I have two LHS's fairly within half an hour of my house (although one is right across the street from where I work). I'll put both of them in another category: The "Easy Way Out" hobby shop. Both carry an extensive selection of locos and rolling stock from Bachmann, Atlas, Athern, and Model Power, and plastic model kits from the same manufacturers (although you find the occasional Walthers Gold Ribbon kit thrown in). Scenic materials are limited to Lifelike, WS, and Scenemaster (Bachmann), as are firgures / vehicles (with some Model Power thrown in), and carry N, HO, and O scales. They also have good (but not extensive) selections of paints (mostly geared toward military or racing colors) and scratch building supplies. Both stores are clean, well lit, and organized, and the staff is knowledgable about the products they actually carry.
I guess that's a pretty good compromise. I wouldn't rave about them, but they're competent and professional as long as you don't want something special. The two things that kill me most are the paints (sure, we've got lots of enamels, but here's our tiny little selection of acrylics), and the "We can order anything in the Walthers Catalog for you." Yes, I know. So can I. And it comes right to my door.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
mobilman44 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
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
I know of this shop, as well. It is also a cash/check only shop; or at least it was the last time I was in there. While I would love to pay cash for all of my purchases; sometimes I have to resort to the credit card in order to get one or two of the latest hot HO DCC/Sound equipped engines.
There is also an inconsistent discount policy.
Dittos on the check out time, as well.
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.
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.
I lived in the Dallas area from 1984 through 1991; I tried to get to Hall's as often as possible. Ms. Hall was a saint. The first time I went into the store, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. In the later years, the local neighborhood really deteriorated; it was common to see prostitutes and drug deals in close proximity to her store.
The selection and service at Halls was always top notch. I was lucky enough to have a friend who was one of her custom painters. Through him, I got to know most of the staff. I always enjoyed a trips to Halls; and I always spent $$ when I went there.
Halls business was impacted when Discount Model Hobbies opened in Addison. They brought discount pricing to Dallas. Their first shop was located in two bays of a four bay limousine service garage; the walls were literally chicken wire stapled to 2x4's. They had as much inventory as they could cram onto commercial shelving units. But everything was 20% off retail; and they did land office business. Since then, ownership has changed, as has their location (several times), but they still have one of the best combinations of inventory and discount pricing in Texas.
rekleinOne 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.
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.
CTValleyRR "We can order anything in the Walthers Catalog for you." Yes, I know. So can I. And it comes right to my door.
"We can order anything in the Walthers Catalog for you." Yes, I know. So can I. And it comes right to my door.
Guaranteed to get me to leave the store. If I'm at the store, I want it NOW. If I'm willing to wait, I'll order it myself. (The whole "I can get it for you" philosophy is a remnant of the pre-internet age.)
How about:
The Average hobby shop: This shop is run by someone who knows aobut the hobby, and is nice and outgoing. However, the shop caters to other hobbies as well (IE, RC planes, cars, model car kits, etc.), but has a decent supply of model railroading items as well. Not too many detail parts or locos, but good supply of scenery stuff, track, freight cars, etc.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Interesting comments, indeed! Being a one time hobby shop owner in Maryland (1973-1975), I can easily say that I loved listening to customers comments and acted on many. Of course, there were the buttheads, but they were expected and I was usually prepared for their negative comments. I would venture a guess that most proprietors would welcome constructive thoughts.
Owning and running a train store is not a get rich endeavor. It is quite the opposite and requires dedication. When these shops finally disappear, I would hate to venture a guess on the future of model railroading. I hear everyday...."eBay" and on line buying. I particiapate in this also, as on-line buying offers 24 hour service with just one or two clicks with my rat. I have heard many say that they drive for hours to visit a shop and not find what they are searching for. My answer to this is ...simply call ahead.
I have said this before to many...on line buying is great, but it is mainly for folks who are looking and shopping for a particular item. We need the shops and of course the shows to present this hobby in the flesh to newbies.
Point.....Try working with your LHS. Some proprietors may surprise you and actually listen to constructive ideas.
Many have asked me why only two years with my shop? Simple! I loved it, the business, and the people, but when you are offered a position that will pay you five times what you are drawing from the store and on the same day a fellow offers to buy the business....My choice was rather simple.
HZ
Many years ago, MR did an article titled something like "So you want to own a hobby shop!" It was really an eyeopener from various points of view other than the customer. Some of the points I recall are:
- The owner is an avid HO modeler and refuses to cater to other scales - or won't handle "trainsets" or Thomas the Tank type stuff that folks with young children and/or newbies would want.
- Dealing with theft - both customer and employee.
- The customer that wants to drain your brain over this, that, and the other (which he purchased mail order), and then spends little or nothing in your store.
- Having the store be a meeting place for the retired and unemployed.
- Having irresponsible parents let their kids tear up your stock, or for that matter having adults open packaged items without permission.
- The customer that goes on and on about how much cheaper stuff is via mail order, and of course buys nothing.
- Etc., etc., etc.
Having my parents own a grocery store from 1948 to 1958 in Chicago, I can sure identify with the above.
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Well I am another Kokomo Indiana person, live there, I primarly shop at the Train Exchange, I know the owner personaly and he plans to move to a larger shop in the near future as they are totaly out of space in thier current building. The other shop in town will remain nameless, but its one that the everything is full MSRP or more, owner constantly complains how ebay, train shows, online retailers and the other shop in town are ruining his life. I might pick up a magazine there or a tube of walthers goo if I am in dire need. Indianapolis isnt to far away, my wife and I go there atleast once a month, Then I stop at Watts Train Shop in Zionsville, anything you need G scale and my local source for Marklin HO trains, Big Four Hobbies out in Plainfield. I love the Train Exchange as its like a big family amoung all the modelers that frequent the store. We gather on friday night, guys bring thier wives, cookies and sometimes even pizzas show up. The prices are great, and if he doesnt have it, he can get it. He carries a nice selection of HO and N scale buildings, The newest from Athearn, Roundhouse, P2K, Williams and even a bit of G scale. The train shops that have lost or never had the "customer service" aspect to thier shops will not survive, neither will the ones that dont advertise or sell online as well as their retail store. The one I frequent the most does all three, He has the retail shop, website and sets up a booth at select train shows. Cheers Mike and Michele T
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
Whoa! After reading a lot of these posts, I can't tell you how absolutely LUCKY I feel out here in the wilds of Sacramento. We've got two PROFESSIONAL hobby shops here--Bruce's Trains in Sacramento and Railroad Hobbies in nearby Roseville. Both are relatively large stores, well stocked, and a crew of employees who definitely know their stuff--and are really well versed in that seemingly lost art of Customer Service.
Of course, both shops pretty much service all of Northern California, which has a whole slew of model railroaders between here and the Oregon border. They carry a good stock of locos, rolling stock, and lots of the needed accessories, including a lot of detail and scratch-building parts. Both shops tend to focus on 'western' railroading, with a lot of SP, WP, UP, ATSF, but that doesn't mean that you can't find other locos or rolling stock for other roads. Both stores sell at less than MSRP, and both stores are very happy to test-run that loco you're interested in. And if you have a problem with a balky locomotive, Bruce has a repair service "The Train Doctor" in-house, who does good work, while Mike, the owner over at Roseville Hobbies does good repair work himself.
And of course, what sets my little mind a-droolin' is that both stores usually have a nice selection of Consignment and sometimes new Brass at really reasonable prices. In fact, a year and a half ago I walked into Roseville Hobbies and stopped cold at the brass display case, because there was the locomotive of my dreams, a brand-spanking-new PSC Rio Grande 2-10-2. Mike came over, grinned. I looked at him and said, "When did you get THIS?" He blinked and said, "Oh man, you mean I forgot to PHONE you?" (both shops know that I am a rabid Rio Grande steam-freak). I walked out with it. He even gave me more than the usual discount (but don't tell anyone !)
For my money, you couldn't do better than these two shops. We're really fortunate in this area.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
- Luddite Hobbies: This place is usually run by somebody who still thinks it's the 1930s. Often times they are The Grinch's Hobby Shop too. They refuse to take checks or credit cards and still think "we can order anything out of the Walther's catalog" is a major selling point. DCC? Sound? Nevah hoid of it.
-The Fanboy's Hobby Shop: Very well stocked and a veritable treasure trove of modelling, assuming you model in the same scale, era, and or roadname the proprietor does.
-Tumbleweed Hobbies: The shop that's never in the same location twice.
There is a shop here in Milwaukee where the floors evidently do double duty as the cat's litter box. I take a deep breath, run in (fortunately the owner is always in a sour mood so there is no need for chit chat at the counter), try to find the item on the shelves (or on the floor which is often jammed with stuff), try not to step on any inventory, make my purchase (no discounts because that "interferes with my inventory control") and leave, and only then breath normally. I own a cat but this place is awful.
Why do I go there? Because I can find stuff that has been out of production for years.
Dave Nelson
This is why some people are purchasing from Walthers online or eBay. No nasty high handed people to deal with. I do have to say- living near Baltimore gives me at least two excellent train shops to work with.
I have to laugh- some were referring with scorn to lower end products like Athearn etc. - for some of us that cannot spend a zillion dollars on a hobby, these lower priced alternatives are "where we live".
Mike Habersack http://rail. habersack. com
Maryland - the land of pleasant living...
There is also the phantom hobby shop. This is the shop that went out of business a few years ago. It was the only hobby shop within two hours of you. Now whenever you need something small, that costs more to ship then to buy, you are haunted by the spirit of the phantom hobby shop!
Can you tell that there is no hobby shop in my town?
Having spent some time in retail myself (though NOT in hobbies, but Music & Movies and general merchandise), I can appreciate some of the things that HZ said above. Outside of that rare case of someone who is independently wealthy and runs a train shop out of love of the hobby, hobby shop owners are trying to eke out a living just like the rest of us, and they have to make enough in sales to cover their rent (unless they own the building), utilities, advertising, insurance, and employees, just to hit the big ones. Granted, there are other rewards. but its a rare person who can stay at a job at which they don't make a living.
This said, stocking policy and inventory management and accounting are subjects about which entire graduate level courses are taught. I'll try to post a few general observations here without getting into too much detail -- yes, I know it's a complicated subject. Try not to nit-pick.
First of all, in order to make money, a store has to actually sell things. It sounds obvious, but it precludes a store stocking all kinds of specialty merchandise unless they have enough fast movers to cover the slow stuff. This is why most LHS's are "Toy and Hobby", and carry stuff like Thomas the Tank engine and Playmobil as well as model trains. Profit margin (how much profit you earn on each unit sold) is also a factor, and the reason a lot of people (especially the "old fashioned" types who don't use computers and sophisticated accounting programs) don't offer discounts. Most of us have heard of LIFO and FIFO inventory systems, but what about FISH (First In, Still Here)? There's a lot of it out there. Once you've depreciated the inventory value to zero, you have nothing more to gain by holding it, and it's just taking up shelf space (and maybe lowering the customers opinion of your store). Well-managed retailers recognize this and will do just about anything (2 for 1, deep discount, etc.) to get rid of it.
So, presuming that your LHS owner really is trying to make a living, he's going to weigh any suggestion you make against this formula (modified by his own circumstances). If he hears enough requests for an item, he may conclude that it would be worth stocking. Special orders are a guaranteed sale, however, and will usually be taken, but that's a vanishing business now that virtually everyone has access to the Internet.
Customer base is important, too. Large metropolitan areas can support a more specialized store than rural areas.
But the bottom line is that you're going to get some of all kinds in the business. But HZ is right in that we often need to look at it from the shop owner's perspective.
Left Coast RailDoes anyone have any information on the place in Washington mentioned above? Someone else told me about it a while back but I can't find it when I do a Google search.
PF&S Ry. Supply
566 S. Ione Rd., Pasco, WA
509-266-4384
Here they are on the map, about 10-15 miles north of Pasco, WA
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=Ione+Rd&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRvvwwIdvxzn-A&mra=ls&sll=46.392322,-119.065361&sspn=0.0214,0.038452&ie=UTF8&ll=46.394897,-119.071026&spn=0.085597,0.153809&z=13
I've been to some of those, but not to the Never Open Hobby Shop... Every time I go past they're closed!
I can't really put a name to them, but there's the hobby shop that sets up at the local mall during "hobby weekend" & deal with all sorts of non-hobby type people
The problem is, they assume EVERYONE is like that. What I'm getting at is about 20 years ago, the above occurred at a local mall here. A buddy of mine & I went over to check things out. A month or so before, he had asked me a question about an old '50's era Lionel loco. Although I'm not a Lionel fan or collector, I -did- know what he was talking about, as I had come across what he was asking about in a Lionel book that was at one time a part of the collection at the library where I work.
One booth had mostly railroad books, & had the very same book. I picked it up to show him what I had been telling him about, & suddenly the female owner of the booth said very sternly, "If you're not buying, DON'T TOUCH!!!" Her attitude peeved me extremely, treating us like "mall kids", even though at the time we were in our early 20's (& had clean hands!) But I said nothing, & put the book back. But buddy went ballistic on her for several minutes! The gist of it was, "How are we supposed to know what we want if we can't look at it or touch it, etc, etc!!!" & he ended his tirade with, pointing at me, "& let me tell you something else..that guy right there knows more about trains then you've ever known or ever will!" The lady was absolutely speechless. We left (I was hoping his loud rant wouldn't attract security, fortunately it didn't) But doggone it, I agreed with him 100%!!!
I never had no use for that type of proprietor. Some years later, I was reminded of the above incident when a commercial for the Yellow Pages was on TV. It was a toy store with tons of toys, but no customers. When a representative of the Yellow Pages came in to ask why he didn't use the YP, his response was, "Well, if I did, I'd get customers....& they'd come in &...touch...my toys...I don't LIKE...people coming in & touching my toys."
SRen The Professional Hobby Shop: This place is clean and well lit, the staff is knowlegeable and friendly, and the inventory is first rate! Not only do they have everything you need to get started in the hobby but they also have a wide selection of detail parts, scratch building supplies, structures, ...just about anything you could possibly need. These establishments are first class but rare. No Trains Hobby Shop: This place has automobile kits, RC kits, Military Kits, Airplane Kits, Ships galore but nothing for model railroaders! Rolling Stock Only Shop: The place is full of rolling stock and engines, you need a car lettered for an obscure short line, this place will have it! To bad they have hardly any track, scenery supplies, structure kits, or all the other things you need to build a model railroad. Sloppy Hobby: Poorly lit, dust all over the inventory, clutter everywhere, buckets in the aisles to collect rain water dripping through the ceiling, these shops would be great if they were not public health hazards. The Grinch's Hobby Shop: This establishment is run by a guy who hates people, especially children who are not allowed in his shop period! He hates customers who ask questions and don't you dare ask to test run a locomotive before purchasing it! This establishment does most of its business by internet and mail order. The Never Open Hobby Shop: This place may be located in a strip mall surrounded by stores with normal business hours but this shop is never found open. It does not matter what time you visit this place, be it 10 o'clock, noon, or 4 in the afternoon it will never be open. Rumor has it this place does most of its business by mail order leaving one to wonder why the proprietor is wasting his money renting retail space. Appointment Only Hobbies: Very similar to the Never Open Hobby Shop, this place is always closed unless you call ahead so the proprietor can open it for you! Flea Market Hobbies: This place has a lot of second hand stuff for sale, to bad most of it is junk! He has boxes of old Tyco rolling stock and bushel baskets of old Lionel tin plate track, all of it at over inflated prices! The Price is High Hobbies: Everything in this place is selling for MSRP, sales are unheard of at this store. The proprietor is still trying to sell his Erlt HO box cars for $30 when the same products are on sale on-line for $10.00. The neat thing about this place is that there are often times hidden treasures on his shelves, looking for that obscure kit that was discontinued 10 years ago? This place may very well have it!
Do you live here in Northeast Wisconsin??? I could tack a name on to each shop you described within a 50 mile radius of me (ignore my screen name as I do N scale as well as 3 rail)
In the past year we had a local OK train store here in New Jersy close up shop. Don't ask me why he seemed to be doing a land office business but hey a sign of the times I guess. So like all model railroaders I go out in search of a new train store.I first find some clown just outside of Red Bank NJ on Rt.35 who is Mr. ebay and has nothing but easy track and doll house junk and a wall full of Lionel stuff. He's one of the guys who under no circumstances give you a refund even if he junk is flawed he gives you store credit only!
So months go by and I finally made the pilgramige up to Dunellen NJ to "The Modle Railroad Shop" Man this place is train hevan. An obviously old shop with the quintesential old guys running the place but nicer more plesant more knowledgeable guys you would be hard pressed to find. Let me tell you this place aint big by no stretch of the imagination but they have it all. I saw out of issue Walthers Kits that I haven't seen in years. The do repairs and installations, they have every book and magazine imaginable and the typical nice clientel that in my opinion is part of the train store experience. You can go in on any given day and swap ideas with guys or find a new way to do something or find an impossible piece that you've been looking for.
I've got an everything under the sun hobby shop right in my own town but I'll drive the hour or so to get to my new train store. Glad to see there are some still out there left for us to go hide from the wife
In all fairness to the hobbyshop owners/employees being chastised here... while I'm sure that none of US would fall into this category, how about the 9 (or more) types of hobby shop customers??!? Having dealth with the public (but not in a hobby shop), I can tell you that some "customers" you are much better off without...
In my 35+ years of visiting hobby shops, I've seen this kind of behavior more than once. Anyone else?
dlm
A friend of mine recently told me about a train shop he visited in the Hagerstown, MD area that charges full list price or more for its merchandise and, get this, charges admission to customers if they want to see his operating layout in his backroom. Admission is $2.50 for adults and $0.50 for kids. Talk about doing everything possible to improve your public relations and encourage the hobby. I told him he could do much better on line than with this guy.
Bob
danmerkel In my 35+ years of visiting hobby shops, I've seen this kind of behavior more than once. Anyone else? dlm
Oh heck yea. Hold up Harry. Stands at the counter bragging to the cashier about all his stuff while you stand ther waiting to get rung up. Constantly gives you a snide look to go away. Finally, pays for his magazine and leaves.
We've got one in Green Bay that I think is very good. They are strictly trains (Z, N, HO, G) and the shop is clean, well lit, and stocked quite well. They typically have things 10-20% off, and in August do customer appreciation days where there are deeper discounts. What I like most about this shop is their service. They are heavy into DCC and will do decoder installations, custom painting, you name it. They also hold free clinics every Saturday afternoon and Tuesday evenings that run the whole gammit (backdrop painting, benchwork, wiring, track laying, structure building, DCC, layout design, etc.) It has been an extremely helpful experience
Scott
sschnablWe've got one in Green Bay that I think is very good. They are strictly trains (Z, N, HO, G) and the shop is clean, well lit, and stocked quite well.
You must mean EHS.
3railguyYou must mean EHS
Yep, that's the one.
Ummm, I wonder if "EHS" would like to leave the frozen north and come down here to north Houston?????
Next to the Phantom Hobby Shop is the Ghost Hobby Shop. It closed years ago (Can't tell when). Could be a long time buyer of a MR ad. Shows up in Atlas, MTL, never updated email lists of hobby shops. Lives on the Internet forever. Eventually becomes a post on the Trains.com Forum. What do you mean that Trost hobby shop closed.
Another type could be the Hobby Shop Museum. Since they never have a sale, don't advertise, they rely on the few modelers in the area to stop by. Old timers that visit the old neighborhood may stop by on vacation. How they stay in business is the owner lives in the upstairs apartment, no rent. The owner's spouse or children may have other jobs. Family run business or pays near minimum wage for youngsters to do most of the heavy work. Bare wood floor, every item behind a glass counter, don't touch. Could just have that rare train set from the 1960's woth big bucks for a collector in the original box.
3railguy danmerkel In my 35+ years of visiting hobby shops, I've seen this kind of behavior more than once. Anyone else? dlm Oh heck yea. Hold up Harry. Stands at the counter bragging to the cashier about all his stuff while you stand ther waiting to get rung up. Constantly gives you a snide look to go away. Finally, pays for his magazine and leaves.
Must be a relation of Line Up Larry--haggles and argues with poor cashier over 14 cents--and walks out after store accumulates 6 people in a line----
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
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