Feel Its Your Duty To Pay More At Your Lhs?

[madaz75]

Adding to the list of what you've seen available locally from Hobby shops here in Australia..

The LHS that stocks Tamiya does have, a 350 hi-Lift.

and for a while had a VW Race Tourag.

Was very nearly tempted to buy them both..

untill I realised that for the price they were asking for the 350..

I could get the 350, an MFU and the VW. Purchased, and Shipped from Stella.

Any wonder people think Tamiya is a joke here in Australia

[andi4x4]

I probably do most of my RC buying on line - I live on the Isle of Man (in the middle of the Irish Sea for those not familiar ! ) and we have just one LHS RC specialist here - unfortunately, Shaun has little interest in the car side of things as he is a flyer, although he does carry a few HPI kits and spares and his HPI bodyshells are the same price as most Ebay sellers are asking but Shaun does not add the postage on top so is actually Cheaper ! ! . I visit his shop usually once or twice a month with the need for things that cannot be posted - paints, solvents, Balsa, and other minor hardware items as well as tyres and rims as he always has good stock of those. I tend to buy the bigger more expensive stuff on line as he is not able to compete due to added shipping costs involved with getting stuff to the island.

I have, however just bought a Twister Bell 47 twin-rotor helicopter for the same price as I could have got it from ebay so not too bad on that one ! I am now considering one of the larger brushless electric heli's !

[dinodog]

Hi Guys, I suppose logic dictates where we do our shopping but the service or lack of it does count a lot! I have always worked with the public in Restaurants and sandwich bars and I know that the smile on the face of a keen and friendly server is worth a lot more than a small discount! My LHS in North London is neither keen or friendly and I still do not understand why. A very well stocked shop, part of a chain I think, loads of models, 1:8 or larger stunt aircraft hanging from the ceiling etc.

I turned up at 9.55 am one weekday morning and noted that they open up at 10 am. Oh well. I stand there in the wind wishing I could have opened my shops at 10.am. There was also a middle aged woman waiting outside before me, the guy in the shop was tidying up inside the locked shopfront. 10 am comes and goes and he still is walking around the shop putting things away, then he picks up the phone to phone out! 10.15 am we are still outside looking in, while all the time the guy looks everywhere but us. Just before we both tapped on the window in stereophonic He opens the door at 10.18. No apology offered. I am not impressed. He didn't have ANY Tamiya parts so I go off in a huff...

As I do have quite a thick skin (I must have!) I return 2 or 3 weeks later to see if they had a generic antenna for a RC car. Different guy serving, he was working on a RC car as I walk in, no one else in the shop, he ignores me, no eye contact whatsoever, he's too busy tuning his car. I ask "Hi there, do you have an antenna for a car?" he replies "If you want an antenna for a car you need to go to a motorists shop!" no smile, deadpan face. I bit my tongue and said "An antenna for a RC car..." "Oh." he said and handed me the usual sprung type antenna that happened to be on the counter near his beloved car, it was not packaged and was missing the plastic end cap so the sharp wire end could have been very dangerous indeed. "7.50" he said, no please no thank you. When do you think I am going back? NEVER MATE NEVER!

I of course don't think that all LHS are like this thank God but are these guys crazy?

[WillyChang]

... I bought 3 NIB buggies from HK for less, including a DI and the postage. When I mentioned how much I paid even after postage to the LHS owner he claimed he couldn't even buy them from ToyTraders for that price.

... and he's 110% legit not B-Ssing you... scary isn't it? Unfortunately he's obliged by supply contract to buy from TT.

And ToyTraders cancels TCS blaming "grey importing"... well Yeah! If TT can't even bring

in simple things like enough Type-A tyres to go racing TCS with... whaddya expect?!

Catch-22 like its so not funny.

[TA-Mark]

The LHS owner said alot more about TT that I didn't post here and is best left unsaid. TT really have dug their own grave. LHS now relies heavily on impulse sales was another good point the LHS owner mentioned. Some shops further from home that I've spoken to hate dealing with TT and will stock a different brand of R/C if they can get away with it to avoid dealing them.

[SaxoChris]

Im sorry to say this but my opinion is the 'hobby shop' is dead!

Why bother spending time & extra money buying from the hobby shop when you can save money & save time buying from place's like Stella Models & Ebay. Yep! the time you walk into a shop looking for 'Tamiya' is coming to an end hey, maybe we might even start buying direct from tamiya themselves. This will be the end of finding a small shop in the middle of no where with some 'special' little finds in them but these days all you have to do is check ebay & you know what its worth. I bought my Original Hilux from tc member cossack ( no prices lol ) & there asking near the same for a one on ebay with massive holes in the body & missing parts.

In the nicest way possible shop are going to be no more!

Sorry to be to harsh but be gentle on me its only my opinion

SaxoChris

[Robert Davies]

My local model shop is excellent - more often than not with alittle wheeling and dealing they'll beat my best internet quote. They have a club discount scheme for all the clubs in the area - They were cheapest for the 2.4ghz radio gear I wanted, they were the cheapest for the Axial AX10 I wanted ANYWHERE in the world - but Tamiya... oh dear.... I can buy from Stella cheaper than they can from the UK importer, so our issue seems to be with the middleman importer - certainly in the UK and apparently in Oz too. The model shops that will die are those that won't move with the times - having a virtual as well as a real presence - ModelSport have done it, Fusion too, Goldstarstockists as well.

Support the good and the bad will die on the vine.

-Rob

ps I'm sure I've been in the 'scary atmosphere' Edinburgh shop - Glad it wasn't just me they intimidated

[jwrAMC]

We have 3 LHSs within 30 minutes drive.

One is a chain store, HobbyTown. They have a bit of every hobby type, no subject is all-encompassing. RC is nearly Traxxas-exclusive, so no use to me beyond convenient location for 'gotta have it now' supplies like paint, grease, etc.

The other two are smaller mom-a-pop joints that stick with mainly guy-hobby stuf...vehicle related static kits, RC and railroading. Both owners are older guys. One seems more tuned in to trains and grudgingly carries a few RCs. The other guy looks overwhelmed but enthused to get the right RC gear in stock. It's he who asks all the question, and it seems Gas/Nitro are the focus he's being pushed into.

As such, all three are limited in their use to me. Again, for the need-it-now supplies, I'm glad to throw them them the few extra bucks. And if they carried the bigger ticket stuff I'm into, I be glad to support them there, too. But as my tastes tend to run counter to popular choices, my stuff doesn't get stocked. Hence, I'm forced to frequent Tower for my needs...and as long as they ship out of Illinois, I get the stuff in 2 days. When they ship from Nevada, 10 days..which blows.

I don't fault the LHS for its limited space/inventory. I only wish it weren't so.

[yamita]

I'm all for supporting the LHS, but I only buy consumable goods(tires, shells, motor spray, etc..) there. Every time I walk in and ask for tamiya parts, I always get the same answer. "We dont have it, but we can order it for you." Well, I can order the parts myself AND have them delivered to my doorstep. Im only willing to pay a premium at a LHS, IF I can walk out with the parts I need. After finding out about a local track, I stopped going to the LHS, as the track guys are much more knowledgeable and helpful.

[VinceVegaUK]

LHS just dont stock what you need and tend not to learn from there users that there stock isn't appropriate to the market. I ordered a small cheap part off ebay for my TT01 which non of my hobby stores even stock Tamiya spares. Ordered it on Sunday it came Wednesday all the way from Japan to Manchester in 3 days you dont always get that in the UK from one end of London to the other, go figure! Oh and it was 5 cheaper including postage than Time Tunnel Models.

I know Otley Modelsport have been going for years but they are real specialists and have a mass online store as well as there fairly large shop near Leeds, I think if LHS want to survive or for new ones to open they just need to have both a good online and in store abilities and provide the right stock to cover most needs to survive on the high street.

I do wish I could relay and call into a LHS to pick up parts at a good price and with advice but its a dying trade and I think if the owners could or would put more time and effort in to the Online side it would really help there business

Oh well ebay it just has to be

[TheBlueDragon]

At my LHS they have a 1/14 traler for 250 which online is 120

They always complain to me that they are under risk of been shut but its because they are charging stupid prices

[adam1973]

It all depends with me, if I don't want to pay over the odd's for simple kit then I'll get off ebay. Eg; I bought a M03 Mini Cooper Racing and a M04L Beetle for less than 100.00 delivered for the 2 of them. I've seen and aI am sure others have as well, L'B Gold Ed for around $80.00 plus P+P.

I paid 330.00 for my HL F350 when you can get them for less than 200.00 inc P+P off ebay. You do the math.

Now for Nitro?? I would probably go to my LHS in case the engine goes, or when I bought my radio set (both of them) for my F350, then I would rather get that from LHS, again, just in case.

It depends what I am after.

[clarkey]

I would have to say i go where the price takes me. i always used to use modelsport for kits and local for parts but now with ebay and online stores like stella i can normaly get two kits for what i was paying for one. however it seems that there is a change happening a noticed modelsport are selling the scania for around the same as the same kit plus postage from hong kong. Now i know which ill be buying. however the mfu is still stupidly expensive from them.

I wonder whether the hobby company supplied the scania at a fair price or they are buying them from hong kong in bulk?

[markbt73]

My old LHS in Minnesota (Hub Hobby Center; I give them advertising whenever I can) used to match Tower's price including shipping on kits, then push the fact that you could walk out with it right now instead of having to wait for the UPS man. And they move a lot of kits. I haven't found a place here in Oregon that will do that yet, but next time I'm looking for a kit, I'm going to ask around.

For little stuff, I always go to the hobby shop. And remember, it never hurts to ask about special-ordering what you need.

[tupers]

I wonder whether the hobby company supplied the scania at a fair price or they are buying them from hong kong in bulk?

They probably bought then in bulk from the hobby company and got a better discount. From what I've heard if they find out you're bring in their own parts from abroad they stop selling to you.

I think that a lot of people don't want to ask for discount in shops and just compare prices with the net constantly. Just rember that a lot of shop can help you with things that web shops and forums can't. If you ask they can normally get close to web prices and the more you use them the better they will look after you..

[Wrc action]

I try to use UK based hobby shops where possible espically for things like motors, hpi bodyshells, esc's etc as there isnt really much difference between Ebay aboard and those in the UK,

But when it comes to Tamiya parts of any great value/quanity then its abroad that I look too.

A single uk hotup that I want fast then fine. 1/2 more isnt a great deal. But TB01 LA set for 30 instead of 60 hmmm thats a hard choice espically as uk stores often need to special order that as well. taking even longer!!!

[yamita]

It does hurt to pay more and have to go back to the store. Why not just order it yourself to your doorstep?

And remember, it never hurts to ask about special-ordering what you need.

[akemag]

Sweden is just ridicolus when it comes to LHS prices. TB02 Subaru 350$. Ebay BIN 91$ Shipping is about 60$, within Sweden is not much cheaper! Hardly any stores carry Tamiya btw.

Think this says it all for me.

[yellow-dragon-70]

I would love to support my lhs, which is Howes Models in Kidlington near Oxford, but as so many have said about their lhs, they are rude, useless and expensive.

If I use a model shop at all I will use Microtech racing in Swindon, they are polite, knowledgable and not to badly priced either, they have loads and loads of stuff in stock, they also have a very a good web site.

Goldstarstockists aren't bad either

thats all I have to say about that

[Origineelreclamebord]

Well, if I was a billionaire, maybe, but then I would still buy masses of stuff online... My closest LHS are a bunch of stupids to be honest... bad service, no nice people, they even said things to me like 'I collect tamiya cars so you can't know it better than me' - I ordered stuff, it took more than a year, asked them several times, been there about 6 times or had them on the phone and the parts never ----ing came... And then their prices are crooked... 4 suzuki swift wheels are 6 euros, but one single ball bearing costs more than half that in that store...

The other one has nothing in stock... Nice people, they don't do it for the money since they are a toy store, but the owners are r/c enthusiasts so you can order RC parts and stuff there (and they have a cute square meter of r/c in their store) but their price is way too high... 55 euros for a Mazda Miata body...

[pikachoo75]

I see a few have sampled the wonder-full atmos in Edinburgh!

I recently went to a lhs near Glasgow,it stocked the usual hobby stuff(scalextric,hornby,heli's and planes).

The chap had some Tamiya stuff like a WW2 and some TT01 cars in kit form and some XB rtr.He also stocked some Kyosho bits and bobs.(which i enquired about as "scary atmos shop" in Edinburgh said Ripmax didnt deal in Scotland any more?)

Long story short.....Tamiya rep was in the store and chattin to owner.....I asked for 850 ball bearings for my Top Force steering.....Both myself and the Tamiya rep recoiled when i was told they were 2.50 ......EACH!

I almost laughed at him....he then said "seeing as you are after 8,i'll do them 2 a piece"

At this point the Tamiya rep enquired ,in a knowing fashion ,if the owner would like to add more ball bearing stock to his order!

My complete impatience to run my Top Force that weekend caused me to part with 16.00 and it taught me never to go back.I even said that you can get 850's for 50p each!

I often find that the LHS is owned by a buisness man who see's this Hobby of ours as a lucritive mark up opportunity!

I realise in the REAL world a buisness is a buisness,but with the likes of the internet and Ebay(FEEBAY) it is increasingly more apparent that the GREEDY GUYS wont be trading for long.

I do however feel that it is sad that a decent buisness will of course feel the squeeze,but as mentioned before,its evolution or bust.

[HereBeMonsters]

If it's a good store, yes.

I have the same attitude with all things I buy. I'm very into my gadgets, computers, and I play hockey. There's a very good hockey shop near me, prices around 10% more than you can find on the 'net, but knowledge and advice is priceless really.

They let me play a match in a pair of 70 shoes before committing to buying them, they ordered a 130 stick in for me and never asked for a deposit, and let me sell my old gear through them as well.

If only I could find a local Tamiya dealer with a similar passion...

[pikachoo75]

"If only I could find a local Tamiya dealer with a similar passion..."

I think you've hit the nail on the head ,HereBeMonsters!

It's the passion for the products that seems to be lacking in alot of stores.....or maybe (and more sadly) the passion has dimmed for alot of LHS owners

[Wrc action]

I often find that the LHS is owned by a buisness man who see's this Hobby of ours as a lucritive mark up opportunity!

I realise in the REAL world a buisness is a buisness,but with the likes of the internet and Ebay(FEEBAY) it is increasingly more apparent that the GREEDY GUYS wont be trading for long.

I do however feel that it is sad that a decent buisness will of course feel the squeeze,but as mentioned before,its evolution or bust.

yes but surely if they are any good then they will realise that its better to sell more low margin items than the odd couple at a stupid mark up!

and i think Herebemonsters has a very good point. Model Junction in Bury St edmunds is very good as an LHS, good advice and honest service such that I know I could get the part a little cheaper elsewhere, but I know that I am getting the right thing from them when I am over there with the relatives and should I need to follow up a question or have a problem then It an easy and friendly gaunt or call back. not some rudeness as with some LHS's

regards

Ryck

[Tamiya1/10]

Ebay and the internet have created a new way of doing business. LHS retail locations with its high overhead and limited to local traffic just cannot compete with ebay or web sellers which have the world cyber traffic in the 10s or 100s millions vs LHS at 100000 and these sellers can be located at some warehouse/industrial local vs high price retail locations.

Tamiya or other make will have to work out the distribution between cyber sellers and LHS else the LHS will not carry any Tamiya products or maybe just paints, tools and hop ups. Else the LHS will also have to become a web seller, they just can't compete.

The web is like opening of Wal-Mart which forced many small retailer out of business.

In the end, I try to support my LHS as much as possible, but if the price difference is too much I will have to go with the lower price. In Hong Kong, I found the LHS prices in general are cheaper than local ebay sellers. Maybe ebay and paypal charge too much.