Radio Shack to Close 400 - 700 Stores

[kc0jez]

Oh, I know, many of you don't like the Shack anyway, but for those of us living in more rural areas where a Radio Shack is our only face to face option for any parts at all, this is sad news. And I'm pretty sure we can all sight a million reasons why this happens. More info is available on line, but in a nutshell, here's the story:

RadioShack Corp. of Fort Worth, Texas, said Friday that it will close 400-700 company-owned stores, but a company spokesman added that the retailer had not decided which specific stores it would shutter.

The spokesman said that it would be six to eight weeks before the company decided which stores it would close. He noted that only company-owned stores, and not dealer-franchised stores, would be on the chopping block.

Across the country, RadioShack operates about 5,000 stores itself. It has between 1,500 and 1,800 dealer-franchise locations, the spokesman said.

RadioShack announced the closings in its fourth-quarter and fiscal-year earnings release, which reported declines on both fronts.

For the fourth quarter, net income fell to $49.5 million, or 36 cents per diluted share, from $130.9 million, or 81 cents per diluted share. For the year, net income dropped 21 percent to $337.2 million.

"RadioShack failed to achieve its financial objectives in 2005," David Edmondson, president and CEO, said in a news release. "We implemented several key changes including executive management, advertising, store operations, merchandise assortment, long-term wireless agreements, and more. We believe that the company's strategy is sound. But we must move at a much faster pace with a greater sense of urgency, and that is what necessitates our turnaround plan."

The lackluster earnings report comes two days after Edmondson admitted lying about his academic record on his résumé and on the RadioShack Web site. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram discovered and reported the discrepancies. Edmondson has since admitted lying and apologized for any embarrassment the situation caused. Meanwhile, RadioShack's board of directors is investigating the matter.

As for the health of the company, RadioShack announced a plan to achieve three major goals over the next 18 months: increase the average unit volume of its core store base, rationalize its cost structure and grow profitable square feet in its store portfolio.

The company said it will replace old, slower-moving merchandise with new, faster-moving merchandise within higher growth categories. It will close a number of underperforming stores and work to better align overhead costs with its business model to generate more profit per square foot. The company also said it will continue to expand its kiosk business and relocate RadioShack stores to better real estate.

[N3TTN]

Quote[/b] ]Oh, I know, many of you don't like the Shack anyway, but for those of us living in more rural areas where a Radio Shack is our only face to face option for any parts at all, this is sad news.

Agree completely. Even if the zitfaced teenager behind the counter selling cellphones and remote controlled toys doesn't know a resistor from a transistor, I can walk in the store and usually find what I need without his/her help. If all else fails I usually have the part number written down, and even the slowest "Shack" employee can punch that into the computer and tell me if they have it in stock. I personally will miss my local store if it goes away.

[w5cmp]

all,they have is junk now cellphones and cellphones i dont know how i am going to live with out them,
they did it to themselves for saling junk,once you could buy ham peaces and parts the old saying is if it works dont fix it,so seeya rat shack,snap shack.crap shack.....
# # # # # # # # # #time to go.......

[AB1FV]

Quote[/b] (w5cmp @ Mar. 05 2006,08:30)]all,they have is junk now cellphones and cellphones i dont know how i am going to live with out them,
they did it to themselves for saling junk,once you could buy ham peaces and parts the old saying is if it works dont fix it,so seeya rat shack,snap shack.crap shack.....
# # # # # # # # # #time to go.......
Agreed!
IMO, this is not "sad news".
Also, IMO, most Radio Shack employees don't know the difference between a capacitor and a broom stick.
I agree, Radio Shack sells cell phones and toys and batteries, but that's about it.
Tandy Corp needs to look at the beginning "roots" of the company, and not only have radio parts stocked in their stores, but to train the employees on what they are, and what they are used for! They should bring back "Radio" to Radio Shack!

73
AB1FV

[n1dvj]

Geesh, maybe we can get this thread away from the CW thread! I mean, bash Radio Shack!! Show how brain proud we are! Wow, something to be REALLY proud of! Being smarter than some zit faced teenager behind the counter. I'll bet some people are proud of being able the fluster the teen at the McDonalds by sliping $5.87 on the counter for a $3.96 bill!

Yeah, Radio Shack screwed up. I really have no love for them. But it's good and bad everywhere. Want to know some of the REAL skuttlebut about Radio Shack? There was a news group years ago that went by the name 'One for the money'. (As in 'two for the show') It was nothing but internal bitches. And yes, mostly about technical things, and how some of the 'idiots' at Radio Shack got promotions and bonuses for 'BS' reasons. Why am I mentioning it? Because there were a NUMBER of times the newsgroup actually got 'out' of Tandy into the public. And I have seen archives of it.

Hey, there was even stuff at Tandy that bordered on criminal. Like the director (former) that took a 'package' from someone at an interview and passed it off to another division and presented it as software done 'in house' and the company used it. That came crashing down when the department using it tried to get support, they couldn't, got frustrated, and disassembled the program to discover the authors name. They contacted him and it really hit the fan. Or another senior director that... Well, lets just say the engineer quit almost immediately.

But even those rants are at the 'corporate' level, not the whiney childish "I'm better than a zit faced teenager" kind of thing.

GROW UP!!

Mike
N1DVJ

[w6em]

Just a small example, but its relevant. Yesterday, I called the store near us, asked if they had a 6' S video cable. Yep. 16.99. So, I ventured over and after looking at the empty display (they had a 12 footer for 23.99!!!) I asked the clerk where the 6 footer was. She said they had 5 in stock. Went in the back, couldn't find any.

It gets better.

So, frustrated for having to drive 6 miles over the hill to find out they really didn't have any, I stopped at Walmart.

Yes. They had plenty. $5.88 each for the 6 footer and $8.50 for the 12 footer.

Now, there's a reason why RS is losing money. Overpriced and lousy customer service.

For parts, try Mouser and Dgikey. If you specify first class mail with Mouser, it keeps the shipping cost very reasonable.

Lee
W6EM

[kp4cat]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Its true they are 100% more expensive than other family owned stores. Here in Puerto Rico they stay away from the ham market and the remains stuff are very expensive or if you want something from ham stuff you have to make an especial order. UUUFFFFFF

[KC2MDP]

Years ago, Radio Shack used to be somewhat of a pleasure
to shop in. They had a fairly good stock of eletronic parts and other doo dads that experimenters and homebrewers like ourselves could walk in and purchace. You could pick up a scanner, a replacememt speaker for that blown 15 in. woofer, transformer, panel meter, encloseure for that power supply you are building, coax connectors, gender adaptors, antennas for modding and on and on.
How many of us are out there? How many guys and gals need a 20MFD @ 250V cap for there Heath Kit amp? How many of us need a four pin mic connector for there D-104?
The bottom line is, this kind of stuff do'nt sell and Radio Shack do'nt want it sitting on the shelves. So what do they do? Eliminate this kind of Technical it do'nt sell merchandice compleatly.
We as Ham's can't find the stuff we need anymore, so we
look to other sources and forget the shack. The average Joe
is not going to repair anything, He has a hard time changing a light bulb so he'll just go out and buy new.
So the Shack is forced to sell consumer eletronics. There prices are NOT very competeitive and there selection is NILL. And if by chance you find something you do like, there is pretty good odds they will not have it in stock at that store.
Just My two cents worth on Radio Shack

[KC2MDP]

Does Tandy Still own Radio Shack? I thought that Radio Shack was sold to another company who also seems to have forgotten the RADIO in Radio Shack.

[W9GRN]

Quote[/b] (KC2MDP @ Mar. 06 2006,18:40)]Does Tandy Still own Radio Shack? I thought that Radio Shack was sold to another #company who also seems to have forgotten the RADIO in Radio Shack.
The name "Tandy" was dropped in favor of Radio Shack .The company was started by two brothers in 1921 to sell items for the amateur radio market at the time.I agee with you on your comment.

[W9GRN]

Maybe they need to change their name again.Any ideas?

[k5mke]

Geez!

Rat $hack is closing some stores? I can remember when they only had one store and it was in "Baaahstun, Taxachuchess". It had mostly Japanese resistors, condensers, kits, etc. for sale. We called it the Nagisaki Hardware Store, ha ha. Their big ticket items were audio recievers, amplifiers, turn tables and speakers.

Then the CB craze hit...'nuff said. This changed later to selling the 10 meter mobile units (CW & USB). These units could be modified to also go down to 28 mhz. So, 10 meters got an influx of Good Buddies and *New Yawk* gypsy cab drivers, Uggggh! Luckily for us hams, the Sunspot cycle declined and cell 'phones took over at the $hack, thank goodness.

Yes, it's true that the pimple-faced kid behind the counter doesn't know his behind from a hole in the ground. All they know is batteries, cell 'phones and maybe some computer stuff or HDTV/Cable TV. But then, there are a lot of HAMS that don't know what B+ is or how to draw a grid leak detector circuit hahaha. Gone are the "GOOD OL' DAYS" with the exception of the New/Old Stock AM radio group.

Today's ham radio's use 'surface mount' technology. Parts so small that it takes a person with excellent vision and a powerful magnifying glass to even see them, much less by a B.O.F. (Blind Ol Fart) like me. I have a much easier time repairing my ol' boatanchors and they sound much better on the air as well. My old E.F. Johnson Messenger 1, the old Whiteface CB rig works great on 10 AM. I just changed the Xmit and Rcv xtals, replaced the tube rectifier with a full-wave diode bridge and dropped the 3.9k resistor in the final to 390 ohms. I'm on 29.10.1 (10/10 AM).

I hope that the Pines Road Radio Shack here in Shreveport, LA doesn't get the "ax". I go there because the manager and staff is knowledgeable and they stock a good supply of general parts for radios.

The rest of the stores in Shreveport are just "dumm". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Respectfully submitted,
73,

Buck Saunders/K5-MKE

[n1dvj]

Charles Tandy bought Radio Shack in the mid 60's when it was almost belly up. #He was shoping around with a lot of money for an electronics company. #At the time, Radio Shack had I think 9 stores, with the main one downtown Boston. #When he came to the sale, the deal on the table was he would pay whatever the net worth of the company was. #When the audit was completed, he got them for nothing... #

Tandy almost folded that first year. #In fact, he personally pleaded with all his managers not to cash what was then a Christmas bonus check. #The story is that every one turned their checks back in and they were given stock in the company, and that by 1976, every one of them was worth over a million bucks. #

In the late 70's, Tandy never quite bumped a billion dollars in sales while he was alive. And the store mark hovered up around 10,000 stores, counting associates and franchises worldwide.

The CB craze didn't really take off for Tandy until 1974. #But most of the CBs back then were junk by todays standards. #(Regardless of what you think of CB!) #

The company changed upon Tandy's death. #Big time. #Yes, I was with them 'BC' and while Tandy was alive. #I saw the change. #Kornfield and Tandy made an empire, along with guys like Bernie Appel. #Appels 'new product introductions' at company meetings were legendary.

But once the mid 80's came along, there were just too many changes. # The magic died, and it was just another corporation.

By the way, who says all the new stuff has to be surface mount? Ever hear of Elecraft?

[AB1FV]

In the defense of Radio Shack, they did produce a pretty good 10M Band moblie transceiver circa early to mid 90's. (An HT-100??)
Not a bad little 25W rig! It got pretty good results from the ARRL QST Review Page.
I owned one myself, and had some pretty good results with it....until the 10M Band dropped! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

73
AB1FV

[N7YA]

Quote[/b] (W9GRN @ Mar. 07 2006,08:00)]Maybe they need to change their name again.Any ideas?
Yes!

Cell Shack, Something Shack, Out-of-Stock Depot, "Uh..i dont know what coax is...you want to see our RC cars?" shack, House of Part-Timers, The We-Dont-Shower-Very-Often Shack, 7-11, Closeout Shack...

...heres the most logical one, Chapter 11 Shack.

I wont miss them, I agree with the previous gentleman...they USED to rock! now they suck.

They were no match for your basic hardware store anymore...i am fortunate to have AES in my town.

I wont miss the blank stares from the gothy little short-timer behind the counter, i will not defend them either...if you werent buying a cell phone, they treated you like you sat through a time share presentation and passed on the condo...cold meat!

Im not better than anyone else, i just work in the customer service industry and know what i am to expect, at least what to hope for...im not kidding, even the managers were dumbfounded by simple electronics questions.

The store no longer matched the name, you could find some hard-to-get connectors and they carried a neat scanner guide....and i did respect the 2 meter rigs and that cool little 10 meter rig they used to carry...but they have officially moved out of the "radio" part of our program in our stores out here. you can find more shortwave gear in Brookestone or Sharper Image stores.

I think maybe it was time...they had a good run.

73...Adam, N7YA

[kc7mwp]

I have just read almost all of you trashing Radio Shack for closing the Company stores. So many of the rural areas won't be bothered. I didn't see anyone comment that since RS has a store in almost every zip code, that now they would have to travel another mile or two to get ot a store. The requirement to be employed at a RS company store was to be able to sell, not to know electronics. If the customer came in and it seemed like he knew more than the employee, it was cuz he did. #On the other hand there are plenty of RS stores that employ good people, some are hams, some are older than dirt and some know what the customer is looking for even if the customer doesn't. That describes me (all 3). But the reason the stores are closing is because of the bottom line. A pack of 470 ohm resisters cost 1.99 out the door, probably about .99 which is a $1.00 profit. How many of you are buying those resisters so the rent of about $1200.00 a month, plus the employee wages can be paid? When was the last time you were in a Shack, did you see the Ipods, expensive weren't they, too bad there was only a $7 profit on them. RS did away with the Realistic name because they felt that names like RCA, Sony, Kenwood and Sherwood would be more appealing to the public. Well the public is fickle. A lot of people don't like items not made in the USA. How many electronic things are made in the USA. I can probably count them on the finger of one hand. The RCA unit that looks exactly like the Realistic unit cost the same to the public, but the profit margin dropped. They were selling the same things for the same price, but weren't making as much money. Something had to go, so they are trimming the lines that don't sell. Why sell a RS HT when a ham can to to AES or HRO and get one for $20.000 less. And they will, and then complain that RS doesn't carry Ham stuff anymore. I run a Kenwood, 2 Icoms mobiles, @ Icom HT's, and a RS Mobile on base. Why? Cuz when I got the RS it was being phased out and I bought the Kenwood before I went to the Shack. And if I have to get parts, no one knows who made it, not even RS. The others I know who made.

A Franchise RS employee that wonders what people would do if there was only one RS store in their state, would they still complain? By the way I do live in the boonies, nearest town over 40k population is almost 200 miles away. And I am on QRZ if you want to look.
Ed Cifelli
KC7MWP

[N3KAS]

As usual we as HAMS expect everything to stay the same FOR US! Radio Shack (despite its namesake) no longer caters to the amateur radio or SWL crowd. It is no longer 1921 (or 1950!). They are a retailer focused on selling whatever makes them money. Could care less on what WE want. Face it there are so few home-brewers in the ARS that I am surprised that RS even carries some of the parts they do in their mail order division, let alone on their shelves or pegboards. And so few of them are relevant to our needs today except for maybe the generic stuff. But with so many other resources out there filling the gap with more competitive pricing for the computer and toy stuff, I doubt if RS will ever be missed. Yes, they were a convenience on Field Day when you needed a connector of some sort. But I'll bet that is exactly the kind of low volume part that they will clear off the shelves first. So what else will there be left that WE the hams will actually need or want??? I also find it interesting that they have fallen prey to another CEO that lied about his credentials and no one checked him out beforehand. How many of these Boards just accept someone as their CEOs and other top executives without doing their due diligence. But that is the basis for another Thread.

[N3TTN]

Quote[/b] ]As usual we as HAMS expect everything to stay the same FOR US! Radio Shack (despite its namesake) no longer caters to the amateur radio or SWL crowd. It is no longer 1921 (or 1950!). They are a retailer focused on selling whatever makes them money.

For the life of me, I don't know why some people just cannot seem to understand those concepts.

[KU2US]

It WAS Radio Shack at one time-No More. They did, and I say DID! have some good stuff which now are classics. the DX-160 shortwave reciever-HOT front end, The 2-meter handi-talkie (I forgot the model-HTX something?) built like a tank and still coveted today? the DX-302 shortwave reciever I still have and use, The 10 meter mobile rig (DX-100?) NOW, the last time I went to RS to by a PL-259 connector, I almost fell on the floor laughing..Its a "push-on, clamped" piece of sh-t. over $5.00 and cheap and worthless. I cant get even get any RG-8x coax anymore? But ask for "monster" speaker cable, and they have miles of it for over $ .46 a foot? They pay their employees below standard and put them on commission. They fight over the customer and then dont know what they are talking about. It was a GREAT store back "when"-No More. They did it to themselves, I feel sorry for them, but, like anything else-"profit" (which they could not get enough of) trumped customer service, quality items (now), and an educated salesperson. Last week I visited my local RS for some solder. I noticed a small sign behind the cash register. It was to remind the sales people of their RS "mission". It said-"SELL CELL". There is your answer, enough said.. Another lost icon.

[n0jaa]

Good riddance! #Radio Shack (aka "Rat Trap") is nothing like what it used to be 20 or 30 years ago, when I could go into one and find any electronic part I needed, and the salesman at the counter, who was usually a ham, always knew just what I needed.

These days, Radio Shack is basically nothing more than a scaled-down version of Circuit City.

Radio Shack even tried its hand at competing with the big-box electronic stores when it opened Incredible Universe in Houston, TX, Denver, CO and Columbus, OH in 1995, but the venture was not successful, causing Radio Shack to close those stores a few years later.


Paul, N0JAA.

[n0jaa]

Quote[/b] (AB1FV @ Mar. 07 2006,21:12)]In the defense of Radio Shack, they did produce a pretty good 10M Band moblie transceiver circa early to mid 90's. (An HT-100??)
Not a bad little 25W rig! It got pretty good results from the ARRL QST Review Page.
I owned one myself, and had some pretty good results with it....until the 10M Band dropped! #Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

73
AB1FV
Their original radio was the Realistic HTX-100 SSB/CW mobile transceiver, which came out in 1989. It was made by Uniden and was a very good, rugged radio. I had one for a while and had great success with its 25 watts feeding a half-wave dipole. Wish I still had that rig. The -100 was very popular with Tech Plus licensees who suddenly found themselves with voice privileges on 10 meters. Mine certainly got a lot of use, on both SSB and CW. The -100 did not have AM or FM capability.

The later one they came out with was the HTX-10, which I think came out around 1999 or 2000, also 25 watts output, but it was limited to AM/SSB/FM only... no CW. The -10 was not as good a radio as the -100, and I went through two of them as the PA was very intolerant of high SWR during tune-up. Also, the -10 was not very rugged, and was better suited as a base radio than a mobile radio.

The only thing the -10 had going for it after the sunspot cycle dropped out was its FM capability, which worked good for local 10-meter repeaters.

Paul, N0JAA.

[W9GRN]

Quote[/b] (N3TTN @ Mar. 08 2006,09:41)]Quote[/b] ]As usual we as HAMS expect everything to stay the same FOR US! Radio Shack (despite its namesake) no longer caters to the amateur radio or SWL crowd. It is no longer 1921 (or 1950!). They are a retailer focused on selling whatever makes them money.

For the life of me, I don't know why some people just cannot seem to understand those concepts.
With 400-700 company owned stores closing down, they don't seem to be very good at it.They need better trained employees,better prices and a different market strategy to survive.

[AA0CX]

Agree with most of the posts: Radio Shack -- like any business -- is in the business to DO business, and make a profit. What they had been doing in the past -- which was selling a lot of parts -- became unprofitable because they had a lot of inventory sitting on the shelves.

Therefore, they transitioned into into cellphones and r/c toys, and other "things" . People can find those most anywhere else, as well. Obviously, what Radio Shack is doing now isn't working, either.

Employees at The Shack here are helpful -- but didn't have what I was looking for [a mono/stereo phono plug adaptor for headphones so I can listen to my boatanchors with both ears]. But, the young lady ordered a couple for me, and they arrived actually before the promised delivery date.

Radio Shack needs to find a new "niche," I think. Maybe radios?
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[nr4aw]

Quote[/b] (N3TTN @ Mar. 05 2006,03:10)]Quote[/b] ]

Even if the zitfaced teenager behind the counter selling cellphones and remote controlled toys doesn't know a resistor from a transistor, I can walk in the store and usually find what I need without his/her help.
Leave the poor kids alone!

[N2MMM]

Quote[/b] (ki4kgw @ Mar. 09 2006,16:59)]Quote[/b] (N3TTN @ Mar. 05 2006,03:10)]Quote[/b] ]

Even if the zitfaced teenager behind the counter selling cellphones and remote controlled toys doesn't know a resistor from a transistor, I can walk in the store and usually find what I need without his/her help.
Leave the poor kids alone!
ki4kgw, GOOD ONE.

[ki4nzu]

I have been reading about how Radio Shack nowadays, despite the name, has nothing to do with radio. If it were up to me, I would change its name to like "Electronic Shack" or something. I definately agree with you all! THE NAME MUST GO!!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
73

[WA9SVD]

Cellphones Were Us?


RS always had the attitude "If we don't have it, you don't need it."
When I was building a project, (back in the old days) when R-S still carried screws, nuts and bolts, I was looking for #6 and #4 lock washers, a common staple on KnightKit, HeathKit, etc. as well as homebrew assemblies.
The store manager told me R-S doesn't carry lock washers becaues they were a waste of money and were never needed in a construction project.
(Pardon me, sir: If I asked for it, I DO need it; it's not for a R-S store manager to tell me how to do construction!)

Needless to say, I did very little business with that store ever again.

[AB1FV]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ Mar. 17 2006,07:53)]Cellphones Were Us?


#RS always had the attitude "If we don't have it, you don't need it."
# #When I was building a project, (back in the old days) when R-S still carried screws, nuts and bolts, I was looking for #6 and #4 lock washers, a common staple on KnightKit, HeathKit, etc. as well as homebrew assemblies. #
# #The store manager told me R-S doesn't carry lock washers #becaues they were a waste of money and were never needed in a construction project.
# #(Pardon me, sir: #If I asked for it, I DO need it; it's not for a R-S store manager to tell me how to do construction!)

# #Needless to say, I did very little business with that store ever again.
Was the RS manager stuffing his face with his lunch on the counter when he told you all this?
They are known to do that!
At least where I come from they do! (No BS, they do!!)

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (AB1FV @ Mar. 17 2006,09:59)]Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ Mar. 17 2006,07:53)]Cellphones Were Us?


RS always had the attitude "If we don't have it, you don't need it."
When I was building a project, (back in the old days) when R-S still carried screws, nuts and bolts, I was looking for #6 and #4 lock washers, a common staple on KnightKit, HeathKit, etc. as well as homebrew assemblies.
The store manager told me R-S doesn't carry lock washers becaues they were a waste of money and were never needed in a construction project.
(Pardon me, sir: If I asked for it, I DO need it; it's not for a R-S store manager to tell me how to do construction!)

Needless to say, I did very little business with that store ever again.
Was the RS manager stuffing his face with his lunch on the counter when he told you all this?
They are known to do that!
At least where I come from they do! (No BS, they do!!)
I won't be that sarcastic. Yes, some R-S employees were the obnoxious, know-it-all "sales clerks" from H*ll. But some at least tried to be helpful, and with no experience, and minimum wage, I don't fault them most of the time. (Hey! All high school and college students need a job, and if they even try to help, or [GASP] just admit they don't know, that's OK!)
But another example, which still bewilders me, (or amuses me; whichever in the case of R-S.)
When the IBM PC and PC-XT were released, there were many add-on cards, many of which included a "Real-time" clock, that ran on a Lithium coin cell. (Not part of the original PC/Xt hardware.)
R-S had the coin cell used in those cards in their repertoire when the PC/XT was released, but 3-5 years later, when the battreries actually had to be replaced, R-S no longer carried the battery, and said there was not enough demand for the battery to allow them to keep it on the shelf. DUH! GREAT decision and foresight there! So they have probably acclerated their own demise. I haven't been in one of the stores in over four years. Wonder why I went in then; they didn't have what I wanted then; contrary to their admonition that I NEED a "SELLphone (sic.)"

I started dealing with Allied Radio in the early 1960's. And saw the gradual, and eventually monumental collapse of a source of Amateur Radio equipment ( their own KnightKit; not the quality of HeathKit, but not that bad; and equipment, new and used, from other manufacturers) and progression through the hands of Tandy to what they are today: Another cell phone provider.
RIP, but no tears shed.

[ki4nzu]

Quote[/b] ]RIP, but no tears shed.

your so very right about that OM. Serves them right (the owners of RS)! But I still believe they shouldn't go down without a fight. I mean, the way I see it, all they care about is their money, not what the customers WANT.
73
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[kk7ue]

As we all know, R.S. (like a lot of other things) has been 'going downhill' for quite a while. I am surprised the store closing frenzy took this long to occur. Oh well, seems someone sold them a bill of goods for a business model and now its come back to bite them. I am frankly kinda disappointed. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[KB8AMZ]

Quote[/b] (AB1FV @ Mar. 06 2006,05:18)]Quote[/b] (w5cmp @ Mar. 05 2006,08:30)]all,they have is junk now cellphones and cellphones i dont know how i am going to live with out them,
they did it to themselves for saling junk,once you could buy ham peaces and parts the old saying is if it works dont fix it,so seeya rat shack,snap shack.crap shack.....
time to go.......
Agreed!
IMO, this is not "sad news".
Also, IMO, most Radio Shack employees don't know the difference between a capacitor and a broom stick.
I agree, Radio Shack sells cell phones and toys and batteries, but that's about it.
Tandy Corp needs to look at the beginning "roots" of the company, and not only have radio parts stocked in their stores, but to train the employees on what they are, and what they are used for! They should bring back "Radio" to Radio Shack!

73
AB1FV
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Regardless whether you, me, or another person feels that Radio Shack sells junk, too many cellular phones, computers, having that store in the neighborhood is a convenient place to shop for pieces-parts when your junkbox is missing a part needed for a project. There's a lot of junk everywhere, commercial and flea markets, but somebody buys it, and it's not junk to them.

I hope that Radio Shack doesn't fall out of business like the long ago Olsen Electronics Stores did. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif IMHO 73's

[N8KIP]

I have been griping for years about Radio Junk and their selling ham equipment without having to show a license . Who knows how many lids walked in and bought 2 meter HT's and HF rigs and not even asked if they had a license. I for one think the whole Tandy/Radio Shack junk shop shoulda been fined for illegal sales of Ham equipment. But thats just my 2 cents.

[lparham]

:angry:Not only does Radio Shack intend to
close 400 - 700 stores, but Radio Shack has
been pushing Amateur Radio Operators out
the front door for years now. Bring back the
Radio Shacks of the 1960's and 1970's, when
a ham was King in those days as he or she
entered a Radio Shack Store.

[N7YA]

Quote[/b] (kb8amz @ Mar. 19 2006,15:30)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Regardless whether you, me, or another person feels that Radio Shack sells junk, too many cellular phones, computers, having that store in the neighborhood is a convenient place to shop for pieces-parts when your junkbox is missing a part needed for a project. There's a lot of junk everywhere, commercial and flea markets, but somebody buys it, and it's not junk to them.
Sure, but they apparently havent been buying it from Radio Shack lately...I place them with Spencers Gifts on the importance scale.
Maybe RS needs to sell lava lamps, whoopie cushions and glow-in-the-dark Bob Marley posters to stay competitive....oh yeah, Spencers went out of business too.

If they at least TRIED to be customer oriented i could at least try to understand...its hard to run a company, its a lot of work to say the very least. but they lost touch with its original customers, us...and to make it worse, they never found a demographic to replace us with. and look what happened. of course we arent a major player in the market anymore, ham radio is all but off the map in most cases but our own...but it seems we didnt forget about them, they forgot about us.

I also agree with N8KIP...check ham licenses before selling HAM gear over the counter!! and we wonder why our repeaters sound like a sewer.

73...Adam, N7YA

[v73god]

I am frustrated with them. #Go to their website and try to order a molex connector for your IC AH-4 tuner that you could pick out of a drawer in the store. #Type in Molex and see what happens. #It's pure crap! #They have been searching for an identitiy for years and haven't found one. #I buy my cell phones from my carrier's store because I get a better rate/price. #I buy my toys from Walmart, my music from Amazon and computers from Costco because I get a better price and the person behind the counter can answer my questions. #It's time, they won't die they just need to reoganize and get their collective act together. #Cell Phone Barn, Tandy Tots whatever they call themselves, they lost a lot of customers when they deserted ham radio. #We weren't always buying high ticket items but we were steady. #Cable here, coil there, connector or two and we always knew what we needed. #God if you needed technical advice from the salesmen at Radio Shack you should shred your ticket and never speak of Ham Radio again. Maybe they could come up with a WMD detector and every soldier in my neighborhood would have one in his up armored HMMWV. #That would stem the flow of red ink because how would ever know it wasn't working? #Sorry, some Iraqi humor. #That's all from the sandbox. #Bert WH7USA

[KC1BUD]

I have seen the Shack go from a store full of parts and the like to toys cell phones, TVs and radios the parts largely are reduced to a couple of cabinets in the back of the store.

I can see a day when even that will go, followed in a few years by the company itself. They seem bent on selling TVs and Computers at a price higher than the competition.They have gotten away from their roots.

[n1dvj]

Quote[/b] (v73god @ Mar. 23 2006,04:47)]I am frustrated with them. #Go to their website and try to order a molex connector for your IC AH-4 tuner that you could pick out of a drawer in the store. #Type in Molex and see what happens. #It's pure crap! #
Uh, maybe because they don't sell Molex? Duh!

Try "interlocking connectors" which is what their 'equivilent' is.

Do you complain at the copy store when they have a Minolta copier but you need to make some 'Xerox copies'?

Do you complain at the appliance store store because they only have Whirlpool and Maytag refrigerators and not a 'Frigidaire'?

God forbid someone hands you a tissue when you ask for a 'Kleenex'!

Ok, ok, I admit it. I know because I use them all the time. I've used them for years as my 'standard' interconnect for all my gear. And it was nice that Alinco and ICOM both used the connectors (but Radio Shack didn't...) on some of their radios.

But geesh, if you search by brand name only, you're going to be even more frustrated with the internet in general, not just Radio Shack!

[N7YA]

Quote[/b] (n1dvj @ Mar. 24 2006,04:57)]Uh, maybe because they don't sell Molex? Duh!

Try "interlocking connectors" which is what their 'equivilent' is.

Do you complain at the copy store when they have a Minolta copier but you need to make some 'Xerox copies'?

Do you complain at the appliance store store because they only have Whirlpool and Maytag refrigerators and not a 'Frigidaire'?

God forbid someone hands you a tissue when you ask for a 'Kleenex'!
but....Kleenex IS a tissue....

and RS still sucks...i really dont care that they dont cater to our every whim these days, im not upset that they dont bow down and roll out the red carpet for the ham royalty who is gracing their humble store, i also dont expect them to have the entire extra class study manual lodged in their collective brains. these things are no big deal to me...i honestly have never expected this from them.

However, i DO expect them to know what coaxial cable is (they sell TV's, TV's use coaxial cable), I expect them to not look at me like some 'dungeons and dragons' geek if i ask them a simple question that doesnt involve them selling me a cell phone, I expect them to shower before coming to work, among many other things about them...lets face it, it takes a lot for a company to get going and become successful...it also takes a lot to screw it up when it is indeed successful.

They did a lot of both, one right after the other...They focused on bottom line only, they relied only on a few items they thought were going to carry them. and perhaps, one of the most questionable things was, instead of lowering prices to remain competitive, they rasied them out of greed...who does this? better yet, who does this when the future isnt so bright and competition is everywhere? perhaps they chose to wear the rose colored glasses.

Hey, i dont care either way, i wont miss them...i can get parts by mail, at other stores...or, like you, on the internet.

Now you cant tell me you wont be able to find parts on the internet for a MUCH better price, and with a much better selection...you typed these posts on a computer with internet access, just shop around....radio shack is dead.

Dead, Dead, Dead!...at least to me.

73...Adam, N7YA

[w4glm]

GOOD RIDDANCE

I've not been in one in years, sell mostly junk now

anyway

SEE YA.......Mac

[LA6IMA]

Quote[/b] (ki4nzu @ Mar. 15 2006,22:56)]I have been reading about how Radio Shack nowadays, despite the name, has nothing to do with radio. If it were up to me, I would change its name to like "Electronic Shack" or something. I definately agree with you all! THE NAME MUST GO!!!! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
73
How about ! the "C* Shack" or "Junk Shack" ..
i don't think anything i bought there during
my time in the US have survived to this date.

If i recall correct ... in the late 90s a US ham got
sued by RadioShack for "trademark infringement" ..
just because he had a webpage called "My Radio Shack" ..


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # 73s Mike

[KA9MGC]

I'm old enough to fondly remember the old Allied Radio stores. And I miss them. There was nothing like wandering the aisles, spellbound at the gadgetry. I've been an electronics buff my whole life, and it's partly due to Allied Radio.

I'll never warm up to Radio Shack since in my eyes they destroyed Allied. Those catalogs were marvelous, now we get flyers filled with garbage. If they even send them out.

I'm not that old, early '50s, but I sure do miss Allied, Olsen, and Lafayette Electronics. Radio Shack has never held a candle to any of them. Good riddance to 'em.

[n1dvj]

Quote[/b] (LA6IMA @ Mar. 27 2006,16:58)]If i recall correct ... in the late 90s a US ham got
sued by RadioShack for "trademark infringement" ..
just because he had a webpage called "My Radio Shack" ..

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # 73s Mike
Actually, you don't recall correctly.

Well, probably.

The 'lawsuit' that everyone refers to was actually 'fallout' over two other issues where the Radio Shack name was
'infringed'. The individual if "I" remember correctly was from the midwest (Ohio comes to mind, but I'm not sure) and had a Ham radio business, calling himself the "Ham Shack". There were actually a number of hams at Radio Shack that liked his business. Unfortunately, there was legal fallout from another direction that took that guy out. There was one minor 'infringement' in the US on protection of the trademark, and there was a major issue with a guy running a business named something like Shackk Electronics that was trying to expand. (Rumor was he was 'associated with 'Dick Smith Electronics, but that was just a rumor.) As a result, the legal teams had no choice but to go after everybody, no matter how the actuall business felt about individuals.

The individual, again if "I" remember it, changed the name to 'Ham Station' and while I don't know if he is still in business today, I did see him around with that name for quite a few years and I think he did fairly well. The controversy with Radio Shack I actually think helped, although he was quite bitter about it.

My recollection was the name change was early 80's...

Nowadays, web pages with 'Radio Shack' in the name somehow come and go all the time.

[KB1IAI]

i am also one of the golden-oldies
that remember allied radio. just down
the hill from where i lived. i would
spend hours in there wandering the
aisles. my parents knew where to
find me. even had my own store for
a while in the mid'70s. now here in ct,
they are like starbucks.. one every
three blocks. no wonder they turned
into circuit city. the competition, even
between themselves is fierce. and up here
they are run by the same people that run
7-11. get the picture?? its all about the
money. parts and service mean nothing.
sales sales sales.
good bye radio scrap, you were good while
you lasted.

73 paul kb1iai


# opportunity only knocks once,
# # # temptation leans on the doorbell

[w3wn]

Ah, the legendary tales of bad service from your local "Radio" Shack...

I can still remember the day that my dad offered to stop at the store down the street from his shop and pick me up some PL-259's for my 80/40 dipole. #He brought home a pack of crimp-on's, despite my telling him I needed the solder type. #He told me that the salesschnook told him that the crimp-on's were "just fine" for outdoor use, and since he worked there, he must know, right? #After the 4th or 5th time the wind pulled the crimp-on apart (and especially after HE fixed it that time, since I obviously didn't know what I was doing), we went back and bought the right connectors -- for half the price of what Dad paid.

About 8 -10 years ago, I was in a (different) 'Shack picking up a few small items, when I spotted (on the shelf behind the clerk at check-out) a small AM/FM/SW radio for a very reasonable price. #I'd been looking for one to put on my window at work to listen to KDKA in the spring and summer for Pirate games. # The clerk lets me handle the radio, but as I'm trying to see how well it can receive AM, he keeps blathering on about how well, how high fidelity, the FM is -- despite my telling him what I wanted it for. #He actually pulled the radio out of my hands, switched it to FM, and turned it up loud to prove his point! #I was so ticked off by his attitude (and lack of attention to what I was telling him) that I dropped the other items I was going to purchase right there on the counter and walked out the door. #I can still hear his stunned sputter, #"bu...bu...but sir! sir!"

And who can forget all those times they wanted our name, address, and phone for even the smallest purchases? #Usually, since I was just paying cash, I'd refuse. #Once in a while, the clerk would refuse to process the sale if I didn't give them the info. #So, I left. #Fortunately for some of the stores, often my starting to leave would get the clerk or the manager on duty to relent and let me pay cash, and at one store (in the Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center near Pittsburgh), the manager (a ham if I remember correctly) had a "dummy" account set up for anyone who didn't want to give their name. #I think the address for the dummy was actually the county jail!

Remember the RS computer line, from the "Trash 80's" through the Co-Co's? #Shortly before Tandy bought out GRiD Systems (to integrate into their computer line) I interviewed with a RS/Tandy Computer Center for a sales job. #I was told that if hired, every month, I had to pull more sales than the prior month, or I would lose the job. #So, I asked, what if you make a spectacular one-time sale one month? #No matter, you'd have to do better the next month. #I didn't get the job, fortunately. #But it did help explain why there was so much pressure on the sales guys to sell, and why some of the better ones suddenly would disappear.

73, ron wn3vaw

[n1dvj]

Quote[/b] (KD8DDQ @ Mar. 29 2006,21:46)]Now I'm not your average zit faced ignorant teenager who knows nothing about electronics or homebrewing. #
...

After getting my license, I hopped on ebay to see if I could snare a venerable htx 202 for a reasonable price. #I found one for 70 bucks and then I recieved it a week later. #All was working great when I, being the uncoordinated klutz, dropped the radio directly on the LCD screen, causing the liquid to leak on to the center of the screen in small black puddles. #I was in a quandary at that point, knowing I was stuck with this broken radio. #So I got to thinking, and then I remembered the good old Radio Shack unlimited. #I got on the support website and was able to locate a SKU for a replacement screen. #I wrote the number down and cruised down to my neighborhood location, with the radio in a box, completely dissassembled. #I brought the radio in with me, and I was greeted with a warm plastic smile from crappy neophyte salesman who probably hoped I was interested in buying a gimmicky cell phone. #Instead I dropped the box on the counter to show him what I needed. #His jaw hit the counter faster than the radio did, for I could have been speaking Swahili. #I almost laughed out loud. #Good thing they trained him to punch numbers into the computer to order parts. #My friend and I reassembled the radio today with the new LCD and it looks and performs like new.

...

KD8DDQ
Uh, let me make sure I have this straight...

YOU're the klutz. YOU couldn't go online and figure out how to order a replacement part. But to be fair, you did figure out how to find the SKU.

But you denigrate the salesman for helping you out...

I bet you feel really proud jumping into the thread with that comment!

What a maroon...

[n1dvj]

Quote[/b] (wn3vaw @ April 03 2006,06:45)]Ah, the legendary tales of bad service from your local "Radio" Shack...

...

And who can forget all those times they wanted our name, address, and phone for even the smallest purchases? #Usually, since I was just paying cash, I'd refuse. #Once in a while, the clerk would refuse to process the sale if I didn't give them the info. #So, I left. #Fortunately for some of the stores, often my starting to leave would get the clerk or the manager on duty to relent and let me pay cash, and at one store (in the Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center near Pittsburgh), the manager (a ham if I remember correctly) had a "dummy" account set up for anyone who didn't want to give their name. #I think the address for the dummy was actually the county jail!

...

73, ron wn3vaw
At one time there was INCREDIBLE pressure to 'pull numbers' for names and addresses. It really wasn't company policy, other than the fact that the company would periodically get on the middle management and hound them about 'percentages' of names and addresses. That issue actually went back into the early 70's. No matter how 'low key' it was supposed to be, it always came down to district managers 'playing numbers' against one another, with the pressure going on the store managers. I know of store managers in the 'paper slip' days that just kept pages from an old phone book handy and any 'blank' slip that came to the desk at the end of the day filled it in and crossed it off the page.

When they came out with the 'Store Operating System' that initially ran on the Tandy 2000 machines, there was an 'official' function to specify that the customer refused name and address info. A simple 'Fx' key that logged the whole transaction. Nice, neat, sweet. But then there was that nasty district manager contest that always seemed to get in the way...

Hey, I didn't mind the name and address. Especially when they sent me multiple flyers that had coupons. I picked up 5 of the 5-cell flashlights one month. And one Christmas I got 2 of the 20% discount coupons...

[KB2SFH]

Quote[/b] (N3TTN @ Mar. 05 2006,03:10)]Even if the zitfaced teenager behind the counter...
Zitfaced teenager? The last employee I encountered there 2 weeks ago looked and acted like he just walked in from the projects, and he wasn't behind the counter when I walked in, he was outside talking to his girlfriend that was dressed like a hoochie. he approached me yacking on his cellphone and popped a price off the top of his head on a tape recorder I asked about. I smiled and walked out.

[kf9er]

Ed, kc7mwp, makes a valid point that the RS employees are there to sell, not to be electronis experts. Unfortunately, I have had experiences where they "know" certain things that are just plain wrong. I asked about a 11m mobile antenna and if it would take 100 watts. I was curious to know if I would burn it out. I explained I was going to use it for ham radio by shortening it very slightly. You would have thought I was selling crack cocaine. The guy told me I was illegal and doing a terrible thing and that I should get away from him!!! I explained it was for ham radio and NOT CB. He looked as if he was about to become physical. I left. Not very good customer service! I have had other occasions where they simply have no idea what I need or what I am going to do with a part, but will blow a bogus smoke screen in an effort to give "an answer" to a question I never asked. All I wanted was to get a part that I could find myself. It is best to just say you don't know something rather than say something completely silly.

[ka7btv]

Radio Shack and its problems are only part of a much bigger problem. Nowadays, most hams don't have much need for resistors, transistors and the like. Complex commercial gear and the desire for instant gratification have made homebrewers a dying breed indeed. Unfortunately, it just doesn't make business sense for Radio Shack to stock items which don't sell. The market and the magic just aren't there anymore. Cheap, disposable electronics are the name of the game now. The internet and computers are far more popular than Amateur Radio. I too grew up with Radio Shack, Olsen, Lafayette, Heathkit and others and have fond memories and some nice items from the past. But time marches on and people's tastes and interests change. By and large, people are in a great hurry and simply do not have the patience or skill to build a good piece of equipment and see it through to completion. So Radio Shack will either adapt or die like Montgomery Ward & Co.
But don't judge Radio Shack too harshly - they've made some bad decisions with regard to customer service, employee qualifications,and such, but they and other companies like them are also driven by the market. So if you really want to blame someone or something, blame the people who have traded their pride and sense of accomplishment for convienence.

[W9GRN]

Quote[/b] (kf9er @ April 16 2006,00:51)]Ed, kc7mwp, makes a valid point that the RS employees are there to sell, not to be electronis experts. Unfortunately, I have had experiences where they "know" certain things that are just plain wrong. I asked about a 11m mobile antenna and if it would take 100 watts. I was curious to know if I would burn it out. I explained I was going to use it for ham radio by shortening it very slightly. You would have thought I was selling crack cocaine. The guy told me I was illegal and doing a terrible thing and that I should get away from him!!! I explained it was for ham radio and NOT CB. He looked as if he was about to become physical. I left. Not very good customer service! #I have had other occasions where they simply have no idea what I need or what I am going to do with a part, but will blow a bogus smoke screen in an effort to give "an answer" to a question I never asked. All I wanted was to get a part that I could find myself. It is best to just say you don't know something rather than say something completely silly.
Why don't you relay that information to the store manager?Would not hurt my feelings that this idiot loses his job. He'll do something about it if he wants to stay in business.

[n1dvj]

Quote[/b] (kf9er @ April 16 2006,00:51)]Ed, kc7mwp, makes a valid point that the RS employees are there to sell, not to be electronis experts. Unfortunately, I have had experiences where they "know" certain things that are just plain wrong. I asked about a 11m mobile antenna and if it would take 100 watts. I was curious to know if I would burn it out. I explained I was going to use it for ham radio by shortening it very slightly. You would have thought I was selling crack cocaine. The guy told me I was illegal and doing a terrible thing and that I should get away from him!!! I explained it was for ham radio and NOT CB. He looked as if he was about to become physical. I left. Not very good customer service! #I have had other occasions where they simply have no idea what I need or what I am going to do with a part, but will blow a bogus smoke screen in an effort to give "an answer" to a question I never asked. All I wanted was to get a part that I could find myself. It is best to just say you don't know something rather than say something completely silly.
Well, while this is another 'idiot behind the counter' story, in this case I feel 99% of the problem was brought on by idiot HAMs. I don't mean to point the finger at you. I mean the HAMs that bellyache and moan that RS is selling HAM gear without checking for a HAM license and more ID than it takes to get in for a tour of the White House.

Geesh, for a while it seemed that everytime someone posted ANY kind of story somewhere about an unlicensed operator, or a 'freebander', or even poorly behaved but not identified licensed operators, there were a bunch of "FI" HAMs (can you guess what I'm implying with those initials?) who would moan and complain about it. I know of people at RS who were sick and tired of hearing the endless diatribes, with most of them coming from the same people.

Not only don't I wonder why RS doesn't look fondly at the amateur market, but also don't wonder why some store managers, who don't understand the system in the first place, just put 'blanket policies' in place that employees pick up and don't really know what they are doing.

By the way, all the OLD RS CB antennas used to be easily rated for multi-hundred watts or more of power handling. The 'big' coil models were all hand built with 12ga copper wire, and if I remember correctly would easily handle 500w. The smaller 'molded' coil models had lighter wiring and could easily handle 100w. And back around 1980 or so, there were actually documents floating around on how to convert some of the models to 10 or 15 meter use.

Remember the big 3-element CB beam antenna RS used to sell up through maybe 1978? Well, if you did the calculations on it, you found that it was actually designed closer to the lower portion of 10M, but had the elements lengthened for CB. I picked up a number of these when they were SOWG for about $7 each. Just put them together with the elements 'telescoped in' and drill a new screw hole and they made a fantastic 10M beam. I gave them away to HAM friends.

Back to the idiot (I'll leave the other initial off for now) HAMs... You can have 10 or 20 or even 100 HAMs come into a store and buy something. Small parts, even a radio, and yeah, it may be noticed, but it's not a standout. But one idiot... He's remembered. Back in 1978 I was at one store and one of the 'FI' guys came in. Had to 'show off'. He ended up dialing the store phone with his 2M HT. Got a lot of other customers in the store interested in how he did it. When the sales person asked him for the frequency so he could put it into the new Pro2001 scanner, the guy became beligerent and declared he'd never tell and left. Not just the employee, but every single customer in that store now clasified HAMs in general as propeller hatted idiots and be avoided.

Radio Shack wasn't quite 'driven out' of the HAM radio marketplace by the HAMs, but they sure layed down a strong background of discontent among the store personel that management couldn't and didn't ignore.

[WA7VTD]

Well, I've been fortunate enough to have a local RS in which at least four of the workers are quite electronically savvy. They take great interest in the projects I build. They go out of their way to find something not in stock. And I've even received discounts on bulk purchases of small parts. They smile and say howdy when I come in, and leave me alone.

I agree with the poster who commented about hams getting a bad reputation at some of the outlets. On the other hand, sometimes it's hard not to get irritated, usually when entering an RS where you aren't known to the staff. The thing I find MOST annoying is the way they hover around you as if you are going to steal everything in sight, asking a dozen times if you are finding what what you need, and getting very nervous when you say you are "browsing."

There's a reason for that also, though: their stores have a very high rate of grab-and-dash. RS has been very late in the game as far as attaching cables to their high-end audiophile gear in particular, and it's not unusual for a crackhead to walk in, grab a home theater receiver and sprint out the door with it.

The move two years ago to making RS basically computer and cell phone outlets has been a drag. Every time I go there for a discrete part, it seems it's no longer in stock. I couldn't even find a BNC to PL-259 adaptor last weekend, at two area RS stores.

WHen RS became an "official" Compaq distributor, it was pretty cool, though. When one of my PCs went haywire, all I had to do was drop it off at my local RS. Ten days later, it came back, all nice and cleaned up, with a brand new motherboard. It cost me the same as if I had gone to Fry's, bought a motherboard, and installed it myself, and it had been tested and checked out, saving me a lot of hassle.

The guys at my local RS have been communicating with their HQ regarding selling me their nice bank of slide-out parts drawers...with remaining inventory in them, at a steal of a deal...when those features of the stores are yanked. #

I also have been given for free, numerous items that were returned and "unrepairable", from which I've gleaned miniatiure speakers, transistors, switches, etc.

My advice: be kind to the RS workers, get to know the ones who have appreciation of hobbyists and builders and who have some savvy. Non-intrusively offer information when a customer has a question that the staff is having trouble answering (which you can get away with and which will be appreciated -- once you've befriended the workers). It will come back to you in spades.

My local RS folks call me when anything they think I might want is going on final clearance. I picked up several simplex repeaters, 30-watt 2 meter amplifiers, and similar items for ridiculous prices that way.

I also disagree with those calling the entire RS inventory "junk." The percentage of crap has greatly diminished the past few years. The audiophile equipment, for example, is manufactutred by "big name" manufacturers such as Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony, Daiwoo, and Onkyo; even most of the gear with the RS logo is made by those companies. One difference, though, is that sometimes the stuff with the RS logo has PC boards stuffed in Macau rather than Malaysia.

Much of the amateur gear was quite good, as well, although higher-priced than YaeComWood. Again, if one waited for clearances, one could grab a great peice of gear at an incredible #price. The last version of the 2-meter mobile was a great rig (true FM, a super rig for digital) as was that little 10-watt, 20-channel job they discontinued 4 years ago...which by the way, went out the door for $40 in its "final clearance." The 2-meter mobile amp was excellent as well...I picked up ten of those for $30 each when it was discontinued. The helical resonator filtered front-end would take out the intermod beautifully.

Yes, with much of the gear, you can usually find the same kind of stuff cheaper somewhere else. Hence, the value of being buddies with the store managers, so you get first dibs when stuff goes on clearance at one-third the original price.

In its heyday, RS was the only place the average Joe could locally find a panoply of electronic items suited to the hobbyist, project builder, experimenter, and audiophile. Electronic gizmos are no longer "a modern wonder," and so the niche RS filled back then is no longer there. As RS has moved more into being a distributor of other companies' stuff, it has been a disaster. They can never compete with Fry's, Best Buy, Circuit City, CostCo, Wal-Mart, etc.

I'm sorry to see the poor high-level corporate management, the schizophrenbic identity crisis, and sporadic and rapidly diminishing variety of inventory.

Instead of bashing RS, make lemonade out of lemons. Know the crap from the quality, get tight with the workers, and get yourself great deals as the RS ship slowly sinks. Although a lot of the stuff will get grabbed by profiteers and end up on eBay, you can be sure a lot of project builders and tinkerers, as well as ARES folks, will be scarfing up loads of quality stuff for a song also, as payoff for good relations with their local stores.

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (n1dvj @ April 27 2006,05:54)]By the way, all the OLD RS CB antennas used to be easily rated for multi-hundred watts or more of power handling. #The 'big' coil models were all hand built with 12ga copper wire, and if I remember correctly would easily handle 500w. #The smaller 'molded' coil models had lighter wiring and could easily handle 100w. #And back around 1980 or so, there were actually documents floating around on how to convert some of the models to 10 or 15 meter use. #
I bought one in the early 90s that had the cutting instructions for 10 metres printed right on the back of the package. Worked great with the HTX-100.

[W4ABX]

Quote[/b] (W9GRN @ Mar. 07 2006,09:00)]Maybe they need to change their name again.Any ideas?
How about "CLOSED" ?
Nuff Said

[KF6MPC]

I was an employee for 7 years with RS, and 5 of those years , I was A merchandiser. Alot of timess the managers of the sores in question would only order profitable not all items he or she sells. That' s a manager level problem not a corporate per se. Well thats my two cents.

[ka9uce]

Junk shack closing stores??

Really?
This is GREAT news!

I remember when Allied used to run the stores, back then, it WAS an electronics paradise, now, it's only about consumer garbage, remote cars and digital tire gauges...

Too bad they don't ALL close their doors, the selection of parts STINKS, and they sell garbage RF connectors too, those lossy crimp on toys are NOT true RF connectors.

The parts selection also stinks...NO small signal devices, no selection of regulators, op-amps, bidirectional switches or hex buffers and more(less).

I can get the latest remote controlled car or cycle, or even an up to date cellphone, but I CAN'T buy ELECTRONIC PARTS FOR RADIOS!

If they remain open, maybe they should change the name to TOY SHACK instead.

I have not purchased anything from radio shack in years now, and I try NOT to, they do nto cater to the hobbyist any more, and kids aren't interested in electronics or kit building or even learning, all they want is toys and sports related garbage made in sweat shops in china.

No wonder educated electrical engineers are from OTHER nations, we are a joke in the electronics world.
[B]
I can't wait to see 'CLOSED' on ALL Radio Shack stores personally!

Enterprise.....One to beam up!

[KE7DSY]

FYU The closing stores are taking some pretty big discounts on stuff, including all their small parts and connectors. everything is 30-60% off -- parts drawers merchandise is all 60%