I remember watching my local Radio Shack turn into just another commodity electronics shop, and not a very good one, at that. By the end, it was just a place I would go if I wanted to be harassed about buying a cell phone (i.e. never).
If Radio Shack has gotten rid of the high pressure cell phone sales people, started hiring nerds again, and started stocking the kind of things I need when I want to finish a project but don't want to schlep out to Fry's or wait for an order from Amazon for, I might return. But, it's been a long time since I've been to a Radio Shack, and I rarely think of them as the place I should go for anything, since they trained me out of that habit.
I have to admit that carrying Arduino and other assorted tinkerers toys does make me think maybe the company at least has some of its old spirit. I guess we'll have to see what comes of it. Next time I pass one, I'll probably take a stroll around...I'll know whether they've gotten good again by whether I walk out empty handed or not.
If there is any chance of them turning around, buzz would be crucial at this stage. Tell all your friends, and when you do visit, ask specifically about the Arduino (and maybe some other things that haven't been mentioned).
I don't care enough about Radio Shack to be part of their personal army, and what feelings I currently have are negative (me and the shack still have some unresolved issues, you see). I guess I wish it was a cool, nerdy, store again...but, if they don't want to be a cool, nerdy, store, and would rather sell phones to grandmothers I'm not going to make it my mission to convince them to do something more interesting.
I'm gonna let Radio Shack make the first move in our reunion story.
Comments
I remember watching my local Radio Shack turn into just another commodity electronics shop, and not a very good one, at that. By the end, it was just a place I would go if I wanted to be harassed about buying a cell phone (i.e. never).
If Radio Shack has gotten rid of the high pressure cell phone sales people, started hiring nerds again, and started stocking the kind of things I need when I want to finish a project but don't want to schlep out to Fry's or wait for an order from Amazon for, I might return. But, it's been a long time since I've been to a Radio Shack, and I rarely think of them as the place I should go for anything, since they trained me out of that habit.
I have to admit that carrying Arduino and other assorted tinkerers toys does make me think maybe the company at least has some of its old spirit. I guess we'll have to see what comes of it. Next time I pass one, I'll probably take a stroll around...I'll know whether they've gotten good again by whether I walk out empty handed or not.
The best Radio Shack satirical slogan I've heard which sums up their decline:
"Radio Shack: You've got questions, we've got batteries."
If there is any chance of them turning around, buzz would be crucial at this stage. Tell all your friends, and when you do visit, ask specifically about the Arduino (and maybe some other things that haven't been mentioned).
I don't care enough about Radio Shack to be part of their personal army, and what feelings I currently have are negative (me and the shack still have some unresolved issues, you see). I guess I wish it was a cool, nerdy, store again...but, if they don't want to be a cool, nerdy, store, and would rather sell phones to grandmothers I'm not going to make it my mission to convince them to do something more interesting.
I'm gonna let Radio Shack make the first move in our reunion story.
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I think this is the first (and hopefully last) Reddit-esque novelty account I've seen on HN.