05-05-2010, 08:48 AM
Oh boy my favorite discussion. 
First I will deal with that "Support your local Hobby Shop." battle cry...
Why should I support a shop that charges full MSRP,has old stock and limited new stock?
Why should I support a shop that won't cut a deal on a large order or when I offer to buy 2 locomotives? Even $20.00 of the pair would close the deal.I will spend that $20.00 on other things like MT couplers and maybe a freight car or vehicle. But,Nooooooo you Mr.Hobby Shop owner wants to be a egghead about it.
Why should I support a shop that thinks I am going to shoplift? I know that happens but,why must you Mr.Hobby Shop owner watch my every move and make me feel like a common criminal?
Why should I support a shop whose owner is nothing more then a grump? Everybody has bad days but,not every day.
Why should I support a shop that doesn't even greet me or know my name? A thank you would be nice as well.
Now Mr.Hobby Shop owner you know why I buy very little in your shop.
Here's some more reasons that can drive off customers.
A small shop I stopped in years ago smelled of cat poo..
hock: Think I stayed long enough to purchase anything? Nope besides I figured that smell would be on the boxes.
Another well stock shop with decent prices I dropped in years ago the owner was puffing away on a foul smelling cigar while drinking a beer..I know it was mere coincidence but,when I walk toward the counter I heard this loud GREEERUP! and the smell was terrible! :o I made a hasty retreat to the car kit aisle..There has been several shops that lacked customer tact as well.
IF today's hobby shop wants to survive they must let go the old ways and embrace the new.A Internet presence with a easy to use shopping cart with moderate discounts will increase your sales..
They must learn to work with their customers on prices if the owner wants those large sales.Being pigheaded and sticking to your full MSRP doesn't help you win that large sale..
And remember this Mr.Hobby Shop owner you can be your own worst enemy when it comes to driving customers away to those on line shops that you loathe so much..
First I will deal with that "Support your local Hobby Shop." battle cry...
Why should I support a shop that charges full MSRP,has old stock and limited new stock?
Why should I support a shop that won't cut a deal on a large order or when I offer to buy 2 locomotives? Even $20.00 of the pair would close the deal.I will spend that $20.00 on other things like MT couplers and maybe a freight car or vehicle. But,Nooooooo you Mr.Hobby Shop owner wants to be a egghead about it.
Why should I support a shop that thinks I am going to shoplift? I know that happens but,why must you Mr.Hobby Shop owner watch my every move and make me feel like a common criminal?
Why should I support a shop whose owner is nothing more then a grump? Everybody has bad days but,not every day.
Why should I support a shop that doesn't even greet me or know my name? A thank you would be nice as well.
Now Mr.Hobby Shop owner you know why I buy very little in your shop.
Here's some more reasons that can drive off customers.
A small shop I stopped in years ago smelled of cat poo..
hock: Think I stayed long enough to purchase anything? Nope besides I figured that smell would be on the boxes.Another well stock shop with decent prices I dropped in years ago the owner was puffing away on a foul smelling cigar while drinking a beer..I know it was mere coincidence but,when I walk toward the counter I heard this loud GREEERUP! and the smell was terrible! :o I made a hasty retreat to the car kit aisle..There has been several shops that lacked customer tact as well.
IF today's hobby shop wants to survive they must let go the old ways and embrace the new.A Internet presence with a easy to use shopping cart with moderate discounts will increase your sales..
They must learn to work with their customers on prices if the owner wants those large sales.Being pigheaded and sticking to your full MSRP doesn't help you win that large sale..
And remember this Mr.Hobby Shop owner you can be your own worst enemy when it comes to driving customers away to those on line shops that you loathe so much..
Larry
Engineman
Summerset Ry
Make Safety your first thought, Not your last! Safety First!
Engineman
Summerset Ry
Make Safety your first thought, Not your last! Safety First!