Radioshack-like places

I need some misc. electric parts and my local Radioshack isn't cutting it. On Monday I am traveling to a major city (for Iowa, at least) and I was wondering if bigger Radioshacks have a larger selection, or if there are other stores where I can buy misc electrical parts in the same fashion.

In my experience, Radio Shack has been carrying less and less of that type of stuff over the years. They still have a few odds and ends like project boards and resistors, but that's about it. The only well stocked places I've come across have been mom and pop stores, I don't know of any chains that are well stocked with those types of parts. You could also try www.partsexpress.com, they cater mainly to speaker builders, but they have a lot of misc. stuff for projects. I've ordered from them many times with no problems, shipping is also very reasonable.

Proto boards and solder are about the only thing I really ever buy from radioshack. I'd suggest getting any electronic components online. As the above poster mentioned, partsexpress.com is a good place. I'd also suggest digikey.com, since they have a much wider selection of components. Partsexpress is a lot like radioshack, as they carry a wide variety of tools and consumables; radioshack just charges you way more that they should.

Fry's electronics carries a fairly wide selection of discreet electronic components in stock. However, I don't think there are any very near Ames, IA.

I would reccommend that you look for a smaller, independent electric/electronic supply store that may be near your area.

If you don't mind buying via the internet, check JAMECO online:
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...splay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

ya frys has i pritty wide arrange of product and are almost competitively matched with new egg on prices
here are all the stores out side of cali and texas lol

Downers Grove, IL 3300 Finley Road 60515 (630) 390-2100 (630) 390-2118
Duluth, GA 3296 Commerce Ave. North West 30096 (678) 405-6800 (678) 405-6818
Fishers, IN 9820 Kincaid Drive 46038 (317) 594-3101 (317) 594-3269
Las Vegas, NV 6845 South Las Vegas Blvd 89119 (702) 932-1400 (702) 932-1418
Milton, GA 3065 Webb Road 30004 (678) 280-0550 (678) 280-0567
Phoenix, AZ 3035 W. Thunderbird Road 85053 (602) 445-8800 (602) 445-8818
Renton, WA 800 Garden Ave. North 98055 (425) 525-0200 (425) 525-0218
Tempe, AZ 2300 West Baseline Road 85283 (602) 445-5100 (602) 445-5118
Wilsonville, OR 29400 SW Town Center Loop West 97070 (503) 570-6000 (503) 570-6018

I used to like Radio Shack for the electronics but last time I asked them, back when they had You got question, we got answer motto. I got blank looks instead when I asked where the integrated circuits were.

I've been doing digikey and allied electronics instead for components. A lot cheaper than radio shack is. I mean RS wanted like $5 for one blue LED when I could get 100 from eBay for $10.

Thanks for the answers guys. I've looked at some online retailers, but I don't want to spend $10 in shipping on $2 worth of parts.

The only problem is that my radioshack in town has one cabinet for all of their parts, while half the store is dedicated to cell phones... I remember being to a radioshack at one point that had 5 or 6 cabinets.

Anyway I'm just going to order online, because that is looking like my only options. Thanks everyone.

Radio Shack sure ain't what it used to be! I remember seeing several isles packed with all kinds of electronic parts for diy'ers and electronic repair businesses.

ya all there are now are half a store of phones and the other half of **** no one fn needs lol

they rarely have exactly what i need i normally have to piece **** together to get what i want

only ic i have ever been able to use from radio shack is a 5 volt voltage regulator.... and thats it

ghettogeddy said:

i normally have to piece **** together to get what i want

Click to expand...

Really? normally I have to take *** apart to get the pieces I want!

I can't wait to get back to university. I'm going to join the solar car team there and they have walls full of parts that are up for grabs