Vetco Electronics — Attraction in Bellevue

Have a Panasonic video camera from the mid-2000's that I lost the DC power plug and cord that goes from the AC wall-adaptor to the camera. First went to Fry's and the stock lady told me it needed a 1.7mm dc barrel connector on both ends and that they didn't have what I needed in stock and referred me to Vetco Electronics so I headed up there. The young guy managing the front counter was busy on the phone so finally the much older guy ask me if he could help me. I showed him the AC adapter, looked at it puzzled and said he would look and see what they had. After a few minutes, the the phone rang and he came back and said, "I don't think we have anything that fits that adapter" and picked up the phone. I waited thinking. Then after he was done on the phone he said "Sorry, we can't help you." I said "Ok, I'm going to go look and the lady at Fry's who sent me here said it was a 1.7 mm barrell." He followed me back to where he had been and said "Oh a 1.7 mm is a real odd duck size, I doubt we have anything." I started looking on the shelf and there were two whole racks of 1.7 mm barrels. He said I would have to soldier those myself and there is no way they would do it. Then up a little higher, I found a whole little box of 1.7 barrels with pig tails. I asked him if I could just get two of those and twist the ends together. He said "I suppose." I took two of those, paid a little over $6. When I got back to my office I twisted them together and the camera works perfectly. My whole experience with such a simple and common item was quite surprising. Based upon the inventory (one display had about 50 touch tone telephone key pads) and the lack of enthusiasm of the employees, seems like the store won't be around for a lot longer unless they are selling truck loads of tiny electronic parts to people who already know...

I went in needing to buy a small electrical component. I knew the value of the diode I needed but I did not know the part number. I asked the first person I saw (now I know he was the owner) if they could point me in the right direction so that I could go find the part. I was asked very abruptly if I knew the part number. I said no and felt very stupid for not having the part number as a very large book was shoved in my face. "find the part number and we will get you the part", he said with little to no customer service provide. I had started looking through the book when, a nice young man behind the counter who was doing nothing sheepishly approached me to provide me with some assistance. He was AMAZING!!!! So helpful, he flipped to the right page immediately, explained what he thought might be a better solution, and pulled me the part I needed. He totally redeemed the horrible first impression given to me by the Owner of the establishment. I paid for the part and as I was walking out the door I looked back to see the owner scolding the person who helped me because the value of my order was not enough to justify him offering to help me find the diode I needed. I was stunned, shocked, and outraged. I went back in and told the owner I would never be returning because he was so unprofessional reprimanding and employee in front of the customers. He then preceded to justify his position by saying they cant help everyone who walks through the door who has a $2 dollar order. Keep in mind my visit was on a Saturday afternoon and it was very quiet. I left very upset holding my 9month old little girl. Unfortunate..... I so wanted to have a...

In Short: Reasonable Prices. Excellent Service. Friendly and helpful shop whether you're a know-nothing novice or an old hand.

In Long: There actually isn't much more than that to say? Like you're looking for a place to go poke things, explore, see things you hadn't expected, maybe even get some inspiration, and that's this place! In fact, this is one of the last places to do that. Which sort of explains why prices are ever-so-slightly higher than you'll find on Amazon: because this is a real place, staffed by people that care, and providing a service you can't get anywhere else - and those things cost a little more to have so you pay a little more. But honestly like.. not much more? If you want to buy buttons you can't feel the tactility of, save your four and a half cents I guess and buy from 'ol Jeffy B?

Okay I should be less antagonistic but this place is a godsend. Because not only can you see and feel and manipulate and compare sizes of the things you're purchasing, but the people here will tell you all about the stuff! They know what's up and are eager to share! They're excited to get you excited about electronics!

Which I cannot overstate how unicorn that is in 2024. The next closest shop to provided even remotely the same experience requires a friggin passport and several hour drive.

So all of that is to say, go here. Support a local business. Get inspired. Get learned a...