Local Hobby Shop Versus Internet


David,

Very true about the internet outfits. That's why I asked around about Cherry Creek before placing an order from them.

I needed about thirty DPDT toggle switches for my new control panel (not going DCC for my turnouts - not grandson user friendly like toggles you can see and flip). Asked around, compared prices, and finally settled on Demar Electronics - even after a customer told me about them being slow. Took my chances and placed my order but told them it was somewhat of a time sensitive order and asked if they could please get it shipped ASAP. They said they'd "try". Well, it took almost four weeks for it to arrive. Now I know that I could have expedited things buy paying for priority mail. But four weeks??? My order from Cherry Creek weighed more, cost only $4 more in shipping, and arrived in five days (CC is in WY, Demar is in IL , I'm in OR, but that shouldn't have been much of a factor).

Don't think I'll ever order from Demar again. Too many other outfits out there to pick from.

DW

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
Winston Churchill
 
Dan, don't overlook Radio Shack for electrical and electronic components. They have a wide range of switches and wiring accessories and their prices are at least competitive with most on-line outfits. Since you live in Oregon, you don't pay sales tax, so calculate that into prices compared to shipping costs.
 
Dan Watkins said:
Asked around, compared prices, and finally settled on Demar Electronics - even after a customer told me about them being slow. Took my chances and placed my order but told them it was somewhat of a time sensitive order and asked if they could please get it shipped ASAP. They said they'd "try". Well, it took almost four weeks for it to arrive. Now I know that I could have expedited things buy paying for priority mail. But four weeks???
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Dan,

Sounds to me like this is an outfit that does not keep any stock, they take orders and when they get enough orders, then they order from their supplier. When that arrives, they repack and ship. If that is not the case, there is just no good explanation or reason for them to take so long to ship an order.
 
Jim,
Radio shack is the first place I went to since they are the only place in town that stock toggles. They were $3.99 per switch. Besides price, I heard from a lot of individuals that Radio Shack's quality is pretty poor as well. The ones I got from Demar were $.90 each and I can't "see" any appreciable difference. Demar's quality is fine. It's just their shipping time is horrible.

Sales tax isn't an issue for us here in Oregon whether we buy in state or not. Even if we buy online from somewhere that has a sales tax, we don't have to pay it. We go to Washington State a lot because our daughter and her family live there. All we have to do is show proof of Oregon citizenship and they waive the sales tax on our purchases.
 
After reading the posts in this thread, I feel very fortunate to have a local shop (Jetco's Hiawatha Hobbies in Waukesha WI) with a good inventory of rolling stock, decoders, kits, scratchbuilding supplies, paint and tools. Plus, the staff is friendly and helpful. I sometimes order online (or drive into Milwaukee to the Walthers warehouse), but if the LHS has the item in stock I prefer to buy there.
 
Fishplate said:
After reading the posts in this thread, I feel very fortunate to have a local shop (Jetco's Hiawatha Hobbies in Waukesha WI) with a good inventory of rolling stock, decoders, kits, scratchbuilding supplies, paint and tools. Plus, the staff is friendly and helpful. I sometimes order online (or drive into Milwaukee to the Walthers warehouse), but if the LHS has the item in stock I prefer to buy there.
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I feel this way as well about our LHS. It changed hands recently, (last August), and has gone from a majority RC oriented shop to a train oriented shop. The new owners ran a shop in Florida before they came here. They give discounts, based on their cost of the item, and they honor the Walthers sales prices.

However, they currently are having problems with keeping inventory. What happens is something new comes in the shop, a day or two later, its gone. They keep reordering and it keeps leaving! Our area hasn't had a LHS like this in years!
 
That's one of the problems with our LHS. They are much more focused on RC than anything else. They are constantly promoting RC events in the area but seldom, if ever, do anything for the MR crowd. Perhaps they had a falling out with the local club but I don't know that since I don't belong. They are also the only store within 50 miles so they can pretty much have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

Carey, that's a nice problem for your LHS to have. Means they are doing something right.

DW

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
Winston Churchill
 
Fishplate said:
After reading the posts in this thread, I feel very fortunate to have a local shop (Jetco's Hiawatha Hobbies in Waukesha WI) with a good inventory of rolling stock, decoders, kits, scratchbuilding supplies, paint and tools. Plus, the staff is friendly and helpful. I sometimes order online (or drive into Milwaukee to the Walthers warehouse), but if the LHS has the item in stock I prefer to buy there.
Click to expand...

How about that, I go to Jetco's all the time. Nice folks. They should be moved into their new place by now.
 
Dan, I've used RS switches frequently with no quality problems. Their regular retail price is high but you can sometimes catch them on sale at 10 for $8.99. Sign up for their internet flyers at the web site and you'll get advance notice on sales. That being said, most specialist electronics companies do stock a greater variety of components in different price and quality ranges. One of my favorite places to shop is American Science and Surplus at http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/17/start/127/maxrows/21. Thye have a huge collection of useful things like switches and some really oddball things that you can get cheap and may actually be useful.
 
Jim,
I was a little surprised to see as much negative feedback about RS as I did. It wasn't on this forum but over at DCC4EVERYONE.
My neighbor designs things like the decoders we use in our locos as well as other electronic items and he sometimes needs to build a mock up or prototype. He said he refuses to use RS because of quality issues. So go figure. I've used a fair amount of their items and never had issues but didn't want to risk it when redoing my control panel. The price you quoted was very good. I never saw anything close to that price in a mini DPDT or I might not have looked a further.

Dan

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
Winston Churchill
 
I buy from EVERYONE......my choices depend on availability and price. I buy from ebay, but primarily things that are no longer in production/out of stock items....just bought some Milw. Heavyweights....but shipping charges usually negate the savings on the new item prices. I buy from my local shop which is train only, not a hobby shop. They have a nice selection of items in all scales and prices vary from good to "retail", but are horrible for special orders. I shop at another train shop that's 2 hours away....they have a better selection and are a Walthers shop, so I can browse the catalog online, pick items, and e-mail an order to the shop, who places an order every friday. I avoid shipping and the shop gives me 20% off all regular priced items. The downside is I only make over there about once a month. I also check out MB Klien's website about once a week and have gotten some great deals there and really appreciate their "real-time" inventory so you know not only what's in stock, but HOW MANY are in stock.Never any backorders! You know when you order it you'll get it....big improvement over most online shops. I'd guess I'm about 50/50 between online (dealers and ebay) and local dealers.
 
My LHSs really are not good.

If you are not under 20 and into RC cars then you could walk out the door with half of the Hobbytown's inventory in your arms before the store clerks even noticed you. Considering how bare the shelves are that's not really hyperbole. All the RC car stuff is in good supply, the rest of the store is pretty much forgotten. So, massively understocked with nonexistent customer service.

There's a Hobby Lobby which stocks basically RTR prebuilt toy stuff.

Another place is a combo Bicycle shop and hobby shop. The guys have a shameful lack of knowledge on their products. They tend to never put your order in, then if they do it takes nearly a year and is the wrong item. Really they are incompetent, it's their off-the-shelf kit sales and the bike side of the store that keeps them afloat. It's a "must skip" for the serious modeler.

Then there's a good sized Mom & Pop hobby store. They focus heavily (about 50% of the store) on RC cars, but don't suffer from the lack of customer service problems the Hobbytown has. They are moderately well stocked. Often when looking for something specific you'll find an empty space on the shelves where it should be. They then give the stock answer of "oh we'll have some by next Thursday". Surprisingly, every time "next Thursday" rolls around, they really do have it!

The local Model Train store's (and exclusively model trains) claim to fame is that it's the only one for like 300 miles. It is a fun place to browse but the inventory is hit-or-miss, the owner is a jerk, and they can take over 6 months to get something you've ordered in.

So, I pretty much am better off searching and shopping online.
 
Selector said:
I must respectfully disagree with your premise, CP302. Accounting for natural variance from business to business in a given sector of the economy, the first principle of business is always that the customer determines what is acceptable and what isn't. You sound like an apologist for the deflating Mom's & Pops's where those two have handed over the store to their grandson, whose values are not theirs, and said, "Try to make a go of it, but make sure you get paid first. Also, don't do more or treat your customers with any more respect than you feel you want to." This is what I feel I encountered at the place closest to me. Even when I stood opposite the counter, in person, and asked about the order, the answer was, "The person who does the ordering isn't in. I'll have her phone you tomorrow." No phone call....ever. Twice!!!!! This can't be blamed on second-rate staff because the store owner was the person who offered to have the parts ordering person call me. If the responsibility rests with leadership, and the leadership/owner was the person with whom I left my query, how can the absence of the follow-up phone call be blamed on the subordinate....the second time it happened?!

Sorry, but the store owner/manager either runs a good business or he/she doesn't. If it is a good business, customers are welcomed and accorded due deference...and diligence. It is the very reason that I patronized the more distant store. He knew me by name and darned well ordered stuff when he said he would. Additionally, because he was of that orientation, he was a very busy (successful) businessman....people were always in the store, waiting patiently for a piece of him. The closer place has flies. They're patient as well....:D

-Crandell
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I'm harping --I know but that is why I do this--the lady at this store that I frequently as a kid would go to , she would remember me and her staff remembered me!!! She would go to the back of the store and pull out the small Corgi cars I was after and I'd get the car I ordered--even if there was a couple of months between visits And why would they ?Because they just did--they liked to do this for their customers!! But now, a lot of them just--" why should we?--we don' wanna---" When I go into a LHS and I get the feeling that I'm an imposition to his day at work then---I'll go elsewhere---

Have we got so used to mediocre service that we no longer seem to think being ignored or tossed off to someone else is an issue? If so---then SHEEEESH!!:mad::mad::confused:

OK. I'm off my harp board---;)
 
If I need something right now this very second I run down to my LHS,but my real LHS is in New england :eek: only because I get a really good deeal from him:D
 
I think that in my area, we are blessed with the good fortune of having several shops, including 2 that are train shops. I know all the staff at each store, and they are courteous, helpful, and honestly want the business.

I buy online, eBay, or at train shows when I am looking for something out of production or hard to get. However, every locomotive I've ordered online has had at least one broken part (though fixable) or electrical issues (mainly factory related). I remarked about that as one place was helping me with my second Athearn CF7, and he said they get broken stuff too, but they check it and fix it before putting it on the shelf.

I can go into any of the three shops I go to and have help with any item I purchased from them or anyone else. The folks there know me, and will point out things that I may be interested in, or tell me about a railfanning trip or the next operating session. Those are things I can't get from online businesses.
 
After going back over this thread, I began thinking just how many times through the years that this subject has come up, and with the same pro's and con's for online or LHS purchasing. It is a good subject; a subject with many good views of how one looks at their hobby from an economic angle with online discounting versus the more pleasurable approach of walking the aisles and having the hands-on, eye contact with that very special item; the ordering through a mindless computer versus the kind face of a helpful store clerk . There is no right or wrong way, just a matter of personal choice and judgement.

Let's admit that we are involved in a very expensive hobby that has no limits to the time and money a modeler can invest. If the satisfaction of personal service with hands-on is a priority and the difference in cost is not an issue, then a hobby shop is the likely venue. However, for those that are involved with massive layouts or layouts with infinite detail, a more economical way of purchasing may be necessary to achieve the goals of his design. Honestly, I would love to have an LHS that is focused on "trains only"; a meeting place of fellow modelers for a cup of joe and a bundle of lies; a shop with knowledgeable and caring staff to assist me with my purchases. Having a shop that is willing to work with you on the cost of large purchases would not only make sense to the owners, but would also negate the advantages to shopping online.

Unfortunately, I do not have the blessing of such a shop and there doesn't seem to be many around the country. In fact, any shop close to this would be the LHS that Carey mentioned in his post. For me, it would be a DHS (distant hobby shop) at 55 miles away. (A trip to this shop would be like "going with Mom to window shop for Christmas", but with no purchases :( :).) Because I am involved in a large lifetime layout, retired with a set income, frustrated with the fast rising prices in our already overpriced hobby, I must stick to online shopping to accomplish my goals.;):)
 
Well, I don't have much in the line of LHS so I do most my ordering online and I like the fact I can get great deals and there really isn't any rush for anything I'm doing. Anything can wait but sometimes I end up waiting longer then I like. There was one time I had an order placed and was waiting and during that time the Hobby Shop must have closed as they never sent the order and never could get in touch with them. I think it's going to be more and more an online shop for us all. I do support the local shop that carry some train stuff when I can but I find I place large orders at a time and that way I can save on shipping as well. Then it's a great deal.
Dave

Dave
 
I do both, I will check out other LHS websites from all over the country and Walthers as well, I usually go to a few LHS on the weekends, if any LHS don't have what I need then i'll have them put an order or i'll just browse the websites and put in an order.
 
Rex!

RexHea said:
After going back over this thread, I began thinking just how many times through the years that this subject has come up, and with the same pro's and con's for online or LHS purchasing. It is a good subject; a subject with many good views of how one looks at their hobby from an economic angle with online discounting versus the more pleasurable approach of walking the aisles and having the hands-on, eye contact with that very special item; the ordering through a mindless computer versus the kind face of a helpful store clerk . There is no right or wrong way, just a matter of personal choice and judgement.

Let's admit that we are involved in a very expensive hobby that has no limits to the time and money a modeler can invest. If the satisfaction of personal service with hands-on is a priority and the difference in cost is not an issue, then a hobby shop is the likely venue. However, for those that are involved with massive layouts or layouts with infinite detail, a more economical way of purchasing may be necessary to achieve the goals of his design. Honestly, I would love to have an LHS that is focused on "trains only"; a meeting place of fellow modelers for a cup of joe and a bundle of lies; a shop with knowledgeable and caring staff to assist me with my purchases. Having a shop that is willing to work with you on the cost of large purchases would not only make sense to the owners, but would also negate the advantages to shopping online.
Click to expand...

I'm in my 50s and can remember when all there was were Mom & Pop Hobby Shops. I grew up Southern California, and have been an avid model builder since the 1st grade - introduced to modeling miniatures by my father and model trains by my grandmother (Yes, my Granny - go figure!).

When I lived in Ventura, it was Ventura Toys. They welcomed little kids who rode their Stringray bicycles across town to spend their allowances. When we moved to Anaheim, it was Brookhurst Hobbies. I would go into the shop every Saturday at 10:00 AM sharp to spend my $2.00 allowance. I was into ships and armor at the time, and some of those Renwal kits cost more than my budget.

I remember asking what 'Layaway' was. When I got the answer, I would give my my entire allowance and couldn't wait for the next Saturday so I could pay off my bill and get my kit. I was a creature of habit, and this got noticed by the staff. Eventually, layaway became a 'tab' that I could run up, and the waiting for my model for a week or two was a thing of the past. I moved from plastic models to trains and it was that store - who in taking a little kid (4th grade at the time) under their wing and giving me their trust - that spurned me onto a lifetime hobby.

Frankly, I can't see ANY of the LHS in my part of NJ or PA doing such a thing nowadays. Heck, one store has a sign prohibiting unaccompanied minors. If that's not suicidal management, I'm not sure what would qualify. It's the children of today that have to turn into the big spenders of tomorrow, as we grow old and pass on. How else do these retailers expect to continue? (Last time I looked at my research - I'm in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry - cloning of people was still a long way off! :")

David
 
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