What about your favorite hobby shop makes it so?

QUOTE: Originally posted by minnesotafan The one I like to go to is perfect, The guys are friendly, it is a very friendly atmosphere (at least the cat likes to play)(hey I'm not kidding) They always give me some ideas every time I go. It's the perfect place to browse for . . . let's see my record is about 2 1/2 hours now. Murray Kish - you might have been to it. if not you should go there, it's "J and P hobby Supplies" in Prince Albert - sposed to be the biggest model shop in Saskatchewan.

Yep, been there and I have to agree with your assessment. It's definitely in the top 3 for me. Unfortunately I get to Calgary alot more than I get to P.A.. I have a significant appreciation for 'Uncle Rick Chin' at 'Uncle Bill's Hobby' in Calgary. It's a smaller store, but man he's got some cool kits that are hard to find. He's also a very avid builder and is eager to share his experiences and encouragement with anyone who cares to hear it!! If there's a kit you want or are looking for, you can bet that he'll find it for you. He takes care of his customers as far as I'm concerned.

There's a group of gents in our Saskatoon club (SMAS) that often frequent the shop in Birch Hills (can't recall the name). They absolutely love the service and selection. I haven't had a chance to go there yet, but I'm hoping to soon. J&P has the same reputation and they usually make a 'round-trip' to spread the joy. And, I have to agree that the cat is A LOT of fun!! (cat lover...)

I go to AAA Hobby in Marietta for most everything I need.

They are exclusively scale plastic model's (they have a few odds and ends)

If I wanted something else, say a wood ship kit and one of their distributors carried it, they would order it right up.

They ask ME if I want to open a kit to look at it.

The owners are a wealth of knowledge on kits and techniques and SHARE that with others.

One of the owners spent 6 months tracking down some OOP kits for me and still gave me a good deal on the pricing.

They are a good pair and there are lots of regulars that come in and also share tips and such just talking in the store.

I don't think the fact that I'm putting their kids through college with the amount of money I've spent there has anything to do with it They really are great folks and that's what makes it my favorite. I could get some things cheaper online from the big places (and do occasionally) but I'd rather help keep them in business because it's hard to find places like that anymore.

Eric

Hi everyone! I work at a hobby shop part time on weekends and it has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Even thought the shop carries an equal amount of plastic kits and RC cars, trucks and planes, about 95% of the people who walk in go right for the RC car/truck aisle. Me? I'm a plastic plane/RC electric flyer myself so it's a bit of a bummer for me to see how few people are interested in plastic kits whether they're planes, cars, or anything else. I hope scale plastic models don't die out. With these kits I think it's pretty safe to assume that with it comes a knowledge of history and the people behind them. I don't think that's something you get when you buy an RC monster truck. But that's just my own opinion. As far as what makes a hobby shop good, I like to treat every customer the way I like to be treated. It's an old cliche but it is absolutely true. If someone is wondering what it looks like inside the box, my co-workers and I are the first ones to open it up for them. I don't know what's more fun: doing my hobby or helping others and spreading the excitement.

The Model shop that I go to is about a half hour drive away from where I live, and it's the only decent one in the area, and there is toy shop that is near where I work that sells a few kits (some good ones) but not many.
I have found a few good ones when I travel quite a distance when away from home, so I make a point of going to them when I can manage it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murray Kish There's a group of gents in our Saskatoon club (SMAS) that often frequent the shop in Birch Hills (can't recall the name). They absolutely love the service and selection. I haven't had a chance to go there yet, but I'm hoping to soon. J&P has the same reputation and they usually make a 'round-trip' to spread the joy. And, I have to agree that the cat is A LOT of fun!! (cat lover...)

Group 2 Hobbies is the name your looking for. I feel ashamed, I am only 10 minutes away and I haven't been their either. I just never thought that Birch Hills could support a "good" model shop, I'll have to remenber to check them out soon.


maybe tomorrow

My favorite has to be the local Hobby Lobby. Don't think that it's because of selection, friendliness, or anything like that. It just happens to be the only place in town that sells models. Not much choice there...

We have three large shops (and several smaller mom & pops) here in the Twin Cities (or Triplet Cities as the Census bureau now wants to add Bloomington MN to the statiscal area). The selection is good, but the customer service is non-existent. At one store you are fortunate to have the sales clerk pull her head out of her book to ring your purchase. Yes prices on the net are good, even after you factor in P & P, but I want to look at the box art, see the specs, see just what color RLM Schwarzgrun really is. And I want someone to acknowledge me as a customer who may ask questions, so please put down you !*%# burger or book and please help me! There I feel better. BTW, Dennis at Hobbytown in Fargo ND is great for service above and beyond!

They just have the products such as paint, models and references that I need. I mean, I'm not going to order something and pay for shipping costs whan I can go down the street and pick it up that minute! Sure, I might be able to save a little on higher end models, but I like to have it my hands right then and there. I know that the package is in one piece. Also, they will find me anything that they don't have in stock and will be fast and courteous. Many have built some the models I'm interested in and can give me their thoughts.

My local hobby shop usually doesn't carry the armor scale that I build, (1/72). And the aircraft are pretty pedestrian, nothing too esoteric or unusual. And the parking situation is really lousy. But, when I need a tube of CA or a just that right shade of Polly Scale or a pack of Flex-I-Grit, I know that it will be there and it's just going to cost me $3.29 or $2.50 and not an additional $4.95 shipping and handling. Plus, every now and then, some kid will be there with their Mother or Father and they will be picking out his or her first kit and the shop owner will be trying to guide them towards a good choice along with some free advise and I'll reflet back on how and why I got involved in this hobby and I'll leave that shop feeling a little better than when I walked in.