Hobby Shop Blues

[Anonymous]

I thought what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than take a ride over to my LHS. But first I had to find one since I have not been in many years after being out of the hobby. Check the internet, found a place that kept coming up in searches. Called ahead to make sure they had HO scale unitrack because I wanted to see it up close and in person. They have it, great, jump in the truck and drive the half hour drive to the store.

Enter the store in great anticipation and walk straight to the track (which was mostly Kato N scale and bachmann EZ-track HO scale). But then I do see the Kato HO scale track: a few switches and a few curved tracks. My eyes rapidly scan the wall of track and the floor where boxes of starter track sit. I look for a Kato HO scale Unitrack Starter Kit. No luck. I ask the store proprietor if he carries the Starter Kit. "No, is his reply. Kato has a HO scale Unitrack Starter Kit?" He inquisitively asks me. "Yes" I disappointingly inform him. "They even have a small layout set too" I add.

Before my trip is a total loss I figure maybe I can finally get my DCC system. I ask the proprietor if he carries the Digitrax Zephyr DCC system. "Yeah, he replies, I believe I have it in N scale over there" and he points down the aisle. In N scale I think , what's he talking about? Immediately I reiterate to the store owner that I am talking about the DCC control system. He was talking about a train. Oh boy, I thought, this can't be real. I do not think he even knows what DCC is. I immediately drop the subject.

OK, don't panic. Maybe I can at least take a look at some of the new locos I only see in MR. "Where are your HO scale locomotives?" I ask the owner. "I only have a few, he replies. What I have is in the counter over there." Then he adds, "I guess HO scale is sort of coming back." To which I astonishingly remarked, "I never knew it left." and he laughed. I didn't even bother to look at the paltry selection. There was a wide variety of O scale engines. Just my luck.

Now I ask the owner if he has any track cleaning erasers. "No", he replies "I've been meaning to order them, you're the second to ask." Then I ask him if he has engine lube. He tells me to use 3 in 1 oil. I thank him for his time and promptly leave. Wondering for the 30 minute drive home why I even bothered.

This was not a real small shop nor was it mainly an RC or plastic models shop. In fact, the name of the store has "Trains" in it. I do not want to reveal the name because it is the man's livelihood I'm sure and that's not right. However, I cannot believe that I live within 40 miles of the largest city in the country and cannot find a real top notch HO scale train store. I hear all you guys talk about these great LHS and get jealous. I have lived almost my whole life in this area and there hasn't been a decent train store since the old Lionel store when I was a kid. It was a big store right on the main strip.

Does anybody else have the Hobby Shop Blues? [:(]

[brothaslide]

I don't have a hobby shop around where I live so I order most of my stuff on the internet. If I'm out of town and there is a good hobby shop in that area, I'll stop in and purchase a car or two.

No HS blues but I wi***heir was one locally.

[CSXFan]

There was a nice little hobby shop a few miles from my house that sat right next to the CSX main out of Holland MI. It wan't a very large shop by any means but it was still a place I could go to look at stuff I'll never be able to afford. They even had a working HO layout! But then after being open about 5 months it was turned into a art supply store! [:(!] Boy was I mad. Well, at least I know were to get paint and weathering supplies. [sigh]

[MisterBeasley]

I went to my LHS today, too. I brought along my "camera car" with the small video camera in the nose. Gerry, the owner, and I played with it for about an hour, running it around his fully landscaped in-store layout. We even made a video. The other customers that drifted in enjoyed it, too.

This time, I just bought a few LEDs for lighting up passenger cars, and a copy of MR to read on the plane on Monday. But it's nice to know there are still good LHS's like Maine Trains around.

[Vampire]

Yea, I've got 'em. My favorite LHS closed last year. The owner relocated to care for his elderly parents. I never knew how good I had it.

There is a big, famous store not far from work, but everything is at full MSRP. I stop in now and then to browse but hardly buy anything. Too much $$$.

[Anonymous]

Big time blues. We used to have a great train LHS, Az Trains. No train HS within 150 miles, now. There are 2 Hobbytowns, but they are RC oriented, it seems. Certainly not trains. I can't see supporting a layout with on-line shopping only. I can't test a locomotive before buying (Spectrum!), and have to buy virtually every little nit and bit on-line. With all that model railroading demands, it seems like more of a pain than it's worth. On-line is great, but not a panacea for me.

[Milwhiawatha]

Luckily I have 3 good LHS and then I have Walthers 30 minutes away from me.

[Anonymous]

Yeah it's a sign of the times. Everyone jumps on the internet looking for bargains. The poor old LHS is left out in the cold.

Happens to me too (in hydraulics parts - not trains). All the smarties try to bypass us to go direct to the manufacturer to get cheap prices. Then they come to me to buy their most urgent needs. If I don't have stock they complain. But why should I have stock if no one is going to buy it?

[soapbox]

[Anonymous]

When I lived in Houston, I could visit at least five hobby shops that were <exclusively> model railroading. Roadnames from east to west were available. I even knew the owners of a couple of shops personally. Prices ranged from 10% - 30% below retail, and I could just "put something in the back" until I could pay for it.

Now I live in Amarillo - two hobby shops in which model railroading is perhaps 25% of their business, MSRP on what little stock they have, and everything's AT&SF. Not to blame them, but I never appreciated how good I had it in Houston...

[spidge]

Surfstud31, sorry to here of sucha poor experience but unfortunately this is common. Some guys just don't get it. I have gone into shops thinking they would have a good selection based on advertisements but when I get in there they are clueless. A good aspect of this is they don't always know what they have, meaning I went into a craft/hobby shop and they had Southern Pacific stuff galore. This is very unusual. So I talked him down on a large purchase and left quite happy.

So keep looking because when you find that one or two shops that give good service you will also meet others with the same values concerning your hobby.

[rolleiman]

I'm sure this is going to turn into another brick vs internet hobby shop thread.. I'll toss out my [2c] now and then duck.. I'd say you left the best hobby shop when you turned off your computer and got into your truck. There use to be a solid dozen within 1 hour of where I live and I use to hit all of them regularly. One by one though, they've disappeared for one reason or another (owners die off or retire, can't or won't compete with the internet, lack of interest in hands on hobbies, etc). Only a few left and I don't need anything bad enough to get into my car, deal with the morons and buttheads on the road, to make the trek. It just isn't worth it to me anymore.

[spidge]

Jeff, I agree. I have ordered a bit off the net but I have found a couple shops I enjoy. I recently hit a shop that started to increase its N-scale inventory and I was able to meet the owner, about 90 yrs old. By the time I left the shop I was invited to run two layouts and they< the shop, would get anything I needed. This is the kind of stuff thats sooooo hard to find. I will tell you the shop is Trainquest in Moreno Valley and I will go back when I need/whant something or just chit chat.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman

I'm sure this is going to turn into another brick vs internet hobby shop thread.. I'll toss out my [2c] now and then duck..

Reckon you're right about the best shop being in the computer. I know I was bemoaning people bypassing the LHS by using the internet, but guess how I do most of my shopping? It is a fact of life these days, like it or not.

When I go home for a holiday I try to drop in to the stores that I shop from. Yes, they are actual stores that also sell over the net. Perhaps in the States they no longer have a walk in department?

Poking round a shop is almost as good as running trains. Can be an expensive pass time though.[:I] Taking the wife along can limit the damage, but severely limits the fun too. Sorry dear.[:X]

[rolleiman]

I'm not saying that good shops aren't out there. The few that remain here could probably be considered good as well. At least most of them can. They close for different reasons and part of my point was that it isn't just the internet (which is what I know a lot of people blame the decline of the brick and mortar shops on). This past January I visited what many would consider a hole in the wall place and it's the ONLY one in this area that didn't require a 60 minute drive to get to (for me) and was sometimes worth going to. This place had been open for about 10 or 11 years and only dealt in trains. The guy that worked there was an ex railroad engineer (don't know why he no longer was) so he Knew trains. He was a large scale guy so his interest in our tiny HO and N scale trains was a bit limited but he still knew what was available. Had an operating display layout as well as a private O scale layout in a back room. To walk into this place you had to step over the store mascot cat "Chessie". Anyway, the Owner, had apparently lost interest in the train store some years back and basically let the place go to the dumper. Stock, from year to year after that was virtually unchanged. They would get some new release walthers stuff in from time to time but that was about it. Typically, my trips there were planned as part of some other reason for getting on the road (other than going to work) and I'd go to buy a magazine or something like that. Anyway, when I went in January, I was greeted by a sign on the door that said, GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. 20% off everything, 40% off in February, Closed March 1st. I was somewhat saddened by this because it was one of the few I enjoyed going to. I happen to think, that in that area, being the only one, this guy could have made a strong go of it if he'd shown some interest in doing business in model trains. Now all that's left that doesn't require a 90 minute plus turnaround on the freeways, is part of a local chain that IMO, has sucked for the last 7 or so years. They doubled the size of the store and reduced stock by half. I honestly don't know what keeps that place in business. The thing that these Chain places lack is knowlage. The sad part about it is, the people working there don't seem to give a **** . Somebody like the original poster, been out of it for several years, walks away from the place with his money still in his pocket, pissed that he wasted his time, probably not likely to return to that store. If they had somebody in there that knew what they were dealing in, was able to answer questions (correctly), he likely would have been a returning satisfied customer, even if he had to wait for them to get what he wanted.

Now, I'm probably not the typical hobby shop shopper. Most likely, I'm one of those that the proprietors don't really care to see come through the door. I'll breathe thier air, enjoy thier heat (or AC depending on season) for awhile as I browse and then leave. I wasn't always like that but in recent years, I've taken a hard look at what I have, what I have room for, and decided that chasing new releases, having a 900 car fleet being drug around by 90 locomotives, just isn't for me. So with that decision and living expenses what they are ($3 per gallon of gas for instance), my hobby expendatures have shriveled from $500 - $1000 per month (at retail hobby shops) down to about that in a couple years, online.. I've gone from a gotta have it now mentality (which is a self inflicted trap that's discussion for another thread), to an if it's available when I'm ready for it, I'll get it, otherwise not. Either way, I still enjoy my trains.

[simon1966]

I am really lucky, I have an amazing little store not 10 min from my house.

[jbloch]

LHS in Columbus, Ohio is very good--pretty good variety in HO. As I haven't even started my benchwork yet, have only bought some MR books from them. Price could be an issue--their prices are a little below Walthers MRSP, but not a lot, so my future dilemma will be how much can I afford to support the LHS, which I otherwise would like to do.

Jim

[spidge]

If you think about the costs involved of doing bussiness. I would imagine having a shop in an industrial area, mainly a warehouse, would be lower rent. Also if they are not open to the public they dont have to worry about theft so much. A store front with fair foot traffic must be expensive so I don't mind shopping on the net, as it keeps prices lower in my opinion. If you stick to a fairly high standard on what you buy you should not have too many problems with returns and such. Some online shops will give free shipping if you spend x amount so look around or give them a call.

[Anonymous]

smeyers,
Where are you located? City, State only!

[RedGrey62]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

I am really lucky, I have an amazing little store not 10 min from my house.

simon1966, can you share teh name and location? I drive home to Omaha (to visit my wife!) from Tennessee and pass right thru there. Plus she's a big Cardinal's fan so I visit the area at 2 other times each year.

Rick

[Anonymous]

Spidge - there was a LHS I used to insure (I'm an insurance agent) that was in a warehouse just like you said. Was lower rent, less chance of theft, etc. I'm pretty sure he's still around but the store is about an hour away and he carries mostly structures.

I have to agree with many of you that the internet is the best store for me at this point. I like to patronize the small business (as I am one) and I love to just drive down the street and pickup what I need but that just isn't possible for me. It really is a shame - I was ready to spend hundreds of dollars for DCC, track, and engine, etc at this man's store but now it looks like the internet vendors will get my money.

I have even considered opening a shop myself since my area is so desperate for a decent LHS. But I would have to leave my own business and a rather comfortable salary. That would be interesting.

I might try again today to check out another store if I can get up the nerve. If not, I will make my purchases on the internet. Either way, I'll post my results.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

There are no hobby shops in Leesviile, La. The closest one is in Alexandria. It is called 'Hare's Art and Hobby'. They deal in Trains (HO, N-scale, O-scale, G-scale) and if they don't have it they can get it. They also deal in things needed for RC, art, painting, model building, etc, etc. I almost always find what I'm looking for.

[grayfox1119]

At the present time, I am very lucky, I have at least 5 hobby shops that have a very good selection of MRR inventory, AND, are "knowledgable" of their trade, which is VERY important as we all know,
I can drive to the nearest in 20 Minutes, 30 for another, and 45 minutes for 3 others.

What I fear the most, and we have all observed this happening, is that we are losing the old timers who have run their shops for years, and are very knowledgable. The younger guys fall into two categories, (1) Knowledgable, and are struggling to make a living against skyrocketing expenses and lost sales to internet business, and (2) Not Knowledgable, and will eventually not make it.

I try to give my LHS's as much business as I can. I want to touch, and discuss the product and speak with knowledgable sales people, and to share ideas etc.

Once we have lost the LHS's withing driving distance of our homes, we will need to rely upon online sales. And with postal and delivery rates going up faster than our gas prices at the pumps, can you just imagine what we will be paying in years to come?

The average inflation rate is 3.5% per year. So do a little math. Make a list of a few items, like locomotives, cars, turn-outs, track etc. and list their prices as of 2006. Now add 3.5% to their cost, and then do this for 5 years. You might be shocked to see what you will be paying.

Example: A turnout selling for $18.50 today in 2006. At 3.5% inflation rate, in 2007 it will cost us $19.15. In 2008, it will cost us $19.82, in 2009 it will cost $20.51, in 2010 it will cost $21.23, and 5 years later in 2011, it will cost us $21.97!!!!

If you have a nice job, and are getting descent raises each year, you may be saying " so what"! But if that is NOT the case, or, you are on FIXED income, like all us retired folks, it "is" a big deal. I am thinking about walking along the country roads in our town and picking up returnable cans and bottles. $1 for every 20, WOW, I may be able to stay up with inflation!!! LOL

[BRAKIE]

Due to driving restrictions due to my health I can no longer go hobby shop hopping like I use to.Now I go with friends or stop at the 2 shops in Mansfield when I go to the Doctors.Of course I have 2 non-modelers with me.its a strain on them to wait while I look and shop.However..98% of my purchases is now done on line which saves me money and the need to depend on others.[;)]
========================================================
Surfstud31 That doesn't surprise me about DCC.. Many of the shops in my old roving area doesn't carry DCC or decoders because-well simply put there is little market demand.They will order it though.

[dragenrider]

I'll jump in here with a story. . . and a suggestion.

Yesterday I attended a small town festival in a nearby tourist village. This is a retirement area where I'm sure MR enthusiasts abound. Among the retirement folks is an older gentleman who moved down here from somewhere up north. He ran a hobby shop there. When he moved, he sold everything he could and hauled the rest with him in his move. He opened a hobby shop in the aforementioned small tourist town, but never bothered to update his inventory. It took him a year just to get around to unpacking his boxes which cluttered the store.

I stopped in yesterday to see if the store had improved and how the owner was getting along. I pity the fellow. The old gentleman limps along slowly in his humped over way and is friendly enough, but seems to have no idea why no one comes twice or purchases anything in his store, which opens and closes on his whim. His inventory is very small, mostly leftovers he couldn't sell from his prior store. (there's a clue!) There are no cars newer than ten years old, nothing DCC, and his three or four shelves are sparsely stocked.

This appears to be similar to many other LHS I've visited. Why don't the owners realize that if they are serious about selling their wares, they must have something people WANT to buy.

My suggestion is this--why doesn't someone in the MR industry start a program to educate owners on the the finer points of business and sales. It would be to the MR industry's advantage as this would increase their sales as well. Make it a weekend LHS owners retreat sponsored by Walthers, if you will. Everyone wins! Walthers would sell more products and get an inside track on the hobby shops, the owners would make more money, and the buyers (me and you) would get a better choice of items.

What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Hello, caellis,

QUOTE: smeyers,
Where are you located? City, State only!

Good 'ol Tucson, AZ!

[bogp40]

The only true LHS that thrives always seems to be run by an avid modelrailroader themselves. It is so temping to do all purchases online, but I try to give some business to these small LHS. I guess I'm lucky, there are 4-5 very good shops just south of Boston, (greyfox finds the same only north of me). I just assume that anywhere near a large city you would find some decent LHS. Seems not to be the case.
Bob K.

[Anonymous]

I'm down to one decent HS, which fortunately is 5 minutes from where I work, and pretty much on my direct route home (the train-watching one, that is, not the freeway route [:D] ).

There used to be 2 stores, one local and one near where I worked. But they were both sold off and became arts & crafts stores. Then 2 others stores came in - the good one that's left, and another one, closer to home, that was nothing more than an extension of some guy's hobby. The selection was limited, the location was lousy (in a bowling alley), and the hours weren't that great.

Well, the close one went out of business last month, and to be perfectly honest, I won't miss it.

Fortunately, the other one is going strong, and looks like it will be here for a while. His selection is good, he sells many of his locos at a 10-15% discount, and he's knowledgable. I plan on doing everything in my power to make sure he stays in business.

[Train 284]

Well, I have always had good expiriences with my LHS. Sorry to hear your did not go to well.

[nbrodar]

Although it's a 30 or 40 minute drive, I still prefer going to my LHS. They stock a wide range of scratchbuilding supplies (which is very unusual), discount the Walthers price by about 10% and offer a 5% discount for NMRA members. The staff is also very knowledgable and friendly. And even though, I haven't switched to DCC, yet, they are DCC experts.

Nick

[Anonymous]

I'm lucky to have a very good LHS to do business with. Unfortunately, the owner is considering retirement. He admits that internet stores really beat him in price. He wonders if they are getting a lower wholesale cost than him or if the brick and mortor really adds that much to the cost of business.

I've seen the MSRP on items and I know he cuts people breaks. Even if his prices are somewhat higher than the net stores, I gladly pay his price for the service and information he provides. Also, if he doesn't have it in stock, he will order it for you.

The internet store prices has really separated the wheat from the chaff when if comes to brick and mortar stores. But internet stores are now becoming a problem instead of a help. Internet stores really lack the personal touch of a brick and mortar. I wonder how long it will be before a reverse trend begins and people start wanting face to face sales again.