I've secretly thought this too, but I didn't want hurt any feelings in the whistler fan club. :roll: 73, n9zas
Repair of Radio Shack scanners
- Thread starter freema22
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I wonder if anyone has considered asking Whistler (doubt they would answer anyway) if perhaps they are contractually prohibited from repairing/upgrading products produced with the RS name on them. Certainly not out of the realm of possibilities in this litigious age.
That would explain many things. RS gives Whistler $XXX dollars to produce XXX number of units. Whistler is ONLY the supplier, loading the RS designated firmware, software and such, and putting the RS logo, labeling, and packaging on the (contracted out) production line in China.
Does this mean I should go to Foxconn when my Apple or Samsung phones fail? It's EXACTLY the same relationship Whistler to RS.
That would explain many things. RS gives Whistler $XXX dollars to produce XXX number of units. Whistler is ONLY the supplier, loading the RS designated firmware, software and such, and putting the RS logo, labeling, and packaging on the (contracted out) production line in China.
Does this mean I should go to Foxconn when my Apple or Samsung phones fail? It's EXACTLY the same relationship Whistler to RS.
dkf435
Member
Either way Radio Shack scanners need to be killed then as there is no one that works on them for warranty.
If Whistler cannot work on them because of a contract clause and Radio Shack no longer will service what they sell who works on the scanner.
Radio Shack needs to blow out what Whistler made junk at half price and just carry the Uniden radios, at least they can get serviced.
You look at Foxconn stuff it usually says who designed it, HP or Apple, and where, Whistler has the whole thing here RS just does minor features
David
If Whistler cannot work on them because of a contract clause and Radio Shack no longer will service what they sell who works on the scanner.
Radio Shack needs to blow out what Whistler made junk at half price and just carry the Uniden radios, at least they can get serviced.
You look at Foxconn stuff it usually says who designed it, HP or Apple, and where, Whistler has the whole thing here RS just does minor features
David
I know I'm running my Gre's til they die. If I can't repair them on my own bench, only then will I consider whistlers or the Newer Unidens. Until then I guess I just keep researching and reading. 
. 73, n9zas
. 73, n9zas
. Well that's interesting. Everyone up til now has said whistler wouldn't have anything to do with R/S. Hmm... :roll: 73, n9zas
Your information is incorrect. I just got off the phone with Whistler Customer Service (1-800-531-0004) and was told that Whistler is the ONLY brand of scanners that Whistler will repair. I specifically asked about the Radio Shack scanners that Whistler manufactures for Radio Shack (PRO-649, PRO-650, PRO-651, PRO-652 and PRO-668) and was told that the reason they do not/will not repair the Radio Shack scanners is that Whistler does not have access to the parts for the Radio Shack scanners.
I've always been more than pleased with eBay for both buying and selling.
However, I use due diligence and caution before I buy, and conversely, with in excess of 1000 feedback postings, all 100% positive, I can sell items and get a great return as the buyers trust my postings.
As a buyer, you must carefully examine the seller's feedback, view the photos posted carefully, and read the posting. After a while you will develop a sixth sense as to the valid, legitimate sellers, and the scammers.
Last month I found a factory fresh new, in the box Pro 2006, that's right, brand new as when they were first released. It even had the original 9 volt battery still wrapped in plastic. I purchased it for $50.00 and will keep it right in the box for now. Brought back memories of the first brand new 2006 I bought years ago for many times more than $50!!!
Paypal has improved immensely and if there are any problems whatsoever with a purchase you file a Paypal claim and they will protect you. It is actually to the point where eBay really favors the buyers now, and the buyer can do no wrong. That's probably how it should be.
Amazon is the same. They will back the buyer to the hilt.
Easy to bash eBay, etc., but if used properly they are just another tool in our ever growing toolbox for buying and selling our radio equipment.
However, I use due diligence and caution before I buy, and conversely, with in excess of 1000 feedback postings, all 100% positive, I can sell items and get a great return as the buyers trust my postings.
As a buyer, you must carefully examine the seller's feedback, view the photos posted carefully, and read the posting. After a while you will develop a sixth sense as to the valid, legitimate sellers, and the scammers.
Last month I found a factory fresh new, in the box Pro 2006, that's right, brand new as when they were first released. It even had the original 9 volt battery still wrapped in plastic. I purchased it for $50.00 and will keep it right in the box for now. Brought back memories of the first brand new 2006 I bought years ago for many times more than $50!!!
Paypal has improved immensely and if there are any problems whatsoever with a purchase you file a Paypal claim and they will protect you. It is actually to the point where eBay really favors the buyers now, and the buyer can do no wrong. That's probably how it should be.
Amazon is the same. They will back the buyer to the hilt.
Easy to bash eBay, etc., but if used properly they are just another tool in our ever growing toolbox for buying and selling our radio equipment.
Dconti, maybe but I don't need the increased blood pressure of ordering goods from ebay, waiting for it & wondering what the hell have I done? Then it shows up at my door morphed into something from hell! Then I have no choice but to shoot it. Nope, legitimate sites only for me & ebay ain't one of em. Don't get screwed, my friend. :wink: 73, n9zas
My only real problems with scanners and other radios bought from Ebay have been entirely due to some people just not packing them well at all. I bought what appeared in the pictures to be a super clean Allied/RS SX-190. And it was, until they packed it and shipped it in a single box, with no packing materials at all. Just the box, barely larger than the radio was. I got whacked along the way, and I knew it would be bad just by looking at the box when I brought it in from my porch. The dial was slammed into the face of the radio. I was able to fix it, eventually. The seller and I worked out a partial refund. The next radio I bough that was packed really badly was an Icom R71A. A super clean one that looked new. Somehow, it made it to Ohio from Portland Oregon without damage. It was pure luck.Since then, I make sure to communicate to the seller how important it is to pack these types of items correctly and only one Bozo hasn't, and, as I feared, a really nice Yaesu FRG-7 was messed up. I bought it to gift to a friend who had one when he was a kid. I got a refund on it and bought another one, which was packed very well. I haven't had a truly "from hell" radio or other device from Ebay for a long long time.
D
darunimal
Guest
So which legitimate ones would you recommend?
Wait! Whistler builds the RS scanners with what then, hot air and sunshine?
Honestly, that excuse simply makes no sense whatever. :roll:
It doesn't make any sense at all to me either but that's what I was told on the phone by one of the Whistler customer service reps 3 days ago. Perhaps they CHOOSE not to have the Radio Shack parts available at their Whistler repair facility because it would increase their operating costs with shipping the additional Radio Shack parts from the factory, inventorying the parts, re-ordering as stock runs low, etc.
Aside from the case and logos, I would not be surprised to learn that the actual circuit board(s) and components are 95% identical to the "Whistler" branded counterparts. :roll:
dkf435
Member
This why we need to send Radio Shack AND Whistler down the road, they are screwing the customers on both sides and making money doing it. From now on every potential Radio Shack customer I see will be informed of no support available and to try Uniden.
Sure is wonderful how a product made by or for Whistler becomes junk once it is shipped or has the Radio Shack name stamped on it.
David
If you look in below list there are NO WHISTLER PRODUCTS IN MY INVENTORY
Sure is wonderful how a product made by or for Whistler becomes junk once it is shipped or has the Radio Shack name stamped on it.
David
If you look in below list there are NO WHISTLER PRODUCTS IN MY INVENTORY
Primarily, Eham.com, RR classifieds, Craigslist in that order.
. 73, n9zasIt makes perfect sense if you know business.
It's likely that Whistler makes the scanners then sends all the left-over parts to Radio Shack (who paid for them) for use in their repair program. The units are also likely NOT built at the Whistler repair facility, but overseas somewhere. So, Whistler not having the parts makes perfect sense. Sure they will have some parts, but RS models have custom parts that Whistler models do not use. The chips are also masked differently which is why firmware for one will not work in the other.
It's also highly likely that the contract specifies that all repairs on Radio Shack branded products will be the responsibility of Radio Shack, and Whistler does not want to be in breach of the contract which may specify penalties.
Now, is a CSR going to tell you that? No. It's highly likely they don't even know the details of the business arrangement with Radio Shack. They are likely going off a knowledge base script: "If someone asks about repair of non-Whistler products, reply that we do not service those".
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