When I get an opportunity to go, it's usually two or three guys standing talking, they look at me, say nothing, and carry on. That includes the employee they are talking to. I don't mind though, if I need help I'll ask. It also allows me to browse undisturbed.

Sorry,don't really have a local hobby shop 

But when I did,I never bought kits,just too expensive,even talked to him one time about a kit on the shelf,a Tamiya Sherman,if he would come down a little,he said no,with that Fury movie out,it would move,so I bought it on Ebay.When I finally moved away,it was still there.

So I can say,I'm a paint and glue guy only

I wasn't there at the time but one of the members of our local club who did work at a local hobby shop told us about the time two guys came in dressed as cowboys. Whole deal, hats, boots, dusters etc. And they started looking around the shop till finally both of them walked into the same aisle from opposite ends. He said he started humming the theme to 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly' to himself and was tempted to shout out 'DRAW PARTNER!'  

It's been a while. I don't think there's a LHS in my county any longer.

When I was more involved in model railroading, I used to kill a half hour or so three days a week at Franciscan Hobbies in SF while waiting for my daughters carpool from school.

I enjoyed it and made some good friends, put up with some really annoying people, and occasionally bought something.

Later in another town, George Lucas sometimes came in to the local LHS to order or pick up custom ship models he collected. I think he probably covered any revenue loss from the rest of us.

There's an app now for self-quarantines that replicates the random conversations we have with grocery store checkers.

Maybe we need an online solution to chewing the fat at the LHS.

Oh, wait...

Steve (Modelcrazy) and I were standing at the model section at my LHS and up came a fella who knew absolutely everything about each kit and subject matter and let you know it... whether you wanted to or not! It's OK though, he may have been a lonely guy and just needed some conversation. Still kind of funny though. 

It also allows me to browse undisturbed.

This. So much this.

I worked in the BEST hobby shop in KC when I was in high school. My boss called one guy, "Marian the Librarian," because all he would ever do was come in and look at the magazines. He knew within a day when we got freshies.

Most of the folks that work at Boise's HT know me and my history. Always say hi and have a littlw chat about what's going on. I then proceed to browes the kit. Not much there really, mostly cars and Gundum, but I'll occasionally find a little gem that recenly came in. There is that one guy at club meetings that you'd better be willing to stay and talk if you say hi, or a pre-arranged escape plan.

Sadly, I haven't met anyone working at my LHS who knows a thing about the products or the hobby.  The owner does, and he is a nice guy to talk to, but he doesn't seem to spend much time there.

When I was a kid, back in the stone age, modeling stuff was sold by "Don's Bicycle Shop."  The elderly owner was a very kind old fellow, who loved mentoring all the kids who came in to get them started, and help them progress in the hobby.  That was another time, far, far away.

Hmmm;

     I have probably been guilty of that sometimes. With no regular modelers except a new model Railroader/Modeler in my neighborhood, I have done that. Why! Well it was suggested I'm lonely. That's part of it.

       The biggest part is the large size of my stash and the smaller size of my budget. Models or LEGO sets get bought once a year now. I don't buy much aftermarket either. I can build rails and such on my soldering table. All sizes too.

      Clear parts often come from slumping plastic much as you do Stained Glass slumping. Make a mold, Get your clear from a good source and proceed with the heat gun or oven.

     I like going to my LHS 45 miles away, once in a great while. New owner, so not as much. The manager at Hobby Lobby told the girls "leave him be, he has helped sell things and I don't have to pay him". LOL LOL LOL

    I wander the aisle and try to be helpful, Plus possibly to get new members for our model railroad club to replace the Old Codgers and keep it alive. That's a job within itself. I miss my own shop where I could chew the plastic for hours with customers.

      My shop was different too. Paint in bulk, Models packed so tight you had to use a tool to get them out. Each building next to my patio had Cars, Armor, Planes and Ships.The last one was supplies. Each building was painted to indicate what was within. Besides a directory on the door.

 They were next to an enclosed patio where the coffee, tea, or soft drinks and the usual baked goods could be had with conversation, exchange of money and a good B.S. session about the model just purchased. I was able to do it this way without any bank getting involved and paid my taxes accordingly. Because I lived in the country there was fewer taxes and a heck of a lot of parking.

 I enjoyed it till the last model was sold and I moved on to support my wife's medical School training. Still miss the B.S.Sessions though. It is lonely at 76, children gone ( No, We are Estranged) and no one here that is close to do modeling with. Shoot, just to go to the I.P.M.S. Show is a sixty mile trip when you include the city street traffic to get to the place.

        So this is my outlet. I try to share modeling tidbits and memories because youse guys don't give me any grief. Teasing, yes, and I enjoy every bit of it.

Wish you were closer to me Tanker Builder. I'd love to shoot the breeze at our local hobby shop. 

Growing up in South Denver our local HS was the Rexall Drug Which I could bike to. A few shelves tucked in a corner with a surprising selection of Airfix, Monogram, and Revell  kits, paint, and tube glue. I was often the only person back there, so not a lot of conversation. 

Closest actual HS was Bonnie Brae Hobby, a 20 min drive when I could talk mom into taking me over. Mainly catering to the balsa crowd, they had a pretty good stock of most everything for flying or display and a group of regulars who actually loved talking to a youngster. Those were the days, both are long gone now and I miss the interactions. 

Some of the comments above about kibitzers remind me of frequent conversations at car shows when I have one of my Model As there - the guy (or gal) who's dad had one just like it only it was green and made by Chevy followed by a comment on the incorrect upholstery. You just gotta smile and wave...

KAYSEE88

He chats and chats with the owner, about things like how the hobby used to be.  He would sometimes volunteer to go next door to get him a coffee and even help set the UPS/Fedex guy's boxes neatly on the floor.  

When the owner unpacks, he would point at some kits and say "Ah, that's a nice one right there!"

He hardly talks to other customers, but when they go to check out he'd point at their kit and say "Oh, thats a beauty i bet!"

And finally, he doesn't really buy kits--he would buy a couple of paints now and then, or maybe even a decal set.

Hahaaa......any of you seen a similar person at your hobby shop?  Please share      

 

Sometimes that sounds like me... aside from chatting about how the hobby used to be, or helping with chores, or fetching the owner some coffee... lol But with the owners that I’ve known there have been plenty of conversations  on all number of topics, hobby and non hobby related. Sometimes I’ll buy a kit, sometimes, supplies of one sort or another. It’s funny that when I finally joined the local IPMS chapter, I recognized half the guys as others who had been “loitering without apparent purpose” at any one of those shops that I used to frequent... 

Ah for the days of a stop off at Accu Scale, Military Shop, or Historical Models on my way in to work... or the weekend long visits at Brookhurst or Military Hobbies... the long ago days of riding my bike to Mac’s Hobbies with the money earned as a paper boy...

If I go to my local hobby shop, it's often because I saw a "regular" post on FaceBook that a kit I was interested in is there. I'll stop by to look at the kit "in the flesh" and usually buy it. Sometimes when I see the open box he has at the counter, I'll decide to pass on it.

Then I end up buying something from the clearance aisle or maybe a new kit I hadn't seem before (Oh! Shiney!) so it's not a wasted trip. This store is about 50 miles away, but I have left empty handed before.

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before.

Haven't been to a LHS in quite a while. They all disappeared one by one. Used to see guys like that at all of them at one time or another. After this last move, 2-1/2 years ago, there was only one shop about an hour away. Cooltrains Toys and Hobbies in Landisville. They advertised in FSM. They are now OOB due to a fire. Never got to go there. Something always got in the way. 

Jim  

the Baron

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before.

 

modelmaker66

 

the Baron

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before. 

Even if it is, then it seems to be appreciated so who cares!

 

Nothing wrong with it, just sounds like a familiar discussion.  Sort of like the ones you've often posted in the past.

When modelers write local hobby shop or LHS how local?  Mine is 40 miles away or a little over an hour drive.  So maybe I’ll drop the L and just use HS from here on out.

I’ll make it to HS maybe 2 or 3 times a year.  I like the shopping experience and the place has been around for decades.  I generally keep to myself and almost always walk out with more than I planned on buying.  There are definitely customers that match the description you explained.  The owner spends the majority of the time on the phone but is usually helpful.  

Theres a Hobby Lobby much closer but it’s just not the same.  Also a Michaels is nearby but the plastic model aisle is a disaster.  Spilled paint,  dusty dirty shelves, and the Testors paints are in no particular order.  Long live HS.

I have been that one person.  Last time I was at my LHS, a kid showed up with his dad and a lot of us helped him put down the cash on some stuff.  For instance I pulled out my phone and used my handy dandy color converter when he couldn't find the right color, and used what it would be the equivalent of it. 

wpwar11

When modelers write local hobby shop or LHS how local?  Mine is 40 miles away or a little over an hour drive.  So maybe I’ll drop the L and just use HS from here on out.

LHS is usually synonymous with going to an actual brick and mortar hobby shop and not specifically how close it is to you. Like mine is about 50 miles away and there is one about 3 miles away, but he concentrates on other items more than current kits. Lots of diecast cars and "battle barbies" GI Joe type guys.

wpwar11

I generally keep to myself and almost always walk out with more than I planned on buying.

Ah, if every customer at my store when i had one was like you....i might still be in business

wpwar11

Theres a Hobby Lobby much closer but it’s just not the same. Also a Michaels is nearby but the plastic model aisle is a disaster. Spilled paint, dusty dirty shelves, and the Testors paints are in no particular order. Long live HS.

NOW THIS IS TRUE!!!

modelcrazy

There is that one guy at club meetings that you'd better be willing to stay and talk if you say hi, or a pre-arranged escape plan.

THIS MADE MY DAY!!!

I have three main hobby stores in the area and I have not seen this happen. People may chat a little during purchase, but I have not seen anything as you describe. Maybe 30 years ago I recall some that would camp out, but it was always at the RC section. Usually, up to three at a time jawing with the owner. To tell you the truth, if I do see such a thing, I'd find it entertaining. Anyone that has a passion for the hobby would be a welcome sight. 

I just don't see much of that anymore. People come in, get their stuff, and leave. Part of that, at least in my area, the owners are not into plastic. Two of the places I frequent have owners that don't seem to have a clue. I have been told outright that they don't build models. One of them can't even answer some of the most basic questions that I had. Kind of sad.

Tanker-Builder

Hmmm;

     I have probably been guilty of that sometimes. With no regular modelers except a new model Railroader/Modeler in my neighborhood, I have done that. Why! Well it was suggested I'm lonely. That's part of it.

       The biggest part is the large size of my stash and the smaller size of my budget. Models or LEGO sets get bought once a year now. I don't buy much aftermarket either. I can build rails and such on my soldering table. All sizes too.

      Clear parts often come from slumping plastic much as you do Stained Glass slumping. Make a mold, Get your clear from a good source and proceed with the heat gun or oven.

     I like going to my LHS 45 miles away, once in a great while. New owner, so not as much. The manager at Hobby Lobby told the girls "leave him be, he has helped sell things and I don't have to pay him". LOL LOL LOL

    I wander the aisle and try to be helpful, Plus possibly to get new members for our model railroad club to replace the Old Codgers and keep it alive. That's a job within itself. I miss my own shop where I could chew the plastic for hours with customers.

      My shop was different too. Paint in bulk, Models packed so tight you had to use a tool to get them out. Each building next to my patio had Cars, Armor, Planes and Ships.The last one was supplies. Each building was painted to indicate what was within. Besides a directory on the door.

 They were next to an enclosed patio where the coffee, tea, or soft drinks and the usual baked goods could be had with conversation, exchange of money and a good B.S. session about the model just purchased. I was able to do it this way without any bank getting involved and paid my taxes accordingly. Because I lived in the country there was fewer taxes and a heck of a lot of parking.

 I enjoyed it till the last model was sold and I moved on to support my wife's medical School training. Still miss the B.S.Sessions though. It is lonely at 76, children gone ( No, We are Estranged) and no one here that is close to do modeling with. Shoot, just to go to the I.P.M.S. Show is a sixty mile trip when you include the city street traffic to get to the place.

        So this is my outlet. I try to share modeling tidbits and memories because youse guys don't give me any grief. Teasing, yes, and I enjoy every bit of it.

 

TB. I wish I lived in your area because I'd love to jaw with you about models.

I agree with you saing that was much more common 20-30 years ago. Now, all of my local hobby stores and many within the 35-40 mile area are gone. When they were open I saw "different" people. Like I always say, "Everyone is normal until you get to know them"; implying that you are the only normal person and everyone else is wierd or different. 

There was one within 5 miles that was primarily an RC, slot car, and car model shop. They had two large 8 and 10 lane slot car tracks as well as an RC park and track outside. I had a unique business relationship with the shop. Once I showed some of my kits in thier display, they asked me to build some of thier current kits for permenant display. I got to choose any kit I wanted (paints and supplies too) and it was all free. 

Another store around 35 miles away (in the big city) had a similar arrangement with me. Here I got to pick something currently in production. Once I displayed it there for 6 months it was mine to do whatever I wanted. The chain's owner and that store manager and I had a great relationship. Times I would go in to get additional supplies or deliver a completed model and we would talk about the latest kits they got in the store. Doing this for around 10 years allowed me to make some friends during my frequent visits. I would also meet people while in the store who would be looking at my built kits. They would ask the owner about it and he would point them to me; those were really fun times.

I remember several times when people would look at me funny when I would pick a kit and all supplies and basically walk out of the store (after he marked them down for inventory).

So I guess I was "that guy" at times and a different guy during other occasions. It takes all kinds of people to keep the hobby and the hobby stores going forward. Regardless if it  is the gawker looking at perhaps thier first purchase, the employee, or an experienced builder talking with friends about the latest "thing". Any appreciation of our hobby is a good thing in my eyes.

I'm not to sure aboout those cowboys in chaps though  (just kidding). After all, everyone is normal until you get to know them. And getting to know fellow modelers is part of the modeling experience; regardless of thier experience or modeling subject. 

Ben

KAYSEE88

 

 

wpwar11

I generally keep to myself and almost always walk out with more than I planned on buying.

 

Ah, if every customer at my store when i had one was like you....i might still be in business

I think the internet and eBay had a lot to do with this as well. As a kid, I could get models at the department stores like JC Penney's, the local hardware store, grocery store (those small bagged airfix kits), the 5 and dime, toy stores and there were a chain of photography and hobby shops in my area. It was the closest thing to a true LHS.

EBay made it easy to get rid of unwanted kits and use the money to buy ones you now want. You were literally buying and selling to other modelers through a third party. Then model internet sites expanded this where I could then trade a kit with another modeler and it just costs us the price of postage.

modelcrazy

There is that one guy at club meetings that you'd better be willing to stay and talk if you say hi, or a pre-arranged escape plan.

 

Lol, Steve we know one of those! Fishbowl guy... 

Cool stories and input, Drums.