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Radio Shack reportedly preparing to shut down.

Catadj78

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Aug 11, 2014
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Alabama
I went into my nearest Radio Shack a lil while ago. Closing on the 31st. The cabinets were marked at 175 per 7 drawers and was told could not get them until the 31st too. The mgr was not very friendly nor helpful either though.
 
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Super Sport

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Jun 30, 2011
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West Michigan
Checked several RS here, and they also say $300 for a 7 drawer cabinet. Nah. I'll wait, or find something else.

The two local stores here have the same price. Well, one store has them marked in pairs for $600.

They look nice, but not terribly heavy duty. I'd probably be willing to pay $100/cabinet, but not more than that.
 

monster1

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Jan 8, 2012
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704
This is really sad. Where am I going to get one free battery a month from the battery club now?
 

toufue_yang17

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Jun 1, 2013
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I bought 6 packs of terminal assortments for $19.80. 2 packs of 10 alligator clips for $2.20. It was well worth it.
 

djb2

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Apr 3, 2010
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639
Location
Redwood forests
Harbor Freight, of course. They have coupons for free packs of 20 alkalines.

Did I miss something? I've seen the coupon for free packs of 24 carbon-zinc AA and AAA batteries, but no coupon for alkaline batteries.

The carbon-zinc batteries work well enough for my 3 year old, who loves flashlights and leaves them on overnight. Lasting only two hours instead of 6 hours isn't a problem. Nor is having a shelf life of a year. But they dim noticeably after a minute when used in the 27 LED lights.
 

Vegaman_Dan

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Jun 1, 2012
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Pacific, WA
I went through the local RS that was closing on Saturday. Manager shared the printouts from corporate showing what could be sold for what. The parts cabinets are indeed priced at $175 per 8 drawer section, no discounts permitted.

Other store fixtures were similarly priced and rather expensive. I don't think they'll be selling any racks any time soon. These parts bins will still be around to show up later, I expect.

BUT... the items *in* the parts bins are 70% off and I went to town clearing out switches, indicator lights, electrical connectors, plugs, relays, etc. Radio Shack always had the best switches available for use in my projects, so I left there with several reusable shopping bags of bagged parts. When the prices drop to around 75 cents to $1.25, I was willing to buy stuff on the possibility I would need it later.

Picked up the 60W variable digital temperature controlled solder station for $45.

All told, I think I spent about $400 in bits and pieces, but that also included a PA system for my event services group along with some wireless audio equipment for my online video stream work. The receipt was 12 feet long. The manager had never seen one that long before.

Was it worth it? Well, I could probably get any and all of it from Amazon or Mouser electronics quickly enough, but sometimes it's worth having a few switches for that project you start on a Sunday.

It's the only store closing in the area, and not one I go to. All the rest are in normal operation.

Store was seriously picked over, but what they left behind was worth checking out.
 

JSwaff19

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Mar 17, 2012
Messages
39
Location
Ohio
Went to a store outside of Dayton, OH today and there is not much left. They said they only have 10 days left and everything is 40-70% off. However, it looked like most stuff was only 40% off. I didn't see much that was 70%.

I have been wanting a 7 drawer cabinet (or 4 since that is what they have) so I asked one of the two guys working how much they were. He said $175 for a 7 drawer. I told him that I'd give him $200 cash today if I could take all 4. He declined and said to check back over the next 10 days and they would possibly sell them for $100 each. The other guy working said if it were up to him, they'd have $200 cash and help load them up because in his words, "What are they gonna do, fire me?". He said no one else has asked about them at all.
 

Zippercat

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TN
What are they gonna do? For starters hit him with multiple felony theft charges and you with multiple counts of felony level receiving stolen goods.
 

anotheroldguy

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Mar 28, 2011
Messages
61
Location
Upstate NY
A little over a year ago, I went to the local RS looking for a "radio" for my wife to listen to in her horse barn. The kid working the counter asked what I meant. I told him I needed a small AM/FM radio that would plug into an outlet. He looked at me like I was an idiot and told me they don't sell radios and to check Walmart. Goodbye RS.
 

dngrmse

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Mar 14, 2014
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637
Location
Northern NJ
A little over a year ago, I went to the local RS looking for a "radio" for my wife to listen to in her horse barn. The kid working the counter asked what I meant. I told him I needed a small AM/FM radio that would plug into an outlet. He looked at me like I was an idiot and told me they don't sell radios and to check Walmart. Goodbye RS.

"No sorry sir, we don't sell radios here at Radio Shack" lol
 

SeanConklin

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Aug 20, 2011
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159
Location
Marion, IN
I went to my local store yesterday, and spoke to the manager. They, too, have the cabinets marked at $175 per section. I asked her what she would take for all of them if I took them right now and she said $500 for all 8 and that the price she would take will be considerably less closer to closing time. I will continue to check back until the last day.
 

JSwaff19

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Mar 17, 2012
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39
Location
Ohio
What are they gonna do? For starters hit him with multiple felony theft charges and you with multiple counts of felony level receiving stolen goods.

Um, no. His point was they probably won't sell them anyways so why not sell them for the price I offered.

Next time, tell us how you really feel about someone getting a deal on some cabinets. Don't hold back. :thumbup:
 

EdJack

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Apr 23, 2013
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My local store that is almost picked clean and prices at 70%-90% off, wanted $175 per section, no discount.

But the store closes in 9 days, so I'll keep checking back.

The other store that originally said they weren't closing, now has closing signs up at 30%-50% off. But inside the store it looks like everything is 30% off, and very few (if any) items are at 50% off. That store still has good stuff in it, but at 30% off it is still overpriced.
 

byoungblood

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Apr 6, 2011
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2,590
Location
Berryville, VA
Components and other DIY stuff (minus tools) are 50% off. Good for me because I can just stock up on stuff and buy the bulk packs of caps, resistors, transistors, etc., for what I was paying for one or two single value packs.

Everything else in the store seems to be 20-30% off, which is still higher than what you can buy the same thing for elsewhere.
 

QtrHorse13

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Dec 16, 2014
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TX
I as well stocked up on the 50-60% off electrical pcs (diodes, resistors, switches and etc) along with the breadboards and pcb boards. You can stock up in bulk on these items at these prices.
 

mattamd_xp

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Sep 24, 2008
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Springfield Mass
Stopped by the one by me that's closing and it was pretty bare. Still wanted $300 each for the cabinets, but said they could go 20% lower. Still too expensive for fairly flimsy cabinets that just have plastic drawers. I was able to pick up a 400 watt inverter for $15.
 
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ckadams00

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Sep 12, 2011
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Seattle, WA
My dad used to take the vacuum tubes out of the television, bring them to Radio Shack, and plug them into their tube tester. Radio Shack got killed by unrepairable consumer electronics.

No, Radio Shack got killed thinking there was a business model in vacuum tubes and free battery cards. Every time I've be in a Radio Shack to "electronics" they don't have what I need and suggest I go to their web site: which I do, it's called "Mouser".
 

EdJack

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No, Radio Shack got killed thinking there was a business model in vacuum tubes and free battery cards. Every time I've be in a Radio Shack to "electronics" they don't have what I need and suggest I go to their web site: which I do, it's called "Mouser".

That's how I found out about Mouser.

A couple years ago I needed some capacitors to rebuild a power supply, I went to Radio Shack and ask where are the capacitors. They gave me a blank stare and point over in the corner and said, "I think we have some of that stuff over in the corner." Of course, they had maybe 1 of the 8 or so I need. They said order it on Radio Shack's website. I did that, and the prices were sky high. When I received the box (that was dropshiped from Mouser), I went over to the Mouser site and saw the same parts for probably 90% less than Radio Shack. Needless to say, that was the last time I bought anything from Radio Shack, I was kind of ticked off that they basically jacked up the price like crazy for a dropship order from Mouser.
 

cheechi

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Feb 29, 2012
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Triad, NC
Of all the components they do stock, I have found caps are the least well stocked and the poorest selection.
 

lwlobo

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Mar 23, 2010
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Colorado Springs, CO
They wanted $150 for 7 drawer sections at the store I visited the other day, which I felt was a bit rich for what they are. Might have bought one for $100. About the only thing they had left was phone cases and some stock still in the electronics drawers. I wanted to dig around in them and stock up on switches, resistors, LEDs, etc. but was trying to manage 3 young kids and it wasn't worth it. Everything was 75% off.
 

AndeiH

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Jun 7, 2014
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texas
i picked up some electro luminescent wire, tape and power supplies for about $20. i'll probably integrate them into my kids halloween costume this year.
 

EdJack

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But even at 75% off, why stock up? Those are basically what Mouser sells them for all day long.
 

squashman702

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Feb 16, 2012
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Stow, MA
I bought a variety of switches/**** connectors/relays/etc yesterday, 26 different items for $30 out the door, I'll have enough switches for years of beater vehicles.
 

3baygarage

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Sep 1, 2013
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SW Florida/from Buffalo,NY
Stopped by the one by me that's closing and it was pretty bare. Still wanted $300 each for the cabinets, but said they could go 20% lower. Still too expensive for fairly flimsy cabinets that just have plastic drawers. I was able to pick up a 400 watt inverter for $15.

Same thing here. I wandered in there because I saw the signs outside and ended up buying some batteries at 40 percent off. Saw that the fixtures and what not were for sale and I asked about the 4 parts cabinets they had. The guy said $300.

I said oh, 300 for all? and he said EACH! Good gracious! :eyecrazy: They're all dented up!

I think they've been inhaling the dust cleaner in a bottle. :lol:
 

elronin

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May 26, 2012
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Hialeah,Fl
Same thing here. I wandered in there because I saw the signs outside and ended up buying some batteries at 40 percent off. Saw that the fixtures and what not were for sale and I asked about the 4 parts cabinets they had. The guy said $300.

I said oh, 300 for all? and he said EACH! Good gracious! :eyecrazy: They're all dented up!

I think they've been inhaling the dust cleaner in a bottle. :lol:

Just spoke to the manager in one of my stores that's at 70 to 90% off he said that he got an email today to cut the 7 drawer cases to half off of the $175 dollar display he had on it. that's 87.50 each. still too much he says they go down 10% every Thursday, but his store closes next Thursday. just a heads up.
 

3baygarage

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SW Florida/from Buffalo,NY
Just spoke to the manager in one of my stores that's at 70 to 90% off he said that he got an email today to cut the 7 drawer cases to half off of the $175 dollar display he had on it. that's 87.50 each. still too much he says they go down 10% every Thursday, but his store closes next Thursday. just a heads up.

Thanks. I was expecting maybe a couple hundred for the 4 or something like that. I mean they were very well used, the tops were dented. I noticed they were made with a large gap above the drawers and they don't seal like a tool chest and that I did not care for.
 

EdJack

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Apr 23, 2013
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What I have been doing for drawers is buying 2 and 3 drawer Middle/Intermediate tool chests from Sears Craftsman that are 16" to 18" deep. Then I have been stacking them on metal shelving. I get them at the Outlets or deep discounts at Sears for anywhere between $40 - $65 each. So the Radio Shack drawers would have to get below the $50 each price point before I would bite.
 

dwatsonkc

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Jun 5, 2011
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Shawnee, KS
Got a call from my local RS today. They said the storage bins are 50% off $175 each. He already sold all but 2. So I went right up there to get them.

This afternoon he got a notice to sell all the equipment/racks 50% off. A guy bought all but 2 within an hour.

I'm going to check the other stores tomorrow. He said not all stores got the notice yet.
 

QtrHorse13

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Dec 16, 2014
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TX
Got a call from my local RS today. They said the storage bins are 50% off $175 each. He already sold all but 2. So I went right up there to get them.

This afternoon he got a notice to sell all the equipment/racks 50% off. A guy bought all but 2 within an hour.

I'm going to check the other stores tomorrow. He said not all stores got the notice yet.

The 7 drawer cabinets are not worth $175 each. I don't even think they are worth $50 each, they are junk. You can't store anything in them without the plastic inserts because each drawer has no bottom, they are open. You would be better off buying the wooden top rolling Husky cabinet from Home Depot for $248.
 

elronin

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Hialeah,Fl
The 7 drawer cabinets are not worth $175 each. I don't even think they are worth $50 each, they are junk. You can't store anything in them without the plastic inserts because each drawer has no bottom, they are open. You would be better off buying the wooden top rolling Husky cabinet from Home Depot for $248.

Yea but you could cut 1/4 ply and a liner on them. If they were 20 bucks or so then they be nice. Or if you just want to store screws nuts and bolts.
 

Horseman

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May 21, 2014
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I got two almost new 7 drawer sections for $150 which included the plastic inserts. They were also selling their Type 1A 10' fiberglass ladder for $50, and I am second in line for that, if the store next door doesn't buy it. 4'x 72" high metal shelving in the stockroom was $25 per 4' section.
 

fanatic

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Dec 25, 2014
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104
Has anyone found out why some stores are actively selling their fixtures while others will not even discuss it and are only referring inquiries to Hilcoffe.com?
 

Mike_C

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Mar 16, 2011
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168
I just picked up two of the 7 drawer units for 175, had to buy what was left inside them to take them home today. But the led unit and crimp connectors unit were both pretty well picked over, and most of what was worth having. I feel that they were worth the 87.50 a piece. They are a good depth, and the drawer dividers are nice.

I mentioned to the sales guy that the store by my house would not sell any fixtures, just pointed at the hilcoffe sign. He said most stores have no clue what his going on, he took the initiative call and ask what to do with the fixtures.

I went to another store as well, and they were also selling the fixtures. But at 175 each... And all but two were claimed. While I was shopping someone else came in and bought one of them, and said he might take the other as well.
 

fanatic

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Dec 25, 2014
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I mentioned to the sales guy that the store by my house would not sell any fixtures, just pointed at the hilcoffe sign. He said most stores have no clue what his going on, he took the initiative call and ask what to do with the fixtures.

That makes sense.
 

383 240z

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Dec 4, 2006
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Findley Twp. Allegheny Co.
my local RS still has all 8 of the 7 drawer units. They are marked $150 each and nobody biting on them. They are slated to lock the doors tomorrow. I put in a cash offer, of 4 units at $50 each. Nobody has called me yet. Keith
 

JSwaff19

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Mar 17, 2012
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Ohio
I called two local stores yesterday. One of them closes on Tuesday and they still wanted $175 for each 7 drawer section. The other is set to close on Thursday and they want $200 each. I asked both if they were taking offers and they said no because it was not up to them if they sell.
 
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