The Economy and the Hobby

[Hyster]

I know some of you now are feeling a bit of the squeeze on the hobby... well if not I am. But I'm just wondering, will we see a possible drop in prices or more liquidations of stock due to the economy or will it just stay like it is?

BTW just a quick head note, sorry if there is already another post like this. :shrug:

 

[h8z2luze]

I doubt it the prices are already pretty much as low as they can go with people still making profit i think.

 

[marauder]

The key word is Hobby. Hobby = Money, it's what we like to do with the extra earnings to keep our sanity from the daily grind. If anything the prices will go up due to the lack of demand and increased cost to operate. Some things may drop, but by and large the economy will never really have a major impact on the hobby market, be it scrapbooking or radio control.

 

[Lessen]

The key word is Hobby. Hobby = Money, it's what we like to do with the extra earnings to keep our sanity from the daily grind. If anything the prices will go up due to the lack of demand and increased cost to operate. Some things may drop, but by and large the economy will never really have a major impact on the hobby market, be it scrapbooking or radio control.

I agree. A hobby is something that people with extra money like to spend it on to occupy their time and interests. Folks that are feeling the crunch will surely cut back. Many hobbyists are are not affected that much by the current econimic slide. If prices do escalate the people that can continue to afford it will continue to buy.

 

[cuz]

I will starve my family to keep my truck!!....jk

 

[olds97_lss]

I will starve my family to keep my truck!!....jk

Not far from the truth there!

I was considering picking up a LRP a month or so ago for my savage... but my wife reminded me we should get a new couch...

sit comfortable and watch tv... or... look at my savage and aftershock both sitting on the shelf with matching LRP's... decisions decisions.

For those feeling the cruch, maybe a cheap onroad would help? Amain has OFNA onroads listed at "give away" prices.

5 or 6 at $170:
http://www.amainhobbies.com/advance...words=OFNA&sort=pop&filter_mfr=&filter_cat=45

and the little chaos buggy at $70!
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_44_109/products_id/6994

 

[RC Addict]

Best way to stimulate the economy is to buy goods and services! I for one don't want my LHS to go out of business. Money is tight but my hobbies keep me sane.

If you don't think prices can change in a hurry look at my other addiction--guns. Most guns have gone up an average of 25% and some as much as 50%. Reloading components and/or factory ammo have gone up over 200%!!! These costs are directly related to the market demands for steel, aluminum, copper, lead, and brass, and have occured over the last two years!

If the incoming administration does even half of what it intends to do to our energy (oil is used to make a lot more than gasoline!) and to social programs then you can bet that EVERYTHING in our lives is going to cost a hell of a lot more in the future.

Just my two cents worth...

 

[marauder]

Meanwhile, back on topic, the economy in relationship to radio control hobbies is being discussed...

 

[ajames942]

Whoops sorry, i kinda did a rolex there....back on topic.

 

[marauder]

Haha, no problem, just trying to save a legitimate thread from disaster.


On that stormerhobbies site they are selling Peak Performance DIABLO .12 and .15 nitro engines for $39.99, so I think that's proof that some things can sell cheap no matter what the economic situation is.

 

[chuck3]

oops....

I think we may see a small drop in prices on some things and a rise in others. the hobby stores can't survive without the majority of us who dont have alot of extra cash lying around. I'm sure we are going to see a slowdown in new goodies though.

 

[RC Addict]

I thought that was because of obama, seriously, there was a statistic that after he got elected, gun sales went up..

Yes sales went up but not cost.

 

[marauder]

Yes sales went up but not cost.

You're incorrect, and also very off topic.

 

[Lessen]

You're incorrect, and also very off topic.

I give you credit. You're tryin hard. :thumbup: I wasn't sure it would be worth coming back to this thread but let's see if we can keep her on track...

Yeah, Stormer generally always has a blowout sale though. I've seen nice .12s and .15s go for ultra cheap before as well. I'm not saying it's not being egged on by the economy but we're not too far off the norm I think. We'll always see slow moving items go for cheap when they need to move stock but the regular hot items won't budge too much unless a retailer is liquidating.

 

[newviennajj]

i think the prices in the hobby are well in reach for anyone who works for a living. shop within your means and realize you dont need to buy a revo platinum edition to have alot of fun

 

[Lessen]

very very true.

 

[RC Addict]

You're incorrect, and also very off topic.

No, I am not incorrect on the sales and cost thing as far as the gun market is concerned. I know what I am talking about--been into it for years. And I was making a point about what can happen to our hobby by giving my other hobby as an example so not off topic as far as my post is concerned. If others took it in a different direction that is on them.

 

[marauder]

I give you credit. You're tryin hard. :thumbup: I wasn't sure it would be worth coming back to this thread but let's see if we can keep her on track...

Yeah, Stormer generally always has a blowout sale though. I've seen nice .12s and .15s go for ultra cheap before as well. I'm not saying it's not being egged on by the economy but we're not too far off the norm I think. We'll always see slow moving items go for cheap when they need to move stock but the regular hot items won't budge too much unless a retailer is liquidating.

I've always avoided stormerhobbies due to the site interface. It just doesn't seem very intuitive to me. However, here recently I've found them being among the lowest prices on select items. Who knows, I guess I will eventually end up ordering a couple of whose diablo engines just to have spares. Even if they only last 2 gallons, you got your money out of them. Heck, a gallon of nitro is darn near the price of the engine. lol

I haven't really noticed an increase in anything parts related though, but at my local shops the RTR kits seem considerably higher than what you'd find online + shipping. Hobbytownusa, though, is still rather competetive with the online retailers. I would give them my business any time I can justify the drive, just because I hate to wait on shipping. I also like to see what I buy before I buy it, just the way I was raised I guess.

 

[SMaxxin]

I don't make enough money to even notice a bad economy so my hobby is not affected at all.

 

[Hyster]

the hobby stores can't survive without the majority of us who dont have alot of extra cash lying around.

Well that can't be me, every time I have extra cash lying around, my wife finds a reason to spend it lately. :