A sign of the times...

[godale03]

Well guys,

I just got some really bad news this weekend. As it turns out the state of the economy has claimed another victim. After some 30 plus years of being in business, my LHS is closing its doors. Despite my efforts to spend as much money as humanly possible... LOL they are not turning a profit. They will remain open for two more weeks and then they will close forever. This was were my local track is, my local support and my local parts. This was my Cheers guys. I knew everyone and they knew me. Made alot of friends and I know that although I may keep in touch with some... most were race buds that I hung out with on Saturday's during the summer. All gone. There is not a local shop within 50 miles of me now. I don't know wether to cry, or go crazy. LOL In fact the shop owner called myself and the other "regulars" to give us a heads up on some of the going out of business deals. Of course they can not order anything, but everything in the store must go1I feel guilty for taking advantage of a really bad situation, but I will at least be able to stock up on some parts like bearings and arms and the other little things that will come in handy down the road. It just sucks. I wish there was something I could do.... I even talked with my wife about possibly applying for a business loan to buy the place... but realistically that is a stupid move on my part. Anyway thanks for listening.

Tom

 

[Dave63]

I find it less "Economy" related, as most retailers are hurt directly by Internet sales. Especially with hobby type stuff, IMHO.

It's hard to compete with companies that buy and sell in large volume, for cheaper prices, that don't have to pay employees, health insurance, Liabilty insurance or high costs for a store, and related expenses.

There's a lot of businesses hurt by the internet. My local motorcycle shop is going through the same thing.......I can buy tires for almost 40% cheaper off the internet, which is cheaper then they can even buy them from their retailers.

Regardless.....sorry for your loss. I know I'd be iritated if my LHS closed down, and I had to wait 3-4 days every time for parts. It's nice to go walk in, and walk out with your stuff.

 

[RC Addict]

I am afraid to say they will most likely not be the last.

 

[Scrogg]

Very true, my LHS is not doing so well either. He is moving more to the toy inventory and slowly closing out the R/C. He keeps plane and heli stuff. A couple Traxxas RTRs and XTM RTRs... Most of which he has to sell on E-Bay at prices he can't offer us in the store.

 

[godale03]

I am sure it won't be the last. Internet does hurt, but they were small enough and had been around long enough, there was quite alot of regulars. Plus... I tried to buy rigs that my LHS stocked parts for because it was nice to walk in and buy the part and be back at in a few minutes. Now if I am lucky like you said... 2-3 days for a part before you can get back racing or bashing. I can't tell you how many times I have been bashing around, broke an A-Arm or something else and I would walk in and walk out with the part. Plus I got to shoot the breeze for a little bit. I am also the type that likes to put my hands on an item before I buy it. I just don't like buying something by just looking at a picture of it. Hell, that is how I ended up with a TMaxx... I walked in saw it, said wow! and bought it. LOL the rest is history.

 

[Dave63]

Hell, that is how I ended up with a TMaxx... I walked in saw it, said wow! and bought it. LOL the rest is history.

That's funny..... I ended up with mine after my neighbor bought one, came to me and asked if I could break the motor in for him.

I gladly said, "Sure.....:

I bought one the next day.

 

[godale03]

There is something to be said for just being able to fondle something before you buy it! LOL

If I had been able to do that, I would never have gotten married! LOL Just kidding!!

 

[Lessen]

That really sucks Tom. I have to disagree with the above statement about internet sales. hobby shops all over have been able to stay alive for years since the internet boom, the economy is in a shithole and to be naive enough to think otherwise would be foolish. If I said I wasn't concerned about my job I'd be lying.

 

[Rolex]

that is how I ended up with a TMaxx... I walked in saw it, said wow! and bought it. LOL the rest is history.

Likewise. I went to my LHS for airplane parts at the time, and left with a Tmaxx. The thousands I was spending on planes, then went into the Maxx and others.

There is something to be said for just being able to fondle something before you buy it! LOL

If I had been able to do that, I would never have gotten married! LOL Just kidding!!

ROFLMAO!!!

 

[godale03]

That really sucks Tom. I have to disagree with the above statement about internet sales. hobby shops all over have been able to stay alive for years since the internet boom, the economy is in a shithole and to be naive enough to think otherwise would be foolish. If I said I wasn't concerned about my job I'd be lying.

I know I bought everything I could from them, and then some. I went to the internet only if I needed something they could not get, or something they could not get within a reasonable amount of time. That didn't happen very often. A lot of folks go to the net for better prices, but there is one thing you can't get from the web, and that is the human element. It was nice to be able to talk about issues, new products, or just shoot the breeze when you went into your LHS. My wife would actually suggest I go down there just to hang out when pre-calculus homework was getting the best of me.... because she knew how much I enjoyed being down there. I am also really going to miss getting my arse handed to me on that track out back too!



What do you guys like about your LHS?

Likewise. I went to my LHS for airplane parts at the time, and left with a Tmaxx. The thousands I was spending on planes, then went into the Maxx and others.




ROFLMAO!!!

I was actually going in there to buy some model train parts. When I saw that Maxx... My what a chain of events that started! When I would walk in there... they usually knew what I was in there for, and we always had some new part or kit to talk about.

 

[NCNitro]

My lhs with the only dirt track on the island was siezed for taxes and shut down. :whhooo: Then the one in Port Jeff that was way overpriced on everything went belly up, Hurricane's human element is equal to that of a pissed off rattlesnake, and way overpriced also, so I refuse to go there. Then we have one tiny shop that is ok at best. So I order everything on line.

 

[godale03]

My lhs with the only dirt track on the island was siezed for taxes and shut down. :whhooo: Then the one in Port Jeff that was way overpriced on everything went belly up, Hurricane's human element is equal to that of a pissed off rattlesnake, and way overpriced also, so I refuse to go there. Then we have one tiny shop that is ok at best. So I order everything on line.

A bit bitter are we?

Well... I am in the same boat now. The two other shops that are about 50 miles away in either direction are not options for me. For one... they are to far away to be practical, and the one shop, not only were the prices high, the customer service was less than stellar. In fact I went in just to take a look around and the guy in the shop tried hard to sell me a mini T which I was not interested in. It got to the point where the guy was so pushy I just left. Not going back. So I guess A-Main just got a new customer.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I am fortunate enough to have 2 hobby shops within 15 minutes from me, but one caters mainly to planes, and dont know anything about cars, (when i go in i help customers more than the owners do), and one just opened about 2 months ago, (hobby town usa) and the people who work there are all newbs.

 

[godale03]

There is a hobby town about an hour and a half away I might take a road trip to check out. I have never been to one. Might be fun.

Today I am going to go by the shop just to check out the scene. The last day they will be open is the 6th of December. I told my wife I am just going to hang out there for the day... and you know what.. she didn't give me one bit of trouble about it. I think she knows how feel about the whole thing. I love that woman.

 

[insaneatvs]

WOW....the sad part is I dont really support my LHS because of lack of service....no one wants to help you there

Sorry to hear about your LHS

 

[alpinehyperlite]

There is a hobby town about an hour and a half away I might take a road trip to check out. I have never been to one. Might be fun.

I'm not impressed. There are lots of "toys" there for kids. There is RC stuff, but it seems mainly focused on selling to children.

 

[BMILLER]

I am fortunate enough to have 2 hobby shops within 15 minutes from me, but one caters mainly to planes, and dont know anything about cars, (when i go in i help customers more than the owners do), and one just opened about 2 months ago, (hobby town usa) and the people who work there are all newbs.

gotta love the random newbs

 

[RC Addict]

I am lucky enough to have four LHS's within a 40 mile radius. One has been here for almost as long as I have. Two I have never been to and the third moved here from So Cal last year. As long as my "main" guys make it I will be alright.

As an aside my girlfriend got let go yesterday. She was a line manager for a large leather seat manufacturer for the automotive industry. Funny thing--her line was the only profitable line out of seven plants world-wide and yet she got cut. Unfortunately she has decided to move back home to Detroit and try to keep the family bakery alive.:censored:

So if anyone has a cute sister let me know!

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Speaking of thinking your own sister is cute...........
has anyone heard from digger lately?

 

[RC Addict]

Speaking of thinking your own sister is cute...........
has anyone heard from digger lately?

Not one word, at least on here.