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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
- Start date
350 days to earlyHappy Festivus!
Oops, day late...
Still a fave.
Since you went to try them there, why not GC?
Our Internet connection’s been down so I have some catching up to do.
In re: Tandy Radio Shack history. Whatever else they did, Tandy Leather was a popular chain of leather-working hobby craft stores in the sixties and Radio Shack was the go-to place for radio amateurs (which still was a huge thing at the time). It was a genuine electronics marketplace staffed with people who spoke our technical language because they used their free time the way we used our free time, building their gear, going on the air with it, collecting QSL cards. Evidently, the leather hobby was profitable because Tandy had money to spend and they bought Radio Shack. Quickly they turned it away from electronic components and technical know-how into a toy store. What little they offered in components went from good quality to the cheapest grade of bagged parts imaginable. I understand they’re still around but I haven’t seen one in at least four years.
I miss what Radio Shack was in the sixties but good riddance to what they were at the end. And that’s just my crabby opinion.
In re: Tandy Radio Shack history. Whatever else they did, Tandy Leather was a popular chain of leather-working hobby craft stores in the sixties and Radio Shack was the go-to place for radio amateurs (which still was a huge thing at the time). It was a genuine electronics marketplace staffed with people who spoke our technical language because they used their free time the way we used our free time, building their gear, going on the air with it, collecting QSL cards. Evidently, the leather hobby was profitable because Tandy had money to spend and they bought Radio Shack. Quickly they turned it away from electronic components and technical know-how into a toy store. What little they offered in components went from good quality to the cheapest grade of bagged parts imaginable. I understand they’re still around but I haven’t seen one in at least four years.
I miss what Radio Shack was in the sixties but good riddance to what they were at the end. And that’s just my crabby opinion.
- Oct 22, 2015
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Radio Shack batteries were decent, if unexceptional, IME.
Just speaking for me I hate giving GC my money. It feels like they killed the mom and pops that I loved. It’s a giant corporation maximizing profit. Seems to me music should mean more. Sweetwater feels like a family and not a corporation. I know I know they are a giant corporation too I’m sure. Just doesn’t feel that way. I’ve always had a good relationship with the Sweetwater sales engineers. The GC guys not so much. Not their fault. Just the environment they work in I suspect. They usually are indifferent to me. Some are nice but usually not. I’ve never had a bad experience with a Sweetwater engineer. And bottom line is I almost ALWAYS can get a better deal at Sweetwater (and some candy too!)
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,155
- 256,554
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Online shopping at some storefronts feels like looking for something at Radio Shack a few years ago.
Congratulations, John Paul S! Play it in good health and for many a year to come. Let us know what you think after you've messed around with the combo for a bit.
Stateside, we can always count on you for some interesting history. I had no idea that was how Tandy acquired RS. I'll bet those amateur radio folks would've liked to have seen Radio Shack stay right where it was. I'm sure at the time it all made sense, but I couldn't agree more about their suspect business practices. Much appreciated.
Not a GC guy any longer, but must admit Sweetwater bugs the heck out of me too. I know I'm a curmudgeon, but the candy, flashy promos, and the obligatory phone call three days later asking if my mic stand is holding the mic up are just too much in-your-face for me. How about undercutting their competitors by 10% saving us from the Sweetwater U propaganda, calling the hired help engineers, and sour apple Jolly Ranchers. And for God's sake, someone please get Mitch Gallagher a haircut!
Merry Christmas! (there are always two sides to every point of view...)
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Vrolijk Kerstfeest, Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weihnachten, and the many other languages that our membership uses when they're not posting here on TB! May your tone be righteous and the fun you have playing sincere. Next stop, 2022!
FL
FL
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,155
- 256,554
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Not a GC guy any longer, but must admit Sweetwater bugs the heck out of me too. I know I'm a curmudgeon, but the candy, flashy promos, and the obligatory phone call three days later asking if my mic stand is holding the mic up are just too much in-your-face for me. How about undercutting their competitors by 10% saving us from the Sweetwater U propaganda, calling the hired help engineers, and sour apple Jolly Ranchers. And for God's sake, someone please get Mitch Gallagher a haircut!
Merry Christmas! (there are always two sides to every point of view...)
To belabor the point, I moved away from SW when they refused to match discounts from other vendors. They cited their "exceptional customer support", "55 Point Testing" and "great after sales service" as reasons why I should be prepared to pay full retail. I never found value in any of their "exclusive" features and found their telephone calls a PITA. I am happy that others have better experience but my best deals have been with MF, Adorama and Reverb.
I have to say I am surprised guys. I have ALWAYS been able to get them to match prices and give me discounts. And always free shipping. Before NYS changed their laws I didn’t pay any sales tax either. So we’ve had different experiences. Interesting.
As far as after sales calls I just don’t answer lol. (I never answer my phone) They leave a message. Done and done. As far as calling them sales engineers. That’s superficial. No harm done to me. Maybe that’s just their corporate arm trying to show them some respect. It feels like the people at GC are not happy people. Hmm. I wonder why? The people at Sweetwater seem happy. Maybe it has something to do with the compensation? Or respect? Maybe not I don’t know. But those people at GC are not happy in my experience and could care less about me. And oh yea. Musiciansfriend the online arm of GC? Not sure what that relationship is. But I do use them. Again. Free shipping. I can always get a discount from them. So yea. Just different perspectives. It’s all good. I would hate to sound like a shill for any of them. Just been my experience. I wish I could still shop with Wally and Pat at U-Crest Music. Oh well. The past is the past…
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No big deal @Michael Favata. We all have different experiences and I would not hesitate to deal with SW again, provided they wanted to "deal". If I wanted to pay full retail and needed real customer service, I would (and have) dealt with my local brick and mortar. It is great to have choices
.
100% agree. By 1970 or so, I preferred Lafayette, even though it was all mail order for me.
Again, depends. There was s period where they were the shortest-lived batteries I knew of.
candy I don’t need. GC helped kill the mom & pop store, but some of them needed to go. Mars started that before GC was here. But both have usually been staffed in the Austin area by cool, working musicians. I just know if you try but buy elsewhere, you won’t have tgem around to try.
But I get that everyone has different experiences and approaches.
