[edited by selector]
I'm really tired and frustrated about reading of the so many hobby shops going south. A hobby shop should be run and marketed like any other business, not by some kabob who is a modeler with nary a clue on how to run and promote a business. ( The recent thread about Peach Creek Shops is an exception, as Glaab knows how to run a business and did so rather well)
Here is an unbelieveable fact....for over 20 years I have been offering free space to any hobby shop who would set up at our shows just to market their store. This would mean having it staffed by attractive and informative folks, good signage, maps on how to find store, fliers, information on specials including clinics, and much more. No hobby shop to date has ever taken this offer. This also applies to the NMRA as we offered them free space. We have as many folks in a weekend who would see their display as they would get in a year of walk-in traffic, but still no takers. When I had my shop during the mid 70's, and if this offer were made to me. not only would I have taken the promoter's deal, but I would have made him dinner, tucked him in bed, and then made him breakfast in bed.
Many of the problems are obvious, but can be overcome with business accumen. MY IDEA OF A DREAM STORE IS......... First, the property should be owned, not rented! Understanding of the terms..."wholesale", "very wholesale", and extremely wholesale". It is not about what the item can be sold for (that is easy) . It is all about what the item can be bought for. Then make your displays attractive and unique. If you do not have new items, then constantly rearrange store for a "new look" each week. Have attractive and knowledgable sales folks. Understand what the term "follow-up" and customer service" means. Buy and sell as many used trains as there is room for and advertise this as a specialty. Have a "what's new table" and then a "close out" table or tables. Offer free clinics. Advertise by articles on the hobby and how it relates to your store...or better put....public relations.
Of course a really good web site that is constantly updated combined with efficient mail order is mandatory. Do attend the good shows, but as mentioned, market your store. as the primary function. Sure, sales at these shows would help and be a plus. Find unique merchandise way beyond what your local distributor carries. Remember this distibutor is also selling this same stuff to your competitors and probably for the same price. Have built up displays and if room allows, a great operating railroad. People must be inspired!!! Have a location where there is walk-in traffic. My shop was in a strip mall and a good percentage of my customers were "walk-ins". The goal was to have them again walk-in. Some may ask why I gave it up within two years....Simple: I had an offer that payed me six times what I was making from the store and a buyer in the same week. Would I I have done this today? Probably not, as I enjoyed the store a lot more than again, working for someone else.
This can go on and on as this is not a course in hobby shop management 101 and I'm not qualified to teach it. I only know that the hobby is far from going the same direction as the so many shops that have recently closed. The net combined with eBay is capturing the lion's share of the available model railroad dollars today, but these venues are used by folks who know what they want and are looking for cheap prices. There is much more!
AND THEN.....SUPPORT YOU LHS, OR DON'T COMPLAIN WHEN IT CLOSES!!!!!!
HZ
Howard,
I agree, I am always reading on this forum and others about, " I got this on line" and I got that on E-bay, and then it seems like the same people are complaining about another LHS bites the dust.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP
Sam
As a one time LHS employee (previous location many years ago) I very much agree with these sentiments but I'd like to offer the following:
Selection draws people, not just price, I'm willing to pay extra for what I can buy locally, but less willing to mail-order though I have.
Also, have staff that are capable of repairing numerous brands of model train equipment for reasonable fees.
Alvie
Howard, are you interested in investing, I would be interested in managing. I have the experiance.
Sheldon
Howard,Allow me to repeat myself..
When we hear about another hobby shop closed we are never given the reason!
There is a lot of unknowns behind a reported closing was it illness? was it part of a divorce settlement? Did the owner retire? Lose the lease? Is the neighborhood a DMZ? Was it old stock at or above MSRP? Was the owner Mr.Grumpy and hard to deal with? Was it poor customer service? Was it one lie to many?
Gotta be a true reason behind every closing but,many prefers the old "doom and gloom" side without asking this simple question..
Why did it close?.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I agree , SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP. Yes I do get some stuff from the internet, but probably 90% i get from Roys. I have been going there over 25 years , they know me by name, they treat me good and will gab for way to long some times. Kinda like Floyds Barber Shop.
Model railroad hobby shops that I am impressed with. My nominations:
Caboose Hobbies, Denver, Co
Bruces, Sacramento, Ca (inspite of a lack of parking for me)
Des Plaines Hobby, Des Plaines, Il
Mile Post 38, Anaheim, Ca
I drive a truck for a living so I tend to get around. The hard thing for me is finding someplace to park. Train shows are usually easy as the halls usually have a loading dock for trade shows
Thx IGN
PS. I live in SW Arkansas and the nearest hobby shops are 90-100 miles away. In Maplevale(Little Rock), Ar and Shreveport, La(havn't been down to that one couldn't find parking) and the Dallas - Ft Worth area.
I'm still working my way thru the hobby shops as I have time in the DFW area.
Rgds IGN
I agree , SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP.
I would if they had what I was looking for in-stock, or at least made the attempt. I would like to help support the local economy vs. out-of-state economy.
I am in the process of upgrading to DCC. After countless hours of research, I decided to pursue a Zephyr Xtra for my command station and Soundtraxx for my decoders. The closest hobby shop to me is a 90 minute drive and he is an authorized Digitrax and Soundtraxx dealer.
I called and inquired if he had the items I was looking for in-stock; plus I asked if he had a Zephyr Xtra set up so I could touch, feel and experience it before investing the money. I don't have a problem with driving 90 miles or paying a little more than internet prices, but when I get the response "I don't have any of that in-stock, I'll have to order it and it'll cost you MSRP", I might as well order it myself and have it delivered to my door, for less (including shipping).
It wasn't like I was asking for anything unusual, especially since he is listed on each manufacturer's web site as an authorized dealer. I would support my LHS; but on the other hand, they also need to support us. The tracks run both ways.
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
As with any Hobby Shop the owner/operator must cater to a number of shoppers. But as a train shop they only have one buyer in mind. So what we might think of as a good hobby shop, might be bad for RC or model car/plane builders.
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
My Train Page My Photobucket Page My YouTube Channel
Johnnny_reb As with any Hobby Shop the owner/operator must cater to a number of shoppers. But as a train shop they only have one buyer in mind. So what we might think of as a good hobby shop, might be bad for RC or model car/plane builders.
Who cares? They have dedicated hobby shops of their own, like Sheldon's in San Jose, CA: http://www.sheldonshobbies.com/
Or Helicopter World http://www.heli-world.com/ , also in San Jose.
Aw what the heck? I have no sympathy for those complaining there aren't enough RC hobby shops.
Let them eat batteries.
http://tinyurl.com/3ftn6dp
Andre
BRAKIE Howard,Allow me to repeat myself.. When we hear about another hobby shop closed we are never given the reason! There is a lot of unknowns behind a reported closing was it illness? was it part of a divorce settlement? Did the owner retire? Lose the lease? Is the neighborhood a DMZ? Was it old stock at or above MSRP? Was the owner Mr.Grumpy and hard to deal with? Was it poor customer service? Was it one lie to many? Gotta be a true reason behind every closing but,many prefers the old "doom and gloom" side without asking this simple question.. Why did it close?.
Very true Brakie. One of my favorite hobby shops closed when the owners wife developed cancer. Cancer will rearrange the things in life that are impotant to a person. I was sad to see my favorite LOHS close but understood. We got lucky another one opened in its place.And the owner is great.
As I've progressed in the hobby and as each phase of layout construction moves to completion, I've found that my needs get more and more specialized. While I still enjoy browsing in any train shop, most of the things I buy are now are special orders. By making this an easy process, my LHS (Maine Trains in Chelmsford, MA) saves me money on shipping, lets me order single, small items, and keeps my business. When I go in to pick up my orders, I notice a whole shelf in the back of the shop with special orders, all marked with the buyer's name for easy retrieval.
A small shop can't stock everything. But, if they make it known that they can get everything, they will keep the more discriminating customers coming back for mroe.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.