Radio Shack declares bankruptcy

[RobertB]

     It's been years in the making, but today I saw the news that Radio Shack is declaring bankruptcy.  The 2,400 stores are closing.
     I've been going to R.S. since the 1970's but less and less as the years progressed.  In the 70's and 80's, I would go there for the audio equipment --mics, speakers, and cabling.  Then in the late 80's and 90's, I went for the floppy disks and blank videotapes.  Of course in 2005, it was for the Hummer DTV (off-shoot of the C64 DTV).  In these last years, it would be for an audio adapter, patch cord, switch, even computer speakers.  But I was not a regular customer... I would just pop in every once in awhile, whereas in the early years, I would regularly visit to see what they would have.  In the early years, it was a must-have to get the Radio Shack catalog; I would drool over the stereo equipment, even the Tandy 100 et al portable computer.
     The catalog was discontinued a few years ago, and it wasn't the same to browse through their website.  It wasn't the same, because in the early years, I'd see the same, long-time employees and build up a relationship with them.
     I suppose I should visit the local Radio Shack for old times' sake... just to reminisce.  Just to look at the trendy toys and those patch cords and adapters again.

          Before it is gone,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

[RobertB]

The 2,400 stores are closing.

(snip)

I suppose I should visit the local Radio Shack for old times' sake...

I now read that 1,700+ stores will remain open.  These would be the franchise stores and the stores which be more like Sprint stores than Radio Shack stores.  Even with the reduction in the number of stores, this new R.S. still would have many more storefronts than other chain stores.
     Now the question is... would any of the R.S.'s stay open in my area?

          FCUG celebrating 33 years,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

[Paul]

All of our Future Shop stores have closed, and are converting to Best Buy.

The times, they are a changing...

[RobertB]

     Best Buy?!  Last I heard was that Best Buy was not in the greatest condition financially.

          FCUG celebrating 33 years,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
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[RobertB]

Now the question is... would any of the R.S.'s stay open in my area?

Well, the one in town where I work has stayed open as a Radio Shack.  The one in the town where I live is now mostly a Sprint store with some R.S. materials in the back.

          FCUG celebrating 34 years this month,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

[Paul]

I have no idea why they won't revive their Tandy and TRS-80 line. That would be a gold mine today!

[RobertB]

     A gold mine only for Tandy fans. 

         Truly,
         Robert Bernardo
         Fresno Commodore User Group
         http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

[Rorshach]

I know this is an old subject.  But here in Canada they still exist after a fashion but haven't had the name Radio Shack in almost two decades.  They hitched their wagon to Circuit City which ironically also went bankrupt and are now known only as "The source" and are a convience store sized version of best buy minus the appliances.  Though they still stick to the sky high prices.

[RobertB]

     Strangely, Radio Shack still has some kind of on-line presence where you can buy their products.  And if I can believe the Internet, there are still 400 stores!

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
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