lordairgtar Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 and ron reagen preached to a generation that greed is good. they believed him. so goes detroit, so goes the nation. shame. Give me a link to the quote, please.
LaughingIndian Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Give me a link to the quote, please. There's no link to what the neocons preach as to what their "principles" are, but you can bet they'll stick to them ... Harry's right, change has come. As far as the brick and mortars go, unless you're willing to pay extra for the human service, embrace the idea of doing business with robots. I think we have to at least think about the coming new economics and how it will affect every part of our society. Including some so-called "principles."
timc Posted June 21, 2015 Author Posted June 21, 2015 I was just putting this out for those in the area. I did not mean to start a pointless thread. Or talk about cupcakes.
martinfan5 Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 I'll give you that. The personal interaction isn't there when you shop online. And if personal interaction is a big part of what you want, then yeah, you can't beat the old LHS. But for me, personal interaction isn't what I'm looking for when I shop for kits or supplies. I want my hobby supplies and kits for the lowest price possible, and I want the largest selection possible. That means Internet. And there's nothing I need so desperately that I can't wait a few days for it to be delivered.
Harry P. Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Sorry Harry! Your dream of selling Encyclopedias door to door is long gone! Dang! Maybe I'll go with Plan B and open up a blacksmith's shop instead...
Rob Hall Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Dang! Maybe I'll go with Plan B and open up a blacksmith's shop instead... Or typewriter shop...
426-Hemi Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 It is sad. I have a LHS that I support whenever I can! MOST if not ALL of my paint comes from there when I need it. and they treat me like I'm king...... -WILL support ANY and all shops for whatever product when I can, its the "little guy" we have to support whenever we can! I do take a deal when I find it, else where BUT thats not to say the local guys, don't have to eat too!
Tom Geiger Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Or typewriter shop... Whenever I see an old typewriter... antique shop, garage sale... I always ask them if they have the monitor!
gtx6970 Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 I have a local hobby shop within 10 minutes. And I try my best to buy my everyday supplies or current kits there. Someday he's not going to be there. It's not a matter of if...buy when
charlie8575 Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 My shop does the following: If you belong to a club, you get a 20% discount on kits and 10% on supplies, tools and books (not magazines.) If you bring in an Internet ad/price, they'll try to match it as close as possible. Even if it's not as low, you still usually save enough to make up for not paying for shipping, and it usually arrives faster (orders in twice a week.) Plus, you get all the good stuff you expect at a hobby shop. They can compete. They need to want to compete. Charlie Larkin
Howard Cohen Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 In this area we are very lucky. Within 30 minutes drive, I have 4 quality, well stocked hobby shops specializing in model cars, parts, aftermarket, paint, glue. There are probably another 10 hobby shops that specialize in radio control and they also carry model cars and paints. The hobby is well served here. Recently, my favourite computer/electronics chain (Tiger Direct) closed all their retail stores. I bought my last 4 computers from them, as well as monitors, cables, etc. They also did repairs, upgrading, etc. When I emailed, they said that I could buy online. I asked who was available to show me and explain the new products and they said, 'no one'. Now I have to find a new computer store. I prefer to shop face to face when I am buying a new product. I understand buying online to save a few bucks but when your 'favourite hobby store' closes, was it really your favourite? And when you have a problem with a kit, have fun returning it by mail Some of the local hobby shops have had people come in and ask for help with a problem kit, such as a warped body or missing parts, and they tell the person to take it back to the company they bought it from Remember the James Garner movie 'Support Your Local Gunfighter'? Try supporting your local hobby shop as well
Tom Geiger Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 They can compete. They need to want to compete. Agreed. That's part of why hobby shops fail, the personalities and limitations of the owners. A hobby shop owner needs to be proactive and always promoting. They need to make every customer who walks in the door feel they are important. They need to be enthusiastic and decently well versed in every hobby they sell. They need to reach out to hobby clubs... that includes offering space for clubs to meet (people seldom leave empty handed!), offer clubs discounts and promotions, host kids events like Make & Takes, reach out to scouting and school groups to offer sponsor ships and otherwise promote their shop in the community. A few things I've known over the years... One shop in NJ is run by an IPMS military modeler, quite active in that local chapter. I walk up to the counter with $50 worth of Evergreen and basswood. He is smiling as he asks me, "What are we building?" When I told him, his face fell and he just muttered, "Oh cars.." and completed the transaction silently. That left me feeling crummy for being there. In my shop I don't care if you are carving saints out of olive pits, it's GREAT and a FANTASTIC HOBBY! It's all about the customer experience and making them feel good and wanting to return! At another shop on a busy Saturday, the owner is not there but two young guys are sitting behind the counter working on RC stuff. They are talking between themselves and ignoring customers. I ask a question and I could tell it was a chore for the guy to leave his seat to help me. Even then, when asked for a common Tamiya color, he looked on his computer and said, "Nope, can't get it." I did let the owner know and he actually appreciated knowing. He shook his head and admitted one of them was his grandson and they were trained better than that. He also said Saturday was his biggest day and he did notice his numbers were down. Last time I went there on a Saturday he was there. Recently at my most local shop I went in looking for Model Cars Magazine, they sell it and this is where I get my issues. Although the new issue is here on the board, he didn't have it yet. He tells me "maybe next week", and walks away. A proactive shop owner would've offered to take my name and number, and put aside a copy for me. AND put me on their mailing list. He lost a good opportunity to make a customer happy and get information that would benefit him in the future. On the other hand... There is the shop that allows the Philadelphia club host "The Big Sit" every February. That event brings 50 or so area hobbyists into their store. Yes, we take over the place for that Saturday morning. But people walking in the mall see all that activity and come in the store! They look at the models on display, converse with us, and more than one left with a model. The owners offered everyone a big discount on everything and made their way around to meet everyone and shake hands. Each year I save up my supply needs and buy it all there that day, just to say thanks for holding the event. They then tell you that you can have 20% off anytime, just by mentioning the event, and if you need anything they'd be happy to research and order it for you! Now that's the way to do business... and why they are doing well!
High octane Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 Tom, face it as the "brick & mortar" hobby shops are a losing proposition in today's times. We are lucky to have the ones that are still open and should support them, because if we don't, we'll be the losers. You can apply all the business strategy and experience you have, but that's not going to change anything. If you think that it will, then you open up your own hobby shop, and be sure to kiss your money "good by" before you invest in your hobby shop.
BIGTRUCK Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 I still have a few options for hobby related items, it seems all the hobby shops left in my area are trains first all else second but thats what keeps the doors open. And I thought olive pit carving was a lost art.
johnbuzzed Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 I was just putting this out for those in the area. I did not mean to start a pointless thread. Or talk about cupcakes. Cupcakes? Where are the cupcakes?
Harry P. Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 "In my shop I don't care if you are carving saints out of olive pits.." Now that's funny!
mikemodeler Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 I recently came across a method in which one can make a million dollars owning a hobby shop...............start with two million dollars! LOL! We lost a couple of HobbyTown USAs here in the Charlotte area recently and an independent shop not far away and I would suspect that part of the problem was the owner's age and desire to retire. I always bought something at these shops but unfortunately a couple jars of paint, a magazine or a kit was not enough to keep the doors open or put big dollars in the owner's pockets.
Tom Geiger Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 and an independent shop not far away and I would suspect that part of the problem was the owner's age and desire to retire. That was the situation on Bob's Hobbies in Pitman, NJ. Bob had died years ago and his widow kept the door open with a friend of ours as manager. She wanted to retire and tried to sell the shop unsuccessfully for a long time, and eventually put the operation to rest!
martinfan5 Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 I would rather shop online than to drive to the LHS for them not to have what I need instock.
Jeff Johnston Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Tagging onto what Tom said. I was working in Bayshore NY once week for several weeks a few years back, and there was a hobby shop there. I went in and they had RC stuff piled in front of all of the model cars...I asked the owner if I could see the model cars and he said, barely lifting his head to look at me, "tell me what you are looking for and I'll tell you if I have it". I said "I'll know it when I see it"... then he did a big sigh... I said "tell you what, I'll go shop at Willis Hobbies", thanks for your time... and I left. The place was empty of any customers. I get why. Curious if he is still there. Wouldn't shock me if he wasn't.
JohnU Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 The two hobby shops near me cater mostly to R/C or railroad. One is run by and old guy that doesn't want to be there and the other by some obnoxious long-haired hipster "know-it-all" inerested in pushing the expensive train and R/C stuff and could care less about selling model cars. You might get his attention if you're interested in armor kits though. I won't waste the trip only to be ignored and will continue to shop online. Kind of hard to feel sorry for closing HS that provide little or no customer service!! Don't have to kiss my foot just be pleasant, get off your "stool" and be glad to have business!
Tom Geiger Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Tagging onto what Tom said. I was working in Bayshore NY once week for several weeks a few years back, and there was a hobby shop there. I went in and they had RC stuff piled in front of all of the model cars...I asked the owner if I could see the model cars and he said, barely lifting his head to look at me, "tell me what you are looking for and I'll tell you if I have it". I said "I'll know it when I see it"... then he did a big sigh... I said "tell you what, I'll go shop at Willis Hobbies", thanks for your time... and I left. Reminded me of something... Not far from my house there's a model railroad shop. Crummy little building with paint peeling off the homemade sign. I drive past it all the time so I got curious and stopped in. I walked in and immediately was hit with the stench of cigarette smoke. The guy in his sixties behind the counter comes running out with cigarette in hand and asks me what I want. I tell him I build model cars and I'm not looking for anything in particular, I'd just like to browse. He tells me no! I point across to the paint racks and the display of basswood and such... and he says that stuff is only for trains. So I leave! What an idiot. Even though it was a train shop I could've become a regular customer for glues, paints and scratch building supplies, especially since it is the closest place to my house! And if he had a decent stock of things, maybe I would've found some G scale accessories. And the day he winds up out of business, he will wonder why.
Ramfins59 Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Tagging onto what Tom said. I was working in Bayshore NY once week for several weeks a few years back, and there was a hobby shop there. I went in and they had RC stuff piled in front of all of the model cars...I asked the owner if I could see the model cars and he said, barely lifting his head to look at me, "tell me what you are looking for and I'll tell you if I have it". I said "I'll know it when I see it"... then he did a big sigh... I said "tell you what, I'll go shop at Willis Hobbies", thanks for your time... and I left. The place was empty of any customers. I get why. Curious if he is still there. Wouldn't shock me if he wasn't. That sounds like Bayshore Hobbies off of Sunrise Hwy. We used to call it "Robber Bob's". The owner was a guy named Bob who would sit on his stool at the front counter and wouldn't move for anything. Inventory was stacked 6 feet high all around the store and in front of the shelves holding the models. You couldn't get to the models and had a tough time even seeing what was on the shelves. Bob would not move his butt off that stool to help you find anything. His prices were "on the high side" hence the name "Robber Bob's". I don't know how the place stays in business with such lousy customer service from the owner.
lanesteele240 Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 Every time someone post that their lhs is going out of business we get this same fuss. Every time. Well at least in the 8-10 years i have been a member her. I love my lhs. The guy that works there talks me to death and i do the same to him. They dont sell my kind of kits there (imports) but i buy what i can.
Roncla Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 I would rather shop online than to drive to the LHS for them not to have what I need instock. I've just walked for over an hour to my closest hobby shop to purchase an item that their website states is " In Stock. Ships now " When I couldn't find it in store and enquired I was told " Yeah, we did have some awhile ago. We'll get some more in and have it here by Friday of next week " I guess the exercise was good for me. Good thing I didn't take the car or I'd be spewing about the cost of the wasted fuel.
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