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Basically, they are paying you $100 to walk into a RadioShack.

PASS.

That is a funny way to put it. My wife's 4S has had a broken power button for close to a year, I'll take $100 off a 5S replacement for her - that seems to be the best deal going right now. She is not interested in waiting on the 6.

As to the discussion of the ability of the Radio Shack employees to be able to consult on electronics parts, I'm sure there are a few knowledgable sales dudes/dudettes out there, but they are certainly the exception. But how is that any different from any other store out there? On the whole, sales people are more about making the sale than educating the customer. I know I really appreciate a knowledgable sales person and steer my business to that store. In my neighborhood, that means shopping at Home Depot instead of the Lowes. The difference between my two local stores is shocking.

I'll put on my fire retardant suit now...
 
It's sad what's happened to RadioShack, but if we didn't have better options they'd still be doing good business. That's the beauty of the free market. Those who can't compete die, leaving a better market in the end.

Nobody should read anything into this story about Apple or the next iPhone. This story is all about RadioShack. The company is on deathwatch. I'll be amazed if they survive the year.
 
Actually, RadioShack, WalMart, BestBuy, etc are taking a hit on the down payment price because their real revenue comes from the bounty for getting people to sign up for a contract.

It has nothing to do with inventory, it is all about driving traffic to their stores.

RadioShack, WalMart and BestBuy only get a couple dollars for each iPhone.

It's the carriers who really benefit from each iPhone and their monthly fee for service.

But you're right... all those retailers just want people to come into their stores... so they can sell them overpriced batteries and other high-margin accessories. :D

All in all... Apple makes the most money from the phone itself... the carriers make the most money from the service... and the retailers get a few bucks too.

But that's how retail works... they make their money by selling other people's stuff.
 
RadioShack, go under already, please.

It's always sad to see people rooting for failure and for tens of thousands of people to lose their jobs.

I just bought an LED at Radio Shack for $1.29. Without Radio Shack, I'd have to buy it online for 95 cents and $8.95 shipping and handling, plus wait a week for it to arrive in the mail.
 
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