SEG Market - What a shopping experience

I saw this video on the ultimate electronics shopping experience.  I can't imagine having the ability to have on demand access to components like this:

If you don't have time to check out the video, I reposted the content from DangerousPrototypes.com:



SEG market is the best known electronic part market in Hua Qiang Bei neighborhood. It’s two giant floors of component and tool stands. The upper floors are full of computer parts and consumer electronics, also very cool, but we’re here for the electronics.
This is an overview of the second floor of SEG Market. It’s not as crowded and narrow as the 1st floor. Check the ultimate stop on our Global Geek Tour below the break.


Small glass display cases with sample components line each isle of the market floor. If you ask to see a component the shop owner slides open the top and pulls it out. Sample quantities are usually available for immediate sale, but larger quantities of many things are couriered from somewhere nearby in 5-10 minutes.
Stands represent distributors or factories. There’s lots of stands with the exact same thing, either from competing manufacturers or distributors. Parts like switches, pin headers, coin cell holders, pogo pins, programming adapters, and LEDs are all sold like this.

Stands with wire piles do custom cable assembly. The stand on the right is numbered 2368. Each stand has a business card with its number to help you find it again.

Each stand has a card. Take the card and write down the price of stuff you like. Use the stand number printed on the card to find your way back later.This stand has bundles of cold cathode tubes.
Tully, one of our guides, said it was more important to build a relationship than bargain. Once you have a relationship the price is the same for 1 or 1000. This in mind, on the second day we also gave our card, which was accepted graciously by everyone.

Breakout boards for potted chips. These are the kind of low cost chips you see in calculators and watches, they bond directly to the PCB. This stand has breakouts for several dozen.

The ultimate selection of programming adapters. SOIC, SSOP, QFP, QFN, even 10×10 ball grid arrays! Unfortunately nobody was there to give us prices.

You need magnets? We got 1000 for about two bucks.

This shop was well equipped with all kind of programmers and development boards. Notice the number – 2860 – this is printed on the business card too so you can find it again.

Part displays get creative. Most stands are run by salespeople, not engineers.

Despite the six floor market dedicated to LEDs across the street, SEG Market also has all kinds of LED and LED sign shops.

A stand with two dozen different microscopes. We bought the USB version of this scope. Look for a review later today.

Checking out a photography light box. The SEG price was half of the Hong Kong price, and exactly the same as on TaoBao (the Chinese eBay).

On the 3rd and up to the 10th floor there were more shops, but unfortunately no more component shops, only consumer electronics stores. Prices on components beat anywhere else, but a lot of the consumer electronics are more expensive than in the US.
Lets move on to the next component market!

What SEG Market looks like from the outside.