Hobby Shop Terror.

[twhite]

Egad, from nasty salesmen in a hobby shop to fast food--I LOVE these threads! Seriously, Tatans, I'm really sorry about your experience. I say so, because the two LHS' in my area are absolutely terrific about customer service. I've gone in and dropped about two hundred for scenery, and maybe go back the next week because I need a package of metal wheels. I get the same service and attitude from the guys there, no matter what the purchase. A couple of times I've gone in with no particular goal in mind and walked out with nothing, but enjoyed a cool Bull Session in the meantime. But with some of the horror stories I've been hearing lately on this forum, I'm beginning to wonder if Specialty stores (which a hobby shop is) are starting to go the way of the big warehouse services--if you find it, it's because YOU did the looking, not any sales-help. I had the same experience in a music store in San Francisco, not too long ago. If you're not affiliated with San Francisco Opera, they're just not interested in speaking to you. Funny thing, I had over a thousand dollar Purchase Order from my high-school for choral music. Guess who DIDN'T get the business! But as I said, with the horror stories I'm hearing lately, all I can say is that maybe it's time for both my LHS' to go National. Show some of these other Prima Donnas what it's about--REPEAT BUSINESS.
Tom

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

There was a particular hobby shop I used to visit and most of the employees were helpful. However, there was one employee that was pretty rude much of the time. To be honest, customer service is getting harder and harder to find these days. Many retail businesses and banks are loosing their customer focus. Then there is In and Out Burger (If you are not on the west coast - you're missing out). They are very customer service oritented and the food is great!

Would this be the former shop on my side of town?

[PennsyHoosier]

Carl's Junior?????? [:D]

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

Then there is In and Out Burger (If you are not on the west coast - you're missing out). They are very customer service oritented and the food is great!

Their food is okay. I like Rally's and A&W.[dinner]

Your comparing Rally"s to In-n-Out??? HERESY!!! SACRILIGE!!![:(!]

OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!![}:)]



Of course both pail before the Mighty TOMMY'S CHILI BURGER[:0]
[bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

Then there is In and Out Burger (If you are not on the west coast - you're missing out). They are very customer service oritented and the food is great!

Their food is okay. I like Rally's and A&W.[dinner]

[brothaslide]

There was a particular hobby shop I used to visit and most of the employees were helpful. However, there was one employee that was pretty rude much of the time. To be honest, customer service is getting harder and harder to find these days. Many retail businesses and banks are loosing their customer focus. Then there is In and Out Burger (If you are not on the west coast - you're missing out). They are very customer service oritented and the food is great!

[ericsp]

I would certainly call it bad customer service. However, it does not sound terrifing.

[Anonymous]

I am a Peasant. I am allowed to spend a certain amount each month on the hobby. I dont really have troubles in the local stores in my area. I am treated well and it is no problem to go thru everything examining what is recently new to the stock and sometimes choosing what to buy.

There are people who have alot of money come to the store from time to time. They are taken care of the same way I am. To these storekeepers a customer is a customer. A 10 dollar customer is just as good as the 1000 dollar one.

Now what I sometimes see is the loud and demanding jerks come in expecting to be waited on hand and foot and answering questions that reveals trade secrets etc... that wont work here in Arkansas.

There is more than enough customer base to support a great deal of business in both of my local hobby shops and if you just wanted to browse for a hour or two and maybe inquire about a upcoming release they are happy to help you. Because you may feel that you are "Respected" as a customer and will come back at a later date to spend money. Again it does not matter if it is 2 dollars or 100-.

I have seen some stores around the country that has adopted a sort of a arisocratic attitude. You would walk in and there is no acknoledgement of your presence. Indeed you are instantly noticed as a "Outsider" and a possible problem. If you were to pull a wallet out and flash 1000- maybe the atmosphere will warm up. Otherwise, you are followed everywhere. These stores dont get a repeat visit from me.

Other times I have walked into hobby stores and we have several people hanging about favorite spots arguring the difference between a Alco or EMD. These debates are heated, long and loud usually involving everyone inside the store. They are not there to shop but actually enjoy talking trains and possibly helping others who have a train related problem. These are the stores I definately want to visit again. Because they usually have the good stuff.

I recall a store in Gettysburg called "Gilbert's" it was a unassuming store and once you elbowed your way in and was confronted with floor to ceiling shelves crammed with everything... it is sometimes overwhelming. Eventually the owner would discover you hovering at the front door debating if want to continue deeper into the malestrom of models and detail parts etc the booming greeting and handshake dispels that fear rather quickly. You could name the most obscure lost wax superdetail part that has been OOP for 20 years and he would go straight to the proper drawer stacked onto other drawers bulging with yellowed bags (Age) holding the part you asked for.

".75 cents and will that be all?" usually it is not as you realize that you are in paradise and want to discover what else could be lurking that may be the "Must have" item for your layout.

That store is no longer there. I think the greater horror would be that people will no longer open and maintain "Hobby shops" 20 years from now. To me that would be very horrifying.

[tatans]

I note there are a few topics on hobby shops, here's mine: I visit my LHS about 5 times a year, I've had a strange feeling ever since visiting the store , The staff was never that friendly or helpful, I put it to some bad rum the night before. Today I went looking for some old used HO track for a display volunteer project and we are on a limited budget, I picked up a couple of old boxcars and was looking for used old plastic buildings and the price was right, I then asked a question about a new Bachmann engine, WELL, the mood of the salesman instantly changed, he would not open the box, would not offer any information,and I had to force him to tell me the price, meanwhile he is looking around the store for other customers so he can flog off another $800.00 brass engine instead of standing around talking to a mook like me who was only spending $24.00. He responded to any question with a grunt or frown and gave no advice as to other products, He soon took off in the middle of a question and headed for a local character with a heavy drinking problem and known to have a pile of money. As my blood pressure rose I controlled my anger enough to pay for my purchase and leave the store, now this is not the first time to see this happen as I saw another salesman do the same to a teenager on my previous visit. never,never will I set foot in this store again. I have never been that insulted before in my life. The store is turning into an elitist outlet for only the wealthy (who, by the way seem to be their biggest customer) Just no time for the peasants---I actually had to wait and cool down before writing this---there, now I'm better. I'm happy there is the internet to shop. I can see the replies now-- It's all my fault.