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?
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).
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.
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
Like ACE Hardware, I only go there when I can’t find it anywhere else...
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.
I used them fo years but they got nothing anymore a couple drawers of junk
As a hobbyist they have nothing of value. They haven’t for decades.
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.
“Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?”
Engineers
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.
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.
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.
“Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?”
You’re joking, right?
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!
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
You would be amazed:
I do. As a Ham radio operator there is always something in progress on the electronics bench.
What is their function? Who still buys electronics parts to build things as a hobby?
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.
“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/