Radio Shack Not Carrying the Basics Anymore?

[jcolletta275]

I went into Radio Shack last week in search of a basic Female 1/4"-to-Male XLR adapter, and after no luck finding it on the rack, I asked the clerk at the counter. He did a search for it in their online catalogue, and nothing came up. I got online myself the next day, did a search for it in several other places, and came up with one within two minutes.

Normally I'd go to the Shack for basic stuff like this, but after this and several other experiences, I'm beginning to realize that they aren't helping me as much as they used to. Are they dropping more and more of their professional audio equipment in favor of home theater stuff, or am I just losing it? Has anyone else noticed this trend?<P ID="signature">______________
"Get educated. Read stuff on the web and believe all of it."
-- Phil Hendrie
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>

 

[Les]

> Normally I'd go to the Shack for basic stuff like this, but
> after this and several other experiences, I'm beginning to
> realize that they aren't helping me as much as they used to.
> Are they dropping more and more of their professional audio
> equipment in favor of home theater stuff, or am I just
> losing it? Has anyone else noticed this trend?

Radio Shack now exists to sell Asian made toy robots and
remote control cars to your kids. You need enter the store
only to pay for their "gimmies".

As to the basics, for several years it has been evolving:

1. Remove most of the basic stuff 'cause people don't fix
things anymore.

2. Definitely remove connectors so you can sell over-priced
pre-made cables instead.

3. Those few basics you can't just walk away from, buy the
cheapest, flimsiest junk you can and demand a premium price
that thanks for having it at all.

Hint: Newark has an immense online catalog with almost any
electronic component/connector/lamp, etc. you could ever want.
Don't have web address for them at hand, but just run a search
on "newark electronics" and set yo'self free from shacking up
with the shack.

Mouser is good, too, but Newark has more diverse stuff...
<P ID="signature">______________

Due to continuing underwhelming popular demand...</P>

 

[SM100000w]

> I went into Radio Shack last week in search of a basic
> Female 1/4"-to-Male XLR adapter, and after no luck finding
> it on the rack, I asked the clerk at the counter. He did a
> search for it in their online catalogue, and nothing came
> up. I got online myself the next day, did a search for it
> in several other places, and came up with one within two
> minutes.
>
> Normally I'd go to the Shack for basic stuff like this, but
> after this and several other experiences, I'm beginning to
> realize that they aren't helping me as much as they used to.
> Are they dropping more and more of their professional audio
> equipment in favor of home theater stuff, or am I just
> losing it? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>

It's funny, as lately I've kinda wondered the same thing. I found myself standing in front of a dead transmitter recently, and decided I just needed a couple of (rather common) transistors and a fuse. The Radio Shack just up the street turned out to be a Radio 'Corner'. They had a huge RS sign in front, but it was really a corner of a Western Auto store. (No. They didn't have what I needed, either.)

 

[awsherrill]

The Radio Shack stores in our market (Tucson) still have a fair number of connectors and components available in the store. The slower-moving stuff has been moved to storage cabinets at the back of the store, so you have to look a little harder for it, but it's still there.

 

[ssnake]

> Radio Shack now exists to sell Asian made toy robots and
> remote control cars to your kids. You need enter the store
> only to pay for their "gimmies".
>
> As to the basics, for several years it has been evolving:
>
> 1. Remove most of the basic stuff 'cause people don't fix
> things anymore.
>
> 2. Definitely remove connectors so you can sell over-priced
>
> pre-made cables instead.
>
> 3. Those few basics you can't just walk away from, buy the
> cheapest, flimsiest junk you can and demand a premium price
> that thanks for having it at all.
>
> Hint: Newark has an immense online catalog with almost any
> electronic component/connector/lamp, etc. you could ever
> want.
> Don't have web address for them at hand, but just run a
> search
> on "newark electronics" and set yo'self free from shacking
> up
> with the shack.
>
> Mouser is good, too, but Newark has more diverse stuff...

Well said.

The Radio Shacks I've visited are even more annoying because they are staffed with excess salespeople, always asking if I need help (over and over again). When I finally do need assistance--to inquire about a certain connector size--the salesman gives me a blank stare and can't help me.

I don't think they ask for address and ZIP code now, which was really annoying in the past, but the credit card terminal at one location enraged me. I kept swiping my credit card, and then finally I realized that I had to select a language--English or Espanol--before it would recognize the card. The salesman just laughed at me as I was swiping the card; "I wondered how long you would keep swiping," he chuckled. One would think it would default to English if a card is swiped.

Latest experience with cheap Radio Shack gear: an RCA Y-adapter whose center pin broke inside when the connector was unplugged. Also, the shiny heatshrink Radio Shack sells is garbage.

At least in Atlanta, we have a local store (Ack Radio Supply) that sells just about everything. They are higher than the mail-order outlets, but great for convenience and in-person help. I wonder how many of this kind of retail store are left.

 

[RadioDoc]

> I went into Radio Shack last week in search of a basic
> Female 1/4"-to-Male XLR adapter, and after no luck finding
> it on the rack, I asked the clerk at the counter. He did a
> search for it in their online catalogue, and nothing came
> up. I got online myself the next day, did a search for it
> in several other places, and came up with one within two
> minutes.
>
> Normally I'd go to the Shack for basic stuff like this, but
> after this and several other experiences, I'm beginning to
> realize that they aren't helping me as much as they used to.
> Are they dropping more and more of their professional audio
> equipment in favor of home theater stuff, or am I just
> losing it? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>


Radio Shack...You've got questions? We've got cell phones!
Radio Shack...You've got questions? We've got blank stares!<P ID="signature">______________
</P>

 

[TXengineer]

Radio Shack, Newark, Mouser, and others

Our local Radio Shack stores have consolidated the parts to one local store.
So you have to drive all the way to this one store (in the busiest shopping plaza around too) just to get their junk parts.

> Hint: Newark has an immense online catalog with almost any
> electronic component/connector/lamp, etc. you could ever
> want.
> Don't have web address for them at hand, but just run a
> search
> on "newark electronics" and set yo'self free from shacking
> up
> with the shack.

Aww Les, this is an easy one. www.newark.com
Don't forget that Newark is now sister to MCM Electronics.
I think they have removed the minimum order requirement (there might be a small charge for it).
But let me say this, before you ever even think of going to Newark's website, heed my warning. Their website SUCKS. It is horrible to navigate around and search function is horrible. They do have an online PDF section of catalog pages which is the right way to do it, or just order the catalog yourself. You'll be glad you did.

> Mouser is good, too, but Newark has more diverse stuff...

I like Mouser too, but I also like others such as Joseph Electronics, Zach, and Milestek. I think the plethora of electronic parts mail/catalog order is nice... unless you need a part NOW.

 

[BrokeEngineer]

Do you have a phone???

I wonder how many of this kind of retail
> store are left.

We have one here in the Akron area, Philcap Ele. that, at times, is a god send. A little pricey but they have most parts and a quick turn-around for parts they need to order. Radio Shack is a joke anymore, that is, unless you need a cell phone. This happened 2 years ago, for a solid year, I was going to pick up various parts for various projects and was there about once a week. This same stupid saleman asked me everytime if I had a cell phone, how is my plan, he can do better...yada yada yada...I finally snapped one visit said "dude, are you that stupid you can't rememer me? I am here every week and you ask me everytime about having a phone! What the hell?" His reply, "you were in here last week?" OMG...Have not been back since.

 

[Engineer]

Depends on the particular Shack you go to. Some of the stores are just barren other than the junk consumer goods they sell. Some have a reasonable stock of adaptors, connectors, etc. It's not like it used to be, but you can grab that one part you're missing. The ones that drive me nuts are the stores that are a complete disaster with everything scrambled around on the shelves and in the bins.

I do wish there was a Fry's Electronics in every town... I just keep the shop well stocked with everything from Newark. It saves tons of time to just have stuff around and keeps projects moving. Buying a little bit of "shop stock" material every month is a good way to do it and lets you get the bulk price breaks on 50 XLRs or bags of 1,000 tiewraps or whatever else. I keep a master order list of my standard Newark part numbers so I don't have to search the website or paper catalog each time I order, and all my materials on hand are of matching type. They do occasionally change part numbers, which is really annoying.

Tip: Find a rainy day and solder up a whole bunch of 2' adaptor cables that go from both male and female XLR to every other connector you keep in stock. Make up gender changer cables too or keep the prefab adaptors on hand. Best to have at least two of each cable type to make a stereo pair. I recycle the connectors from pulled cabling to do this. When you need an adaptor widget, use two adaptor cables and plug it in until you can order or buy the right part. Also keep around one of the universal RF adaptor kits with several of the little center threaded pieces and a bunch of connector fittings.

You end up looking really professional if you can say "Yeah, I have one of those in the shop" when someone needs to plug in a portable DAT machine or give an audio feed to a TV crew or whatever.

> I went into Radio Shack last week in search of a basic
> Female 1/4"-to-Male XLR adapter, and after no luck finding
> it on the rack, I asked the clerk at the counter. He did a
> search for it in their online catalogue, and nothing came
> up. I got online myself the next day, did a search for it
> in several other places, and came up with one within two
> minutes.
>
> Normally I'd go to the Shack for basic stuff like this, but
> after this and several other experiences, I'm beginning to
> realize that they aren't helping me as much as they used to.
> Are they dropping more and more of their professional audio
> equipment in favor of home theater stuff, or am I just
> losing it? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>

 

[Les]

Re: Radio Shack, Newark, Mouser, and others

> Aww Les, this is an easy one. www.newark.com

You're right...but then this is my week to be into LAZY.

> Don't forget that Newark is now sister to MCM Electronics.
> I think they have removed the minimum order requirement
> (there might be a small charge for it)

Generally I've tried to anticipate parts requirements for
projects and pull together a bulk order, adding in all the
small one-of-a-kind of stuff I'll possibly need. Never any
problem with making the minimum. For XLR's and pre-made
cords, though, Newark is spendy. Have had good deals on
packages through BSW and now others are catching on.

> But let me say this, before you ever even think of going to
> Newark's website, heed my warning. Their website SUCKS. It
> is horrible to navigate around and search function is
> horrible. They do have an online PDF section of catalog
> pages which is the right way to do it, or just order the
> catalog yourself. You'll be glad you did.

I made it a point to get a hard-copy catalog about every
other year. You're right...it IS the best way when you
want to shop among possible suppliers.

> I like Mouser too, but I also like others such as Joseph
> Electronics, Zach, and Milestek. I think the plethora of
> electronic parts mail/catalog order is nice... unless you
> need a part NOW.

Ah for the days of B&A out of St. Louis (Burstein/Appleby)!
Excellent goods, usable catalog, good prices. I believe both
B and A died years ago and their families didn't want to keep
the business.....I may be wrong....but I haven't been able
to find them in about 15-years.

As to parts now....dunno if it's true any longer, but cities
of any size used to have electronics wholesalers who catered
to local TV repair shops. Jabbour Brothers in Pawtucket,
R.I., D'Andreta's (Good old Vito) in Providence, Johnny Burns
in New Bedford, etc. Of course just try to find a local
TV repair shop anymore. IF there is such a wholesaler in
your city and you have a talk with them you may find they
already stock much of what you need and are willing to order
special and even stock a little special if you can spread the
word among other engineers about them and perhaps help them
expand their customer base.

P.S. The closest electronics shop to the transmitter building
in the picture below is over 800 miles away, though well-stocked.
Of course for a few things I can walk down to Leo's Music Mart
and find, for example, a single RCA phono connector for $5.95.
Or, I could order it by phone from the other nearest supplier
and get it the next day by counter-to-counter airline delivery.
The connector would cost under a dollar but the delivery
would be around $27. Teaches one to plan ahead.....

<P ID="signature">______________

Due to continuing underwhelming popular demand...</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Les on 07/06/05 04:42 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[dave73]

> Radio Shack...You've got questions? We've got cell phones!
> Radio Shack...You've got questions? We've got blank stares!
>
That's what I got when a salesperson tried to get me to upgrade my phone before my contract was up with Verizon Wireless. I already had a bad experience with Radio Shack that I refuse to go to them for Verizon Wireless again. The stores in my area aren't knowledgeable about Sprint & Verizon Wireless service, and refuse to offer insurance on the phones they sell, whether through them or a 3rd party. That was the main reason I stopped using resellers for wireless service and will only deal with wireless services' corporate stores and mall kiosks.

 

[dave73]

Re: Do you have a phone???

> This same stupid saleman asked
> me everytime if I had a cell phone, how is my plan, he can
> do better...yada yada yada...I finally snapped one visit
> said "dude, are you that stupid you can't rememer me? I am
> here every week and you ask me everytime about having a
> phone! What the hell?" His reply, "you were in here last
> week?" OMG...Have not been back since.
>
I only go to Radio Shack for stuff I need. When someone asks me about wireless service for Sprint & Verizon Wireless (That's what's sold in NW Indiana stores), I tell them bluntly my bad experience with them that I will only deal with the corporate wireless stores (in this case, Verizon Wireless). Read my post above after Radiodoc's, which will tell you my bad experience with Radio Shack for Verizon Wireless service.

 

[John_U]

Fry's - you've got to be kidding

> I do wish there was a Fry's Electronics in every town... I
> just keep the shop well stocked with everything from Newark.

There is a Fry's just up the block from me. Every time I go looking for parts I find that they are even more expensive than RS (unless you are looking for their "loss leader") and the help is just about as "unknowledgeable".

There are still a couple of "hole in the wall" electronics stores around here that have what I want and know where to find it. In fact, there is even a place locally I can ask for a 12AX7GT and they have it in stock.

John

 

[Chuck]

Re: Fry's - you've got to be kidding

> There is a Fry's just up the block from me. Every time I go
> looking for parts I find that they are even more expensive
> than RS (unless you are looking for their "loss leader") and
> the help is just about as "unknowledgeable".
>
> There are still a couple of "hole in the wall" electronics
> stores around here that have what I want and know where to
> find it. In fact, there is even a place locally I can ask
> for a 12AX7GT and they have it in stock.

You are very lucky to have a real electronics store. They are few and far between these days. My experiences with Fry's have been similar to yours. I've learned (the hard way) to avoid it like the plague. Most of their loss leader stuff is "B" stock that has already been returned at least once. There is usually a reason it was returned...

 

[ironbear]

Re: Radio Shack, Newark, Mouser, and others

> Ah for the days of B&A out of St. Louis (Burstein/Appleby)!
> Excellent goods, usable catalog, good prices. I believe
> both
> B and A died years ago and their families didn't want to
> keep
> the business.....I may be wrong....but I haven't been able
> to find them in about 15-years.

I spent all my allowance money there, and at Allied, Olsen Electronics and Lafayette!

 

[BrokeEngineer]

Re: Do you have a phone???

Thankfully we have a huge Corp. Verizon center a few miles from the studio so we can go there and get phones repaired/exchanged quickly. I also go the new every 2 plan for ssome of our company phones. I have had very little trouble there and even had a demo Cellcaster lit there and then turned back off the same week. I must be lucky because I have never dropped a call nor have I been without service and I do a good bit of traveling on the weekend.

 

[THEInsultant]

> The Radio Shack stores in our market (Tucson) still have a
> fair number of connectors and components available in the
> store. The slower-moving stuff has been moved to storage
> cabinets at the back of the store, so you have to look a
> little harder for it, but it's still there.
>

Radio Shaft has been systematically eliminating the radio and parts stuff for years. It's getting to the point now that they are becoming unuseful. Strange thing to me is they are even cutting back on connectors and patch cables. That is high profit and fast moving stuff, so one would think they'd love to see it. I really question if their President of Radio Shack even has a clue what the hell he's doing. All I hear they want these days is cellular residuals. The problem is that if there isn't anything else in the store to draw traffic, those residuals will and ARE dropping off. I look for RS to be a shell of itself within 7 years. In my opinion they are going downhill fast.

Radio Shaft. You got questions? They've got shrugs!<P ID="signature">______________
--- THE Insultant ---</P>

 

[RockManAC]

> Radio Shack...You've got questions? We've got cell phones!

A salesperson @ Radio Shack got pissed at me once 'cause I told him that I had just upgraded my phone with Verizon. He asked why I hadn't come to RS. I pulled out my Treo and was like "could I have gotten this here?". He shut up.

-A<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[TXengineer]

> dropping off. I look for RS to be a shell of itself within 7
> years. In my opinion they are going downhill fast.
>

I'd be surprised to see the chain still existing in 10 years. I think the new directions the managment has taken the store in the past 10 years, is a shame to the radio shack name of old.

But what can ya do!

 

[Chuck]

Re: Radio Shack, Newark, Mouser, and others

> I spent all my allowance money there, and at Allied, Olsen
> Electronics and Lafayette!

Me too. It was a big day when their catalogs would arrive in the mail. I actually miss Olson Electronics... And I really miss Lafayette Radio. In its prime, it was awesome.