Login
or
Register
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
»
Model Railroader
»
Forums
»
General Discussion (Model Railroader)
»
Buying a LHS
Edit post
Edit your reply below.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
I look at the talent. The purpose of a LHS is to provide service and more importantly, advice to customers. Most anyone can simply cut a check and load up a building with a bunch of inventory and displays. But not everyone has the talent to run it properly and provide the service customers need. <br /> <br />I was in a hobby store yesterday that I drove 80 miles to get to. The store was clean and reasonably well organized. The store had very little character. They defined themselves as a well staffed and knowledgeable place to go for DCC and other high level modelrailroading. The first thing I did was meet the owner who was behind the counter. I tried to be a good first time customer. I had been eyeing one of the Tower 55 Sound diesels for the past few weeks and he had just got a few in. So I bought a unit. I figured, a great way to make friends. And I spent another few bucks on some other supplies. I even told him I drove 80 miles to visit the store. <br /> <br />To make a long story short, the owner was lifeless and seemed to care less about getting me as a new customer. They claim to be well versed in Digitrax and when I asked him about that he said his guy will be at the store soon he was out getting Tacos for lunch. "Okay, I'll wait." I waited 30 minutes and then the guy went to help another customer first. I waited another 20 minutes. Then I introduced myself and asked a Digtrax decoder question and the guy gave me a blank stare. "I don't know about those, I've never used them". That will be my last time in that store. The owner didn't even take my name for his mailing list. <br /> <br />My point to my story is that if you're going to open a Train store, be a good business person and make sure that whoever is helping the customer knows their stuff, is people friendly and conducts themselves in a professional manner. Most everyone buys off the net or mail order at a discount these days. But there is a faction that needs local help (like me!). If I can find it, and they make me feel welcome, they got a customer for life. Even the modelers who are experts will go to a quality train store to buy if they need something "now". <br /> <br />The one store in Los Angeles that does an incredible job if you get to know them a little bit is Allied Trains in Culver City. Bob and Nick (along with the rest of their fine staff) do a great job helping first timers in getting a layout off to a good start. And they complement their fine service with an inventory second to none. <br /> <br />Remember, all hobby businesses are quirky and the people working in them can be "characters" - so it does take some work on the customer's part to get to know the people at a good store. But that extra effort is worth it. <br /> <br />I know about hobby businesses, I stood behind a counter for over 20 years in the Los Angeles area (not model trains). <br /> <br />Good luck, but remember: knowledgeable and friendly people are the key resource for a successful train store and they will be the reason customers come back. <br />
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
Update Reply
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Users Online
There are no community member online
Search the Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up