[AH] Parts from Radio Shack?

[Steve Varner]

Yes, there aren't a lot of parts, but Radio Shacks are ubiquitous in my county
(San Diego). There are3 or 4 in my town; one of which is 3 km down the road and
another one near my work. I look at Radio Shack like a convenience store. I don't
normally by anything at one unless I need bread or milk on Sunday morning when
someone is going to visit. Similarly, I go into Radio Shack for a switch or
alligator clips (crocodiles to the rest of you!).
There are some things there that ARE good though.
I buy my panel knobs there. The black and chrome hex knobs are cheap and come in
1" and 0.75" sizes. I haven't found knobs much cheaper except at mail order
surplus specials. I want consistency, so Radio Shack is a good bet.
My computer speakers are Radio Shack models. I was surprised to find that Macworld
rated these speakers (AMX-16) as number 4 on a large list of speakers. The top
three were expensive models by Bose, etc. I have been VERY happy with these
speakers, they sound great.
The short wave radios are made by a north European manufacturer (Netherlands I
think) and look identical to ones sold in ham radio shops.
Tests of alkaline batteries have shown that Radio Shack batteries are pretty long
lasting and reliable. They are also cheaper than name brands sold in drug stores,
etc. They also give you a card that gives you free batteries when you buy a few.

On the BAD side:
The sales people seem to be totally ignorant of electronics. They don't like to
help people trying to find components because of this. I asked a fellow in the RS
near my work where the tantalum caps were and he said they were somewhere on the
wall where I was looking. You could tell he had no idea where they were (or
probably what they were). They know more about radio controlled cars than about
building radios.
They are also annoying about Sprint PCS, Airtouch Cellular, and digital TV
systems. They bug the heck out of you. "Hey look, I just want a damn heatsink,
leave me alone about Sprint OK?"

SV

Irish wrote:

> On Fri, 05 Feb 1999, Curtin, Steven D (Steven) typed:
> >> Radio Shack parts are about to become rare items, as they are
> >> discontunuing any
> >> component sales. Already several of my local stores do not carry ANY parts
> >> - oh
> >> wait, they've always been like that. Sorry. I guess the reason you
> >> wouldn't
> >> direct anyone there for parts is THEY DON'T HAVE ANY! Bastards....
> >>
> >What area of the country is this?   The Radio Shacks around here vehemently
> >deny stopping component sales.  Although their parts are frequently more
> >expensive and not as good quality as mail order, it would be the end of an
> >era and a great shame if they stopped selling parts.  It's been very handy
> >to just pick some resistors on the way home from work, etc.
>
> Amazingly enough, the Pacific Northwest. You would think with all the
> technology this area is inundated with.......
>
> Anyway, I'd love it if they opened a Tech America around here; that sounds like
> what I would expect from Radio Shack. You do realize I was *exaggerating* when
> I said they didn't have *any* parts; they have a couple, but just enough to
> make it look like they still sell parts - really, you couldn't build even a
> very simple project with only stock RS parts (I mean the stuff in the store,
> not ordered from the book).
>
> I do remember RS carrying WAY more parts, and WAY less junk, but I was to young
> to appreciate it then.
>
> FYI, Future Shops are also a Tandy Corp sub.
>
> Irish