Big VEX sale at RadioShack

[ChuckDickerson]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

It is available, just type "VEX robotics" in the search box. The prices listed are not on sale and a lot of parts are out of stock, though.

Yep, but the web site had everything on sale last night when I went to bed but this morning it was back to full price. I'm starting to think even Radio Shack doesn't know what's going on. First everything was on sale in the stores but not online. Then it was online also thru August 31st. Then June 31st. Then June 3rd. Now gone. Some stores seem to have the sale some don't. Some stores think it is through April 2nd, my local store said June. Some store personnel think it is going to only be sold in select stores and online yet the info from Radio Shack (Corporate) seems to indicate they are discontinuing it altogether. I don't know what to believe any more. All I know is I got a bunch of stuff while it is on sale including 4 starter sets, 1 programming kit, and a whole bunch of extra sensors, motors, servos, wheel kits, gears, sprockets, and the one track kit I could find.

[Katie Reynolds]

Originally Posted by Ethulin

Wow, the price changed just last night, I checked at 11pm and it was 150, now at 11am it is back to 300.

The sale thing last night said it would be until like the 12th of July or something.

Wow, that's extremely disappointing. I posted in one of the Vex threads yesterday; the website then said the sale would last until 06/03/06.

Guess FRC #857 won't being getting a Vex kit afterall.

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

How much did everyone spend, and what did they get specifically?

Like.. for 100 bucks, what did you get.

or.. 200 bucks, 300, 400, etc..

Just wondering.

Hmmm... I have already breached the $200 mark:

Starter Kit
Power Pack
Omniwheel kit (though I'll probably never use it)

What I Still need to breach the $300 mark:

Programming kit
More gears
More wheels
More motos and servos

I think that will suffice for now. If I need more material to build with, I could always find a way to integrate K'NEX with the Vex kit. And if I need metal or wood: dad's garage has some pretty nifty scrap.

Oh the possibilities.

-Joe

[ChuckDickerson]

Post deleted.

[sanddrag]

I swear, if RadioShack did this just to create a short frenzy over Vex....

well, short sale and still carrying it is better than long sale and dropping it. Now I don't know what's going on. Are they keeping it, are they dropping it?

Maybe VexLabs called up RadioShack with a "Hey, you're undermining our sales!" LOL

[ForgottenSalad]

Just out of curiosity, if Radioshack DOES drop the product line, will whoever produces the product line keep manufacturing more that other retailers (ex. vexlabs.com, subsection of IFI) will continue to sell? Or is it if radioshack does indeed drop the line, will that end production of VEX?

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by DeepWater

I was simply trying to point out that VEX was no longer ON SALE at the Radio Shack website. I understand that VEX is still available FOR SALE at VexLABS. Is there maybe a misunderstanding between the difference in ON SALE and FOR SALE?

My bad. I didn't read your post carefully enough. Sorry about that.

[Gamer930]

I traveled 30 miles to get my VEX Kit yesterday. The radioshack I went to had everything I wanted to get It was way out in nowhere in a mall. $350 spent in 2 hours. Expensive trip but will bring a lot of fun and joy this summer and years to come Call ahead before you go to any store.

It also seems like their store available on their website is pretty accurate because I called all stores that were closer to me and they were actually sold out.

We need to start flooding ChiefDelphi with all VEX creation pictures.

[irishninja]

I would like to greatly apologize. When I read your post, I interpreted as being that RS had stopped restocking VEX. This has been stated several times previously, which is why I was annoyed. The VEX kits are still on sale in stores, but yes that may not last long. Again, I am very sorry.

[ChuckDickerson]

Originally Posted by irishninja

I would like to greatly apologize. When I read your post, I interpreted as being that RS had stopped restocking VEX. This has been stated several times previously, which is why I was annoyed. The VEX kits are still on sale in stores, but yes that may not last long. Again, I am very sorry.

Apology graciously accepted. I was just a bit confused when I saw the negative rep. Thanks for clearing it up! No harm, no foul.

[Ben Piecuch]

All,

I just got back from my local Radio Shack. I will only state the deal I got, and not try to guess what everyone else is experiencing. Also, I did not talk with the salesperson, as he wasn't even sure what VEX stuff they had. I was afraid I would confuse him if I asked any "real" questions... So, here's what I found.

EVERYTHING VEX is 1/2 price. The basic kit, the additional materials kits, sensor kits, programming kit, even the power pack kit is 50% off. (I didn't think the power pack would be on sale!)

So, I walked out with just about everything I could get my hands on. However, I still need to find a Chain and Sprocket Kit.

1 Starter Kit
1 Metal and Hardware Kit
1 Power Pack
1 Programming Kit
1 Encoder Kit
2 Motors
1 Gear Kit

Total = $300 before tax (no fair you NH folks!)
Not too shabby. YMMV

BEN

[Rick TYler]

I'm sort of embarassed. This is what I bought for myself^H^H my sons:

2 Starter kits
Programming kit
2 sets omniwheels
1 chain and sprocket set
4 sets of optical encoders
6 extra motors
2 sets limit switches
1 ultrasonic sensor
5 4" Poof balls (not from RadioShack)
12 2-1/2" foam balls (not from RadioShack)
2 gear sets
1 metal set
1 set of tracks
Power pack set
Extra set of crystals

Do I need to buy the line following kit? I'd like another sprocket-and-chain set, but the local stores are sold out.

Even with sale prices, I don't like to think about what I spent. My MasterCard is weeping.

Hi. My name is Rick and I am a Roboholic.

[team222badbrad]

So far I got in order for highest $ to lowest $:

1 starter kit
1 programming kit
1 metal kit
1 battery kit
1 line follower kit
1 sprocket & chain kit
1 wheel kit*
1 tank tread kit
3 motor kits*
1 servo kit
2 omni kits*
1 light sensor kit
1 encoder kit
2 gear kits*

*These items are on the way from radioshack.com, good thing I ordered before they stopped selling them half price!

After tax $448.2

Items I could not get out of stock:

1 more sprocket & chain kit, 1 more tank tread kit, and the ultrasonic range finder kit another $45.

Accesories I don't have/don't need:

crystals upgrade kits A & B, safety glasses, limit switch kit, transmitter & receiver kit, and bumper switch kit.

I think I am set to build something cool and work my butt off to pay for it.

Yes I got the battery kit for half price as well, this was not on sale when I visited the store on thursday 3/17/06, good thing I waited.

[Stuey83]

I've wanted to pick up a Vex kit for a while but it was just too cost prohibitive. I saw the sale on RadioShack.com and then was devestated when I looked the next day and saw that all the parts were back to full price and nearly all the parts were out of stock.

So I went to my local vex carrying radio shack and spoke with their manager. Vex and RS aren't breaking their exclusive to RS deal. Vex (probably) isn't releasing a complete upheaval of their product line. At most, they might introduce new products, but that's it.

So why are the products on sale now seemingly out of the blue? The daytime manager said that the sale was aimed at providing those who want to get into the Vex system to do so at a price they can and will afford to pay.

I then went back to the RS a few hours later to pick up another gear set once I saw how few there were in the starter kit, and I spoke to another knowledgeable associate. He said that in fact the Vex components are on sale every now and then and that they were on sale last month and during the winter holiday season. He also said that they were trying to get the products out to a wider audience, and that a lot of people were actually picking up Vex starter kits and accessories as they're good for demonstrations (I imagine in introductory physics courses or engineering courses).

So... even if you missed out on the online sale, the stores which normally carry Vex products should still have them on sale (ALL Vex were reduced 50%). If you don't have it in your budget to pick up a kit or accessories for yourself now, keep checking the online circular for your local RS store. I didn't try this yet, but that's what the guy said.

Anyways, this is what I bought:

Stater kit
Tread set
2 Sprocket sets
Hardware set
2 motors (I wanted 3 but took all they had)
1 servo
Wheel set
Power pack
Gear set

And I went to Sam's club and picked up some extra AA batteries just in case.

Why didn't I pick up the programming kit? B/C they didn't have the ultrasonic sensor I wanted, and since I have a Basic Stamp waiting to take control of the servos.

I wanted a second starter kit but all they had was one. When you think about it, these are really good prototyping kits and can be used in many more applications such as case modding.

[Faith]

I went to Radioshack once and bought the starter kit, the programming kit, and opticals sensors. Then I went a second time and bought a chain and sprocket kit, an extra motor, a battery pack, and two sets of omniwheels. I was going to go a third time, to a different store with everything in it, but I didn't have time, so I sent my dad with a list to buy an ultrasonic sensor, tank tread, a wheel kit, and a gear kit. When I got home I discovered he had also bought me a hardware pack, and my parents decided (without telling me until now!) that they will pay for it all!!! My life is awesome right now, especially because I'm about to go to Boston Regional tomorrow .