Still hate HobbyTown USA

dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Friday, July 23, 2004 5:24 AM

There used to be a HobbyTown here. . .
The manager would order anything you wanted, but it usually didn't come in,
When the store closed down and was having its sale, low and behold there was all the stuff I ordered, seems sometimes the help couldn't be bothered to call or even check the items in.
When I was in high school I worked at the Squadron Shop in Michigan, I loved that job.

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 9:00 PM

Mail order. Now there's an idea.

We used to have a Squadron shop about 40mins from me that had anything and everything under the sun. Now THERE were some knowledgeable folks.

Too bad they packed up and left town. Sad [:(]

The one cool thing about this area is we have a Reed's Plastics company not too far down the road, and i can get bulk styrene for cheap, cheap, cheap.

For every Ying, there is a Yang.

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LemonJello

Member since
February 2004
From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa

Posted by LemonJello on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 1:53 PM

The LHS nearest me is undergoing a renovation right now, so it's closed until that is all done, so I don't even have a bad place to shop. I'm going on vacation today, so maybe I can roadtrip around the area and see what else is out there. Anybody know of some really good shops in the "eastern North Carolina" area (basically a couple hours in any direction from Camp Lejeune?)

A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.

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chopperfan

Member since
November 2003
From: Oklahoma

Posted by chopperfan on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 11:45 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

QUOTE: Originally posted by chopperfan
Sorry to hear that you got an owner who only cares about making a buck and not taking care of his customers, Hooker.

Unfortunately, too many owners and managers in all types of businesses don't seem to realize that taking care of customers EQUALS making a buck!

Funny that, eh?

On the subject of Panda and anything new, I'd say the future is very, very bleak.
While there is still plenty of old Panda stock on the shelves here in Japan (just saw a stack of F-35s going for about $10 USD a pop), there has been no talk of Panda at all in the industry in recent memory.

You never know with the Chinese manufacturers, but I would not hold my breath waiting for any further releases from Panda.

Thanks for pointing that out, Brian.
I guess I should have worded it to say, he only cares about making a buck the HARD way instead of taking care of his customers and making it the EASY way.

Randie Cowboy [C):-)]

Randie [C):-)]Agape Models

Without them? The men on the ground would have to work a lot harder. You can help. Please keep 'em flying! http://www.airtanker.com/

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 11:36 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by chopperfan
Sorry to hear that you got an owner who only cares about making a buck and not taking care of his customers, Hooker.

Unfortunately, too many owners and managers in all types of businesses don't seem to realize that taking care of customers EQUALS making a buck!

Funny that, eh? Confused [%-)]

On the subject of Panda and anything new, I'd say the future is very, very bleak.
While there is still plenty of old Panda stock on the shelves here in Japan (just saw a stack of F-35s going for about $10 USD a pop), there has been no talk of Panda at all in the industry in recent memory.

You never know with the Chinese manufacturers, but I would not hold my breath waiting for any further releases from Panda.

~Brian

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chopperfan

Member since
November 2003
From: Oklahoma

Posted by chopperfan on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 11:12 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by LemonJello

Usually with the chain stores, I don't expect anything more than a better, bigger selection of kits. No aftermarket and almost certainly no real knowledge. Now, if there is a store run by a hobbyist/enthusiast, then that is a horse of a different color. I don't imagine any one person can know everything about every kind of model, but its nice to have them look stuff up, or express interest in what you're looking for, even if its not what they build.

That's the sad part, Lemon. They aren't a chain. They're a franchise, each run more or less independently.
The franchise offers them buying power through designated wholesalers but, they are free to order from whomever they wish.
Our HobbyTown in Fort Smith does a great job of stocking kits of all types including some resin and pe. Not a lot, mind you, but the gentleman who owns the store will order anything you want.
Sorry to hear that you got an owner who only cares about making a buck and not taking care of his customers, Hooker.
Y'all have a wonderful day. Big Smile [:D]

Randie

Randie [C):-)]Agape Models

Without them? The men on the ground would have to work a lot harder. You can help. Please keep 'em flying! http://www.airtanker.com/

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LemonJello

Member since
February 2004
From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa

Posted by LemonJello on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 7:17 AM

Usually with the chain stores, I don't expect anything more than a better, bigger selection of kits. No aftermarket and almost certainly no real knowledge. Now, if there is a store run by a hobbyist/enthusiast, then that is a horse of a different color. I don't imagine any one person can know everything about every kind of model, but its nice to have them look stuff up, or express interest in what you're looking for, even if its not what they build.

A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.

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adrake2

Member since
February 2004
From: Ft. Bragg, NC

Posted by adrake2 on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 12:08 AM

Sorry Hooker06, but no news on Panda's Hook.
Real shame too, I had this nice dio planned with a MH-47E unloading a RSOV Land Rover with motorcycles just ahead of it and flanked by a group of Rangers rushing out to secure an objective. Man, the things I come up with when I'm bored out of my mind in class!
I hear you about HobbyTown. There two where I live but other than a Hobby Lobby, that's all there is. Selection and service aren't great to say the least. That's why I've been resorting to mail order lately.

-Aaron

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Still hate HobbyTown USA

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 9:38 PM

Well i'm back boys and girls!!

Finally dusted off the 'ol Aurora kit, and have once again resumed my conversion over to the "D" model. Yes it's good to be back, and back into modeling in general. I will contribute to this forum as much as possible.

Speaking of contributing, i'd just like to once again speakout against HobbyTown USA and their lack of knowledge; and their ability to know everything about nothing.

I once again asked about Panda's 4th Qtr release of the CH-47 - and once again, got nothing but a blank stare. They didn't even take the time to open up Panda's catalogue in an effort to answer my question. Man i miss the 'ol mom and pop shops where customer service meant something rather than them trying to turn over a buck. But since i'm stuck with them as my only supplier, i'll just have to hunker down and deal with it for now.

So i once again will turn to the true enthusiasts, and the one's with creditable knowledge and ask if there has been any new news/updates about the release of this kit? I'm sure i know what the answer is, but figured i'd give it a shot.

Thanks all!!

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