Are you a big player?

I was just sitting here thinking about a thread about how much was spent at a Seattle train store once or twice a year.

Well, that inspired me to come up with more of my whacko questions:

1. How often do you buy model railroad items in general, from any source, i.e. LHS, Mail Order, Internet, Ebay and Train Shows?

2. What do you consider to be the average amount of money you spend at each "sitting"?

3. Have you ever blown out your credit card to get what "you just have to have"? (I am the poster child of this question)

4. When you do buy, would you consider yourself more of a locomotive, rolling stock or accessory buyer?

5. Do you find that when you drop some big dollars at the LHS you get more attention than the next guy?

6. What does your LHS think of as a "large" transaction?

Optional Question: If the LHS had some slot machines that paid out fair percentage (unlike the Indian Casinos), would you play a few coins while you were buying some stuff?

Dog
 

Matthyro

Will always be re-membered
I visit my LHS when I need someting like a switch, flextrack locos etc. I spend an average of $100.00 per month on my layout.
 

brakie

Active Member
1. How often do you buy model railroad items in general, from any source, i.e. LHS, Mail Order, Internet, Ebay and Train Shows?
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Please don't ask! I don't want to know the amount I spend over a years time.
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2. What do you consider to be the average amount of money you spend at each "sitting"?
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That will depend on the items needed at that time..
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3. Have you ever blown out your credit card to get what "you just have to have"?
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No,That is one thing I will not do.NO exceptions!
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4. When you do buy, would you consider yourself more of a locomotive, rolling stock or accessory buyer?
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I am more into locos and cars but will buy accessories as needed.
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5. Do you find that when you drop some big dollars at the LHS you get more attention than the next guy?
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No,I prefer it that way.I am just another customer
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6. What does your LHS think of as a "large" transaction?
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Its usually "shock and awl" when anybody comes in and is a big spender.
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Being a bachelor I feel I spend way to much on the hobby.
 

Matthyro

Will always be re-membered
I say no to slot machines Dog or gambling of any kind. I know a couple of folks who are still trying to get themselves out of the habit so certainly don't want to see a slot machine at my LHS
 

belg

Member
Dog between this post and your last one about LHshops I'm wondering if your thinking of opening your own store? Any truth to my idea?????
 
I have a manufacturing business in the land of California that is trying to destroy the last bastion of "making something in the USofA". So many companies have moved to Arizona, Nevada and Utah, it's amazing.

Well, I have no plans to open a hobby shop, sorry guys, but if I did, here's what I'd do:

1. Have plenty of easy parking.
2. Layouts of several gauges with DCC, and standard DC control for demo.
3. Place everything in a logical place, so my customers ...

Hey wait a second ... could this be a new thread?

Woof Woof!

DAWG

P.S. I really do have a layout! I'll put up some pictures soon.
 

shaygetz

Active Member
I spend less than $300 a year on the hobby (my only hobby at that, my wife and kids are my first love). My posts on the HOn30 equipment I build shows how I get away with this amount. Most of my purchases are box lots of stuff that are passed over by most others at train shows and yard sales. About $200 is spent on Ebay with the remainder going to necessities like paint, tools, etc. My purchase earlier this year of a Bachmann 80 ton shay was financed thru some Ebay sales so I don't count that as part of my usual yearly outlay. In all, I enjoy seeing how much I can get for as little as I spend, the topper being last year's purchase of a near pristine 4-8-8-2 Cab-forward at a yard sale for $25.
 

Vic

Active Member
Gosh!!....If I kept track of what I spent on trains and other hobbies I would probably be ashamed of myself!!:eek: :D

But like Shaygetz I do like to get a bargain:)...The last one was an Hon3 Rio Grande Models D&RGW Pile driver kit with the idler flat and trucks for $5!! :eek: :D :)

I've been known to play the nickle and quarter slots on occasions but never play more than you can afford to loose!!!

No LHS here for trains so guess I'll never be a big spender in one of those places.
 
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