Suing to Silence? RadioShack turns its legal guns on a middle-class web site operator.

Ft Worth Weekly ^ | 1/28/04 | Dan Malone

[mylife]

I went in RS a month or so ago and asked if they had ATX power supplies for computers. They had no Idea what I was inquiring about. "I" finally had to tell the manager "nope you dont sell them"

[steveo]

He used to buy all his homebrew components at RS.

Last Octember, I visited my local store to see if they had any of their two meter handie talkies left (on close out). I quote the clerk: "Two meter radios? I have no idea what you are talking about"

[Professional Engineer]

(we won't talk about the mnemonic device used to remember that, will we, Violet? ;-

But, she was willing.

[Skywarner]

"You've got questions, we've got dumb looks." He used to buy all his homebrew components at RS. Now it's easier just to mail order them, because if you go into one of the stores and ask for, say, a 100 pF capacitor, they look at you like you have two heads.

As an Amateur Radio Operator, I avoid Radio Shack like the plague for any components. I wouldn't even by a cell phone from there these days. Unless an item is on sale or clearance, it is always cheaper someplace else. Dealing with the spiff-induced, sales quota achieving cell phone salepeople just isn't worth my time anymore. Those that actually have a clue about what they sell left a long time ago.

[Outlaw76]

Your posts remind me of the time I went looking for a 1/2 Watt, 1k ohm resistor.

"I think the resistors are over there."
"We only have quarter Watt resistors? It's always been like that."
"Well we might have it in one of our other stores, have you checked there?"
"No I'm don't know much about electronics, I'm going to Colledge for business. I'm sorry we couldn't help you. Have you taken a look at our Cell phones? What company do you use now?"

Buh buy RS guy. Haven't returned to a radio shack since.

[stainlessbanner]

It's the free flashlights that were the shack's downfall.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

if you go into one of the stores and ask for, say, a 100 pF capacitor, they look at you like you have two heads.

I know! It freaked me out the first time I got that "deer in the headlights" look when I asked where the BNC connectors were located after their remodeling.

Fortunately, I've discovered a beautiful little Mom and Pop electronics parts store in my town that has quite a selection of goodies at really good prices. And, they'll order me anything I want if they don't have it. I buy from them exclusively and I've told them why. I want them to stay in business.