Support your local train shop ?...

[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 issues
would 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

[Tracklayer]

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 issues
would 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

You're right dave9999, I did fail to mention "the whole story" until late in the game. I apologize for that. Try having a head injury and see how swift your thinking becomes.

TL

[Tracklayer]

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!

You just have it in for me don't you ICRR1964... I don't know what I did to cause you to dislike me so much but it must have been pretty bad. I say this because you hammer me every chance you get. Oh well. If that makes you happy then hammer away... ([B)])

TL

[rolleiman]

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 ? [;)]

It happens even when I do include them but point taken.. [swg]

[ouengr]

As I see it there are two issues that were originally brought up.

1. An unexpected and apparently unjustified price increase.
2. Poor customer service at a local hobby shop.

Can we please focus on these two issues and stop the back stabbing and name calling? I for one am sick of it.

One the two issues listed above.

I firmly believe that the free market will provide a competitor to this shop that will provide better service at better prices if and only if we demand it. If we do not use our resources to voice our concerns, then the situation will not improve. I do pay more when I purchase items from local hobby shops and I have for several years. I normally will grant my LHS a margin of 8% over on line sales. This effort has kept my out of pocket expenses down.

The customer service issue is one that I have experienced many times in the past and there haw been far to many times that I walked out of a hobby shop or dealer display due to poor customer service. Any LHS that does not value their customers is one that will soon close it's doors forever. We all have a bad day but there is no excuse for terrible customer service.

Perhaps we would all be better off if we each had the market capitol to open our own respectivve shops and see which one(s) survive. I would like to have a well stocked store of around 2,000 ft2 with a sizable working layout. This store would operate with sizable on-line presence and a well trained staff of model railroaders. The internet store would allow the shop to expand it's customer base beyond the immediate market. Generally speaking I would like to have a market discount of approximately 20-25% depending on the product line.

The issues that have been presented in this thread and others should be a great metric of the way many modelers feel about our LHS. It seems to me that many of us are not happy and are looking at other options. Instead of hating and attacking the competition, we should look at the competition and see what alows their market share to expand.

[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 ? [;)]

[rolleiman]

[}:)][}:)] You did manage to climb up there so it isn't much of a stretch to think you could climb down on your own [;)].. I Am sorry that you didn't appreciate my sometimes blunt and dark sense of humor.. Not the first time it's happened in about 13 years of online posting.. Probably won't be the last. I meant no offense or harm to you.

[chateauricher]

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]

My dear Sir, is it really necessary to resort to violence ? [V] I ask for help and you want to "knock" me down ?!?! [:O]

There is no need to "knock" me off the soapbox unless you want to pay for my third hip replacement in less than 10 years. I've already had both hips done, and I'd rather not have to re-do one so soon, certainly not at age 36. So, I appreciate it when people kindly help me down.

[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 issues
would 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

[loathar]

If we were ALL so smart that we could run a profitable train store, non of us would have time to post on this forum. I only complain about an LHS when I have bad servise from 1 location. I then try to warn fellow modelers from waisting money at that one location.
Other than that, I'd rather have a beer and work on my layout....[8D][8D][8D]

[MisterBeasley]

QUOTE:
Support your local train shop ?. Not me. Not anymore...

Support that local train shop? Probably not. Support my local train shop? Absolutely! He's been giving me a discount since my first purchase, and he knows the hobby, as can be seen by his small but nicely detailed in-store layout. Just walking into the shop takes away all the stress of the workday. Each customer in turn gets Gerry's full attention, so sometimes I have to wait a while. It's well worth it.

There are restaurants I'd never go back to. Same with hotels, airlines, cars and girlfriends. But a bad experience with one won't turn me off to all the others. Let Darwin take care of the unfit ones. Enjoy the good shops, and help them keep on going.

[Anonymous]

"There are dealers that hold onto stock until no one else has, then they can get premium prices."

Any dealer that does this will be bankrupt soon. This is not fine art we are talking about![8]

[ICRR1964]

Oh my, another Victim! Please!!! Lets get off the poor poor pittiful me! Bruton, you been accused of kicking Tracklayer in the face? Step aside, let me have a kick for a change! Anybody got any cheese so Tracklayer has something to go with his wine????

[Don Gibson]

EVERYONE raises prices. Read a 10 year old MODER RAILROADER.

It starts with Uncle Sam devaluing the dollar. Next it's you asking for more money - for the same amount of work. Oh, that wasn't you?

People working in Hobby shops get 15% - 25% off on their purchases.

YOU don't have to pay his prices - you can walk out, or go to E Bay.
HE doesn't have to lower his prices, he can sell it to someone else.

The KEY IS who has what you want ? YOU, HE or EBay? If you don't look around
the answer will soon become 'NOBODY'.

There are dealers that hold onto stock until no one else has, then they can get premium prices.

[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."

[Soo Line fan]

P & D Hobby Shop in the Frazier (Detroit Michigan) area is the best that I know of. Pat, the owner and Russ, the manager are both great guys. They will special order anything and stock lots of detail parts and kits for the serious hobbyist. A huge selection of O gauge, Lionel as well as HO. Many Athearn BB kits are being stocked.

http://www.pdhobbyshop.com/home.php

Jim

[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!

[georgev]

Well, I may be starting to support one of my local train shops a bit more. I live in Southeast Michigan, like royaloaker and few others. I called Great Lakes Train and Hobby in Utica, MI about ordering a couple of Peco turnouts. They told me I can place an order on the Walthers site and have the delivery made to their store. This store discounts 10-20% based on what I see in other shops around town (Riders and Joe's being the two other major stores in the area). Great Lakes discounts 10% on special orders. For smaller purchases, maybe $50 or less, this can be close to internet prices. There is sales tax and gas, but there is no shipping charge.

Convenience is good too - place the order online and then a week or so later you get a phone call that the order is in. Seems like a good system to me, especially if combined with a discount.

George V.

[Anonymous]

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

No, I'm not rich, that's for sure, but Ben's been good to me. I've bought enough stuff there (and really not THAT much stuff) that he gives me a discount. I can count on good service, he's got what I want, and as for hobby shop pricing, I don't think he's any worse than anyone else.

Just don't burn any bridges. You might need someone to fix one of those too good to be true deals some day. But...the first shop I ever went to in Houston was the Roundhouse. All I'll say to the rest of you guys is TL does have a point. Enough said? But I voted with my $. Roundhouse hasn't gotten any for years.


m

[Tracklayer]

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!!)

Okay Brunton, maybe I misunderstood and took wrong what you were saying/asking.

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

[Tracklayer]

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.

Thank you TA462. Maybe I'll get the chance to return the favor some day...

TL

[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

[Pruitt]

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!!)

[Anonymous]

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.

[brothaslide]

As a business owner, I don't bad mouth any other business, even if they have been "bad" to me. You have to remember, most hobby shops are "mom and pop" businesses and any thing reflecting poorly on them in print could effect their livelyhood. They may be digging their own grave by how they price their products and treat customers, but we don't have to drive the nail in the coffin here.

Take care,

Sean

[phisig03]

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.

Thanks! In fact my wife was telling me about that Riders in Royal Oak. She was raised there (in Royal Oak, not Riders!!). We will be going out that way visiting this weekend, so we defintely will be stopping.

I like going to shows too, but my question is, is it the same sellers that do all the shows in the area? I went to the one a couple weeks ago at the church at West Chicago and Inkster roads in Redford (name escapes me), and they seemed to have a lack of HO scale items.

[Anonymous]

Well I don't want to sound like I'm chimming in with those against you Tracklayer, correctly me if I'm wrong on the following points.

1. Your upset because you drove all that way all to find out the engine you wanted was now 25 bucks more than what you thought it would be correct??
2. You felt that because it was, the owner had some obligation to come down in price to what you origionally thought you'd pay, correct??
3. You further got upset cause you went to buy a piece of rolling stock and the coupler was broke and the owner wouldn't bargin with you because so correct??
4. You got upset because you felt the owner was being rude to you correct??

Those four things seemed to be the case when I read your first reply.

I give you the benefit of the doubt that a 25% merchandise increase storewide all at once is a bit high for a LHS. I'm sure he has merchandise from all kinds of manufacturers and not every one of them increased their prices that made him increase his prices for EVERYTHING in the store. I give you the benefit of the doubt if he was blatenly being rude to you as his customer.

If he raised his prices to be greedy then shame on him, but do you know that for a fact?? If he raised his prices cause he really had too, because he held off on doing so as long as he could until he had no other option because of his expenses in running his store, paying employees, utilitiy bills, etc... it's still sorta shame on him that he did it all at once instead of gradual increases over time as his expenses and overhead increased....but then again, he has a business to run but won't be for long if he's not making profits.

Nothing against you, if I was I shrink, I'd say the reason your so upset is because you drove all that way expecting to pay 100 and found out you'd have to pay more for it than you thought you would, and all the circumstances that happened after that just added fuel to your fire. He didn't bargin with you on the rolling stock for a lower price because it was broke, but you said he did offer to fix it for you. If you hadn't of previously seen that engine in his shop for 100.00, you would of went in that day, saw it for 125, wouldn't have known any better and probably would have gladly bought the engine anyway. Thus him offering to fix the coupler on the rolling stock instead of giving you a discount wouldn't have been no big deal to you either.

I guess the biggest question to weather people are on your side or not on this issue is, did he in fact increase his prices 25% to solely rip people off and be greedy, or is that the reason you think he did it for because you were mad the engine cost more than what first seen it for???

Has this man always been this rude to you and other customers every time you've been in his store or just this instance?? Maybe he was just upset himself that day cause him and his woman had a fight earlier that morning or something.

I'm not taking sides, just trying to understand what's fact and what's emotion that's making you despise this man and his store. Of course non of our opinions really matter cause none of us was there, only you was so how you feel now based on that is really all that matters to you.

Thanks for coming out on these forums and venting to all of us about it though. We're here for ya !!

[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

[Anonymous]

I have to agree. Support your LHS. Model railroading isn't some fad thing like Ipods and such of today that's replaced by something bright and shinny tomorrow. This hobby has been around for many many years and is charished these days by few. More and more localy owned hobby shops are going out of business and I don't think the majority are because of owners being jackasses and purposely ripping people off.

One good reason is simply people of today are into electronics, computers, too much tv, instant gratification things. Too many people today think a hobby is sipping a beer while watching football.

The other good reason is because of the internet. As great as it may be, being able to get things dirt cheap via websites like E-Bay, then doing nothing more than sitting on your lazy assses waiting for it to be brought to you via UPS man, is killing buisiness for any locally owned business much less LHS's.

I consider myself lucky cause my town has two LHS's, one strickly sells model railroading merchandise galore. Is their stuff priced a few bucks higher than what I might find on the internet??? Sure it probably is, but how the heck do you expect them to make a profit and continue to run their busiess and earn their own paychecks and pay their bills for running the store??? Your LHS is your means of getting what you want NOW. It costs more because of that convience. No different than you going to Detroit MI, standing at the end of the assembly line and buying the next car that rolls off compaired to going to your LCD (local car dealorship) and paying a little more because it had to be shipped and handled!

I don't trust buying anything I can't see, touch, examin in person before I buy. Would you buy your next 25,000 car soley from a pic and a paragraph describing it off the internet?? Would you take that risk without actually looking that car over and driving it just because it's cheaper than what the dealership has sitting on his lot?? The price between that and a 125 dollar model engine is a extreme comparision but the concept and idea behind it is still the same.

You spend 100 bucks for an engine off E-Bay from someone, you spend that much of your hard earned money, do you really trust the person your buying it from you don't know, that it really does work and it's not broke, that their going to package it up good enough so it don't get broke on it's way to you? Do you really want to intrust your purchase to the many delivery men/women's hands and trucks it gets thrown around on, on it's way to you??

For me I may spend an extra 25 bucks for an engine but at least I know exactly what I'm buying when I take it up to the counter and pay for it cause I personaly checked it out BEFORE I bought it. Not bought it then seen if it was broke when I finally got it If it's an 'as is' item, your screwed if it gets broke by the time you get it.

If I buy an engine from my LHS, I instantly have it in my possition, if I get it home and it don't work, I can instantly take it back to my LHS and have them fix it right then and there or get another one.

LHS's are going out of business cause too many people these days don't care about doing hobbies and because for everyone person who buys off the internet, that's one less person supporting their LHS to help them stay in business.

How many of you got started in this hobby because you fathers or grandfathers did this, or you walked into a hobby shop when you was a kid and saw all the cool stuff?? You didn't start this hobby based on pictures off of E-Bay and who sold things the cheapest.

I don't consider Hobby Lobby, Hobby Town USA true hobby shops, it's your ma and pop hobby shops that have always been the backbone of this hobby. Once there all gone, so will this hobby be as generations pass.

Spend the extra few bucks and support your LHS !!

[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.