Electonics Store in Vancouver area?

May 19, 2009 4:11 PM

Where in Vancouver/Fraser Valley can I find a good warehouse-type electronics store. Not looking for a Future Shop or Best Buy, anything with fancy display rooms or even carpet on the floor. Looking for something more similar to NCIX (thanks Emanuel from previous AskMeFi question), which I think is like Tiger Direct.

I was previously in Montreal and loved Addison if that gives you a reference for what I'm looking for. Looking for a big store with tinkering type things like: board components, Power Supplies, antennas, cables, trinkety stuff that engineer-types love. Not necessarily looking for big LCD TV's or the cheapest sound system and I am looking for a brick and mortar store as opposed to online shopping as seeing in person is the best.

Thanks!

posted by royalchinook to shopping (10 comments total)

They're often called "surplus stores" like Toronto's Active Surplus which sounds like what you want. Other than going to Toronto, that may help you google one.
posted by GuyZero at 4:12 PM on May 19

Try ATIC (atic.ca) they use a catalogue shopping model which keeps the prices down. They have also elected to save money on carpets (and staff, there can be long line ups).
posted by fingerbang at 4:26 PM on May 19

Like fingerbang said, atic on Broadway (near MEC) is one of the best, if not the best for computer parts in the city. If you looking for electrical components ( resistors, capacitors etc) that is a whole other ball of wax
posted by Country Dick Montana at 6:03 PM on May 19

I go to ATIC as well for PC components. For electrical doodads I hear there is a shop on Main St near 28th or so in Vancouver that sells them, but I've never been there myself. I don't know of a big warehouse place that has everything you could want in one place.
posted by PercussivePaul at 6:26 PM on May 19

NCIX Vancouver
1711 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC, V6J 1Y2
posted by philip-random at 6:55 PM on May 19

I've bought quite a few things at Addax over the years, although nothing recently. It's up a flight a stairs on Bridgeport Road in Richmond, smackdab in the middle of all the home improvement/decorating stores.
posted by acoutu at 7:55 PM on May 19

There is another store, very similar to NCIX, in Kingsway. near metrotown, right next to the KFC on Kingsway.
posted by theKik at 7:57 PM on May 19

I shopped at NCIX on Broadway where the prices are good and so is the service. Warning - the items you buy there are NOT returnable.

Another choice is Anitec on Kingsway. I think that the store that theKik is referring to. Good prices, good components.
posted by seawallrunner at 9:37 PM on May 19

My significant other drags me here at least once every couple months. It's in Burnaby, not far from Lougheed and Willingdon. The web site sucks, but it's a cool store. It's not PC/entertainment components, but rather electronics. It sounds exactly like what you're describing... The floor may or may not be carpeted, i can't remember.
posted by cgg at 9:55 PM on May 19

Price compare between NCIX and ATIC. ATIC is good if you know what you want. A lot of 'random computer stuff' (controllers, cables, brackets) are a lot cheaper there. Big ticket items; NCIX is strangling ATIC on volume (by offering better service and floor displays).

I've not had problems returning stuff to NCIX (albeit, only for the a replacement of an identical item). The kids who work there are a lot cooler than the older people and have bent over backwards for me just for treating them with a modicum of respect.

As for bits and parts, I've been looking for someplace like that in Vancouver for a very long time and have not successfully found one. The closest I've come is the RC (radio controlled toys/stuff) shop a few blocks from the PNE, but I'm not even sure they're still open. Magic Box (? might not be the right name) on Arbutus and 37th Ave-or-so in Kerrisdale (it's next to a 7-eleven) has lots of stuff for models/model trains and stocks a reasonable selection of motors, actuators, power supplies, small electrical connectors, &c. - but they're quite expensive.

Simon Fraser University used to be renowned for their undergrad robotics department. They must have had (a) local supplier(s) but I have no idea who to start contacting.
posted by porpoise at 11:05 PM on May 19