Not sure if this has been posted but for the BC members Shamryn Hobbies in New Westminster is closing after 18 months in business. Sad to see this very customer friendly store close down. This is in the old Pacific Scale Rail building just around the corner from the old Creative Hobbycraft (AKA 3 Floors Hobby Shop). Both of these closed down over two years ago. Now we have to travel a little further to go to a local shop. He is having a closing down sale and going into on-line sales.
It is sad in a way, although my own relationship with LHS’s is not deep because I have only been in the hobby five years, and have learned that my money goes quite a bit further when I shop on line. It seems he has realized that he has a larger potential market with his virtual storefront that he has customers willing to go to his site in New West.
A sign of the times.
-Crandell
It’s sad when a local hobby store goes away. It is true that sometimes you can get better deals online, but there is nothing like walking into a hobby store - especially a dedicated train store - and looking around and touching what’s there. Picking up the new locomotives, talking to the owners about what’s new, what’s coming out, and what others are looking at. Also, it’s so much easier to remember those little things I always seem to forget when I order online.
We have an excellent train store here in NE Georgia (TrainMaster Models) and I hope they NEVER go away.
Ya that’s too bad another LHS closing. I have no patience when I want something, I want it it my hands now. I try not to shop online. I’m lucky, I live near one of the best stores Caboose Hobbies in Denver, and Mizell Trains in Westminster. I go there at least once or twice a week.
And if something I buy is defective, I have no trouble returning it for an exchange. No hassles shipping back and forth.
Sad, but inevitable, unless WE change our buying habits.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP!
Well today is the last day for Shamryn Hobbies. He wasn’t able to save the store and will be closing after today. He will be going into on-line sales out of a warehouse that he can do sales out of as well but will not be regular hours.
Sad to see it go.
I used to shop at the old 3 story Creative Hobbycraft when I lived and worked in New Westminster. They had been in business for a very long time.
I still have some TM and Athearn kits with their price tags on.
Couldn’t agree more that it is up to us to keep the LHS in business. Too often we look for the lowest price and don’t take into account the value that the LHS offers. While I do shop online for items I can’t find at my LHS’s, I frequent two stores in my area simply to give them my business in the hopes they stick around.
A local store recently had a 25% off sale and I can’t tell you how much fun it was to find the store packed with other hobbyists. It was a real joy to hear the banter and discuss the merits of this piece of rolling stock or building.
In my opinion the LHS must be somewhat price competetive with the internet. If it is not , I won’t be buying it there. They have to decide whether they want to make ‘‘some’’ money and sell at competetive prices and stay in business or make ‘‘more per sale’’ but have hardly any sales and go out of business. They need to get with the times…or keep going belly up.
It don’t matter to me because the only two LHS’s within driving distance to me sell at MSRP. Why would I spend 129.00 plus tax on a loco that I can buy from M.B. Kleins for 72.00 plus 9.00 (approx.) for shipping. I won’t spend any money there because of that. It’s not my responsibility to support them. Maybe if they would get with the program and lower their prices I would spend there, but I’m not a fool. If your LHS sells at discount prices go ahead and spend your money there. If not don’t be a fool.
Bull…
Only if they are competively priced. Sorry, I not paying the LHS’s bills “just because Madog says I should” and I will get a warm and fuzzy feeling. This is a free market economy, only the strong will survive. A fool and and his money are soon parted, and I am no fool. If the brick and mortar wants to survive, they HAVE TO adapt, or die. Charging MSRP is never going to get my business, and it’s foolish to think that people in the know are going to accept paying it when they can hop online and get items for 50% less. With that said, I do approach my local LHS and ask him for pricing on certain items, he always sticks with MSRP and throws in free shipping. Sorry, the only charity I give to is The United Way.