"Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment – not marketing slogans"
T
tcarcio
Audioholic General
I am surprised they have not gone bankrupt sooner. I haven't shopped there in years.
slipperybidness
Audioholic Warlord
Agreed!
When I was very young, Radio Shack was a great resource for the electronic hobbyist. Now, it's not much more than a cell phone store and good luck getting answers to technical questions or having much selection on electronic parts.
AcuDefTechGuy
Audioholic Jedi
Sad, but true. I can't remember the last time I went to Radio Shack.
lsiberian
Audioholic Overlord
I could never find what I needed there. I think they lost their way.
ecologydoc
Junior Audioholic
I thought they still had a niche. Within the last few years I've purchased connectors and adaptors for shortwave radio antennas, as well as a shortwave radio, and bunch of rechargeable batteries and a good battery recharger.
But yeah, the emphasis on phones and the pushy saleschildren..........
But yeah, the emphasis on phones and the pushy saleschildren..........
M
markw
Audioholic Overlord
Having had a relationship with them from the late 60's to the late 90's*, I find this disheartening. Having seen it in it's glory days, through the seventies and early 80's when the groovy audio stuff was hitting, and finally seeing the decline from the late eighties, through the nineties and this century, I can't say I didn't see it coming. They lost their focus and the big box stores and the internet all combined for the perfect storm.
I worked for them in 67 -68, 76 - 77, 81 -84 and finally from 96 - 2000
I worked for them in 67 -68, 76 - 77, 81 -84 and finally from 96 - 2000
TheWarrior
Audioholic Ninja
Its the digital age. Everything is to be push button now, so why would there be a need for an enormous chain of stores to sell analog components? Their failure is in not redirecting their business appropriately, and instead choosing to become pushy phone salespeople.
T
tcarcio
Audioholic General
I actually still have an STA-2000 receiver that I bought at RS in 1979. It still works fine. At least the last time I used it it did about 6 years ago. I think that is when they actually made pretty good stereo receivers.
Adam
Audioholic Jedi
Word. While I bought audio equipment from Radio Shack as a kid, I can see why few would do so anymore because of the knowledge and prices available on the internet. If I knew then what I know now, I'm not sure that I would have bought the (multiple) speakers that I bought from them back in the 80's. However, they used to offer something that few if any other stores offered - convenient and fast access to electrical components not available anywhere else locally. Now, if I even need a simple audio adapter, I might as well just go to Amazon instead of driving a couple of miles down there because they either won't have it or the sales staff won't know where it is.
J
JackA
Enthusiast
Used to enjoy Radio Shack when they carried electronic parts. Since most everything is made outside the country, even a full-line Radio Shack has a small cabinet of parts. Even tough to find electronic parts online, though All Electronics seems pretty good. Many hobbies of the past, even electronics, seems to have flown south in the US!
slipperybidness
Audioholic Warlord
Remember the good old radio shack catalog? I guess the PE catalog is the only thing nowadays that even comes close!
What RS should have done is move along to the Fry's business model.
I know that most of the AH'rs don't even have a Fry's anywhere close to them, and that is a shame. For those that have never been into a Fry's, it's kind of like old-school RadioShack meets a Best Buy. Certainly one of my favorite stores to visit.
zhimbo
Audioholic General
Ah yes, The Onion, like everyone else, saw this coming:
Even CEO Can't Figure Out How Radio Shack Still In Business
Even CEO Can't Figure Out How Radio Shack Still In Business
zieglj01
Audioholic Spartan
Erased
zieglj01
Audioholic Spartan
BoredSysAdmin
Audioholic Slumlord
Hard to find electronic parts online?
How about Mouser or digi key? I think they have one of everything re:electronics parts.
Also see this page :
http://www.ladyada.net/library/procure/partsdistributors.html
slipperybidness
Audioholic Warlord
Yup, Mouser and Digi-key are the go-to vendors.
Digi-key does always seem to be expensive though!
Personally, I like Mouser because they have a large warehouse in the DFW area. Getting parts to my door only takes 2-3 days from order!
I also like PE, though they are more specialized towards audio electronics. I like their catalog and web site, and support and forums, and no hassle returns!
Troy McGregor
Enthusiast
Only time I ever needed anything it was a diode...lol
yeah they always have odd ball stuff
ParadigmDawg
Audioholic Overlord
I was at one 2 weeks ago. I got my Roku there, I drive by a lot and never see anyone in there.
B
bikdav
Senior Audioholic
That is so true. I'm in the same boat s you.
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