Locally owned model shops...

Its ok doc , one day i will travel to some hobby shop and make sure they are alive for awhile, for a long while , i mean sighs

Well I’m glad someone likes the idea of a model work bench in the shop!!
I understand the problem with it being cheaper purchasing models over the internet; here in Australia we are paying about one and a half times the cost per kit as you will in America. I’m not rich either ( You get very little out of the defence force these days in compensation for injuries) But I would rather support the local shop to keep them open, sure if there is something I want or need that my local shop cant get by all means do what you can to get it. But if you want the luxury of having a local shop to get that tin of foliage green now when you need it and not a week down the track spend that little more close to home, help your local shop keep our hobby strong!!

You will be lost like Sentry is if you have to buy everything from the net. Dam don't I feel bad for him not being able to go to a model shop!!!! Sorry dude!!!!

I agree whole heartedly that we should support our local hobby shops. Before the internet even came around where did you have to go. I always go to my lhs before I do anything online. They always seem to have the better deals and usually have what i want at a cheaper price than online. Plus you dont have to worry about shipping and handling or insurance. Plus why should you have to wait a week to get something.

I have only ordered 1 kit from the web Accurate Miniatures P-51C but only because my LHS couldnt get it. I have no problems ordering from the web except I would rather see my money recycled locally. I go to LHS for all hobby needs and dont mind paying more for the items, Im not wealthy by any means and dont make a ton of money either, but it really does feel better knowing Im helping someone. Plus I like the staff and enjoy talking to the old timer there.

in my home town, we have a small toyshop which carry's a few paints & kits. I use to go cazy there as a kid, and sometimes I thought I was the only one buying the kits there (LOL). I still get the occassional kit and paints there cos I know the owner, who's son went to school with my brother. But there is only so much he can order and sell for a price to make a little profit. But now I have to travel to our states capital for all my kits and accessories. We have 4 HS there, 1 sci-fic & gaming shop and 3 standard (if there is something like that). I tell you what, nothing beats the feeling than travelling down there, visiting all the shops (cos they are all centrally placed within walking distance), choosing a kit, holding the box in your hand, having your hands shake with excitement when the sales person hands you the kit after paying for it, and riping off the plastic wrap to open the box. You could say I get high on the event.

Never ordered anything over the net, and may do one day. But I find I like to pay a little extra for the fact that you get your kit straight away! (plus you dont have to pay mail insurance!).

I agree with Nick regarding the price differential between mail order and the LHS being a factor in their decline.

However my LHS, the Avaiation Hobby Shop has been going 25 years now, and shows no signs of stopping. I'd much rather go there and browse the shelves, than sit scanning a list on my PC. So far I have yet to buy a kit online, the closest I have come is ordering Decals and resin from Hannants.

Support your LHS, but there are going to some areas where they just can't compete, just like you local store and Walmart!

Karl

Originally posted by sentry Most kids now gone to computers games ETC. Well I agree with you all I moved out of state and go to my favorate hobby shop back in Denver and they always remember me and treat me like a King when I'm there but the hobby shops I used to haunt when I was a kid are now long since been gone the closest one sold out (owner retired ), the second went out because one of the owners was stealing funds from their profits but they where great places to go and get IDEAS and tips and the person showed you how to do it, don't get me wrong but it's hard to visualize something when all you could do is read about it on the computer and the folks on this forum great on giving tips and advise but it's hard not having a human touch of sight, and I hate to say it but kids rather play computer games then get great hand & eye cordination ( all they get is thumb & eye ) 84 of 795 1/72 Aircraft Competed for Lackland's Airman Heritage Museum Was a Hawg Jet Fixer, now I'm a FRED Fixer     'Cuda Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 4, 2004 10:53 AM Wow, Nick and sentry you both bring up a point that I have never considered. I guess we are lucky in that regard here in the U.S. I can see where I would have to make price a consideration in where I shop, and in fact I do. There are times when I walk into a shop for the first time and compare the price of their kits to ones at one of my LHS's and think "wow that' cheaper at..." Take the Academy 1/32 F/A-18, I see it in squadron mail order for 99.00 dollars all the time, at most LHS's its at least 130.00 or 150.00 dollars. I can see saving that amount of money by going mail order...but then again that's probably the reason that the small shops are going out. Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 4, 2004 6:58 AM Well i can say one thing , u guys are the most luckiest compare to my side we never had a proper h0bby shop for years , most of them comes and go and not much modellers around too. the recent one now just sell some tamiya brand of models , what a beat up. Most kids now gone to computers games ETC. Now the nearest shop for me here is west Malaysia, im in east its about thousands miles away and i do mail order now . BUt one thing it is not like buying from LHS as some models look nice on the outskirt and well not in the box and so on. Of cause service from staff is good too. I do agree with nick about hannants i wonder why when in the US, models sold for 20 US dollar still sell in UK for a little over 20 uk pound sterling. isnt the exchange rate should be lower in Pounds against dollar? but what the heck i i just order from them latedly , i need the thing as none is in malaysia for me to get. Sometime its hard to be a modeller in living in this part of the pacific. rdgs han Reply Edit nmayhew Member since July 2003 From: Kent, England Posted by nmayhew on Sunday, January 4, 2004 5:53 AM hi guys, in principle i agree with you... but you guys stateside come over to this side of the pond and then look at the prices we pay for kits!![:0] we are getting ripped off massively, even though it may not be the shop's actual fault (which it probably isn't)... i buy nearly everything from hannants which started as a local concern and is now one of the biggest stores worldwide, and has simply the best website... ...but(!) even their kits are much more expensive than evil-bay, so why should i pay $55 for a dragon 1/35 panther from them (and they are the cheapest in the uk pretty much) when i can get it off the net for $18??!!...even after shipping the thing half way round the world - usually from hong kong - it's still between half and two thirds the price i'd pay normally in the shops!! i do have a "local" store i use here in sw london, and they offer all the good service etc etc mentioned above, and even when i haven't been ther for 6 months i'm gretted as "one of our regulars" amongst the staff...this is nice and makes me feel all warm and gooey inside, but doesn't give me kits at half the price! sorry guys, but stateside sure, i'd buy from my LHS, but over here it sounds a bit like preaching to me and my beaten-up wallet... phew!! now that was a rant!! kind regards, nick Kind regards, Nicholas Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 3, 2004 10:01 PM I knew I couldn't be the only one that felt this way. . Thumbs up to all of you. docwatson, I think that's a great idea, I was in a shop once where the clerk/owner was working on something at the counter...I was very interested in what he was building...its a great idea to have an area dedicated to that, its a great way to pass your knowledge on to those of us who sorely need it Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 3, 2004 6:35 PM Never bought a model off the net and never will, every thing I want I have found at one of the local shops (Not many around here though) But the help from these places is incredible, and I prefer to see what I’m buying rather than relying on a 'word picture' that could be somewhat lacking. I have recently left the defence force and am contemplating buying a model shop from a friend, so PLEASE support your local shop!! well thats my little, rant!! PS; I have an idea for the shop, what do you guys think of having a small work bench set up on display so the customers can see what is currently being built?? Reply Edit Keyworth Member since January 2003 From: NE Georgia Posted by Keyworth on Saturday, January 3, 2004 4:53 PM I keep going to my LHS for all the above reasons. They've ordered several items for me at no charge, and have attempted to find out of stock items for me as well. Service like that is a rarity, so I'll continue to shop there. "There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives" Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 3, 2004 4:18 PM Not a rant at all in my eyes. Yes, I agree it is important to keep the local model shop alive. At mine the staff know me and will at times bent over backwards to get me stuff I want, why because they know me. When I was in there 2 days ago, they told me that the my FW24 Suspension Set has come in and that I can pick it up anytime as I had already paid for my purchases. In addition staff at the local shop know their customers and know what they are after and thus can stock/order more accurately than any online shop. Plus, don't you hate to have to wait for ordered supplies while a half-finished kit is waiting on the bench, I know that I do. Rather pop out for 10 minutes and a short chat to get the parts. Now my rant is finished. Reply Edit J-Hulk Member since February 2003 From: Tochigi, Japan Posted by J-Hulk on Saturday, January 3, 2004 4:10 PM That was the least ranting rant I've ever heard! But I know what you're talking about. I'm with you: I'd much rather walk into a place where they know who I am than click and drag my next modeling purchase from a website. ~Brian Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Locally owned model shops... Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 3, 2004 4:00 PM O.K. I know I'm pretty new to this sight and I don't mean to , but I was at a local shop that I sometimes use because my dad went there years ago. Well I finally got my dad to go back and build something, (it's been at least 27 years because he hasn't modeled anything while I've been alive!) Anyway the guy that owns the store and my dad remembered each other and got to talking about old times and it came up that business is bad, and he's contimplating closing. Here FINALLY lies my point, even though it may be further away, or less convenient than shopping online we should support the shops that have catered to modelers for years and years. In the end it is kind of nice to have someone who remembers your name (even after 27+ years) and if they don't stock it, they would probably be more than happy to order it. So to all that stuck it out through this long winded rant...thank you and support your locally owned hobby shop! 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