Yeah I think they don't really know what they want to do at this point. The only decently run stores I've seen are privately owned ones. They're generally smaller stores, skip all the personal electronics (laptops, tablets, cell phones) and stick things like cables (stereo, computer, speaker wire, etc.), batteries, well stocked drawers of DIY stuff, bulbs, soldering irons, etc.
I talked to the owner of one and he said they've had fantastic sales in the last few years. So whatever it is they're doing, it's something other stores might want to take a look at!
As for the best deals, I'd say the Panavises, Parallax LCDs ($10), Proto Shields ($5) and the Xbee Kits ($10). I got about 5 of the Xbee kits and at least 10 LCDs. Not sure how many of the Proto Shields I got.
I'm debating on what to do with these two unopened BASIC Stamp Activity Kits. On the one hand, there's a servo, USB to Serial adapter, and other miscellaneous parts in there. On the other hand, I kind of wish I could figure out a way to give them to a kid or something who's interested in electronics but doesn't have the means to acquire stuff like this.
timb I think that is an excellent idea. I have a 80Mhz DSO I have thought about giving a kid on these forums. The problem for me is how do you go about choosing which kid?
They do make obscene profits on the extras. Next time you go to a phone store and buy a case that's 5X overpriced, listen carefully to the snickering behind you as you walk out...
A common business model, that. Off-hand movie theatres, bicycle shops, new cars, gas stations are almost never without a convienience store attaced.
The primary product is low margin. Gotta' sell respectively; popcorn and sugar water; helmets, gloves, >$300 pedal/shoe systems(*) etc.; rust coating' pin stripes etc; and lastly C-stores are chok-full of high-margin junk.
A "system" in marketing is often a trick to buy a bunch of inter-connected, propriitory (sp) stuff.
timb I think that is an excellent idea. I have a 80Mhz DSO I have thought about giving a kid on these forums. The problem for me is how do you go about choosing which kid?
Maybe we could start a thread and where people could donate gear and supplies to kids who need it? We could have the kids write little mini-essays about why they need the gear and what they'd do with it? Hell, if it goes well maybe we even get Parallax to donate some stuff!
Parallax does quite a bit as it is. The scope I have has 2 problems but is brand new. The first problem is I took it apart to get a looksee at the insides and when I put it back together the power switch is broke in the on position.
The second problem is one of the scope leads the ground clip has been cut off. Other than that it is in good working condition and still in the box. I would like it to go to a kid that really could use it, not one that might put it aside
because they won it in a contest. I will be keeping an eye out for a deserving kid. Good luck with whatever you end up doing with all of that R.S. stuff.
timb I think that is an excellent idea. I have a 80Mhz DSO I have thought about giving a kid on these forums. The problem for me is how do you go about choosing which kid?
I can help with that. I know lots of kids who would appreciate such a generous gift ( I am a HS teacher).
Another idea would be to ask for recommendations from their teachers who get to know them very well. A lot of kids are very worthy but would be intimidated with the idea of writing an essay. There are a lot of kids out there who fall under the radar and need some helpful encouragement.
Rich
I'm debating on what to do with these two unopened BASIC Stamp Activity Kits. On the one hand, there's a servo, USB to Serial adapter, and other miscellaneous parts in there. On the other hand, I kind of wish I could figure out a way to give them to a kid or something who's interested in electronics but doesn't have the means to acquire stuff like this.
What do you guys think?
Halloween is almost here. You could whip up something your Stamp kits and then show it off to the local kids and get their interest or you could donate to poor EE students.
Halloween is almost here. You could whip up something your Stamp kits and then show it off to the local kids and get their interest or you could donate to poor EE students.
I could give the kits instead of candy to the kid(s) who can answer the following question: "What is an oscilloscope?"
Kids who can answer "What is a multimeter?" will get a simple Velleman kit, soldering iron and roll of solder. (All of which were on clearance!)
Actually if you are serious about donating equipment starting a new discussion about donations would be a great idea so the concept is not buried in a RS thread that has limited interest time...once the clearance is over this thread will die.
As for PING discounts, every story that we have visited has had them for $15-20 new...returns have gone for $2-3.
As I said before, if you want the bargains...and make no mistake there have been lots of them...you have to go to every store in person. The RS website and store personnel are in complete disarray bailing the USS Radio Shack to keep her afloat so you have to do your own legwork for buys...they are trying to save their jobs.
FWIW...this is likely to be the best clearance for hobbyists in YEARS considering the enormous discounts and vast array of items being discounted. The vulture sites of Slick Deals, Fat Wallet, ect. can't buy the stuff fast enough to flip. The only unfortunate thing is that RS has so little of do-it-yourself in regards to what it used to carry. This clearance is clearing the backrooms of stuff sold long ago and forgotten..just the stuff hobbyists want.
My latest buy....a case of unopened Boebots that were overlooked in a clearance years ago....for $1.00...to go along with the $5 Vex robots that have been surfacing as the scavenger search continues.
Or my "best" buy so far...a full featured working weather station...for FREE...better than any free battery that I ever got from RS.
I would say I picked a great time to reenter the hobby.
If they start closing RS stores down again you'll find great deals there too. A couple of years ago when RS closed down a lot of their stores one local to me closed down. I remember the last week they were open they had a sign saying all stock was 70% off! At the time I wasn't much into electronics so I didn't go in. I could've kicked myself. At least this time around I scored some good buys.
Parallax had a program where they would provide the hardware to introduce teachers to Parallax but I haven't heard about it recently so I don't know if it's still in effect or has been discontinued.
I think it would be great though that if you donated hardware that you purchased if Parallax would make a matching donation.
Where did you find that stuff TMT? The district store in my area closed about a year ago but they hadn't offered discounts on damaged or discontinued merchandise for several years.
Went into my primary 'Shack this morning looking for a few goodies and was shocked to find the DIY rack empty with everything in a box on the floor. (Please call 911 for medical emergency!) Then the manager came over and said they were just rearranging to make room for some new items coming in Friday or Saturday! Whew! Cancel that trip to the ER!
Where did you find that stuff TMT? The district store in my area closed about a year ago but they hadn't offered discounts on damaged or discontinued merchandise for several years.
We can talk more about that after the clearance is over.
For right now if you want some GREAT buys, go in person to the stores. They are cleaning out the backrooms with goodies galore!
Went into my primary 'Shack this morning looking for a few goodies and was shocked to find the DIY rack empty with everything in a box on the floor. (Please call 911 for medical emergency!) Then the manager came over and said they were just rearranging to make room for some new items coming in Friday or Saturday! Whew! Cancel that trip to the ER!
I was told that the DIY stuff would not be in place until the 1st quarter 2014.
Helped. People understand clearance as overstock of older, but still good, merchandise. By itself it does not have a negative connotation, and it's better to have RS liquidate the stock than try to return it for credit from Parallax. The lower prices mean more people will be exposed to Parallax product -- at least for those stores that weren't ransacked by the imperious hoarders in this thread!
Helped. People understand clearance as overstock of older, but still good, merchandise. By itself it does not have a negative connotation, and it's better to have RS liquidate the stock than try to return it for credit from Parallax. The lower prices mean more people will be exposed to Parallax product -- at least for those stores that weren't ransacked by the imperious hoarders in this thread!
I agree..while we have those who hoarded clearance items, having a sale helps get a product noticed by new users.
The downside is it seems far fewer Parallax products are on Radio Shack shelves. thereby limiting future exposure.
FWIW..stopped by a RS store this afternoon...those crazy folks are clearancing even more product that was not marked down before!
Parallax had a program where they would provide the hardware to introduce teachers to Parallax but I haven't heard about it recently so I don't know if it's still in effect or has been discontinued.
I think it would be great though that if you donated hardware that you purchased if Parallax would make a matching donation.
Donations are helpful, but Parallax is already very^2 generous in many other ways. I am a HS teacher and the message I get through their words and actions is that they are always there to help me and support my students. I favor doing business with companies that I trust and that have a commitment to education, and Parallax is at the top of my list. Sorry if this is off the "Radioshack" thread, but it is relevant to the related topic of successful electronics education marketing.
Throughout our collective deforestation of our local Shacks, perhaps we should have all photo-documented the stores in various levels of picked-over-ness, to compete with this depressing photo collection from Sears (which is very near Radio Shack in my local mall).
Comments
As long as they have what I need at a good value, it can be called anything.
What do you guys think?
A common business model, that. Off-hand movie theatres, bicycle shops, new cars, gas stations are almost never without a convienience store attaced.
The primary product is low margin. Gotta' sell respectively; popcorn and sugar water; helmets, gloves, >$300 pedal/shoe systems(*) etc.; rust coating' pin stripes etc; and lastly C-stores are chok-full of high-margin junk.
A "system" in marketing is often a trick to buy a bunch of inter-connected, propriitory (sp) stuff.
RickInTexas
Maybe we could start a thread and where people could donate gear and supplies to kids who need it? We could have the kids write little mini-essays about why they need the gear and what they'd do with it? Hell, if it goes well maybe we even get Parallax to donate some stuff!
The second problem is one of the scope leads the ground clip has been cut off. Other than that it is in good working condition and still in the box. I would like it to go to a kid that really could use it, not one that might put it aside
because they won it in a contest. I will be keeping an eye out for a deserving kid. Good luck with whatever you end up doing with all of that R.S. stuff.
If you haven't buying during this incredible event, you have really missed a special opportunity.
After this week, the remaining clearance items will be sent to the liquidation company that purchased them.
Interestingly RS is still actively clearancing additional stuff.
And it is not showing up on the website..one has to GO TO THE STORE to find out what is being clearanced.
And now they are handing out $10 coupons for the holiday season.
Happy Hunting!
I can help with that. I know lots of kids who would appreciate such a generous gift ( I am a HS teacher).
Rich
Rich
4 posts is hijacking? 4 pages perhaps...and yeah, starting a new thread was the general idea. :frown:
Anyway, is anyone else seeing the Pings on sale? None of the stores around here have them marked down.
Halloween is almost here. You could whip up something your Stamp kits and then show it off to the local kids and get their interest or you could donate to poor EE students.
I could give the kits instead of candy to the kid(s) who can answer the following question: "What is an oscilloscope?"
Kids who can answer "What is a multimeter?" will get a simple Velleman kit, soldering iron and roll of solder. (All of which were on clearance!)
As for PING discounts, every story that we have visited has had them for $15-20 new...returns have gone for $2-3.
As I said before, if you want the bargains...and make no mistake there have been lots of them...you have to go to every store in person. The RS website and store personnel are in complete disarray bailing the USS Radio Shack to keep her afloat so you have to do your own legwork for buys...they are trying to save their jobs.
FWIW...this is likely to be the best clearance for hobbyists in YEARS considering the enormous discounts and vast array of items being discounted. The vulture sites of Slick Deals, Fat Wallet, ect. can't buy the stuff fast enough to flip. The only unfortunate thing is that RS has so little of do-it-yourself in regards to what it used to carry. This clearance is clearing the backrooms of stuff sold long ago and forgotten..just the stuff hobbyists want.
My latest buy....a case of unopened Boebots that were overlooked in a clearance years ago....for $1.00...to go along with the $5 Vex robots that have been surfacing as the scavenger search continues.
Or my "best" buy so far...a full featured working weather station...for FREE...better than any free battery that I ever got from RS.
I would say I picked a great time to reenter the hobby.
I think it would be great though that if you donated hardware that you purchased if Parallax would make a matching donation.
We can talk more about that after the clearance is over.
For right now if you want some GREAT buys, go in person to the stores. They are cleaning out the backrooms with goodies galore!
I was told that the DIY stuff would not be in place until the 1st quarter 2014.
Standing near the DIY racks while Forumistas decend on the Shack is as dangerous as getting between a mama bear and her cub...
I agree..while we have those who hoarded clearance items, having a sale helps get a product noticed by new users.
The downside is it seems far fewer Parallax products are on Radio Shack shelves. thereby limiting future exposure.
FWIW..stopped by a RS store this afternoon...those crazy folks are clearancing even more product that was not marked down before!
Donations are helpful, but Parallax is already very^2 generous in many other ways. I am a HS teacher and the message I get through their words and actions is that they are always there to help me and support my students. I favor doing business with companies that I trust and that have a commitment to education, and Parallax is at the top of my list. Sorry if this is off the "Radioshack" thread, but it is relevant to the related topic of successful electronics education marketing.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/18-depressing-photos-show-why-122600100.html