RS closing down is a sign of the times. And if you think that you'll find your parts at BB or CC, you can count on these stores closing down too, just like GG did. The ones that don't close will change their product lines to plastic toys and cell phones (not that it did RS any good) and stock only the big selling items like flat screen TVs and all-in-one sound systems. I read somewhere that the hottest selling type of speaker today is that ridiculous sound bar that's supposed to give you surround sound from a single unit sitting on top of your TV; I think Yamaha, Infinity, & Polk sell these.

The real trend I notice is that there are fewer and fewer DIY people out there and so parts just sit on the shelves. Even bargain basement warehouses like Fry's & Home Depot are stocking less parts and more "complete kits." People want (or rather are told to want) things that snap together w/o any effort. If it should require labor beyond an hour to assemble or hook up, they are encouraged to call a service guy. After all, that's good business, right? Almost everyone I know who has a surround sound setup paid someone (or multiple contractors) to set everything up. They even have their universal remotes programmed for them. The reasoning is that it costs them less to work an extra hour at their jobs than to install their own cable box at home (no joke).

I suppose that the upside to this is that those of us who are DIY'ers will be a lot more popular in the near future, that is, as long as we can still get those parts in record time. I work in computers, and I've had to have parts rushed to me FedEx & UPS to get projects done in time. Frankly that's a crap-shoot with arrival times; on several occasions I've had to order two identical parts from two different vendors to guarantee on-time delivery. RS was always there when I needed something right away and the closing of these stores and stores like them is a big problem. Buying everything online should not become the only solution. If Fry's closes down too, I'll be in a jam.