[RadioShack] RadioShack in Canada = TOY Store

[Darrell Drake]

Don't be shy!! speak up, we all want to hear what you have to say!!

OK......I will.

    I believe the subject line of this post says it all. The Radio Shack
stores in Canada have evolved into nothing more than toy stores, with
precious little in the way of electronic supplies. For instance, last year
just before Christmas, I went to one of the local stores to buy a GP
transistor for a project. The sales clerk (not a kid, but a man in his
40's), asked if  he could help. I told him what I wanted, and he asked me
what it was. I tried to explain in the simplest terms and he replied, "I'm
lost with anything that doesn't have an on/off switch". With that, he
immediately tried to sell me a miniature toy RC car, a new item that year!
It turns out, Radio Shack Canada doesn't carry very many electronic
components any more. Obviously, Radio Shack US and Radio Shack Canada are
two different operations, only sharing a common name.
    Another instance, Radio Shack. com (US) lists a particular item for
which I had been looking. The US web site lists it as a "new" item, but not
available on-line, and to do a search at a local store. Doing a search at
Radio Shack.ca (Can), I find that the same item is no longer available, as
it's discontinued !
    Searching a bit further, I found that some Can. stores, (none in my
area), still had 1 or 2 two of these items available. But, would any of the
local stores have the item shipped from the in-stock store to my area, even
if I paid up front? No way, Jack ! Any other chain/franchise store would be
glad to oblige a customer.

    A previous post said, "Don't be shy!! speak up, we all want to hear what
you have to say!!"

There you have it, just a couple of my comments. Go ahead....flame away. At
least, there'll be some activity on the reflector !

Cheers.....
Darrell,
VA3DG/VE3DDG