This is what happens when a store abandons its loyal customer base.
Radio Shack used to be a store that catered to electronic hobbyists with a wide selection of stocked parts, cases, and kits. Over the years, they've turned their back on that market, discontinuing most of the items that serve those customers. And when you can't get everything you need for a project, there is no reason to order some parts from Mouser, DigiKey, etc. and then pay a premium to Radio Shack for the small number of parts that they do have in stock.
I don't want an overpriced cell phone case. I don't want a low-end digital camera. I don't want an outdated car GPS. I don't want a bad remote controlled car. I want parts for the projects I'm building and the electronics that I'm repairing/upgrading.
Their web site is everything that's wrong with brick and mortar web sites. It's primarily items that they don't carry in the store and that have nothing to do with electronics. Really, Radio Shack, you thought I was coming to your web site to order a Ladies Bikini Trimmer (Catalog #: 55075265), Double-Sided Lighted Make-Up Mirror (Catalog #: 55075322), or a hand-cranked Manual Wheat Grass Juicer (Catalog #: 55074041)? Maybe they figure that there's a big untapped market of people who are offended by Amazon's wider selection, lower prices, and much better search and ordering systems?
They need to get back to what made them successful and quit trying to be an Amazon ultra-lite.
Yeah they need to tap into the new DIY wave ei. MakerBots, arduino, raspberryPI, cell phone repair, desktop laser cutters & wire benders, home made circuit boards etc. they could catch it and ride it with the right vision and implementation.
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