RadioShack Under $1: The Clock Is Ticking

[dmcowen674]

6-20-2014

http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2014/06/20/radioshack-under-1-the-clock-is-ticking/?mod=yahoo_hs

RadioShack Under $1: The Clock Is Ticking



Shares dropped under $1 Friday morning for the first time ever, as the beleaguered electronics retailer continues to struggle and bankruptcy rumors swirl.



Early this month the company reported ugly quarterly numbers that sparked some dire outlooks from Wall Street analysts, including one who slashed his price target to $0 and said the shares were worthless.

 

[dmcowen674]

That's a shame.

The Country will be worse off not being able to run down to the local Radio Shack to get that cable you have to have right now.

 

[JManInPhoenix]

I used to go radio shack a lot as a teen and in my younger adult years. A great place to pick up things for electronics projects I was working on. Haven't been to one in at least 10 years though. Still, I will miss RS when it is gone. Just like I miss old record stores, book stores, etc. The times they are a changing ...

 

[CZroe]

They should have stayed away from unprofitable market trends (cellphones and video games) and stuck with their niche market (electronics DIY/hobbyists).

I need a diode for automotive purposes so I'm considering a visit soon.

 

[Sonikku]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5i91rOlFMY

 

[bradley]

From what I read, cellphones are what ultimately kept Radio Shack afloat over the last decade, but competition became increasingly stiff.

I will miss RS as much as the concept of rolling your own electronics bought from a friendly neighborhood store. Always will have fond memories of them. RIP

 

[Kwatt]

Up until a Black Friday a few years ago I would go almost every week. To get some electronics part or adapter or cable. My 32 TV came from there. I have had several pieces of stereo equipment over the last ~30 or so years. Bought the first CD player sold in the local store.

After that Black Friday. I would not go into a RS for water if I was on FIRE.

.

 

[Thebobo]

A dollar? wow thats like when Commodore was that low. An older work mate that wanted into all these cool new electronics stocks. He always heard a group of us talking about good the Amiga was and they had their new CD-32 game machine coming out. We didn't suggest it but he bought 20k shares. About 3 days later the company went belly up. We stayed away from him for a year ....

And poor Radio Shack my first stereo many project, its the end, sucks..

 

[MongGrel]

That's a shame.

The Country will be worse off not being to run down to the local Radio Shack to get that cable you have to have right now.

Not really, part of the reason they are in this situation.

 

[bradley]

A dollar? wow thats like when Commodore was that low. An older work mate that wanted into all these cool new electronics stocks. He always heard a group of us talking about good the Amiga was and they had their new CD-32 game machine coming out. We didn't suggest it but he bought 20k shares. About 3 days later the company went belly up. We stayed away from him for a year ....

And poor Radio Shack my first stereo many project, its the end, sucks..

I unknowingly saw the writing on the wall for Commodore. However what ultimately caused the bankruptcy is still confusing to me.

In early 1994, I sold my Amiga A1200 and 2000 and bought my very first IBM-compatible Pentium 60. I had decided never to buy another proprietary computer ever again, but still have very fond memories of those groundbreaking and legendary Amiga computers.

 

[Thebobo]

I unknowingly saw the writing on the wall for Commodore. However what ultimately caused the bankruptcy is still confusing to me.

In early 1994, I sold my Amiga A1200 and 2000 and bought my very first IBM-compatible Pentium 60. I had decided never to buy another proprietary computer ever again, but still have very fond memories of those groundbreaking and legendary Amiga computers.

They ran out money to pay for parts and no one would sell to them on credit.

Watch the videos from the Vintage Computer Festival - VCF East site they get folks in to tell stories. VCF East 9.1:
History of Commodore, Pt3: The Amiga Years

 

[Zaap]

Sadly, it's long overdue.
To me, Radio Shack is the absolute last resort to buy anything I need.

They should have become more like Frys Electronics- instead, I liken them to the "electronics aisle" at RiteAid- expanded into an entire store.

Someone in the company should have taken a step back years ago, and tried to view the store from the outside looking in, and ask themselves- why the hell would people really want to shop here? What makes it better than just an expanded 'last resort' section of some chain that doesn't even specialize in electronics? Viewed honestly, the answer would have been, "Not much."

They should have ditched all the gimmicks (cheap toys, ULTRA-crappy attempts at their own components rather than just sell quality brands, overpriced junk, no selection of anything) and focused more on filling an actual need in the market. (Of which there's plenty).

First off- the whole concept of small electronics stores in strip malls and such is stupid and long outdated- electronics stores should rival the Internet- fewer stores, but big warehouse locations, lots of selection, and stock things no one else has. I'll gladly pay more at times for what I need that I can just go get right away from a place like Frys, vs. only have the choice of buy it online. But I absolutely will not be conned into paying more for a small selection of shit that I can pay too much for just about anywhere else.

The only things they were worthwhile for, were the occasional fairly obscure adapter or cable- but even the things that were their strengths they pushed to the far back walls in favor of hawking common junk.

Good riddance. Maybe someone else (that's not a Pity Party Participant like so many of my fellow Americans) will realize there ARE still many voids in the US market, and step up and create a monster electronics store to rival Frys and stomp all over WorstBuy. But I doubt it. That breed of individual seems to have died off.

 

[Zebo]

honestly cant say i was ever in a radio shack. Home depot costco and basspro are my go to stores.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I haven't seen a RatShack for several years. Good thing I can fill all my electronic needs at Fry's

 

[DucatiMonster696]

Nothing last forever and this is especially true for businesses. If a business cannot adapt to changing trends and/or redefine itself to make itself relevant to consumers then it must die so that more efficient business models and businesses that make better use of scarce resources are able to succeed in its place.

 

[Jadow]

in like 1984 I saw a Tandy computer at the store and was blown away by this new thing. The sales guy pulled me off it and said something like "you don't have 3000 for this computer kid, get lost."

I've had a lifelong hatred of that store ever since, and hope they burn.

 

[yllus]

in like 1984 I saw a Tandy computer at the store and was blown away by this new thing. The sales guy pulled me off it and said something like "you don't have 3000 for this computer kid, get lost."

I've had a lifelong hatred of that store ever since, and hope they burn.

I had pretty much the exact same experience; was shooed out of a store as a young pre-teenager while eagerly looking at neat computer accessories. To hell with them.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

I think the only real use my family has ever had for Radio Shack was when we purchased a Tandy 1000 computer from them back in 1985. Radio Shack failed to evolve its business model in the face of the emergence of Walmart, big box electronic stores, and the Internet. I wonder if they were wasting their own money on the Super Bowl ads and on trying to revive the business or if it was borrowed money (that they can just discharge in bankruptcy). Maybe it would have been better for the shareholders if the CEO and Board had simply acknowledged the writing on the wall and shut the business down several years ago.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

That's a shame.

The Country will be worse off not being able to run down to the local Radio Shack to get that cable you have to have right now.

I don't know anyone who shops at Radio Shack even for things like that. You have Best Buy, Fry's, Wal-Mart, etc. for those kinds of needs.

I'm shocked Radio Shack has lasted this long.

 

[RockinZ28]

I don't know anyone who shops at Radio Shack even for things like that. You have Best Buy, Fry's, Wal-Mart, etc. for those kinds of needs.

I'm shocked Radio Shack has lasted this long.

Indeed. The last 2 times I needed some random cable for work immediately, I went there and they said they no longer stock it, but could have it here next day. And at 2-3 times the price of any other retailer. Good riddance.

 

[bradley]

They ran out money to pay for parts and no one would sell to them on credit.

Watch the videos from the Vintage Computer Festival - VCF East site they get folks in to tell stories. VCF East 9.1:
History of Commodore, Pt3: The Amiga Years

Yeah, Dave is a great guy. Don't think I've ever seen these videos so thanks.

In 2006, I remember visiting Youtube and watching Dave give that final farewell tour of the Commodore factory in West Chester, PA. It almost brought me to tears.

Last day of a Commodore Amiga Factory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRI7hHwiRxk

As a young kid, it took me years to save enough money for my first Amiga 2000 and A1200. I was just happy knowing that my purchases were helping support the US economy, and the local state economy in PA. Those days are long gone now due to globalization.

I do know why Commodore closed shop. What I can't understand is how someone didn't immediately snatch their assets with such a large customer base. Some feel it's conspiratorial, but who knows.

And I'm almost as sad for Radioshack. I can only imagine how many bedroom projects were created with parts bought from Radioshack, only to turn into multi-million/billion dollar corporations. For instance, Steve Wozniak owned a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1 and would use it to challenge his Apple II to chess matches and hone its operation.

In fact, Jobs/Wozniak originally went to Tandy and eventually Commodore to build and distribute the Apple II. Eventually these three brands (Commodore PET, Apple II, Radio Shack TRS-80) ended up competing against one another for the home computer market.

The Apple II from Commodore? It almost happened
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9052698/The_Apple_II_from_Commodore_It_almost_happened

 

[Slew Foot]

My dad's first computer back in 1981 or so, A radioshack TRS-80. Man, that thing was "cutting edge" for its time.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I think the only real use my family has ever had for Radio Shack was when we purchased a Tandy 1000 computer from them back in 1985.

Wow, it's like you're writing the autobiography for my life.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I think the only real use my family has ever had for Radio Shack was when we purchased a Tandy 1000 computer from them back in 1985.

Wow, it's like you're writing the autobiography for my life.

Over the next 3 years I managed to pile up a games library for my 1000 that included Ultima 4, Bard's Tale 3(iirc maybe 2), Curse of the Azure Bonds, Wasteland, Hero's Quest 1, and a few other amazing games. Those summers in the late 80's hold a special place in my heart.

 

[Triumph]

Radioshack today does nothing that any other store doesn't already do, but better. RS of old was a store that did something nobody else did. Problem is, people stopped needing what radio shack had. Nobody repairs circuit boards anymore. Nobody builds their own speakers anymore. Ok some people do, but not enough to support an entire countrywide network of stores.