One item I forgot to add to what I would like to see in a hobby shop. An owner who appreciates his hired help. I cannot fathom why any buisness owner would bad mouth his employees to a customer. First when I go in , it is for a psoitive expierence not to hear grumbling about how bad the help is. Secondly I have always thought it stupid for a buisness owner to bad mouth his or her help to the customer , because it in essence says - I am an idiot and do not know how to hire people and therefore not capable of running a buisness and not worthy of my customers support with their hard earned dollars.If you have an issue with help do it behind closed doors with the individual not in public.
I'm lucky, my better half wouldn't say a thing!
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
4merroad4man I am shocked that, given the number of jokesters and pranksters on this board, that no one mentioned a young 5 foot 9 inch blonde,
I am shocked that, given the number of jokesters and pranksters on this board, that no one mentioned a young 5 foot 9 inch blonde,
This reminds me of a dog chasing a car. What's he going to do if he catches it? At my age I'm just happy that my wife thinks I'm a stud-muffin.
I think the idea of a club in the store is excellent! It will likely bring in lots of business, and also have some interest and make the store known. I know if my local train store had a club I'd love to join!
Dave.
Hi pilotguy72,
Well being that you have a FAST MODE of transportation, just fly on over to FWA (122nd Tactical Fighter Wing) or KGWB and I'll provide the ground transportation the rest of the way.
You can stash that fast machine in my hangar at KGWB, it might fit, I'll pull my 46 Ercoupe outside.I'll even give you a ride if you'll give me one! LOL!Flying is my other hobby!
Getting ready to go to a place called "The Land of Osh" at the end of next month for a week,or otherwise known as "Mecca" to all pilots!
TheK4Kid
Medina1128 4merroad4man I am shocked that, given the number of jokesters and pranksters on this board, that no one mentioned a young 5 foot 9 inch blonde, This reminds me of a dog chasing a car. What's he going to do if he catches it? At my age I'm just happy that my wife thinks I'm a stud-muffin.
At my age, I'd like to see a no-host prune juice bar and free hors d'oeuvres..
Not to mention free valet parking.
Andre
I would like to walk into a good hobby shop that does not have a bunch of old man standing around with a case of bad body oder. Maybe sell some speed stick next to the train smoke.
Many of you have mentioned a large inventory, a display layout and a knowledgeable staff and I agree. Now I am not complaining, but the one I have nearby has one aisle devoted to HO, the display layout is so high that a person needs to be at least 6 feet tall to see it - I am 5'10" and can't see the back of it and there is only one guy in the train section I will deal with (he is only there in Thursdays and is the only one who knows DCC) because the other one is a little cranky and more often than not, doesn't have accurate information. Like I said I am not complaining because I am in there at least once a week, I just envy those of you who have s GHP nearby. But I do find myself ordering more and more on line...
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
I'd like to thank everyone for their inputs.I am still doing some research into the thepossibility of making the investment into this shop.
a) staff/owner who knows just about everything train related
b) huge selection of structures, locos, rolling stock, scenery items, etc.
c) stuff in every scale (even some narrow guage)
d) massive selection of books, magazines, how-to's, etc.
e) everything in stock at all times
f) a layout in some scale, which always draws your attention
g) more scratchbuilding supplies than you could imagine
h) and finally, more than just trains, like R/C cars, planes, model cars, etc.
Once again I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my survey question.
I am seriously looking at the purchase of a LHS and your responses have given me some good ideas as to how to make some improvements.I have been so busy doing research and working on new ideas for this LHS I haven't had anytime to work on my own layout, but this will happen with time.Thanks again and happy MRR'ing to everyone!
My LHS:
When i come in he always greets me and allows me to go into the back room and grab a pop. Once i am in the store if anyone dumped some used stuff for trade or cash he will let be dig through it before putting it on eBay. He even sold me a Trix bigboy for under $400 because someone did not want it and dumped it off. He will allow me to bring in locos new in the box and trade at the price i paid for it. He will also bring prices down on certain items and even install a sound decoder into a HO Kato loco and not charge labor. Anytime he gets stuff in or has used stuff he will call me and see if I am interested. If i am interested he will hold it for me. I need a LHS store to be like this, you build friendship with the LHS and get to be treated well. I notice when the person working everyday at the LHS is the owner it makes a difference.
Thanks for the input GTX765Personal customer service will be one of the things we will offer.We will have an Ebay store an at present am making a list of allthe outdated stock which will be offered for sale in a specialparking lot sale, then what doesn't sell, goes on Ebay.There are trains, RC cars and RC planes of all kinds that needto go!One of my goals will to keep an adequate stock of the latestmerchandise that moves well, and to take care of my customers.A layout in the store is being looked at, as this place will need tobe totally rearranged.I am looking into the possibility of a second store which willbe relocated to a much better location.There is second store involved but it has a very low sales volume, and I am looking at a much better location, and putting up a building to suitthe needs of what I intend to do.
The Ebay store will be kept current and will compete with any and allother online sites as I will have someone constantly researching thecompetition.My goal is to be the best!I've been in many LHS's across the country and so I have a good idea for what works and what doesn't.