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An excellent LHS: what does it take?

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  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 6:56 PM

The problem is I have two LHS to deal with.I consider them "LOCAL" because HOBBY LOBBY just doesn,t get it!The one in AUSTIN is " KINGS " I started shopping there when they just changed hands.What a crazy bunch of good guysIf they haven,t got it ,they will get it!

 They don,t have what you could call a heaven of a selection of anything.Just good solid kit selections that are timely and current.They have sales and all that as well as train stuff and a slot car track and selection of those to buy too..They deal with special orders promptly too. They also put in many hours being the hobby shop you want to go to---THANKS-BRAD !!!

Now in the other direction(I live 45 miles from AUSTIN) THIRTY EIGHT MILES from the other shop in the BANDERA road area of SAN ANTONIO. HILL COUNTRY HOBBIES is kinda my roost.GARY has many good after market supplies,paint and a dedication to the plastic modeler specifically.

 He is personable(like BRAD ) and informed.Gary does NOT mind asking about a kit though.He has discounts and other plans as well as a very good stash of consignment goodies.Gary personifies the "small" shop owner.Pleasent,likeable,informed and able and willing to go the extra "special order" mile.I believe he puts in about 60-70 hours a week.

I don.t know how you would classify either.I guess you could say they complement each other quite well. I am so glad to have BOTH.And yes they will both take phone orders and let you use your credit/debit card.Can,t really ask for more. I give both shops twelve thumbs up !!(out of TWELVE)   TANKERbuilder

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Monday, April 23, 2012 1:44 PM

For me, two words answer that--price and selection.

In short, a good LHS has to be able to compete with eBay--and I hate myself for even saying that.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Monday, April 23, 2012 1:54 PM

the doog

For me, two words answer that--price and selection.

In short, a good LHS has to be able to compete with eBay--and I hate myself for even saying that.

Why hate? It is what it is.

I can get some kits from the LHS for around or even less than I can online. Tasca armor, PCM aircraft, most Revellogram stuff, sometimes Eduard and the odd Tamiya kit. So if they're competitive, I have no problem buying from them. 

But then they go and charge $50 for a 1/48 Hasegawa 109 (when I can get a 1/32 for $40 online most days...), or $60 for a Dragon 1/35 something-or-other that's available online for $35. No way.

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

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