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FrozenGate by Avery

Don't bother with Radio Shack if you need capacitors

Dr_Evil

Dr_Evil

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I've been having issues with one of my computer monitors. After a couple minutes of Google searching, I found a possible repair to try. All I need to do is replace some caps. Three of them are bulging so I have a feeling the repair will work. I decided to check out Radio Shack. There really isn't anything else open after I get off work or on weekends.

Their selection consists of 35v and 50v caps. There are some 35v and 50v caps I need but they didn't have them.
 
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In Canada we lost radioshack sometime ago.. It was bought out
or something of that nature. The stores remained, only now
called 'the source'.

They slowly weeded out much of the components, and anything
related to what they used to be. Now 'the source' is just a fading
mini future shop / best buy. All that I noticed to remain the same is some
cool gadgets and their high prices.

You can still get the basics, but most of the good stuff is gone.

If you want things fast, I order from DigiKey. They have got my
orders to me the next afternoon, even when I order at 8pm the
night before.

Their shipping is crazy fast and fairly cheap for the quick service.


*EDIT*

Not sure if they are in the USA as well, but there is a store here called Sayal.
They are like an electronic surplus, but not used and old parts. The prices
are okay, and they carry just about everything radioshack never carried.

They are like a walk in digikey.. I know they are a chain, and for buying
single pieces, they are great. If I order in bulk, or cant find 'XX' at Sayal,
then I order online...
 
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my electronics ship "dicksmith" is getting rid of all electronic componsnts because it is "too much of a hassle" to type part numbers in all the ime for something that costs $0.05.....gayyyy
 
There is a place I plan on going to tomorrow if it is open. Hopefully they are. I'll order online if they don't have what I need. I've thought about calling some electronic repair shops too.
 
The Radio Shack just around the corner from me just did some re-doing of their floor, and I was happy to see that they have gone back alittle to the olden days. They now have about 20 different drawers of electronics...and a whole wall of extras...soldering...tools...etc! Nice to see, as I remember that the people who 'used' to work there were electronics pro's and very helpful....not the kids texting on their phones that know NOTHING about anything but PHONES!
 
Sounds very familiar - almost all of the electronic component shops are gone here in holland too. They've been completely destroyed by the online vendors, which i suppose is a natural development.

Lucky some independent small online shops are available here in holland, and they deliver next day. Prices for components are lower than what the stores in town used to charge, and they carry a bigger selection too. A pleasant thing is that they have bulk pricing too - if you order one resistor it will be $0.05 or $0.10, but get a pack of a 100 pieces for $2.00... they factor in the cost of picking the parts etc.

Its only very annoying when you really need a part friday night and will not get it before monday :(


One thing i miss about the component stores are the vendors that had great knowledge of electronics, because it was their hobby and/or education. They'd sometimes come up with clever solutions to circumvent something problematic, and know replacement part numbers for blown transistors from japanese tv's and such.
 
Benm said:
They've been completely destroyed by the online vendors, which i suppose is a natural development.
Click to expand...

I think that has hurt a lot of brick & mortar businesses. I don't think brick & mortar stores will completely vanish though. Too many people want whatever they're getting right away. Grocery stores will always be around for obvious reasons.
 
I recapped my monitor using Panasonic/matsushita FC caps (also got FM caps, but forgot and put in the FC's instead). There were 4 bad caps on the inverter board, but a total of 10 caps, so I got 10 Panasonic FC's and 10 Panasonic FM's from digikey. Grand total was something like $8 shipped to Tennessee, USA.

Badcaps.net forums were a tremendous help.
 
"dont bother with radio shack unless you need overpriced cell phones" should be the title of this thread. I miss the days when you could buy stuff to make things with
 
RadioShack is now but a shadow of its former DIY glory. I came to USA in '96, and even in such a short time I have been able to notice a gradual shrinking of the parts section.

I second the online orders for parts, but you have to pay shipping. If you order in bulk, then it makes sense. If you want 1 of something, and/or want to browse, find a "You-Do-It Electronics" store. They are like a little DIY nerd heaven:)
 
Rat Shack for experimenters died here over 7 years ago. They are toys, TV and junk vendors anymore. I used to go there every week to get stuff. Now I go to Digi-Key and get it within 1 to 2 days.

HMike
 
I have some fond memories of radio shack
Those were some good times. I was a big customer of radio shack in the late 80's
In my teen years I would go almost 2 or 3 times a month. I would buy everything from CB radios to electronic buzzers. I even bought a siren to use as a alarm. They used to have pretty fun project kits.

For buying led's and battery holders and project cases, they were your only choice. The only other way was in mail order catalogs.
 
As have I, radioshack is now nothing but an over priced electronics store with mainly nothing but cell phones :( could this be a sign of the times? I think so...
 
I think that it's really sad how radio shack, where I live, in Vermont, only has this little bin at the back of the store where all the resistors / relays / capacitors go.

The problem with the modern world sometimes is a lot more people are interested in buying electronics than there are people interested in making them.

Everybody I know knows what a iPod is, but very few know what a breadboard is...

:(
 
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