- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Active Surplus
Categories: Shopping Computers Shopping Home & Garden Hardware Stores Computers, Hardware Stores [Edit]
347 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2A4
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Queen Street West, Downtown Core
(416) 593-0909
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 9 pm
Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
18 reviews for Active Surplus
Review Highlights
-
"...to the "ACTIVE SURPLUS; YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND..." In 3 reviews -
"It's good for cables, especially, and some kinds of..." In 6 reviews -
"...also maybe slightly less geeky electronics/hi-fi/computer..." In 4 reviews
Loading...
18 reviews in English
-
Review from Firstname L.
2/19/2012
A 'real' surplus store in the spirit of the electronics junk stores I used to visit on Canal St. in NYC in the 80s and 90s. Reminiscent of the Silicon Valley electronics junk stores. It also reminded me a lot of the American Science and Surplus stores (used to be JerryCo) in the Chicago area.
Real random assortment of stuff; not too expensive, but not dirt cheap either (I assume rents in Toronto are not cheap).
If you are into electronics or just 'junk', you owe it to yourself to check this place out (as well as the other branch of Active Surplus on Steele in Markham).
It can be hard to find parking here, as in all of downtown Toronto. -
Review from Lynn C.
9/26/2011
There isn't anything you can't find in there. Rotary phones, ps2 converters, serial cables, any jack you're looking for, any ac adapter you're looking for, any engine parts you're looking for, medical equipments, chemistry tools....ANYTHING YOU'RE LOOKING FOR. All here. All cheap. Did I mention CHEAP?
They are also helpful, knowledgeable, and super friendly.
I love this place. -
Review from waeza s.
Toronto, ON
10/5/2011
I recently bought an HDMI cable from this place to hook up my Moshi mini adapter to my MacBook Pro. I had been searching for an HDMI cable that would be both reliable and would fit my price range. This place gave me a killer HDMI cable that works like a charm for only $11 tax included; Perfectly beautiful picture quality with my standard Samsung HD TV.
If you can get past the simple, cheap looking plastic wrapping that it comes in ---which initially makes the product look sketchy and unreliable--- you're in for a pleasant surprise.
Also, their return/exchange policy allows you to exchange for another cable if the product does not work with receipt.
One star off because the woman at the counter made me feel like an idiot after I asked her where the HDMI cables were located in the store. The man at the counter was nice and helpful though.
My colleague recommended this place to me and I am recommending this place to anyone who is looking for a quality HDMI cable for a good price that is Macbook compatible. -
Review from Noel D.
12/8/2010
I'm going to be making a trip to Active Surplus in a few days so I thought I would finally finish my review... I couldn't live without electronic surplus shops because when it comes to getting something simple like RCA cables or various adapters then you're going to get absolutely robbed at other electronic shops like Radio Shack or even Best Buy.
I need to get a specific AC adapter for my Serato box and it's nice to know that not only will they have what I'm looking for, but they'll have a variety of models and prices for me to choose from. Only problem is that I will have to wander the aisles a little bit because I can never seem to find what I'm looking for due to the store's somewhat randomness. Or maybe I am just getting old and can't navigate like I used to.
I will likely ask for help, which is something I don't really like doing here because they sort of make me feel like an idiot. I get this feeling they judge you based on what you're purchasing, sort of like snobby record store clerks or getting pad thai at a Thai restaurant. But I will still go here for my extension chords, A/V cables and other knick-knacks I didn't think I needed when I walked in the store. -
Review from Michelle V.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2009 ROTD 3/6/2010
I can't write a review for Active Surplus without calling attention to the "ACTIVE SURPLUS; YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND" though I find it inaccurate. What he should be barking is: "ACTIVE SURPLUS; YOU'LL PROBABLY FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR!"
Example the first: A while ago, I threw a Halloween party and naturally thought we should do raspberry sour puss shots from vials or test tubes complete with cork stoppers. Active Surplus had them in the "Chemistry" aisle.
Example the second: The following year for my Halloween costume, I went as V.I.C.I. (yes, that's Voice Input Child Identicant aka Vicki from Small Wonder http://en.wikipedia.or...). I needed a computer motherboard to add to the robotic feature of my costume and BAM, Active Surplus for the rescue for cheap!
Example the third: I want to bake a cake that has something spinning on it so went to search for a small motor and an enclosed battery compartment with a switch. You guessed it, I found it at Active Surplus.
After climbing a narrow staircase, the store is fairly large and broken up into appropriate aisles. The place does require some careful searching and you might be there longer than you intend but it is well-organized.
Do not make this your last resort spot for finding those little essential material for whatever your project is at the moment. Whatever you're looking for, you probably will find it... eventually. -
Review from Bijan V.
8/12/2008
Mostly an electronics surplus store, Active Surplus does really sell a lot of random things. The store is best represented by the completely RANDOM gorilla (no, not a real one) they have outside of the store which kind of gives you an idea of how random this store is!
But if you`re looking for the random capacitor to infrared diode to army men, lights, random connections and wires, then this is the place to go! -
Review from Kat F.
2/18/2009
I defy you to not find what you're looking for (as well as stuff you didn't know you were looking for in the first place) while trolling the aisles in Active Surplus. There is a perplexing amount of 'stuff' in this store. I have no idea what 95% of it is used for - cables, wires, spark plugs, bulbs, bits, etc. - but I'm sure someone has a use for it.
Essentially you can approach the counter with only the vaguest of descriptions of what you're looking for and the staff will be able to point you to exact section of the store where you can find it. "I need one of those things that lets me listen to my iPod on my stereo...you know??"
You can also find things like iPod chargers, network cabling and outlet covers for DIRT CHEAP. Way cheaper than at a computer or hardware store. Check here first! -
Review from Kat T.
10/14/2009
Active Surplus You never know what you're going to find.
Know what I found? A cordless phone. When I returned it, I got a store credit. Know what I found then?
Dental Mirror
5 packs of AA batteries
Pen with random logo
Ear buds
Sleeves for CD storage
more batteries...
Antenna for the TV- it got returned (you can't steal cable)
Nails
small tooth wood saw
more batteries.
Thanks gorilla. -
Review from cailen s.
Oakville, ON
3/30/2009
It's funny because I've walked by this place so many times without ever going in. All I could remember was this dude out front who would shout 'YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND AT ACTIVE SURPLUS' and slight variations therein.
Turns out he was right. I really didn't know what I would find when I first sauntered up the steps to the 2nd floor store.
There is so much shit in this place that based on volume alone you couldn't possibly walk around and not find something that you didn't realize you needed. Even if you don't intend on buying it's worth having a peruse. -
Review from Nick P.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2010
Solid little surplus store with authentic military issue garments and accessories. From hats, to boots, to parkas to handcuffs. Friendly service with great deals if the owner is in a jovial mood. I bought two pairs of german army pants. This is not the GAP so finding sizes and styles are challenging. However, they will help until you are happy. I will not say this is a bargain basement retailer. So be prepared to pay a competitive price for exactly what you are looking for.
-
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2008
All I can say about this place is wow. I am not an engineer nor do I play one on tv but this place brought out the inner engineer in me. This place is like one giant miscellaneously drawer and it made me shockingly happy. They had motors of all sizes, what do you need a motor for? What don't you need a motor for, fuses of all shapes and sizes, adapters for anything compasses of all shapes and sizes. On the sign they say that they buy and sell anything and I can honestly say that they are speaking the complete truth. The décor is rustic to put it nicely and you will be hard pressed to find more store help with beards anywhere else in the city, but if you are looking for that particular doohickey or thingamajig I can guarantee they have it here and you will leave the store with a bunch of other stuff you desperately needed.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile. -
Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
9/28/2008
Active Surplus sells a great bunch of spare parts, weird knickknacks, and supplies that are hard to get elsewhere. Plexiglass cubes, anyone? It's good for cables, especially, and some kinds of electronics--mostly hobbyist stuff. The computer stuff tends to be from the bronze age (mid 1990s), and the selection varies. But the WTF Award goes to the box of spare plastic doll arms.
I also get a kick out of the junk-shop ethic. It's a shame that the famously incongruous fake gorilla no longer stands outside (they keep him at the top of the stairs now). But there are nice touches: the tray full of digital clock displays has a sign that says, "Get a digital display so that when you oversleep for school you can blame it on your crappy homemade alarm clock." -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2008
I've been here a bunch of times, sometimes for work related things, and other times for myself. They've got tons of stuff here. They've got every size and shape of standard screws (but not special screws you may need to repair a camera or something.) They've got electronics, the pieces of electronics, cables, headsets, etc.
In actuality, while this place seems amazing, it's not a be-all-end-all for whatever you need. It's more of a DIY superstore, where you can buy the parts for whatever project may consume your spare time.
They certainly have a focus on electronic and hardware related things, but they also have plenty of other odds and ends. It's the sort of place that you just need to check out. -
Review from Carmen D.
9/4/2010
shelves and bins of "surplus" surprises, screws, pins, plates, wires . . . components of every kind.
came here when my flipcam got busted. got the girls out to ensure prompt service.
3 guys tried to help, were even willing to solder for me, but in the end, it wasn't a "safe" fix.
they didn't charge me for trying to fix it for me, and they didn't charge me for the small metal pieces they tried fixing it with.
come here sober if you're looking for something specific, but come altered if you want to get lost for an hour "discovering" small items in bins.Listed in: TDot Adventures
-
Review from Vanessa V.
8/6/2008
one of the best stores ever, as far as i'm concerned. their motto is "we buy and sell anything"-- and although its not entirely true, they do their best. i've bought everything here from batteries to spraypaint to poster-board to army men. they even sell random doll limbs. for stuff like hardware and duct tape, you won't find better prices anywhere in downtown toronto. i bought a glue gun for $5 and its been working great for a year now.
as an art school student, this place is a godsend. it's right next to ocad and it can be really inspirational if you're inspired by dirty hardware stores (i know i am!)
they have student discount cards too which is a huge plus (it's 10% off i believe)Listed in: i'm not your friend, guy
-
Review from Sarah O.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2010
i'd give it more stars if the staff didn't make me feel like i had the brains of a monkey. i dread having to ask for assistance so it was with great hesitation i shuffled up to the counter. i felt like he was a few steps short of saying "are you a moron? why are you trying to hook this to that??" maybe it was the same condescending guy that i dealt with before (my memory for faces is pretty faulty) or maybe i just have low self-esteem.
despite my dislike for their staff (or perhaps one jerky staff member), this place is great for finding all kinds of odds n' ends! -
Review from Dan T.
Nobleton, ON
7/18/2010
I love this store! When I'm looking for something, and don't know what it is yet, they have it. Friendly staff, good prices, and the stuff in stock changes constantly, so there is always something new to discover. I just wish I lived close to downtown so I could visit more often.
-
Review from Andy O.
1/12/2011
this store is an absolute god-send for every geek (and also maybe slightly less geeky electronics/hi-fi/computer enthusiasts)!!
how did it take me half a year to find out about this?!
if there was a "geek's guide to toronto", this store would advertise on the first page!
no more looking for gear at obscure, tiny computer hardware stores,
no more looking for gear at often overpriced chain stores (looking at you, best buy).
yes, you might get some of the stuff they sell (for instance various computer cables) even cheaper on ebay but in comparison to all the other "electronics stores" (wouldn't dare to call them that) around toronto, this one already is very cheap and has a gigantic selection!
indeed, considering that selection they might even have e.g. some obscure adapters you might NOT get on ebay. and unlike ebay, you obviously get the product instantly. so a really great place to go e.g. if your computer goes bye-bye, you left your usb stick at your parent's in vancouver and you just want a damn floppy disk to boot and fix the damn thing. or if you desperately need a cable you might not even get at best buy or might have to pay 3-4 times as much for. or... aren't the situations in which we quickly want some electronic thing sheer endless? ;)
be very sure though about what you buy, as there is no cash/debit/credit refund.
and at least one guy at the checkout might look a little intimidating (the bullet shells next to the counter don't help...) but having talked to him a bit because of exchanging a cable i bought, i feel like he's really an alright guy.
