QUOTE: Originally posted by dannydd QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 For one thing Tracklayer, and for your information. This is the 2nd time I have piped up to you about one of your threads being allot of BS. So get of your high horse and quit crying about being a victim all the time. I will agree with most here about you putting up a thread and then keep adding things to it to make yourself look like a victim. Look at it this way, you waited to give anymore info until page 5, that was after you got kicked in the head several times. Now your crying about a head injury is causing you to say things out of text! I guess you like being the victim all the time, and think everyone should have a pitty party for poor old Tracklayer all the time. You have accused several members about them kicking you in the head, then look for expect them to say their sorry. Not this time for me! [:D] Step aside boys! I want another kick, maybe I can kick it over the fence this time! You dug this hole Tracklayer, so lay in it. ICRR1964, you've gone completely overboard... Let's you and I just keep our distance from now on. Everyone can see that you're really enjoying running me down. One of these days you'll be the one on the short end of things and I'll be there to get my kick or two in - with interest. TL opps, did you forget this, and no you haven't had a chance to go back and check on what you said, looks like the head injury is showing!!!! reeks of hypocricy!!!!! to high heaven!!!! you can't resist can you??????[xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][}:)][}:)][}:)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 For one thing Tracklayer, and for your information. This is the 2nd time I have piped up to you about one of your threads being allot of BS. So get of your high horse and quit crying about being a victim all the time. I will agree with most here about you putting up a thread and then keep adding things to it to make yourself look like a victim. Look at it this way, you waited to give anymore info until page 5, that was after you got kicked in the head several times. Now your crying about a head injury is causing you to say things out of text! I guess you like being the victim all the time, and think everyone should have a pitty party for poor old Tracklayer all the time. You have accused several members about them kicking you in the head, then look for expect them to say their sorry. Not this time for me! [:D] Step aside boys! I want another kick, maybe I can kick it over the fence this time! You dug this hole Tracklayer, so lay in it. ICRR1964, you've gone completely overboard... Let's you and I just keep our distance from now on. Everyone can see that you're really enjoying running me down. One of these days you'll be the one on the short end of things and I'll be there to get my kick or two in - with interest. TL
QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 For one thing Tracklayer, and for your information. This is the 2nd time I have piped up to you about one of your threads being allot of BS. So get of your high horse and quit crying about being a victim all the time. I will agree with most here about you putting up a thread and then keep adding things to it to make yourself look like a victim. Look at it this way, you waited to give anymore info until page 5, that was after you got kicked in the head several times. Now your crying about a head injury is causing you to say things out of text! I guess you like being the victim all the time, and think everyone should have a pitty party for poor old Tracklayer all the time. You have accused several members about them kicking you in the head, then look for expect them to say their sorry. Not this time for me! [:D] Step aside boys! I want another kick, maybe I can kick it over the fence this time! You dug this hole Tracklayer, so lay in it.
QUOTE: Originally posted by dannydd Well, if Tracklayer said he wants to now kick ICRR in the face, then he's no better, probably shouldn't have made this comment to bring this topic to the front again, aw well. Without LHSs how are we going to get new people involved in the hobby too!???!!!
QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie Well, we seem to be split into several distinct camps here: 1) Those who think the hobby shop owner is right. Some think he is always right because the Constitution guarantees him the right to do whatever he wants and forbids customers from going elsewhere or saying anything not glowing about the experience. 2) Some think Tracklayer is a chronic complainer who should be tarred, feathered, shot, the body burned at the stake and the ashes collected, put in a can and given to NASA to ship into outer space. 3) Some who think he should be summarily executed for threatening to be done with the LHS. After all, as the LHS goes, so goes the hobby, so goes the economy, and thus the fate of the free world. Why he must be some sort of communist or something. 4) Some who think Tracklayer is right and the hobby shop in question should be burned to the ground. 5) Still others who don't know if he is right or wrong, but think that, since it's his money, he can spend it where he likes. Those same people probably also believe that, if they don't want to hear what he has to say, they can ignore the thread. Does that about sum it up?
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- Mark
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QUOTE: Originally posted by bdmcnally Did you happen to leave a deposit with the item 2 weeks prior? If you didn't why would you expect it to be the same price? Maybe he/she could of sold it before and they didn't know if you were coming back or not. What insurance do they have? Now if you did put a deposit down or confirm the price with them before you left that day it would be a different story, then I would say, find a new shop or a new way to shop!
Five out of four people have trouble with fractions. -AnonymousThree may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. -Benjamin Franklin "You don't have to be Jeeves to love butlers, but it helps." (Followers of Levi's Real Jewish Rye will get this one) -Ed K "A potted watch never boils." -Ed Kowal If it's not fun, why do it ? -Ben & Jerry
QUOTE: Originally posted by selector QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999 QUOTE: Originally posted by selector QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 Come one guys, look at who posted the thread. He's not happy unless hes got his name up in lights. If he's dumb enough to drive that far for a good deal and then drive back. Well? It was an expensive day that day then. Not to notice his thread he started is almost identical to a post someone left about a week ago, but the words have been changed around. [zzz] ZZZZZZZZZZZ! Not so fast...if I had agreed to purchase a loco and the proprietor had agree to set it aside, and visibly put it under the counter, the deal was for $99.95 and it was sealed. If I drove all that way to find that he had jacked up the price 25% in anticipation of my wanting it, that is tantamount to breach of contract, and I could probably win in small claims court. I'm not a lawyer, so I could be wrong, especially with respect to that state's law. In my books, that way of doing business is "smarmy." Crandell, Another way to look at this is that Tracklayer waited 'til page five to mention that the loco was set aside for him... maybe it's just me, but it sounds a little like embellishing the story to favor his complaint(whining). I have never understood why everyone who has a problem with eBay, a LHS or an online dealer has to flood the forum with their complaints. These issueswould be better handled if they would just contact the person that they have the issues with. I am fairly certain that if this evil shop owner could give his side of the story, we would probably hear a completely different version. Regardless, the shop owner has every right to price his merchandise as he sees fit... it's up to us to decide to buy or not buy. And slinging mud without giving the other party an opportunity to defend themselves is a cowardly way to handle things. Tracklayer, if you feel so strongly that you were done wrong, confront the owner... stand up to him. We can do nothing about this. Also, I fully support my LHS.... both of them. And I appreciate them as much as they appreciate my bidness. I am thankful to have a LHS where I can purchase items or just shoot the bull for hours. I guess some folks wake up looking for things to complain about... I deal with folks like this all of the time. Life's way too short for that. Dave Understood, Dave, but until I have incontrovertible evidence that Tracklayer is fibbing, I feel I should take what he tells me at face value. Now, I am not so naive that I don't realize that most of us use hyperbole from time to time, but if we are to accept the facts as stated, then I stand by what I said. If a witness were to offer proof that the events did not take place, I might agree that his waiting to toss in the trump until much later might be taken as grandstanding, or an attempt to save face. God knows we have seen that tactic on this forum before. -Crandell
QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999 QUOTE: Originally posted by selector QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 Come one guys, look at who posted the thread. He's not happy unless hes got his name up in lights. If he's dumb enough to drive that far for a good deal and then drive back. Well? It was an expensive day that day then. Not to notice his thread he started is almost identical to a post someone left about a week ago, but the words have been changed around. [zzz] ZZZZZZZZZZZ! Not so fast...if I had agreed to purchase a loco and the proprietor had agree to set it aside, and visibly put it under the counter, the deal was for $99.95 and it was sealed. If I drove all that way to find that he had jacked up the price 25% in anticipation of my wanting it, that is tantamount to breach of contract, and I could probably win in small claims court. I'm not a lawyer, so I could be wrong, especially with respect to that state's law. In my books, that way of doing business is "smarmy." Crandell, Another way to look at this is that Tracklayer waited 'til page five to mention that the loco was set aside for him... maybe it's just me, but it sounds a little like embellishing the story to favor his complaint(whining). I have never understood why everyone who has a problem with eBay, a LHS or an online dealer has to flood the forum with their complaints. These issueswould be better handled if they would just contact the person that they have the issues with. I am fairly certain that if this evil shop owner could give his side of the story, we would probably hear a completely different version. Regardless, the shop owner has every right to price his merchandise as he sees fit... it's up to us to decide to buy or not buy. And slinging mud without giving the other party an opportunity to defend themselves is a cowardly way to handle things. Tracklayer, if you feel so strongly that you were done wrong, confront the owner... stand up to him. We can do nothing about this. Also, I fully support my LHS.... both of them. And I appreciate them as much as they appreciate my bidness. I am thankful to have a LHS where I can purchase items or just shoot the bull for hours. I guess some folks wake up looking for things to complain about... I deal with folks like this all of the time. Life's way too short for that. Dave
QUOTE: Originally posted by selector QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 Come one guys, look at who posted the thread. He's not happy unless hes got his name up in lights. If he's dumb enough to drive that far for a good deal and then drive back. Well? It was an expensive day that day then. Not to notice his thread he started is almost identical to a post someone left about a week ago, but the words have been changed around. [zzz] ZZZZZZZZZZZ! Not so fast...if I had agreed to purchase a loco and the proprietor had agree to set it aside, and visibly put it under the counter, the deal was for $99.95 and it was sealed. If I drove all that way to find that he had jacked up the price 25% in anticipation of my wanting it, that is tantamount to breach of contract, and I could probably win in small claims court. I'm not a lawyer, so I could be wrong, especially with respect to that state's law. In my books, that way of doing business is "smarmy."
QUOTE: Originally posted by ICRR1964 Come one guys, look at who posted the thread. He's not happy unless hes got his name up in lights. If he's dumb enough to drive that far for a good deal and then drive back. Well? It was an expensive day that day then. Not to notice his thread he started is almost identical to a post someone left about a week ago, but the words have been changed around. [zzz] ZZZZZZZZZZZ!
QUOTE: Originally posted by bdmcnally [ If my local hobby shops want to compete, they have to start playing the game called business.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer The reason I was so mad was because I'd told the guy I'd be back in a couple of weeks to get the engine and he took it out of the case and put it under the cabinet for me. At that time it was priced at $99.95. Two weeks later I come back to get it and he's marked it up to $124.95... Now you see what I'm saying. Wouldn't you be a little ticked off too ?. Aside of all this. What type loco is that in the photo you're showing in your replies ?. TL The loco is one of the earlier P2K 0-6-0s. I figure in another six months or so it'll have collected enough dust to be considered fully weathered![:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer The reason I was so mad was because I'd told the guy I'd be back in a couple of weeks to get the engine and he took it out of the case and put it under the cabinet for me. At that time it was priced at $99.95. Two weeks later I come back to get it and he's marked it up to $124.95... Now you see what I'm saying. Wouldn't you be a little ticked off too ?. Aside of all this. What type loco is that in the photo you're showing in your replies ?. TL
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman I Am sorry that you didn't appreciate my sometimes blunt and dark sense of humor. If you intend something as a joke, then you would be wise to include a [;)] or a [swg] or a [:o)] to indicate that it is meant as a joke. Without smilies, it is impossible to determine "tone of voice" and misunderstandings abound. QUOTE: You did manage to climb up there so it isn't much of a stretch to think you could climb down on your own [;)]. BTW, how do you know I didn't have help getting up on that soapbox in the first place ? [;)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman I Am sorry that you didn't appreciate my sometimes blunt and dark sense of humor.
QUOTE: You did manage to climb up there so it isn't much of a stretch to think you could climb down on your own [;)].
QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher I'm done now. Could someone be so kind as to help me down off this [soapbox] ? [swg] Here... I'll knock you off the [soapbox]
QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher I'm done now. Could someone be so kind as to help me down off this [soapbox] ? [swg]
QUOTE: Support your local train shop ?. Not me. Not anymore...
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Jim
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt OK, TL, I have to admit, I was a bit harsh. But I have to know, what hobby shop are you talking about? Where do you live? I live right between Houston and San Antonio and know most of the shops in those towns and Austin too. I'm just curious what shop it is we're talking about. Also, if you don't mind driving further than you do for a better deal or a better shop, let us know. We can maybe turn you on to someone you would like better. Sunday I drove clear to Houston to Papa Ben's Train Place. But I also took the wife to IKEA (now, THERE'S a zoo for you!), and I convinced her that when we were having supper it was REALLY for Valentine's Day. So I killed three birds with one stone. Try to have some fun. One other thing. It's YOUR money. Spend it the way you want to. Don't think this guy is the only guy around who wants it. If what you say about him is true (and I'm sorry, I have my doubts), go somewhere else. You don't owe him anything. mike, the dirt ogre, pimp wanna be, just doin his bidness. Apology accepted older than dirt. The name of the train shop I've been talking about is the Houston Roundhouse, and the name of the owner is Wayne. Wayne always seems like a nice guy until it involves money, then he can get real rude and nasty... I live out in Waller - about 50 miles from the Round House. I'm well aware of Papa Ben's. You must be rich!... Other than that, there's Larry's Hobbies out on I-45 and Spring Crossing about two miles down the road from Larry's. There's also a couple of other places around town but I don't recall the names. Like I said, I'm done with the overpriced train shops, and from now on am only doing business on-line. Tracklayer
QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt OK, TL, I have to admit, I was a bit harsh. But I have to know, what hobby shop are you talking about? Where do you live? I live right between Houston and San Antonio and know most of the shops in those towns and Austin too. I'm just curious what shop it is we're talking about. Also, if you don't mind driving further than you do for a better deal or a better shop, let us know. We can maybe turn you on to someone you would like better. Sunday I drove clear to Houston to Papa Ben's Train Place. But I also took the wife to IKEA (now, THERE'S a zoo for you!), and I convinced her that when we were having supper it was REALLY for Valentine's Day. So I killed three birds with one stone. Try to have some fun. One other thing. It's YOUR money. Spend it the way you want to. Don't think this guy is the only guy around who wants it. If what you say about him is true (and I'm sorry, I have my doubts), go somewhere else. You don't owe him anything. mike, the dirt ogre, pimp wanna be, just doin his bidness.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer Okay bwfex. The first time I see you expressing your anger or disappointment on this forum if or when someone wrongs you, I'll be sure and remind you of your "wise words"... TL The guy "wronged" you? How? Because he didn't make the deal youwanted? And you drove fifty miles so how dare him not give you the deal you wanted? Being disappointed that you didn't get the deal you wanted is one thing, but claiming you were "wronged" seems a little bit out there. You'd have been wronged if he agreed to the deal then reneged. I'm not trying to take you to task or anything, but while I have seen bad shops and worse owners, in this case I can't help wondering what the other side of the story might sound like.... Brunton, I don't know why you have it in for me, but it seems like every time I start a thread you step in and kick me in the face... If some guy were to rob me one night in a parking lot, you would say that I was wrong for being out at night and in the parking lot in the first place. TL Where does this come from? How did I kick you in the face? I asked you how you were wronged by the guy. If you feel that I kicked you in the face by asking you to explain that, perhaps you're a little oversensitive, or really can't explain why you were wronged, because deep down you know you weren't. Speculative, yes, but since you refuse to answer the question that's all that's left. I'm curious - in what other thread(s) do you think I've I kicked you in the face? Besides, stepping in every time you post a new thread would be a full-time job![:D] (just kidding!!)
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer Okay bwfex. The first time I see you expressing your anger or disappointment on this forum if or when someone wrongs you, I'll be sure and remind you of your "wise words"... TL The guy "wronged" you? How? Because he didn't make the deal youwanted? And you drove fifty miles so how dare him not give you the deal you wanted? Being disappointed that you didn't get the deal you wanted is one thing, but claiming you were "wronged" seems a little bit out there. You'd have been wronged if he agreed to the deal then reneged. I'm not trying to take you to task or anything, but while I have seen bad shops and worse owners, in this case I can't help wondering what the other side of the story might sound like.... Brunton, I don't know why you have it in for me, but it seems like every time I start a thread you step in and kick me in the face... If some guy were to rob me one night in a parking lot, you would say that I was wrong for being out at night and in the parking lot in the first place. TL
QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer Okay bwfex. The first time I see you expressing your anger or disappointment on this forum if or when someone wrongs you, I'll be sure and remind you of your "wise words"... TL The guy "wronged" you? How? Because he didn't make the deal youwanted? And you drove fifty miles so how dare him not give you the deal you wanted? Being disappointed that you didn't get the deal you wanted is one thing, but claiming you were "wronged" seems a little bit out there. You'd have been wronged if he agreed to the deal then reneged. I'm not trying to take you to task or anything, but while I have seen bad shops and worse owners, in this case I can't help wondering what the other side of the story might sound like....
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer Okay bwfex. The first time I see you expressing your anger or disappointment on this forum if or when someone wrongs you, I'll be sure and remind you of your "wise words"... TL
QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462 The other side of the story is that the manufacturing process, the packaging costs, the delivery costs, the labour costs and of course natural gas and electricity for his store have also raised his operating costs by 25%. SHAME ON HIM for trying to support himself. You get NO SYMPATHY from me Tracklayer.
QUOTE: Originally posted by RoyalOaker phisig03 I have never gone to check out Joe's but they are still in the yellow pages and maybe I'll have to head on over there. The Riders/Ryders on John R between 13 and 14 (in the Target strip mall) is pretty good. They really don't offer any kits to speak of. Mostly RTR stuff. But they have an OK amount of stock. Mostly MSRP. Very few items discounted. They also have an OK supply of woodland scenic stuff. There is a store up north called Great Lakes Hobby. Its on Van*** north of M59. I think the town is Shelby up there. This is a big store with many hobby items. The is an isle full of N, and two or three isles of O and HO stuff. They also have lots of woodland senic stuff and styreen pieces. Not bad if you can hande the drive. Again, mostly MSRP. They did have a sale before Christmas of Buy one get one half off of Athearn engines. Merri Seven is OK, Sometimes you can find old stuff in the boxes below the shelves, but it is really crowed in there and it is hard to get service unless you are an old friend of the owner. I like the various train shows this time of year. I am looking forward to the Gratiot Valley show on 03/05. There is one in Saline this weekend, but I can't make it.
QUOTE: Originally posted by bwftex QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Ya see, in the oilfield and in Texas we do bidness. Kind of a colloquialism. mike, the Old grandpa pimp daddy wanna be. Hey dirt, What part of the state are you working in? We've been out in Concho County since last May in an area a little west of Eden. Bruce
QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Ya see, in the oilfield and in Texas we do bidness. Kind of a colloquialism. mike, the Old grandpa pimp daddy wanna be.
QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher QUOTE: Originally posted by kchronister QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Who really cares if you buy anything from him or not? I'll bet he doesn't, with that pleasant attitute you have. Ever been in bidness? It ain't easy. It might be inflation more than greed than you think. Bidness? Bidness??? You actually typed "bidness" on purpose? And I suppose you're so perfect that you've never made any typing errors. [:(!] On the standard English-language keyboard, the letters S and D are adjacent to each other. Because of that, it is very easy to accidentally hit the wrong key. Even the best proof-readers among us can miss correcting a mistake now and then. We're only human, after all. Well... most of us are, anyways. [alien] I also find it quite inappropriate for someone to laugh at another person's mistakes. Is pointing out another person's short-comings the only way you can feel good about yourself ? [V] I wonder how you would feel when people laugh at you for making a mistake. I'm done now. Could someone be so kind as to help me down off this [soapbox] ? [swg]
QUOTE: Originally posted by kchronister QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Who really cares if you buy anything from him or not? I'll bet he doesn't, with that pleasant attitute you have. Ever been in bidness? It ain't easy. It might be inflation more than greed than you think. Bidness? Bidness??? You actually typed "bidness" on purpose?
QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Who really cares if you buy anything from him or not? I'll bet he doesn't, with that pleasant attitute you have. Ever been in bidness? It ain't easy. It might be inflation more than greed than you think.
QUOTE: Originally posted by phisig03 It is frustrating. About 5 years ago I started somewhat dabbling in the hobby and I went to "Riders" which is the hobby shop around here of which they have numerous locations. I went to the one in Ypsilanti (it is pronounced IPS-A-LAN-TEE) which was near my school at Eastern Michigan University and their whole one side of their store was train stuff. Of course being in college, and a "frat boy," not to mention a new apartment every fall, I put MRR on the backburner. When I wanted to get some more stuff for it about a year later, they swapped it out and put the trains on the other side of the store and greatly reduced the size. When moving into my house in Dearborn Heights, I visted the Riders in Canton and they had a good selection. Then I also visited the Riders in Livonia which had a smaller selection (they appeared to specilize in telescopes at this one). Thinking Canton had the best selection, I went back to that one and to my horror found it gone. I stopped in the Taylor store and they have the worst selection yet!! So I had the luxury of going around and seeing which is the best for me. I am sure most of my stuff will come from ebay or other sites, but it will still be nice to just go and peruse all the things on the shelf, something you can't do without costant clicking on he computer. So I guess I'll stick with the Livonia store, they have a decent selection, nice staff and reasonable prices. There is also a hardware store around me that is also a hobby shop but they seem to be the most expensive. I was also discusted to discover another independent hobby shop by my house which had not one train or train related product. And you call yourself a HOBBY SHOP?????
QUOTE: Originally posted by kchronister While we're on the topic... Anyone shop at "The Station" in New Cumberland (i.e. Harrisburg area), PA? Several have told me it's the only "decent" hobby shop in the vicinity, but before I spend an hour driving each way, I wonder if there are any opinions here...???
QUOTE: Originally posted by kchronister QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Who really cares if you buy anything from him or not? I'll bet he doesn't, with that pleasant attitute you have. Ever been in bidness? It ain't easy. It might be inflation more than greed than you think. ...{most of rant deleted for brevity}... So what DO you buy from this horrible ogre when you go into his shop? ...{more worthless drivel deleted} dirt Oh. My. God. Do you even realize how ridiculous you are? I laughed myself sick at you after reading your post... I can't even know where to begin... Oh wait, I do know, I left it there above this in your quote just to remind me: Bidness? Bidness??? You actually typed "bidness" on purpose? And your handle is 'older than dirt'... So what are you the world's oldest gangsta pimp wannabe? Grand Pappy O.G? Yeah, I'm taking you seriously. And how terribly amusing... You used the word "ogre"... Aren't ogres sort of like cousins to... trolls? In any case, wow. In only 5 days and 6 posts, you have definitely figured out that insults, condescension, and snottiness are the BEST way to get started on the right foot around here. It's a SURE WAY to make people pay a LOT of attention to your posts! A lot of folks are going to tell me "DNFTT," and I'll heed their advice from now on. But on the off chance you're really just someone who just don't get it... BZZZZZT. The buzzer just went off and the giant red "not the way to go, dude" sign lit up... Sit the next turn out then try again. We like to see new folks come join the party, as long as they don't decide pi&&ing on the floor is the best way to introduce themselves... But regardless, thanks for the laugh. I'm still getting a kick out of "bidness."
QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt Who really cares if you buy anything from him or not? I'll bet he doesn't, with that pleasant attitute you have. Ever been in bidness? It ain't easy. It might be inflation more than greed than you think. ...{most of rant deleted for brevity}... So what DO you buy from this horrible ogre when you go into his shop? ...{more worthless drivel deleted} dirt
QUOTE: Originally posted by older than dirt QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer A friend and I went to our favorite train shop Thursday and were horrified to find that everything in the place had been marked up 25% and then some since our last visit two weeks earlier. When we made a comment to the owner about it, he popped off and said - What can I say guys, inflation... But in his case it's not so much inflation as it is just plain old greed... I drove over fifty miles up there that day through some of the worst traffic in the southern US to buy a steam loco there that was $100.00 two weeks earlier that was now $125.00. Then to make things worse, I found a freight car with a broken coupler and asked him if he'd be willing to come down on it a little, but he replied - Nope, it can be fixed. Lay it down over here on the counter and I'll get to it later. I didn't buy anything that day there and I'm not ever going to again. To hell with him and his shop!. From now on I'm buying everything off the web - namely ebay, which by the way I won that same loco on earlier tonight for $78.00 that he wanted $125.00 for... And train shop owners wonder why their businesses are going down the drain. If you have a good train shop in your area with reasonable prices and an easy going owner, you're lucky... Tracklayer Who really cares if you buy anything from him or not? I'll bet he doesn't, with that pleasant attitute you have. Ever been in bidness? It ain't easy. It might be inflation more than greed than you think. Driving 50 miles in Texas? That ain't crap in Texas. I drove 200 miles round trip yesterday to visit my LHS in Houston, and I'm not griping at all! Had a great time too. Of course, I went in there with the attitude that I was GONNA have a great time, I knew he had what I wanted, he had it at a fair price, and I shop there often enough that he gives me a discount. Not a lot, but he appreciates me coming in. Once he opened early for me and a friend because we forgot what time his store opened up and we got there early. Put on a pot of coffee, and let us look around to our heart's content. Spent over $200 with him that day. That cup of coffee was a pretty good investment for him, don't you think? One other thing he said that I found interesting and kind of amusing. The Great American Train ripoff, oops, I mean Show was in Houston several weeks ago. He said there had been a steady stream of guys who had bought stuff at the show bringing it in to be fixed. Most of it never ran when they bought it, but they didn't know that. The vendors at the show didn't have a test track like he does. So when I pay a little more for a locomotive at the LHS, I tell em to take it out and let me see it run. Never had a problem. Now, where you gonna go when your $78 locomotive has trouble? Call the guy back on e-bay and see if he'll fix it for you, or take it back to the horrible man at the store so he can fix it for you for next to nothing? So what DO you buy from this horrible ogre when you go into his shop? You aren't one of those guys who buys paint and gets your locomotives and rolling stock cheaper somewhere else are you? Oh wait, you already told us you do that. You sure whine a lot for being a Texan. dirt
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer A friend and I went to our favorite train shop Thursday and were horrified to find that everything in the place had been marked up 25% and then some since our last visit two weeks earlier. When we made a comment to the owner about it, he popped off and said - What can I say guys, inflation... But in his case it's not so much inflation as it is just plain old greed... I drove over fifty miles up there that day through some of the worst traffic in the southern US to buy a steam loco there that was $100.00 two weeks earlier that was now $125.00. Then to make things worse, I found a freight car with a broken coupler and asked him if he'd be willing to come down on it a little, but he replied - Nope, it can be fixed. Lay it down over here on the counter and I'll get to it later. I didn't buy anything that day there and I'm not ever going to again. To hell with him and his shop!. From now on I'm buying everything off the web - namely ebay, which by the way I won that same loco on earlier tonight for $78.00 that he wanted $125.00 for... And train shop owners wonder why their businesses are going down the drain. If you have a good train shop in your area with reasonable prices and an easy going owner, you're lucky... Tracklayer
Tom
QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark I'm with you Mark....I know exactly who you are talking about...but i really don't think it's totally his fault...you also have to remember that UP gets a 5% cut on all items bearing the UP logo which also includes railroads bought up by them, DRG&W, SP, MP, KATY, ect...another thing that is happening is like we all are doing...purchasing from the internet, his store is getting fewer and fewer patrons in it because the deals are better on the internet than in his shop...I still go there but only when i need a specialty item like CA glue, balsa wood, styrene, or brass and wire...these guys do have to make a living but yes, they are marking stuff up more than i'm willing to pay for it, so the internet is my new source to do business with...one more thing...the traffic on IH10, IH610, and US59 is horrible..I had to go thru it to get to the trainshow Saturday...what a hassle!....have you tried that place in Spring yet? (I think it's called the Spring Crossing) ...it's a pretty good hobby shop..unorganized as all get out ,but he does have a lot of stuff...chuck
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
QUOTE: Originally posted by bcawthon When the store closes, will you get the message? "We never know the value of water 'til the well is dry." English proverb
QUOTE: Some of the posts talk about getting a 35% discount. The standard retail discount is 40% for HO & N and. 30% for O. Much of the high end HO is only 30%. I can't see how anybody can consistantly offer 35% off of MSRP, pay the rent, utilities and put food on the table, The internet dealers do it by paying minimal rent, location not being a factor, and making their profit on a volume greatly larger than that possible to the LHS.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Shermanhill1 Most train stores must be avoided due to high prices and rude owners I bottom feed at trainshows and mail order. It is the only way to go. If a store is full price, walk out with you wallet to send the owner a message.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ouengr Is it just me or are the hobby shops failing to understand what made Wal-Mart such a success. Wal-Mart makes money by selling an individual item at a minimal profit and driving customers into the store. In turn the customer buys more items and visits more oftern. Hobby Shops that charge MSRP or a premium do not recieve repeat business from me. I want hobby shops to be successfull, however they are in a world where they have to compete. I know of one LHS that has almost no inventory and everything that comes in is for a specific customer order. This was he inventory costs are kept way down and his prices generally reflect it. Another possible option for the LHS is to offer consignment sales. Nearly every modeler I know has things that don't quite fit in their collections and that they would like to get rid of. The LHS I referred earlier has an extensive consignment section. The terms for the consignment are fairly simple. The LHS sells the the items and keeps a total that can be applied toward new items. In the event that the seller would prefer to take the cash out, he charges a fee for managing the sell of the items. Generally I have done quite well in the consignment sales. Generally I have been able to sell itmes for what I paid and this has kept me from spending cash out of my pocket for nearly two-years. I don't mean to rant here, but I am sick and tired of hearing LHS whine and complain about competitors. This is part of the free market. My expereince is that many of the on-line retailers are trasitional brick and mortar stores that have expandded their businees through the internet. Some old LHS will not survive but others will thrive. The key is to figure out what you can do to gain and keep customers. The LHS that artificially jacked prices up 25% should reconsider this decision or start to consider a store closing clearance. The costs assocaited with items in this hobby are rising far faster that the rate of inflation or wage increases. We need to vote with our money and demand lower prices from the LHS and manufacturers. If we do not continue to apply pressure to lower prices, then there is nothing to control them. We all want to be able to purchase more stuff for less money. If we don't hold the retail sector's feet to the fire on inflation, then the situation will only get worse. I enjoy the hobby and I want to see it expand. Prices are already at the point where many people don't even consider the model railroading due to the costs.
QUOTE: Originally posted by bwftex Tracklayer Even though your 50 miles away and don't stand at his cash register every day but some how you are accurate in your assessment of his daily gross think about this. If he's doing a grand a day and keeping 20% and he may not be that's only about $1200 a week profit or around $62,500 before tax. Not exactly a big time income and hardly any living at all if he wants to grow his inventory even a little. While its wonderful if everyone had a smile on their face and gave out great deals you might consider that your hobby guy maybe just be doing what he thinks he must to make it. I know you were disappointed not to get the locomotive for the price you thought you would but then the guy may be "getting greedy" because he may have worked very hard and did not have a paycheck last month, last quarter or even last year. If you had to deal with the difficulties every single long day that he being in the retail business probably has too you might be irritable too. While you certainly don't have to shop with him you might stop to consider why he is irritated, greedy or disinterested. If you can stand in another persons shoes for just a moment you may still be disappointed but at least not angry and hurt enough to feel the need post messages telling everyone about it. Bruce
QUOTE: Originally posted by ouengr The costs assocaited with items in this hobby are rising far faster that the rate of inflation or wage increases. We need to vote with our money and demand lower prices from the LHS and manufacturers. If we do not continue to apply pressure to lower prices, then there is nothing to control them. We all want to be able to purchase more stuff for less money. If we don't hold the retail sector's feet to the fire on inflation, then the situation will only get worse. I enjoy the hobby and I want to see it expand. Prices are already at the point where many people don't even consider the model railroading due to the costs.
QUOTE: Originally posted by swdave Atlas just had a 10% increase in their prices, but they did announce it well ahead of time. But the kicker of it for me was our LHS increased the prices on all his Atlas that he already in stock, now this is down right dirty if you ask me! The guy who owned the store before him never did that.
QUOTE: Originally posted by RedGrey62 Sorry, the Wal Mart solution doesn't work here. It works for Wal Mart because they sell so much stuff, everything from food to electronics and toys to clothes. Their buying power also allows them to get much lower prices from the manufacturers (personally I call it brow beating the companies to play ball). Don't get me wrong, it works, but it will not work for a LHS.
QUOTE: Originally posted by loathar I hate that "your keeping me from my sandwich" attitude.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
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QUOTE: Originally posted by ouengr Is it just me or are the hobby shops failing to understand what made Wal-Mart such a success. Wal-Mart makes money by selling an individual item at a minimal profit and driving customers into the store. In turn the customer buys more items and visits more oftern.
QUOTE: Hobby Shops that charge MSRP
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"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer No Rick. This guy does a good business, and probably takes in no less than $1,000.00 a day. He's just gotten real greedy and irritable lately. TL
QUOTE: Originally posted by RedGrey62 I cannot condone him "popping off" but there may be a lot more to the story. I've owned my own retail business, not a hobby shop, and every year the cost to operate went up. Whether it was rent, insurance, inventory, etc, its just more expensive to run a store and the cost has to cash has to come from somewhere. Our basic rent was almost 2000 and the average sale was about 20 dollars per person, thats 100 sales per months or about 3 per day just to meet rent. It can be very frustrating, to say the least, to run a small business like that. Again, I am not defending his attitude, but you may have caught him on a bad day too. Rick
QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman Don't hold back now.. Tell us what you Really think.. The best one around here closed about 6 or 7 years ago (I'm not certain why, it wasn't for lack of My support) and I've been buying online since. Don't miss the brick shops one bit, largely for the same basic reasons you list. Inflation.. For stuff that's been on the shelves for months and even years. Bull.