Just FYI for those of you in Zurich:

Sure, you can get a soldering iron at Migros (and yes, I mean Migros, not Obi -- bigger ones carry soldering gear) or whatever. But for components, you need a real electronics place. Sure, Conrad is great and there's one out in Dietlikon. But if you actually need advice, check out a true old-school electronics shop. There's only one in Zurich any more: Pusterla. (Ignore the prehistoric website and go in person.)