Parts from Radio Shack?

[Rob & Heather Williams]

Hi folks,

I've always heard (and subsequently passed along) advice to
my friends, customers and fellow kit builders not to buy
their electronic parts from Radio Shack if they can help
it.  It's okay in a bind, but should be avoided.  It was
something that was taught to me years ago, and I have just
perpetuated it.  But now I wonder.

What exactly is the basis for this advice we keep passing on
to avoid RS parts?  Is it just that they are of inferior
quality, or what?  Maybe I've been slamming RS for no good
reason.  Since I live in a very rural area, I've always just
bought my parts mail-order.  Does it hurt a synth to run on
RS parts?

Robert