Once again my fellow forum members have come through with some very imformative answers to my somewhat-of-a-poll question “Do you like arm-twisters at model train shops?”
A lot of people answered and the response was an overwhelming “NO”…in fact, it sounds like an awful lot of store owners not only don’t do any arm-twisting, they aren’t paying much attention to customers at all. Some of you have horror stories that even on my worst days it would be hard to compete with them.
So I don’t know if these questions I’ve been asking lately about your likes and dislikes at a local model train shop have been helpful to the forum in general, but hopefully someone (like I used to) is reading the answers as a guest and perhaps finding ways to make his or her shop better.
My own customers give me plenty of information about their likes and dislikes, by the way… but it’s just awesome to be able to access opinions from such a wide variety of folks like there is on this forum. And of course, in the case of this particular question…those that walked out without saying anything, I’m not able to ask them if they would have preferred a little more attention.
So thanks again for all the tips, stories and comments. Even after almost nine years of this, you are teaching me new things and I appreciate it!
Well, it sealed it for the LHS for me when I walked into out local Hobbytown and asked their train “expert” if they had any On30. His response was “What’s that?” I kid you not. About two weeks ago, that same Hobbytown shut it’s doors after a going out of business sale.
On the totally other-end of the spectrum, my LHS (Maine Trains in Chelmsford, MA) is a home-away-from-the-trainroom. Gerry is usually working with another customer, so the standard operating procedure is just to check out the shelves and the new additions to the in-store layout an wait your turn. He’s come to know the regulars and what they’re interested in. It’s more like going over to a friend’s house to play with trains.
Last week, I brought in my Bowser trolley, which I’d purchased undecorated (the only way they come) and finally finished. His first response was, “Oooh, let’s run it!”
Hey, again O.T.M.
Done gave you my horror story. Now it’s time for Kudos.
An hour drive from my home is Catoctin Hobby shop, in Thurmont, MD. Everything about this store is homesy. From the choo-choo sign out front , to the window display, to the fellas working inside. They have the best selection of ready to run O-gauge, as well as the other scales. They have an awesome display layout in the back, and are never too busy to run’em. For reserved mail-order, they are second to none in our region. You walk out of there and ask yourself,“now why aren’t they all like that?”
Any day OTM. Glad we could help.
dekruif
Sorry I missed the first thread. I will still give my input anyhow.
When we first moved to Colorado Springs a couple of years ago, I went looking for a LHS. The first one I visited was Sunbird Train Mart. The guy working the counter completely ignored me. The second shop I visited was Custom Railway Supply. Mike was very welcoming and was ready to assist and answer any questions I had. Based on those two experiences, I trade with Custom Railway Supply. As a matter of fact, I went to Sunbird a couple of days ago, and it was still the same thing. Those guys were too busy playing trains to help me. I had to ask for help, and even then it seemed to be an imposition for those guys to have to help a customer. I will never set foot in there again.
I stopped shopping at an electronics store for a while ( I won’t say the name but it rhymes with circuit city lol " I dont care who you are, that’s funny right there") because without asking me any details the salesman insisted I NEEDED a $500 receiver when I WANTED the $99 sale brand. “Oh you’ll just return it in a month when you’re not happy with it” was his pitch. It was for my parents who have a hard time with a cordless phone, never mind a super fancy overpriced stereo, and 10 YEARS LATER still have the $99 model that has just enough buttons to do its job and keep them happy.
A Hi How are ya…Let me know if there’s anything you need is perfect…in places where I 've shopped on a regular basis , the salesstaff might tell me there’s something new out I might want to check out in the roadname/era I model ( Amtrak and Norfolk Southern in Pennsylvania/ HO Scale/ Present day)…and a Thomas play table to keep my daughter occupied while I peek around is always a plus!
keep up the good work and I’ll maybe be by saturday for some more track
For an extremely pleasant shopping experience, check out the following:
In the Kansas City metro area: Show Me Trains, Grandview. Charlie Post will make ya feel like part of the family. In the St. Louis metro area: Hobby Station, Kirkwood, MO. At both places, you’re welcomed as you walk in the door and left to your own devices (daydreaming about how that would look on your pike). If you need anything, someone is nearby and ready to answer your questions.
A great store to visit if visiting the Tampa Bay area: Happy Hobo Trains. Loads of items in stock, but mostly HO and N items, though O gaugers are not left out.
Kevin the owner and his assistant manager are both model railroaders and very knowledgeable about prototype facts. For detailing parts, this store has more Details West, Details Associates, Cannon, etc., in stock than any other LHS I’ve visited…and I’ve been to quite a few. There is also a very nice layout with two trains running at all times. Occasionally Kevin will slap together a 60 car “monster” freight train and run 'er on the layout.
Prices on some items are MSRP, but often times when a customer brings items to the cash register, he or she will look at their receipt and notice that the prices were marked down considerably.
Kevin has a pleasant and quiet personality, which some people might mistake as being standoffiish when in fact it’s quite the opposite. He’ll give you a “Hi” when you walk in and won’t twist your arm. Yet, he’ll talk to you about any topic you bring up. The guys that visit there are a great group and from varied backgrounds…Black, White, Hispanic…we all have a fun time there.
Hey FP, there was a thread on the Atlas forum about Happy Hobo last weekend, a guy visiting there from out-of-state snapped and posted a dozen photos of the place. Quite impressive, definitely rivals MB Klein (my own “alma mater” LOL)
Hi, Kent
I’m glad the store got some good words posted about it.
If it’s the same thread I saw, apparently there was one guy was “whining”[:o)] that he was ignored becaus he wasn’t a regular customer.
I’ve been going to the store for over 25 years and have always been treated like family from the previous owner, Don Suaret and today’s owner, Kevin Ptylak. Kevin and the regulars that hang there don’t care about your career status, economic status, ethnic background, yada-yada-yada… we enjoy talking trains! New customers are always welcome.
It’s neat seeing how many people from out of town stop in to buy or just browse and leave with a smile.
Peace.
It definitely wasn’t like that at all, this one was very positive; in fact, here’s the link:
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30031
When I go to Memphis, TN (the closest LHS to Henning) I always stop in at Trains 'n Things. The regulars are usually sitting around chewing the fat with the owners-sales people. You have to ask if you need something you can’t find, but they are happy to leave the discussion at hand and show you where its at or if they have it. If they don’t they will order it for you. A first timer may be intimidated by the lack of attention, but I enjoy being able to browse the aisles of MRR products without some one looking over my shoulder & trying to sell me something I do not want or need. I draw a disability check & may not have the funds for what I want to purchase. No problem, they are always willing to take a post dated check on me for a later date when I get my disability check. Because of this I buy alot of stuff from them that I could get a little cheaper on the net.