Vetco Electronics

Category:	Electronic Parts Supplier
Address:	12718 Northup Way #100, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Phone:	+1 425-641-7275
Site:	vetco.net
Rating:	4.3
Working:	8:30AM–6PM 8:30AM–6PM 8:30AM–6PM 8:30AM–6PM 8:30AM–6PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM

Location

Photos 50

Reviews 8

Gavin Spesock

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 great experience.

John Miles

Apparently, a lot of people wander into this place thinking theyve found an overstocked Radio Shack store or an underendowed Frys. That isnt what Vetco is. In many cities, a store like this would be a trade-only wholesale outlet where those of us who build stuff for fun and occasional profit wouldnt be able to shop at all. Selection and service at Vetco is geared toward engineers and advanced technical hobbyists, not someone looking to buy a cell phone and join the Battery-of-the-Month club. Those of us in the former categories know were lucky to have a place like this in town. Their inventory is amazingly well-curated, and has only gotten better over the last ten years or so. I cant speak to the customer-service issues except to say that Ive never had any complaints myself. I dont expect free consulting services from the guys behind the counter... but I will say that when Ive overheard other customers asking basic questions about part selection and construction advice, Ive only heard the employees respond courteously, answering the customers question as best as they could be expected to. Frequently the best answer is, in fact, "Heres a reference book/supplier catalog/computer, look it up." Hey, thats more than youll get at Radio Shack these days!

A Private User

Walked in over the weekend. Asked about ways to optimize a powerline network, got bad advice from sales staff. Had to make the 10 mile drive to come back the next day to get the correct parts after I did the research online. No apology for the bad advice which necessitated my return. They actually seem bothered when you ask questions. Service not only deficient but also painstakingly slow. Finally went back today to return everything. Ended up ordering same cables and components online from a reputable dealer at ~50% of Vetcos price. Bottom line: Vetco has a large selection but you better know exactly what you want and be ready to pay a huge mark-up for the luxury of immediate gratification, versus ordering online and having to wait for a few days. If you have some technical competency and an idea of what you need do yourself a favor and do your research in advance online. Taking advice from these guys will result in frustration and wasted time.

Anonymous

I like to support local retailers and they do have a nice selection of parts but the RUDE customer service cancels a lot of that out. Returned an item that was unopened and purchased the day before and got a rude response - guy threw my money on the counter and side-armed pitched the item in the trash. Further questions were responded to similarly, overall rudeness and non-caring attitude . They have some younger folks that really try to help and are quite knowledgeable but some of the older guys are generally unfriendly and less than helpful. I have noticed this also in the past and chose to overlook it but from now on, unless it is an emergency and I just cant wait, I will buy online and live with the wait. Their loss but with their attitude they probably dont care about that either….. too bad.

stephen barth

My experience was horrible I purchased a soldering iron and it leaked butane so I went and returned exchanged it an hour later and was asked to leave the store. The man said he was going to return it this time but I was never allowed back in the store and he would not give me a reason why, I was a paying customer and I have been there before with a good experience. The young man behind the counter was so rude and disrespectful. They will never have my business again and I encourage anybody to not go there, find a different electronic store because if you have a problem they will not treat you with respect. The new product that they did finally exchange also leaks butane. I hope a possible lawsuit is what you desire in the future.

A Private User

This is the kind of place every town needs. Its the last of its kind in the Seattle area. They have a large selection of parts. Prices - Prices are higher than from online sources, but its a wash by the time shipping charges are added. People who are expecting to pay internet prices should realize this. Also - those internet places are all warehouses - with no retail walkup counter like Vetco has. The staff looks to be a mix of retired engineers/repair men and younger "kids". They are helpful - but by no means "expert electical engineers". They do know the inventory pretty well and can tell you if they have the item you are looking for. Ill keep going back to them - its a Seattle area treasure.

Rob McGuire-Dale

One of the employees (owner? Older guy, 59", glasses, big lips) is very unfriendly and is rude. Doesnt seem to know anything about his own electronics. Always gets angry and tells you to "look it up," but then cant explain to you how. The other employees Ive dealt with are much more friendly, but they also dont seem to know much. Big selection of parts, but almost everything is overpriced. Youll end up paying almost twice as much for most electronic components. Ill only continue to go back because of the large selection and instant gratification of being able to hold the parts in my hand before I buy them.

A Private User

Rod R 10-2009 The store has a large stock of cables, connectors, wall plates, HDMI distribution equipment, tools and nearly anything required to install a high end home entertainment system. High quality equipment at reasonable prices. Since the other review was written in 2005 the product mix has changed to focus on all things home entertainment installation. Although the store has a very complete stock of installation equipment it is not the place for the TV, Receiver, and other major system components.