Component packs for a beginner?

[georgio]

hi - i used to dabble in electronics quite a bit when i was younger (over 40 yrs ago) - i'm now retired & am interested in taking up the hobby again.

i have no components at the minute but have seen component packs in ebay ie 1500 pieces ( breadboard, 555, 741, leds.... etc) for £20 - that seems ok to me however would value an opinion or alternative suggestion regarding.

[Biomed]

Ebay is OK and at least you're usually covered via Paypal if you're ripped off. I think buying resistors, capacitors, etc, on Ebay shouldn't be a problem but I wouldn't buy some of the more "complicated" (for want of a better word) semi-conductors and integrated circuits. Delivery times can be weeks which may or may not be a problem.

Always found Rapid Electronics and CPC fine for most things in the UK.