[BC] Radio Shack Hangs In There

Fri Apr 27 09:40:24 CDT 2007

So we pretty much agree that Radio Shack is the one we all love to 
hate.  Several years ago I would design a circuit for a project, go to 
RS to pick up parts, discover that they didn't have "X" number of the  
parts I wanted in stock, I'd look at what they had, redesign my circuit 
according to what was there, etc.  It got to the point that the 
employees knew who I was and what I was doing.  When I came in they'd 
simply say, "Hi Steve, let us know if you need any help," and go about 
their rat killing.  I can't even do that much now.

So, the serious question is, where do YOU buy parts in a pinch?  Bear in 
mind, the Amarillo, Texas metro area has a population of well under 
250,000, four RS stores (barely) and no other place to buy parts 
locally.  We dream of the day we might get a Frye's.  We'd all have to 
have our own private stock,  like Willie, to get by on a normal day.  So 
again, where are we to find what we need?  I need to set up an account 
some place I can get what I need and get it in a hurry when I need to 
solve a problem.

Best Regards,
Stevan A. White, W5SAW
SW Commercial Electronics
928 South Crockett Street
Amarillo, Texas 79102
Phone 806-681-7228
w5saw at pathwayz.com

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person 
doing it." -- Chinese proverb

Dana Puopolo wrote:
> A good friend of mine worked for radio Shack for 29 years. He retired in
> 12/2005.
>
> He is still VERY well connected there, knowing many of the local and district
> managers. He says that Radio Shack is one of the WORST run companies he's ever
> seen. Some of their screw ups could be considered MONUMENTAL, including:
>
> All staff (including managers) are now on salary, eliminating the incentive to
> sell.
>
> When they cut their cellphone deals with Verizon and Sprint, they forgot about
> exclusivity, which resulted in Verizon opening many phone kiosks in the same
> mall that Radio Shacks were in. In many cases they were located right in front
> of the Radio Shack store.
>
> When they walked away from Verizon, they did it in such a way that their  
> quarterly revenue check from them (Verizon) didn't have to be paid. Just this
> one faux pas cost them something like 80-100 million dollars.
>
> When they cut their deal with Cingular, they AGAIN forgot about
> exclusivity-and you probably know what happened (again!).
> How a company could be so purely stupid to make the same mistake twice shows
> how out of touch corporate is from the local stores (who were SCREAMING for
> exclusivity).
>
> They sold their service organization-all service is now contracted out
> locally, resulting in delays (because the contractors don't have ready access
> to RS specific parts) and repair quality that varies all over the place.
>
> The eliminated their catalog-the best Christmas sale maker you could ever do
> (why do you think it came out in October?). This one thing cost them  big time
> Christmas sales.
>
> They cut the number of branded products by 75%.  Radio Shack used to own the
> scanner market-now their share is down to under 15% (from over 45% before).
> Their share of the CB market is down from 60 percent to 10%. Their stereo
> receiver/speaker/CD player sales sit at under 10%.
> They sold all their manufacturing lines in China, Taiwan and elsewhere- now
> all their branded stuff is contract manufactured, cutting margins
> significantly.
>
> Believe me, there's plenty more reasons to bas them-they should be used as a
> Wharton School example of how NOT to run a busin ess!
>
> -D   
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> Received: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:10:19 AM EDT
> From: "Blake Bowers" <bbowers at mozarks.com>
> To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
> Subject: Re: [BC] Radio Shack Hangs In There
>
> Gosh, enough Shack bashing.
>
> Radio Shack has done nothing more than pursue
> the course of profit, as is their responsiblity to their
> shareholders.
>
> Yeah, it used to be nice having them around, but
> of course back then everyone griped about them
> still.  Quality used to be a big gripe.
>
> If the profit was there in parts, then Radio Shack 
> would still be seling parts.  If you have not noticed, 
> the local parts stores have all but disappeared too!  
>
> There is no money in 19 cent cards of 5 carbon
> resistors, not even at 99 cents.  Why bother with
> a salesperson who knows what a Triac is, when
> there is no profit there?
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Gary Glaenzer" <gglaenzer at hqradio.com>
> To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 7:00 AM
> Subject: Re: [BC] Radio Shack Hangs In There
>
>
>   
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Robert Reymont" <robert at reymont.com>
>> To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:38 PM
>> Subject: Re: [BC] Radio Shack Hangs In There
>>
>>
>>     
>>> Go to radio shack and ask for a triac.  Talk about blank a stare and 
>>> a stupid look.  You do get both with that question...
>>> Robert
>>>       
>> 'Radio Shack:  If it doesn't have a keyboard, we've got dumb looks!'
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
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>>
>>     
> _______________________________________________
>
> The BROADCAST [BC] list is sponsored by SystemsStore On-Line Sales
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>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> The BROADCAST [BC] list is sponsored by SystemsStore On-Line Sales
> Cable-Connectors-Blocks-Racks-Wire Management-Test Gear-Tools and More! 
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>   