[HonkyTonkMan]

I try to support the local RS, but two problems:

1. Unavailable products. If you can wait, easier to find components on web.
2. Knowledgeable staff. Most readily admit they have no idea what I am looking for.

I went to an RS last week looking for a battery holder for a Raspberry Pi/Arduino project. Sales rep had NO idea what I was referring to.

Sad what happened to RS - I knew some of the execs. It was run into the ground by mismanagement. How they missed the "maker" revolution is beyond me....RS should have been "Spark" or "Adafruit."

[Wilhelm Tell]

Radio Shack missed the maker revolution - they started to look down on the hobbyist who might buy a few dollars of parts at a time. It seemed to be more profitable to sell phone contracts. But that made RS like any other store. They didn’t think that the hobbyist who buys parts one day might be savvy about technology and might be interested in buying expensive gadgets also.

[Right Brother]

It's a vicious cycle. Inventory costs money. The internet is reducing brick and mortar inventory turns, so stores have to reduce inventory to only high turnover items. When people feel the store lacks inventory, they shop online. I own a guitar shop. While I am affected by online competition, most of my customers want to feel and play before buying. Every instrument is unique, so a blind buy is risky, unlike commodities such as electronics and clothing.

The other thing that can't be found on Amazon is the service and repair of instruments, which accounts for close to 25% of my business. Retail business can work if you work smart.