[duckworth]

Radio Shack — such a weird store. I can never just go in and look around and figure out what I need. They think customer service is pouncing on a customer and badgering him.

[vladimir998]

Yeah, Radio Shack is becoming known for bad service these days:

http://consumerist.com/2012/03/13/radioshack-employee-cant-even-manage-to-come-up-with-a-good-insult-on-customers-receipt/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhOqRyjcK5Q

[ryan71]

Generic garbage for those that don’t know electronics.

[chrisser]

I’m no electronics wiz, but I occassionally need some sort of component - switch, led, resistor, etc.

I’ve found that virtually everything I want to buy at Radio Shack that differentiates it from Walmart has been condensed into a couple of poorly organized file cabinets in the back of the store, the contents of which appear to be mysterious oddities to the store clerks.

And they insist on collecting more information about me in order to checkout than the local gun shop. I can understand the need to market, but sometimes you want to just get in and get out, especially when you’re paying cash for something that costs less than $2.

Now I just buy online unless two exceedingly rare events occur - I absolutely need something right away, and Radio Shack actually has it in stock.

[DemforBush]

Ha! So very true. Some years back, I saw a comedian who used to bring that up in his routine. Something like “I just came in for some flashlight batteries - why do you want my phone number?”

[yldstrk]

well electronics right now is so complicated. I went in to Radio Shack for earphones for new smart TV. They quickly sold me a pair for $100. I got it home and couldn’t hook up the charger to the “audio out” because the “audio out” was “optical/digital” and the earphones were “analog”.

Took them back and they wanted to sell me $50 more of adapters and cords and I was too upset and just said, “here, take them back” which they did.

Further research on this issue indicates I am not the only one who can’t find a set of earphones to hook up to the silly “smart” TV.

[Fire_on_High]

The only times I’ve ever had to go into a Radio Shack in the past 15 years, I WISH they would have done that...everything I needed was behind the counter or in a display case; cordless phone batteries, universal plug and tip when a wallwart shattered, etc. Everything else is so overpriced it’s cheaper to get it at Walmart or the dollar store, and usually works just as well.

[csmusaret]

Can you still buy a radio in Radio Shack? Or will they rename it Phone Shack?

[Mike Darancette]

Radio Shack — such a weird store.

Back in the day I could spend hours with a Radio Shack or Edmunds Scientific catalog. Herter's too for other stuff.

[jps098]

You mean Cell Phone Shack. They have drifted so far from what they were, there is no reason to go to shop in one. You are hard pressed to find a Radio in the building.

[dragnet2]

Radio shack lost it's way...It's all about cell phones and consumer trinkets now....The old RS was way cool when they actually carried electrical components and the help had to have somewhat of a clue what the components were.

Some of the dumbest and rudest people I've ever met were in RS. It's almost like you have to be Mideastern with a cab driver mentality to work there.