Radio Shack – What The Heck Happened?

[KV4PM]

Then there was the time I was going to buy a new TV, the sales person ignored me, he wasn't busy, I was the only customer in the department at the time. I told the person at the exit that I was ready to buy a TV and since the salesguy ignored me and I was taking my business elsewhere.

Reminds me of a story an American mate of mine told me years ago about the time he worked at a place called Circuit City. A customer was annoyed that he couldn't find anyone to help him with the purchase of a small TV. The customer finally picked one out himself and took it to the checker to pay for it, after which he demanded a commission since he basically sold it to himself. My mate reached in his pocket and gave him 10 cents.

I assume the customer then realised why no one was interested in helping him.

 

[mmckenna]

It was cool as heck. Just a giant board with all kinds of different pin configurations. I think maybe if the tube glowed it was good? I honestly don't remember. Thanks for making me relive some childhood. Although my wife says I'm still a kid.

There was usually a guide that told you which socket to use, which knob settings, and there was a meter with "Good" marked on it.

It was easy enough that someone off the street could figure it out. I seem to recall them in some grocery and drug stores also.

The idea of a modern day consumer disassembling their own TV set to troubleshoot it is completely out of the question now. Back in the old days, there was 110 volts, plus the high voltage stuff on the CRT.

Somehow we all survived.

In 2023, someone would drop it on their foot and then sue the company.

 

[FrensicPic]

There was usually a guide that told you which socket to use, which knob settings, and there was a meter with "Good" marked on it.

It was easy enough that someone off the street could figure it out. I seem to recall them in some grocery and drug stores also.

The idea of a modern day consumer disassembling their own TV set to troubleshoot it is completely out of the question now. Back in the old days, there was 110 volts, plus the high voltage stuff on the CRT.

Somehow we all survived.

In 2023, someone would drop it on their foot and then sue the company.

Don't forget to "thump" the tube with a flick of your finger...hoping to get better test results!

 

[bob550]

RadioShack Fry's - What The Heck Happened?

 

[mmckenna]

RadioShack Fry's - What The Heck Happened?

In project management terms, that there is known as "Scope Creep".

 

[sallen07]

I also remember going to RS with my dad so he could test tubes, probably out of the old black and white TV that was in my bedroom for a while after we got a color television. I also picked up a few of the 800 MHz antennas at one of the stores when they were shutting down.

Oh wait ... that was the second bankruptcy I think. During the first one, I grabbed a Pro-652 for about half price at one of the other stores, then ordered a Pro-668 off the website with a similar discount.

There were no Fry's anywhere near here, but there WAS one about a mile from a data center on the west coast that I used to go do work in. Every time I went I'd run over to Fry's and get Cat 5 cables to do in-cabinet (and sometimes under the floor) wiring. Not sure I ever bought anything else.

Oh, and pretty sure they WERE Cat 5, so you can tell that was a while ago!

 

[mmckenna]

Oh, and pretty sure they WERE Cat 5, so you can tell that was a while ago!

With your steam powered router, invented by Robert Fulton?

I probably ran a few hundred miles of CAT5 when I was getting started. I remember going to the vendors warehouse once a week and picking up a truck load, as in an 8 foot bed full size 3/4 ton truck with the bed completely full about 2 feet above the top. Bringing it back and me and my crew pulling all that in over a few days.
I'm so glad I don't do that stuff anymore.

 

[ProScan]

Radio Shack was my favorite store when when I was growing up in the 70's. I loved the catalog going through and dreaming of things I wanted. Got a Navaho Pro Niner CB for a junior high grad present. Saved up for a VOM, got a 65 in 1 Electronic Project Kit for a xmas present.
Before the stores were closing, wife was saying Radio Shack is my favorite store.

 

[DeeEx]

Guess I’m not the only one who remembered the “two bankruptcies” and clearance madness.

I remember being at the Putnam, CT, store to pick up a few of the MURS rigs that were down to about $7 or so a piece. I think the salesman thought I was some clueless consumer when he smugly told me, “I can’t even show you those radios unless you have an amateur radio license”. I had checked their inventory online before heading down so I knew the radios should be there. I appreciated the shock on his face when I pulled out my license and after paying informed him what MURS is.