I was at a Hobby Shop today browsing the selection. A lady walked in and had a trainset that she had bought for a autistic child from a charity auction. It was a Bachmann set, this store only sold Athearn train sets. The track and power pack was missing from the Bachmann train set. The lady behind the counter who also owns the store picked up enough EZ track and a older style MRC power pack, all brand new to make the train set complete and gave it to this lady for FREE. I was quite surprised at the gesture of good will from this hobby shop owner that deals with just trains. This person will see a lot more of my business at her store.
Yes very true, and their prices are as low as the internet stores or lower when they have a sale on. Even with out a sale their prices are very reasonable.
All good businesses do that for their customers. They understand that, while they may lose money today, they will make it up in future sales and positive word of mouth later.
When I worked in retail, my boss (also the owner) used to drill that into us. Assistant managers could authorize up to $100, Managers $250, and we had to go to the boss for more than that. You just had to document the shortage in the cash drawer so that the accountants could properly get it on the books (advertising expense, customer relations, charity, whatever they called it).
That’s a great story. Another reason to support your LHS. I visit two local hobby shops at least once a week. And it’s great when they are friendly and willing to help out, which they do. That’s why I keep coming back. And the fact that you can return defective stuff with no hassles.
Well, since the OP is in Ontario (the one in Canada is closer to me than the one in California, but still), I don’t think I’ll be shopping there any time soon.