05-11-2010, 12:18 PM
A LHS in my area is going out of business. The owner is retiring after 27 years. So far my experiences in there have been okay, but by no means extraordinary. I didn't leave there wanting to tell others how great it was. But I try not to say anything bad about someone and when I do I only say what I'd be willing to say TO them.
Speaking generally, I don't like it when hobby shop owners/employees assume I have no money or no skill (because I'm in my 30's? because I'm not well dressed? because they don't know me from a local club? Who knows...). Frankly, I don't like it when folks on forums do that either...few posts does not automatically mean 'newbie'. Thankfully that is not the case here at The Gauge!
The easiest way to solve this is to ask questions. I think people don't ask enough questions because we're afraid it'll make us look dumb or inexperienced. But that does not have to be the case. How else do you learn? There are no dumb questions, and the best four-letter word is 'help'!
So when a hobby shop employee takes a few seconds to learn about me, it says to me they are interested in my business because they want to find out what I'm interested in purchasing. If I know you've been into HO for 20+ years and love kitbashing, then I may suggest certain products or ask if you need any supplies related to a project you're working on. "How can I help you" is so basic but it's better than a sideways glare from behind the glass counter.
Galen
Speaking generally, I don't like it when hobby shop owners/employees assume I have no money or no skill (because I'm in my 30's? because I'm not well dressed? because they don't know me from a local club? Who knows...). Frankly, I don't like it when folks on forums do that either...few posts does not automatically mean 'newbie'. Thankfully that is not the case here at The Gauge!
The easiest way to solve this is to ask questions. I think people don't ask enough questions because we're afraid it'll make us look dumb or inexperienced. But that does not have to be the case. How else do you learn? There are no dumb questions, and the best four-letter word is 'help'!
So when a hobby shop employee takes a few seconds to learn about me, it says to me they are interested in my business because they want to find out what I'm interested in purchasing. If I know you've been into HO for 20+ years and love kitbashing, then I may suggest certain products or ask if you need any supplies related to a project you're working on. "How can I help you" is so basic but it's better than a sideways glare from behind the glass counter.
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!