Radioshack...

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by malave7567

They really needed to push more towards what they were great at before, hobby level things. I feel they tried too hard to sell stuff like cell phones and cell phone plans, etc. and just needed to focus on their old niche. That said, a lot of people in that niche are just ordering everything online now...

I will miss radioshack for the same reason dem00n said. I could grab stuff like t-taps, heat wrap, terminals, etc. real quick for exactly what I needed.

Definitely agree with this. They haven't paid any attention to the hobby market in years. I still think you could make a profit doing this right. Yes, in a large city you can find some of this stuff in super specialty stores, and online everywhere, but I still loved the convenience of radio shack. Not only that, but it was the introductory place for a lot of current engineers, designers and technicians. Without seeing something like this to inspire them, most young people never even think of this as an option for a career.

Also, for some parts I just need just 1 or 5, not 100 or 1000.

[stugray]

Originally Posted by Black Tire

Definitely agree with this. They haven't paid any attention to the hobby market in years. I still think you could make a profit doing this right. Yes, in a large city you can find some of this stuff in super specialty stores, and online everywhere, but I still loved the convenience of radio shack. Not only that, but it was the introductory place for a lot of current engineers, designers and technicians. Without seeing something like this to inspire them, most young people never even think of this as an option for a career.

Also, for some parts I just need just 1 or 5, not 100 or 1000.

Exactly! If they had "Hobby night" or teamed up with the local hobby store for a Robot Build-a-thon, then they might have some more followers.

The RS near me just started carrying the Arduinos and robot kits, but it is too late for them AND They are only a few miles from Sparkfun (biggest electronics hobby center in the country short of Adafruit) so they are kind of screwed in that dept at least here near Boulder.

I have "J.B. Saunders" which has almost ever conceivable piece of electronics (new & used) that one would need.

That and Digikey, Newark, & Mouser can get you parts next day.

I am an EE and can honestly thank Radio Shack for that.
Who else used to spend hours at Radio Shack playing Zork (or maybe the precusor to it) on the TRS-80s?
I remember waiting for games to load from the CASSETTE DECK! (Yes you youngins heard me right).

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by stugray

I remember going into Radio Shack with my dad and a box full of vacuum tubes from the TV.
We would test them all and replace the ones that were bad.
They had all of the vacuum tubes in stock.

( cue the - "What the hell is a Vacuum Tube" crowd )

Hey Stug when you were a kid were they called "Wireless Hut"?
(Not often I get to make old guy jokes)

[Kotu100]

Originally Posted by AznBRZer

RadioShack really saved my ass when I did my first headunit install. Now I'll have wait a couple days if I screw something up...LOLZ

We still have you do it electronics in Needham.
Dat amazon doe.

[pushrod]

I thought RadioShack already died, at least in Canada. It's called The Source now or something, and it's a great place to get a clock radio or a cell phone cover.

They sell components still, but in one corner of the store, and they have maybe one of each "thing", whether it's the variant you need or not. Mail order for the win.

RIP Radio Shack, and for that matter, RIP half of retail.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by pushrod

I thought RadioShack already died, at least in Canada. It's called The Source now or something, and it's a great place to get a clock radio or a cell phone cover.

They sell components still, but in one corner of the store, and they have maybe one of each "thing", whether it's the variant you need or not. Mail order for the win.

RIP Radio Shack, and for that matter, RIP half of retail.

The mall ones suck but there are a couple of stores around here that's till look like they have all their stock from the 70s right up. There is one by my cottage that has an incredible stock of parts and components and hardly any of the crappy toys, cell phones or 3rd rate electronics.

[Simplicity]

Never really like RadioShack because they seem to always overpriced their products!

[Ultramaroon]

I'm with you, @dem00n. Going to miss them. Gotta say, though, I always knew way more about what I needed than any of the kids behind the counter. Not their fault but always an awkward moment.