H R Distributors

These folks know their stuff. It is nice to be able to pick up parts locally instead of waiting for them to arrive. They don’t do repairs, but sometimes offer advice. I support small businesses.

A local store, recommended by Radio Shack (of all places) to contact for repair of a retro clock radio belonging to my partner’s dad who’s deceased now.
Calling them up, glad to think I’d found a reputable repair store, the guy who answered was so dismissive in his town that it came off as obnoxious. Before I could finish my sentence about having a clock radio I needed repaired, I heard him say «NOPE». He then said «We don’t do it». I asked him if he could recommend anyone in the area… you know, since he runs a RADIO ELECTRONICS PARTS STORE… and again, without pausing to think, I was given the brush off.
I realize it wasn’t this business’s job to refer me to anyone, but after hanging up, I would have been appreciative of even an offer to come in to see their selection of parts in hopes I could figure out the repair myself, but there was no sense or desire of them to attract a new customer or to help someone who may have been a loyal customer in the future.
This place is why the mom & pop died off. It wasn’t because of evil big box stores. It was because ‘mom & pop’ became too comfortable in their market cornering and reliable customer base; not only did the big box guys offer more, they at least take a stab at customer service… usually. As for H R Distributors, I’ve figured out a need two new bulbs and a receiver. Guess who I DIDN’T buy them from?