Thinking back I realize I owe a lot of my accomplishments in part to RadioShack. I taught myself how to program with the aid of my handy dandy Tandy (see what I did there?) I had a TRS-80 model III computer and would type hundreds of lines of code to create games since my old man took all my games away and informed me I'd have to make games if I wanted to play them. So I did...I learned programming on the fly with the help of his programming magazines. I was able to take that experience and successfully apply it to a programming course I took some 23 years later.
Their electronics kit taught me about electronics and how to make a radio (among other things) from that I figured out a way to descramble movie channels when my old man was at work. I don't even need to mention the all the times I found much needed cables, batteries and other doohickeys at the store. Realizing RadioShack is on its way to that big shopping plaza in the sky, I must applaud the company for lasting this long -- 94 years isn't too shabby.
Here are 3 things I think could have saved RadioShack:
Better Product Pricing
Everyone has an opinion on what played a part in bringing about the company's demise, but one common opinion among consumers dealt mainly with its pricing -- high prices for low quality products in particular. Personally I've never had an issue with the quality of their products. However, I can honestly say in recent years their pricing has kept me from making purchases from their store.
"Fix It Here" 2.0
If you noticed the image above looks similar to Geek Squad's logo it's because RadioShack should have learned a thing or two from how Best Buy uses the Geek Squad service. Hands down the "Fix It Here" program was brilliant to implement but perhaps it should have evolved into a bigger self contained unit where the techs not only fixed mobile devices but also repaired PCs and peripherals and as well as offered other services like home theater installations and consulting.
3D Printed Parts
The company could have made a bold move and gotten into the 3D printing industry providing consumers with 3D printed parts and eventually 3D printed electronics. Since 3D printing is undoubtedly the wave of the future it would have most likely been very beneficial for RadioShack to ride that wave for as long as possible.
What do you think could have saved RadioShack from going under? Leave a comment in the comments section.
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