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.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
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
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
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!!
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...
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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...
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
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.Â
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.Â
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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 said:
-------------------------
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...
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,
Bob
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).
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.
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!!!
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
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
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----
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.