how to place the button batteries. He cleaned the contacts and tested the switches. I had no idea what kind of batteries were required, and Tony found the right batteries. The type of batteries required by the headbands are not easy to find elsewhere, but You-do-it had them. Tony was so patient and had the know how to fix my reindeer antler headbands, and I am grateful. I don't like to throw things out if they can be fixed, so You-do-it is a great resource. While I was there, I bought connectors to allow my new iphone to use my old headphones. read more

"You-do-it" Electronics Center - Electronics Near Me - Needham, Massachusetts

This was once a great business run by wonderful people whose customers have largely abandoned them. Its owners are struggling. People who complain that their inventory has diminished should be more kind. This is clearly a business built on inventory, demand...and love. They can't afford to replenish inventory if its customers have "aged out" of "do it yourself" and buy junk online at lower prices. If you're a ham radio operator or other tinkerer, go there and buy some stuff. Help this last remnant of a great industry stay in business. I fear its wonderful owners are not prepared for selling in the age of Amazon, eBay and AliExpress read more

We visited the stire today. First time in decades. A lot has changed. We need some help finding the bits and pieces to fix our microwave oven door switch. The person on duty helping customers was excellent! I had not anticipated anything like that. Very pleased. read more

I have an old Mini Split AC unit and when I went to fire it up earlier this summer I had no joy. After a little trouble shooting I found a mouse nest in the outdoor unit and the little bugger ate through some of the wires in the unit. Calling the manufacturer I was told the unit is no longer in production so SOL. I went to "You-do-it" and Scott was able to find the pin clips I needed and did a repair on the spot. Very knowledgeable guy, friendly and did a great job for a reasonable price and now I'm cool again! Many thanks Scott read more

they have everything anyone and everyone could use. personally i love the electronics. stuff. stuff. radio shack used to have now i gotta go all the way to needham to get it read more

I visited once in early 2012 and again this month. In 2012 I probably would have rated them 4 stars due to high-ish prices, but it seems the prices have come down here, at least on the smaller electronic components I looked at. I spent a long time in the store and got a chance to hear the employees help out several customers. The employees seemed competent and caring. The first floor has lots of electronic components, tools, flashlights, wire and cable, and now looks like it has a good selection of hobby stuff like robot parts, microcontrollers/Arduino etc. The second floor is all pro/DJ audio. The clearance section that was at the back of the 2nd floor store is gone now, but there's a nice little display of vintage TVs and electronic appliances in its place. The store is a little bit difficult to find- it's near a number of large antennas for WCVB channel 5, so you can look for those towers and know you're close. There is a private parking lot for the store, which is nice. read more

I have bought Sony lcd 50'' tv's here in the 80s, and kept to them over internet as much as I could, particularly when it was something time sensitive (to my bratty consumer electronics whims for cables/connectors, etc). I have been forced to warn other buyers that you really don't want to deal with any of the people not from the original (meaning well before covid) store mgmt., as the "younger ones" (with the exception of one very bright twenty something man who is obviously tech and people savvy) can be all over you if you bring something back. They seem to be wary of losing their jobs afaict, yet to dis and second guess customers with returns (presumably b/c credits from mfrs. in cheap overseas vending don't make up for their loss, even if they aren't commissioned)?! The senior fellow, John, was able to patch things up bet. me and another rep., the latter who was definitively combative and argumentative. I asked him in a calm way "why are you provoking a argument" (over a piece of low rent Asian adapter I could have bought from ebay/Amazon for half the price and no hassle returns). I feel badly that most of their team can't see the forest for their marshmallow csr "oh, do you want something else...let's bench test it.." i.e everything but outfright you (i.e "what did YOU do to it....we can't take it back" for ad finitum reasons, etc). It is horrifying to thing that electronic box stores are going to be the only "qualified" sellers, not just for large items, but maybe even more for sweating the small stuff. There is no question the YDI team still has intelligent backgrounds in most of its hires...but the light is dimming as the heat goes up...their economic problems obviously were occuring via internet well before covid made it worse. I'd like to think a few trips from everyone to buy small thingys here instead of online might save this remnant of the 1950's sales with a smile place, but its clearly imploding like a submersible. Anyone wanting to help should be ready with their neoprene sales slip (i.e make it waterproof, impervious to your losing it for just 2 weeks it works for) and take heed of who is servicing you....if it is someone from accounting or wearing a mask, you know you're in need of a dive suit with their shark approach after sale...and even then, it can quickly become "you blew it" electronics. Family history note-though they were around for many years, last time I saw an active owner/manager pull out of there was years back (he was in a Porsche Cabrio, 70-80ish, and possibly gone by now)..nothing sadder than a biz falling on hard times and making choices that really don't benefit end users (or methinks, the employees). I'm just shark bait, and I'll never go back in a YDI. store again! read more

This is an excellent well organized store with an amazing knowledgeable staff. I walked in with a shopping list and a staff member walked me around with my shopping basket. Choices of components were intelligently offered. A must for the hobbyist and industrial prototyper! read more

I was having a problem setting up my Audio-Technics turntable that I had purchased at You-Do-It about four years ago. I worked with a gentleman by the name of Tony and he was incredibly helpful and a real gentleman. He spent a lot of time with me and we were able to narrow down the issue. It was my incompetence that was the problem and, by the time I left, he had solved the problem. I returned home and was able to get it working properly. I can't say enough good things about him and the store in general. It's reassuring to know that one can still get great service. read more

I have an old camcorder and couldn't find the cord that connects it to the TV. I took it to U Do it Electronics in Needham MA and the guy (Eric) could not have been more helpful. He spent about half hour helping me find a $6 cord, which ended up being perfect. This is definitely a place where old-school, traditional customer service is still in vogue. Thank you, Eric. read more

A former shell of what they used to be. Back in the 1980s they were at the pinnacle of their existence with tons of communication hear, antennas, receivers, etc along with kits, parts and pieces. The tools were good and the consumer electronics upstairs were good quality and affordable. Nowadays your lucky if you get quality parts. Amphenol is replaced by Philmore Chinese junk. I don't trust the coax. Used to be great but is OK. 3.5 stars. read more

YDI used to be the de facto place to go for anything electronic. It is not anymore! I went there today and was totally disappointed! Shelves were empty, tons of racks with hooks and no product... the place looks like it's in their final days of business! The limited staff was a motley crew who didn't offer much in helping me find what I needed. Compared to what this store was years ago, now the entire second floor is closed off and barricaded. All I can say by the looks of things is that I don't even know why the place was open? It sure shows what appears to be a totally failing business! After my visit I would strongly urge not wasting your time going there! read more

Generally a great place to go if you do your own electronic, computer or soldering work etc. But lately (last three visits) waiting on staff has been less than ideal. Very commonly on personal phone calls will see you waiting and then walk away into the back to finish their phone call. If you're interested in waiting five or 10 minutes for them to finish their call they might help you out, or like me you just leave and buy it on Amazon and have it delivered tomorrow at a cheaper price. read more

Now this is the mega superstore for any and all electronics! I had always wondered why Radio Shack on Needham Street never had any customers shopping. Newton is an affluent area with a high need of technology, and having Radio Shack empty consistently had me wondering if people were just ordering things online. But no, they are coming here. This place I've seen on Route 128 with the gigantic sign so many times, but have never actually had the time to find it, or many reasons to go. It sits on Franklin Street in the industrial park in Needham, right off Highland Avenue (turn either left or right, depending on the direction you are traveling, on Wexford Street, near the Speedway station and follow that road all the way down... careful of the million potholes on that road!), and even though it looks like a warehouse, it indeed is a retail store that sells anything and everything you could possibly need in the electrical and technology department. Service is incredible... they have multiple service and question desks throughout the store, with trained and professional employees, all of which are able to help you find something you need, or help you with a specific question or concern. I actually had a whole bunch of questions for them, and not only were they more than happy to help, their suggestions all worked out great! I had been recommended this store in general, and wouldn't have any issue going back (however, my car might.... there are SO many potholes around this building!). By the way, the prices are cheaper than Radio Shack and the selection is far wider, especially being that there are two levels of this warehouse like store. 5 stars for the You-Do-It Electronic Center. Highly suggested. read more

See all

Looks like a flea market, not organized at all. Looks like outdated stuff. Micro center is a million times better. Are you a gamer? Want computer parts? NOT HERE! read more

I was driving back to Vermont from Boston and thinking about some projects I'm working on and looked up electronics supply stores in the area. We don't have anything like You-Do-It even remotely close to where I live. I really liked being able to browse a real store instead of shopping for components online. It was especially helpful in selecting components and project cases for the compact projects. It was a welcoming, friendly environment with a huge selection and very nice staff. I was able to buy several aluminum project cases, op amp chips, potentiometers, a variety of switches, prototype boards and a lot more. If you are into building or fixing, this is the place to go. I'd never seen anything like this place before and it was really like being a kid in a candy shop! read more

Horrible Customer Service. I went to You Do It - looking for a replacement toggle switch, and brought the old one with me for comparison. I gave the old switch to one of the staff members who was seated on a stool behind the desk and asked if he had one in stock. He looked at it for one second and said "Nope, never seen that before" then handed it back to me with a smug grin on his face and turned away from me. Really guy? - You couldn't offer to look up the part number (which was printed on the old switch) or give me any suggestions on where to look? I then asked him where the toggle switches were located in the store. He gave me a look like "You mean I have to get off my stool to help you?" - He walked me over to the correct aisle then went and sat back on his stool, staring at me the whole time with that smug grin. How rude is that? Looks like "You Do It" means just that. YOU do it. - Don't expect the staff to do anything to help you. I went to Lowes. They had the switch in stock. Ill know better next time.... read more

I went here to buy a cable straight out of the 1980s that I needed for a project at work and based on the reputation I thought I would be all set. Boy did I turn out to be completely wrong. First off the store is not laid out very well and second the staff is not friendly or particularly helpful. So after a couple minutes of looking around I decided to ask someone for what I was looking for. It took quite awhile for me to explain what I was looking for and finally when she figured out what I was looking for she said, "Why would you want something that old. We don't bother to carry things like that." Needless to say that was the end of my experience at the store. read more

Aisles glittering with exotic electronica and tiny, complex components, You-Do-It is one of the few remaining nerd/macho outposts in modern society where you can find people who actually know the difference between a 25 picofarad capacitor and a BNC connector. The dullards at Radio Shack can't hold a candle to the staff at You-Do-It, some of whom look like they've been around since Marconi sent the first wireless signal. When I agreed to assist the companionable Trixy in rewiring her Cambridge flat's bedroom for cable television, You-Do-It was the one place I knew would have all the necessary materials at reasonable prices. As we pulled into the parking lot of their Needham store,Trixy matter-of-factly announced that she would handle any purchases herself. I gave her a rundown of what was needed (one four foot jumper, one three way splitter, 25 feet of TV cable) then stood back to enjoy the action. Resplendent in wool beret, black leather motorcycle jacket and lime-green orthopedic sandals, Trixy sauntered down the aisle affecting an exaggerated swagger until she spotted one of the You-Do-It clerks. "Hey, buddy" she chirped, ad libbing the shopping list she had promptly forgotten, "gimmie....uh...a four gun and a six pack". The clerk returned a blank stare, taking in the full measure of her garish costume. "Heh heh," she piped, a toothpick gripped between her teeth, "Don't wanna miss the game. Go Sox." She elbowed the guy a shot in the ribs for good measure. After a few minutes of cultural mayhem, I finally stepped in to translate, and within seconds had the items in hand and were on our way without further incident. PS: Don't forget to get your free white vinyl You-Do-It POCKET PROTECTOR at the counter! read more

I'd been hearing about YDI over and over again since moving the Boston area 7 years ago. I finally made the trip to the Needham store with plans to buy a new Raspberry Pi 3 B+, a microSD card, and 3D printer filament. I used to think the Cambridge MicroCenter was a mess... YDI is so disorganized and poorly laid out I didn't bother sticking around to browse after I finally found what I was looking for. They had the Raspberry Pi in stock, although it was $5 more than the common price. They had a whopping selection of TWO SD cards to choose from. After 3 failed attempts to make eye contact while approaching staff members to help me find 3D printer filament, I resorted to asking the cashier since he wouldn't be able to avoid me. He didn't know where it was, and led me on a rushed tour of the store where he pointed to what he thought was 3D printer filament. Turned out what he was pointing at (from across the store) was actually spools of colored heat shrink tubing. Luckily the vast selection of 3D printer filament was nearby; 4 or 5 mismatched/random boxes of overpriced 3mm filament (no 1.75mm). The selection of electronics components near the Arduino/Pi section seemed to be OK, lots of servos and robotics parts etc, but the rest of the store seemed like a mess of dated & tacky electronics junk. I would maybe be able to overlook the mess if the staff was friendly and helpful, but they were more interested in talking amongst themselves and ignoring me. Also, there were 6 or more staff working at noon on a Friday, and only 2-3 other customers in the store while I was there... probably why the prices aren't great. read more

If you need anything that has to do with electronics and you can't find it at You Do It there is something wrong with you and you should probably get your head checked. The staff is knowledgeable about everything in the store and if the person you talk to isn't they will find someone who can help you. When I go to YDI I must drive by at least 10 Radio Shack's, and I don't mind. IN the money you are saving by going to YDI it's worth using the extra gas. (don't listen to Al Gore just use the extra gas) and get exactly what you need not what the stupid kid at "The Shack" tells you is good. read more

This is what I seek when working on any electronic project. I have had good luck with the staff - they leave me alone when I want to be left alone and are helpful and knowledge when I ask to find a product or how to do something. Depending on what you are looking for, they may have many (such as network, USB, printer, VGA, HDMI, audio cables, LEDs, switches, AC/DC inverters, project tools, etc.) or just a few (such as DMMs, O-scopes). I give them a call before I head over to double check they carry what I am looking for and it is in stock. It is easy to return things (I have had a few items DOA, not too bad considering the number of things I've gotten there). Each trip here is usually an hour for me because I end up wandering trying to find new thing that I may need. I am going to miss going here when I leave Boston. read more

I went to You Do It this morning with a friend. He was in search of parts to make a robot, and I was just looking for neat items to base a project around. After browsing the first floor with no luck, I asked one of the people who worked there where I could find some sensors. "Sensors?" he asked. "You know, accelerometers, pressure sensors, light, temperature?" He looked at me as though I was stupid, then pointed me towards the LED section. I looked through the LED section three times trying to find sensors but gave up and left You Do It empty-handed. My friend got a few things, but decided to get the basics somewhere else (their resistors, for example, are pretty overpriced). All in all, totally not worth the drive out to Needham. read more

When my Dad dies, his Heaven will look like this place. Hell, his basement already does, kind of. Yeah, it pricier than online, but sometimes you have to SEE a doo-hickey to know if its going to work for you. That's his term for the stuff he's usually looking for. That, and a thinga-ma-bob. Sure, he's an Engineer, but when he's looking for a what's-it: I know he's stumped. He usually comes here. read more

Rename this place "You do it and we are glad to help" electronics. I lost the power adapter to my external hard drive during a move and was able to find one off the internet for $ 20 (the specifications meant they were not readily available). But the adapter's pin would not fit into the hard drive's socket and so I was googling like hell to find out how to make it fit, since the HD had too much music that I cannot afford to loose. As a matter of fact, this place was suggested by a Yelper. So I drove in the darkness to the store and found a store employee and told him what I was looking for. Guy was like "Follow me" goes to the aisle picks up a board, plugs in the adapter and does some this and that and hands me the parts I need. Total $3. Total for adapter less than $25, considerable savings since the replacement adapter was costing around $50. No pressure to sell you stuff you don't need and great service. If you need PA systems they sell them too. I wondered though if they sell those auto-tune microphone that T Pain seems to have popularized nowadays. read more

You-Do-It occupies the market space between Radio Shack and the Digi-Key catalog. It's where to go when you need it right now (i.e. mail order is out of the question), and it's not a 555 or a resistor (i.e. Rat Shack ain't got it). The prices are not the cheapest you'll find but they're the cheapest you can drive to. An electronics hobbyist (hi!) can go in there and spend hours browsing and coming up with excuses why their fridge could benefit from radio control, or just pop in and out when they need a solid state relay or a bottle of ferric chloride and the Radio Shack folks just keep trying to sell them a clock radio. read more

God I love this place. For electronics there seems to be nothing they don't have. Keeping up with the trends into hacker microcomputer stuff and a fair selection in robotics resources, although it would be nice if they carried something other than the highest-end vendor for gears, frames and whatnot. read more

Jesus. I was going to write a nice review of this place, but then I read Joey T's, and I realized I had forgotten how. Suffice it to say, they have literally EVERYTHING you could ever want. I was building a high-voltage stun gun to administer fatal shocks to irritating coworkers, and I realized I didn't have the two MKP capacitors I would need. I went into You-Do-It, and told them what I was building and what I needed. The gentleman behind the counter advised me that what I was building was highly illegal, not to mention immoral and unjust. He dissuaded me from my project and recommended a good therapist. I feel much better about my trip to this place. They lose one star for being buried in a weird industrial park that is confusing and creepy. read more

Don't pay those high prices at Radio Shack, instead check out YDI either online or at their Dedham store. Very helpful staff and great choices and prices on everything that RS carries and more! read more

They totally beat Radio Shack's selection for electronic parts like resistors, fans, and wire. I recently went there to pick up some speaker wire for my home theater. I recommend that you know what you want going in. I've always found their parts specialist kind-of impatient if you don't know what you're talking about. They must get a lot of clueless people calling them asking for "the square thing that sits on my TV's circuit board." If you're not brand loyal at all the upstairs is a treat to poke around in. TVs, speakers, and lots of home electronics for you to shop. I maintain the best part of the store is downstairs. I usually find the part online then stop by this store to see if they have it. Since I've been going there for years I know where they put everything. If they don't have it I don't bother asking them to order it for me... I just order it online and have it delivered to my house ;) read more

I'm not super savvy when it comes to electronics, but my husband is an electrical engineer, and as such I've become fascinated with the tools of the trade. As such, this review is more about the "fun" stuff that they sell vs. things that would appeal to the hardcore technophile. I guess they are pretty much Radio Shack on steroids save for the annoying advertisements with ex-NFL players in them. They sell lots of kits for hobbyists (voice changers, alarms, light up do dads, LEDs, little robotic dinosaurs, 50-in-1 discovery kits etc - Great stuff to get for the burgeoning EE in your life) and have a decent dj and pa equipment selection (which appeals more to me). They also appear to sell a lot of home surveillance equipment. Best local purveyor of electronic components around, however they are pricey. Not unlike my review of Microcenter, it's a great place to go to check something out before buying it online for cheaper. I think it's a fun store to wander around even though I don't understand a lot of what I'm looking at. I think it's neat that a lot of it is accessible to a hobbyist like me, and a more hardcore enthusiast like my husband. read more

Once upon a time, i found myself in need of a Torx screwdriver to take apart my then brand-new PowerBook, and went down the street to an electronics store. You know the one, the one whose recent selling point was to be less aggressive about bothering you and getting your name, rank, and serial number whenever you bought something. I walked in, asked if they had a Torx screwdriver, after coming up empty with my own search. The moron working there puffed up his chest, clearly eager to show off his (half) wit, and replied, "Well, I should hope all screwdrivers have torque!". The more senior guy there all but pushed him aside and said in a lower voice, sheepishly, "We don't have those. You probably want to try that... other place." And so I went to You-Do-It, whose awesome '60's looking sign beckoned from 128 so often. I'm not an electronics geek, I'm a mechanical engineer, so I don't even know what to do with half the stuff, but there are plenty of weird things that I've needed for work, and found here quick. And since work pays for it, I don't always care about the cost; which, as mentioned, is a little high. I've yet to want something they don't have. Period. And I'm thankful to never have to settle for that other place again. read more

I've been a fan of this place for years, especially when I was still doing a lot of little electrical engineering side projects during college. The prices are a little high (as you'd expect at a niche mom-and-pop like this) and you could probably do a little better going through an online vendor, but it's convenient to have everything there. Most of the rare adapters and equipment I've needed were sitting there on the shelves when I walked in. If there was a '4.5', I'd give that instead of a 4. It's a little expensive, but the instant gratification factor is also key. I do most of my shopping online since I don't feel the immediate *need* I used to, but I'll still stop by on occasion. read more

I've been trying to get to You-Do-It Electronics for a few months, about 2 weeks ago I got their Presidents Day sales flyer in the mail so the husband and I made a plan to go today and take advantage of the coupons and bag sale. So excited. I recently build a 3D printer, and now I'm looking for the parts to build a delta 3D printer, so I thought this sale would be the perfect opportunity to not only check the store out, but to get supplies at a good price---including filament, which can get pricey. Maybe it's me, I didn't find the store well organized and for how huge the place looks on the outside, the inside is pretty cramped. They have a ton of stuff, I can't say everything you need because I couldn't find a digital caliper, some items I needed were there but not labeled (like NEMA-17 stepper motors), and even though they advertised a 3D printer model and materials, they had it hidden behind one of the vendors. I saw nothing 3d printer related on the first floor, so I assumed it must have been on the second--only the bag sale was first floor only and I had to make my purchases before going upstairs. This is where I got screwed because coming down the stairs (after making our purchase) we realized the filament was hiding behind a vendor. So I asked about it (39.99---craaaaazy), but it was crowded and I really didn't want to have to ask for a color to look at, hand it back, ask for another, I want things out where I can get them. The guy tried to tell me the filament is covered under the bag sale (25% off whatever you can fit in a very decent sized bag) but it's one bag per customer and I had already made my purchase. I'll likely go back, just wish things were a little clearer and more organized. They really should get more 3D printing supplies; get the heated beds, get the delta printer arms, j-heads, filament from other sources, etc. Have a variety and people will come. In all my research I haven't been able to find much on the 3d printer brand they sell, so I have no idea how good the filament is and so it's not worth price. read more

As the name of the store suggests, you can find pretty much everything you need for your electronics... especially cables and adaptors that you cannot find in circuit city, radio shack or bestbuy. The price is on the high side (comparing same items to other stores) but sometimes this place is your last resort. "Experts" stand around in the stores for any questions... like if you are not sure if you should buy DVD-R or DVD+R, the guy will tell you the difference between the 2 formats...etc. -1 star for their relatively high prices. Note: you can see the huge sign on the 128 ramps in the needham exist. The place is kinda far back in this shady area... but its pretty legit. read more

Great place for the hobbyist and professional. Yes, you can get things cheaper on-line. It's just not the same as seeing and browsing and talking to knowledgeable staff. read more

This place is awesome. They have stuff you cannot get anywhere else locally since Radio Shacks have closed up. Also, the clerks and cashiers are super nice and very knowledgeable. They are very helpful and nice. I always have a great experience shopping at You Do It Electronics. read more

You-Do-It is the place I go when I need a electronic part or a piece of equipment that the chain stores will not carry. I have used them for many years and the trick in getting the right part in the past was finding the part number from the manufacturers catalog then calling them to see if they have the part in stock. If not they would order it for you and you just pick it up. Most of their business in the past was from call-in part orders. If you stop in on a busy Saturday getting one of the associates to spend time searching for a particular diode or capacitor will take time. Now that you can find the exact part number on the net it's really easy. Get the part number, call them and they will handle the rest. They will even ship in to you if you can not get out to Needham. read more

They advise their shoppers to buy local (which I'm all for). Then i find the same exact item I just paid $56 for on Amazon for $14.95. That's a little much even if they bought it on Amazon and marked it up that's exorbitant. read more