Whats is killing the local hobby stores?

[rmothers]

I was just wondering why the localhobby stores are all dieing?
What do you go tot he hobby store for if anything?
honestly would you pay more for the local shops? and how much more?
Please let me know what you think...

I LOVE THAT IM GETTING VOTES BUT PLEASE IF YOU ARE PUTTING LACK OF STOCK LET ME KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE NOT FINDING... THANKS GUYS.. Im roughly entertaining the idea of opening a shop but finding in these times i need to do lots of home work.

I have found that the hobby shops dont have what im looking for or dont restock fast enough...

1. Mail order is easier
2. Mail order is cheaper
3. Hobby stores dont have the stock? and what are you looking for?
4. poor costumer service?
5. prices too high?
6. Store hours?

[Pistolera]

Other...as in none within a 35 mile (one way) drive. That and they generally don't have the specific items I'm looking for. It would take one heck of an inventory to satisfy all the needs of this widely diverse hobby.

Earle

[sweetpea]

Your poll isn't accurate. Not your fault but you need to be able to vote multiple.

Mail order is cheaper (typically)
Hobby Stores don't have the stock, especially for High end GS or Helis.


The money is in the "toys" of the hobby also in R/C car parts where the markup is 30% or more.

[rmothers]

Cheaper yes but if the local shop had the items at a reasonable price would you shiop local. Now we all understand the local guys cannot beat the price of the mail order.. If the prices were kinda margianed the same way the smaller stuff is would you shop local instead of online.

*added If you shop online only because its chepaer then that would be the reason i would put however if you could buy it local would you. So for an example.. local has everything you would find online only its a bit more moeny would you still shop online.

[smokedat]

I prefer to buy online as my local hobby shop is 35 miles away, i do support my hobby shop for my glow needs but for the gassers i prefer shopping online as they are not stocked and their way way over priced their super dri smoke fluid is 30 bucks when u can get it online for 22

[rmothers]

makes sense smokedat

[FENWAYFLYER]

I was flurting with the idea of opening a mobile Hobby Shop and travel on the weekends to different fields maybe even Imac events.
If you have two people in one it, one can fly the other watch the trailer.

[wizard]

For me it is over a 60 mile drive one way to a hobby shop. There are 3 that are about the same distance from me. 1 that is a national chain store that is mostly geared for the RC car/truck market. If I'm in that area I will stop and pick up things like CA, and an occasional piece of balsa. The other one in the same city is geared mostly toward plastic models and trains now. Again I will stop for CA or props for glow once or twice a year.

The third shop is about a 70 mile drive in the other direction. We make the drive 4 or 5 times a year. This shop is well stocked for the glow market as well as RC cars/trucks, plastic models, trains, etc. They don't have much for the gasser market. This is the shop where we normally buy our glow fuel, sometimes covering, and most of our glow supplies. I try to buy what I can from this shop. The owner is a modeler and very knowledgeable about the products he carries. He will give you great information regardless if it even means you don't buy something from him.

For most of my gasser needs I normally purchase online and the occasional phone call or visit to a shop that is about a 90 mile drive. This shop carries mostly 26cc to 50cc gasser products.

I wish that I has a shop closer to where I live but the last one that was close (about 25 miles) was poorly stocked and I bought little other than fuel there. It closed over a year ago.

[rmothers]

oooooh good idea... Hey dad wanna watch the shop im going to fly...

[wizard]

	Quote: Originally Posted by FENWAYFLYER
	I was flurting with the idea of opening a mobile Hobby Shop and travel on the weekends to different fields maybe even Imac events. If you have two people in one it, one can fly the other watch the trailer.

This type of shop might even do better than some "store front" business. You can carry an inventory more directed toward just one targeted buyer group. That means not having to carry such a diverse inventory.

The only draw back of this type of a business, it could get to the point where the business takes the fun out of the hobby.

[StPeteFlyer]

Online hobby shops are cheaper and the local hobby shop does not carry any giant scale stuff unless you need a fuel tank or some control horns.

[Edge 540]

I like getting packages in the mail.

[planestiffi]

I think we need to support the local hobby shops its them that we trust in to give us true and accurate info on all things hobby related if you have a problem with an item or any issue they are usally better equiped to help than mail order.

[JimC-MD]

Those voting "cheaper" should quantify. Do you factor in shipping vs sales tax? Does your state require you to submit the sales tax for items you purchased over the net? If so, and you do not, it is only cheaper because you have not been caught yet.

Is the difference in smoke oil (just and example, not picking on anyone) factor in the cost to ship it? If you need smoke oil this weekend and cannot ship it priority because it MUST go ground, is it really cheaper?

If you pay a handling charge and shipping, would you order a single prop? Are we always able to bundle our purchases?

I am fortunate to have two shops about an hour from me that are better stocked than the norm. I will make the trek to one and stop by the other on my way back from business trips up north. They are worth supporting and having when I need something and do not want to wait days. Many are taking advantage of the drop ship sales offered by some suppliers. If you call them up, they will have an order shipped directly to you or ship from the store. If you are within 100 miles they are allowed to do so. It is a great tool. One guy I deal with is smart enough to know that he can do these sales with less overhead. They just add to his bottom line by taking a phone call and keying in the order. Good deals, matching even the best mail order are on the table.

I used to manage a hobbe shop and had people come in from a tri state area. We were mostly glow back then, but were known to be fairly priced with good inventory and product mix. It can be done. It is a lot of work and you will likely not get rich doing it.

[BoneDoc]

We may need to redefine what "local" means as well.

1. Nowadays, if you can call up a shop, talk to the owner about all his products, and get great info, how is that not local?

2. Moreover, if you have problems with your setup or the product you purchase and you get prompt answer to your questions, emails, or PM, how is that not local?

3. In addition, if you package is damaged in transit despite UPS Proof (for the most part) tripple boxing, and you call / email pics of the damage, and get a replacement shipped that same day, how is that not local?

That's why I consider www.3dhobbyshop.com a local establishment. Those who have talked to Ben and flown his planes know exactly what I'm talking about .