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That's sad - I was a big fan of Radio Shack back when they sold electronic kits and lots of DIY stuff. Now, the concentrate of overpriced consumer electronics, cell phones, and cheap RC stuff at Christmastime.
\"Radio Shack. You have questions, we have blank stares\"
Whenever a company hires a law firm to \"investigate\" their own malfeasance, you can bet your sweet tushie that what they're really \"investigating\" is how best to spin and cover up the story.
Gee, it's not profitable to sell absurdly low-quality consumer electronics at ridiculous markup in an ugly store the size of a broom closet while running years of TV ad campaigns that completely fail to hit the mark?
I never woulda thought!
.....They used to make pretty durable, if average-sounding stereo gear. I've got a Realistic TR883 8-track recorder that still works, and a Lab-260 belt-drive turntable. These days, it's mainly a place you run when you need a widget adapter or cable or something. No way would I buy a new system from them!
.....I always tell the eager salespeople \"I'm just looking.\" That backs them off, but you can tell that they're unhappy your not looking at the expensive stuff in the front of the store! I can read the labels on the parts myself, and not get sold more than I need.
\"can I help you?\"
\"can I help you?\"
\"can I help you?\"
\"can I help you?\"
\"can I help you?\"
... At least that many times *every* time I go into one of their stores. The manager of one of the stores couldn't understand why I responded rudely the 27th time I was asked in 5 minutes! If I need you, I'll ask you - otherwise leave me alone.
As for the zip code, give them one from a different state than the one your in. If in NY, give them 90210 or just make one up on the spot.
I find that the service widely varies store to store. Some places you get solid, compent help willing to admit when they don't know an answer and will help you find it and other places they live to get you out the door with whatever piece of crap they can sell you.
Personally, I'd rather be asked 'can I help you' by each and every employee in the place than be patently ignored till I chase someone down and set something heavy on their chest to get them to sit still for a second. I've seen both behaviors at Radio shacks. I far prefer knowing they are there to help when I don't need it than the reverse.
Fiddlesticks! The level of customer service at most Radio Shack stores is amazingly high, considering the kind of A/V Club nerds that they tend to hire. I love Radio Shack.
Yes, I know you can get all that stuff online, but what if you're not astute enough to call it a 3.5mm stereo connector, and need to describe it to a human as \"the plug on the end of my iPod headphones\"?