Lee's Electronic Components — Attraction in Vancouver

If they have the parts, they are very helpful. The price is all right. The service is fast. Few of them go around and ask if they can help. But, do not expect any advice, because there are none.

When they don't have the parts, one of the worker is very rude about it. If there are more electronic shops I won't come here. I guess it depends on who is helping out at the time. Maybe he is having a bad day?

So I went to Lees knowing that they do not carry the thing I want (look, research done, not enough of course). But I thought it would be a good idea to ask them if they have any suggestion of a possible replacement (bad idea). Is it unacceptable to expect the workers in an electronic shop to give some advice about a possible replacement? Apparently, it is unacceptable.

If they don't know that is okay. They could just have said "we don't know".

Instead, the guy told me "TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH before coming to the shop". At first, he suggested a few products they carry at the time. I looked at these products and I was worried that they might not be compatible. So I asked if they do returns? They do not accept returns/exchanges. That is fair enough. So I asked the guy if it is possible to tell me about the details of these products, such as voltages required. He told me to look it up online using the numbers. OK, that is cool. So now I asked, if it is possible for him to write down the numbers for me. And he said "look it up online by yourself." So in the end, basically, they will do NOTHING. But that is okay too, I can do that myself. I am happy I got some ideas about possible replacements.

But their attitude really annoyed me. They are acting like if I was "crying for help" and "they are not going to babysit me". I find this extremely rude. I am not expecting anyone to do my work for me at all. I DID MY RESEARCH BEFORE COMING. But apparently, I should NOT ask them for possible replacements. I should find out by other means and only go there to BUY the parts.

Anyway, I was confused because it is my first time hearing about these possible options. That is why I am there: finding more options. So if he stopped there after telling me about them, or maybe even write down the numbers for me, I would be grateful. I would think "hey, he tried his best to help me". But looking at me as if I am trying to make him do my work is very very very rude. Maybe he got annoyed because I was standing in the way for too long. It is hard to make up my mind at the time. But the shop has very narrow corridor. And it is almost closing time.

But then, it makes sense I guess. After all, if a customer has bought something because of their advice and it did not work, it would be problematic since Lee does not accept returns/exchanges. So, maybe the moral of this story is to NOT go before they close /very busy time. Also, really do not ask advices. Perhaps this is expected for people in the business. I am just odd in the way that I was expecting that. Well, I...

I am giving the 5 Stars for the PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE.

We live in a world of CONFUSION when it comes to electronics. Everyone is interested but few understands the fundamentals.

I am a regular visitor at Lee's and all the other electronic stores in Lower Mainland. ( RP Electronics, MRO Electronics )

When it comes to PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE, Lee's is powered by a true Electrical Engineer behind the scenes.

As we all know, we want cheap stuff but we also like to stereotype "made in China" as something of an inferior quality. Well, when it comes to electronics We all should remember, we are dealing with ELECTRONS.

You shall treat them with respect and care and use standard practices then they will OBEY you and do your work for you. But, if you treat them carelessly and use non standard practices they will get ANGRY and perhaps destroy your components and even create FIRE and destroy you.

Well, now perhaps you may begin to realize the point I am trying to make here - components does matter, but knowing a thing or two about them goes a long way, beside price and availability.

So here at Lee's, The selection of staff includes undergrad electrical engineering students from both UBC and SFU and Trained by the master Electrical Engineer himself. (Book smart only goes so far, training and experience what makes an Engineer a real Engineer )

In summary, yes the product is "Made in China" but still they comply with existing electrical standard. If you are unsure, ask a question before you buy, or properly test the component for its durability, performance and functionality. DO NOT STERIOTYPE PRODUCT OR PEOPLE, BECAUSE DOING SO IS SIMPLY WRONG AND UNACCEPTABLE!

By supporting your local businesses you have a choice to walk in to touch and buy a product, and above all, try getting some "how to " question answered from Amazon or Ebay. Lee's "how to " answers are free, last time I checked! So take advantage of it, spend your hard earned dollars on local businesses if you want them to be around. I have ordered stuff from various sources including digit key, Amazon. ebay etc. Still I found useful components for my research here at Lee's. I did say research did I not, so if it is good enough for research it must be good enough for daily life.

I have reported what I have witnessed.

The rest is up to the...

I needed a simple mini blade car fuse. You'd be very surprised at how hard it is to find a single mini car fuse. Everywhere else I looked online wanted to either sell me a variety fuse pack of 50 fuses for $15... Or sell a single fuse for upwards of $10! Home Hardware, Home Depot, and Canadian Tire, NAPA, Lordco, I'm looking at you. Of course they are ultra super durable high quality extra sleek premium fuses lol. Auto parts stores too. Can't buy one of the most basic car parts possible by itself without being gouged. Pfft. I reFUSE to pay that much.

A car fuse is a freaking car fuse, and after researching a handful of places, Lee's was the first place I found online, in Vancouver, that sold single, mini blade fuses, with every amperage available, priced according to their actual value. 60 cents per fuse.

I do have to mention though... I'm not sure if the young man there was annoyed I only wanted a couple fuses, or what his deal was. Maybe he's just really not a people person lol, but he was very curt and almost seemed irritated with me. Doesn't bother me, but I'm certain some customers will perceive this as bad customer service.

Also, I walked in, and said I'm looking for mini blade fuses and instead of telling me where they were, he led me there, and asked me what amps I needed. So I told him the amps and quantities of each one I needed, while he grabbed them off the shelf for me. He then brought them behind the counter instead of handing them to me. Jesus Christ man I'm not going to steal your fuses. Or maybe he arbitrarily assumed I didn't know what I was looking for? IMO you should just tell the customer where something is, if they ask where something is. Maybe just mention"let me know if you need any help". Or get a security camera if you think I'm a thief. Really annoying. I can't think of any other reason than he thought I looked like a thief. Never in my life has a retail store literally shopped for me in this way. Highly unorthodox.

But whatever. I got what I needed and they don't try to gouge you with pricing tactics for buying small, cheap parts that probably have very little profit margin. That makes up for the irksome employee. I will definitely go back for electronics parts in the future. And maybe buddy can practice smiling in the...