[GreenKeys] Radio Shack Parts

[Doug Alderdice]

At 10:14 PM 4/28/2008 -0400, Til128 at aol.com wrote:
>I would just like to vent my  anger and frustration here about the quality 
>of parts at Radio Shack. I went  there looking for 1/4 inch closed circuit 
>jacks to mount in a panel. The clerk  asked if I needed some help and I 
>told him what I need. With a blank stare, he  asked "what's that?"

I, too, gave up on RS a while ago for parts.  I only go there in 
desperation for something I need "right now" for a project or a 
repair.  Lately though, I come up short handed since they carry next to 
nothing in parts any more.  And forget asking the clerks who "We have 
answers" seemingly only for cell phones.

The last time I was in RS locally was about a year ago, I was looking for a 
chassis mount SO239 to make a quickie coat hanger 1/4 wave 2M vertical for 
some project I was into and surprise, they didn't have them in the 
store.  The clerk/manager at the counter was rather smarmy and seemed to 
take pleasure in my displeasure that they didn't have what I was looking 
for.  "We can order anything," saith he.  "Doesn't do me any good when I 
need it today" replied I and left, and haven't been back to that store.

I have been living off catalog suppliers like Jameco, DigiKey, and surplus 
houses like Edlie, MPJA, and All Electronics for "decent" components and 
accessories for several years now.

Sadly, there aren't many of us who build anything anymore, and RS reflects 
that.  But as my pastor would say, that is a sermon for another Sunday...  ;-)

73,

Doug, KA2WFT