Argh!!! I HATE Radio Shack!!!

[The Robman]

Man, can I just say how much I HATE Radio Shack!!!

It's the same every tie, no matter which store you go to!

I just popped in there today to pick up the new 15-2136 and as soon as I've walked through the door, before I've had a chance to browse (had I wanted to), the bright and perky store manager jumps up and says "Hi there, wlcome to the Skokie Radio Shack, how may I be of service to you today"

So, I tell him I want the new Kameleon, which he promptly grabs off the shelf along with a 4-pack of batteries. Then he asks if I need him to demonstrate the functions to me (as if), which I politely decline. Then he starts ringing it up (with the batteries) so I ask "are those batteries free?". Of course they're not, but he was just going to ring them up anyway! Then he launches into the whole hard-sell routine, do I need a cell phone, satellite TV, blah blah blah.

I ask him how much it would cost to have him just shut up and not try to sell me anything, at which point he asks if I need a cable modem! I tell him, "look, let me save you some time, whatever you're about to ask me, the answer is no, and I've already got a cable modem", to which he says "yes, but do your friends?".

Now, i know these drones have been programmed to do this by HAL-2000 back at corporate HQ, but don't you think they'd know when to give it up already!

Bottom line, avoid going into one of these places at all cost! If you need electronic parts, go to http://www.mouser.com, if you need a TV or stereo, why would you even think of buying it at the Shack, go to Best Buy or Circuit City or ANYWHERE else. If you absolutely need an RS exclusive remote or something, get it from http://www.radioshack.com or better yet, buy it used on ebay.

[Mark Pierson]

Now, i know these drones have been programmed to do this by HAL-2000 back at corporate HQ, but don't you think they'd know when to give it up already!

Almost makes me wish they still asked for my name and address with every purchase! I used to love to give them fake names... my all-time favorite being "Harry Vederci"!

[Nils_Ekberg]

I have exactly the same frustration every time I walk in one of the Shacks. They drive me crazy since I am by no means an electronic wizard but I have never failed to do a better job of finding what I need than they did. Besides, when they are looking over your shoulder how can you open the package and see if the remote has a jp1 connection

My father use to hate it every time they asked for his name. He would always ask "why do you need my name I am paying cash" and when they insited they needed it to "make the computer work" he would say OK, my name is Johnny Cash. I loved to watch the look on their face.

[johann83]

I'd pretty much have to agree with all the posts here, although one of the Shacks that I have been to locally actually has a couple people who are very helpful. Amazing, isn't it?

I also think I freaked them out a couple times when they asked, "Can I have your name, please?" and I answered, "No." I usually got a blank look and few second pause before they continued trying to sell me a cell phone or satellite system.

But I guess they don't do that anymore...? Haven't been to a Shack in quite a while.

Matt

[Mark Pierson]

I guess it was a little over a year or so ago that they stopped asking for your name with every purchase. I remember they had big signs at the door announcing the new policy.

[sfhub]

So, I tell him I want the new Kameleon, which he promptly grabs off the shelf along with a 4-pack of batteries.

So he had to actually spend the time to grab the batteries?

When I picked up my 2117, the batteries were already taped to the box.
I think I lucked out though. The first remote the newish looking cashier
didn't know what was up so he thought the batteries just came with the
unit as a promotion.

Later when I went back to get a second unit, a more experienced looking
cashier said these batteries had been taped on as a training exercise to
remind the cashiers to always ask if we need batteries, kind of like
ketchup with your fries, but they charge for these.

[Capn Trips]

kind of like
ketchup with your fries, but they charge for these.

Go to a fast food joint in Europe and they WILL charge you extra for ketchup with your fries!

[sixt7gt350]

Rob:

I believe the best response I've ever heard to the emasculation of Radio Shack was uttered online by a cynical employee:

"You've got questions? We've got batteries!"

[The Robman]

I've heard that one many times also and love it, it replaced the previous one, which was "You've got questions, we've got blank stares"

[mogulman]

I like shopping at Radio Shack. Even thought the salespeople there don't know a lot about different products, most of them try. I've gotten better help from them then the bigger electronic stores. I don't buy a lot there, but I do like to look around.

I remember walking into a local A/V store (Soundtrack) after lightning fried almost every electronic component in my house. I had over $3000 to spend on new items. It was hard to find anyone interested in helping me. Heck.. I knew what I was looking for, I just couldn't find someone to answer 1 question or even ring something up.

I shop at Best Buy, Compusa, Microcenter, Fry's. I travel a lot so I've been to numerous electronic stores. I agree that sometimes the salespeople are a little pushy. They work on commision, though.

I like the small shop atmosphere. I like it that if I need a small electronic part, I can drive a few miles and pick it up today.

Also, the I like their policy of recommending the batteries. I've bought too many items at bigger stores, only to find out that they needed batteries/cables/etc. and didn't come with them. I think they should ask.

I miss the printed catalog. Their web-site sucks. Some of their employees are idiots. So are employees from the other electronic places.

[The Robman]

I like the small store concept also. The problem with the Shack these days is corporate based. Radio Shack HQ has obviously ordered their staff to do the hard sell on their cell phones, satellites, waranties, etc, etc and even if you flat out tell the clerk that you don't what any of the additional stuff he's told you about so far and that you're going to say NO to any further suggestions, he's obligated to go through the list regardless.

Then of course there's the ridulous way they are forced to answer the phone...

"Hello, thanks for calling the Skokie Radio Shack, how may I be of excellent service to you today?"

[Mark Pierson]

"Hello, thanks for calling the Skokie Radio Shack, how may I be of excellent service to you today?"

"Let me talk to someone who has a brain!"

"I'm sorry, sir, we seem to be all out of those... do you need any batteries today?"

8)

[Stephen Weller]

I've learned to deal with the Shack rats by walking in with a post-it note bearing the RS part number(s) I want (and perhaps a few obsolete ones as well). That keeps the rat busy while I browse. Usually by the time I'm done window shopping, I can walk over and get what I came for before they've figured out which end they're supposed to think with.

BTW - I *used* to know the store layout better than the minions. With the new layout, it seems nobody knows where ANYTHING is!

[micj]

When I was in High School, my 1st real job was at Radio Shack. I was a wiz at electronics, and thought I could answer just about everything. The very 1st question I got was;

"Does this include batteries?"

I didn't know. However, I was the person all the other salespeople sent people with questions to.

Recently, my 7 year old son was with me at the local Radio Shack, and saw the sign," You've got questions, we got answers!" So he asked the salesman, "Is God male or female?" Well, the salesman and 2 other customers in the store almost coughed a lung laughing. (My son understands, and knew it was not really answerable).

Regards,

Ira

[Stephen Weller]

Years ago (Please don't ask how many), there was a running debate on the internet (pre www. Ok?) about whether or not Radio Shaft would hire you if you knew too much. Eventually, someone *claiming* to be an ex-rat, came forward confirming that they tested him prior do employment. He further exclaimed how he slectively blew some of the answers and got the job.

Funny, funny world.