Rat Shack dying
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Went into my local one today. I asked for a 1/8" stereo extension cord. The guy working instantly asked: "How long?". Watcha got? "6', 12', 16', and a 20 footer if I have one in stock."
He actually knew his stuff!
We started talking, and I asked what's the latest rumor they're hearing, and he said that they've been hearing that RS is going back into more parts, components, and DIY stuff.
I have no earthly idea how they can survive doing that, but it's interesting, that's for sure.
Btw, there's a small town nearby, Pomeroy, WA, with a population of around 1,400 that actually has a Radio Shack. Amazing.
He actually knew his stuff!
We started talking, and I asked what's the latest rumor they're hearing, and he said that they've been hearing that RS is going back into more parts, components, and DIY stuff.
I have no earthly idea how they can survive doing that, but it's interesting, that's for sure.
Btw, there's a small town nearby, Pomeroy, WA, with a population of around 1,400 that actually has a Radio Shack. Amazing.
BrokenHill
Well-Known Member
Recently I went into the local Radio Shack in Newhall and was surprised to see they added a whole
lot more small components, found some very nice knobs for a modified Fisher tube amp I was working on.
lot more small components, found some very nice knobs for a modified Fisher tube amp I was working on.
dr*audio
Fish fingers and custard!
Medical electronics is one of the few industries that is doing well. If kids want to get into an industry with jobs, they are going to learn electronics. The new micro computers, like the Adafruit are popular, too. There is a future for Radio Shack and I am predicting a huge upswing in interest in DIY electronic projects.
I know a manager, they do not get many walk ins other than cells and batts.
I have not bought a thing in 2 years just stop in to say high.
They do have over head so mark things up.
I think the INTERNET killed them to so point. as well as everything is now disposable
My big purchase was a large Free Air TV antenna and ran free air with 40 stations for 8 years no bill.
AT&T broke and last 3 days was back on free air till this new stuff gets fixed today.
And Now getting a new Antenna for the Harmam Kardon 3480
It is not like they are making any $ off me.
Back in the day I had some Mach Ones and a powerful radio for the time. They used to make on music. Now everyone had the little things that play sounds and is happy
Training costs money. Not training costs much more...but unfortunately that doesn't fit into modern American corporate obsession with not spending (investing, actually) a dime...that would make a less attractive "bottom line for the quarter."
As an aside, I'm an old dude...sort of. When did "Rack Shack" (as in your radio rack) become "Rat Shack"? I don't get the name connection with rats(?)
I agree. The internet will continue to kill brick and mortar businesses because the internet has things in stock, and in variety. No point wasting time and fuel searching around town for a non-stocked or out of stock item because the item is not in the top 10% of fast moving items. All stores that are in the same type of supply business seem to carry almost exactly the same stuff as each other competing for exactly the same niche, and have none of the variety they used to stock.
cheers
Rob
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I am guilty 100% The wife and I can get what we need and have it here in a few days. We order it and let USPS. Fed EX and UPS burn their gas.
The real deal is we were locally and paid more for local but it is gone now. And anyone who can get it wanted twice as much to order what i can order.
And we have to drive to order and drive to pick it up.
Old HiFi Guy
Well-Known Member
I too am also guilty. I am disabled and don't get out of the house much, but every time I do to buy something it becomes a disaster. It is much easier and a lot cheaper to order on line and have it shipped. I even bought 3 air conditioners online last summer for $300.00 less than I could locally and that included 2 day shipping. I just bought my first new TV in over 35 years online for $40.00 less than local and it was 1\4 the price of the one I bought 35 years ago factoring the value of money. Remember this concept is not new, mail order started flourishing after the Civil War. Hopping in the car and going to buy something at WallyWorld only came into being in the 1950-60's.
fred soop
Super Member
You can shop on line looking at the big box web sites, then when you actually find something, the fine print says, "on line only, not available in stores". Why click "ship to local store", when you can click, "add to cart (and ship to my door)"? So, they are doing this to themselves.
GWhitney
GWhitney
Liquidation of Radio Shack Items
http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/GA/Norcross/30093/633750
No affiliation.
http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/GA/Norcross/30093/633750
No affiliation.
The manager of my local RS said they've gone from 4,000 SKUs down to 3,000. I asked for some things they've dropped, and he grinned and said: "VHS tape rewinders."
Oh, well ok then.
Oh, well ok then.
Ed in Tx
Super Member
What Radio Shack items? Don't think I saw more than a couple of RS out of 100 pics.
MikeT.
Displaced Irish Cajun
They needed to do something drastic, like carrying milk, soda and eggs......something, along with the cell phones and they didn't. Half the store is irelevant to half the people that enter the door. There's nothing to create constant foot traffic.
The other half, like us, go there occasionally to buy a soldering iron or deoxit but even most of "us" have started ordering online.
Too little, too late:tears: I am sad to see them go.
The other half, like us, go there occasionally to buy a soldering iron or deoxit but even most of "us" have started ordering online.
Too little, too late:tears: I am sad to see them go.
Lately the pimplefaced kids at Radio Shack have been accosting me to try and sell me a new cellphone complete with new service plan.
And they'll spend however long it takes yakking with cellphone service providers to set up that new service plan, while you stand there, money in hand, wanting to BUY something.
Cellphone Shack...
Freds.Bands
Live Music Listener
Robotics is where electronics is heading, if not already there. Everything else is covered extensively and RS is really only there for emergency/convenience buys. Further they only have the 20% tolerance values in components, and most other stuff is make-do; not too convenient really.
But I did get a nice digital keyboard stand for a demo price a few months ago; now if I can only figure out what to do with a digital keyboatd now that my class is over.
But I did get a nice digital keyboard stand for a demo price a few months ago; now if I can only figure out what to do with a digital keyboatd now that my class is over.
