In NYC, Myridon, that store was "LaFeyette's Electric" a small local chain.(they had at least 3 stores in NYC (bronx, queens, manhattan) i don't know how big the chain was.
it had a tube tester, and sold replacement tubes. (my childhood one was on Fordham road, at Arthur Avenue (yes, that Arthur Avenue.. Fordham road was a commercial street, the italian neighborhood started 1 block away at 187th Street.)
i, too, remember going there with vacuum tubes to test (i was the general assistant for home repairs when i was a kid.. my brother is much younger, and less interested. I always like taking things apart and figuring out how they worked.. (still do!)
there are still some appliance repair shops, (Sears runs one!)
but at Sears, you bring your failed tool or small appliance, and get a replacement one for about the same price as the credit they give you..
(so you can fix a used drill ($50min) or you trade in used drill for $25 credit--and buy a refurbished one for $27....
the credit is only good at the store/repair center, not at the main sears store. (my local one is is on rte 110 on LI) it a good way to get value out of a tool (my rotory tool comes with replacable bushings (a vital, easy to replace part of most electric motors)
a lot of stuff you can just take apart and fix, if you are willing to try.
like the fan. it cost me nothing.. i decided to invest 1 hour.
all i needed to fix it was:
a screwdriver (i have one that has interchange heads, so i don't have to have a large screwdrive and a small on, and a large philips head and a small one, it also has allans and 'star' tips.)
some heat shrink tubing
a wire cutter/striper
some matches (for heat shrink tubing)
some electrical tape.
hardly anything exotic.
if i can't fix with those tools, i give up.
a lot of times you can see a crimped wire, or a loose wire.
it's no harder than changing a light bulb most of the time.
Jackie, you clock radio most likely just needs a new bulb.
it might be hard to find one.. but taking the cover off the clock radio is likely just a few screws, and hardest part of replaceing the bulb is finding the replacement. (for that, i go to "Just Bulbs" (on Broadway, just below 23rd street) they just sell bulbs..but every sort!
i cutivate knowledge of repair shops.. i donate to, and shop from thrift stores too, (always did!) why pay full price when you don't have too.
looking round my living/dining room.
recycled chairs (oak and walnut!)
Recycled dining room table (oak venere)
recycled ikea shelves (ivor style)
recycled Pecan armoire style book case
in computer room, recycled rolling trolley for CPU, recycled desk chair (oak) recycled bookcases (bought used)
about half of the art work is images from expensive 'arty' calendars, in recycled frames (they used to be 'designated smoking/non smoking signs, but then NYC said NO Indoor smoking, so most of signs came down (and were discarded!) great set of matching frames!
Ok back to words.. In NYC this stuff (free, discarded but still useful street (or garbage shute room stuff) is called MONGO
MONGO is good stuff!
