RadioShack

I went here on a Saturday afternoon to get an Ethernet switch, crimping tool, and jacks. The store had all three. There was only one salesperson present. The entire time I was there he was dealing with three or four customers at once, giving advice over the phone, helping customers navigate a confusing cell plan, ringing people up, helping a do-​it-​yourselfer find the right resistor, and somehow he found a moment to check in with me and ask me if I was finding what I needed. He was extremely polite and professional to everybody, even somebody over the phone who I’m pretty sure isn’t a member of Mensa. I don’t remember the salesperson’s name; the initials on the receipt are PK. They’re lucky to have him.

Now that sprint has partnered with radio shack the customer service has been really good. They are very nice and respectful and will listen to your needs. Both sprint and radio shack is do a really good job!

Did these guys change owners? I know it’s Radio Shack, but the service was usually fairly decent. A manager looking guy asked if I had a quick question. I thought to myself, nooooo, I’m here to buy something. Told him what I wanted. He takes me to the section and says look around and walks off. No advice, no direction. So I walked off too. Bought my item somewhere where I got information and didn’t feel rushed. Guy at the second place was pleasant and helpful. And I only took about 6 to 8 minutes of his time. I’ve been going to this Radio Shack for years. Today was the last time!

I just left the Albany Radio Shack. I used to live in this store when I was in college. I have been using mobile phones and computers since they appeared, but I’m not tech savvy. I can find and learn about a lot of things on the Internet, but what I learned today from Joseph at Radio Shack was exactly what I needed to know. My cell phone issue
now has an answer after months of trying to resolve things with my provider.
This small store and an employee like Joseph, has reaffirmed my belief that small and personal service is far superior to big box, maybe even Amazon type stores and the questionable service one gets there.
With absolutely no pressure from Joseph, only valuable information, this is where I will purchase my new phone.

Five stars service and five stars people!
I needed a phone upgrade. Javier went above and beyond to locate the phone outside the store’s district by calling several Radio Shacks (I wanted my new iPhone in black) and had it shipped to Albany. I was notified when the phone arrived and even offered a chair to wait for the service to be connected. Javier also sent me a discount coupon in the meantime. I have always overlooked Radio Shack thinking I would have it better at Best Buys or Fry’s. This experience really changed my mind. I will be back. Thanks Javier!

A few days ago, I bought a package of batteries for my cordless phone. It turned out that the phone, not the batteries were the problem, so yesterday I went in to return the batteries and buy a new phone.
There were three employees on the floors; none of them greeted or acknowledged me. I went to the phones and compared models. A V-​Tech seemed to be similar to what I had but the box didn’t say whether voice mail could be access remotely. An unsmiling young woman was standing nearby. I said I needed to open the box to tell what features the product had. She sneered, «The box says what’s in it.» I said I couldn’t tell if the phone had remote access. «What’s remote access?» «The ability to access voice mails remotely,» I explained. She turned her back on me and walked away.
When I looked at the manual in the box, I realized that though the phone was similar to what I had, it didn’t have voicemail. Which she could have pointed out, if she had taken a moment.
I selected a different phone and took it up to the counter. In a few minutes, a young woman whose name tag identified her as the assistant manager arrived. She looked at me suspiciously. «What’s wrong with the batteries?»
«Nothing’s wrong with them,» I said. «It turned out I didn’t need them. I need to replace my phone instead.» She grabbed a form and barked at me, «What’s your phone number?»
«Why do you need my phone number?» I asked.
«You’re returning something,» she said, oozing hostility. She thrust the form at me. «I need your information.»
«This says that you need me name and address,» I pointed out.
«I need your phone number.»
I told her my phone number.
«What’s your first name.» Gave it to her.
«What’s your last name?» Gave it to her.
«What’s your address?» Gave it to her.
Not a please, thank you, smile, or anything but a scowl did I get from her.
Each of the three young woman there, when they could be bothered to look at me, gave the distinct impression not that I was giving them my business and spending my money, when I could have spent it elsewhere, but that my presence was an irritation. I’ll save them and me the irritation and never set foot in there again. I hope you’re reading your reviews, owner!

I’m rather astonished that this particular store does not have a higher rating. It was not hard at all for me to get truly stellar service. The two gentlemen at this store site were Joseph and Moe. I feel that I owe Moe in particular at least one or two lunches for going above and beyond the call of duty with some of the work he did with my new iPhone.
So my two year plan expired today, and I’d been planning on upgrading to an iPhone 5 and specifically at this location that had always satisfied my inner geek in recent years. Today I was also celebrating getting hired for a teaching post at U. C., and I was feeling particularly elated.
Joseph guided me through the first part of the selection process where I tried to get a few other options to compete in my mind with the iPhone 5. A part of me wanted to rebel and get a Galaxy or HTC product, but I finally ruled them out … even though both sales guys were Android users.
While Joseph was working through the marathon levels of paperwork for me to sign on to, Moe was giving me a whirlwind tutorial that truly hit the high points of normal usage, special usage items, and he took the time to fully answer my questions. There were several glitches in transferring information from my old phone to the new iPhone, and Moe was relentless at getting every item.
Meanwhile the busy early evening period was bringing in an elaborate array of customers that Joesph and Moe dealt with including costumer service issues and a couple hard to find items. These guys were the most professional retail people I’ve ever seen relaying back and forth between incoming customers and the set-​up they were working on for my phone. They managed to joke with everyone and even had a bit of repartee with a little boy who was getting a gift from his dad.
Moe looked up at me at one point with a big grin and asked, «Did you just have a Power Bar before coming in here? You’ve been standing there for over an hour and you haven’t complained once!» I smiled and let him know that I felt highly entertained by the event. Moe was completely undaunted in his willingness to figure out all aspects of my old phone and Bluetooth devices and update everything to the new phone. An amazing guy. All together Joseph and Moe put in over two solid hours of work while helping me make a selection, refine the selection based on numerous factors, transfer an enormous amount of data and hardware to the new phone and toss in some insightful tutorial services.
I got way more than my money’s worth and quite an entertaining evening. While I’ve been coming here for several years for my electronics needs, this particular evening truly won me over to a 5-​star rating. Be patient, expect a little repartee, and know that these guys really have insight into their stock and into the many possibilities of getting set up.

Radio Shack is destined to go out of business unless they hire better help: In case Radio Shack corporate reads these posts and to other electronic consumers: I wanted to inform you of a very rude employee named Moe at the Albany, CA branch. He accused me of stealing a manual, even though I hadn’t and refused to give me one for the boost mobile phone I purchased from him just a few days prior. He went into the back and hid instead of coming out and giving me one or printing one out for me. He lost it when he was waiting on me the day before because he was busy yawning and eating (breath smelled of onions). He is lazy, indifferent and rude to customers. In fact, I was going to make another purchase when I came in for the manual but left it on the counter in disgust. And I ended up returning the phone I purchased just because I was so angry about the experience and his behavior that I decided to take my business to another merchant.
Moe claimed to be a manager but if that’s the case, Radio Shack really needs to re-​think its staffing and even if he’s not, he needs to be educated on the meaning and value of customer service. He wouldn’t even help me at first until I started a purchase with another teller, then he stepped in to take the commission. I even called the regional manager to tell him about my experience and never heard back from him even after speaking to the receptionist/​his assistant. I have not shopped at Radio Shack, especially the Albany branch since. I’m only posting this because it is my hope that RadioShack does give a hoot about customers at least at the corporate level.

I am glad that radio shack is still around; I was worried when the one nearer to me closed. Radio Shack always carries the odd size batteries I need from time to time. They also put them in for me which is helpful.
The employees that work at this store are pleasant. Parking can be difficult, and Casper’s doesn’t like Radio Shack shoppers to use their lot.
When I did a check in, a $ 10 off a $ 20 purchase came up so I purchased a nifty car charger that takes my plug in chargers. Now I should never have a battery that isn’t charged.

I am still getting excellent customer service from the staff here. I’m thrilled with the help I get when I come in and they’re pretty keen on being reasonable.

Came in for a cell phone battery on 10÷31÷12. Young female associate was extremely unhelpful, just gazed out the window and sat in the back of the store. Won’t come in here again.

I’m not saying the negative comments here aren’t warranted, but Paul really helped me out when I bought my Virgin Mobile HTC Evo 3d here. Target was completely out of this phone from all bay area locations. I called the Albany Radio Shack and spoke to Paul. They didn’t have it either, but he said he could get one and bring in with him to work the next day. He was good to his word, but even better, he called Virgin Mobile, transferred my cell number from AT&T and activated it for me. Previously, I’ve had a Tracfone and an AT&T gophone, so I’ve always gone through the activation process myself. My new phone was working within a few hours of the purchase. Getting a new cell phone has always been a time consuming process for me, so this was a pleasant surprise.
I’ve got a lot of empathy for the employees at this Radio Shack. When I was there, there were a lot of people in the store essentially «kicking tires» on the cell phones and asking inane questions. It’s a tough business to sell such a complicated product, the customer service is time consuming, and customers are pretty baffled by the myriad choices available. It’s obvious, but my advice would be to do as much of your homework as you can before you go to the store so you can concentrate on getting the phone you want.

I want to support local businesses but this particular Radio shack has been poor for so long now. They no longer want to help you achieve your best audio set up or help you maximize your home theater. Now they just sell basic stuff for the extreme novice. It’s 2011 but this particular Radio shack didn’t get the memo. Wake up soon or you’ll lose out to the lazy chain stores.

I went to the Hercules Radio Shack: out of biz. So I went to this Albany store. I need a cable for a VERY big & heavy monitor. I parked in front of the front door. I had the plug connection facing the store so the clerk only had to glance inside to know which plug/​cable I need. I also need plugs for a battery tester.
I walked in. I was the only customer. I tell him my problem & point to my van. The monitor is on the front seat. He agrees to look at it. We get to the store door, 10′ from my van & the monitor. His phone rings. He answers the phone. Excuse me. I was first. He talks for over a minute. At the tail end of his conversation another customer walks in. He ends teh conversation & walks outside & is 3′ from my van. 2 more steps & one additional second & he’d see my plug. A man on the sidewalk tells him to get back into the store. He leaves me.
I asked the man who he is. He said the manager. I replied GOOD! YOU can help me. He was smoking a cigarette with a woman. Without asking what kind of help I needed, he said I’d have to wait.
I said fine. I was FIRST. Had the employee not answered the phone, I would have been helped before tat other customer had walked in.
I said I am on my way to Al Lashers (great customer service). The truth is they probably have the batter connection but not the monitor cable. So I will go to Frys or another Radio Shack. I WILL NEVER RETURN TO THAT STORE.

If I could give negative stars I would. –100 stars!
The first time I visited this store for a simple cellphone charger.
I got the rudest, belittling service. Chalked up to bad day. Ha!
Came back again looking for a simple cable for my tv. First guy didn’t know wtf I was talking about so he called over this guy and immediately he is rude, belittling and very condescending. Trying to sell me a bunch of crap I didn’t need. Look I know what I am talking about ok, most of the time I would take advice but not from this guy. This place is a toilet. I am surprised anyone would even shop here. Value your time and money?
Go elsewhere.

I lost yet ANOTHER phone to another alchohol-​related incident (AKA, I spilled vodka on it mid-​text and now it won’t turn on).
So, anxious as I am (I’m mighty text-​y), I came down to Radio Shack to get a new phone (to which I got a new blackberry, I still can’t really figure it out). First off, there were two employees there, one guy behind the counter and the manager, Moe (I believe) who was walking on the sales floor.
I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted, and not feeling too keen on any extras. I only went here out of convienience, I live righ around the block and just needed a phone fast.
I went in, asked for the blackberry I wanted, and here’s basically what happened:
Me: Hi! I’d like that Blackberry curve please.
Moe: Ok, and you want the back up plan blah blah blah $ 29.99?
Me: No thank you, just the phone.
Moe: Ok, so the curve and for less than $ 30, you will get the back up blah blah blah
Me: No, like I said, just the phone (annoyed)
Moe: So no plan for you?
Me: No.
Moe: Are you sure?
Me: You can ask me all you’d like, I’m not going to change my answer.
Moe: HEHEHEHE Ah. You just wake up?
What the hell.
In my defense, I was polite when he first asked me, but if you keep asking me the same question and I’m giving you the same answer, I just may flip the bitch switch.
I was cranky as is because it was before noon, I had a vodka-​lodged phone, and was blowing lots of money on a blackberry. Come on, buddy, don’t be a dick this early in the morning. As noted in Julian P.‘s review, if this is the same manager, he also treated me in a condescending way.
So after fighting rude with ruder, I got my phone all the way to the counter. Oh no, the battle is not yet over.
The guy who was sitting there at the counter stared at me for a good 15 seconds before saying «And are you doing the bonus back up plan?» I fought every urge to cuss him out and smiled (in a snarky way) and said NO.
And, of course, we hit another road block.
As he’s ringing me up, he asks for my number (no, he wasn’t hitting on me, the system asked him for it).
Cashier: Ok, and now I need your phone number.
Me: No thank you.
Cashier: But I need it.
Me: Make something up.
Cashier: What? How do I do that? I don’t know your number.
WHAT THE HELL.
Me: Fine. 510.123.4567
Cashier: Is that your number?
Me: SURE.
After this awful experience, I need a drink.

I grew up with Radio Shack and I occasionally use this Albany branch to pick up a cable, batteries and other odds and ends. I pretty much know exactly what I want before I stop in and they usually have it in stock. And with most Radio Shack branches, I don’t expect timely floor help or more than superficial knowledge about particular products. Hence, I’m rarely disappointed.
One interesting story goes back to University days, when my friend Bob Kusnetz and I stopped in at the Radio Shack near the Texas A&M campus. This was during the early days of personal computers and Bob made a off-​the-​cuff remark about the quality of the Trash (TRS) 80. The store manager immediately told us to leave because we were insulting his product!

THIS PLACE SUCKS!!! Just as the other people noted, the customer service is a very unhumorous, impolite joke. I went in their looking for a AC adapter tip for my electric shaver and the clerk as well as the manager «helped» me with the most condescending, belittling, and elitist attitude that I wanted to projectile vomit. This Radio Shack should be renamed to Rude Shack.
BOOOOOOO!!! DO NOT GO HERE!
Nearby alternatives include:
–Pastime Ace Hardware in El Cerrito
–Outlasher’s Electronics in Berkeley on University.

I have NEVER had such a negative experience at a retail store. I will never go back there again if I can help it.
I went to Radioshack because a very helpful employee at AT&T told me that I could get a cheaper go-​phone at Radioshack.
When I walked in, there were no other customers in the store and hte store manager, Mike, asked me if I needed help. I explained my situation (I had gone to AT&T to get a pre-​paid plan with an old phone, but my phone ended up not working, so an employee there referred me to his store so I could get a less expensive version).
As I was explaining what I needed, the manager started talking over me because he misunderstood what I was saying and thought I had a regular plan and was trying to get a go-​phone just for the price difference (which for obvious reasons they are not allowed to do). I tried to explain that was NOT the case, but he wouldn’t stop long enough to actually listen to me (this included bad-​mouthing the AT&T store — who I have to say provided MUCH better service).
I am not a confrontation person under normal circumstances, but I had to actually tell him firmly «Sir, I need you to stop and listen to me» before he shut up, listened, and finally got what I was trying to tell him. I don’t think I’ve ever had to do that before in a retail situation.
Then, when I got home, I realized that I was over-​charged. I called and they told me I’d have to come in for the refund, and unfortunately I’m not in that area too often.
I would give this place ½ a star if I could — and that only because the manager did apologize «for the miscommunication» after everything was wrung up (even if it seemed a little half-​hearted and late in the game), and because they did have what I was looking for.

Besides a video rental store, I’ve not visited an establishment that had such poor employee morale. Also, it’s looking quite understocked as it slips into obsolescence.
I bought a spool of wire, and had an unsolicited earful from the clerk about how he hated his job and wanted to quit.
Another time, I was looking for an intercom for my house, and the clerk was less than helpful or enthusiastic until my ‘encouragement’ finally got him to locate the model at another branch.
Today, I went there twice, looking for a replacement battery for my digital camera. The first time, I got to the door, and there was a handwritten sign saying ‘closed until 2:00pm for lunch’. Say what? I saw the guy in the window staring back at me and chewing, and I understand how lunch is important, but really, have some motivation to sell. So I go back 20 minutes later when he reopens, and he has no idea what I’m talking about. I have to explain the manufacturer, etc. to him. He searches his catalog after a few grunts, and says ‘there are 650 results coming up, and I’m not going to take an hour to look through them!’ Psst… you said that out loud, Homer.
This location, particularly, is reliable maybe 10% of the time. Save gas and frustration, and just order online from somewhere else.