RadioShack

Been here twice, same purpose both times — phone chargers. Don’t remember all the details of my first visit, but do remember it was painless. Today’s visit, $ 14.99 and less than 5 minutes of my time start to finish. Greeted at the door, asked I needed help, took me to the section in the store, showed me my options… I picked one, paid and out the door.
Friendly, knowledgable, efficient. All good in my book.

This isn’t anything particularly against this specific location, but Radio Shack’s policies concerning their replacement plans are terrible. I went in to use my replacement plan to replace an adapter I purchased a replacement plan for which had become frayed. They had about 10 other adapters on the back wall, I noticed. I thought this would be a bit of paperwork, followed by replacement of my adapter. Instead I was told I had to wait for an emailed coupon which should cover the replacement. I never received this email.
Radio Shack is okay, but be aware that their «replacement plans» are a waste of money.

I walked into this store looking for a cable to connect my iPhone to my car auxiliary input. The very second I set foot in this store I had an employee in my face asking me what I was looking for. What the hell happened to the days you could actually just browse around and find something on my own? When did Radioshack’s corporate executives decide that it’s not okay for a customer to be in their stores longer than 5 seconds without a pushy salesperson breathing down their necks? I got the impression she wasn’t going to leave me alone, so I told her what I was looking for. «Oh… so is it for your iPod, or your IPHONE? What carrier do you have?» You can tell where this is going. Not that it was any of her business, but I tell her that it’s an iPhone 4s, and she is STILL trying to hard sell a new iPhone (even though I already have one) throughout the transaction. I would have enjoyed throwing a hand grenade in here when I left. I would have gone in to ask for one, but I would have had to answer who I normally bought my explosives from…

It’s your standard Radio Shack store, PLUS there was a person, Mark, who works there. The guy is awesome, and exemplifies the value of going to a Radio Shack. He was helpful and had ideas about some of the things he needed. But most importantly, he actually had a great knowledge of electricity and electronics: He knew the difference between amps and volts … I didn’t have to explain anything to him. :-)