A sign of the times...

[Lessen]

What do you guys like about your LHS?

Overall, not much. I have 4 hobby shops within "reasonable" driving distance but I'm not fortunate enough to have something right down the street. When gas was $4/gal. it was cheaper to order online and pay for shipping than to drive 40 minutes via highway.

There are two HTUSA's within 40 minutes of me. One I actually do like and the older gentlemen (I'm guessing the owner) is very pleasant and helpful. So is the lady who is there ofton and greets with a very down to earth smile.

The other is a very dry atmosphere IMO. The owners are just kinda there, if ya know what I mean.

The third shop is a privately owned place that has 4 times too much stuff for the size of the store. The folks that work there are not very pleasant and it's almost clautrophobic to be in there. I dont' go there anymore.

The 4th is probably my favorite although I do not really shop there only because they don't really cater to what I need. They are really a niche hobby shop which I like. They are focused on racing and actually have an indoor oval and a big 1/4 scale outdoor oval which they also race 1/10 on. So in turn they market to their racers. I dream of running a shop like that someday.

 

[godale03]

Lesson... that is just the thing I think most hobby shops lack. Customer service. I think what some of these guys running hobby shops these days make it seem that it is a privledge to shop there. I can go online and get anything RC and have it within 3 days. What I liked about my LHS was the service, the really nice people that ran that place. I knew if I had a question I could ask, and get an honest answer. They didn't try to sell you anything you didn't need. In fact there have been several purchases I never made because after talking to my LHS found out that the part was either junk are just not really needed. I remember when I got my TMaxx... I wanted to go all Aluminium because I thought it was cool looking and I actually thought it would make the truck tougher... metal right?! LOL That is how I found out about RPM. And now almost every rig I have is running RPM arms. And to think... I almost turned into Rolex!

 

[Lessen]

I don't know what it is about privately owned places these days but it just seems like it is very few and far between that you find places (business of any kind) that are well ran in every aspect. I would almost guess that fewer and fewer folks these days are willing to go into business for themselves unless the outcome is 7 figures, and the folks that do open little shops quite frankly aren't up for the task. And then we wonder why Walmart and Walgreens is in every community in the country.

 

[NCNitro]

and to think... I almost turned into rolex! :d

lmaotg!

 

[godale03]

I don't know what it is about privately owned places these days but it just seems like it is very few and far between that you find places (business of any kind) that are well ran in every aspect. I would almost guess that fewer and fewer folks these days are willing to go into business for themselves unless the outcome is 7 figures, and the folks that do open little shops quite frankly aren't up for the task. And then we wonder why Walmart and Walgreens is in every community in the country.

Lessen... another great point. So many folks seem to go into business for themselves to get rich and could give a damn about customer service. The folks in my LHS truly loved the hobby and helping people out. They new that getting people involved in the hobby was important and therefore took the time to help everyone that came in, not only the verteran, but the new guys as well. They were not into high pressure sales and when you walked into the door they always welcomed you and said "Can I help you?". And when you left... even if you didn't buy anything, they always said goodbye, and thanked you for stopping by.

 

[Maxx]

my lhs is 30 miles away and they have almost every tmaxx part....BUT the guy's a peepee and the prices are quite a bit more than online, and I can order a part and have it before I would ever have the time and gas to drive half an hour to get a $5 part. Used to have one closer before I got into rc but they closed down.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

I'm lucky enough to have one within about 5 miles that's reasonably stocked and if they don't have it they'll order it. My only problem with it is that the people working there seem to be doing their own things whenever I go in and don't really get to you for a while. But... they usually have what I need. If they don't I just order it.

There's also another HS about 15 miles away with a decent off-road track, but the actual shop part is junk:

I haven't been there in a while and it looks like they've expanded and changed the track layout. Might have to visit soon

 

[Rolex]

My closest hobby shop is a Hobby Town USA, 12 miles from here. I try to buy as much as I need from them. If they don't have what I need, they will order it. They will also match Tower's price. No shipping for anything I order, but I do have to pay tax. It's just all the bling parts that I get on line.
I even bought the original Savage in the box from them, and recently, the Axial and all the electrics. Everyone there knows me, and everyone there knows their stuff...Totally.

 

[LosiLST]

I guess I am kinda blessed to have 3 Hobby shops close by. Closest about 15 minutes away and furthest about 30 minutes away. If I ever need anything I can find it local. One caters for racing and racing only, one more towards the 1/5 gassers but has it all, and one more towards nitros and electrics.all of them are very helpful and know their stuff very well and will always be able to get you on the right track. Plus they all know me by name. Most of the time i'll go in there for a part and spend an hour and a half talking to the guys just about whats new and whats all going on with the hobby. It's kinda neat.


Sorry to hear about your misfortune godale03.

 

[ohmygahitscoby]

There is only one good guy at my LHS. He knows everything that I need and helps me out with my drifter stuff. There is another guy there that is alright, but he expects I have lots of money to spend. The manager is lazy. I called in to asked the manager if there was a part in stock, and he just kept saying it was, it was. When I got there and asked for the part, they didn't have it in stock. There are also ladies there, and they are more helpful . Thank God for women.

 

[godale03]

I guess I am kinda blessed to have 3 Hobby shops close by. Closest about 15 minutes away and furthest about 30 minutes away. If I ever need anything I can find it local. One caters for racing and racing only, one more towards the 1/5 gassers but has it all, and one more towards nitros and electrics.all of them are very helpful and know their stuff very well and will always be able to get you on the right track. Plus they all know me by name. Most of the time i'll go in there for a part and spend an hour and a half talking to the guys just about whats new and whats all going on with the hobby. It's kinda neat.


Sorry to hear about your misfortune godale03.

Thanks my friend. I was the same way. My wife knew that when I went out to Doug's Hobby Shop I was going to be gone at least two hours. Like you, I would go in for a part and spend the next hour and a half shooting the breeze. It was nice to have local parts support, but the friendships and the great customer support is what I am going to miss the most.

My closest hobby shop is a Hobby Town USA, 12 miles from here. I try to buy as much as I need from them. If they don't have what I need, they will order it. They will also match Tower's price. No shipping for anything I order, but I do have to pay tax. It's just all the bling parts that I get on line.
I even bought the original Savage in the box from them, and recently, the Axial and all the electrics. Everyone there knows me, and everyone there knows their stuff...Totally.

Can I move to TN? I am clean and I am most certainly willing to bling out my TMaxx to match your savage! Sounds like a great shop. You are very fortunate my friend.

 

[Rolex]

Y'all come on down! I feel right at home there. No one has a local accent, and the guy that handles the planes and helis used to live 4 miles from me in New York. Even though we never met there, it's nice to have someone to talk local stuff with.

 

[godale03]

Hey! I've been to New York... once. Does that count? LOL

We can talk about Plaxico Burress!

 

[Rolex]

5 year, 35 MILLION dollar contract. Another kid with instant fame and cash bites the dust.

 

[godale03]

5 year, 35 MILLION dollar contract. Another kid with instant fame and cash bites the dust.

But do you feel the slightest bit sorry for him?

 

[Rolex]

But do you feel the slightest bit sorry for him?

Not in the least. Just wish he had blown his nuts off. His lying will soon trap his ass.

 

[godale03]

Not in the least. Just wish he had blown his nuts off. His lying will soon trap his ass.

Glad I am not the only one. I don't generally wish bad things on anyone... but he should have been smarter than that. He will probably only get a slap on the wrist and sent on his way. That is the way it works when you have money.

Anyway I derailed my own thread! My LHS is closing for good this weekend!!! :censored:

 

[Rolex]

Sorry about that. I can imagine it's a major bummer.

 

[charliejp]

I went to see my old buds at the LHS in T-Town last Friday after Thanksgiving. I had every intention of purchasing a few things but I just wound up hanging out for a couple hours shooting the breeze. I really miss those guys. The 2 shops here are at least 25 miles away. I still go to them when I need fuel and usually end up walking out at least $100 short.lol Sorry to hear about your LHS godale.

 

[godale03]

Sorry about that. I can imagine it's a major bummer.

Yeah... I can't believe he shot himeself in the leg. The pain he must be feeling right now. Oh... wait.... I bet you were talking about the LHS thing.... yeah, it is a real bummer.

Sorry couldn't resist!

I went to see my old buds at the LHS in T-Town last Friday after Thanksgiving. I had every intention of purchasing a few things but I just wound up hanging out for a couple hours shooting the breeze. I really miss those guys. The 2 shops here are at least 25 miles away. I still go to them when I need fuel and usually end up walking out at least $100 short.lol Sorry to hear about your LHS godale.

Thanks man.... I will miss the friendships, and that is the only track within 50 miles of me. It also had electronic timing which was cool. I now have $300 in AMB transponders that are doing me no good right now.