LHS attitude

Gary S.

Senior Member
Houston is blessed to have 2 large, well-stocked, trains-only hobby shops. The employees at one of the shops are just super, very congenial and helpful, and act like they care about me and my layout.

The other shop is generally staffed only by the owner, and he sometimes has a rather blase' attitude towards his customers. Here is an example: I was in the shop on Monday seeking a SOO Lines 40 foot boxcar for a project. I looked around and didn't see any, so I asked if he had any. He said "yes, I have some Athearn RTRs, but they are in the trunk of my car because I was at a show over the weekend. I don't feel like getting them out right now." He just basically shrugged me off. I have noticed this type of attitude before, and have been gravitating to the other shop with the employees who make me feel like they care.

Now, I have made a concerted effort to make my hobby purchases at the two shops rather than use the internet because I want to keep them in business. I do enjoy browsing in the shops. But I now find myself not giving a darn about that one shop. It is sad, because the shop is full of neat stuff, alot of older stuff that you don't see just anywhere. But the guy needs to realize that he needs me alot more than I need him, especially because of the internet.
 

Nomad

Active Member
Gary, You can always ask the "good" hobby store to order what they don't have, if you don't mind waiting. That keeps your money at home and supports that shop. Then tell the other guy what you do and why. Maybe his attitude will change.

Loren
 

N Gauger

1:20.3 Train Addict
We have 2 (or had) 2 of the same around here - - One was close - within 5 miles and he was a bit over priced compared to the second LHS, both were overpriced than the internet, but then you had to wait for delivery.

We always shopped at both, but we had to be careful, because the closer shop would buy stock from the farther shop and mark it up. :( Turns out that the closer shop went out of business, probably due to not taking stock in their customers... :(

The farther shop (About 10 miles) has been in business for almost 35 years... moved twice and all his regular customers followed him..
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
Gary, You can always ask the "good" hobby store to order what they don't have, if you don't mind waiting. That keeps your money at home and supports that shop. Then tell the other guy what you do and why. Maybe his attitude will change.

I hear you Loren. I've actually had them order stuff for me before. They've been good about it, they don't even ask for any money up front, even on a $100+ order.
 

OnTrack

New Member
I have been pretty lucky, I have one all trains hobby shop about 15 minutes from my home. Usually they are all very welcoming and helpful but, one staff member in particular is really arrogant...just comes off like he "knows way more than you ever will", but as for your situation Gary if that would have happened to me I would have been pretty angry and probably would have told him right then and there that he just lost a customer. But two hobby shops is better than one so I see your point.
 

nolatron

Member
I know exactly how ya feel Gary. I've been to that "other" store only two times and both times I felt like I was an outsider coming into a strange country. I've made a purchase there once because I lucked out that they had some track in stock that I wanted asap.

But generally 100% of my LHS visits and purchases go to the other friendly shop.

I've also been pretty much have been split on my purchases between LHS and online, mainly due to the convenience of online shopping at home/work and the wonder that is ebay.

For example, I scored a discontinued N-scale walthers background printing building on ebay.
 

CNWman

CNW Fan
I've made purchases in three Hobby Shops, and all of my experiences with all of them are excelent, especialy my visits to DCC Train, for the guys there will take their own time to please the customer. Gary, it sounds like your arrogant shop keeper is the 'my way or no way' type, considering that he wouldn't even bother to go to his car to pick up those RTR's for you.
 

Ralph

Remember...it's for fun!
He said "yes, I have some Athearn RTRs, but they are in the trunk of my car because I was at a show over the weekend. I don't feel like getting them out right now." He just basically shrugged me off.

I think I'd have told him that I don't feel like giving him any of my business anymore.

Ralph
 

railohio

Active Member
Toledo sucks since Steve's and J&M both closed. Rider's doesn't care about model railroaders, period. Hobbytown doesn't stock anything that I'd care to buy, and doesn't seem keen on rotating their stock any time soon. They're all very friendly, they just don't like to have stock on the shelves and if I have to wait for it to come in I might as well get a better price online.

~BS
 
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