|
RadioShack Catalog
Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once
again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Tom |
Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once
again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality of their electronic-components rack... -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! |
"Dave Platt" wrote in message ... Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality of their electronic-components rack... Unfortunately, all their money comes from cell phone sales. I won't be visiting them until they lose their shirt doing that and have to go back to selling components. |
I think it is mainly the old timers which keep them in business, anyone 40 and younger will grab what they need off the internet (cell phones too) and get a much better deal... John On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:30:50 -0500, john graesser wrote: "Dave Platt" wrote in message ... Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality of their electronic-components rack... Unfortunately, all their money comes from cell phone sales. I won't be visiting them until they lose their shirt doing that and have to go back to selling components. |
On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:15:01 +0000, Tom wrote:
Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Tom Who cares? Their stuff has been and probably always will be a POS. I have never seen worse electronic components sold to the general public than the junk in that store. Avoid them like the plague. Larry VE7EA |
In article io.net,
clfe wrote: Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it not for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me that they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, Stereos, Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't enough to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major miracle to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have nothing to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. Last night I was watching on cable a movie made in 1997 about Star Trek fans. One of the fans builds things. It showed him going into a Radio Shack store and asking for parts and electronics help (should I use a 270 oHm resistor instead of the 3k?). The back of the store was a maze of parts racks, and they guy knew the answers. As Joani Mitchell once said "you don't realize what you've lost until it's gone". Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. |
"Dave Platt" wrote in message
... Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality of their electronic-components rack... -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it not for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me that they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, Stereos, Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't enough to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major miracle to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have nothing to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. clf |
In article rio.net,
clfe wrote: Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" type of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, the other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm talking the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has seriously lost its touch. The manager of the Radio Shack I went to before I moved here, was a ham. All of the employes knew radio (swl or scanners), electronics or computers. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. |
Back in the '70 you had to demoinstrate knoweledge of electronics before you could be hired; not an expert, but at least understand what the customer was looking for. I worked for them until '79. Their new slogan is "you got questions, we got insults."
|
clfe wrote:
the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - with the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years tops. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and gone. clf 10 years? No way. In recent years I've had a few instances to go into a RS looking for stuff for the kids like videogame machines and just odd random non-radio related stuff. They aren't competitive with that stuff either. Seems to me that they are 'surviving' off of their convenience aspect since most of their urban stores are located in malls and many smaller towns that don't have the big box stores and malls at least have an RS franchise...but they never have a very good stock of anything. When you go into a RS and they can't fit you with a new cellphone battery whats left? My bet is that there are a lot of red ink stores in their chain and the poor franchisees are basically working only to have a job and to try and salvage their investment. I suspect if it weren't for their franchising schemes the name Radio Shack would be long gone already. -Bill M |
Well RS is doing well financially, better than the competition. As for
what they sell, well, you have to follow the money especially with the rents so high. Cellphones, satellite service and other modern fun things is where the money is now. Parts make up very little of the business, even though they make a high profit on them. The do-it-yourself market is pretty lean now a days, with college areas making up the biggest market. It is to easy to buy a digital rig and get it up and running than a homebrew one. Even though the homebrew one is funner to get going. The internet also plays a big roll in the dimise of the parts draw. There is also a few hams left at RS. Dave KB1HUP "-ex-" wrote in message ... clfe wrote: the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - with the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years tops. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and gone. clf 10 years? No way. In recent years I've had a few instances to go into a RS looking for stuff for the kids like videogame machines and just odd random non-radio related stuff. They aren't competitive with that stuff either. Seems to me that they are 'surviving' off of their convenience aspect since most of their urban stores are located in malls and many smaller towns that don't have the big box stores and malls at least have an RS franchise...but they never have a very good stock of anything. When you go into a RS and they can't fit you with a new cellphone battery whats left? My bet is that there are a lot of red ink stores in their chain and the poor franchisees are basically working only to have a job and to try and salvage their investment. I suspect if it weren't for their franchising schemes the name Radio Shack would be long gone already. -Bill M |
"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message
... In article io.net, clfe wrote: Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it not for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me that they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, Stereos, Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't enough to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major miracle to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have nothing to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. Last night I was watching on cable a movie made in 1997 about Star Trek fans. One of the fans builds things. It showed him going into a Radio Shack store and asking for parts and electronics help (should I use a 270 oHm resistor instead of the 3k?). The back of the store was a maze of parts racks, and they guy knew the answers. As Joani Mitchell once said "you don't realize what you've lost until it's gone". Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" type of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, the other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm talking the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has seriously lost its touch. clf |
Dave wrote:
Well RS is doing well financially, better than the competition. As for what they sell, well, you have to follow the money especially with the rents so high. Cellphones, satellite service and other modern fun things is where the money is now. Parts make up very little of the business, even though they make a high profit on them. The do-it-yourself market is pretty lean I wasn't meaning to compare selling cellphone contracts with selling parts that nobody buys anymore. What I meant to suggest is that they are not even the best choice in the satellite tv/cellphone package market. Sure, they get bulk deals from the main providers but so do a lot of other people who don't have to pay mall-front rent prices and can undercut them at their own game. Follow the money is very appropo and will likely figure into their ultimate demise. I'll reitirate that its the franchise owners who are taking the beating, not the corporate entity. -BM |
Reloader wrote:
Back in the '70 you had to demoinstrate knoweledge of electronics before you could be hired; not an expert, but at least understand what the customer was looking for. I worked for them until '79. Their new slogan is "you got questions, we got insults." -- Reloader You've got questions? So do we! ;-) You've got questions? Come back when you have the answers! ;-) You've got questions? Go ask someone with an IQ higher than 70! ;-) You've got questions? What do you expect from us. Answers? ;-) You've got questions? Go away, I'm trying to sell a cell phone! ;-) You've got questions? Don't we all? ;-) Anyone have any more good ones? -- Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted after threats were telephoned to my church. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida |
"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message
... In article rio.net, clfe wrote: Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" type of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, the other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm talking the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has seriously lost its touch. The manager of the Radio Shack I went to before I moved here, was a ham. All of the employes knew radio (swl or scanners), electronics or computers. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. I don't doubt that at all. "Some" did know what they were doing and/or selling. But, by and large - most didn't. I was in a store once too where a customer asked about a Public Service Scanner. The sales lady didn't know what was what with the three models they listed. I overheard them asking her about them, as they wanted to buy one. She plain said "I don't know". I asked if I may help, she said yes. I explained to them what they needed to know and they did buy "a" scanner. I told the young lady - I know it may not be required, but you should at least "try" to learn a little of what you're selling. That store wasn't a RS, but just goes to show, many sales people do not know their products. THAT can hurt them in the end. People don't want to or like to buy things they can't use. Especially now with the price of gas to return something. The Employee selling the item isn't going to look very good - whether he did it on purpose or just plain didn't know. In the end, I think the Staples, Wal-Marts, Office Maxs, (maybe Circuit Citys and so on are going to be in the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - with the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years tops. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and gone. clf |
You have questions? We have puzzles, mysteries, enigmas and impossible solutions! John On Wed, 17 Aug 2005 03:19:49 +0000, Michael A. Terrell wrote: Reloader wrote: Back in the '70 you had to demoinstrate knoweledge of electronics before you could be hired; not an expert, but at least understand what the customer was looking for. I worked for them until '79. Their new slogan is "you got questions, we got insults." -- Reloader You've got questions? So do we! ;-) You've got questions? Come back when you have the answers! ;-) You've got questions? Go ask someone with an IQ higher than 70! ;-) You've got questions? What do you expect from us. Answers? ;-) You've got questions? Go away, I'm trying to sell a cell phone! ;-) You've got questions? Don't we all? ;-) Anyone have any more good ones? |
Unfortunately, all their money comes from cell phone sales. I won't be
visiting them until they lose their shirt doing that and have to go back to selling components. ===================== Ratshack get their income from people living in today's consumers' society ,not from the few dinosaurs who enjoy tinkering with electronics . That's the reality . If they are reconsidering publishing a catalogue and include electronic components ,then their marketing people and nobody else consider this a potentially profitable move . They wouldn't do it just to please electronics enthousiasts (which include some home brewing radio amateurs) Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH |
"-ex-" wrote in message ... clfe wrote: the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - with the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years tops. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and gone. clf 10 years? No way. In recent years I've had a few instances to go into a RS looking for stuff for the kids like videogame machines and just odd random non-radio related stuff. They aren't competitive with that stuff either. Seems to me that they are 'surviving' off of their convenience aspect since most of their urban stores are located in malls and many smaller towns that don't have the big box stores and malls at least have an RS franchise...but they never have a very good stock of anything. When you go into a RS and they can't fit you with a new cellphone battery whats left? My bet is that there are a lot of red ink stores in their chain and the poor franchisees are basically working only to have a job and to try and salvage their investment. I suspect if it weren't for their franchising schemes the name Radio Shack would be long gone already. -Bill M Bill - BILL - I was "trying" to be nice about it - be conservative - give them time to buy themselves out of this mess. If they go 5 they'll be damned lucky. As to their "Franchising" - knowing what I do, I'd be very hard pressed to want to be a part of their system. I recall a day when they wouldn't allow (at least how I recall it) a store within 10 miles of another. Now, they have stores and francised outlets squeezed in between. Maybe in the quest to try to add more stores for more sales, - they choked themselves. Seems to be a going thing today. A big store chain comes in - claims the best of the world and within a very few short years - declare bankruptcy and shut down. Whatever their problems are - Cell phone sales - TV sets, Phones, Gadgets and so on - just aren't going to cut it. They really did lose the basis of their origins. Sad but true - a sign of the times. It wouldn't surprise me if tomorrow on CNN - they came out with the announcement that RS is calling it quits. Like the death of a famous movie star or whatever you hold somewhat near and dear - it may startle the mind, but life goes on. clf |
Anyone have any more good ones?
You've got questions? We've got blank stares! |
In article , Highland Ham wrote:
If they are reconsidering publishing a catalogue and include electronic components ,then their marketing people and nobody else consider this a potentially profitable move . They wouldn't do it just to please electronics enthousiasts (which include some home brewing radio amateurs) No, it's the simple demographics. The parts buyers are older people with more disposable income and a technology bent. They won't sell you a cell phone, but they might get you to buy one of their big ticket items while you are there. Let's face it, if you go to a Radio Shack once a week to pick up parts, like many of us used to do in days gone by, while you are there you are more likely to buy something else than make a trip to one of the big stores especialy to buy a $20 item. I'll bet you that they make profit on that $20 item than some of the big stores make on a $100 item. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. |
You've got questions? We've got answers. Hell NO I don't know if they are
correct. Jim "Tim Shoppa" wrote in message oups.com... Anyone have any more good ones? You've got questions? We've got blank stares! |
If you buy it at Radio Shack & it has a warranty, they will do their best to
honor it. The new storage system for parts sure is better for us with bifocals. Their demise has been predicted for more than 30 years... Some of the store help are very knowledgeable, some are not. -- John Ferrell http://DixieNC.US "Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message ... In article rio.net, clfe wrote: Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" type of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, the other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm talking the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has seriously lost its touch. The manager of the Radio Shack I went to before I moved here, was a ham. All of the employes knew radio (swl or scanners), electronics or computers. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. |
"Dave" wrote in message ... Well RS is doing well financially, better than the competition. As for what they sell, well, you have to follow the money especially with the rents so high. Cellphones, satellite service and other modern fun things is where the money is now. Parts make up very little of the business, even though they make a high profit on them. The do-it-yourself market is pretty lean now a days, with college areas making up the biggest market. It is to easy to buy a digital rig and get it up and running than a homebrew one. Even though the homebrew one is funner to get going. I recall a UP story a couple of weeks ago that stated RS had 50 million profit off of over 1 billion in sales. So they are selling a hell of a lot but barely staying in the black. 1/2 of 1 percent profit? Even a passbook savings acct gets a better return than that. |
John Ferrell wrote:
: : Their demise has been predicted for more than 30 years... : Some of the store help are very knowledgeable, some are not. : One of my friends once went to a Radio Shack and asked if they could special-order a vacuum tube for his guitar amplifier. The kid at the counter didn't know what a vacuum tube was, and suggested that he should try the appliance department at Sears, as they might sell parts for vacuum cleaners. David Winfrey KB3ICR |
John Ferrell wrote:
If you buy it at Radio Shack & it has a warranty, they will do their best to honor it. The new storage system for parts sure is better for us with bifocals. Its a pain in the ass for those who walk with a cane to try to bend down and look in the bottom drawers without falling, or knocking over the piles of toys they use to try to hide the cabinets. One store has them right outside the door to the office, and its dangerous trying to stand there with the droids running in and out of the office. -- Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted after threats were telephoned to my church. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida |
In article ,
says... Anyone have any more good ones? You've got questions? We've got batteries! -- jm ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.qsl.net/ke5fx Note: My E-mail address has been altered to avoid spam ------------------------------------------------------ |
|
Anyone have any more good ones? You've got questions? We've got batteries............... |
"Reloader" wrote in message
... Back in the '70 you had to demoinstrate knoweledge of electronics before you could be hired; not an expert, but at least understand what the customer was looking for. I worked for them until '79. Their new slogan is "you got questions, we got insults." I doubt that requiring applicants to demonstrate knowledge of electronics would work anymore. I believe that most Radio Shacks start people at minimum wage plus commisions on cell phones, extended warranties, etc., so when that's the 'deal' you're looking at, a would-be employee can do just as well working at many other stores that don't require any particular knowledge of what it is, exactly, that the store is selling. Personally, I think you could run many stores with, say, 2/3 the people and pay them 3/2 as much as normal and thereby demand some actual skills and retain them (and work 3/2 as hard!), but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the standard business strategy these days. ---Joel Kolstad |
john graesser wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message ... Well RS is doing well financially, better than the competition. As for what they sell, well, you have to follow the money especially with the rents so high. Cellphones, satellite service and other modern fun things is where the money is now. Parts make up very little of the business, even though they make a high profit on them. The do-it-yourself market is pretty lean now a days, with college areas making up the biggest market. It is to easy to buy a digital rig and get it up and running than a homebrew one. Even though the homebrew one is funner to get going. I recall a UP story a couple of weeks ago that stated RS had 50 million profit off of over 1 billion in sales. So they are selling a hell of a lot but barely staying in the black. 1/2 of 1 percent profit? Even a passbook savings acct gets a better return than that. Um, as I recall, 1 billion is 1000 million (in the USA where Radio Shack is). So that would be 50/1000 or 5% profit. John |
Larry Gagnon wrote:
On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:15:01 +0000, Tom wrote: Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Tom Who cares? Their stuff has been and probably always will be a POS. I have never seen worse electronic components sold to the general public than the junk in that store. Avoid them like the plague. Larry VE7EA Maybe they should go back to selling leather. John |
"john graesser" wrote in message ... I recall a UP story a couple of weeks ago that stated RS had 50 million profit off of over 1 billion in sales. So they are selling a hell of a lot but barely staying in the black. 1/2 of 1 percent profit? Even a passbook savings acct gets a better return than that. 50 x10^6 / 10^9 * 100% = 5% - that's not so bad |
"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message ... In article io.net, clfe wrote: Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it not for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me that they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, Stereos, Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't enough to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major miracle to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have nothing to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. Last night I was watching on cable a movie made in 1997 about Star Trek fans. One of the fans builds things. It showed him going into a Radio Shack store and asking for parts and electronics help (should I use a 270 oHm resistor instead of the 3k?). The back of the store was a maze of parts racks, and they guy knew the answers. As Joani Mitchell once said "you don't realize what you've lost until it's gone". Geoff. Yeah. I remember when they were getting rid of all those paperback electronics books, you know like "Op amp Circuits" and "NAND Gate circuits", and a bunch of ones by Carr. They were obsoleting the entire line for 25 cents a book. I still have dozens and dozens of those books in my closet somewhere. Old friends indeed..." Greysky |
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