LHS display issue

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog One other thiung to consider, if this wasn't addressed earlier: If the model was a kit that he doesn't carry, or cannot get because his distributor can't get it, then I can understand why it was refused. After all, if he displays it and alot of people want to buy a kit of the same model, but he can't get it, then word will spread and sales may go down. If however, the same kit is for sale on his shelf, and he has the space to display your finished model, then he has potentially cost himself a few sales. The second scenario would make me think he was wrong to refuse, but as others have said, it is his shop to do with as he wants. I agree, we all here would love to see and admire your work.

thanks Duke......wise words..........what i was wanting to display, the LHS does not carry and probably could not get as he/she can't even get decal sol or set.......
nuf said.....huh
i know hobby shoppes have to be run as a business to be successful and therein lies the paradox as the commraderie......for me at least........is synonamous with their level of success.........& soon as i've scanned in some pics, i'd love to share stuff with y'all.............

I have had the offer to bring in anything I want to dislay at my LHS and took him up on it, he does not have much space at all, but manages to maintain a display area at the counter.

One other thiung to consider, if this wasn't addressed earlier: If the model was a kit that he doesn't carry, or cannot get because his distributor can't get it, then I can understand why it was refused. After all, if he displays it and alot of people want to buy a kit of the same model, but he can't get it, then word will spread and sales may go down. If however, the same kit is for sale on his shelf, and he has the space to display your finished model, then he has potentially cost himself a few sales. The second scenario would make me think he was wrong to refuse, but as others have said, it is his shop to do with as he wants. I agree, we all here would love to see and admire your work.

I can see both sides of this issue.

Retail space is valuable and the LHS owner is in business to make money (nothing wrong with that). Therefore, the owner has to draw the line somewhere lest his shop become a museum.

On the other hand, a nicely built model is great advertising. If I were the owner I would love to have a built display of what is on sale in the shop. Maybe the model wasn't purchased at that store, but that is history. Business is the future. A prospective customer doesn't know model was purchased elsewhere. The original model maker is certainly going to frequent any store that displays his work, and probably will feel disposed to purchase his supplies there.

It all comes down to good management. It seems reasonable that a model on display must correspond to a kit for sale on the shelves. If the display case is full, then a policy of keeping any model on display for only a set length of time will keep the kits rotating in and out of the display, and will keep customers coming in to see what's new.

Seeing a beautiful model on dispaly has certainly influenced my decision to purchase a kit. How else can I explain the M1A2 sitting among all the aircraft kits in my closet.......

QUOTE: Originally posted by ArmorMaster I've had several of my models displayed at burbanks house of hobbies [my LHS]. You have to know the owner and workers (which means frequent customer). It will probably be harder to get a model displayed in a hobby store chain like hobbytownusa (don't want to bag you guys). But if you know the people and your models look good (don't want to brag) then they will say yes. The reason why I think it would be harder to get your model in a hobby store chain is because they rarely display anything other than their products, but with "mom and pop" hobby stores they have peoples' models all over. So good luck with getting your work displayed, but it will take some time and money down the road for somebody to let your model to be displayed.

Hobbytown is where I have one on display, I did'nt buy it from there and they wanted to display it. Guess I should take that as a compliment

If I were I the hobby shop owner, I'd look at it from a purely marketing standpoint. I would display the built-up models that showed the kit in the best possible light. (That does not mean neglecting to tell customers that the model in the window is packed with aftermarket gewgaws). So, were I that owner I wouldn't care who built it, or where he or she bought it. I would put aside a shelf or two for my regular customers to display their work, regardless of age or skill level. They keep me in business and it's the least I can do to show my appreciation. Remember, our LHS's are headed for extinction because of this very internet and efficient mail order services like UPS and FedEx. Even if you have to pay a little extra, do it. It's worth saving a place for us modelers to run into each other, maybe hang out and talk models. I don't want to lose that. And in my adopted NY City, we HAVE lost it. The last of them closed a couple of years ago. I really miss my hometown LHS (actually, I had a couple) back in Houston.

ty for your comments..........
wow.......it's all good
as soon as i can scan some pics.....i'd be happy to show some of what i'm proud of and be eager for your honest feedback...........
yeeeeeeeeehhhhhhaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww

QUOTE: Originally posted by renarts Put a photo up here. We'll admire your builds.... And you get to keep it safe and sound.

More people will see it and be able to appreciate it.

I thought at first this was headed towards either they broke it, lost it, or sold it. At least it's safe and sound.

i guess i am slightly odd with my opinion of this incident. from the hobbyshop perspective i can understand if they would be less than pleased if the build was a mess of glue and plastic. but if it looks ok and they have the room they should be taking the initiative. it is in their best interest to promote the hobby by showing what could be done. to me the idea that they refused matter of fact is disturbing. to me displaying the builds of your customers does two things. first it shows that the owner is not in buisness just for the money, this will not only keep the regular customers but by word of mouth new ones will frequent the shop. second it promotes the hobby. this in turn brings in those that may be window shopping. it is the shops loss but i have a hard time understanding the reasoning behind the refusal.

joe

I can see both sides of this issue, but , I wouldn't feel rejected by the shops refusal to show your work. like keyworth said! get to know the guy a little better, and even show him some of your work. he just might be surprised!. anyhow you've got us to show your work to. so, get those pictures posted. semper fi, mike

Give it some time. If you did a purchase and strike up a relationship, you will get to display. I have displayed a lot in hobbyshops, but only after I had a working relationship with them. Its part of the hobby business that is a win win situation. You get a chance to display and they get to make some sales.
Scott

more of my...........and
1st......ty for the insight and comments.....the best part of posting a topic here is either the encouragement....................or the support.................or the insight........
it's all good and eagerly anticipated.........
2nd......i've never not been incredibly intimidated in showing or displaying any of what i've built......and never have looked for a pat on the back.....maybe just a few kind words in the spirit of kinship from the like minded.........
it's the commraderie of this hobby that's most comforting......
finally.......a few years back i was "member" (enthusiastic volunteers, Terry B. used to call us) of a shoppe in Dallas where we had a Texas sized display area and though it was encouraged to display what was purchased in the shoppe.......the few refusals were either due to size or to something deemed offensive by democratic vote (of course)........lol............
so, i don't begrudge a shoppe attendant or owner their obvious right to refuse, i guess (ideally) i'd grown to "expect" a universal commraderie that simply shocked me back to reality when it was so blatantly lacking........
i figure it's in the best interest of the hobby to be self promoting........oh well......
back to the work bench............and as soon as i can scan some pics i'd love to show some projects here for y'alls discerning viewing........
thanks for your comments.........

As renarts and others have said, don't lose any sleep over this. The gentleman is looking out for his livlihood. Make yourself know by frequenting the shop. Purchase a few items, and perhaps in the near future you'll find your builds on the shelves.

QUOTE: Originally posted by renarts For what ever reason, you have to remember its his hobby shop. Don't let it get to you. Look at it this way. If its in his shop, you have no control over what may happen to it. Including his, his employees if any, and his other customers negligence. Put a photo up here. We'll admire your builds.... And you get to keep it safe and sound.

Besides, look at this way...it is their loss, not yours. So cheer up.

For what ever reason, you have to remember its his hobby shop.
Don't let it get to you. Look at it this way. If its in his shop, you have no control over what may happen to it. Including his, his employees if any, and his other customers negligence. Put a photo up here. We'll admire your builds.... And you get to keep it safe and sound.

The LHS that I shop at encourages customers/modelers to display their models. They have two large display cases, taking up valuable floor space, with areas specifically set aside for Aircraft, Armor, Autos, Ships, Figures & Sci-Fi. The only restriction they have is that the model be from a kit that they stock or can order ( no rare OOP kits) as they consider the display a form of advertizing and often sell kits to customers who see the finished builds. They don't discriminate as to how good a customer you are or whether you bought the kit from them. The owner is a very good modeler himself and does expect the models on display to be of a fairly high quality. However, he keeps one bottom shelf available for " junior modelers " so that the younger kids can display their models even if not up to normal minimal standards.

I've had several of my models displayed at burbanks house of hobbies [my LHS]. You have to know the owner and workers (which means frequent customer). It will probably be harder to get a model displayed in a hobby store chain like hobbytownusa (don't want to bag you guys). But if you know the people and your models look good (don't want to brag) then they will say yes. The reason why I think it would be harder to get your model in a hobby store chain is because they rarely display anything other than their products, but with "mom and pop" hobby stores they have peoples' models all over. So good luck with getting your work displayed, but it will take some time and money down the road for somebody to let your model to be displayed.

mine dont care: they sell old models like the old airfix 1/24 spits and messerschmitts that are built, for $10

I have one on display in a store and they were glad to have it, even though it was not bought there. Even though it is thier store and can do what they want , I do not see what difference it makes where you bought the kit, it still represents the exact same product that they sell , unless of coarse if they actually produce thier own line of kits.

Guy's,

I'm one of the lucky few who have worked in a hobby shop, if anyone had a model to display the shop would gladly display it in the window, regardless of being a customer or not, it shows potential customer's what is available and advertising a range products available in the store.

Rob.

QUOTE: i was politely refused with the attendant quoting that the model was not purchased in the store and i was not considered a familiar enough customer. now, i know there is more than one way to view this............... what's your opinion.......?????????????? how would you feel ?????????

I don't think I'd let it bother me. It is their store to do what they want with. If the acse is pretty much full and they tend to reserve display space for their frequent customers, I can sort of see their position. If, on the other hand, there was plenty of room I don't see why they wouldn't want it there. After all, it's free advertisement for them. Regardless, I'd just take it back home and chalk it up to their loss.

Personally, I've been too intimidated to ask my LHS owner to display something in his case, even though I have a few models that are as good as if not better than some of the ones he has currently. I don't know whether or not he remembers me, or cares to, but I've been frequenting his shop for a while, so I'd assume that if I asked, he'd say yes.
On to your question. Personally, from a business perspective, I could understand it, but basic manners would suggest that he'd at least consider it. Were it my store, I could care less whether or not it was purchased there. Would you if it were your store? Be honest! I think that most store owners would be wise to hawk their own wares, and as such, as said before, I could understand it.
But to reiterate once again, were it MY store, I could really care less. Also, if you've been there on a regular basis, let's say at least once a month for a year or longer, and they still don't consider you a familiar enough customer....well, damn, that's just one paranoid store owner I guess then