SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

A plug for the LHS.

2318 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: North Carolina
A plug for the LHS.
Posted by Back to the bench on Saturday, June 30, 2012 9:21 AM

This actually happened well over a year ago but a discussion with a friend last night made me realize I take too many good things for granted. I was one of the old codgers getting back to the hobby and had ordered a Hasegawa P-47 from Sprue Brothers. The kit arrived promptly and in great shape in the original cellophane wrapping. When I opened the box there was no decal sheet included. I contacted Sprue brothers by email twice and never got a response. I was careful not to rant, the emails basically said "I know this is not your fault, but do you have any advice on how to contact the manufacturer". A few days later I was driving down a street here locally and noticed a hobby shop that I did not know we had. I stopped in and told their "plastic guru" my plight and he said "no problem I bought that kit and built a different version and still have the original decals. Stop in tomorrow and you can have em for free". I did and he (Brian) was good to his word, also gave me a ton of advice on different paint types and how to approach them differently when airbrushing. Even offered to set up in the back room and give me a few airbrush lessons when it was ready for paint. Through that contact I joined the local club (Albuquerque Scale Modelers) and have learned a ton from many outstanding individuals. I also get a discount on purchases at the shop (Hobby Proz). Please understand this is not a rant against Sprue Brothers, everything I read says they are an outstanding online business. There could have been server problems and they may have never gotten my emails, who knows. My point is that I now have a great place to hang out and learn and just plain have fun. I pay slightly more buying locally but the guys at Hobby Proz have saved me a lot of headaches and money by steering me in the right direction the first time instead of me doing everything by trial and error. And I get the feeling they genuinely enjoy teaching newbies (or out of practice oldies) how to build a good model. If you are lucky enough to still have a good LHS in your area don't take them for granted. Same goes for the benefits of a good local IPMS chapter or local club.

Gil

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, June 30, 2012 10:04 AM

The LHS is almost always a better place to go. Yes you may pay a bit more, but the human interaction and true customer service are worth it.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, June 30, 2012 10:41 AM

Just remember Google is very helpful in finding a manufacturer's website. Most of the major model manufacturers have a website with contact forms on how to request replacement parts, decals instructions and some even provide building tips.

Generally speaking, many companies use their name + ".com" as their website address and are very helpful in assisting modelers.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Saturday, June 30, 2012 12:02 PM

I had a similar experience with decals, right here on this forum.  I had messed up an important decal on an expensive model, so I put out a call for help.  Sure enough, a kind soul contacted me, saying he was bulding a different version of the kit, and mailed me a replacement decal for my model.  Nice folks here!

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, June 30, 2012 1:48 PM

yes, Local Hobby Shop- LHS

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: North Carolina
Posted by Back to the bench on Saturday, June 30, 2012 7:13 PM

Good point I could have done a bit more research on my own.

Gil

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: North Carolina
Posted by Back to the bench on Saturday, June 30, 2012 7:16 PM

Whoops I am still figuring out the reply process...

"Just remember Google is very helpful in finding a manufacturer's website"

Good point Rob I could have done a bit more research on my own.

Gil

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Denver
Posted by tankboy51 on Saturday, June 30, 2012 7:30 PM

Speaking of LHS,  mine,(ours), in Aurora, Co, just moved.  That would be Colpar Hobbies.  It's now aligned with Hobby Town.  It 's in a bigger store, plenty of space between the aisles, and still with tons of Plastic kits.  The kits are a lot easier to display and browse among.  They have a downstairs space which can be used for many things.  It's still in transition, but very nice.  I love Colpar, both locations are very well run and stocked with kits and advice.  All the staff is great.   No, I don't work there, in fact I wasn't even available to help with the move, my work schedule got in the way.  ( and it was like 102 degrees those days).

I give them the majority of my model budget, just because I want them around a long, long, long time.  I often feel for those fellow modelers who don't have a shop like Colpar around, you don't know what you're missing.  Just for the record, my first purchase at the new store was the Tasca M32B1.  Looks to be a goodie!  

Doug

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Dallas
Posted by KINGTHAD on Monday, July 2, 2012 8:50 AM

Gil you have meet one of the good guys of our industry. Brian at Hobby Proz is an excellent builder to pick his brain when you can.

Thad

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.