Another LHS closes

JoeRugby wrote:

tigerman wrote: Oh, I still head to my not-so-LHS once a month or so, to get necessities such as paint and glue, as well as a book or magazine. I just don't purchase over-inflated kits anymore.   Good point...I support my local with paint, glue and small sundry stuff purchases.  But one question opens up, what is an "over-inflated kit"?

I guess anything retail or above.  Most of their Dragon kits are above retail. I can usually get online kits for 25-40% off and ebay sometimes 66% off retail. So even with postage I come out happy.

I always buy my supplies at the LHS, that's about the only thing they have a fairly good stock of.  If I'm feeling generous, I'll take advantage of the buy "2 kits get one free" deal.  I do that so infrequently because I can usually buy all 3 for less online.  I'm rather disappointed they never have decent sales at the store though, there's never any X% off a single item coupons like they used to either.

The closest LHS in my area is about 1 1/2 hour away.  I do not go there very often but I always buy kits there.  Compared to what I can get from some web site, it is only few dollars more for most of the kits except Tamiya which I always buy over the net. 

But usually, on the net, when I calculate the exchange rate (US to CDN) and shipping, the price is often more or at worst $5 less than at the LHS.  And I enjoy going there a lot so I want to buy from them as much as I can.

I would be very sad if they ever close!

tigerman wrote:

Oh, I still head to my not-so-LHS once a month or so, to get necessities such as paint and glue, as well as a book or magazine. I just don't purchase over-inflated kits anymore.

 

Good point...I support my local with paint, glue and small sundry stuff purchases.  But one question opens up, what is an "over-inflated kit"?

 

JoeRugby wrote:

You know Eric, I agree with you.  But the place was where I went when I was younger (much younger), and yes I am a bit of a sap.  Besides this place closing a bait & tackle shop I frequented is gone as is the newstand, but happily the billiards hall is still there!  Oh yeah and it is as seedy as ever! (ahhh the memories!)

Oh, I still head to my not-so-LHS once a month or so, to get necessities such as paint and glue, as well as a book or magazine. I just don't purchase over-inflated kits anymore.

For me it's a two edged sword- I want to support the LHS, but I want to save money, too. I haven't bought a kit at the LHS in the longest time, because I can almost always find the same kit for around half off at either Hobby Lobby (with a coupon) or on the Internet.

I'd tried to make sure I bought all my paint and supplies there, too- but they don't carry Tamiya in any quantitiy. And in making the switch to acrylics, I've come to realize I favor Tamiya over what they do have, PollyS. (Different thread- but both are great paints- just seems to be much less tip dry with Tamiya.) And I did the math- at the LHS, paint is $.28 per mL. Tamiya on Squadron is $.20 per mL. Given that the model shop is a long drive for me, shipping vs. gas evens out.

I always buy something at the LHS because I really like them, and I want them to be there. Plus I feel like if I'm going to stand there and talk with them for long periods, it's only fair to pay them for their time.

But the difference in prices is so out of scale- without the coupon, LHS vs. Hobby Lobby is dead even. Throw in a 40% discount? 50%? You do the math.

Too bad the LHS's don't form a consortium and buy kits in mass quantity to get a better wholesale deal.

You know Eric, I agree with you.  But the place was where I went when I was younger (much younger), and yes I am a bit of a sap.  Besides this place closing a bait & tackle shop I frequented is gone as is the newstand, but happily the billiards hall is still there!  Oh yeah and it is as seedy as ever! (ahhh the memories!)

eBay does have a lot of good stuff, but your eBay has got a bigger range than eBay Aus does.

Will

It is hard for the LHS to compete, they can not afford to stock large quanities of kits and simply can not stock all the AM stuff including decals

To be honest, I'm not ashamed to admit that ebay is my LHS anymore. The prices and stock just can't be beat. With all the reviews we get in the forums and magazines, I really don't need to cradle a box to know what I'm getting. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers. Perhaps I'm jealous that my one existing LHS doesn't offer sales and rakes you over the coals with their above MSRP pricing. Plus no Hobby Lobby here. 

, I'm lucky around hear the single LHS does good bussieness because the next good one is all the way in the city. It also does most of its bussiness in R/C so stock moves slowly, so I have plenty of planning time when I see a kit(s).

Will