Vintage, yet rather poignant comedy

[Tamiya UK]

I think you will agree, take a look here ;-

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...id=18039&id=254

I had forgotten about these until Stulec sparked a thought in this thread ;-

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/xforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10025

[gingerboy98]

[] Ahh the 80's simpler times. Maybe back in the day things were different, but......

As soon as you say you are looking for something for an older Tamiya car at most of the LHS in my area they think that they can charge a load more for it? Why should I support that??

I have also witnessed blatent rudesness to people who are trying to get into the hobby, if you don't know what the latest and greatest is then your nobody worth bothering about. Why Should I support that??

I can understand the economics behind the argument, no custom no business, but I think some LHS's should really work on their attitudes, before blaming others for loss of business.

I am not saying this is the same everywhere I am sure there are loads of great LHS owners that help out and bend over backwards, I am just saying this is the case in my area.

[fury_dice(2)]

<rant on>

Have to say I agree with gb99 (unfortunately). I only got into this hobby last year and have been on a learning curve ever since. I can understand LHS's charging more (economies of scale, personal service, overheads etc.) and am happy to pay the extra to be able to get what I want (products and/or advice) late on a Saturday afternoon.

However, the arrogant, off-hand, 'cliquey' and just plain dismissive attitudes that I have come across in LHS's has put me off even trying. In some, it would seem that if you're not after the latest carbon-graphite widget for a racer, or 6" diameter tyres for your E/T/Savage/Hao/MP/NitroNutterMonster, then you're not worth knowing. In others, if you're after anything more complex than a QD or a Nikko, then the person behind the counter just glazes over. This is not restricted to LHS's; when shopping for my other hobby (music) I find the same attitudes in music shops. In some if you don't want a brand new Les Paul you're some kind od timewaster, in others the request for a set of strings can boil the brain of the dullard with the key to the till.

The upshot of all of this is that I do my own research (hurrah for TC) and then shop around for the best deal. I win (usually) and the LHS loses, for which I am sorry. If I get treated properly when replaing a broken servo-saver, I'm much more likely to go back when looking for a more expensive item.

Until the shops wise up to this state of affairs, then they'll continue to decline.

<rant off>

[WillyChang]

Some of those guys in the ads are famous RC'ers, aren't they?

Could that be Gil Losi Sr & Jr in the "hobby store counter" one? [:0]

[RETRO R/C]

quote:Originally posted by WillyChang

Some of those guys in the ads are famous RC'ers, aren't they?

Could that be Gil Losi Sr & Jr in the "hobby store counter" one? [:0]

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I can quite definately say DEFINATELY NOT willy !!

Cheers

Darryn

[gingerboy98]

"Have to say I agree with gb99 (unfortunately)." id="size1">

Is there something wrong with agreeing with me? Is it coz I ias ginger? (said in the same vain as Ali G)[]

Anyway, I can concur music shops are indeed the same, I play drums and you get the same things there, ooh check out my solos blah blah, load of pretentious twoddle if you ask me. Wheres the love, man?

[fury_dice(2)]

quote:Originally posted by gingerboy99

"Have to say I agree with gb99 (unfortunately)." id="size1">

Is there something wrong with agreeing with me? Is it coz I ias ginger? (said in the same vain as Ali G)[]

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Nah, it's coz you is a drummer [][] (cue the onslaught of umpteen drummer gags...)

Just meant the situation itself is unfortunate - I'd much rather pop to the LHS than be waiting on the postman or lining the pockets of some multi-national mega-corp. They just don't make it easy sometimes [!]

[The Slayer]

Totally agree with Mr Dice on this one...[xx(]

The other problem I have is being female... you get the 'You cant come in here' look esp. in some 'Testosterone filled Racing' shops... cant be asked, sorry... HK every time and some shops near me are run by 95 yr old Plane Buffs, Tamiya is a 'Dirty Word' no way am i going in them....[!]

Try wearing a skirt/wig/falsies, guys and go in D**S on a busy day [][]

Even the one i DO use, is full of RTR and Nitro Monster Blaster/Crusher/noisy as badword thingys that cost about £250, usually bought by baseball capped 'lads' who are drooling like dogs - thats all they seem to sell these days, ahh the old days were much better..... now WHERE did i park that time machine [] Right had my rant - off to e-bay USA now []

I have been hit once for customs charges... £25 for a £100 parts box that was from USA.....

The (I dont do paper and balsa) Slayer

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

maybe those adds tell us we get wiser with age, they also tell you back in the eighties people were to thick to change a blackfoot upright, LOL[]

the experiences with lhs's ive been to when asking for bits for my clod have all been the same,

quote:they dont make them anymore, no, thats discontinued, we dont stock tose parts anymore, na we cant get those..

id="quote">id="quote">

forget LHS's in my opinion, unless your rc is a few months old[]

[petercabrio]

unfortuanately you are all right my LHS said " i can't be bothered with all the parts even for the newer models, you can get them cheaper off the net, next please!!!!"

but

There is another one which is more helpful and openly admit they cannot get the old parts but will order most newer bits in if you want.

they also keep a good selection of motors, esc, batteries, bearings, body clips, paint, kits etc at very good prices for LHS

mtroniks eco 20 £30, HPI 20turn motor £8, HPI 2.2 chrome wheels £15 for 4, king blackfoot kit £85 etc etc.

i must be lucky with this one so a free plug to STOCKTON MODELING

Peter

[The Slayer]

No web site tho......

quote:Originally posted by peter beetle

unfortuanately you are all right my LHS said " i can't be bothered with all the parts even for the newer models, you can get them cheaper off the net, next please!!!!"

but

There is another one which is more helpful and openly admit they cannot get the old parts but will order most newer bits in if you want.

they also keep a good selection of motors, esc, batteries, bearings, body clips, paint, kits etc at very good prices for LHS

mtroniks eco 20 £30, HPI 20turn motor £8, HPI 2.2 chrome wheels £15 for 4, king blackfoot kit £85 etc etc.

i must be lucky with this one so a free plug to STOCKTON MODELING

Peter

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[petercabrio]

they do have a web site but mainly set up for trains

http://www.stocktonmodeller.co.uk/index.php?item=1

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

can i name and shame my old LHS the harrow model shop[?]

ooops looks like i just did[:I]

[stulec52]

I don't get it.

All the model shops I go into love to stand around and tell stories and get to know you.

They are able to get most things I could want, and are well aware that I can go worldwide to get the bits I want so they know they have to work to keep my business.

I have only lived here just over 1 year and already the 2 main shops in town here pretty much all the staff know me by name.

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by stulec52

...I have only lived here just over 1 year and already the 2 main shops in town here pretty much all the staff know me by name.

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Canada, eh?

I'd get miffed if they all start wearing T-shirts

bearing "I'm with Stuid="size2">..." [][]

[The Slayer]

Actually thats mine as well - not as bad as D*S i dont feel such a freak in the Harrow one [] and he did let me have some shock oil for less than the sticker price [] and a few free little bits [][]

quote:Originally posted by mymonsterbeetleisbroken

can i name and shame my old LHS the harrow model shop[?]

ooops looks like i just did[:I]

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[Stefan(2)]

quote:I have only lived here just over 1 year and already the 2 main shops in town here pretty much all the staff know me by name

id="quote">id="quote">

U just must be a good customer

my lhs shop is 230km away (i am loyal, am i?)..

nah, no lhs's here close around (the outback of the netherlands <grin>)

the reason i still order/go there, not the pricing (extreme expencive!) but, the lad even being a 100% chopper dude, and his father a 100% plane maniac will go just about anywhere to get that nitty gritty little part i need.

I don't have a order/part number? no problem.. he will dig it up for me. (not the vintage cars ofcourse).

usually orders it, sends it to me by mail "pay when u get here" or something like that.

Get my kits and stuff usually from HK but if i need something special it usually turns out to mail him (and , do paying the main price for it)..

"modelbouw bloemendaal" , tell bernd "chopper bob" send you <lol>

Stefan

[gingerboy98]

Firstrly - Drummers are the backbone of the band! []

Secondly - Stulec, you are one of the lucky ones!

Thirdly - If we all used LHS's then ebay wouldnt be anywhere near as challenging/fun!

[The Slayer]

you forgot the Init.... 'Is coz i is a drummer - INIT' Thanks by the way GB99 for the battery clamp - cleaned up a treat [] Some lagers on the way in the Breckland OK []

quote:Originally posted by gingerboy99

Firstrly - Drummers are the backbone of the band! []

Secondly - Stulec, you are one of the lucky ones!

Thirdly - If we all used LHS's then ebay wouldnt be anywhere near as challenging/fun!

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[SJoerD]

quote:Originally posted by Stefan

quote:I have only lived here just over 1 year and already the 2 main shops in town here pretty much all the staff know me by name

id="quote">id="quote">

U just must be a good customer

my lhs shop is 230km away (i am loyal, am i?)..

nah, no lhs's here close around (the outback of the netherlands <grin>)

the reason i still order/go there, not the pricing (extreme expencive!) but, the lad even being a 100% chopper dude, and his father a 100% plane maniac will go just about anywhere to get that nitty gritty little part i need.

I don't have a order/part number? no problem.. he will dig it up for me. (not the vintage cars ofcourse).

usually orders it, sends it to me by mail "pay when u get here" or something like that.

Get my kits and stuff usually from HK but if i need something special it usually turns out to mail him (and , do paying the main price for it)..

"modelbouw bloemendaal" , tell bernd "chopper bob" send you <lol>

Stefan

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That's funny, IMO that is exactly the kind of store I dislike. At least for Tamiya car stuff, they are more orientated on planes and heli's. Their stocked kits are above suggested retail price, while they are all below that elsewhere in the Netherlands. [8)]

They could not be bothered to look up a Tamiya part because it 'would take hours'. I was well *******ed as it was the second time they sold me that story. I asked for the book, to look it up myself. He went back to help another customer. He shouted at me: "Hey, we're gonne close in 3 hours so hurry up!"... I said that I already found the part in under 9 seconds and that he had 3 hours to walk from one counter to the other. The lauhging tone in his voice was soon away. [] LOL

I also had to wait 6 months for a propellor for my hovercraft untill they were bothered to look after it. It really seems like they are hanging out there drinking coffee all they not really being too bothered about the customers - unless they see chance to offer them a overpriced kit.

They show me the contents of a 360 Modena TA-04 kit. I said: "Yeah, I know exactly what htat looks like, I jsut got one..." He points out it includes ALL parts to built the car. (WOW! [xx(] ) But when I tell him it's €100 cheaper at the other store... The lid of the kitbox goes back on without with the words: "Well, Tamiya has been very expensive from our importer lately, you see..." I asked him "And you think that that other store shouldn't suffer from the same problem then?" (There is only 1 importer in the Netherlands) No further comments, kit goes back on the shelf. []

Back to the subject. I think the coin has 2 sides. Maybe us customers should 'support' our LHS. But the LHS should also support us to expect support. It needs to come from both ways I suppose. But I think many of us are already deep enough into the hobby so they don't actually needs the support from a LHS for looking up bits - I would beat them at that contest myself.

Perhaps all they need to do is just to be someone nice in the neighborhood to talk to and to get bits from 'off the shelf'. The problem is, I find most LHS's, including Bloemendaal, are lacking in fullfilling this role. [V]

(This is one if those typical topics that crops up once in a while, isn't it? [] )

[Stefan(2)]

but sjoert, the trick is simple

1) don't argue about the price (useless)

2) don't buy kits there (u know there expencive)

3) own at least a chopper, preffered a plane as wel

4) don't make jokes about germans

no, thats bull, just never had any trouble with them, i really like

there customer-service. Considering they know my face there from when i was able to walk [], they helped me out quite a view times.

For the same stuff but crappy suport, go to the Muco [}]

Yes there cheaper. But, if the bit is not in stock (any brand)

don't even bother to order it.

Stefan

[quik_d]

i have to put a vote in for LHS's, i have two within about 15mins drive and both are quite helpful. I went into addelstone models when first getting into the hobby, they were very helpful and didn't try to flog me the latest graphite £300 touring car, i have also gone into there beofre finding TC for advice on speed controler and motors. Upon saying that thy have lost my order for some TA03 uprights so the car is outta action at the mo! as for the other shop, they are less helpful and you do get the impression that they don't appreciate people just looking, kinda only be here if you intend to buy something. On the other hand bigger companies can get the rarer parts and probably cheaper so my opinion is try LHS's first, provide they aren't too over priced and can help give em some support! cheers

quik

[SJoerD]

quote:Originally posted by Stefan

but sjoert, the trick is simple

1) don't argue about the price (useless)

2) don't buy kits there (u know there expencive)

3) own at least a chopper, preffered a plane as wel

4) don't make jokes about germans

no, thats bull, just never had any trouble with them, i really like

there customer-service. Considering they know my face there from when i was able to walk [], they helped me out quite a view times.

For the same stuff but crappy suport, go to the Muco [}]

Yes there cheaper. But, if the bit is not in stock (any brand)

don't even bother to order it.

Stefan

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1) I also found that is useless

2) Of course, as point one is out of question

3) What? I NEED one to be respected? MY mate has a plane but they gave him a strange look as well. Probably 'cos he was with me in the shop.

4)I don't make funny jokes specificly about Germans, I make fun of all nationalities. []

So I don't come there for their products (due to price), not the service and not their wise talk about Tamiya or what else - so why bother getting back there? []

Yep Muco is cheaper, still **** service. Modelsport Hoofddorp has some service though, but it you start about Tamiya they give you a strange look. If you don't have the latest gizmo they give you a strange look. If you tell that you drive for fun and not competative - they give you another strange look.

Though there was a chap working there that actually knew what I was talking about when I mentioned the word 'Mountaineer'. Never saw that guy in the store ever since though, they must have fired him after that. [8)] LOL

[Oldpoopie]

I go to the local shop in a pinch, but I cant see spending that kind of $$ regularly.