Computer mail order

Computer mail order! That's a blast from the past. In the old days, before online shopping became the norm, people would order computers and other electronics through mail-order catalogs. Here's a brief history and some fun facts about computer mail order:

Early days: The first computer mail-order catalogs emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, when personal computers were becoming more affordable and popular. Companies like RadioShack, Tandy, and CompUSA started selling computers and electronics through mail-order catalogs.

How it worked: Customers would browse through the catalog, select the products they wanted, and then mail in their order with a check or money order. The company would then ship the products to the customer's doorstep.

Popular mail-order computer companies:

  1. RadioShack: Known for their iconic "The Source" catalog, RadioShack was one of the most popular mail-order computer retailers.
  2. Tandy: Tandy Corporation, also known as RadioShack's parent company, offered a mail-order catalog featuring a wide range of electronics and computers.
  3. CompUSA: CompUSA was a popular mail-order retailer that specialized in computers and electronics.
  4. Babbages: Babbages was a mail-order retailer that focused on computer hardware and software.

Fun facts:

  1. Catalogs were huge: Mail-order catalogs were often thick and heavy, featuring hundreds of pages of products.
  2. No online shopping: Before the internet, customers had to rely on phone orders or mail-in orders to purchase products.
  3. Long wait times: Orders could take weeks or even months to arrive, depending on the shipping method and distance.
  4. No returns: If a product didn't work or was defective, customers often had to deal with the hassle of returning it by mail or phone.
  5. No customer reviews: Customers had to rely on product descriptions and reviews from sales representatives or friends to make informed purchasing decisions.

The rise of online shopping: With the advent of the internet and e-commerce, mail-order computer shopping gradually declined. Online retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and others made it easier for customers to browse, compare prices, and purchase products quickly and conveniently.

Today, while mail-order computer shopping is no longer the dominant way to buy computers and electronics, it's still possible to find some nostalgic mail-order catalogs and retailers online.