Goodnews/Badnews

the doog

Devil Dawg

What's up with HobbytownUSA lately? That's the third one I know of that's closing in the last year. We had two close in the Charlotte area last year. Only one left left here (in Charlotte) that I know of.

Devil Dawg, what Hobby Towns closed now? I'm in Charlotte, up near University Area. I used to live in South Charlotte, near Pineville, last year, and there's one down there that I go to occasionally. Is that one still opened? I haven't been there since maybe October?

The one in Monroe, NC (about 15 miles east of downtown Charlotte, just off of Highway 74 - I live in Indian Trail, which is just before you get to Monroe) closed late 2014, and the one on the north side of Charlotte (not sure of it's exact location, as I never got to go there before it closed) closed in mid-2014. The one in Pineville is still open, but it's stock of plastic kits leaves a lot to be desired. I've only lived in the Charlotte area for 2 years now, but the Pineville location had a pretty decent selection of plastic kits when I first got here. Seems that they aren't restocking kits when they get sold (that's the way it seems to me). I noticed the one in Monroe did the same thing just before they closed up - didn't replace their stock once they sold it. I just happened to stop by there one Friday to see what the delivery truck had brought in, and noticed a sign on the door stating that they would be closing in two weeks, and had a big sale going. Of course, by this time, most of the good stuff was already gone! 

Didn't realize that you lived in Charlotte. We'll have to get together sometime to meet and swap plastic war stories!

Yeah!Even the "sale price"was still too high!

Sprue-ce Goose

One Hobby Town in the Chicago area rarely puts model kits on sale, the other has sales occasionally.

The second store may mark down the price 75 pct., but that 75 pct. markdown puts the model sale price at half the regular Squadron/ Sprue Brothers price.

Still worth buying, but not as remarkable as the sticker might indicate.

Best to know on-line prices before shopping at Hobby Town.

Truer words could not be said. A lot of places that regularly sell items above MSRP will occasionally slap a sale sticker on it. The "sale" price is often still above what the online price is. Folks then buy it thinking they got a deal. Smart phones with an uploaded price scanner are invaluable.

Devil Dawg

What's up with HobbytownUSA lately? That's the third one I know of that's closing in the last year. We had two close in the Charlotte area last year. Only one left left here (in Charlotte) that I know of.

Devil Dawg, what Hobby Towns closed now? I'm in Charlotte, up near University Area. I used to live in South Charlotte, near Pineville, last year, and there's one down there that I go to occasionally. Is that one still opened? I haven't been there since maybe October?

One Hobby Town in the Chicago area rarely puts model kits on sale, the other has sales occasionally.

The second store may mark down the price 75 pct., but that 75 pct. markdown puts the model sale price at half the regular Squadron/ Sprue Brothers price.

Still worth buying, but not as remarkable as the sticker might indicate.

Best to know on-line prices before shopping at Hobby Town.

Hobby town is killing itself slowly. It's a sensitive subject because you have people who claim the high prices on folks not patronizing them enough, and them having to make up the difference, then you've got the economically sensible person (like myself) who absolutely cannot fathom paying 68 dollar's for a model that can be bought online for 41 dollars (true example). . My local store only opened a few years ago, but they haven't done anything to expand, and they essentially cater to naive newcomers who think they're getting a deal for the 800 crap Models on the shelf that are overpriced. Another thing that kills them is that they don't ever go back to reduce pricing to reflect market prices. Saw the hasegawa F-22 for 91 dollars, and they winder why it's still sitting there while everyone else is getting it for a third of that price on Amazon. Update your stock, or keep dusting it off. I don't know. It's sad. I love nothing more than a good hobby store, but I'm also not amused by paying people who blatantly know they're ripping you off.

Yeah ! do not think that they scoped the local market out!They were here for the better part of 10 years and In that time I never bought a kit until the Tante Ju!

My closest HobbyTown is a former independent that converted to a franchisee in the last year. I think for them it is the last step before closing altogether. Their plastic model selection is awful, and the prices are very high.

Their paint/glue/tool stock is still pretty good, but since for me it's about an hour drive, it's just not worth it, and its unlikely I'll ever be making any more trips there.

philo426

Yeah Greg i think there was too much local competition.The Hobby lobby 40% off coupon and the better prices at the Local hobby Shops probably doomed them.

Could be. I visited a Hobbytown in Sacramento last year. It was incredibly well-stocked to please plastic kit builders. If I had something like that nearby, Hobby Lobby would become a memory.  (I use them for staples sometimes)

Yeah Greg i think there was too much local competition.The Hobby lobby 40% off coupon and the better prices at the Local hobby Shops probably doomed them.

Yeah!they have a nice one for 600 bones at my local Guitar Center!

I was under the impression that Hobbytown franchises were, in general, in growth mode.

I appreciate having read this discussion because opening a local Hobbytown was in the back of my mind should I need to find something else to do some day. It doesn't sound quite as attractive now.

When you get that Martin 12-string, you better post some pictures of it!! I am a HUGE Martin fan! Got a DR 6-string myself. Lotsa signatures on it, too. Trying to do my imitation of Willie Nelson's Martin with mine.

All that the current budget would allow.Have to save up for my Martin 12 string!

Great score!  That's all you could find?  

Eagle90

Ditto on the Hobbytown prices.  There is one about 12 miles away and the only reason I ever go there is on an emergency trip for glue or plastic stock.  I've never gotten any help on anything there.

Jim 

Rob Gronovius

I have not been to HobbyTown in a while, 10 years or so, but when one opened in Burlington, Mass., the regular retail price was often more than the Squadron Mail Order price including shipping.

That's the way it is at the Hobby Works where I live. I go there to look around and maybe buy a kit if I happen to have a gift card, but usually I just buy paints and glue there. I just can't afford to pay $15-$20 more for a kit than I can get it for online.

I have not been to HobbyTown in a while, 10 years or so, but when one opened in Burlington, Mass., the regular retail price was often more than the Squadron Mail Order price including shipping.

I think the problem with Hobbytown were their high prices.MSRP plus tax was not really a bargain and I used to buy mostly paint and Zap A Gap because they were open on Sunday.

50% off kits at HobbytownUSA? That puts the price at about regular retail! Good grab

What's up with HobbytownUSA lately? That's the third one I know of that's closing in the last year. We had two close in the Charlotte area last year. Only one left left here (in Charlotte) that I know of. The local Hobby Lobby stores are carrying only Revell-Monogram and small-scale Academy stuff now. They used used to have a good assortment of Tamiya, Hasegawa, and other major brands.

Sorry about the rant. Great to see that you scored a good kit for a great price, Philo!

A nice score no doubt...

Yep!

Ah then you're doing pretty good then...

Yes i am fortunate that i have 2 full service hobbyshops as well as a Hobby Lobby within 5 miles!

One person's bad news is often another's good news... Nice score!