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Hobby Shop Terror.

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  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Ozark Mountains
  • 1,167 posts
Posted by dragenrider on Thursday, November 18, 2004 7:11 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chutton01

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragenrider

It was all I could do to keep from blurting out that he needed to take three steps--
1) Sell something people want! Not old rejected crap leftovers! If it didn't sell up north, it sure won't sell down here in the poor south!
2) Unpack your boxes! If I can't see it, I can't buy it!
3) If you serious about your shop, get it out of this tiny village's forgotten downtown and on the side of a highway or major road! That or advertise!


So, why didn't you. Yes, usually butting into other's people business is a really bad idea, but in this case you could offer you advice (perhaps wording #1 differently, like have a giant remaindered-table sale of the old stuff) and see if he wants to listen or not.


I get the feeling that he wouldn't listen and all I would do is hurt his feelings. I respect my elders, so the last thing I want to do I condemn something they evidently love-even if they are doing it poorly. Plus, I'm not known for tact or diplomacy, which would just have made things worse. [:(] If I go back, I may give it a shot, though.

The Cedar Branch & Western--The Hillbilly Line!

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • 22 posts
Posted by bawbyk on Thursday, November 18, 2004 7:24 PM
What I can't figure out is why you made the purchase and then decided not to go back their again.....

I would have left what I had on the counter and walked out.

Big or small, all purchases should be the same to a retailer -- they can't tell what you are going to spend until you finish looking.

Reminds me onf the time I went into a 'Future Shop' (Canadian version of Best Buy) -- one of the sales staff approached me and I told him I was looking for a mouse for a PC and a mouse pad. He didn't lose interest in me -- and he didn't realize until he finished with me that I was going to leave the store with over $3000 in goods. A good commission on his part from what started out to look not too promising...
Needless to say I want back there many times...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 18, 2004 7:46 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Welcome to the wonderful world of capitalism. Basically, the guy was spending more time and effort on someone who could drop $1000, rather than on someone who was spending $50? How does THAT surprise you? I'd do the same thing, and so would you if you were a retailer. It's called staying in business.

Orsonroy and I usually don't disagree on much, however, his statement here is what I feel is one of the larger problems with the US today! If this is how businesses will be run in America, America's time as the world leader in business, is over! If a business is run well, it can't afford a single disappointed or unhappy customer, as business stays business as long as there are happy customers. Eventually, we all may walk into a store with $1,000.00 to spend! If I haven't been treated well with $25.00 in my pocket in the past, why would I put up with ill treatment with $1,000.00?
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 4,115 posts
Posted by tatans on Thursday, November 18, 2004 9:37 PM
Originally posted by orsonroy

Welcome to the wonderful world of capitalism. Basically, the guy was spending more time and effort on someone who could drop $1000, rather than on someone who was spending $50? How does THAT surprise you? I'd do the same thing, and so would you if you were a retailer. It's called staying in business.

Try this: spend $100 a week at the store for a few months, and then see if the help's attitude improves. Guess what; it will. You're actually a preferred customer now.
...........................................................................................................................................................
A $100 a week?? A $100 aweek?? who in the real world could possibly afford $100 a week on a hobby, or anything else, I hope this is a joke. I refuse to lower myself to the same level as these money-grubbing weasels, it sort of the same as buying your friends. and I would NOT do the same as a retailer.
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northern Indiana
  • 1,000 posts
Posted by PennsyHoosier on Thursday, November 18, 2004 9:47 PM
The basic point is this: PEOPLE ARE POLICY. If a LHS has people who are interested in helping their clientele, then, all things being equal, they will do well. If they have a bunch of drips working for them, not even good prices will get them out of the hole they dig for themselves.

I can't remember if I said PEOPLE ARE POLICY! [:D]
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 19, 2004 7:02 PM
The other thing is, in reality the vast majority of us hobbiests walk into the LHS with $10-$50 bucks to spend on any given day. This is the bread and butter of the LHS, if they don't realize this, they won't be around long!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: SINGAPORE
  • 246 posts
Posted by ATSFCLIFF on Saturday, November 20, 2004 2:22 AM
The salespersons in the LHS's in Singapore used to be aloof, unhelpful & arrogant. This take-it or leave-it attitude changed slightly with the recession and an about turn with the coming of internet on-line shops and mail orders. It is too late now,for most of the regulars and would be buyers have gone. I have stopped purchasing from them.They are the losers now.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Saturday, November 20, 2004 3:04 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Originally posted by orsonroy

Welcome to the wonderful world of capitalism. Basically, the guy was spending more time and effort on someone who could drop $1000, rather than on someone who was spending $50? How does THAT surprise you? I'd do the same thing, and so would you if you were a retailer. It's called staying in business.

Try this: spend $100 a week at the store for a few months, and then see if the help's attitude improves. Guess what; it will. You're actually a preferred customer now.
...........................................................................................................................................................
A $100 a week?? A $100 aweek?? who in the real world could possibly afford $100 a week on a hobby, or anything else, I hope this is a joke. I refuse to lower myself to the same level as these money-grubbing weasels, it sort of the same as buying your friends. and I would NOT do the same as a retailer.


I'm not a $100 per week customer but I'm a perferred customer because I have made some big purchases. I get a 10% discount but I don't get preferred treatment as I am no better and no worse then the next person I wait my turn. If I did get better treatment I'd be embarassed. If I had been treated like you I'd be infuriated and on a good day they would have heard it

LOUD and CLEAR
that or walked out and left the stuff behind giving them one of my wife's death stares! And believe me you know when you've screwed up!

If they have an e-mail address send them this thread but in order to make it effective you'd have to tell us their name.

Regards
Fergie

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

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