What sets your favorite LHS (Local Hobby Shop) apart from others?

HEY,
For mine, it would have to be that it is family owned by a friend of mine, and that it is big enough to have most of what you want, but small enough to not feel like wal mart.

Randy

For me its really that's its the closest and that it has the stuff that I want, ie no war gaming and trains. I actually don't think that the staff are that outgoing but its well stocked with good range and reasonable prices.

Before we moved cities I used to frequent another shop and that was because the owner (and his wife) was a real enthusiest. He used to run workshops eg use of a airbrush on a Saturday morning, and also had set up a number of interest groups which used to meet monthly in an evening. He gave a good discount to those interest group members as well. He and his wife were always open to offering advice to any customer that asked for it. It was just a good friendly shop with plenty to browse and it just felt comfortable being in it.

Over here I usually shop at the bigger shops and they tend to carry very similar ranges of stuff.

Where they usually vary is in stuff/kits that is produced by the company that owns the shop, and of course the 2nd-hand/sales corners.

Even most smaller shops will stock about 95% of the stuff that I need, things like Alclad and similar might be missing from their lineup though.

If he doesn't have it he'll get it for me and he's let me help with store displays and cuts be deals on damaged or oddball kits. I got 2 Migs in 1/72 (21 and 31) for $10 bucks after a guy traded them for paint. The fact he's known me since I was 8 helps.

Distance. The closest hobby shop is two hours away. I don't just drop everything to run out and buy something. That is why I rely on Squadron and Discount Hobby Center for most of my buying.

WARNING REALLY LONG!
This Thread could prove rather useful, thanks for posting it David, I had thought of posting something like this.

What sets my LHS apart? Well which one as I have several! Not all of them are the same though. I would say the specialized knowledge that the staff could provide. Knowing the owners of 3 of them also helps...yet even with all the greatness they might have they still lack some things and always have. Perhaps Im overly critical becuase I own a local business, perhaps not...Others here locally have expressed and viewed the same issues as I have....
So I'll give a brief rundown of advantages each shop has...
Bobe's(Owned by the Bobe Family)....Great kit selection! If you cant find it he can get it(Might take him Eons due to his far from perfect Vendors!) He has been in the hobby industry for a long time and is full of useful information. He has a nice tool, accesory selection as well. His store is of nice size and not cramped
DisadvantagesHis store is dimly lit and almost has a bit of a dungeon feel. While its not a problem with me going in there, I can see where it affects his yearly sales and we have discussed the matter in-depth. Warm Bright and Friendly stores help promote spending! While his staff is great and Friendly his store is not....
Bosuns Locker(Owned by George I cant remember his last name)
Bosuns Locker is a place I seldom visit even though its closest to my house and shop...It is a specialty store as its name implies catering to the Ship Modeler, Which just isnt my thing...However he has a great selection a knowledge of almost every kit he offers for sale, not just something he's qouting from a review...His store is bright and well lit and very organized! He doesnt have a lot of room, but he's managed it very well and its not cramped!
Disadvantages He could do a lot more sales if he extended his kit inventory a bit more which he has plans on doing(He's also been saying that for 3 yrs) His prices are somewhat outrageous...but he's a good guy! I seldom shop there unless I run out of some paint I need ASAP...
Johns Models(Owned by John Struck)
Johns is a unique place,this guy started from nothing in his garage with 8 kits! Very friendly and knowledgeable John carries mostly rare and OOP kits, with some new mixed in. His prices are somewhat reasonable as he has low overhead...however if your looking at some rare kit you will see the collector price reflected on the price tag. He also hosts both of the local Modeling clubs which meet at his shop....
Disadvantages Johns a great guy but his shop has many disadvantages...Its CRAMPED and I dont just mean by sheer size...He has every kit he has stuffed in his stock...some shelves go up to the cieling and block the lighting in that row/aisle. The Store is almost over crowded and if you suffer from any type of clostrophobia(Luckily I dont) you will find yourself quickly gasping for air and running out! There are a few others....
Hobby Central(Owned by Bill and Elaine Metzger)
Bill and Elaine have been friends of mine for quite some time. I have helped out in his shop during the Christmas rush while I was in there picking things up....However if you want plastic go else where. His store is well lit well laid out and merchandised but he caters primarily to the RC crowd. Full of knowledge and always willing to help....however
Disadvantages He is located in a shopping mall and has a high overhead which reflects in his prices....He carries 75 plastic model kits....Thats right Ive counted them....sure he can get more and will order anything you ask, but he doesnt stock it. This is primarily an RC shop. He carries no paintbrushes and very few Model paints(Tamiya). He has also given up his GW distributorship....he was the last GW dealer left...He's knowledgeable in the RC realm but doesnt know about other things and his attitude will quickly tell you he doesnt care(Which drives off some customers).....

Wow sorry for the indepth disertation folks....but you asked! LOL
Like I said Im trying not to seem overly critical and if I am Im sorry but you have to realize where Im coming from...as a business owner(4 yrs and counting) and with my retail/sales/merchandising background I look at stores in other ways then most do....These are all factors and issues I have thought long and hard on(and continue to do so)when I think about the hobby shop Im planning....

When I can get to it I like going to AAA since they have some good people behind the counter and its all plastic. Of coarse the one closest to me only has a small inventory, good selection of armor though, but I've never heard of any other shop that you can pick up a model, buy a gun and pawn something all in the same store.

QUOTE: Originally posted by lizardqing2 When I can get to it I like going to AAA since they have some good people behind the counter and its all plastic. Of coarse the one closest to me only has a small inventory, good selection of armor though, but I've never heard of any other shop that you can pick up a model, buy a gun and pawn something all in the same store.

Must be a Georgia and Alabama thing....theres a pawn shop in Mobile that has some plastic kits...LOL

Hey Dave,
Do ya have Snickers..?? I'll try to keep it sort.
Well to start off its the atmosphere of my LHS. It was originally startred about 53 yrs ago by the current owners parents.
The shop centers around aviation(all sorts and scales) and armour(all sorts/scales) and then gets into cars,stock cars, dragsters and the like and figures. Then the true reason how our hobby got started, "HO"/"O" scale trains.
Hes also has a great selection of after market detail parts(resin, PE) as well as after market decals.
The shop also has one hellofa reference book section kind of on the order of a library!(OK it aint that big but it can hold its own)
There are certain days that guys get together and talk shop, give some demos/tips or just toshow off their latest masterpiece.
Speaking of showing off, Rons(owner) dad built a big display case so that his patrens can display their work.
Ron is good at what he does. In all, he carries everything and if your looking for something in particular, 9 outta 10 times he can get it if does not carry it or have it in stock!!)
His motto " If I aint got it, I can get it"(this holds try my friends). I have gone to other hobby shops in my travels but nothing can beat this one and no I am not just saying that because its basically my second home.
Actually its hard for me to discribe my LHS, you have to experience it for your self, the smells, learning experience, the laughs, the stories, ah h*ll I could go on.
So the next time your in Niagara Falls stop by the LHS and see for your self.
Flaps up, Mike

What sets your favorite Local Hobby Shop apart from others? Maybe it's the lack of aftermarket kits....
The 2 stores that i frequent (Lil's megamall and Special Toys Virramall), have something of brand loyalty. Lils does Tamiya almost exclusively (paint and kits), and Spec. Toys sells lots of Dragon, Academy stuff. Though it comes in handy when i need to find a specific Tamiya color, etc... Also, i like them both because they let me "rummage" through the box even though i might not buy it (how alse am i supposed to know if i want it or not?!)...

Cassibill: that must be awesome that your LHS owner knows you and cuts you deals... they always see me at mine, and i have yet to get a single discount or freebie...

Well, they aren't local any more, but even 1000 klicks away I still patronize them whenever I'm in the area.

The Argus Hobby shop in Winnipeg has to be head and shoulders above any other I've dealt with. Not just because he carries, or can get, anything related to plastic modeling, or because I know the couple that run it, but because they always seem to go that extra mile in service and friendliness.

They are always encouraging, they'll pitch freebies to the kids who come in, they'll display your pride and joy, they'll let you browse their library, they'll help you research if they can.

I think what makes them stand out is that they do all of this without making it seem out of the ordinary and for them it is not.

They are not on line but you can phone them or write. For anyone who can find Winnipeg on a map I recommend you drop in and share a coffeee with Bert and Gerrie. The hobby will be poorer when they retire.
Bruce

Customer service is the name of the game! My local hobby shop is a small, independently owned shop that, most of the time, seems to have exactly what I am looking for. Show him a close-out ad and you get it for that price. If he doesn't have it in stock, he will order it and you still get it for the ad price and no shipping cost added, usually in two to five days. He always carries plenty of the latest aftermarket stuff too - decals, resin, PE, tools, etc. From time to time, he also buys model collections and offers them for sale at very reasonable prices. They sell fast. He carries four lines of paints - Testors, PolyScale, Tamiya, and Floquil. Not only the military colors, but their entire line. On Saturdays, there are enough experienced model builders hanging around who can answer most technical or how-to questions I might have. I love hob-nobbing with my fellow wizards. A hobby shop that's as good as they get!

Pete

The staff is very helpful and the new store is bigger . They
have a good selection of kits and will special order.Occasionaly
they have OOP kits for sale. Stock my favorite model paint and if
you want to look at a kit and the decals you can. I've bought kits
that I wouldn't have considered because of this.
Good selection of tools , magazines and books too. The
owner and staff don't ignore the customer and respect them. All
around excellent customer service !
Fuzzy

Ok, in detail review of the shops close by and a bit further out.

1.) Yusawaya:
Not really a Model shop, it is a huge store(9 stories) that caters to the Hobby crowd and got a large selection of plastic models and tools, Railroad suppies, RC, etc in the basement. On other floors you can get everything related to most hobbies.

2.) Volks:
Chain of stores, few Resin Kits(mostly volks), tools and a few Gundam Kits.

3.) Be-J:
2 story shop that carries about everything I need and might want in tools and supplies, Good plastic selection on Cars, Bikes and a bit of planes. Carries a lot of car related kits(resin), AM & PE kits.
Has a fairly decent Resin Kit corner and Sci-Fi (gundam, etc) plastic corner.

4.) Yellow Submarine:
Chain of shops that carry anything and everything model related, also got a good 2nd-hand Resin corner

5.) Mandarake:
Not rally a Hobby Shop, started of as a 2nd-hand trading store for Manga some years back and grew from there. Now covers I think 16 shops in one building and a few other shops too, also stock-market listed.
Great for 2nd-hand goods and Resin Kits, good prices but stock moves at a rapid pace.

6.) Tokyo hands:
Big store that is sort of an up-market Yusawaya, carries lots of good stuff for scratch-building and similar supplies. Doesn't sell kits perse but has a lot of tools, gadgets and so on.

PHIL'S HOBBIES.............Farmers Branch, Texas (a suburb of Dallas)
from 1200 sq.ft to 5000 sq. ft.
it's the people.........Phil Palmer(owner), Terry Bobe (up-front), Mike Bobe (all over) and every customer and regular from the shoppe's inception.
Sadly the store is closed due, as Phil suggests, 911 and the effect it had on the economy.....and i believe Mike's move back to Florida to run the family shoppe and make his own niche in the hobby world.
i've never in my life worked with nor have been a part of any group of people who captured what the hobby is all about.........awesome techiques, incredible subject matter, unselfish sharing of experience, unrelenting encouragement, massive display area, the newest and latest in what the market had to offer, a variety of modeler the like i've never seen before or since.........i could go on and on and would surely run out of accolades and adjectives describing the shoppe and guests and especially the associates tending to virtually every modeling need known.
This place was home and it was awesome........and never the like there shall be again.
Every shoppe i enter now.............is measured by Phil's and his people.

QUOTE: Originally posted by HistoryinScale QUOTE: Originally posted by lizardqing2 When I can get to it I like going to AAA since they have some good people behind the counter and its all plastic. Of coarse the one closest to me only has a small inventory, good selection of armor though, but I've never heard of any other shop that you can pick up a model, buy a gun and pawn something all in the same store. Must be a Georgia and Alabama thing....theres a pawn shop in Mobile that has some plastic kits...LOL

nope not a south thing
there's a place here in muncie that has rc kits neve been there been meaning to.

QUOTE: Originally posted by shrikes Cassibill: that must be awesome that your LHS owner knows you and cuts you deals... they always see me at mine, and i have yet to get a single discount or freebie...

Yeah paul's great. Mom alway got me a gift cert so I could stop in after school and get that paint color or whatnot without having to make a extra trip or wait. He's big into trains so if someones asks about models and I'm there he finds me and lets me do the answering.Odd kits and difficult stuff don't sell well in a little town, mostly skill 1's. so if he gets something in trade or gets an assortment from the distributor, it finds its way to me.

well, my LHS is staffed by one guy, the owner. so he knows its in his best interest to keep his customers happy. he is very friendly, he orders anything you want, has a decent selection, fairly competitive prices, and goes the extra mile to make sure your satisfied. the store is fairly well organized, but the odd time you have to do a little bit of digging around. but man! he gets a lot of inventory in that little shop. and he has every branch of hobby available. plastic kits, RC, wargaming, rockets, woodburning, trains.

QUOTE: Originally posted by cirikili Mike Bobe (all over) and every customer and regular from the shoppe's inception. I believe Mike's move back to Florida to run the family shoppe and make his own niche in the hobby world.

Sounds like the one and the Same Mike Bobe that I have here, your right Great Knowledge and Customer Service! If it is the same, Mike is here and running his Dad's shop, Well heck you might as well say he owns it, his father has basically turned everything over to him(his father is in really poor health and I fear wont be with us too much longer!) Mikes a great guy and a good friend. His shop suffers some downsides but not enough to keep me out of it....

you got it Chris......that's the Mike we all know and love......he's back in Pensacola............
and i believe who you are referring to is his grandad........Terry, Mike's father is in Farmers Branch (suburb of Dallas-again) compiling his memoirs and notes and planning to pen a nonfiction version of the hobby world.......
if you knew Terry......you'd know the roots of Mike's knowledge, expertise and charisma in the land of hobbydom..........although i don't believe i've ever seen him in a suit.....WOW............lol[:0]
if you and when you see Mike.......tell him hi for me (Rik).
...sorry to hear about his grandad.......he's sired quite unique offspring.
oh yeah......i 4got.......Mike's the one responsible for my interest (neurosis) with regards to the SF3D Ma.K3000 armoured fighting suits.....somehow he found a way to obtain them while he was Dallas @ Phil's Hobbies and we're in touch through his web site and email at the present.........i'm hoping to obtain more more more more of those great kits via his tireless efforts.
what a small world this hobby place is

Ridiculously high prices

Gip Winecoff

I'd have to say that my "local" (15 miles away) is not my favorite but it is local and
I have to admit the owner seems to be improving his selection everytime I drop by. He
seems to cater to the RC side of things but I guess he needs to eat. Nice little shop
but not much for me in there.
My favorites are an hour or more away so wife has the advantage of shopping
the entire mall while I spend time in there. I always get the "are you STILL looking??!"
face.

They allow me in the door?

Mine speaks english

What's with the DFW area?

Phil's went out of business, four of my local shops have gone the way of the dodo, and now the only remaining one has halved their plastic to apparently make room for diecast models.

There simply aren't any more good LHS's in my area! Not only that, I gladly pay their prices with the satisfaction that those dollars won't go into the pockets of the Walton family.

I do admit that a lot of my plastic buying for the year is done at the Squadron open house, so that doesn't help keep the small guys in business.

I have to drive twenty miles for a bottle of semi-gloss black! Help!

The fact that they do answer the "how you did that" question with no hint of superiority attitude........It is really important.......