Lol......i'm sure you've noticed a guy like this at your hobby store too !!

the Baron

 

 

modelmaker66

 

the Baron

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before. 

Even if it is, then it seems to be appreciated so who cares!

 

 

 

Nothing wrong with it, just sounds like a familiar discussion.  Sort of like the ones you've often posted in the past.

 

Nostalgia just ain't what it used to be!

lots of nostalgia about hobby conversations here, but yes , to your point i know there is that type of hanger on who is better served hanging out at the gin mill than the hobby store. was in a place the other day , not to be named , and i heard these guys spewing some racist supremisist type stuff..  they were trying to talk in code, but i knew what the heck they were talking about (not directed at me by the way) , but disgusting none the less. like being at the bar, dont talk religion or politics. now i go to the further place, but if im in a pinch i have to bite the bullet

I quite like the pot belly chaps who hang around the counter talking about model train stuff. They're far superior to the cliquey jerks who give you death stares because you wanted to pay for your paints and leave while they discuss bum fluff and what the weathers like. I also quite like the Games Workshop guy sitting at the table painting figures who gives you a polite nod and lets you browse in peace, I haven't been in a GW in ages.

My LHS shut it's doors two summers ago, and boy did I go hog wild during the clearance sale. The owner's kid was heading off to college, and the kid must have been doing a good portion of the work with the store, so between rent going up and a dependable, inexpensive employee departing, she said it wasn't very profitable venture anymore. Even though they didn't have the biggest kit selection, and what was there was at full MSRP, but it was nice to have a well laid out, well lit, local source for supplies. To say nothing of it being located next to a Dairy Queen...

There's another shop a little farther away that caters mostly to railroaders, but their plastic kit and supply aisles are well stocked. But those aisles are so narrow, it is incredibly hard to maneuver. There are always people in there too, and a pile of outgoing online orders by the door for the postman to pick up, so I assume they won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Tanker-Builder

Rob;

 What surprised me was I picked the old RevelloGram re-pop of the M48-A-1 about a year ago. Guess what ? the plastic under the engine louvers and grates was still almost 3/16 of an inch thick! Oh, the good old days.

I had an old Lo Models M48/M60 conversion set made in Korea that was designed for the Tamiya M48A3 and Tamiya (original) M60A1. Any way, I found the Monogram kit in the clearance aisle of Hobby Lobby for $7.50 so I bought it and decided to use the Lo Models conversion to make an M48A2GA2. After Revell of Germany made that exact version into a brand new kit, I lost interest.

Rob;

 What surprised me was I picked the old RevelloGram re-pop of the M48-A-1 about a year ago. Guess what ? the plastic under the engine louvers and grates was still almost 3/16 of an inch thick! Oh, the good old days.

Hey, Baxter;

 Is there anything better to talk about then Models, Sports and Girls! Well ! the last was years ago!

Gamera;

 I do believe we would wind up laughing so much our sides would hurt!

Real G

Now to figure out which one I am.

Then dip in to the WW2 German armor realm, and I am okay with any level of kit. I just want an enjoyable build and don't give a rat's behind about whether it has the proper this or that.

Go to a multitude of kits from days gone by, and I'll pick up a model that I built 40 some odd years ago, mainly for nostalgic purposes. Again, I only care that it is the kit I built in 1972 and not if it is accurate.

I also grew up building lots of sci-fi kits, those ones by Aurora, Monogram and of course the AMT Star Trek kits and MPC Star Wars kits. I loved those kits and love even the newer Bandai, Fine Molds and Polar Lights or Moebius kits.

It's all fun and games to some here, but I believe the 'counter hangers' played a part in the demise of a local store. Mainly, they hung around the counter all day, talking nonsense to the store staff, who were too weak to shoo off these lonely folks who never bought anything anyway. They made the store an unwelcome and unfriendly environment for anyone who wasn't one of the ear benders, and definitely off putting to new hobbyists and customers in the store for the first time. Having to deal with a crowd of circling buzzards who were annoyed when anyone dared intrude upon their diatribes to get a moment's attention in the store isn't a long term plan for success. I'm not naive enough to believe it was the main or only reason the store failed, but that it developed into a lonely old non customers crowd circling the counter every moment the place was open WAS a factor. And the store should have done something - but they didn't...

Ha ha, you could probably make a sitcom show using all the hobby shop “personality” stereotypes - but only modelers would get the jokes.  The rest of the world would just stand there and look confused, kinda like me at a Star Trek convention!    

There would be the alpha male know-it-all, the guy who practically lives at the counter who is always talking to the owner, the socially awkward super-specialized guy (who knows EVERYTHING about German WW II jacking block brackets), the ever happy OOTB guy who is the only one that finishes his models, the enthusiastic newbie who gets picked on by the alpha male, and finally the two guys who come in and whisper criticisms of everything to each other but never buy anything.

I’m sure I missed stepping on a few toes, so feel free to add to the list!

Now to figure out which one I am.

Oh yeah, I’m the scale modeler turned leper because I build sci-fi.  “Because everyone knows you can paint sci-fi any way you like, because it‘s fantasy!”

Gotcha.  Living in a Washington DC suburb it certainly doesn’t feel local driving the horrendous DC beltway.

Cool stories and input, Drums.

modelcrazy

There is that one guy at club meetings that you'd better be willing to stay and talk if you say hi, or a pre-arranged escape plan.

 

Lol, Steve we know one of those! Fishbowl guy... 

KAYSEE88

 

 

wpwar11

I generally keep to myself and almost always walk out with more than I planned on buying.

 

Ah, if every customer at my store when i had one was like you....i might still be in business

I think the internet and eBay had a lot to do with this as well. As a kid, I could get models at the department stores like JC Penney's, the local hardware store, grocery store (those small bagged airfix kits), the 5 and dime, toy stores and there were a chain of photography and hobby shops in my area. It was the closest thing to a true LHS.

EBay made it easy to get rid of unwanted kits and use the money to buy ones you now want. You were literally buying and selling to other modelers through a third party. Then model internet sites expanded this where I could then trade a kit with another modeler and it just costs us the price of postage.

I agree with you saing that was much more common 20-30 years ago. Now, all of my local hobby stores and many within the 35-40 mile area are gone. When they were open I saw "different" people. Like I always say, "Everyone is normal until you get to know them"; implying that you are the only normal person and everyone else is wierd or different. 

There was one within 5 miles that was primarily an RC, slot car, and car model shop. They had two large 8 and 10 lane slot car tracks as well as an RC park and track outside. I had a unique business relationship with the shop. Once I showed some of my kits in thier display, they asked me to build some of thier current kits for permenant display. I got to choose any kit I wanted (paints and supplies too) and it was all free. 

Another store around 35 miles away (in the big city) had a similar arrangement with me. Here I got to pick something currently in production. Once I displayed it there for 6 months it was mine to do whatever I wanted. The chain's owner and that store manager and I had a great relationship. Times I would go in to get additional supplies or deliver a completed model and we would talk about the latest kits they got in the store. Doing this for around 10 years allowed me to make some friends during my frequent visits. I would also meet people while in the store who would be looking at my built kits. They would ask the owner about it and he would point them to me; those were really fun times.

I remember several times when people would look at me funny when I would pick a kit and all supplies and basically walk out of the store (after he marked them down for inventory).

So I guess I was "that guy" at times and a different guy during other occasions. It takes all kinds of people to keep the hobby and the hobby stores going forward. Regardless if it  is the gawker looking at perhaps thier first purchase, the employee, or an experienced builder talking with friends about the latest "thing". Any appreciation of our hobby is a good thing in my eyes.

I'm not to sure aboout those cowboys in chaps though  (just kidding). After all, everyone is normal until you get to know them. And getting to know fellow modelers is part of the modeling experience; regardless of thier experience or modeling subject. 

Ben

Tanker-Builder

Hmmm;

     I have probably been guilty of that sometimes. With no regular modelers except a new model Railroader/Modeler in my neighborhood, I have done that. Why! Well it was suggested I'm lonely. That's part of it.

       The biggest part is the large size of my stash and the smaller size of my budget. Models or LEGO sets get bought once a year now. I don't buy much aftermarket either. I can build rails and such on my soldering table. All sizes too.

      Clear parts often come from slumping plastic much as you do Stained Glass slumping. Make a mold, Get your clear from a good source and proceed with the heat gun or oven.

     I like going to my LHS 45 miles away, once in a great while. New owner, so not as much. The manager at Hobby Lobby told the girls "leave him be, he has helped sell things and I don't have to pay him". LOL LOL LOL

    I wander the aisle and try to be helpful, Plus possibly to get new members for our model railroad club to replace the Old Codgers and keep it alive. That's a job within itself. I miss my own shop where I could chew the plastic for hours with customers.

      My shop was different too. Paint in bulk, Models packed so tight you had to use a tool to get them out. Each building next to my patio had Cars, Armor, Planes and Ships.The last one was supplies. Each building was painted to indicate what was within. Besides a directory on the door.

 They were next to an enclosed patio where the coffee, tea, or soft drinks and the usual baked goods could be had with conversation, exchange of money and a good B.S. session about the model just purchased. I was able to do it this way without any bank getting involved and paid my taxes accordingly. Because I lived in the country there was fewer taxes and a heck of a lot of parking.

 I enjoyed it till the last model was sold and I moved on to support my wife's medical School training. Still miss the B.S.Sessions though. It is lonely at 76, children gone ( No, We are Estranged) and no one here that is close to do modeling with. Shoot, just to go to the I.P.M.S. Show is a sixty mile trip when you include the city street traffic to get to the place.

        So this is my outlet. I try to share modeling tidbits and memories because youse guys don't give me any grief. Teasing, yes, and I enjoy every bit of it.

 

TB. I wish I lived in your area because I'd love to jaw with you about models.

I have three main hobby stores in the area and I have not seen this happen. People may chat a little during purchase, but I have not seen anything as you describe. Maybe 30 years ago I recall some that would camp out, but it was always at the RC section. Usually, up to three at a time jawing with the owner. To tell you the truth, if I do see such a thing, I'd find it entertaining. Anyone that has a passion for the hobby would be a welcome sight. 

I just don't see much of that anymore. People come in, get their stuff, and leave. Part of that, at least in my area, the owners are not into plastic. Two of the places I frequent have owners that don't seem to have a clue. I have been told outright that they don't build models. One of them can't even answer some of the most basic questions that I had. Kind of sad.

modelcrazy

There is that one guy at club meetings that you'd better be willing to stay and talk if you say hi, or a pre-arranged escape plan.

THIS MADE MY DAY!!!

wpwar11

I generally keep to myself and almost always walk out with more than I planned on buying.

Ah, if every customer at my store when i had one was like you....i might still be in business

wpwar11

Theres a Hobby Lobby much closer but it’s just not the same. Also a Michaels is nearby but the plastic model aisle is a disaster. Spilled paint, dusty dirty shelves, and the Testors paints are in no particular order. Long live HS.

NOW THIS IS TRUE!!!

wpwar11

When modelers write local hobby shop or LHS how local?  Mine is 40 miles away or a little over an hour drive.  So maybe I’ll drop the L and just use HS from here on out.

LHS is usually synonymous with going to an actual brick and mortar hobby shop and not specifically how close it is to you. Like mine is about 50 miles away and there is one about 3 miles away, but he concentrates on other items more than current kits. Lots of diecast cars and "battle barbies" GI Joe type guys.

I have been that one person.  Last time I was at my LHS, a kid showed up with his dad and a lot of us helped him put down the cash on some stuff.  For instance I pulled out my phone and used my handy dandy color converter when he couldn't find the right color, and used what it would be the equivalent of it. 

When modelers write local hobby shop or LHS how local?  Mine is 40 miles away or a little over an hour drive.  So maybe I’ll drop the L and just use HS from here on out.

I’ll make it to HS maybe 2 or 3 times a year.  I like the shopping experience and the place has been around for decades.  I generally keep to myself and almost always walk out with more than I planned on buying.  There are definitely customers that match the description you explained.  The owner spends the majority of the time on the phone but is usually helpful.  

Theres a Hobby Lobby much closer but it’s just not the same.  Also a Michaels is nearby but the plastic model aisle is a disaster.  Spilled paint,  dusty dirty shelves, and the Testors paints are in no particular order.  Long live HS.

modelmaker66

 

the Baron

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before. 

Even if it is, then it seems to be appreciated so who cares!

 

Nothing wrong with it, just sounds like a familiar discussion.  Sort of like the ones you've often posted in the past.

the Baron

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before.

 

Haven't been to a LHS in quite a while. They all disappeared one by one. Used to see guys like that at all of them at one time or another. After this last move, 2-1/2 years ago, there was only one shop about an hour away. Cooltrains Toys and Hobbies in Landisville. They advertised in FSM. They are now OOB due to a fire. Never got to go there. Something always got in the way. 

Jim  

Is this a cut-and-paste of an older thread?  I'm certain we had this topic before.