How Would YOU Build It?

[Bri]

When I was growing up, I remember the hobbyshops I used to go to. The owners genuinely cared about the customer and making sure they were satisfied with the kits they were buying. The bottom dollar wasn't the driving force behind their motivation to be in the business, but rather, a genuine passion and love for the hobby itself that we seem to be missing today. Through the years, it seems shops like these are getting harder and harder to find. And when you do find them, it seems they are sucking in their last breath and the writing for survival is already on the wall.
So, I want to pose a question to everyone here. If you had the capital and the resources, what would YOU build for a hobbyshop in today's economy and world to make it stand out above the rest? Here is a list of ideas that I would employ in a shop, if I ever had the means and opportunity to build one.

First and foremost, I would make it customer friendly across the board. If hobbyists just wanted to come in and hang out, they'd be more than welcome. Purchasing something wouldn't be mandatory like it is at so many stores today. There would be a seperate room built specifically for modeling. There would be work benches, sinks for cleaning kits, washing hands, etc., paint booths with exhaust fans for those wishing to utilize this method for painting their models but maybe don't have the space or abilities to do so at home. A tv for entertainment as well as a stereo for listening enjoyment. Computer and internet access would be available for access to sites such as this as well as research sites for automobiles, armor, aircraft, etc. complete with a printer to print off images, tips, etc.
The inventory would consist of a wide range of kits from all the different manufacturers so everyone has a choice of kit to fit their tastes and wallets. How many times have we gone to a shop looking for something in particular and either left empty handed or ended up settling for something else that wasn't what we were really wanting? I would also stock aftermarket supplies ranging from resin to decals to flocking. The shop would literally be a one-stop shop for the modeler to make it easier obtaining the kits and supplies needed to build what they wanted.
A weekly build night would be held as well. Hobbyists from the area could come and build, socialize and have fun. Coffee, soda, pizza and sandwiches would be provided free of charge to those attending and the store would stay open for those wishing to purchase items, but it wouldn't be mandatory for people to buy things to attend. A seperate evening set aside for the youth would also be designated. Also, every couple months a "Build it, Take it" night for our young people would be held where kids could come in and build a kit supplied by the shop and their parents and other experienced modelers could help them build the kits. Display cases would be abundant in the store as well so modelers of all ages and tastes could display their work for others to see. A bi-annual show or contest would be held as well with various classes to cater to everyone's tastes. Gift certificates to the store would be the prizes rather than another ribbon, trophy or plaque. Let's give a prize that gives back to the hobby instead of handing out cheap trophies and awards that will only collect dust and end up being packed away due to lack of space.

These are just a few ideas I thought of last night that would go into the mix of building the "Ultimate Hobbyshop". So what ideas do you have that would help make a hobbyshop that is a mecca for modelers? I wish I could strike the lottery to make this dream a reality!

[Deleted]

You just about covered it Brian. I know where you are coming from. I have that hobby shop in my town and he is well slowly closing. Don's Hobby in Kenosha has been in business for as long as I can remember. I'm 48 now and I used to go and talk with don when I was a kid around 7 or 8 yrs old. His health is forcing him to sell out. If I could afford it I would buy him out and continue in the way he did for over 50 yrs. If he didn't have something in stock he would order it for you OR call another hobby shop to see if they had it for you. He bent over backwards for people. He didn't have the room for a community build or such. He did give to the local schools for projects and asked for nothing in return. People like that is hard to come by now and I would keep up that reputation he has. Your thoughts are just like his, HELP THE CUSTOMER, Not BUY IT OR GET OUT! Now he will not order anything new because he is selling out his stock due to health related problems at 30 percent off the total price.

I wouldn't be like some of the other so called Hobby shops when a product comes out and it is MSRP is $15.00 and price it up to $27.50 to make a dishonest buck. Or when you get a shipment and already pay for it. Then it sits for a year and the price is higher then it was the year earlier. You get it at say $12.00 and the MSRP is $15.00 then sell it for $17.50 and it don't sell. You then get a new shipment of stuff and everyone knows the price is already higher than the last. I wouldn't raise the $17.50 kit to $20.00 just for inflation sake IT'S ALREADY PAID FOR a year ago! Thats how Don is I seen kits on his shelf going for $6.00 and higher. Other shops have the same kit (left overs) priced at $15.00 - $20.00. He has a basement full of kits that sat for years and he sells then at those day prices NOT todays prices. Thats how I would run the business if I could afford one. The old and honest way.

[jameschampion]

wow I gotta tell you guys that is a dream shop. I would drive quite a distance to shop there. I also remember a hobby store from when i was a kid . I would go there with my father and get kits while they talked trains. this store is long gone. and most so called hobby stores today dont even want to talk to you if you are not buying a RC product. im in florida now and have found only one store that is decent with a good amount of plastic kits including big rigs. its about a 40 mile drive. you can tell he is trying his best to keep prices down but he not winning that battle. back on long island there was a shop i loved to go to and paul 41 chevy might know about this . Bayshore hobby off sunrise hgwy. rows and rows of model kits and diecast nascar you could spend all day moving kits around and you could find lots of good finds.but let me know when you open up your shop i would even fly there.
James

[78KW]

You 4got the truck parking . But on a serious note, I like the shop you described.

When I lived in Pittsburgh, PA there was a place called A.B. Charles and Son. That was my hobby shop. It closed down about 3 years ago after decades of being around. They always had trucks in stock, and got to know the customers well enough to be able to let you know when something new came in that interested you. I always knew when the latest truck kit arrived b4 I made it to the shelves to see 4 myself. I miss those days.

[dieseldoc]

Sounds like a really cool hobby shop. We have a few around here still that if you frequent them enough and they get to know what you like to build will give you advance warning of what will be coming in. There is one here that has just rows and rows of plastic but the pricing depends on the availability of the kit. Go figure the guy wants your biz but jacks the price its oop. This same shop owner was cleaning his basement and found an unopened case of 1/16 blue metal glow KW's. He asked me if I was intrested and I said hell ya cause I knew what they went for on ebay thinking I would score a good deal. Well all went south when he told me $250.00 per kit. I told him he could choke on them I could get it cheaper off of ebay.
Well any ways My hobby shop would be similar to Brian's with the exception of all the free food (have ya seen food prices lately). This I would have available for purchase at a reasonable price. Kind of like a snack bar. Model contests would be the same. Hobby USA gives out what they call hobby bucks to there participants and winners as well as trophies. So this area is being covered by at least one hobby shop that I know of. Also my shop would not cater to just the modeler. I would include slot cars with a track or two for racing as this hobby seems to be making a come back (at least in this area). I would also have to cater to the r/cer as well because a majority of a shops profits come from this area. As far as pricing I would keep them reasonable while still making a profit (I gotta survive to).
As far as resin and p/e items go. That is a hard one to call because you just don't know what is going to sell and unsold items is inventory which you will pay taxes on every year and eventually that unsold inventory will be worth more in taxes paid on it than what it is worth.
The other thing I would try to do is have extended hours say till 10 or 11 at night. The reason for this is because of past experiances when I was trying to do or get something done and I ran out or didn't have a supply on hand. Now I got a wait because I can't get what I need cause everything is closed.

[78KW]

That's a shame about what he tried with the 1/16 KWs. He must've been watching them on ebay 2 I guess.

[kenworthdragon1]

hello

this is the truth

well at least the hobby shop here called spare time hobbies is doing alright. the guy is really nice and loves the hobby. the prices are high but he has a few good kits. he loves that i am a young person into the hobby and loves when i buy the model trucks couse he said its a good chanlenge to build. i have sent him photos of the kit built and he emailed back good job on it

i just hope it doesnt go under

good job pete for keeping a great hobby shop i will go to till its last day (he is not on here i am just saying that)


well my hooby shop would have a room where people could paint and build. if they didnt want to work on it then i would have a room where they could keep it with a peice of tape with there name and number so i could phone and ask if they want it after about a month or two

i would love to talk with people about the hobby and would have one day where people could just talk with me about the hobby and show some builds and things like that

i would also would try to get young builders to get into the hobby by giving them a 61 peice snap kit free and try and keep the cars in a lower price range. also i would try and keep the big rigs at a range that would not have people giving me differnt fingers but also not where they walk out with it for 2$.

i would have free coffie and muffins for the morning and put out juice for kids if they come

i would let people open kits to look at the instructions and see if they realy want it and make shure the company that made it didnt forget something

i would have a parts box that people could dig into for parts for free. and if you found the part you wanted then you got it for free

also if someone said its my first time building a model i would tell them tips and tricks making shure they keep this as a hobby of theres

i would not care about money and i would care about the hobby

also if someone came in with a kit and just wanted to work on it i would let them.

i would charge a fee of 25 cents for the whole week to use one of the modeling benchs and booths just couse of the spray paint prices now a day

i would make shure people would be happy to come back at least to talk and show me some builds

thats how i would run my hobby shop

travis l

[Rustycab]

AB Charlie and son opened back up in another location not far from the original location

[18wheels]

I agree with what everyone says about Hobby Shops nowadays. I live in Trona, Ca nearest town is Ridgecrest which 22 miles from trona, in Ridgecrest in the last 30 years everytime a Hobby Shop opens , it's usually closed within 3 years or so, so now if I have to go to a Hobby Shop I have to travel to Lancaster which is approximately 2 1/2 hrs from Trona, The hobby shop i go to is Smith Brothers Hobbies, when you go in there to purchase certain items,they are will to help you what you need and not what you dont need, if they dont have it they go out of there way to try and get it for you, this is one of the few Hobbies stores that I've been to that really want to help the customer

[78KW]

Apr 2, 2009 20:21:57 GMT -5 Rustycab said:

AB Charlie and son opened back up in another location not far from the original location

I'll be darned. I'll have to see if I can find it next time I visit Pittsburgh. I thought they were closed 4 good. Thanks for the info.