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2010-03-27 Economy

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Posted by Fred 2010-03-27 00:00|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 can only gauge by the local 'rat shack' but they seemed to have tried to reinvent themselves into nothingness a few years back. not a lot there except a few niche radio control toys and cell phones. they were staying afloat with the local Mexicans (yes, from Mexico)but the housing market went flat here and most of them seem to have self-deported.

Posted by abu do you love 2010-03-27 00:59|| 2010-03-27 00:59|| Front Page Top

#2 Stopped using them years ago when they were the first place that set up their sales procedure in such a fashion that you couldn't buy anything there without giving a phone number and a zip code.

I've used them only at great need ever since.

Of course, many other stores do that now, no avoiding it. I give a zip code from somewhere halfway across the country and a made up phone number. I resent them doing market research on my dime.

Posted by no mo uro 2010-03-27 06:17|| 2010-03-27 06:17|| Front Page Top

#3 Maybe the Chinese would like to buy "America's Technology Store?"

Posted by Free Radical 2010-03-27 06:59|| 2010-03-27 06:59|| Front Page Top

#4 no mo uro, I always "make a mistake" on my street number, zip code, and phone number when I can't avoid giving them - with my handwriting, it's easy. (Helps if I'm not paying with a check, which was usually true at Radio Shack.) I just told them the answer was 'cash,' but as you said, there are a lot more places to get the stuff I used to buy there.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2010-03-27 09:24|| 2010-03-27 09:24|| Front Page Top

#5 Never should have shut down Tandy Brass

Posted by Shipman 2010-03-27 11:16|| 2010-03-27 11:16|| Front Page Top

#6 I guess you can always supply the address and phone number of the Radio Shack HQ....

Posted by CrazyFool 2010-03-27 11:26|| 2010-03-27 11:26|| Front Page Top

#7 Of course, many other stores do that now, no avoiding it. I give a zip code from somewhere halfway across the country and a made up phone number. I resent them doing market research on my dime.

I just tell them "No!" end of story. If they give me any resistance I tell them I'll be walking out. No Sale. Nine times out of ten, they just key in the override and I am on my way. Of course, I live in Texas, and real (native) Texans can be stubborn. Just tell them no, and stick to it, most of the time they will fold...and they DO have an override code no matter what they tell you otherwise.

Posted by Secret Asian Man 2010-03-27 12:36|| 2010-03-27 12:36|| Front Page Top

#8 American Express uses the zip code as an i.d. to confirm the credit card. Otherwise one can just refuse to share that information -- I've said no at a great variety of stores without issue.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-03-27 14:40|| 2010-03-27 14:40|| Front Page Top

#9 If you pay cash, you could always ask "what's the zip code here? I just moved to the area".
90210 is also a well known zip code.
If they want a phone number, just say (local area code) 555-1212.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2010-03-27 16:56|| 2010-03-27 16:56|| Front Page Top

#10 Gas station pumps in our area are now asking for the billing zip code associated with a credit card. Fudge it and the charge is denied.

Posted by lotp 2010-03-27 17:01|| 2010-03-27 17:01|| Front Page Top

#11 lotp, as I understand it some smartypants figured a way to 'lift' numbers off of the gas pumps and somewhat magnatize a card; a fancy 'quarter with a string attached' - the zip code is an additional security feature.

I figured the phone/zip deal was in case someone was going to make a Johnny-5 and needed to be found who and where it came from, but bought just batteries and they would not sell them without that info - never went back. Their niche was damaged by big electronic stores and disappeared with the internet.

Posted by swksvolFF 2010-03-27 17:48|| 2010-03-27 17:48|| Front Page Top

#12 My comments were for cash payments. I understand the gas pump thing for credit cards. That makes sense.
I think Lowe's asks for a phone number even for cash payments - supposedly so you can return something without a receipt.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2010-03-27 19:10|| 2010-03-27 19:10|| Front Page Top

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