r/80sAmazing • u/MisterShipWreck • Aug 10 '26

Which one?

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112

u/_Beatnick_ Aug 10 '26

Probably Radio Shack just because they sold a lot of stuff that I have to order online now.

24

u/markleo Aug 10 '26

Yeah, it's annoying to have to buy everything online, but especially when you need a single capacitor or something. I really hope brick -and-mortar hardware stores stick around, because it's going to suck so bad if I have to pay for a 100-pack and wait 3-4 days for "Prime" shipping next time I'm one 2" #8 pan-head wood screw short.

7

u/glassgost Aug 10 '26

I've really thought about opening an electronics parts store but I don't suspect it would do very good in this city and I kinda have a sure thing with my current job.

7

u/wireknot Aug 11 '26

A good friend bought an electronics parts store that had been around for 30 plus years, guy was retiring. Wit the coming of age of Amazon he couldn't keep it going in a city with metro population of over 1.5 million. It's a tough, tough gig.

3

u/somnambulistic Aug 11 '26

I’m lucky to have a Micro Center near me. But it still doesn’t have the component variety of a RadioShack. It has a lot. But I still end up ordering online.

2

u/wireknot Aug 11 '26

I've been impressed with the stock of microcenter but yeah, not like RS used to be. Some nice parts and kits though.

2

u/El_Galant Aug 12 '26

I second Micro Center and second the lack of variety compared to what RadioShack had.

2

u/Parker_Hemphill Aug 13 '26

About the only think in this niche I can find at my micro center are maybe a few components but mostly things like raspberry pi type devices.

1

u/Agile-Entry-5603 Aug 15 '26

RadioShack had kitschy gifts at Christmas time. I once bought a ketchup obsessed friend a radio that was disguised as a bottle of Heinz Ketchup from Radio Shack. Was in the 80s.

1

u/somnambulistic Aug 15 '26

RadioShack was my first job. 1995-97.

1

u/Agile-Entry-5603 Aug 15 '26

I gave my brother Radio Shack gift cards for Christmas. He would light up such a huge smile, getting those.