View Full Version : A good Radio Shack experience
KC0KBH
02-05-2005, 01:18 AM
I was in RS the other night with my dad to pick up a plug, which they did not have. While I was looking around for something to grind down, my dad was talking to the person there about the new trunking system around here. He was not huge at all, looked maybe about 25, and was really into scanners and things. He told him the frequencies, and then pulled the Police Call CD up on one of their computers there, and let my dad copy down all the info. They talked for a few minutes about the new frequencies, and new scanners, etc. No attempts were made to sell phones, and there were no battery sales attempts. The guy there really cared about scanners and other things, and seemed pretty knowledgeable. And, the usual people there just say things like,"I don't know if we have that", or,"I don't think that is going to work for you". This guy was really nice, and that had to be my first good RS experience.
-Devan, KCØKBH
KA4DPO
02-05-2005, 02:55 AM
Lets see, Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, an honest lawyer, and a good experience at Radio Shack.
Cool.....
They didn't have what you were looking for. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Dave
W5HTW
02-05-2005, 05:11 AM
Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Feb. 04 2005,19:55)]Lets see, Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, an honest lawyer, and a good experience at Radio Shack.
Cool.....
And a dude in a three-piece pin-striped suit, standing at the 1984 "cherry" Plymouth, saying, "Only driven by an old fella who moved in once a week from the garage to the driveway. Heck, it's never even been registered! Only got 18 miles on it. All we want is six thousand down and pay us 300 bucks bi-weekly for 12 years."
"Come On In!"
KD7WHQ
02-05-2005, 05:20 AM
Actually, I always have a good experience at the Redmond, WA store, and had a fairly good one at the one in the old Aurora Village last Tuesday.
They are now flat out of thermistors though.
The guy made a crack on the price, and I responded that it was about time I made a Mouser order, lol.
Aside from "need batteries?" that was it ;)
K9STH
02-05-2005, 05:46 AM
The Radio Shack near my house has an amateur radio operator as assistant manager. He definitely does not try to sell me a cellular telephone although he does usually ask if I need any batteries. I was in there yesterday to buy a 1/4" diameter stereo phone plug (I couldn't find one in my "stock"). When my wife and I "walked through the door" he inquired as to what my latest project was. Nothing said about buying anything.
The only time I get a salesperson trying to sell me a cellular telephone, etc., is when they are "brand new". The other employees usually tell them to "back off". Also, since what I usually purchase is tax exempt, I have to tell a new employee how to enter that into the computer. When the sale is finished, the printer "spits out" a form 13.75 inches long for me to sign and then the receipt for the transaction.
A previous manager got where she didn't ask to see my identification and even knew my birthdate to put on the back of the cheque. Of course, her birthday is the day before mine. Most of the clerks now only ask for my driver's license number (I know it "by heart") and my birthdate and don't even want to see my driver's license.
However, at the "mall" Radio Shacks and the other local Radio Shacks, they still haven't "learned" and try to sell me cellular telephones, etc. Also, most of the clerks don't have a "clue" as to what I am looking for and are more of a hinderance than a help. I do try to avoid those operations. But, sometimes the nearby store is out of stock or my wife and I happen to be in one of the malls purchasing other things and I stop by the Radio Shack while we are in the mall.
Glen, K9STH
KC0LFV
02-05-2005, 06:14 AM
There is one Radio Shack store that I always have a good experience at. It is owned by a ham, and one of the associates (that has now moved on to better things) was a good friend of mine who is incredibly knowledgable about whatever he is doing, he learns stuff about the products he sells so he can answer questions. So not EVERY radio shack is bad. (But the other two in town don't have anybody that knows anything) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
There is a Radio Shack a few blocks down the road from where I work. I've been in there a bunch of times over the past few weeks working on a couple different projects. They have gotten to the point that they no longer offer to 'help' me find anything, and yesterday I was asked what my project was.. So to quote the genie from the Disney Aladdin:
"Yes! They CAN be taught!"
KC0KBH
02-05-2005, 12:29 PM
Yes, I am in there enough that they don't offer help.
K0RGR
02-06-2005, 12:31 AM
Our two local RS stores have several hams and are very supportive of the local ham club, help with our projects, used to sell at our hamfests, and help us recruit newbies.
kf6rdn
02-06-2005, 04:50 AM
I have no problem with RS, as far as selling things. They ask if I can help you, and I just tell them no I can find it, and they back off. Same with 4 stores in the area.
My only problem is general decline of "radio stuff" and electronic components. It used to be you could get coax by the foot, RG8x good for patch cables and short runs etc. Now they have prepackaged 10 or 50 ft, no per foot spools. Sorta same with components, a few general purp transistors, res etc..
Actually I was talking to the manager of the local Shack today.. He tells me that though they no longer stock components and such in the stores, they are still all in the warehouses and can be ordered if needed. So.. Its there.. Just not as accessible..
However.. And this is a BIG however.. If you order something they don't keep in stock, they ship it to you, and you pay shipping. May as well go to Mouser at that point.
KC0KBH
02-07-2005, 01:04 AM
Well, their RG-58 coax is crap, though. Bought some onetime, and it turned out to be this plasticy junk that I could not strip, or else all the braid would come out. I guess it is made for their full line of solderless connectors.
KA4DPO
02-07-2005, 01:45 PM
Quote[/b] (KC0KBH @ Feb. 06 2005,18:04)]Well, their RG-58 coax is crap, though. #Bought some onetime, and it turned out to be this plasticy junk that I could not strip, or else all the braid would come out. #I guess it is made for their full line of solderless connectors.
You have to keep your eye out for the good stuff. Radio Shack buys big lots from whoever has a good price. Sometimes they have Beldon and other good brand name coax. Be sure to look it over before you buy it from them.