The last time I set foot in a RS store was about 3 or 4 years ago, looking for a CPU fan for replacing the one that had died on me. They had none on stock, so they ripped one right out of a computer that was being used as a doorstop. To this day, it still works (and that computer is on 24/7).
Sounds like my kinda folks! :-)
I try to take them apart or find the bearing and oil/grease them to make them last longer. Especially for
what RS charges for a cheapo $1.99 by mail order fan (+ shipping).
Part of the RS problem is that "stuff" nowadays is either disposable, or made with sub assemblies rather
than standardized discrete parts.