When they ditched the electronic components for cell phones and other bling for the ghetto gangbangers it was game over.
Who wanted to to go shopping with that vermin?
Exactly. Why buy a phone from Radioshack instead of directly from the service provider or for that matter Walgreens or Fred's or Walmart. They didn't have any competitive advantage in the phone market.
With components they had a nitch market. I'm not sure if demand dried up or what. I think they needed more kits and more educational toys and at a lower price. That would have helped develop more hobbyists who would shop more for components.
Instead of being a niche player, they chose to become a minor player in the cell phone business.
Good point.
Who wanted to to go shopping with that vermin?"
LOL. That's what I find at my local stores. When I stop by for a <$20 buy of wires and chips, etc., all sorts of wackos are usurping employees time dealing with all sorts of complex issues beyond the capabilities of the customers and of the employees. It's like being in a cell phone store for stupid people.
Too bad the Sprint Store doesn't sell electrical/electronic parts.
This is a classic example of an inability of management to improvise, adapt, and engage.
The kicker is that these imbeciles kept opening stores like gangbusters when it was clear that they HAD NO SALES!
I was starting to think it was some kind of large scale money laundering organization for the Illuminati, they should have been bankrupt 10 years ago.
Agreed, when it became a glorified cell phone store, it lost so much.
Went in to the Radio Shack near me to buy a capacitor. Might have well have asked for the holy grail — was met by a blank stare.
I agree. They gave up what was distinctive about the band.