I called of my local radio shack stores to ask if they had a male to female multi wire pin connector for low voltage DC power connections. The clerk at each store did not have a single clue add to what i was asking about. With the second one i literally said since you don’t know, find me someone who does. The clerk told me to call back tomorrow. I then called a local, non-chain electronics supplier called Sioux City Wintronic and asked for the same exact thing. The guy knew exactly what i need. I am on my way there now to purchase it. I remember a time when anyone i talked to at radio shack knew what i was asking about and could have at least pointed me in the right direction with what i needed. To be hired you had to have at least a basic knowledge and understanding of this stuff. Have they lowered their employment requirements/standards?
Radio Shack is a cell phone store now, where they happen to haev a few parts.
The last electronics knowledgable emplyee quit workign at radio shack about 26 years ago
(not so coincidentaly I last worked at radio shack 26 years ago…)
–Randy
Most folks who work at Radio Shack nowadays think a resistor is someone on “Cops” who doesn’t want handcuffs slapped on 'em.
The best thing to do is to find the part number on the RS web site then give that number to the person on the phone. At least they should be able to look it up on their in-store inventory list and tell you whether they have it in stock or not.
Tom
Yeah, the parts selection actually is better than it has been for a few years, not liek the good old days, but more than they had for a while - plus they now have a bunch of Aurdino kits and stuff, although you can get them from places like Sparkfun for a lot less. Now, expecting a current RS emplyee to even know what an AUrdino is, or what it can do…
–Randy
I usually don’t buy much at Radio Shack anymore. The have become a toy and phone store. They do have some good deals on Batteries. I have four RS’s within 15 minutes of my home. If I need more than one of something I usually have to visit all four of the stores to get enough of what I need. The parts bins are not kept stocked well and most of the time the parts are mixed up in different drawers. When I have the time to wait I order from allelectronics.com . It takes a week buy they always have everything I might need at better prices including the shipping.
LOL, so true.
That said, Radio Shack is still my go-to source for resistors, LEDs, toggles, etc. when I am in a hurry and cannot wait for an order to arrive from Miniatronics.
Rich
Yeah if you need one of something to finish a project, assumign they have it in stock - although with 3 or 4 in s small area usually you cna find one store that has what you need. It’s cheaper than ordering just one from one of the bigger resellers. And quicker. But if you need a few dozen resistors and things, MUCH cheaper to order from Mouser or Digi-Key. Or one of the cheap eBay seller. I’ve always liked Mouser because they didn;t have a surcharge on small orders (unless you are buying expensive piarts, even a LOT of resistors is way under $25). Some of the others add a handling charge if you only order a small dollar value of parts.
–Randy
I have found that when it comes to LEDs, the brighest are from Miniatronics, not any of those Internet dealers.
Radio Shack LEDs are the next brightest after Miniatronics.
Rich
But what really happened is that electronics used to be a really big hobby. People used to buy kits to build high quality items that they could not otherwise afford, plus all the people who used to experiment and build new circuits. All circuits have gone digital and there is no way someone can build as good a quality of component as can be purchased “Made in name one”. So to stay in business Radio Shack morphed themselves into selling the products that the mass markets were buying. Here in Denver they moved all the good electronics components to a single “Parts America” store. All the electronic hobbyists in Denver were not even enough to keep it open. Sigh. We also lost Century Electronics, leaving us with exactly 1 electronics store for the 4 million people on the front range.
Just like the MRR hobby. Everyone wants RTR. You have to stay with the times. I saw RS changing some years ago.
I have used Mouser Electronics a lot over the years. All Electronics is another good on line company.
Rich
We don’t even have Radio Shack stores in Canada any more. A number of years ago, they morphed into a new identity called “The Source” and the selection of parts is virtually non-existant.
If I need / want any electronic components today, it’s mail order or nothing.
Mark.
This past summer I walked in to one my my local RS and asked about a male to female DC extension power cord used in motor vehicles with one end with the male plug and the other end the female end. What do they show me? Male and female coax connectors. I didn’t know what to think but gave the kid the benefit of the doubt and said cigarette lighter style connector.
I’ll be the first to admit I may not know how some DC power connections connect, until someone draws me a picture, or at least i may have a hard time understanding how it is supposed to connect together so it will work. But I find out either by asking questions, researching it or through simple trial and error until it works.
But I do know what an DC power extension cord for motor vehicles is without someone having to explain or use the words cigarette lighter style. I know what but connectors are, spade connectors, ring connectors and I know about the different gauges of wire. I know how to crimp both insulated and non-insulated and how to solder.
I have put together a telephone kit and it actually worked when I plugged it into my phone jack. This all basic, fundamental electronics. things these stupid clerks at RS should know.
Granted we’ve become a very disposable society but for goodness sake, don’t fathers teach their kids, especially their sons this basic knowledge anymore? My dad taught me.
It’s very frustrating.
Sounds like a good opportunity to become the resident electronics expert at your local RS. You’ll be several steps ahead of the high school kids who work there - even some of the adults.
Tom
Not sure how much is will matter these days. You might get lucky and hang out in a store where the manager at least get that you’d be helping. Not like the good old days - I was about 11 when they first came out with the TRS-80 computers. I used to live in the local store, playing with the computer and learning - the mall was close enough that I was often allowed to go there by myself (and II used to think my Mom was overprotective - dunno that I’d let an 11 year old go to the mall alone these days) and while I couldn;t afford the computer, they did sell the manuals seperately and I bought all of them. And some tapes to store my programs on. The store personnel were happy to have me there - they had no clue how computers worked and could only run the prepared demos. I was making it do all sorts of interesting things. Plus I was wise enough to step out of the way when a live customer came and wanted to try their own things.
–Randy
Expert? Thanks for the compliment but I’m no expert. I think others here can vouch for that with the questions I’ve had to ask to figure a few things out with my layout.
My knowledge is based on what I have learned through experience, which part of is based on mistakes I’ve made. thankfully they have not been too costly and have not resulted in a fire or other major damage.
Though there is an opening at the local mall store for full time, which is what I’d be looking for. I may apply and see what happens.
I also have some experience in basic networking and audio/video electronics such as TV’s, sound systems, etc.
Safe to say, it’s not your fathers Radio Shack anymore. I used to buy a lot of stuff in there. Now they mostly carry skin packed items, hanging on a pin. No one knows anything in there. When they say “Can I help you”, I’m always tempted to say “Probably not”. I do have a couple of their power transformers, 12 volt, 4 amps, for lighting my layout. I’ve had them a while. Don’t know if they even still carry them.
It’s not unique to Radio Shack. The retail indusrty has almost totally changed over to minimum wage, part time employees. That results in high turnover. Very few retail employees know anything about their products.
I avoid Radio Shack now and have been as much as possible for a long time. They are not what they used to be and the employee’s are worthless as too knowledge on electronic parts. Last week I needed a new spool of 0.50 60/40 solder which was always 2.5 oz’s. They have re-spooled it to 1.5 oz’s so it is only half full and when you pull off the solder from the spool it is all kinked up. I have been ordering from Mouser which is world wide and treat a hobbiest like a king with no minimum order. They have sent me a 2326 page catalog at no cost. If you call them they bend over backward to help you and explain if needed. Also I usually know what I want days before I need it. I live in Colorado and they are near Ft. Worth Texas and I can order on say a Monday and standard shipping will have it here on Wed. I can sure live with that so by,by Radio Shack. I can’t help it with this rant as this subject has been building for a long time with me. Doug
SUX,
I meant in comparison to the other employees there at RS.
Tom
Doug,
I’m assuming your meant 0.05" OD solder? That would be one honking big piece of solder. [(-D]
Tom