Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Over 70 years
What is your primary product or service?
Electronic Surplus
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
E.S.I. was started by Clyde Daniels back before 1930 when he was selling all types of material. He then progressed to Military surplus after World War 2 when his son Dick joined him after serving on PT boats in the Navy. Dick's mother Ida Maye completed the family operation.
The third generation Rick and his Uncle Clyde and cousin Gary Snyder started in the 1960's and have since moved from their world famous downtown location on Prospect, to Broadway and NOW TO MENTOR.
We are very proud of our history of involvement in helping so many North Eastern Ohio companies that got their start and are continuing to build specialized and sensitive electronic instrumentation and medical technology in Cleveland; partly because of their engineers access to such a variety of the highest quality electronic parts at the surplus prices. My grandfather sold Heathkit's first resistors and my father bought out much of Magnavox when they closed down their Chicago plant to move their manufacturing overseas. More recently, we have purchased from most of the major Aerospace companies during the cold war space race. The companies include Allen Bradley, Bailey Controls, GE, Gould Labs, Hickok, Electrical Instrument Co., IBM, Kodak, Lockheed, Los Alamos Labs, NASA, Ohio Scientific, Technicare, Tektronix, Triplett, XEROX, and so many other sources whom still wish to remain confidential and passed that really interesting test equipment and those highest quality parts along to our loyal customers in Ohio, the US, and internationally.
All of the Schools, Universities, Hospitals, and Broadcast stations have at one time or another counted on us to keep them running. Sometimes engineers would come in and purchase competitors products to open them up and see what the "other guys" way of doing things was. The inventors of the CB radio, thermal paper Fax machine, Bug "Zappers" and so many other people we have not seen in decades, and cannot immediately remember were all customers and friends of ours.
Now, with the advent of the Internet we are specializing on electro-mechanical parts and semiconductors that are not as available now as they were in the past, At least not to the "little guy". Please take the time to check us out. We welcome your comments and will strive to improve our inventory and service to keep American's in the business of inventing.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
There are just are not many Electronic Surplus companies in the area for one. We also have all of our items in stock and priced directly on our website at www.electronicsurplus.com. Finally, 3 generations of expertise helps too!
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We have just one location now in Mentor.
Provide detailed directions to your location
We are in Mentor off of Rt 2 and exit 615. Take Tyler east. We are on the corner of Tyler, Hopkins and Munson in the back of the green warehouse building.
What type of payments do you accept?
All Major Credit Cards, Cash, and Certified Check.
Which areas do you service?
All over the world.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
n/a
What are your hours of operation?
Order 24 hours a day on our web at www.electronicsurplus.com. Our retail store hours are M-F 11am-3pm and Saturdays, 10am-1pm.