Whats is killing the local hobby stores?

[Peachey24]

Probably a bit late entering this thread but.....

I opened a model shop here in the UK 13th June 2009.

Original idea was going to be aircraft specialist but i have found now i am a car/truck specialist. Ive realised you cant do what you want to do, you have to satisfy customers. Always call customers when you say you will, order when ever you can, even if it may cost the customer a little more, you can either swallow the extra it costs or pass it to the customer.

I love all the giant scale aircraft, But over here its not "big". I've had a 45cc engine sitting in the shop, a 89" chipmunk and a large pitts, they are just eye candy.

Most important, offer as much help as possible, and explain to a customer the issues of buying from the net, mail order.
The one thing that winds me up the most is when a customer comes in blatently eyeing, touching asking about the product and you know they will buy off the net, but.... they will normally bring it to you for repair!

I have a website, havnt sold a thing from it yet, in my opinion wither go whole hog into mail order or just dont bother!

I also do vehicle, aircraft graphics, photo enlargments, canvas printing etc so its good to have another source of income.

a model shop is great to own, my budget to open was £15K but have now amassed a total of £29k

e x p e n s i v e! but do it, theirs nothing like being your own boss!!

Hope this helps

Tom
power hobbies uk

[LeeRain]

"Mail Order easier" is my choice.
LOL

[vlysakowski]

Lack of Stock and expensive is what is killing local hobby stores.

[alec taylor]

mail order for me as my model shop is about 700 miles away. alex

[StevL]

	Quote: Originally Posted by xtraflyr
	Right now my LHS ia beating everybody's price on Hitec 7955 T servos.Even cheaper then Hobby King @$95.00 plus tax of course. I get that price because I use my LHS for (ALMOST) everything I need. Plus I like to hang out with the guys and shoot the bull.. Frank

We have an in state store that will sell them for $85. and that includes shipping! Out of state no sals tax

Steve

[vlysakowski]

	Quote: Originally Posted by LeeRain
	"Mail Order easier" is my choice. LOL

I agree.

[Devil_Inside]

I try to support my LHS as much as possible, however they frequently don't carry the items that I need, and yes, sometimes the price difference is too big to compromise. Most hobby shops lack even basic stock for giant scale airplanes, and gas powered airplanes in general. I am lucky to have a very well stocked hobby store only 30-40 minutes away from me, but since I started flying gas I haven't been able to find any of the items I need over there. As far as glow models go they have everything you can think of, which is great.

[nesikachad]

I try like hell to use LHS whenever possible but it's becoming harder and harder to do it. Materials and stuff are fine but when I'm starting a new plane and need expensive core parts the savings using mail order just makes it too hard to buy local much of the time.

sucks but it's expensive enough to do this stuff as it is.

[f5air]

i know it sounds little "bad" but for me is "lack of stock" they want to get sells without investing money. Why go to your local shop, pay, wait and then again go there for pick up when you can just log in in your favorite site, ordered and wait 4-7 days, plus you can order whatever else you want for that airplane.

LHS just helps for the "ooo forgot to order this online...lets go to my lhs to get it".

[michaelJH]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 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

Same here. The only habby shop around here is about 45min away and they are mostly stuff I don't want. there stock is poor and hours are atrocious. It is all around easyer to order.