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Remember Radio Shack?

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/co...pter-11-bankruptcy-after-years-losses-n301161

Wow, I used to buy capacitors, TRS computers, and vacuum tubes at the original one in Fort Worth back in the day.

history.jpg


A sign of the times we live in. You don't build things these days, you download them.
 
It certainly was coming... and especially in the last few weeks (as per the news). I think it's rather sad because it was an important source of various bits. I suppose all that can now happen on-line, but I'll miss this anachronism.

Still, I'll probably swoop in for some good final deals.
 
Yup. I worked for Radio Shack in college, and became a store manager, from '70-'78. Was a great company back in the day ('60s and '70s).

I understand Amazon is considering buying them out. Whatever happens, it won't be what it was.

But then, what is?
 
I gotta say they couldn't figure out how to evolve. They were still hand writing receipts well into the computer age.
 
You mean Tandy Leather.
 
I remember them in Canada many years ago (assuming it was the same company as the American one), but they are long gone from the Canadian market, I think the last stores left were mostly in small towns...
 
Anyone remember the president of Radio Shack - Lewis Kornfeld? Regular customers received catalogs and flyers, the latter containing a blog of sorts that he wrote, the "Flyer-side Chat".

And the Battery Club.
 
Forgotten about the catalogs or the battery club!
I'll surely miss the ability to go in and look for a connector or something small.
 
Jim Gooch was fired as CEO of Radio Shack after share prices declined 84% in one year. He was later hired as co-CEO by a local grocery chain called "Market Basket" that was in the midst of a really nasty family leadership battle. Some of the policies he implemented led to a workers' walkout with strong public support that eventually saved the company. It was a fascinating story that had much of New England transfixed for much of last summer.
 
I heard about this a week ago on another network (that it was coming). I worked at RS for a while in HS. I remember always having to ask customers if they needed batteries. RS used to be really a big deal for people (like me) who were into CB radio back in the day. 10-4 Good Buddy!
 
RS is 10-7
 
I started calling them "Useless Gadget Shack" about 10 years ago when they stopped selling HAM radios. I decided if they didn't sell radios, I would not call them Radio Shack.
I loved our local RS when I was younger. I used to go and get all the components I needed to build projects and repair stuff. Not to mention all the CB and HAM gear they had. Now all ours has is home entertainment equipment, cheap R/C cars, and cell phones. It's like a poorly stocked Best Buy.
 
Banjo said:
I started calling them "Useless Gadget Shack" about 10 years ago when they stopped selling HAM radios.
Click to expand...

Did they EVER sell ham gear (I'm still licensed and I only saw CB gear)? Yes, lots of small bits for hobby types, but I never saw true amateur radio equipment. We didn't use a 10 code system... but the classic amateur radio one (and the Q codes).

N7ALJ
 
I think it's sad. As long as I can remember, "go to Radio Shack, they'll have it." Yet I can't remember the last time I was in their store.
 
I stopped by the local outlet yesterday for some new cordless phone batteries. Manager was sending folks to Frys.
He had his pay cut from 50K to 30K and told if he didn't like it, find another job..which he is looking for now.
 
Boink said:
Did they EVER sell ham gear (I'm still licensed and I only saw CB gear)? Yes, lots of small bits for hobby types, but I never saw true amateur radio equipment. We didn't use a 10 code system... but the classic amateur radio one (and the Q codes).

N7ALJ
Click to expand...
Oh yea. I still have a Realistic 2 meter handi-talkie. They didn't have a huge selection, but their store brand, Realistic, made 2 meter, 440, 10 meter and some others. They also carried decent antennas and amps, tuners and SWR meters.
CB was supposed to have the 10 code, it's just no one ever used more then "10-4" after the 70s. 10-20 even got shortened to "What's your 20?"
 
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