08-12-2015, 12:11 PM
Just wondering---Where do you go for your electronic components since Radio Shack closed?? 
08-12-2015, 12:31 PM
Luckily for me, my local radioshack did not close. How it survived is beyond me, because it is probably the dinkiest of all the radioshacks in my area.
That said, China put them out of business. You can get REELS of electronic parts for a couple of bucks, instead of just one or two for a few dollars. Buying direct from China on Ebay will do the trick. Shipping is usually very low or free. This is how they get the electronic parts at the University I work at.
You can also try to order from some of the electronics places that cater to hobbyists, but the prices aren't always reasonable. Miniatronics seems to be the most common brand for such things.
That said, China put them out of business. You can get REELS of electronic parts for a couple of bucks, instead of just one or two for a few dollars. Buying direct from China on Ebay will do the trick. Shipping is usually very low or free. This is how they get the electronic parts at the University I work at.
You can also try to order from some of the electronics places that cater to hobbyists, but the prices aren't always reasonable. Miniatronics seems to be the most common brand for such things.
08-12-2015, 02:07 PM
You have to plan things nowadays , there is no-more immediate gratification , you have to order & wait !!!! 
08-12-2015, 06:20 PM
As with the others I mostly order out of China. LED's wire and electrical switches. There is an electronic repair store here in town that I have bought some stuff as well.
Our Radio Shack became a Circuit City and most of it's electronic parts went with it.
Our Radio Shack became a Circuit City and most of it's electronic parts went with it.
08-13-2015, 06:45 AM
When you buy at Radio Shack, you pay top dollar for parts. Here in the Phoenix area there are several "surplus" stores where you can buy at a fraction of new. Just that some of the stuff offered may not be standard since it's old stock bought up from manufacturers that no longer have use for the stuff. Sometimes you can buy a panel or an assembly that has switches, lights and other parts you can take off and use. You can also buy surplus from several other mail order or Internet stores, such as All Electronics.
We also have Circuit Specialists here, a walk-in store that sells new parts, everything from switches, connectors and LED's to custom computers and test equipment. They will sell you quantity one, or thousands, and their prices reflect quantity breaks. They also sell by phone and their web site and their prices are as good as, and sometimes better than, Mouser Electronics.
The only thing good about Radio Shack is convenience. They have a store just a few miles from our house that hasn't closed yet, and if they have what you need, you have it now, not a few days later when UPS delivers it or driving across town to pick it up.
We also have Circuit Specialists here, a walk-in store that sells new parts, everything from switches, connectors and LED's to custom computers and test equipment. They will sell you quantity one, or thousands, and their prices reflect quantity breaks. They also sell by phone and their web site and their prices are as good as, and sometimes better than, Mouser Electronics.
The only thing good about Radio Shack is convenience. They have a store just a few miles from our house that hasn't closed yet, and if they have what you need, you have it now, not a few days later when UPS delivers it or driving across town to pick it up.