Model Train Journal

Of interest for those who still use RadioShack as a quick source of parts for tinkering with our trains or railroads.

REMEMBER THIS?
02/02/2015 | Updated Feb 03, 2015

(Reuters) - Troubled electronics retailer RadioShack Corp is preparing to shut down the chain in a bankruptcy deal that would see half the stores taken over by Sprint Corp, Bloomberg News reported, citing people with knowledge of the discussions.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!
Mar. 17, 2017

RadioShack filed for bankruptcy for the second time last week and is closing 552 of its stores. The closing includes all RadioShack stores in and around Tucson, AZ.

My most purchased item: RadioShack 1K-Ohm 5% 1/4-Watt Carbon Film Resistor-5 pack $1.94 ($0.39 each)
Used for LED ballast on 12 to 18 volt circuits.

Alternative to RadioShack is Elliot Electronics in Tucson.
Elliott's 1K OHM 1/4 WATT 5% CARBON COMPOSITION RESISTOR $0.60 each

Mail order alternative is not viable for 1 to 5 resistors.
DigiKey RES 1K OHM 1/4W 5% AXIAL $0.10 each + $3.99 shipping = $4.09 each

They are closing by me. No big lose for the last 2 years they only sold cell phones , batteries and lightbulbs

I wonder what happened to them. Maybe the limited inventory just mentioned was part of the demise story?

They used to have a staff that knew what they were doing and could talk electronics, for the past 10+ years they've been nothing more than salesfolks.

We have a excellent electronics store in Norfolk, Priest/Cain Electronics. I think the staff is mainly ex-Navy techs who know their stuff and sell just about anything we'd ever need for our hobby electronic-wise.

I cant imagine anyone going to RS for resistors unless you need just 1 in a pinch.

Go to ebay and buy 100 for a 96 cents, shipping included and be done with it.

RIP RS.

I agree with BobD. I also remember that you go go there and buy all the Hi-Fi stuff you would ever need (at least at that time) either ready made or in kit form. I don't think a specialized store like RS can be run like Macys or Walmart. Since I retired from teaching I have worked part time for a music store.
My work has been visiting schools. We have, at times, had non musicians try to do what I do and they have not been successful. The persons that work on the sales floor in the various departments are all trained musicians in their fields. Money takers, shelf stockers, etc nmeed not be.
Back to RS. The last time I visited one the only person working in the store had no idea what I wanted. Of course the real reason is probably internet sales like has affected so many businesses.
Savannah has two malls and an outlet mall.Several years ago both malls had at least four, maybe more, what we used to call record stores where you could find almost anything or they would get it for you in a reasonable time. They added movies and a few other things then closed. Barnes and Noble is the
only thing left close to that. Walmart often has the most in a popular vein and I don't have much interest in that.
I am old and old fashioned. I still like to read books and magazines rather than an electronic device. I can see book stores being one of the next to go.
I could erase everything except my first sentence and make my point. I type slow with three fingers generally so I don't want to erase what I took so long to write. Besides my wife says I like to hear me talk.

rogruth wrote: I type slow with three fingers generally so I don't want to erase what I took so long to write.

Three fingers Roger? I have seen people type with one finger. I have seen people type with two fingers faster than I can type with eight fingers and two thumbs. How do you type with three fingers? Which three? The curious want to know more about this three finger typing technique,

I must say that I call those things on my hands all fingers but I guess it is really two fingers and a thumb.
Hmmm. Maybe I sometimes use two fingers and two thumbs.

rogruth wrote:Maybe I sometimes use two fingers and two thumbs.

I think I can see it now...

Your thumbs are mere stubs compared to your other fingers and are somehow built into your hands in such a way that they both hover over the space bar and are therefore the natural fingers to reach down and press that big space key.

Not everyone has thumbs placed on opposite sides of their hands.

Wayne,
That's about it.
My ex Air Force daughter has always been an accurate and speedy typist (and a college scholarship basketball player) laughs at me
when she sees me type. She started typing @ sixth grade. I started @ 70 years old with no instruction. She is right when she says I never look at what I am typing but I make very few mistakes. I am slow.

webenda wrote:

rogruth wrote:Maybe I sometimes use two fingers and two thumbs.

I think I can see it now...
Your thumbs are mere stubs compared to your other fingers and are somehow built into your hands in such a way that they both hover over the space bar and are therefore the natural fingers to reach down and press that big space key.
Not everyone can use two fingers and two thumbs the way you can.

That's two LEFT hands in the photo!

MurphOnMillerAve wrote:That's two LEFT hands in the photo!

Is that the way your hands are built also, Murph?

I have heard people say they are, "all thumbs."
.
I wonder if two thumb typing is the rule of thumb with them?

webenda wrote:

MurphOnMillerAve wrote:That's two LEFT hands in the photo!

Is that the way your hands are built also, Murph?...

Nah, my thumbs are way more prehensile .