Ocean State Electronics ?'s

[KC9JIQ]

I'm looking at http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p5.htm and they seem to have some really hard to find parts, at great prices, but down at the info page it says: Please note: While we do maintain a real brick & mortar store
in an Industrial area, we do not offer walk in or pick up service. All orders,
including local orders, must be placed on-line or via phone for shipping.


That concerns me, anyone done buisness with them?

[WA9SVD]

I can't vouch for them personally, but they have been in business for quite a while, and I haven't heard any serious negative feedback.

I wouldn't be too worried about the "no walk-in" store front. There are many reasons; tha area may not be the safest for visitor/customers; and the business doesn't have to maintain displays, etc. for walk-ins. That means thay don't have the expense of maintaining a sales counter, liability insurance and possibly a seperate business license for a "walk-in" store. And thay don't have to have a sales person on duty or even on call during business hours.
As such, it probably IS a relatively "small" business, and the cost of doing walk-in business just isn't justified.
I wouldn't hesitite to order from them. As I said, they have been in business for quite a while.

[WW3QB]

I've never used them myself, but when shopping I saw these reviews: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1982

[wb7dmx]

well I used to buy a lot from ocean state electronics and had no problems till it started taking a long time to get a order.
the last time I placed a order from them was for some parts I needed as soon as possible, I stated to them that no back orders please, because if they did not have a item, I could order it else were.
they did not ship my order in over a month, nor did they answere the phone, nor even reply to my e-mails inqureing about my order.
after two months they finly decided to answere my e-mail and stated that it would ship in a few weeks, as there were some parts on back order.

they stated that they would not ship a order untill it is filled completely.
well I told them to cancel the order and they got very rude and said that they did not need my busness any more.
needless to say I do not order from them any more

[WA4TM]

I've never used them myself, but when shopping I saw these reviews: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1982

Wow,,, looks like a pretty bad track record to me.. Of course I got tired after reading the first page, but only saw very few positive comments, there could be more on the next 5 pages, but I am not willing to spend the time to read more...

Bottom line, I think I would look elsewhere!!

[W1JL]

I've ordered from them once, recently. Like you, I was looking for some harder to find items that they carried. As has been mentioned, it took several weeks for the order to ship, but it did ship and the product was good and well packaged. Long story short, if you're not in any hurry, go for it. If you can't afford to wait a month or two, find someone else.

Josh, K1XLG.

[N2RJ]

I've ordered from them twice with no problems.

[K1CJS]

I have heard from a close friend who orders regularly from them that the business in still open and operating, but the father semi-retired a couple of years or so back and the son is now running things. The father took the business and its customers seriously, however the son isn't doing that good a job running things. He gets things done when he feels like it--and so the reputation of the store is now in the ####ter. Oh, and yes, even if he's there he lets the phone just ring and ring.

Some orders for in stock goods get shipped promptly, others wait and wait until a shipment of parts comes in. I've also heard the father has threatened to take things over again if the son doesn't get his act together. Junior shapes up for a few weeks and then slacks off again.

Bottom line--if you want your parts and need them quickly, order from elsewhere. If you can afford to wait for the hard to find parts and the pricing, order from them.

[WA9SVD]

Guess their reputation and service have gone downhill recently. Obviously, don't oeder anything you need in a hurry. Too bad, really. they do have some rather unique or difficult to find items. But their delays and neglecting to notify customers of such can get them in trouble with the Postal authorities.

[w8znx]

As such, it probably IS a relatively "small" business, and the cost of doing walk-in business just isn't justified.

no no no

by this standard anybody

selling retail
mail order out of their bedroom/basement/garage
has a brick and mortar shop

he does not want to keep regular hours

if he realy has a building
and does not let in customers
he can let it become a dump

has little to do with cost

I own a real brick and mortar
open 6 days a week
hours posted by the door
walk in retail store

mac

[wd4et]

I have used OS Electronics for a number of years. I have mainly purchased kits for my science classes. Until a year or so ago, the service was very good. As mentioned by others they have become quite slow. Once the items are received the quality is good. I still use them but I make sure to order early.

Jeff

[KG4RUL]

I made the mistake of ordering on-line. Of the 27 items ordered, the confirmation E-Mail listed 23 as back-ordered. There was NO INDICATION ON THE ON-LINE PAGE THAT ANYTHING WAS OTHER THAN IN-STOCK!!!

So, comes the odyssey of trying to cancel an order!

The phone is ALWAYS busy - E-Mails go unanswered - FAXes go unanswered!!!

Since I never got any items shipped I can only guess that they saw either the FAXes or E-Mails and canceled my order.

I give OSE a -10 in customer relations!!! :mad:

[N1LAF]

Ocean State is nearby to me. I have been there a few times. It is a one man show, Frank, he is a ham. He may be a little overwhelmed at times. I think I will drop by to say hello. He has lots of parts in stock, I've seen it, but there are other things that are not in stock, and he is at the mercy of his distributors. No justification, but I have ordered things, they arrived within a couple weeks, and I also picked up.