This place is on Cornelius Pass just north of hwy 26. They sell lots of electronic components- stuff like Radio Shack used to sell before they became a cell phone store. I just found the place the other day. They also have stuff in the store that's not online. Pretty cool.

http://www.surplusgizmos.com/

That aircraft style lock out toggle switch looked cool UNTIL I spotted the Jesus fish on top of the webpage. Now the cool factor has disappeared.

Is there a discount for mentioning Jesus or something? Perhaps the products are Jesus-Approved?

Shane, Did you go to the store? I've driven past it dozens of times but have never stopped.

I think I'll stop next time I'm out that way!

Thanks for the post.

I have shopped there. As the name suggests, you will find a lot of overstock, closeout, and even used items within those walls. You have to be willing to spend some time sorting through items on the shelves to get the most out of this store.

Nice!!!

I love those places. Having moved to the west side, I'm missing some of my usual haunts. Thanks Alfredo.

I love that store! It's an electro-nerd's wet dream.
Another good one is Cascade Surplus (www.cascadesurplus.com) And of course R5D3,off of Johnson Creek (Milwaukie area)

Probably should rename it Geek's Paradise.

or electro nerd heaven. Hey...when your there, ask them about the fish!

The last time that I went to Surplus Gizmos, I came across some selenium rectifiers (!!), which had been pulled from equipment. I also saw a number of medium and large-sized open-frame variable capacitors that could be used to build antenna tuners or to build a crystal radio for a classroom demonstration.

ask them about the fish!

Be careful what you wish for. I speak out on these things. I left a shopping cart of merchandise at the checkout stand somewhere when I spotted something that had no place in a business. If a business wants to turn off some customers from the get go, I suppose they can. But right now its hard to think about Surplus Gizmos without thinking of people like Herb, Wayne and . . . , you?

I'll just have to think about how much I really want those aircraft lockout switches.

The Fish might have been the radio station that was playing in the store when I walked in. Having said that, I didn't get any kind of a sermon when I shopped there. How can a fish logo, Herb, Wayne, or Broadway Dan impact aircraft lockout switches, anyway?

I'm listening to an amplifier I built using some chips I got from SurplusGizmos..
Not a bad sounding little amp,for an evening project.

http://www.surplusgizmos.com/Toshiba-TA8261AH-40-Watt-Low-Voltage-Amplifier-Chip -s_p_51-215.html

How can a fish logo, Herb, Wayne, or Broadway Dan impact aircraft lockout switches, anyway?

I don't want to knowingly give my money to someone who is likely to use some of the money to oppose my causes and jam THEIR causes down my throat.

Right now, fair or not, the fish symbol brings to mind the worst of the 23%ers. While there are some that are deserving of my dollars, unfortunately they didn't take a stand and shout down the 23% when it counted.

We're getting off topic, but a smart businessman would try to remain politically (and religiously) neutral as possible to get maxiumum return from the investment in their business, don't you think?


Update . . .

I visited the website again to give it another go and just overlook the fish . . . and I found this:

Our business is based around Proverbs 22:1 [and quotes part of it] . . .
With this in mind may God bless you and enjoy your shopping.

Herb comes to mind. Sorry.

I'm no fan of religion either,but..
At least he means well,and is likely to be a nice,honest guy.
Second,It's his right. And choosing not to shop there is your right. Seems fair to me.

I agree that business should remain 'neutral',but even I can tend to overlook things like that,and I'm very much anti/non-religious,myself.

Go aircraft lockout switches!

I'll support a Christian based business or a secular based business if I have a choice.

I second Monkeyboy's statement; It's his right. And choosing not to shop there is your right.

Of course it's his right, but it's still bad business. And just because they are bible thumpers does not mean they are nice, honest guys. Quite the opposite sometimes.

At least he didn't quote and twist some obscure supposedly anti-abortion, anti-gay passage.

Why is it bad business? Please explain.

>>just because they are bible thumpers does not mean they are nice, honest guys

well they should always be honest and nice...kinda the good Godly Biblical thing to do for others and just makes common sense business-wise...not to say that non-biblical thinkers can't be honest and nice...

It's bad business because you are promoting your business using a divisive technique. For every bible thumper you attract due to the fish, there could be countless others you push away. It should be the goal of every business that wants to succeed to attract all the customers they can and not lead anyone to your competitor. While I have very strong beliefs about religion and politics, I would never bring them up with any of my clients because I would not want to jeapordize any of those relationships due to topics unrelated to the business at hand. Of course any business owner is free to do what they want, but I'm sure most business consultants would agree with me.

I actually think that those businesses that display the fish sign believe that it will draw more customers than it will push away. They are kind of naive that way.

I know that's what they believe as well. But, they aren't thinking about those that will avoid them.

The reasons why an entrepreneur would use the fish logo in his business are a mystery to me. I am of the mentality that it is best to keep ideologies and other things that are not related to the business out of business dealings. Nonetheless, the fish logo doesn't sway me one way or the other in my selection of merchants.

Yes, I did stop in. Alfredo is right- lots of bins and a "Costco" style, warehouse feel. Yeah, I saw the fish too. I also talked to the owner, and he seemed like a nice, knowledgeable guy. I don't care what his worldview or religion is.

BTW- No more drunk postings for me! I messed up on the title of this thread!

>>Perhaps the products are Jesus-Approved?

Did He give the product ideas to someone?

I think the only time it's bad business to show any kind of political or religious symbol is if you don't have any business because of those symbols.

Whose to say if they hinder, deter or bring in customers. I don't think owners are totally naive to the think it will bring in more business or not. It's a personal thing with the owner.

We don't use the fish symbol on any of our advertising however in many conversations with perspective clients or clients I am already working with, some do ask me if I am a Christian. I often ask them why do you ask? The comment I often get is because of the way I treated them. I never give any indication of religious beliefs to any business associates, I try and let my abilities speak for themselves.

It's always an interesting moment when that happens. The other question I get asked is if I'm in radio and I totally lie and say no.

Sounds like a neat store! I have been missing Wacky Willys for a couple of years... Who knows, I might even leave a few pieces of paper that say "In God we trust" behind as I exit.

LOL @ Chris!

That's just great. I can see you just dead pan it too, waiting for their awkward backing out of it.

Classic.

IMHO, posting up the religion in the business doesn't bother me. The way I look at it is they might want to strike up a conversation with somebody interested. That's a side benefit of running the business.

If they push it, I always do the same thing:

1. Go collect up some expensive items.

2. Bring them to the register, or if they bring it up at the register, I leave and start with #1

3. Let them obtain the total.

4. While this is happening, I bring up some of the really ugly stuff, casually, looking to see their reaction.

5. If that reaction is negative, I'm sure enough that I'm just dealing with somebody who enjoys their religion, and I don't worry and I'll water down the purchase and leave it at that.

6. If it's positive, or they start down that road of bad advocacy, like "Isn't Dobson just doing the most wonderful work!". I let them know just how wonderful that work is, and keep letting them know until they push back, at which point...

7. I leave the goods on the counter, with a gentle reminder that not everybody tolerates hate, bigotry, theocracy and other good conservative christian values.

8. If there are others in the store, I get to score bonus points by roping them in to the exchange.


Yeah, I'm a bastard when I'm in the right mood. Sue me.

Funny how dollars can be potent and effective advocacy.

"I also talked to the owner, and he seemed like a nice, knowledgeable guy. I don't care what his worldview or religion is."

Same here.He was very helpful when I've been in there.We chatted a bit,and he seemed like a good guy.
Religious or not,he's got a neat shop,It's been a great parts resource so far!