It was their UK pricing maybe. Everything was in a prepack. You didn't get prices on packs or shelves, you got colour codes that were pre-printed on the Radio

It was their UK pricing maybe. Everything was in a prepack. You didn't get prices on packs or shelves, you got colour codes that were pre-printed on the Radio Shack brand packs, so I'd guess they did that in US stores too. Pack of three resistors, or three LEDs, or two electrolytics. £1.95. Or was that a fixed pack of 10 (including 8 values you didn't want) for £5.95? In 1970s or early 1980s. This when £1 Sterling was maybe $2.80 All US books were shrink wrapped, so you had only the back cover to go on. If you mail ordered from Maplin in Southampton and spent £20, Radio Shack would be £400 for the same bits.