I loved Penn Valley, but hadn't shopped there much lately. Like someone mentioned previously - attitude. I always ended up with the A hole that wanted to talk about trains with all his train buddies. Many times he totally ignored me waiting to check out at the register to continue his choo choo conversations with his buddies. The last time it happened, I put my stuff down on the counter and walked out, never to return. You just don't treat customers that way.
I have three local hobby shops that I get 95% of my stuff from-they're as close as my computer. Tower, Horizon and in a pinch, Hobby King. Quick, easy, usually cheaper and I don't have to spend a dime on gas. Between the three of them, they almost always have what I want and get it to me quickly. I needed some stuff for my latest plane the other day. Actually it was Monday night. I jumped on line and found everything I needed at Tower. Placed my order. My shipping charges were $1.99 No sales tax. My order shipped Tuesday, they sent me a tracking number telling me that the little brown truck will be at my house on Friday. Not bad.
Sorry, I know that's not what a lot of people want to hear, but with the cost of gas, my time being at a premium, and the fact that a lot of the time the local shops don't have exactly what you want, I'll continue to shop on line. Your mileage may vary.
Exactly Vince, this is life in 2014. And it isn't just hobby supplies.
I recently looked for a 3M cleaner for electrical items - it's great stuff. Local supplier could order it in, X dollars for 2 cans. I went to Amazon and purchased 3 cans plus a keyboard cleaner kit for less money, with free shipping. It arrived at my door within a few days.
Purchased a new laser printer direct from HP for about $70 less than the best the best "big box" price available in the Twin Cities, with free shipping. FedEx delivered it to my door step the next morning - honest!
I haven't seen dust covers for printers in computer stores for several years. Found them on eBay for less than a cup of coffee, with free shipping.
Purchased a set of 4 new tires last week - found the best price locally for the tire I wanted on the internet; my "shopping" consisted of that search, 3 phone calls, and a drive to have them installed.
It's not the "fault" of my LHS they don't get more of my business - those shops have some very knowledgeable, friendly employees, some of whom I've known for years.
It's all about running a viable business in 2014.
Any of you who question that should order a dozen gallons of fuel from every supplier we have now, and then see how long it takes you to sell them to the contacts you currently have. Or can find.
In fact, you might not want to hear this: one of my favorite shops - which maintains a website - affiliated with Amazon in time for the Christmas season last year. If I remember correctly, the manager told me their December sales through Amazon
alone were about 35% of their
total sales for the year before.
It's about dollars and inventory turnover; to run a LHS just as a "favor" to us would be financial suicide!
Dennis