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To: Trump20162020

I’m just amazed we’re still talking about them in the year 2017. What is their function? Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?


2 posted on 03/09/2017 8:16:02 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It has been decades since visiting one of their stores.
Off the top of my head, I cannot think of an item they sell that I might need.

10 posted on 03/09/2017 8:21:11 PM PST by Blue Jays ( Rock hard ~ Ride free)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Boy, are you behind the times. The “electronic parts” part of their business is like four drawers in the back (maybe 0.5% of sales).


13 posted on 03/09/2017 8:23:10 PM PST by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Ah...how about DigiKey, Mouser (part of TT Electronics, Berkshire Hathaway), Adafruit, MCM, Parts Express, Sparkfun, MakerShed, and several dozen more?

ELectronics as a hobby is bigger than ever. People even make their own 3D printers, ya know? ;-) And with open source software and cheap building blocks like Arduino and Raspberry Pis, hobbyists are making more things that turn into small businesses, often sourcing PC boards, wi-fi, bluetooth, and GPS modules, and other components directly from China and performing the value-added processes here. All good.

Radio Shack simply ran itself into the ground trying to sell phone plans instead of riding the S-curve of the Next Big Thing.


15 posted on 03/09/2017 8:24:16 PM PST by bigbob (People say believe half of what you see son and none of what you hear - M. Gaye)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I actually do buy parts, not really a hobby unless fixing things is a hobby :D

The problem with Radio Shack? They never have what I want/need and have no idea when they would - c'mon, "shrink tubing", it's not an exotic element

17 posted on 03/09/2017 8:26:12 PM PST by NativeSon ( Grease the floor with Crisco when I dance the Disco)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Like ACE Hardware, I only go there when I can’t find it anywhere else...


22 posted on 03/09/2017 8:31:37 PM PST by stylin19a (Terrorists - "just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there")
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I’m just amazed we’re still talking about them in the year 2017. What is their function? Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?

I do. Actually DIY has taken off in the last few years in the area of homemade guitar pedals and synthesizers. A lot more musicians building their own stuff than I recall in the 70s / 80s. It is a niche area and not enough to sustain Radio Shack type stores which is a shame. Not end of the world since one can buy whatever is needed online.

26 posted on 03/09/2017 8:34:39 PM PST by plain talk
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I used them fo years but they got nothing anymore a couple drawers of junk


31 posted on 03/09/2017 8:38:24 PM PST by al baby (Hi Mom Its a Joke friends)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

As a hobbyist they have nothing of value. They haven’t for decades.


36 posted on 03/09/2017 8:49:54 PM PST by ChiMark (America America)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Lots and lots and lots and lots of people, many being young people interested in robotics and automation.

Thing is, Radio Shack’s in store selection sucked and Frys Electronics that were in the same markets had electronic component sections larger than entire Radio Shack stores at much lower prices. Better quality parts too.

And that’s before we get into eBay and even online distributors like Waytek and Mouser Electronics.


39 posted on 03/09/2017 8:58:00 PM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?”

Engineers


41 posted on 03/09/2017 9:02:41 PM PST by babygene (Make America Great Again)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?

People still do. Fry's is a good place to get items. I stopped shopping at Radio Shack in the early 1990s, because they had idiots working there. I'd ask for eproms, roms, dip components and they looked like deer caught in headlights, then would try to sell me batteries - of which they didn't have the type of batteries I needed. Bad management. They had a good base to work from, for getting in on the ground floor of robotics, 3D printing and other creative electronics but they pissed away their opportunities. Boys and men want good hobby stores but few are around in malls.

45 posted on 03/09/2017 9:10:29 PM PST by roadcat
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"...Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?...

Actually I do.

Although not really so much a hobby as a necessity.
Thank goodness for the parts sellers on eBay.

But it has been decades since Radio Shack's main business was parts and kits. They trended more and more towards TVs and telephones, small household electrics and remote control toys over the last many years. Cell phones and cell phone contracts was the primary business of my local one.

52 posted on 03/09/2017 9:28:43 PM PST by LegendHasIt
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I buy parts. But not in a retail store. It has been a very long time since Radio Shack was in the parts business. It was in a simpler day. They never had much selection. (remember BA, Burstein-Applebee)

There are some very good electronics specialty stores left. Like Tanners in Dallas.

There are very few “builders” left today.

I still have an excellent (somewhat dated) parts selection.


57 posted on 03/09/2017 9:40:19 PM PST by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?”

You’re joking, right?


60 posted on 03/09/2017 9:45:45 PM PST by Dalberg-Acton
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I beg your pardon - I was just about to drop in there to get more solder for my next Heathkit super heterodyne kit project! Jeez!


62 posted on 03/09/2017 10:05:22 PM PST by Wally_Kalbacken
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Me I hate going there if they do have what you need its crazy overpriced I found having more projects and Amazon prime eliminated almost all radioshack trips Fry’s too


64 posted on 03/09/2017 10:28:42 PM PST by datricker (Democratic Party - aborting their voter base since 1973)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?"

You would be amazed:

Make Channel

Maker Faire

Adrino

76 posted on 03/10/2017 3:53:22 AM PST by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I do. As a Ham radio operator there is always something in progress on the electronics bench.


78 posted on 03/10/2017 4:06:53 AM PST by mad_as_he$$ (Watching Obama tap dance.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What is their function? Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?


People do, but you can go to MCMelectronics.com and parts express to get what you need cheaper and you get a much better selection.

Specialized stuff like this doesn’t really need brick and mortar locations.

Also, the last time I went to a Radio Shack, it was very clear that they really were just a cell phone store. It’s all they were doing when I was there and it was almost impossible to get help with anything else.


81 posted on 03/10/2017 4:31:58 AM PST by Mr. Douglas (Best. Election. EVER!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?”

It’s live and well but you do it on the internet.

Go to
www.sparkfun.com
https://developer.mbed.org/platforms/ https://developer.mbed.org/components/


85 posted on 03/10/2017 5:03:15 AM PST by cymbeline
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