Hobby shops

[Anonymous]

I want to get a job at a hobby shop.
And I want to know if anybody owns a hobby shop and how the employee fits into a small business.

(I'm part of a number of small business's and I know how they work)

[Anonymous]

WHOA! 33 looks and no replies!?

[Roadtrp]

I don't think anyone is ignoring you, but there just aren't that many Hobby Shops around. And if there aren't that many Hobby Shops around, there aren't that many Hobby Shop owners around. I've read these boards pretty regularly for almost 4 months, and I've never seen a poster refer to himself as a Hobby Shop owner. You may be looking for something that just doesn't exist here.

You might get more responses by asking for advice from someone who has worked in a Hobby Shop instead of someone who owns one.

[:)]

[Anonymous]

...oh. OK what Roadtrp said. Anybody with hobby shop employee experience?

[Anonymous]

The owner of my local hobby shop, tries to get me to buy the business every time I'm in there. Good knowledgeable help(in our area,anyways) is near impossible to find/keep at wages that won't break the store's checkbook(less than $100k per year, in this little city of roughly 12,000 people), BUT the employees he does have are treated with the utmost of respect, as if they were family. Also keep in mind that if you love this hobby as much as I do, you wouldn't have ANY MONEY LEFT, as it would ALL go back in the store's cash register!![:D][#oops][:-^]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I've worked in a couple of different hobby stores over the years. How old are you, and what state do you live in??? Have you gone and asked at any of the stores in your area?

The first thing a store owner would ask is what do you know about the products they sell. Not all hobby stores only sell trains. Hobby clerks don't make a lot of money, but it can be a fun job. If you want to know more you can email me.

[Anonymous]

JC:

If you are retired or independently wealthy and want a part time job at low wages to keep busy a hobby shop might be a good situation for you. Otherwise forget it. All the elements of current economic reality are against them and they are closing one after another.

Randy

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I know the economy is struggling to get to its feet. But I'm almost fifteen and really don't support myself. You know, free room and board, well almost free...

[Anonymous]

With this bad economy thanks to Bush you'll have a hard time

DOGGY
GO CUBS

[Roadtrp]

This link shows what one Hobby Shop looks for in employees:

http://www.alshobbyshop.com/Al!s_Employment_Opportunities7795.html

As Big_Boy_4005 mentioned in his post they look for knowledge of products beyond model railroading.

Good luck!

[ClinchValleySD40]

I noticed Kliens has an ad on their site saying they are hiring.

[Big_Boy_4005]

While "brick and mortar" hobby stores will come and go, they will never disappear completely. They do serve a purpose, and that is service. Ever try getting something you bought on the internet fixed??[banghead][(-D][(-D][(-D][swg]

[Anonymous]

The draw of low prices on the internet reduced the level of business in the hobby shop I have used to less than half of what it had been. Result? I now have to find another hobby shop that carries a complete inventory and provides friendly service. I understand this has become a major problem everywhere. I read some time ago that even Bobbye Halls in the Dallas area is gone. I do hate to see these closures. I do not believe, in the long run, this will help generate future growth of the hobby. These comments reflect my opinion. I am certain there are many that will disagree

Tom

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I found out by Noah H. about another Hobby store that is closing its doors in Madison Wi., Hobby Craft will be gone by the end of this month. I've spent alot of green backs there with no regret. & I've always gotten the help that I needed , No matter what I was looking for. & I always walked away very satisfied. Folks like this sure make this hobby very enjoyable. "HAPPY RAILS "..........& Thanks again Noah for the info.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpaulsen

The draw of low prices on the internet reduced the level of business in the hobby shop I have used to less than half of what it had been. Result? I now have to find another hobby shop that carries a complete inventory and provides friendly service. I understand this has become a major problem everywhere. I read some time ago that even Bobbye Halls in the Dallas area is gone. I do hate to see these closures. I do not believe, in the long run, this will help generate future growth of the hobby. These comments reflect my opinion. I am certain there are many that will disagree

Tom

Yes Bobbye Hall's is gone, but several years ago I found Discount Model Trains in Addison. Much better selection, better prices, a staff which will bend over backwards to help you, and very knowledgable clientele who will help as well. Enough of my DMT rave, now if I can only get this post to convince them for a 40% discount!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Doggy

With this bad economy thanks to Bush you'll have a hard time

DOGGY
GO CUBS

:: Sighs:: when are people going to wake up and realize that the sitting president is not the cause for the economy being what it is. he does not flip a switch and the economy suddenly changes, any changes he makes will take 4-6 years, unless they're super agressive, then figure 2-4 years.

And the ecomnomy is bad for several reasons, one bing due to an outside force that was not predicted, nor easily countered. Please don't bash someone for something you know nothing about.

Luckily there are several indications that the economy is on a major upswing and that by Christmas, we should be almost back to where we were right before the tragic incident in 2001, and if it continues on it's current trend, be almost as strong as it was in the hight of the reagan years by 2006.

with the intrest rates at all time lows, now would be the optinmal time to open a small business, or hobby shop. you can expect a slow start for about a year, but after that you should be booming as the disposable income becomes bigger again and people start feeling better about spending.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Right on, NTDN!!!!

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NTDN
Luckily there are several indications that the economy is on a major upswing and that by Christmas, we should be almost back to where we were right before the tragic incident in 2001, and if it continues on it's current trend, be almost as strong as it was in the hight of the reagan years by 2006.

Jay

I would love to see the economy recover from the Bush recession to the middling years we had under Reagan. But wouldn't it be REALLY GREAT if we could regain the economic glory days we had with Bill Clinton? [:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Bill Clinton!!!!???? Boooooooo.....................[tdn]

[;)][:D][:)][:P] Sorry, I'm a republican and couldn't resist. No pun intended. (actually, I didn't really think he was that bad.........)

Democrat or Republican, we're (as in people on this forum) all model railroaders!

[AggroJones]

QUOTE:
But wouldn't it be REALLY GREAT if we could regain the economic glory days we had with Bill Clinton?

If Clinton could run again, he'd have my vote.

[Anonymous]

Clinton did nothing to help the economy! He rode on the soaring rocket that took off before he was elected. Two years before his terms were over the economy started to fall down. And Bush got a stagnant economy that is just now recovering.

The same thing happened to Hoover, he didn't help the economy but he wasn't entirely to blame either.

Al Gore would be in the same spot if he had won the election. So don't blame Bush!

[StillGrande]