SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBYSHOP?

[Anonymous]

I recently needed a high quality can motor to re-motor an engine. Although I knew that my local hobbyshop would not have it in stock I went there and asked them to order it for me. They gladly accepted my 50% down and told me it would be here in about 4-5 days and they would call me as soon as it came in. Two weeks passed and I heard nothing so I went back and asked about the motor and was told that they had orderd it but thier distributor had told them that it had been discontinued and it was no longer available. Reluctantly they gave me back my deposit wanting me to spend it on something else. On returning home I simply brought up this distibutor's inventory on their web-site and found several of these motors "in stock". A call to the importer of this particular motor revealed that they had a number of them on hand. The importer sold me one at the retail discount price and paid the shipping!!! NOW MR. LOCAL HOBBYSHOP...YOU LIED!!... SUPPORT YOU??...I DON'T THINK SO!! No wonder the mail-order people are getting the business!! Any other "horror stories" out there?
Vic

[rogerhensley]

Vic asked, "Any other "horror stories" out there?"

Of course there are and you will be swamped with them. All of this will go to make people less likely to believe what their local hobby dealer tells them...

The good ones will be tarred with the same brush as the poor ones.

Roger Hensley

[Anonymous]

I agree with Roger. Vic, the only thing I can tell you is that if there are more hobby shops in your area, check them out. There are shops around that do go the extra mile for the customer. Myself, I have a hobby shop within a few miles of my house. But because of the owners attitude, I choose to travel almost twelve miles to patromise the one that takes care of me. And if the hobby shop is any good, after a half dozen visits or so when they know you are now there customer, a lot of them often give you 10% or 15% off of your purchuse. Yes, there are places out there that don't always help the way you want them too. But if you are in one of those areas were you don't have the option to go to another, Well if you don't use him that is your choice. Just remember that if you are working on that project and run out of CA glue or Flat Black paint because you forgot to order it, who Ya gonna run to then? That is just my opinion............Jamie

[BRAKIE]

I work part time in a hobby shop.I will tell you this.I would be looking for another part time job if I pulled a stunt like that! My boss would not stand for that for one second!!If he could not get it from one place he would go to another.Did you ever stop to think your hobby shop dealer may have been lied to? This does happen.One wholesaler we used would do just that.My boss would order something in betwwen out regular orders and that is where the lies begin.My boss found out and needless to say dropped that wholesaler quicker then the wholesaler could say "I'm sorry!" There are good hobby shops out there,sadly there are also bad ones.I would find another shop if I were you.I do mail order myself from time to time.Talk about horror stroies!I have been lied to,short ordered,shipped the wrong items,and have waited for weeks while the item was back ordered,I could go on but,what is the use? I did find one mail order shop that is good.They get all my mail order business now,when the need arises for me to mail order.

[Anonymous]

Vic, it's "Caveat Emptor" with all sources and not just model railroading. I use both sources. If I'm really in a hurry or know they might have it I'll drive the 10 miles to the local hobby shop as I like to brose a bit. I buy a great deal over the internet but don't find looking at pictures or blank spots that enticing so I only buy exactly what I'm looking for.

Yes, the shop should have been back in touch with you when they found out they couldn't get you part but having run a retail business myself the best of intentions sometimes get way layed.

Give them a try again. If they screw up again then look for a new one.....Walt

[Anonymous]

As in any business/product,there are lemons and then
there are peaches & cream.

[Anonymous]

As was stated earlier in this thread, there are good guys and bad guys in everyfield. Hobbyshops that don't keep their eye on customer satisfaction will go out of business. One point to remember is that most hobby shops are mom & pop businesses that are probably overextended from a credit perspective. That means that they may have little credibility w/ suppliers, wholesalers, etc. That's why I typically take special orders to a larger hobbyshop.

[Anonymous]

I refrain from saying anything bad about the hobbyshops becasue as a rule they do a great job. However, I find that I have much better luck finding the items I want mail order.

[Anonymous]

We only have 2 shops plus a second hand hobby shop
here in Grand Rapids.
One Shop is only HO,no other product, so when the train business is down, he's SOL.
He has had to dip into his pension just to keep the doors open. He has to use his own capital to fund inventory and he can't get new inventory(Walther Budd Cars/Atlas Dash 8)until he moves out the old inventory, so I go to a catalog house.
He's stuck with the 50 Riv Steamers,pre Walthers deal,400 Riv passenger cars, 12 to 15 Mantuas, all without mgf warranty so who's going to buy?

[Anonymous]

Yeah I have run into a couple of the "bad" shops. But I will say this, the hobby shop that I go to is great. The owner knows me by name, gives discounts sometimes (he has to make money too), and can get anything you need if he doesnt have it. But the best thing is, you can actually have a conversation with the guy about model railroads, real railroads, tips, tricks, anything. That, to me, makes the whole hobby shop experience good. And that kind of atmosphere keeps me from going mail order or internet.

[Anonymous]

I have to tell you that the local hobby shop is generally having a tough time. I see the ads on this site next to the messages deeply discounting Athearn Genesis products. I suspect that the economy is slowing the inventory turnover for everyone, but many local hobby shops feel that they just can't afford to blow out their slow moving inventory. Plus the local guys are facing increasing competition from Walthers through their Terminal Hobby Shop. Talk about vertical integration.

I too find that an increasing amount of my railroading dollar is going to the mail order/internet shops. Frequently they are the only choice. But I make sure that I continue to spend at least something at the local hobby shops or else they won't be around when I need some extra paint, glue, etc.

[douginut]

I too have a fearful relationship with my hobby shop. If I dare to enter the warm confines of this earthly paradise my wallet flies from my pocket and the Visa card flutters to the counter.
I must balance wifely wrath with multi-generational train lust (I am generation 2 of four). YES Roger and Pauline are more expensive on the shelf but almost never out the door compared with the shipping charges and "handling" from even my favorite online and mail order folks.
only will I buy a closeout from the mail or internet and then to get something they have not been able to find for me.
Doug

[mnwestern]

Yes Vic, I too have been frustrated with hobby shops from time to time. Too often, it seems that they are only in business to get their hobby supplies at wholesale.
During the recent holiday season, I went to only of the biggest shops in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. They were far too understaffed to wait on the large number of customers there. The shop has expanded about twice in the last couple of years and now is supersized, but still the place is junky, with new shipments scattered about half opened and shelves half stocked.
It is a totally slipshod affair. It appears they do no after-hours stocking or cleaning. The place is a pit! In the train department (above a third of the store) there was only one person working, and he was an older man who was in the far corner putzing away at putting track on a rack at a pace about as slow as the Bachmann Shay. He couldn't be bothered to help anyone. I a fairly experienced modeler, I ended up helping several people (non-modelers) find things for modeling friends and relatives. I should have asked for a job, because I definitely seemed to care more and know more than anyone there.
The funny thing is, this shop has a second location across town that is much neater, cleaner and better arranged. Unfortunately, it has gotten so big that there often isn't anyone in the train department there either. You have to ask the two or three people in the R/C dept. for help, and of course they don't know anything about trains.
I sure hope some of these shop owners read this stuff. Far too many are in the business only because they enjoy trains, or cars or whatever. Few seem to have any training or background in business, customer service, promotion, marketing or display. Those that succeed, seem to do so only by dumb luck.
T

[BRAKIE]

Terry,At the shop where I work part time we have the staff to cover all departments.Stocking is done by a stock person.This person works 8:00pm-4:00am stocking and cleaning the store.This is his only job at the shop.The firm rule at the store is "CUSTOMERS SERVICE COMES FRIST" This a rule that must never be broken.If you work the train department,you must be Knowledgeable in trains and model railroading.Same goes R/C,crafts,dolls and doll houses.But,this is not a mom and pop hobby shop.

[Anonymous]

there are many hobby shops out there. if you are not satisfied with one, move on to another. most shops now stock several types of products now, because model railroading cannot support their existance. most shops are eager to get your business, but there are some who could care less. find one that you are happy with and do your business there.

[mnwestern]

Larry, I'm glad to here there is one good shop out there. You aren't in the Twin Cities, by chance, are you? We sure could use a shop like that here. Bob, I've visited most of the 10 or so shops in the Twin Cities (60 miles from by rural Minn. home) and most are very similar to the one I wrote about earlier. Shoddy service must be a malaise in this area. Same goes for a shop in St. Cloud and one in Mankato. That pretty much covers those within an hour of me. The one good shop we had (in St. Cloud) closed last year when the owner and his wife burned out and wanted a life. Go figure, someone wanting to really to enjoy a life!
Unfortunately, the best shops, in terms of being clean and staffed, are some of the chain store hobby shops now coming to this area. On the downside on them is that they are not very well stocked in the model railroad department. They carry little more than Bachmann, Model Power and other RTR stuff.
It appears that the hobby industry lacks a trade group that could provide training to shop owners in such areas as marketing, display, customer service, store layout, promotion, etc. Too often, it appears someone has set up a shop and then sat back and rested on their laurels for 20 years.
I once was a big hobby shop devotee, but I am becoming a convert to mail order and flea markets. If I have to drive 60 miles, burn several dollars of gas and several hours of time, I expect better treatment. I can just as easily spend the money on postage and handling.
T

[BRAKIE]

No,Tery,Sorry! It is located in Ohio.It is sad to hear that there is no good shops in your area.As you stated some of the"super" hobby shops does not really care for the model railroaders.As you know most hobby shops are"mom and pop" types.Some are trying to forge a living out of owning the shop.Find one of these and you find a good shop.There are others that are in the business that really sould not be.I used to live in Kentucky when I workred on the Chessie.The only shop in the area was a joke,to use a clean word for it.The guy that own it was less then desirable.I went to his store 3 times,each time he had a beer on the counter and very rude.The other hobby shop was a "mom and pop" type,very nice folks and had a wonderful shop.The problem? 75 miles one way.I did alot of mail ordering with them and Standard Hobbies.So,I do understand your disgust with those hobby shops.Yes,there should be trade group to train hobby shop owners.Now,my boss does
not have any business training nor is he in any hobby.He is a retired Army general and knows what needs to be done in a successful business.If you keep your customers happy they will return.In the end that is the bottom line.

[mnwestern]

Brakie:
I suspect your boss, the retired Army general, didn't get to where he got in the military by running a slipshod unit. Yes, I really wi***here was a decent shop in the town of 13,000 I live in. A party supply store here carries enough hobby stuff to just make you mad. I usually buy more at one time than they have in their entire inventory. They don't quite get that putting up a sign that they "can order anything in the Walther's catalog," while a start, just isn't good enough. They know we have a local club with about 20 members that puts on an annual show that draws 15 portable layouts and more than 400 people, but they insist on carrying hundreds of auto models, not railroad equipment. They offer us a 10 percent discount, but fail to realize that a 10 percent discount with inventory is basically worthless. Their inventory is so small and of such dubious quality, that anyone interested in model railroading probably thinks that is all there is available.

[Anonymous]

I am foolish enough to model the B&O up here in Canada. About three years ago, I saw the Proto2000
GP9 phase 3 offered in two different B&O road numbers, so I asked a 'local' hobbyshop [65 miles] where I was dealing, to get me both numbers. I did not ask a price. Months went by...I figured it was a late release, which is not uncommon. I finally pushed for an answer, and was told the units were not available from his wholesaler.In the mean time, a hobbyshop opened in our small town, and I was dealing there also.I asked the proprietor to get me the Geeps. He advised me the next week that his supplier didn't carry US roads..turns out his supplier for P2K was Life-Like Canada, who only carry Canadian road names..I asked why the heck he didn't phone Walthers, who was also a supplier of his. I stayed at the counter while he phoned Walthers. Yes, they had them, but only one road number was left, which I ordered. So I got one only, and learned a lesson.This is obviously what happened with the first shop.The local shop is now gone, and I deal by mail with a major train shop, 110 miles away, by internet and mail.When ordering, I will identify which wholesaler I believe would have the item I seek, and wait for a confirmation.
regards / Mike the B&O guy.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with B&O.The shop i deal with puts my stuff on a shelf certin people goes back and likes what they see and takes it.I ask where my trains are.He will tell me they got gone.

[Anonymous]

I GO INTO HOBBY TOWN U.S.A.,BUT JUST TO LOOK AROUND,BOUGHT SMALL CHAIN FOR MACHINERY LOAD ON MY FLAT CAR,I RUN O GUAGE (LIONEL,INDUSTRIAL,K-LINE WILLIAMS ,WEAVER) ROLLING STOCK,MOST HOBBY STORES DONT HAVE WHAT I WANT AND PRICE HIGHER THEN LOCAL TRAIN STORES,,I LIVE BETWEEN SEATTLE & TACOMA WASH.,HAVE 5 PURE TRAINS STORES WITH-IN ,15 MILES.>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

[Anonymous]

I live 75 miles from the nearest hobby shop in Ky. I asked them to order some items for me, but a year or so later, still no items. Once I drove to the shop but it happened to be the day he was closed. But when I arrived he was standing outside the door with some mail, and would not open the door a few minutes for me ever though I had traveled 75 miles. Hobby shops owe us loyalty too. We're their bread and butter. -Earl

[Anonymous]

I gave up on train/hobby shops a few years ago and order directly from Walthers' Terminal Hobbies. It's kind of a hassle when I need something yesterday but have to wait a week for delivery. Even so, at least I know I will (usually) be able to get what I need/want. And the prices aren't bad, considering that I'd have to pay the same -if not more- in a train/hobby shop.

I won't recount my experiences with train/hobby shop owners but too many times I experienced what many of the rest of you have posted here in the last several weeks. In all fairness, however, I'm certain there are some good ones out there with a loyal clientel; I just don't know where they are. They're sure not close to where I live.

[on30francisco]

I haven't bought anything from the LHS in years. They seem to be either out of what I want or don't carry the product. They also charge list prices and the shop is very cliquish. I buy most of my supplies either on line or at arts and craft shops.

[Anonymous]

The same can apply to your local hardware store or automotive shop.

Sometimes you get the B.S. and sometimes you don't. And it seems the B.S. always stands out the most.

My LHS isn't into trains so much, but in their small train area, two guys from a local club work there, and will invite you to see their club or personal layouts for advice etc. Thats a pretty nice touch. I toured the club layout and was very impressed.

Getting ripped off sucks for sure, but I just thought I'd put a positive note in there.

[aloco]

Where I live, there are two hobby shops that do a poor job of selling model railroad equipment. One sells used equipment at full-blown retail prices, and the other stocks equipment in roadnames I have no use for and a lot of toy train stuff too (i.e. Bachmann, Model Power, etc.) The latter hobby shop is co-owned by an Ebenezer Scrooge who refuses to keep a good stock of high-end locos and cars because he's afraid they won't sell quickly. I still shop at the place, but only for small stuff like paint and brushes, couplers, and scratch building supplies. At least they have the brains to keep that stuff on hand.

[tstage]

I drive a good 20 miles to the two LHS I frequent. (Maybe it should be "D"HS for "distant".) I patronize them because they have both treated me well in the past and have a good selection of inventory and knowledge base to glean from. It's worth it to me to spend even a little bit more to help them remain in business.

Vic, if you really want to hurt a business: DON'T GIVE THEM ANY! If they treat you that way, then give some other needy LHS your loyalty. But be careful you don't "throw the baby out with the bath water". There are still GOOD hobby shops out there that deserve our business.

Tom

[3railguy]

There are good hobby shops and bad hooby shops. There are also good mail order dealers and bad mail order dealers. You need to try a few places with small orders that won't hurt you if you are taken. I am leary about special ordering through hobby shops. I've had too many bum steers and won't take my chances anymore.

[twhite]

Two super ones in my area, no complaints from this end, so far. Bruce's Trains in Sacramento, Railroad Hobbies in nearby Roseville. Bruce is very honest with me, if he can't get what I want (which is rare), he'll give me an address or an e-mail where I can pick it up. Roseville carries some things that Bruce doesn't (Sinohara code 100 bridge-rail, for instance), I go there for stuff, too. Between the two of them, AND their friendly customer service (the guys at both places are really FUN!) I very seldom have to crack open the Walther's catalogue or get on the net. But from what I've found out on these forum threads, we may be pretty unique out here in the Sacramento Valley.
Tom

[ksax73]

If you think that's bad, you should hear the complaints I've heard about the Red Caboose in Manhattan. If you live around W 45th Street and that's your LHS, I feel bad for you, lol.

The shop across the street isn't bad though. "Manhattan Trains" (www.manhattantrains.com) If you make a request they put it into thier computer system right away when they send out for more model railroad products. I've been there a number of times. I had to order some decals and other things.