Why are we wasting any more Fourm space talking about Radio Shack?

jdolecki · 2013-10-24 06:35

Radio Shack ha they should just change ther name to "Cell phone Shack".

I for one will never say their name or shop there again. They are now know as the store whos name we shall not speak! (Harry Potter)

You want to see how its sould be done Go to the Micro Center store here in Downers Grove Ill they have all kinds of stuff

even gears from Andy Mark, Beaglboards Pi cases, Components, heck they even have a Prop Scope on the shelf. MAgazines and Books.

Some how we need to have people go to the stores and give the sale staff trainning. We have numerous electronic and robotic/maker fares in the chicago area they should be in attendence at. So people would know they have all this stuff in stock.

I just bought 2 HB-25 motor controller from there. Same price Parallax as the Web store.

We as a Electronic and robotic community should support them more.

And they dont sell cell phones.

Ron Czapala · 2013-10-24 06:42

I wish there was a Micro Center store here, but there only 23 stores nationwide.

KMyers · 2013-10-24 10:19

If you live in the boonies like I do we only have the "Shack" Wish it was different but it is what it is....

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2013-10-24 10:23

jdolecki wrote:

Why are we wasting any more Fourm space talking about Radio Shack?

Um, could it be because people keep starting new threads about them?

-Phil

brucee · 2013-10-24 11:05

I might as well waste some time here on this forum, and that is what it is in my opinion.

Radio Shack is facing the same problem many retail establishments face, that being the internet. I for one wouldn't be giving the RS management tips on how to run their business, as I have no idea how are they going to stay afloat. Look at all the other retail establishments that have disappeared in the last few years, Circuit City, Borders ...

Here I am in the heart of Silicon valley, and it use to have a number of electronic surplus stores, probably more than a dozen at one time. It is now down to 2. Computer Literacy was the place to find technical books, now also gone. When I need a part now I just go to Digikey and have it a few days later.

How many people here are waiting to see what treasure erco finds on eBay? No wonder why RS is getting out of the hobbyist business.

blittled · 2013-10-24 11:13

Hmmm... the nearest Radio Shack to me is 3 miles, Micro Center is 80 miles. In fact there are at least 5 Radio Shacks within that 80 mile radius. So its convenience that makes me go to RS if they have the part. I only go to Micro Center 1-2 times a year. I would really rather go to Fry's but the closest one is 500 miles away!

rod1963 · 2013-10-24 11:53

Because RS is nearby - about 2 miles away.

Fry's is a 120 mile round trip and going there and back is wastes about 4 hours. As a result, I haven't shopped there in almost a decade.

Those are my options for retail.

Mouser/Digikey is now my main source for components.

Heater. · 2013-10-24 12:10

Because it's the end of an era.
The old guys will miss it.
The young guys don't know what they are missing.
Oh well.

xanadu · 2013-10-24 12:11

I wouldn't burn the Radio Shack bridge. Someday you'll find yourself away from that Micro Center and at the mercy of the Shack.

RDL2004 · 2013-10-24 12:35

... there are at least 5 Radio Shacks within that 80 mile radius.

I wouldn't count on it staying that way, unless maybe you live in Texas, California, New York, or near the city of Chicago. If Radio Shack is still in business a year or so from now, it will be a very different Radio Shack and I doubt there will be anywhere near as many stores as there are now.

Too_Many_Tools · 2013-10-24 17:28

RDL2004 wrote: »

I wouldn't count on it staying that way, unless maybe you live in Texas, California, New York, or near the city of Chicago. If Radio Shack is still in business a year or so from now, it will be a very different Radio Shack and I doubt there will be anywhere near as many stores as there are now.

I suspect that you are correct about the reduced numbers of stores/locations.

RS management seems to be following the standard approach towards cost cutting...and reducing sites is on that list.

I am assuming that after the Christmas season and 1st quarter numbers are calculated, that some locations will be closed/consolidated.

They have done it in the past when pressures were less...they have every reason to do it now.

The upside...without the recent infusion of cash from GE Capital, RS would have been closing ALL its doors after this Christmas

Too_Many_Tools · 2013-10-24 17:44

jdolecki wrote: »

Radio Shack ha they should just change ther name to "Cell phone Shack".

I for one will never say their name or shop there again. They are now know as the store whos name we shall not speak! (Harry Potter)

You want to see how its sould be done Go to the Micro Center store here in Downers Grove Ill they have all kinds of stuff

even gears from Andy Mark, Beaglboards Pi cases, Components, heck they even have a Prop Scope on the shelf. MAgazines and Books.

Some how we need to have people go to the stores and give the sale staff trainning. We have numerous electronic and robotic/maker fares in the chicago area they should be in attendence at. So people would know they have all this stuff in stock.

I just bought 2 HB-25 motor controller from there. Same price Parallax as the Web store.

We as a Electronic and robotic community should support them more.

And they dont sell cell phones.

Why not?

You are watching history being made in both the business and technology sense.

Many BM companies are watching this senario with interest as to how it plays out...and how it may end.

FWIW...many BM companies operate on the same business plan as RS..and offer as little value for the money as they do.

The Internet is leveling the playing field...for everyone..for better or worse.

PoundSign2 · 2013-10-24 17:47

RDL2004 wrote: »

I wouldn't count on it staying that way, unless maybe you live in Texas, California, New York, or near the city of Chicago. If Radio Shack is still in business a year or so from now, it will be a very different Radio Shack and I doubt there will be anywhere near as many stores as there are now.

There are currently 3 within about 7 miles of each other in my area. They're about as common as a Mickey D's to be honest...

Too_Many_Tools · 2013-10-24 18:22

PoundSign2 wrote: »

There are currently 3 within about 7 miles of each other in my area. They're about as common as a Mickey D's to be honest...

Radio Shack = 7150
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RadioShack

McDonalds = 14000
http://geography.about.com/od/lists/qt/mcdonalds.htm

To lose Radio Shack would be to lose a major electronics convenience store...

PoundSign2 · 2013-10-24 18:39

Too_Many_Tools wrote: »

Radio Shack = 7150
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RadioShack

McDonalds = 14000
http://geography.about.com/od/lists/qt/mcdonalds.htm

To lose Radio Shack would be to lose a major electronics convenience store...

Wow. I was surprised by two things. The first is, that RadioShack has half as many stores as McDonald's done. I thought that would far lower. The second is that McDonald's had only 14k stores. I thought it would have been closer to 20k. Overall, when you look at the numbers, the Shack fills a niche that no other store really can. Albeit the Shack is more expensive. They are however, open all the time, have many locations which makes them convenient, not to mention it is a generally good place to run into other people who share the same interest as you do.

Do not take me as some advocate for Radio Shack. I think their pricing is darn near criminal at times, and they're selections on components that most would regard as common-place or standard, RadioShack won't carry them. Or at least the type you need. I can find more faults than praises for RadioShack, but at the end of the day, it's good to have them around. Because simply put they do things for hobbyist and/or professionals like ourselves that other stores cannot or do not do.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2013-10-24 19:25

When RadioShack sells components, nicely packaged in twos and fives, they're selling convenience, and convenience comes at a price. I don't begrudge them their markup on capacitors any more than I begrudge the local hardware store the huge markup they take on screws and nuts. It's just nice to know that when I need one or two items in a hurry, I can go to a local business and find it -- at whatever price. For stuff in quantity that I can wait a couple days for, there's DigiKey, Mouser, and MicroFasteners.

-Phil

User Name · 2013-10-24 19:47

@Phil: It may pay to check out Albany County Fasteners. In my experience they represent a rare convergence of high quality and low price.

electromanj · 2013-10-24 19:58

I did not mind paying extra for some components I needed in a pinch, and was really happy when I could buy a quickstart at RS! (These were one shelf level above the arduinos)

I purchased my very first BS2 at the shack in a WAM kit. All of the radio shacks have closed down in my area.

I have fond memories of the isles (plural) of components that the Shack used to carry.
Radio Shack coupled with Forrest Mims was a gateway for many of us I believe.
The internet has made it way easier for a person in the sticks to obtain certain parts and that is a good thing, however I do miss being able to go grab some "staple" parts in a few moments.

In closing, I miss you 80's Radio Shack!!!!
I do understand why you have left.

P.S. There may be an oppritunity here for a guy to carry a few parts and pieces on hand to cater to the local hobbyist community.

Let me know when the first "TraVishack" opens.......

TraVis.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2013-10-24 20:36

User Name,

Thanks for the Albany County Fasteners tip. Their selection is limited, but what they do carry is very reasonably priced.

-Phil

Too_Many_Tools · 2013-10-24 22:10

PoundSign2 wrote: »

Wow. I was surprised by two things. The first is, that RadioShack has half as many stores as McDonald's done. I thought that would far lower. The second is that McDonald's had only 14k stores. I thought it would have been closer to 20k. Overall, when you look at the numbers, the Shack fills a niche that no other store really can. Albeit the Shack is more expensive. They are however, open all the time, have many locations which makes them convenient, not to mention it is a generally good place to run into other people who share the same interest as you do.

Do not take me as some advocate for Radio Shack. I think their pricing is darn near criminal at times, and they're selections on components that most would regard as common-place or standard, RadioShack won't carry them. Or at least the type you need. I can find more faults than praises for RadioShack, but at the end of the day, it's good to have them around. Because simply put they do things for hobbyist and/or professionals like ourselves that other stores cannot or do not do.

I agree with both you and PhiPi...Radio Shack is a resource that would be a shame to lose...even with the love hate relationship we have with the company....their infrastructure of thousands of stores "around the corner" is an asset that once lost would be hard to replace.

There are those who say "who cares...I can always overnight any component via an Internet supplier".

Well folks it's not the same thing...kind of like overnighting a burger if McDonalds closed their doors...that lack of immediate gratification does matter.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2013-10-24 22:42

Too_Many_Tools wrote:

... that lack of immediate gratification does matter.

Exactly! How's that saying go? "Gratification delayed is gratification denied!"

-Phil

PoundSign2 · 2013-10-25 01:13

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

Exactly! How's that saying go? "Gratification delayed is gratification denied!"

-Phil

Let's be honest it always boils down to laziness. One could certainly wait the extra days for shipping (assuming this order isn't a super critical-must-have-now business purchase or whatever) but why wait? Especially if it's a Sunday and you got a cool idea for something and soon find out you're missing one thing. Wait the few days for shipping...or be impatient, pay the marked up price plus the drive to and from the Shack. But the kicker, because there always is one! Is that you get it. Right. Now. And that's really laziness when you come right down to it. While I'm at it, I am a fan of U.S.S Couch and buying things online while in the birthday suit, if it came to having it now for an extra 75 cents or a dollar, I'll get take it right now. Even if it means dragging the kids with me, if I want/need the part and I want it now, I'll go to the Shack. For sure.

doggiedoc · 2013-10-25 04:10

electromanj wrote: »

I did not mind paying extra for some components I needed in a pinch, and was really happy when I could buy a quickstart at RS! (These were one shelf level above the arduinos) I purchased my very first BS2 at the shack in a WAM kit. All of the radio shacks have closed down in my area.

I have fond memories of the isles (plural) of components that the Shack used to carry.
Radio Shack coupled with Forrest Mims was a gateway for many of us I believe.
The internet has made it way easier for a person in the sticks to obtain certain parts and that is a good thing, however I do miss being able to go grab some "staple" parts in a few moments.

In closing, I miss you 80's Radio Shack!!!!
I do understand why you have left.

P.S. There may be an oppritunity here for a guy to carry a few parts and pieces on hand to cater to the local hobbyist community.

Let me know when the first "TraVishack" opens.......

TraVis.

I'm with traVis on this one. If it weren't for RS I may not have ever discovered Parallax. My first exposure to Parallax was at RS when I saw a BOE-Bot and thought cool and gave it a try. That was my introduction to Robotics and Electronics! Then the joy of buying a Quickstart Board there. Icing.

I'll let you in on a little secret. I even bought my son a cell phone there once.

Doc

Chris Savage · 2013-10-25 13:40

doggiedoc wrote: »

I'm with traVis on this one.

I'm still pondering TraviShack! :thumb:

erco · 2013-10-25 17:31

I visited a Shack today at noon in Manhattan Beach. LOUD annoying music blasting from a speaker outside the door. Went inside, another LOUD speaker blasting right by the pathetic and tiny DIY area. Not much, no prices up at all. One twenty-something employee inside, I requested that he turn the music down or better, off. "We're required to have the music on", he said. When I asked about the missing prices, he said maybe by Monday. Meanwhile, he could check them individually at the front counter. Again, I requested he turn it down. He stared at me and grinned. After a minute, I left and said "Maybe I'll come back some other time when there's no music". He couldn't care less.

Amazingly, there was a "We're Hiring" sign up in the window. A few more like him and that WILL be the end of the Shack.

RS_Jim, please feel free to forward up the corporate food chain. If loud music and inattentive employees are part of their "new master plan", they need a reality check.

LoopyByteloose · 2013-10-25 23:17

"Lack of immediate gratification does matter.."

Gawd, has it really come down to that? I try to eliminate compulsive shopping and spend money wisely.

Overnight shipping is a huge waste of money, international shipping even more so.. so I try first to buy locally and there are no RS outlets in Taiwan.

Regarding the musical ambiance, Starbucks in Kaohsiung seems to have one CD for all the outlets for the whole city. I suspect they don't want to pay royalties for a wide variety of listening. Actually, I should say two CDs, as the Christmas CD is likely to be shifted over to for 2 months.

What are these franchises thinking? Are we just Pavlovian drones?

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2013-10-25 23:28

Loopy Byteloose wrote:

Gawd, has it really come down to that?

No, Loopy, it hasn't "come down to that;" it's always been that way. Lack of immediate gratification really does matter when you have a terrific idea, are in a hurry to prove it, and need just one more cap or white LED to test it out. AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!!! I've paid 3x to 5x times what a component (or even a Parallax part) is worth at my local RS because time is money and/or stress, and I could not wait the two days required to get said part from DigiKey or Parallax. And I'm happy to have paid the premium for the convenience.

Convenience is simply not a matter of discipline or any other moralizing aspect you might apply to it. Expedience is worth the extra money. Period.

-Phil

LoopyByteloose · 2013-10-26 03:59

I am not against convienence or good customer service that costs a bit more, but the implied impatience of immediate gratification and the kind of behavoirs it implies are not always positive.

Back in the 1960s youth were worried about committing to life on a tread mill, not it seems we have really ramped up the speed to make it a merry chase. It may just be getting a bit neurotic.

Why are we wasting any more Fourm space talking about Radio Shack?

Comments