[TriLUG] [more and more OT]: Hobby Parts for Electronics

[Michael Sh]

Hi,

That's one thing I've found over the years with everything from computer cases, to fishing rods, to car radios, etc.  You look at the manufacturer's catalogs, or online at their products...they make several models...of course the one I want is never the one the stores carry on sale.  At least, one would think you could go to the store, (Best Buy, Comp USA, etc.), and have them order the model you do want, that will do what you need it to do...but no, as you said "if it ain't on the shelf they don't and won't carry it."

The other thing I've always had a distaste for is the salesperson that upon hearing me tell them what I know I need, tries to discourage me from buying that and instead buying something else I don't need. Now there are some rare instances where a truly knowledgeable salesperson (Are there any these days?) might be able to steer a novice away from making a serious mistake when buying his first whatever...but for the most part, it seems to be a ploy to get folks to buy something they're trying to dump to clear off the shelves.  

I do miss the days of electronics stores that always had what you needed for a project.  I recently went into a local Radio Shack for something small, and was amazed at the lack of catalogs, and small parts...all replaced by name-brand products I can buy elsewhere for less.  They had a salesman years ago, retired now, that knew just about anything electronics related and could tell you stories...whether it was HAM, CB, home or car wiring, or anything else related to electronics...today the staff barely know about anything other than what they have for sale...

Mike

>On Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 01:10 PM, Chris Bullock wrote:
>
>> I can say that RadioShack always has parts for CB radios, outside
>> VHF-UHF antennas and the such.  True the larger retailers have stuff
>> cheaper, and will continue to run the mom & pop stores out of town.
>> Point is, get to know your local electronics dealer and find out
>> they carry and if they don't have what you need tell them.  I have been
>> to radio shack looking for a part and they not stock it and they were
>> more than happy to get it for me, try that with BestBuy, you get some
>> young college punk, no offense to the college punks on the list, and if
>> it ain't on the shelf they don't and won't carry it.


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