Do you buy from LHS's or Online?

[Wayne R]

All my purchases are made online. The only hobby shop here does not carry model RR stuff . The store carries mostly stuff for women like sewing items, cloth and womens crafts. They do carry plastic model kits and paint for them. I did at one time try to get them to stock some model RR stuff but they would only consider it if they got enough prepaid orders for train items over a 12 month period. :? In short pay in full up front and wait. Also the prices I was given when I inquired about some Woodland Senic products was scary so I gave up trying to convince them to stock modell RR items.



Wayne Reid

[Sumpter250]

I had to select "other".
Most of my purchases are from the LHS, but I do purchase from vendors at train shows, and at the occasional "swap meet".
I have viewed, do, and will continue to view "online" with no small amount of mistrust.
I prefer being able to see, hold, and ask about, what it is that I am about to spend for......it's part of the " Senior Executive Vice President of Bio-Gas Technology" attitude that comes with advanced age.

[RobertInOntario]

I had to select "other".
Most of my purchases are from the LHS, but I do purchase from vendors at train shows, and at the occasional "swap meet".
I have viewed, do, and will continue to view "online" with no small amount of mistrust.
I prefer being able to see, hold, and ask about, what it is that I am about to spend for......it's part of the " Senior Executive Vice President of Bio-Gas Technology" attitude that comes with advanced age.

Thanks! I was just going to ask folks what would exist under the "Other" category. I go to a fair number of train shows and yes, there are people who sell only at train shows there, but there are also a mixture of retailers who operate either online stores or brick-and-mortar stores, or both. It can get a little complicated!

Rob

[RobertInOntario]

The other discussion question I was going to ask -- it's too late to ask this in the graph now -- is have you noticed a change in where you buy your MRR stuff? For example, have you noticed that you're "suddenly" buying more online now or vice-versa? Thanks, Rob

[Herc Driver]

I try to buy or order from my LHS exclusively, unless his price on a particular item is too high to bear, then I'll buy on line. Occasionally, he has actually called me to let me know that his price was much higher than a competitor's price and to buy it from "the other guy." He consistently orders whatever I need, takes returns for refunds (although store policy is the opposite), and lets me know of good deals coming from his distributers. Plus, it's great walking into a store and being greeted by the owners and staff. People that know your kid's names, likes and adventures. At Christmas time, they've even let the kids pick something off the rack as a "thank you" Christmas present. Granted, I've dropped some serious money into that store, and that fact does not go unnoticed by the owners. They go out of their way to make my family feel special, provide great service, and all at a fair price. At some point, we stopped being "just customers" and all became friends.

[Brakie]

The other discussion question I was going to ask -- it's too late to ask this in the graph now -- is have you noticed a change in where you buy your MRR stuff? For example, have you noticed that you're "suddenly" buying more online now or vice-versa? Thanks, Rob

As I mention I been buying more of my smaller orders locally and that is a small change because I use to add the small items to my monthly order but,those monthly orders will be getting cut back to 'as needed' before long so,I guess I am weaning myself from those monthly orders..If a car is release that I like I will either buy it locally or make a order large enough to off set the shipping but.....That may not be to wise.

[MountainMan]

The other discussion question I was going to ask -- it's too late to ask this in the graph now -- is have you noticed a change in where you buy your MRR stuff? For example, have you noticed that you're "suddenly" buying more online now or vice-versa? Thanks, Rob

The only changes I have noticed are that the HS in Colorado Springs moved to a larger store and is even better than before, and that the Caboose in Denver has zero interest in selling N-scale stuff. More and more they cater to the "big budget-big scale modelers.

I don't buy online for the reasons previously stated.

[RobertInOntario]

I try to buy or order from my LHS exclusively, unless his price on a particular item is too high to bear, then I'll buy on line. Occasionally, he has actually called me to let me know that his price was much higher than a competitor's price and to buy it from "the other guy." He consistently orders whatever I need, takes returns for refunds (although store policy is the opposite), and lets me know of good deals coming from his distributers. Plus, it's great walking into a store and being greeted by the owners and staff. People that know your kid's names, likes and adventures. At Christmas time, they've even let the kids pick something off the rack as a "thank you" Christmas present. Granted, I've dropped some serious money into that store, and that fact does not go unnoticed by the owners. They go out of their way to make my family feel special, provide great service, and all at a fair price. At some point, we stopped being "just customers" and all became friends.

Yes, I can relate to all of the above. I have a similar relationship with the LHS that is near my house. The staff is friendly and helpful, and have donated model kits as prizes to my kids' school (for a contest/fundraiser that was happening at the school that was sponsored by local businesses). The prices at this LHS can be a little high, but there are deals to be found, and the staff always offer great advice. Rob

[MountainMan]

I think the best thing I can say about my LHS is that I can walk in any time and say "I've got a problem.." and they are more than willing to listen, offer advice and help. That is worth more than money.

[BR60103]

I said LHS but that is misleading -- they don't stock much British, so it's usually just couplers, track and scenic items (and magazines). We have a couple of British dealers who I see at shows; rarely do I get something mailed. I like to see the item before I buy. I don't think I ever mail ordered from anyone I haven't met in person.

[RobertInOntario]

I said LHS but that is misleading -- they don't stock much British, so it's usually just couplers, track and scenic items (and magazines). We have a couple of British dealers who I see at shows; rarely do I get something mailed. I like to see the item before I buy. I don't think I ever mail ordered from anyone I haven't met in person.

That's what I buy from George's Trains. Since they're totally North American (and I mainly model British), I end up buying track, paints, magazines and scenery, etc., from them. The other LHS near my house, Hornet Hobbies, does carry some British items which is great for me.

Even though I'm mainly an LHS fan, buying online isn't as risky as it sounds. EBay has several "checks" in place to ensure that sellers describe their items accurately & that they will offer good service. I've also bought a few brand new items from online sellers. I simply rely on the magazine reviews and forum feedback to guide my purchases. I think it's partly psychological. You can "virtually" see something and get a very good idea of what it's like without actually having to see if firsthand.

Rob

[RobertInOntario]

I said LHS but that is misleading -- they don't stock much British, so it's usually just couplers, track and scenic items (and magazines).....

Just curious, David, is the shop you're referring to the Credit Valley Railway Company? They're an excellent LHS but are currently phasing out their British products, as I recently found out. They used to have a pretty good selection.

Rob

[BR60103]

LHS may be Credit Valley, Trains no-longer-on-Brant in Burlington, or George's.
George used to have some British, but found dealing with Englishmen frustrating. CV no longer has a British enthusiast on staff (and one Anglophobe). Trains on Brant never had much beyond Thomas.

[RobertInOntario]

On the weekend, my family and I visited the small southwestern Ontario town of Goderich. There's a store there that partly advertises itself as a hobby shop. I went into this shop about two years ago and it was pretty large with two floors. It was basically part variety store/part bookstore/gift shop/newsstand/toy store, etc., but with nothing that I would associate with "real" hobbies.

Well, when we visited the same store on the weekend, that had changed. It was still part variety store/part bookstore/gift shop/newsstand/toy store but, I was surprised to see a small section in the basement devoted entirely to MRR items! It had all the basics -- track, scenery, building kits, fishplates, wires, several freight cars and I think a few coaches, etc. -- and it also had a locked glass cabinet containing several locos. IIRC, most were made by Bachmann and a few were Model Power, but at lest it was something! Further down the aisle, they also were selling other model products (model rocketry, etc.). They also seemed to have a good supply of paints. There were also a couple MRR guys down there talking shop, comparing notes, etc.!

Obviously, I was pleased by all this. After suddenly hearing about a few LHS closures near Toronto, it was great to visit a small town and see a shop that had branched out into the LHS area within the past couple years.

Rob

[RobertInOntario]

LHS may be Credit Valley, Trains no-longer-on-Brant in Burlington, or George's.
George used to have some British, but found dealing with Englishmen frustrating. CV no longer has a British enthusiast on staff (and one Anglophobe). Trains on Brant never had much beyond Thomas.

Thanks, David. Interesting that Credit Valley used to have a Brit on staff. Also interesting the George's found dealing with Englishmen too frustrating! I won't mention names, but I believe there used to be Brit on staff at George's that is now on staff at Hornet Hobbies. He's my main contact at Hornet and is very helpful, especially when it comes to repairing older locos. So, Hornet basically meets my needs to British items locally, otherwise I will order online or from Model Railway Imports, an excellent online retailer of British 00 products.

I still enjoy popping into George's Trains on my lunch hours -- for me, they're a good source for scenery-related products and North American magazines.

Cheers,
Rob