HobbyTown USA coupons and what would you do?

[clovis]

Last week, I received a HobbyTown coupon via email for $10 off of $50 or more.

I used the coupon , which is attached or coupled to my HTUSA 'loyalty' card. The cashiers tell me that HTUSA sends out coupons "about every other month or so." They tell me that I'll have to wait at least a month, but probably longer to get another coupon emailed to me.

I would love to have another $10 off $50, which makes the kit about the exact same price as I can buy it on ebay. Actually, I think that I would use several of the coupons if they were made available.

Is there any way to get more HTUSA coupons?

Would you buy the item on from the local HTUSA store, or just buy it on ebay??

Thanks!!!

[Joe Handley]

I actually work for a HTU, Those coupons are usually sent out at the begining of the month from Lincoln, Nebraska (HTU's home base) and expire anywhere from mid month to the end of it. Other than having your birthday in with that info and getting a separate birthday coupon, I don't know a way if getting any others beyond the monthly ones. I don't know about that store, but we'll accept the coupon if you can get that email on your smartphone, so you don't have to print it out. My store also participates in a coupon program via the Hobby Card that will print out a coupon for "$5 off a Purchase of $25 or more" every time the computer sees that you have spent $100 before tax, that one is good for 2 months and will print out when the transaction is completed. I believe those are at the will of the franchise owner though.

[blackandwhite]

Interesting I found this. I just went to use a $10 off of $50 that I had and the guy told me that since they are a franchise they don't have to honor them. And they use the 'spend $100 in a month and get $5 back'

If the coupons are coming from corporate or a headquarters, can they choose not to honor them?

Edited August 21, 2014 by blackandwhite

[Joe Handley]

Good question, the only times we haven't is the one they accidentally sent out about 30 min. Prior to the current one that was "$20 off of $60" (which would have hurt the stores badly), the only time we have is when a customer had tried to use the same one a few times by printing a few copies and taking to different employees to ring him out. Not sure if he tried that any more than the one time before we caught on (he had passed from cancer about a month later) but we made sure not to let anybody else do that while the previous owner had the store and have kept that up with the new owners.

[clovis]

Joe,

Thanks! You are confirming exactly what the employees at my local HTUSA said. I didn't know whether to believe them or not.

I don't want to be the guy that 'games' the system or unfairly takes advantage of the store, but I'd also like to get the best deal that I can, and wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing out on some unknown coupons.

[blackandwhite]

I feel like that guy was trying to pull one over on me. I think he was the manager, not store owner. If they are part of the franchise, they have to honor it then huh

[Harry P.]

Hobby Lobby has a 40% off coupon every week.

[my66s55]

I am wit Hary on this one. Hobby town is my last optoin for purchase of something I want, need. It has to be a real need that can't be filled some ware else before I buy at Hobby town prices.

[Danno]

I feel like that guy was trying to pull one over on me. I think he was the manager, not store owner. If they are part of the franchise, they have to honor it then huh

That's why the phrase "valid only at participating locations" was invented by the coupon gods.

[my66s55]

That's why the phrase "valid only at participating locations" was invented by the coupon gods.

Yeah right. Or in more understandable terms, buyer beware.

[johnbuzzed]

Not everyone has access to either of the two stores; some have both within a convenient distance. If it were up to me, I would use the coupon and shop locally. At least some of your cash will stay in your local area. Probably not so (in most cases) with e-bay.

[Brett Barrow]

I go to a Hobbytown for paints and supplies. But, I never but a kit there. They're always on the high end of retail. The Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon is a much better deal.

From what I've seen, Hobby Lobby' s kits are priced over MSRP. So that 40% coupon isn't really 40% off. Michaels is the same way. Edited August 21, 2014 by Brett Barrow

[blackandwhite]

Hobby lobby doesn't have tamiya or hasegawa kits out here. Nor do they carry tamiya paint.

The hobbytown has a table with kits randomly getting marked 50% off

[2000-cvpi]

Hobby lobby doesn't have tamiya or hasegawa kits out here. Nor do they carry tamiya paint.

The hobbytown has a table with kits randomly getting marked 50% off

Maybe someone should tell my local HTU that they can clearance kits out. They still have kits that they had when they opened 3 years ago.

[Thatswhatshesaid]

From what I've seen, they're priced over MSRP. Michaels is the same way.

I walked out of my local HT about 3 years ago and will not go back when that fool started marking up the magazines by $1-$2. My money goes farther online the it does by supporting that kind of asinine behavior.

[Brett Barrow]

I walked out of my local HT about 3 years ago and will not go back when that fool started marking up the magazines by $1-$2. My money goes farther online the it does by supporting that kind of asinine behavior.

Oops, misread that, thought he was talking about HL. I haven't been into an HTU in 20 years.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Brett Barrow

[Harry P.]

I walked out of my local HT about 3 years ago and will not go back when that fool started marking up the magazines by $1-$2. My money goes farther online the it does by supporting that kind of asinine behavior.

I can see why you walked out. Marking up magazines? Never heard of that. That's just plain greed.

[mikemodeler]

Great conversation here. I registered in the rewards program with a HTU in the Richmond VA market a couple of years ago at the urging of the store clerk. She said how the program rewards with discount coupons and it was a great deal. What she DIDN'T tell me was that it tied into that store only, and my purchases at other stores didn't count towards my rewards.

I have a HTU here in South Charlotte that I stop in because here it is either there or Hobby Lobby. The prices at this HTU seem to mirror those of Modelroundup or Tower Hobbies online, so not too bad. The guys there are pretty friendly and while the selection isn't great (and has shrunk recently), they do have the occasional new release priced decently enough that I can justify the couple of bucks difference.

I do use them for the Evergreen plastic, Tamiya colors and occasional kit, but also shop online or at Hobby Lobby.

There is a HTU about 25 minutes away and it has a new owner who seems to be energized about the place but his kit selection is pitiful and is priced at straight MSRP, so I doubt that I will be hitting him up until I see some improvement. I do stop in and buy my Model Cars Mags there and also some paints too.

[jbwelda]

I would have stood there and stared at him, then asked for a customer survey form to send to "corporate" and also dudes business card to attach to it. having received those, I would walk out of the store leaving my potential purchases on the counter, with the coupon, and told the guy I wouldn't be wasting my time or gas coming back to his store again. next stop would be the computer to order somewhere on line.

and I would send in the survey form telling them exactly how messed up that is, and how you feel completely alienated as a customer at this point, and tell them that in your opinion this tactic is only a minor step above criminal bait and switch. maybe add that you are forwarding a copy on to the consumer affairs department of your state.

I would bet you would be getting a call (if you gave a phone number) and a number of discount coupons in return...probably need to go to another store but maybe not...it would then be up to you whether you wanted to participate in their game at this point.

jb

[Tom Geiger]

Interesting. When I was in career transition I actually got the Hobby Town prospectus and considered opening a store. I frequent the local Hobby Town which is far enough from my house to be a trip, and wouldn't have impacted a decision to open one locally. A few facts confirm my belief that the national failure of hobby shops is pretty much being hastened by the stupidity of the individual operators. For a Hobby Town, paying to be part of their promotions, to opt out on a promotion and tick off a customer is beyond my comprehension. The small minded mentality that they didn't want to take a loss on that one sale, but ignoring that they are making a customer walk away upset and not likely to return. Not smart enough to know that the coupon is a small sacrifice towards a long term relationship with that customer.

Even more upsetting is knowing that I've been frequenting the local Hobby Town for at least three years, not buying kits for the above mentioned reasons. but my usual purchase being over $50 worth of supplies and such. They know me well enough to get a smile from the dullard owner, but have never ever mentioned any card, or discount program! They've never tried to get me to register for anything or get my email address. Stupid people who deserve to fail! Now I'm ticked.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[martinfan5]

For me personally, I do not like the "spend so and so amount coupon", or the ones that do sales, or take a certain % off your purchase, but its a set amount. I do understand the reason behind these tactics, I dont use them.

[clovis]

Very interesting thread. I almost deleted it before posting it, and am glad that I hit the 'post' button.

I have had a love/hate relationship with this HT. I was told by one clerk that all unused items with a receipt could be returned with no hassles, but when I went back to return a few small items, another clerk hassled me pretty bad, and implied that I was a bad apple. I had specifically bought a few things not knowing if I would need them on a few builds for my kid's 4-H projects, and it was a 25 mile one way trip from their place to my home. I try to forgive and forget, but I am still ticked about that incident when I think about it.

My relationship with the HT has improved some since I complained to the owner about the employee...but she turned right to him, and confronted him while I was 5 feet away.

I am not a big spender, but they certainly have lost business from me.

I think that I am getting tired of being treated as a "you need to pay full retail, sucker" type of customer. I am self employed and run a tiny business, and understand that everyone needs to make a profit. There are times you have to draw a line in the sand, and say no to a customer.

I am of the "work with your customer" mentality, and believe that it is often best to flip a fast nickel instead of waiting for a year to make a dime.

When Hobby Lobby gets this item in stock, it looks like they will get my business, unless I opt for buying on ebay.

Edited August 22, 2014 by clovis

[southpier]

I remember being in the (only) shoe store in town years ago. there was a customer offering to pay such & such for a pair of shoes even though they had the price clearly displayed on the box.

I guess I never understood the bargaining mentality. if you want it and can afford it, buy it. if not, don't.

maybe I'm just an idiot to play by the rules.

[clovis]

I remember being in the (only) shoe store in town years ago. there was a customer offering to pay such & such for a pair of shoes even though they had the price clearly displayed on the box.

I guess I never understood the bargaining mentality. if you want it and can afford it, buy it. if not, don't.

maybe I'm just an idiot to play by the rules.

You do have a point, Joe.

I would like to buy from the local HT, and give them my business, but at the same time, I don't want to be giving money away.

Just a few weeks ago, a woman walked in while I was browsing the paint aisle...and I believe that overheard one of the clerks offering her a discount coupon.

[jbwelda]

thing is, its not like you are in there bargaining blind. you have a coupon issued by them to use. its not like you are trying to pressure them into something more.

jb