LIScanner101
Completely Banned for the Greater Good
Must be all those $10 coupons that are doing them in...
RadioShack’s loss widens
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While I think you are trying to be sarcastic with your comment, there is more truth in it than you realize. There is very little margin (for profit) in things like phones.
knightrider
Member
Apparently they are not advertising very much, or they are not very good ads these days. I actually don't remember anything on TV, or in the mail lately. I am asked nearly weekly where to buy a scanner. I tell folks they are available online. They tell me they don't want to have to search, possibly get the wrong one, and then have to wait a week or more to get one. I really think there is still a market place for RS, but they are going to have to find the right niche. I personally would LOVE to see them get back into the various radios, parts, kits, and so on. If presented properly, it could work along with the current line of products. Besides, it would put RADIO back in the store, and not just the name...
Decades ago when RS had good business their stores were often standalone buildings. All the RS stores I have seen in the past 20 years or so have been small stores in shopping malls and strip malls. Most consumer electronics customers prefer shopping at a larger store, such as Best Buy. The larger store size gives a customer freedom to browse more diverse products. For this reason alone it seems like RS has no future.
It would a shame actually if RS goes down because that means people would be out of jobs. It would be nice if they came back strong, but unfortunately that will probably not happen.
rapidcharger
Member
Radio Shack/Tandy tried to go big box but failed at that too.
The stores were called Incredible Universe, were about twice the size of a best buy and came and went in the early to mid 90's.
I had one near home that I would visit but I'd always have trouble finding the cool (geeky) stuff that radio shacks had.
Didn't read the entire thread but RS has lots of things going on these days. From sections in university book stores opening this semester to production facilities overseas and much more. My wife works at RS headquarters in Ft. Worth and we are stock owners. If it weren't for those 2 things I would say they are dead too. I am literally betting on a turn around, and banking that RS will be a shadow of it's current self (even more than it has been for years) by 2015. Insiders are buying stock now and they didn't when previous VP's/campaigns etc.. came though in recent years. There is a healthy, good feeling of optimism at RS HQ.
LIScanner101
Completely Banned for the Greater Good
MeTarzan,
Does anybody at HQ read threads like this - where there is an overly negative tone regarding RS? What do they have to say about the poor customer service that dominates these RS threads?
BTW, I saw an RS commercial yesterday for the first time in ages. Guess what it was for? Yep, you guessed right - smartphones. What a SHOCK!
Does anybody at HQ read threads like this - where there is an overly negative tone regarding RS? What do they have to say about the poor customer service that dominates these RS threads?
BTW, I saw an RS commercial yesterday for the first time in ages. Guess what it was for? Yep, you guessed right - smartphones. What a SHOCK!
Yes I saw one and it was a shock as well! Even in '89 they do as well 1989 Radio Shack Cellular Phone Commercial - YouTube
Here's is their youtube channel with all the commercials
RadioShack TV Spots - YouTube
Here's is their youtube channel with all the commercials
RadioShack TV Spots - YouTube
Well they do know a lot about smart phones... haha! The customer service is not bad around here , BUT, the lack of knowledge about radios and DIY is pretty terrible. I am sure they read the forums, stock analysts and everyone else bashing them and I really don't know why they are still in business. Smart phones are a huge part of the RS plan but I think they are going to turn into mini-BestBuy stores and sell more familiar products. For a while I was even thinking that employees were going to get special Mac training and turn each RS into an Apple Store (Apple Shack). I think they are trying to get more in touch with old school fan base by teaming with Make Magazine and selling lots of DIY kits soon. Trying to get younger crowd with some phallic speaker system I dunno... Adding touchscreen displays so you can order products from store but why not just go online? Trying... Usually when I give RS a try for immediate gratification I walk away disappointed. Actually I am heading to BestBuy today to pick up a TV and a couple laptops. If RS could compete I would go there. Keep telling wife to flag down Joe in the hall and ask WTH...
What are they smoking?
Getting into university book stores is about the only encouraging development in years but is it enough? And what does it mean? Radio Shack products in bookstore or RS employees in bookstores?
Will RS ever learn to sell online.
Does the brain trust at RS HQ think the common perception of RS is somehow off the mark? How do they plan to turn public perception around? Will the average Radio Shack employee ever again have a clue what a radio is? And isn't traditional radio about to go the way of the Dodo Bird? Are they at least considering changing the name of the company to reflect a post-1970s reality?
Cell phones have no doubt kept alive a company that should have died but cell phone providers don't need Radio Shack and cell phones profits will surely diminish.
Does Radio Shack really see a future for so many brick and mortar stores?
I can imagine optimism at RS HQ but I don't see much basis for it.
I've been a Radio Shack cutomer for decades but it's been a long time since I've been optimistic about Radio Shack's future. It seems to be a typewriter company in a smart phone age.
The bookstores will just have RS wall space, mainly for visibility to the younger generation, their target demo.
No, I don't think the average RS employee will ever know how to operate a radio again.
Doubt they will try a name change again (I have a variety of "The Shack " accessories) unless a merger happens (fingers crossed for Apple Shack haha!) but they did just adopt a newer logo and push pause play theme...
If RS does succeed with this turnaround, you and I will have even less reason to shop there.
I am just hoping the stock reaches $10 again, okay $5 will be fine... I might even hold out for the Dell Shack merger...
mike_gain
Member
Our local RatShak just shut down last month. The owner was a friend of mine.
Allan_Love_Jr
Member
As of right now. The current Radio Shack store in my town just went broke. We no longer have a Radio Shack store in Blair. More than 20 years gone just like that 
This thread is depressing.
My other hobby, Model Trains, is and has been experiencing the same thing for years. Brick and mortars closing like crazy. If there are no brick and mortars, how will a new generation "explore", "touch", or get advice for any new avenues of hobbies, experimentaion, or tech?
As a kid in SoCal, I would spend HOURS touching, trying out and asking questions about scanners at Radio Shack. Hearing LACSO, and Southern Pacific RR coming out of those scanners on display sold me forever. And guess what brand my first scanner was?
Same with the local hobby shop. Hours spent talking about, discussing and comparing items at the shop.
So.....dang....sad.
Thats why I take my kids to fairs, expos, shops, trade shows, exhibitions, tours, etc. When I was a kid, I could ride my bike in four directions to explore any number of shops, displays, or expertise. Where nowdays can a kid ride a bike to a shop and explore the magic of radio, or transistors, shortwave, LED kits, etc?
And I'm only 35 yrs old.
Internet killed the radio star.
My other hobby, Model Trains, is and has been experiencing the same thing for years. Brick and mortars closing like crazy. If there are no brick and mortars, how will a new generation "explore", "touch", or get advice for any new avenues of hobbies, experimentaion, or tech?
As a kid in SoCal, I would spend HOURS touching, trying out and asking questions about scanners at Radio Shack. Hearing LACSO, and Southern Pacific RR coming out of those scanners on display sold me forever. And guess what brand my first scanner was?
Same with the local hobby shop. Hours spent talking about, discussing and comparing items at the shop.
So.....dang....sad.
Thats why I take my kids to fairs, expos, shops, trade shows, exhibitions, tours, etc. When I was a kid, I could ride my bike in four directions to explore any number of shops, displays, or expertise. Where nowdays can a kid ride a bike to a shop and explore the magic of radio, or transistors, shortwave, LED kits, etc?
And I'm only 35 yrs old.
Internet killed the radio star.
Chant it with me now... Apple Shack! Apple Shack! Apple Shack!
"RadioShack is no stranger to strategic partnerships, having partnered with Target and various brands over the years. The report notes that the company may have contacted Apple as a possible strategic partner. We can only speculate as to what this could entail. The question is what RadioShack can offer to a partner like Apple, which is not exactly lacking distribution channels in the United States"
RadioShack Corporation (RSH): New Rumors As RadioShack Nears October Target For New Liquidity - Seeking Alpha
"RadioShack is no stranger to strategic partnerships, having partnered with Target and various brands over the years. The report notes that the company may have contacted Apple as a possible strategic partner. We can only speculate as to what this could entail. The question is what RadioShack can offer to a partner like Apple, which is not exactly lacking distribution channels in the United States"
RadioShack Corporation (RSH): New Rumors As RadioShack Nears October Target For New Liquidity - Seeking Alpha
radio shack in kinston , nc
well i was told a couple days ago that the radio shack store in kinston, nc is now closed.
i know this may not seem like news but,
the radio shack store in kinston was the "First" radio shack in eastern north carolina. it was the store where new managers were trained.
and i when i say the "first" store i mean it was opened back in the early 70's. and was open the whole time, and moved only once from the mall to a new shopping center, and took on the "new look" of the "shack" store.
i have had my "run ins" with radio shack in the past , but still hate to see the store go.
well i was told a couple days ago that the radio shack store in kinston, nc is now closed.
i know this may not seem like news but,
the radio shack store in kinston was the "First" radio shack in eastern north carolina. it was the store where new managers were trained.
and i when i say the "first" store i mean it was opened back in the early 70's. and was open the whole time, and moved only once from the mall to a new shopping center, and took on the "new look" of the "shack" store.
i have had my "run ins" with radio shack in the past , but still hate to see the store go.
i was missinformed. the shack still lives,,,,,,,,,,,, at least right now.
we will see what happnes after christmas
we will see what happnes after christmas
RadioShack’s loss widens
I remember when the shack was a true radio store. I use to be able to get all kinds of parts, crystals, radios, etc. now they never have what I'm looking for and I have to order online. I'm surprised they haven't changed the name to Telephone Shack or something because they clearly don't stock radios or accessories. You can't even get a crimp on BNC there.
I remember when the shack was a true radio store. I use to be able to get all kinds of parts, crystals, radios, etc. now they never have what I'm looking for and I have to order online. I'm surprised they haven't changed the name to Telephone Shack or something because they clearly don't stock radios or accessories. You can't even get a crimp on BNC there.
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I remember when the shack was a true radio store. I use to be able to get all kinds of parts, crystals, radios, etc. now they never have what I'm looking for and I have to order online. I'm surprised they haven't changed the name to Telephone Shack or something because they clearly don't stock radios or accessories. You can't even get a crimp on BNC there.
Hey ya never know, they just might try that
. How `bout "satelite system/cellphone/home theater shack", sounds more fitting don`t ya think ? N9NRA- Status