Radio doesn't Shack like it used to

I was working on a friend's multi-meter today and found myself needing to run to RadioShack. I'd rather not elaborate why I needed to fix my friend's multi-meter. It involves a test lead in the Ohms plug, 120 Volts AC, 2 blown fuses, 1 smoked capacitor and me. Suffice it to say I set out to fetch a new ceramic capacitor with radial leads, measuring 82 pico farads that wasn't shorted out.

Unfortunately, RadioShack just doesn't carry the same stuff they used to. Back in the day, they had a huge selection of in-store components; and what they didn't have, you could find and order in a giant catalog. Now they just carry a choice selection of commonly used parts, and an occasional "grab bag" of spare pieces.

The closest they had was a ceramic cap weighing in at 100 pF and it was only rated at 50VDC. Luckily they came two in a package. I can run them in serial to double the voltage rating.

It's kind of a shame really, but I can see how RadioShack makes a LOT more money on cell phones, remote control cars, and satellite receivers than on 87 cent resistors. It's ironic though-- I can get the EXACT thing I need at www.mouser.com for 10 cents if I want to pay 6 dollars shipping!