Does anyone here dread shopping at radio shack anymore?
- Thread starter Frijid
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The guy at Radio Shack knows just as much about coax cables as the guy working at McD's. I go to Fry's for electronic parts, then again the people there don't know squat either... our country is inching closer to Idiocracy.
I say pick 'n pull. Know exactly what you want, pay for your stuff then gtfo. At the very least they can type a description in their computer and pull something for you. If they're that incompetent then you're out of luck.
I say pick 'n pull. Know exactly what you want, pay for your stuff then gtfo. At the very least they can type a description in their computer and pull something for you. If they're that incompetent then you're out of luck.
Sad thing was i knew exactly what i wanted, i just more or less asked "where is your ___ at"
buds224
Enlightened
LEDAdd1ct
Flashlight Enthusiast
This is exactly what I do, only if I cannot first find it on e-Bay or somewhere else cheaper.
Or, if I am in such an insane rush I can't wait the three weeks for it to come straight from China.
Why pay the middleman?
Imon
Enlightened
I don't want to get too much off topic but sentiments like these have always p***ed me off.
This is untrue and I don't know why people continue to spout this nonsense, it's been well known to sociologists for a long time that the average IQ of the global population is increasing - it's called the Flynn effect. I hope you guys are just being facetious.
As for the issue with Radio Shack or other large/big box franchises. Having worked for big box store in my younger years employee turnover is high, training is minimal, and employment requirements are usually low. Try to be understanding, I'm sure most of these guys and gals would love to be helpful if they could be.
I go way out of my way to not deal with people in retail. Very few of them are hobbyists, or even specialists in the stuff that they sell.
In the era of free shipping and 50% of retail prices on the internet, it's hard not to ship everything in.
In the era of free shipping and 50% of retail prices on the internet, it's hard not to ship everything in.
Kapriel
Newly Enlightened
I used to be a manager for Radio Shack in the Boston area in the mid 70's.
Some of you might remember those days when RS was pretty much a DIY store
loaded with all kinds of hardware. I remember getting "Pong" and some of the earliest
computers, and calculators to name just a few.
Now it's like what's the point ?
I go into the store looking for a diode,resistor, or transistor and the people there have no idea
what it is and look at me like I have a bad rash or something...
This is what we've come to.
I can't go into these stores anymore I can't take it......
For you older folks out there I remember when Radio Shack only had a couple of stores ...
One was on Commonwealth Ave in Boston.... walking in there and just seeing electronic stuff
was unbelievable....those were the days...
Some of you might remember those days when RS was pretty much a DIY store
loaded with all kinds of hardware. I remember getting "Pong" and some of the earliest
computers, and calculators to name just a few.
Now it's like what's the point ?
I go into the store looking for a diode,resistor, or transistor and the people there have no idea
what it is and look at me like I have a bad rash or something...
This is what we've come to.
I can't go into these stores anymore I can't take it......
For you older folks out there I remember when Radio Shack only had a couple of stores ...
One was on Commonwealth Ave in Boston.... walking in there and just seeing electronic stuff
was unbelievable....those were the days...
I don't think its idiocy....its life experience.
A CB is not on the radar for a 20 yr old unless he off roads for example....and even then a lot are going with FRS now.
Its old technology.
They don't know how to start a fire with sticks, they don't know how to tie a knot other than a tie or shoe lace, they typically don't know how to change their oil, they don't know how to kill a charging bear with a rock, etc. They probably do know how to network an office with WiFi or to make a blog, or to tweet, and while not being able to change their oil, they might know how to install a new stereo, etc...as that's what their generation requires.
A CB is not on the radar for a 20 yr old unless he off roads for example....and even then a lot are going with FRS now.
Its old technology.
They don't know how to start a fire with sticks, they don't know how to tie a knot other than a tie or shoe lace, they typically don't know how to change their oil, they don't know how to kill a charging bear with a rock, etc. They probably do know how to network an office with WiFi or to make a blog, or to tweet, and while not being able to change their oil, they might know how to install a new stereo, etc...as that's what their generation requires.
jtr1962
Flashaholic
I remember in the 1980s one of the local Radio Shacks employed someone with whom I got into a discussion with about PCB design rules. And he was pretty familiar with most of the DIY parts. I actually bought a fair percentage of my parts there because often the prices weren't much higher than mail order, plus I had the part in my hands immediately. Nowadays the only time I might walk into Radio Shack is to buy something like a 6-position rotary switch, or some other part I need right away and know they still stock (I always check their website first). If this is once a year it's a lot. Still, I dread going into Radio Shack because every time without fail the staff will try to push a new cell phone on me while I'm paying for my parts. I hate aggressive sales tactics with a passion. IMO, they turn more customers off than actually sell products. I calmly have to tell them nearly every single time that I don't have a cell phone, don't need one, don't want one, and can't afford one. Same goes for any other electronic toys they may be pushing. If I actually did want any of these things, Radio Shack is the last place I would be buying them anyhow.
While we're talking about retail places going downhill, anyone remember how Canal Street in lower Manhattan was a DIYer's paradise until maybe the late 1980s? And then all of the stores selling odd surplus parts which you literally couldn't find anywhere else one by one became run of the mill electronics stores selling car radios, stereos, etc. Thank goodness for the Internet, eBay, and all the niche suppliers, or a DIYer would be out of luck.
While we're talking about retail places going downhill, anyone remember how Canal Street in lower Manhattan was a DIYer's paradise until maybe the late 1980s? And then all of the stores selling odd surplus parts which you literally couldn't find anywhere else one by one became run of the mill electronics stores selling car radios, stereos, etc. Thank goodness for the Internet, eBay, and all the niche suppliers, or a DIYer would be out of luck.
The last two times I ventured into a Radio Shack, I was amazed at how little the counter person knew. I thought the employees there would have a working knowledge of that which they were selling......I was wrong. :sigh:
The owners of Brick n Mortar will have to figure-out the only thing they have to offer is customer service......or they will most likely find themselves unable to pay the rent over the next ten years. When was the last time a counter person responded to you saying "thank you", with a "your welcome"? More likely the response was, you bet, no problem, or the frequently uttered uh-huh.
~ Chance
The owners of Brick n Mortar will have to figure-out the only thing they have to offer is customer service......or they will most likely find themselves unable to pay the rent over the next ten years. When was the last time a counter person responded to you saying "thank you", with a "your welcome"? More likely the response was, you bet, no problem, or the frequently uttered uh-huh.
~ Chance
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AnAppleSnail
Flashlight Enthusiast
They are now a phone-selling store. Try this:
"Hey Radio Shack Clerk, I want to buy a 480 ohm resistor."
"..."
"...And a piranha base LED.
"...?"
"...And what have you got in the way of mobile phones?"
"Well you should start by looking at our line of smart phones with woogy widgy and -"
"Hey Radio Shack Clerk, I want to buy a 480 ohm resistor."
"..."
"...And a piranha base LED.
"...?"
"...And what have you got in the way of mobile phones?"
"Well you should start by looking at our line of smart phones with woogy widgy and -"
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LEDAdd1ct
Flashlight Enthusiast
Before my time, but my Dad relishes telling those stories. He was in pure heaven.
Kapriel
Newly Enlightened
A little off topic but,
Doesn't Japan have streets filled with all kinds of electronic vendors selling everything
from discrete components, chips,transistors,resistors,diodes,capacitors, Xfrms,coils,chokes, leds,etc.
Radio Shack used to sell some or most of these items.
Is there no demand anymore ? I find that hard to believe.......
Maybe I'll start a business and yes brick and mortar with knowledgable salespeople.
It's not like I don't have the experience.
It would be like coming home.....
Doesn't Japan have streets filled with all kinds of electronic vendors selling everything
from discrete components, chips,transistors,resistors,diodes,capacitors, Xfrms,coils,chokes, leds,etc.
Radio Shack used to sell some or most of these items.
Is there no demand anymore ? I find that hard to believe.......
Maybe I'll start a business and yes brick and mortar with knowledgable salespeople.
It's not like I don't have the experience.
It would be like coming home.....
Kapriel
Newly Enlightened
Your dad was in heaven. I know cause I was too !
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
There is one Radio Shack in my area where one of the older salesmen is a hobbyist himself and understands electronics. It is always a pleasure to chat with him about components and projects. He also understands that I'm not there to buy a cellphone and he never pressures me about that stuff.
Sadly that store is the exception these days.
On a positive note, they've started carrying Arduinos and accessories for them.
Sadly that store is the exception these days.
On a positive note, they've started carrying Arduinos and accessories for them.
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Interesting thread here.
Reminds me of the time I went to my local Radio Shack,
asking for " ALLIGATOR CLIPS ".
-- Huh ? ? ?
-- What ! ? !
-- Alligator Clips ? ? ?
-- uhm, by the way -- can I ask if you have a Cell Phone ? Who is your Provider ?
(True Story, i'm sad to say)
On a related note:
As a boy, in the mid-1960's, I was always *Totally Fascinated*
by the annual electronics catalogs from Lafayette Radio (in New York)
and Allied Radio (in Chicago) ! ! !
Also B-A (bernstein-applebee) in Kansas City.
These BIG catalogs were always LOADED with TONS of wonderful, magical things ! ! !
Many of which, i really had absolutely NO IDEA what they were, or what they did,
but Still seemed SO NEAT ! ! !
Perhaps some of you older folks can relate to what i'm talking about here.
lovecpf
Years later, Lafayette was gone.
Allied became Radio Shack. And that new Radio Shack was not AT ALL like Allied was !
( big disappointment ) :sigh:
_
Reminds me of the time I went to my local Radio Shack,
asking for " ALLIGATOR CLIPS ".
-- Huh ? ? ?
-- What ! ? !
-- Alligator Clips ? ? ?
-- uhm, by the way -- can I ask if you have a Cell Phone ? Who is your Provider ?
(True Story, i'm sad to say)
On a related note:
As a boy, in the mid-1960's, I was always *Totally Fascinated*
by the annual electronics catalogs from Lafayette Radio (in New York)
and Allied Radio (in Chicago) ! ! !
Also B-A (bernstein-applebee) in Kansas City.
These BIG catalogs were always LOADED with TONS of wonderful, magical things ! ! !
Many of which, i really had absolutely NO IDEA what they were, or what they did,
but Still seemed SO NEAT ! ! !
Perhaps some of you older folks can relate to what i'm talking about here.
lovecpf
Years later, Lafayette was gone.
Allied became Radio Shack. And that new Radio Shack was not AT ALL like Allied was !
( big disappointment ) :sigh:
_
Flying Turtle
Flashaholic
I always check the Radio Shack ads in the newspaper closely. It's tough to find a radio. And, I agree, it's tough to to go into those stores anymore. I'm still mad at them for giving up the free battery every month deal.
Geoff
Geoff
