I went to visit my friend today. He happens to own what I believe is one of the most magical,inspiring places that I’ve ever been to. A model shop. A local model shop that has been serving many people in the north west of england for over seven years.
My friend taught me and many others how to use an airbrush, found that elusive kit that can’t be found on the 'web, built and displayed his own kits there, as well as letting others do so and always did his very best to help his customers get the most from our hobby. If he did’nt have it-he’d get it. If he could’nt get for you-he’d give the the name and no. of someone who could.
In short, this was a great model shop for a reason-it was run by a modeler who loves our hobby.
Sadly, the cold hard facts of modern economics have stared my friend in the face and he has made his decision. People are not buying models the way they used to and not as many are being sold as they used to. Something has to give. Therefore another model shop goes out of business because of rising overheads and overwhelming competion from internet and mail order giants.
I’m really going to miss The Model Shop, Southport. I have many fond memories of discussing kits and techniques, drooling over that first sneak peek of a new release when the box has just arrived in the shop. I’m going to miss the small community of customers who always had a story to tell, I’m going to miss the laughs and fun I always had there.
Our world will be a poorer place when those doors close for the last time. But don’t think of this as a melodramatic obitury. This isn’t what this post is about-I wanted to share with you what is going on in our hobby and to give you an idea of what a great shop many of us will miss. Most of all I wanted to pay a tribute with great respect to my friend Phil. He gave us a somewhere special to meet ,to buy our kits and supplies and most of all, he gave us his time.
Thanks Phil, for everything.
Amen! This is really becomming a sad state of affairs.
There used to be six hobby shops within 10 miles of my home, four within 5 miles. Now there are only two left.
For the last couple of years, most of us who frequent these shops, have been ordering those special kits and supplies through them. They will order on-line from anyone domestic for us. We pay the same price, even special sale items and never any shipping. It never takes more than a week, and most of the time only 3 working days.
I look forward to visiting these hobby shops and hob-nobbing with my fellow wizards.
I would love to support my local hobby shop.
But unfortunately the guys who own and run the place are big jerks who act like I’m bothering them when I come in there.
I think it has something to do with the fact that I don’t wear one of those cute little engineers hats that all the other guys who hang out in there have on.
Anyway, I don’t bother them anymore with my inane little plastic purchases. They don’t have to worry about me interrupting their important choo choo conversations anymore so that I can hand over my money.
My “local” hobbyshop is right at my fingertips now.
Sad but true.
I’ve supported my local hobby shop for over 25 years. Since then I discovered another shop in my area that has a wide range of models and at times has 50% sales. I have ordered from other sources, but nothing beats being in the shop surrounded by boxes of kits, stacks of books, and piles of painting supplies. The staff is always curtious and knowledgable. Looking at a screen doesn’t beat it.
My local shop has been around over 15 years, with second generation management that listens to customer needs and wants. Special orders?- no problem. Carries mostly plastic, but some RC and a few trains. Good bunch of folks to deal with.
My local hobby shop has my unfettered loyalty. I get five dollars every other week, and it goes straight into their hands ASAP. Any extra money, when I’m not saving it up for something goes to them. I’m starting to wonder if I’m the only reason they’re still in business ;)…
My local (about a 45 min drive, if you want to call that local) is one of those “National Chains” If there not too busy talking to each other, they MIGHT help with a question or problem you have.
Alas, I have resorted to buying 99% of my kits online. I think a great many more people are doing the same, just for convenience. I would much rather buy from a person, who owns their own shop and is proud of what they do. Not someone who is just collecting a paycheck behind the counter.
Want to know if you local shop is serious about the hobby? Just ask them if they carry the 1/300 snap-tite Tamiya Titanic kit [;)]
My local shop decided they want to be like the rest of us and have the weekend off. If I want tao look around or buy something, I’ve got an hour after I get off work, to drive through rush hour to get there. Hello on-line.
You’re right! Train guys and, let me add, RC guys, are a separate species. For the most part, they couldn’t care less about plastic modelers. [:(] For your sake, I think you did the right thing.
As far as the larger chain hobby shops, I guess that all that they are concerned with are those “big ticket” sales. [:(!] Although, before the internet and before they went to catalog sales, there used to be a very large Squadron Shop in my area. They were always very helpful to anyone with any modeling question, no matter how small. They also ran a “how to” clinic on saturday mornings once a month. [:)] Very smart! This undoubtedly led to increased sales of better kits, air brushes, compressors, etc. They also sponsored several local modeling clubs by offering members special discounts and helping with their yearly open contests. Do the large chain shops do this today? I don’t think so.
Yes it’s sad when the small privately owned shops shut down – regardless of what business they are in. With the rising costs of insurance, medical and utilities it’s amazing that some of these stores hang on as long as they do.
I had to reply to the last question – “Do the large chain shops do this today?”
Now from what I understand, some of the HobbyTown stores are independently owned and operated. Not all stores are operated the same way. For example, the owner of the HobbyTown right down the road doesn’t participate in the card program for his own reasons (which made sense). Anyways, this store sponsors quite a few events. It rents out another space in the same strip mall (which is not cheap!!) for open gaming and other events. Last week I saw a notice for a series of 4 painting classes later this month.
So…although a store might be part of a huge chain, don’t judge all shops because of one shop in the chain. There are a few who do really care about their customers. I would hate to see someone miss out on one of those shops because of a stereotype.
TANGO 1,
Sorry to hear that you’re losing a great
shop.Folks like that are a true asset to the hobby. I have to
drive an hour to the nearest shop and it’s worth it. Nice
people who make you feel welcome,answer questions,
special order and let you look at kits up close.[8D]
merlin,
We used to have a shop that catered
to the serious plastic modeler and model railroader.They
went out of business because of a nasty attitude towards
ALL customers. When I started plastic modeling again I
went to several meetings of the nearest model club. Some people were nice and answered my questions. Other than
that I felt like I wasn’t welcome. First time I’d seen these
people and I hadn’t done anything to anyone.
Maybe my questions were too basic
or because I didn’t have the latest and greatest, who knows.
Would have had a warmer reception on the South Pole.Sure
was a disappointment, started to forget modeling altogether.
But had I done that I would have missed meeting some great people who have helped me with the hobby. Yes some model railroaders are flaming jerks. Some of the finest people I know are model railroaders.They’re great people who encourage me to build and learn to improve my skills reguardless of the project ! Thanks guys!
fuzzy
Fuzzy & Keyworth-you are both very lucky to have good model shops still nearby, as for the rest of us we will have to endure the big,out-of-town,just don’t care or know shops. I don’t know about everyone else but I’d rather use the net than go to a shop where I can’t look inside the box or get an honest answer to an honest question.
I agree with B.Recon that we should’nt judge all the big chain stores on one bad experience, however I honestly can’t think of another shop within 100 miles of my location that could offer the same service that my local shop does. Believe me folks if you have a decent shop near you-support it, before it’s too late…
After my friends place closes, I will be shopping online for my kits & supplies, I hate to do it, but it’s easier than driving miles out of town. Okay, it’s convinient. But is this really progress? Somehow, I don’t think so…
I do agree that my local Hobbytown is most likely an exception to the norm. [;)]
If you don’t have any other hobby stores nearby and a big chain store opens up, at least give it a visit and see if it’s an exception or the norm. You’ll never know if you don’t go. [:)]
Anybody live in the DFW area? I heard that Phil’s Hobbies recently closed. Awesome shop. He had practically everything. Only place I saw better was Hannants in England…
The Edmonton area seems to be severely lacking in decent hobby shops. The one model shop that had a decent supply of kits and a respectable staff closed down this winter (although I scored a King Tiger at 1/2 off). Now I’m stuck between a store that is about as big as a cardboard box with a staff that wont let you leave without buying something, or one that is a general hobby store that seems to ignore the armor modeler, and has prices about 10 dollars higher than at normal stores.[xx(]
The demise of the mom&pop hobby shop is going to be the bain of this hobby, I just read that scale auto is cutting back by 2 issues a year because of money.
When ever I need a place to just veg it’s always been the local hobby shop. My wife about fainted when one opened up a mile from my work, man was lunch time looked forward to then, 2 min drive to hobby shop. 2 min drive back left 26 minutes of b.s. ing bliss and plastic looking. great way to loose weight. hobby shop or food hhmmm no choice there, HOBBY SHOP.