In the last 30 years I have visited more hobby shops than I care to count. Some of these establishments had great stock, selection and service; others were memorable for other reasons. Below is a list of the different types of Hobby Shops I have had the pleasure (or not) of visiting, how many have you been too?:
It must be noted that some individual hobby shops may qualify in multiple categorys. If there are other types of Shops that I missed, please let me know!
Scott
You forgot the Chain Store hobby shop where all the locations have the same three models of Bach locos and 300 peices of rolling stock in 3 different road names and 2 styles of cars. Not to mention the almost completely empty rack of Polly S (not Polly Scale) paint. And completed depleted shelves of WS scenry left over from their grand opening.
I would add:
The RTR shop. No kits or parts. All the rolling stock, buildings, etc is RTR. Most of the stock is Lionel, but also has some HO and N.
The Low End Shop. Lots of Athearn, MDC, Atlas buildings, IHC, etc., but nothing that costs more. Trains seem to be sideline to the RC business.
The Craft Store. The main business is scrap books, flower arrangements, art supplies, etc. Trains are an after thought here. The mixture is odd. Lots of wood shapes, scribed siding, etc. but no plastic or metal parts. Some building and car kits but no locomotives. A couple of low end MRC packs and some Bachmann track, but no turnouts.
Enjoy
Paul
The Always-the-Same-Stock Hobby Shop. This place is a real godsend if you missed a limited run, because the owner bought merchandise that just won't sell in his area and refuses to knock the price down. So the P2K GP-9s from 1997 are still there, gathering dust at full MSRP. So are the old Athearn BB kits that no one wanted. And all those "collectible" paint scheme cars. Plus the old structure kits that, nowdays, are just obsolete. Oh, sure, he'll sometimes add a new item, but there's just not that much room because of all the unsold stuff that fills his shelves.He's positive that merchandise will sell someday, if the right buyer comes in. This rarely, if ever, happens, however.
The appointment-only hobby store closed about 2 months ago, and it was a sad occasion....it was worth making an appointment with the gentleman anytime. The not much stock hobby store that remains in town isn't changing it's ways. R/C's and statics overrun the store and somebody could miss seeing the trains if they weren't paying attention
Bob Berger, C.O.O. N-ovation & Northwestern R.R. My patio layout....SEE IT HERE
There's no place like ~/ ;)
Hi,
I won't mention names, but I am well aware of a "Sloppy Hobby" that goes well beyond that label. It is a very large trains only store, with literally sloppy piles of stuff - new and old production. Some of the many shelves are very neat, but there has always been a HUGE pile at the entrance of typically newly delivered merchandise.
The same store has a second trait that tends to keep me away. That is a super slow check out process. You have to be there to believe it.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
The one that just seems to stick in my head is about 70 miles from where I live, It is a small LHS in a strip mall that we manage to stop by at when we go on vacation every year. The owner gives you a dirty look when you walk in, no "hellow" or can I halp you. There is never anyone in there when I stop by either, same stock he has had for the past 10 years, maybe a few new items. You don't dare ask him for help either! He has a small store with little room to look around, because he has so much stuff in it stacked to the ceiling, but its clean. I have bought a few things from this shop over the years, and always stop by to have a look once a year. Well last summer he had a sale going on with some first generation Proto 2000 engines, $40 each, so I picked up 4 of them that I was inrested in and headed to the counter cash in hand. WOW! how nasty can one get? He gave me this big speech about I only stopping by once a year and not buying but $100 worth of items from him. My wife was with me and explained that we were on vacation, and always tried to stop by and look around and maybe buy something. The owner explained how people like me were going to put him out of business! I could not help it, but I blew my lid, he was ringing up the 4 P2k's and I told him to forget it, I will take my money someplace else.
Now my favorite one is about 250 miles down the road, its a small LHS that has tons of train items in it, allot of it old items from the 70's and 80's, old stock brand new. He had allot of out of production buildings brand new at discount prices, $4 Athearn, MDC, and Branchline freight cars. Nice old fellow to, offers soda or a cup of coffe when you walk in, I can spend hours just looking around, might find something I don't need.
Sounds grim, my experience is different. I live in the Kansas City area, on the Kansas side. A short trip over the interestate takes me to the "bottoms" in Kansas City MO where Doc's Hobby Shop is located in a former wharehouse style building. He is stock is always good, not just trains, but the paint, supplies, etc. I usually go once a week, since I can also buy gasoline in Missouri cheaper than Kansas.
Then there is J & L in a town east of Kansas City MO. He used to be in the metro, but moved, and is far enough out now that I have to pack a lunch to visit, plus a lot of driving, traffic and gas consumption. So, I use his website, order from him and receive what I want through the mail. Added plus, I don't have to pay Missouri sales tax. If I want something he doesn't have, he gets it, and with diesels, I just have him install decoders before shipping. Again, good pricing, good service.
Then I use First Hobbies for mail order, lower prices, available product, and never have to spend any money on transportation.
So it all works for me, and I am a happy camper.
Bob
Tommy Gilbert's in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania falls into the Price Is High (Nothing under full MSRP) and Grinch Hobbies (He insults his customers). No one is ever in the sore. Amazing that he is still in business.
I go up to Mainline Hobbies in Blue Ridge, Pennsylvania. Brian and Bonnie are VERY nice and helpfull, and know the answer to your questions. Full stock of everything you need for model railroading. Small discount from retail, but they have to make a living too.
There is also the Mystery Hobby Shop. As in, it is a mystery how it survives since the prices are so high---or the address advertised is not based on the planet you are on( different universe?)---or the person behind the counter is so poor in the personal hygiene dept. that no one wants to go in there----
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
One of my favorites is a shop in south central WA state. Its about ten miles north of the tri cities and consists of three boxcars pushed togetr and against a fairly large building resembling a barn. They are organized for themselves as they do mostly mail order business,and promptly too I might add. BUT, they have anything and everything except maybe S-gauge and TT stuff. They always have a complete line of the Walthers stuff.
Here in Lewiston the local guy resembles some of the afore mentioned shops, clean but outdated stuff still at full MSRP or marked up(to cover freight). But like you say sometimes theres an unexpected find.
You forgot about the Hobbyshop that advertizes Railroad items. Then you walk in and dont find a blasted railroad item in the joint. " Oh we can Order it!!!!" one says.
This one is like the Grinch shop. Ya go to pick up an item, The sticker tag is red marked out and the sales price is $1.00 dollar more that what the original sticker price was.
Places that we have to deal with in Ft.Wayne. That is why I take my business to Kokomo Indiana ( The Train Exchange) and down to Lafayette at Hawkins. Well Hawkins is Kind of like a old "Grinch"; But has a butt load of parts and alot of old New stock. Jack does warm up to you after a while thou...... Kevin
You've forgot the unknown stock hobby shop. On thier website it says it has something in stock. When you walk into the store, and you tell them what you want, a worker says " we have to order it from our wharehouse".
By the way, my 2 favoritwe LHS's are Marty's hobbies and Allied's Model Trains. My favorite online store is Model Train Stuff (M.B. Klien).
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
Don't forget the "I understand you drove 55 miles to shop here, but we still won't let you use our washroom" type.
Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!
Then there is "Bubba's Hobbies".One can find these usually in the whoops and hollows off the beaten path..As you walk in a extremely large horse dog runs toward you with tail wagging,jumps up on you and looks you in the eye as he/she gives you a big welcome kiss.
Ask "bubba" where do you keep your N Scale track?
Over yonder he points as he watches a 14" TV..
Huh,"Bubba" this track as 3 different price tags..Which is the correct price?
Again without looking up"whatever's on it".I don't charge new prices for my old stock..
Ok "Bubba" I ready to check out..
With a deep sign he leaves the TV and rings up the sale with a low mumble "Thanks!" as he trodes back to the TV..
In your car you realize your purchases smells like dog pooh--no wait! That's your shoe.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Illinois Central,
I don't know what part of Central Illinois you're in but there is a shop in Peoria, on Sterling Ave. I visit every year or every other year when I get to town. Prices are usually close to retail but I always found them to be freindly and helpful, they seemed to be well stocked and they have a discount bin too. Nice wide aisles and the store is clean. Even though I am close to 800 miles away now I think I have purchased several items on each trip and talked Rock Island history with the folks there.
I'm fortunate I have a decent choice of shops here in central North Carolina. Some do better than others in each of the mentioned areas but I have never encountered anyone rude like you mentioned, they can't continue long like that.
Hope you find a shop closer than 250 miles,
Modeling in N scale: Rock Island freight and passenger, with a touch of the following; Wabash Cannon Ball, CB&Q passenger, and ATSF freight and passenger. I played in Peoria (Heights).
Scott said:
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Actually the few on line hobby shops owners/employees I have talk to by phone seem to be nicer then the owners/employees of some of the hobby shops I been in...
The hobby shop that i go to is quite nice. They are all profesional (not much n scale buildings) and very,very friendly. But thats not to say i have not been to others. One hobby shop seems never seems to get new invintory. All go in after 5 months, nothing new. I have also been to hobby shops who will not even talk to you. But most of all, i did not like the store that opened at 12 and closed at 3. But thats not to say we dont have favorites. One hobby shop in particular, was the best. The Guy who owned it was always around, knew your name when you walked in, a little messy but you knew where to find things. Always had good prices, great selection, and if he did not have it, he would order it free for you. It's sad to say but that place closed down about a year ago. We need more hobby shops like that.
Scott, the best hobby shop ever was Bobby Halls in Dallas. This lady new trains, she even helped design brass engines. This place was small, the lighting could have been better. The shelves were packed and she even gave away free little kit vehicles w/purchase i got a few 1940 ford coupe kits still unbuilt. She isn't with us anymore but she was a great lady/shop owner.
grinstuff Scott, the best hobby shop ever was Bobby Halls in Dallas. This lady new trains, she even helped design brass engines. This place was small, the lighting could have been better. The shelves were packed and she even gave away free little kit vehicles w/purchase i got a few 1940 ford coupe kits still unbuilt. She isn't with us anymore but she was a great lady/shop owner.
That place was great! I only visited once, but it was because I was in Dallas and made a special pilgrimage.
Bobbye was there, and she was as much of a pistol as described.
Hi!
I lived just outside Dallas from 77 to 80 and made a few visits to Bobbye Hall's. Yes, the store was a bit dark, cramped, and stuffed to the brim with trains. Ms. Hall was there, although I was always waited on by a staff member. They knew their trains, and you could even get a cup of coffee there too.
I recall picking up several Ulrich & Silver Streak kits, and drooling over the ATSF brass imports - which I sure could not afford.
You know, the common theme in all these posts is really about the people behind the counter. Price and other factors are certainly important, but a customer's interface with the clerk and/or owner can and will have lasting effects.
ENJOY,
I have one that drives me crazy!! This the one that gets "trade-ins" or estate merchandise, still in their original boxes, and tries to pass it off as "new" (not used) product. I have been in a hobby shop that routinely does this - the owner just puts the second hand items into the shelfs mixed up among the new (never owned) merchandise. I have learned that you always have to take an extra close look when you by stuff there.
I was in what could be classified somewhat as a "grinch" store near Atlanta last year. The store was great, but the one fella that worked there looked like he wanted to murder customers. I tried being pleasant to him, but he was not having any of it. The store had about 27 different places where the GA state shoplifting law was posted as well. It was kind of hard for me to want to browse around like I would have liked to purely from the atmosphere alone. Oh well, it ended up costing them some of my money in the end.
hahah this thread is great.
its funny because theres one that is both sloppy hobby AND grinch. The dude is a straight dick. His "store" is cardboard boxes filled with hornhooked trainset rolling stock, rubber-banded brass flextrack, and the 1987 Walthers catalog. He does have a test track though! He mostly goes to train shows to sell his stuff... but its just funny.
However, I must be blessed with probably THE best hobby store in the country, and I dare anyone to challenge me with this: JP's Trains and Hobbies (i think thats the name... i just call it JP's).
This guy is awesome... first off, he has pretty much everything. He's basically a brick and mortar Walthers catalog, lol. You've got shelves and shelves of rolling stock, like... 5 or 6 huge paint racks, then the WALLS of WS stuff (he stocks their ENTIRE product line), pretty much every kit manufacturer you could want, from Branchline/BTS wood kits to metal Suydams to Walthers, Campbells, and Bar Mills, the 20ft long engine display case, not to mention the filing cabinets for Details West, Detail Associates, Cal-Scale, Precision Scale, A-Line, Athearn, Kato, Atlas, and... other detail parts (each brand has its own full drawer). yes, you read that right. oh, and Kadee's entire product line. you want 28, 33, and 36" wheels with ribbed backs? without ribbed backs? he's got you.
Okay, so THEN he wants you to have a cup of coffee or a soda while you're there. Because you should enjoy your hobby-shopping experience. And he's the nicest dude, and has goofball staff. He stocks Micro Engineering flextrack and spikes, and pretty much every type of model tool you could want. He's got some RC airplane stuff too.
all this in a HOUSE. i think it was his friend's house, because in the 'house' part of the house, theres an estate sale going on for all of his friend's train stuff. That dude collected EVERYTHING!!!! That, and theres 20% off of all the estate sale stuff. Thats how I was able to score me the sold-out, out-of-production BTS Cabin Creek Coal Co. kit in HO for only $200, hehe.
okay, AND he gives you 10% off your whole purchase. I don't know why, he just does. and he most certainly isn't charging msrp to begin with. Like, the WS ballast shakers are only like $9.
see, I win. hehe.
Latham, NY, about 10-15 minutes from the RPI layout, about 10-15 minutes outside downtown Albany, about 25 minutes from my house. if anything, the only drawback would be that he isn't open on Monday or Tuesday. but I can most certainly live with that.
Kinda not what the OP asked for but since we are either complaining or bragging about our LHS I'll jump in and say, I feel lucky as I have two Hobby shops in nearby Springfield that are pretty good. One is a Rolling stock type. It has a bunch of cars and a pretty fair selection of accecories but not a whole lot. plus R/C and model cars etc. The other is what was listed as a professional shop. OK Deadhead, you listening? Called Castle Trains. Has almost anything you want. Locos, Rollingstock, structures, scratch building supplies Railroad paints. on and on. And a real good order turn around time.And real nice helpful people. This place is packed so you can shop for days and not find it all. And they are expanding. For a minute I thought you were describing this place because it too is in his basement, a walkout type. And , ooh, ooh, and they both are discount shops at around 20% off list.
I think you would win in a showdown Deadhead, I gotta admit. But not by much!
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
The old M. B. Kleins on Gay street fit into a couple of these categories. There was stuff all over the place, bins full of cheap Tyco stuff, hundreds of engines on display, brass, new relaeses, everything. The place was almost always crowded on Saturdays and you could actually look at stuff (when you weren't in some ones way as they tried to get through). I never left that place without spending money. They had it all, there was even sort of an "old time aroma" in the store if you know what I mean. Not a bad smell, just old I guess. Boy do I miss going in there.
Jim
TMarsh Kinda not what the OP asked for but since we are either complaining or bragging about our LHS I'll jump in and say, I feel lucky as I have two Hobby shops in nearby Springfield that are pretty good. One is a Rolling stock type. It has a bunch of cars and a pretty fair selection of accecories but not a whole lot. plus R/C and model cars etc. The other is what was listed as a professional shop. OK Deadhead, you listening? Called Castle Trains. Has almost anything you want. Locos, Rollingstock, structures, scratch building supplies Railroad paints. on and on. And a real good order turn around time.And real nice helpful people. This place is packed so you can shop for days and not find it all. And they are expanding. For a minute I thought you were describing this place because it too is in his basement, a walkout type. And , ooh, ooh, and they both are discount shops at around 20% off list. I think you would win in a showdown Deadhead, I gotta admit. But not by much! Todd
oh yeah i totally forgot to mention the scratchbuilding stuff... he's got a huge thing of Midwest balsa and basswood sheets and scale lumber. and this other thing with all sorts of brass tubing and other shapes, and like brass bridge things, with the zig-zag diagonal things. and all manners of glues and solvents and thinners. brushes, weathering supplies, decal stuff, airbrush supplies, maddd books and magazines.
he's a discount store, i dont know what the % off msrp it, but what I was meaning is that in addition to being cheaper than msrp, he gives you 10% off your whole sale on top. i dont know the reason, he just does lol.
empty netI have one that drives me crazy!! This the one that gets "trade-ins" or estate merchandise, still in their original boxes, and tries to pass it off as "new" (not used) product. I have been in a hobby shop that routinely does this - the owner just puts the second hand items into the shelfs mixed up among the new (never owned) merchandise. I have learned that you always have to take an extra close look when you by stuff there.
Left Coast RailOn the other hand, there are some shops that carry consignment and estate sale items that are well worth the time and effort. Often times I've seen some pretty good deals on stuff that might have a layer of dust or in need of a tune up after spending several years in some collector's display case. You're right though the shop needs to clearly identify these items as previously owned.
Indeed..A lot of my HO was bought used or returned locomotives that I bought at dealer cost and took the 5 minutes to fix 'em..I had a Athearn NS SD45 that wasn't running "right" and the only thing I found "wrong" was the motor was lose--I am sure this was done in order to return the locomotive with a legal excuse.I made $20.00 profit when I sold it...
I go to Woodstock a fair bit for work and visit my sister who still lives there---In Woodstock there is a place called Oxford Miniatures that is A) small, B) is run by a guy who has a layout right by the front window, C) is just jammed with train stuff up the wahzoo---even used. If he doesn't have it he'll order it in---it comes fairly quickly too. And there are deals---
Another place here in London is Broughdale Hobbies. A bigger example of the first and again--deals everywhere. Doug's Trains is yet another one----Hah!!