Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: omra85 on June 14, 2007, 06:49:43 pm
With comments like the one at the bottom of the article -
In December, Midweek's sister paper the South Bucks Star reported that Wycombe was one of the "nerdiest" towns in the country based on the number of model shops it had - but Wycombe Models is the last shop left open.
It's hardly surprising that the youth of today think the only use for a craft knfe is to stab each other with!!
Danny1
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: PSSHIPS on June 14, 2007, 08:56:30 pm
Very sad and how bizzar, someone got their facts seriously wrong with the nerdiest town bit then?
Unfortunately its getting the same for all manufacturer's and shops in the UK.
But, on a lighter note, I had the builders in today looking at my leaky roof and they all wanted one of our models funnily enough!
There may be hope still? Paul...
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: cdsc123 on June 14, 2007, 08:59:36 pm
We are NOT nerds.
We are geeks.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: PSSHIPS on June 14, 2007, 09:08:12 pm
MEGGA GEEKS, the nerds are the one's that buy these Chinese things! Paul...
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: omra85 on June 14, 2007, 10:12:51 pm
I bought a chinese take-away last weekend - is it too late :o :o :o
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: PSSHIPS on June 14, 2007, 10:16:13 pm
DOOMED!
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: J.beazley on June 14, 2007, 10:18:16 pm
What about those of us that buy both :o ??? ;D
Jay
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: Jonty on June 14, 2007, 10:18:48 pm
Whilst sympathetic, I really don't understand how their rates bill can be so high. Their premises must be huge. I claim a 50% small business discount and pay only about £2500pa on my hardware/DIY shop.
What frightens me is officialdom. A year ago contractors arrived to extend the nearby bus stop to 30m long, making it impossible to park outside the shop. The council says it sent out consultation letters. It didn't, and would have taken no notice anyway. If they paint double yellows the other side of the road that will be the end of my business. And something worth £50.000 will become worthless overnight.
A florist down in the city centre has just closed after many years. Why? Elf 'n safety stopped him displaying his wares on the pavement outside his shop.
We have a government with no understanding of small business, and an army (40% of the working population) of busybodies who feel the need to justify their jobs and secure index-linked pensions. And they're paid by us!
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: maninthestreet on June 14, 2007, 11:23:50 pm
Where are all the other model shops in High Wycombe then ???
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: Guy Bagley on June 24, 2007, 01:22:54 pm
it depends when the research was done, if it was done a long while ago there were a couple of so called 'model shops' in HW
eg childs along desborough road, also the old keens shop on the top floor of the old octagon also there was dare i say it beatties.......( well it sold plastic kits) there is 3 for a start and i have n't really sat down and thought about it.....
any model shop closing is a loss, i guess the rates are so high due to the engineering shop it backs onto ????
i must admit there is not alot in that shop for boaters, but i used it for paint and materials over the years..... sad to see another one go.....
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: gary r uk on June 24, 2007, 03:29:00 pm
Hi guy you must admit there customer service would not look out of place in a dentention centre it was awful cheers gary
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: Didge on June 25, 2007, 10:48:19 am
It's the future of Britain. 'Clone' towns, where every high street looks exactly the same as any other. It is getting increasingly hard, as time goes by, to find a high street that is not full of the usual suspects. Big business rules, the little man has very little chance now, and that's after 10 years of Labour. I've seen far too many small firms go under in that 10 years. >:(
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: DickyD on June 25, 2007, 11:14:36 am
We have one model shop in Southampton that just deals in cars [not even paint ]. Our nearest decent model shops are in Portsmouth and Westbournes in Bournemouth A sad reflection on the way things are heading, Internet shopping ?
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: OneBladeMissing on June 25, 2007, 12:04:34 pm
Whilst sympathetic, I really don't understand how their rates bill can be so high. Their premises must be huge. I claim a 50% small business discount and pay only about £2500pa on my hardware/DIY shop.
What frightens me is officialdom. A year ago contractors arrived to extend the nearby bus stop to 30m long, making it impossible to park outside the shop. The council says it sent out consultation letters. It didn't, and would have taken no notice anyway. If they paint double yellows the other side of the road that will be the end of my business. And something worth £50.000 will become worthless overnight.
A florist down in the city centre has just closed after many years. Why? Elf 'n safety stopped him displaying his wares on the pavement outside his shop.
We have a government with no understanding of small business, and an army (40% of the working population) of busybodies who feel the need to justify their jobs and secure index-linked pensions. And they're paid by us!
"... an army of busybodies ..." Have you noticed how there's not enough money for potentially life-saving drugs or drugs to prevent people from going blind ... yet there's plenty of money for 'inspectors' to pry into our every action? ... and enforce the governments edicts? We are paying through the nose for these clowns to keep watch on us all the time. A vast army of public employees who will vote Labour because as long as Labour is in power their jobs are guaranteed.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: maninthestreet on June 25, 2007, 12:23:40 pm
it depends when the research was done, if it was done a long while ago there were a couple of so called 'model shops' in HW
eg childs along desborough road, also the old keens shop on the top floor of the old octagon also there was dare i say it beatties.......( well it sold plastic kits) there is 3 for a start and i have n't really sat down and thought about it.....
any model shop closing is a loss, i guess the rates are so high due to the engineering shop it backs onto ????
i must admit there is not alot in that shop for boaters, but i used it for paint and materials over the years..... sad to see another one go.....
Child's closed in February of this year, Beatties went years ago, AFAIK. There used to be Cramarrs in the Octagon, but that's gone as well.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: bigH on June 25, 2007, 05:46:29 pm
There does seem to be a ray of hope with regards the loss of M/shops, a lot of shop traders have cut their losses and gone over to the internet with the result that modellors now have larger choice and the trader can cut his costs. Maybye the hobbyists them selves are partly to blame, I hear a lot of club members boasting how they got this and that direct from other countries at half the price....... but there again. when suppliers translate $199.00 into £199.00 what can you expect???. I do not condem the shop trader for the rip off exchange? rate, I blame us for putting up with rip-off wholesalers that set the import prices. After all that though the good traders will survive if their customers remain loyal and traders continue to give good service to them. bigH
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: tigertiger on June 26, 2007, 02:29:18 am
There does seem to be a ray of hope with regards the loss of M/shops, a lot of shop traders have cut their losses and gone over to the internet with the result that modellors now have larger choice and the trader can cut his costs. Maybye the hobbyists them selves are partly to blame, ...they got this and that direct from other countries at half the price....... but there again. when suppliers translate $199.00 into £199.00 what can you expect???.
The flip side to this is that folks from Overseas can also shop from UK traders. I am in China and have boght good from UK and US. There was memeber on another thread from the US buying from the UK.
The future is internet trading. Like it or not.
You can get the choice you need and you can cut out some of the middle men. Becuase of this and some of the markups it is still cheapser to pay import duty and postage in some cases. e.g. My Mary J Ward from Victor models cost me about 480 dollars including postage etc. In the UK I have only seen it on one site 450 quid.
But I have bought stuff from UK, duty free for export. The biggest killer is Royal Mail fee.
But for smaller traders they can reach a bigger audience. If they go it right a global audience, and not just the pople from a twenty mile radius.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: hastings246 on June 26, 2007, 02:52:13 am
Hello, I live in the US and own four retail locations that deal in weightloss and I can tell you its not just model shops that have a hard time with retail. People here are becoming more and more reliant on the internet. There was even a huge shopping mall built and filled with all the big names. I know some people that work in these stores and still after two years they can't show a profit. Hobby stores here are non-existent and I lived in the Los Angeles. I really thing technology is the demise of most things that required thought. Think about it most items that people buy that deal with technology require less movement and thought. Cell phones, plasma sets, computers, video games, dvd. Don't get me wrong technology has done good things but it has also made us lazy that now driving to a store is too much work. But without the internet I would never have been able to order great kits from traders like Sirmar and others.
Just a rant from the US Sean ;)
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: Bartapuss on June 26, 2007, 11:46:38 pm
The big thing I think, is that to Joe Public, modellers are a bit, you know, weird eccentrics and almost feared a bit, like pedophiles. I mean when ever the TV portrays a modeller, its always some middle aged bloke still living with his mother or some repressed spotty teenage boy who never comes out of his bedroom and should stop playing with his toy trains and start growing up, read dirty mags and kiss girls. Most young parents want their lads to be super athletes, swarve and street wise not nerds who disappear into the shed until the wee hours and only come out into the day light on a Sunday morning.
Another good example of how modellers are hated is, I needed a machining job doing, and those in the local vicinity (North Shields) I was invariably asked what the item was for??? as soon as I said modelling the expression on the face said it all and I would be told that they were too busy, one chap was very irate as soon as I told him "bloody modellers I'll do nowt for you's buggers, nowt but trouble" obviously one or two of my fellow club members must have proceeded me to his premises in the past.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: Peter Fitness on June 28, 2007, 01:10:31 am
We must be rather spoilt here where I live, when I read the problems you seem to be having in the UK. We had a dedicated model shop in Ballina NSW Australia, where our marine modelling club is located, but it closed, and the owner, who is a member of both the marine modellers and the model flying club, kept his business accreditation, and now operates from home, while both he and his wife work in other jobs. The down side is that there is no shop front for us to go to, but the up side is that all are welcome at his home at most (reasonable) times, just ring first to ensure he is home, and he carries a good stock of most items applicable to both hobbies. We also have a big hobby and toy shop in Lismore, about 40km (25 miles) away, also run by a modeller, which carries an extensive stock of modelling gear, and the cheapest prices on Futaba radios I have seen anywhere. Mail order within Australia is also an option, with quite large hobby shops operating in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, and Melbourne, with the Melbourne one being specifically for boat modellers. I have dealt with them all at various times, and have never had a problem with service. And of course, if all else fails, there is always the internet. I have found Westbourne Models to be particularly good, with excellent and speedy service, even to the other side of the world. In future, if I do have a supply problem, I won't feel so hard done by! Peter.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: big-geoff on June 29, 2007, 11:04:43 pm
If you think you are suffering a porcity of Model shops, Try comming to the Isle of Wight, what there is does not carry anything that is usefull to the model boater.
Thank heavens for the internet and Westborne Models, Pandan, Model Dockyard and the Postie when he is not on strike.
Big-Geoff
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: DickyD on June 29, 2007, 11:09:44 pm
Should have thought you would still have plenty of shops on the I of W , after all you are 20 years behind the rest of us. ;D
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: justboatonic on July 01, 2007, 12:46:09 am
Whilst sympathetic, I really don't understand how their rates bill can be so high. Their premises must be huge. I claim a 50% small business discount and pay only about £2500pa on my hardware/DIY shop.
Not necessarily. Rates may be a lot higher in that part of the country. Small business rate relief is only applicable on premises where rateable value is below 15k a year. I know plenty of shops down south have rateable values at or above that and they are not big shops.
I've been in retail for a short time (3 years) and when I went into it, thought people would want a place that was customer focused, sold quality goods at a fair price. Not so! The majority of people just want the cheapest and only expect customer service when something goes wrong. Try and sell someone a better quality item and they think you just want to sell it because you get more profit (more often than not, the mark up is the same!). Try to give them info on the different qualities of similar products and they think you're trying to steer them away from what they want because you make more money on it! No, we just know the quality is different and is a better fit for your requirements.
Remember the advert about the guy in a camera shop wanting to buy a camera? The shop assistant shows him 2 cameras, both the same make at the same price only one is the newer model and has a better zoom facilty. The customer says, 'no, I'll have the other (older, inferior) one.' Believe me, it happens often!
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: Seaspray on July 15, 2007, 07:55:09 am
Hi Went to get a few things from our local model shop and it was closed . Making enquiries I was told it had gone.This is another model shop gone 202 Models, Chatham, Kent I only use modelshops now and again like so many of us. What with kids wanting playstations, computer games and many of them inpatient and not able to build models these days. Couple that with the RTR models form China. I do believe it is very hard business to be in and for some years now.
Hopefully this shop has went internet.
Title: Re: One less Model Shop
Post by: sheerline on July 15, 2007, 11:00:16 am
I am afraid the younger generation are dissapearing from the model scene at a rapid rate of knots and apart from a few, encouraged by interested and enthusiastic parents, the model scene is full of grey haired old blokes who still retain that magic ingredient 'fascination'. There is a distinct lack of fascination by youngsters since they appear to have everything given to them on a plate like ready to run stuff straight out of boxes from the far east. This instant gratification leads to a lack of inquisitiveness and consequent understanding of what makes things tick and how they are made. They just get it out of the box , play with it and chuck it away when it goes wrong( they can't get the spares anyway).
I went to the model engineer exhibition a couple of years ago and found NO youngsters there.. it was all middle aged blokes and upwards and as we are a dying breed, the sales of real models and their associated bits and pieces will dwindle and hence the lack of sales and inevitable traditional model shop closures. The knock on effect of this of course is that the engineering companies who supply the shops will also eventually die because the demand has gone, coupled with the competition from far eastern prices. Sad to say, but it's a changing world and our future generation of youngsters are the ones who will suffer. From my own standpoint, if any youngster expresses an interest in my sub, I will make a point of taking it out of the water, removing the top and explain it all to him/her in the most simple but interesting terms which I feel they would understand. They even get to have a go if I think it appropriate. We all have a responsibility here and if we want to encourage future modellers, we really have got to get the youngsters going. The important thing to remember here is how YOU felt as a kid and how someone somewhere got you interested in something.. try to do the same for these kids as they are disadvantaged by the dumbed down society we live in these days... they ARE the future of our hobby.
Title: Another shop closing
Post by: surabaya on January 12, 2008, 12:02:28 am
Hi, I drive lgv`s for a living which means I can get about and visit model shops all around. Today I was in Harlow and took the chance to call in at Essex models. One of the few left in Essex that caters for boats. I just love to look around and pick up the odd bits, and hope to buy a new boat. I don`t think you can beat the hands on type of shop, beats on-line any day. Today`s visit was good until the owner, a very nice guy and helpful, told me that he was closing up in march due to lack of customers and the internet. I feel it is a shame and a loss to our hobby, because we lose not only a shop, but also the joy of looking at what we are buying, and the free library of info from the owner. Not to mention the advertising of our hobby to everyone who passes. I often see young lads looking and saying, "wow, look at that one". They are the future of boat models. Maybe we should think twice before hitting the computer, before they all close, then the only newcomers will be those who notice the couple of mags or see one of the meetings(mostly attended by those already into boats). No offense intended to those who sell by computer,I sometimes buy on-line too, but add the postage and the price is not so cheap and no newbies means no new sales, on-line or other. Just my thoughts. I felt bad for the owner and for us. He say`s he has been in business more than 15 years. Maybe you all think differently, just needed to get it out of my system. Now you can hit back :(
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Bee on January 12, 2008, 01:05:04 am
Since you mention LGV the obvious thing is a mobile shop. Would it be viable. A model shop must do most trade on a Saturday except for the few working near enough to get to it on a weekday in their lunch break, and does any one town have enough modelers to support a specialist. But a mobile shop could do different places morning and afternoon if customers knew the schedule, and with Sunday shopping that's 4 towns instead of one. To further save costs if the shop is in an artic trailer it could be parked in a 5th town in the week and only use the expensive tractor bit at weekends when most lorries are off - hence discounted hire cost.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: tigertiger on January 12, 2008, 02:59:17 am
The sad thing is that with every change there are winners and losers.
The winners are those who adapt and survive.
In the model boat business I think the winners are those who sell online as well as having the 'bricks and mortar' outlet. There are barriers to trading on line. The biggest one is the people lacking the courage to take the jump. Yes you do need internet 'savvy', but there is lots of advice and guidance out there. 'Savoir' can be learnt.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: 2772e on January 12, 2008, 08:36:52 am
I have been visiting Brian the boat in Harlow now for a couple of years. He was desperately trying to sell the business last year! :'(
I think the main reason is rents just keep going up and the competitiveness of the internet gets stronger.
He does not have a website but does advertise quite heavily.
The old school model shops are moving away from boat bits and concentrating on all the RTR cars and like. Plastic rubbish.
There are a few though that are starting to specialise in boat bits.
There is an excellent model shop in Hornchurch with great owners, tea and coffee and donaughts on Saturday. Well worth a visit :D
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: barryfoote on January 12, 2008, 09:23:11 am
Hi, I drive lgv`s for a living which means I can get about and visit model shops all around. Today I was in Harlow and took the chance to call in at Essex models. One of the few left in Essex that caters for boats. I just love to look around and pick up the odd bits, and hope to buy a new boat. I don`t think you can beat the hands on type of shop, beats on-line any day. Today`s visit was good until the owner, a very nice guy and helpful, told me that he was closing up in march due to lack of customers and the internet. I feel it is a shame and a loss to our hobby, because we lose not only a shop, but also the joy of looking at what we are buying, and the free library of info from the owner. Not to mention the advertising of our hobby to everyone who passes. I often see young lads looking and saying, "wow, look at that one". They are the future of boat models. Maybe we should think twice before hitting the computer, before they all close, then the only newcomers will be those who notice the couple of mags or see one of the meetings(mostly attended by those already into boats). No offense intended to those who sell by computer,I sometimes buy on-line too, but add the postage and the price is not so cheap and no newbies means no new sales, on-line or other. Just my thoughts. I felt bad for the owner and for us. He say`s he has been in business more than 15 years. Maybe you all think differently, just needed to get it out of my system. Now you can hit back :(
You are absolutely right. The diminishing number of shops has to lead to less people taking up the hobby. Gone will be the days when the mother walks past the Essex model shop with little Jonny and in the pop to buy him his birthday or Christmas present. She will never even look for model boats on the Internet. I am afraid that the long term future does look bleak.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Bunkerbarge on January 12, 2008, 09:24:42 am
Unfortunately in our modern society everyone buys the cheapest option rather than supporting a local business. We can't even get people in the UK to buy British products and consequently more and more of our traditional manufacturing industries have gone to the wall.
I have been convinced for a while now that the High Street is doomed as more and more of us prefer to order more and more of our purchases through our computers because it is cheaper. It is very sad to me but simply an indication of the very selfish society we have now created. I consider myself to be lucky to have a very good model shop in my home town and I always buy my materials from them but they are slowly loosing trade to the people who want the cheapest pot of paint without having to get off thier rear to go and get it.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: surabaya on January 12, 2008, 11:58:37 am
Tigertiger "The sad thing is that with every change there are winners and losers"
Sorry, I don`t agree. As all the shops dissappear, so do the new customers, especialy those that see it in the window and think "I`d like to try that". The only ones who look at internet boat model shops are boat modelers, and less modelers means less trade,including internet, then they close too. The less support for the hobby, the less modelers. Everyone loses. For a hobby to grow, it needs to create interest with newcomers.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: djrobbo on January 12, 2008, 12:17:29 pm
This is echoing my post from a month or so ago.... i know brian the boat is closing down and a bloody shame it is too , he had a wealth of goodies in his shop including weaponry , winches , fittings of all discriptions etc...etc .As i said before when you use the internet you can't see or feel what you are buying , therefore you don't know how good the quality is , is it really the right size for your needs , etc,,etc . I have not tried the shop in hornchurch yet as it is not exactly just round the corner and time has prevented me from paying a visit. I am indeed fully aware of the reasons some shops close down rent...rates...lack of customers , etc , but it is still a bitter pill to swallow , watching the demise of our hobby and indeed the demise of a way of life (i.e the local model shop) that i have enjoyed since the 50's.
It seems at the moment that the only way to be able to use a local model shop ( of which there are quite a few in my locality ) is to change to cars or planes or helicopters and forget about boats , and i'll be dammed if i am going o do that.
My advice is to support your local model shop and only buy online the items you cant get from the shop .
CONFUCIOUS HE SAY; USE IT OR LOSE IT.
regards all......bob.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: DickyD on January 12, 2008, 12:20:07 pm
Its a pity more model shops don't follow the lead of companies such as Westbournes and sell on the internet and through their shop. Being disabled I do most of my model shopping on the internet, but I do occasionally trek down to Westbournes for a nose and a chat, just wish they were nearer home. Southampton being renown for its docks does not have one model shop that deals in boats and the one that we do have doesn't even sell paint.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: elmo on January 12, 2008, 12:43:30 pm
On the other hand, I'm in the process of writing a huge 'A4' length email to a model railway forum complaining about my teatment by a local model retailer (in Stockton-on-Tees!) who have supplied my radio control bits and pieces in the past too, but who in my view have completely overstepped the mark with the non-supply of a pre-ordered limited edition item (for which I received their automated email confirming it was in stock in store awaiting my collection!) >>:-(
Sad to say, but I have subsequently cancelled my other pre-orders I had with them and I won't use them again regardless of what I require.... Once the trust is broken in such a way, regardless of past service (sorry Simon - it was not your fault mate! :-\ ) I will just order the stuff I need on-line now. Fortunately, but only because I acted extremely quickly, I was able to obtain the item I required from Hattons of Liverpool (albeit for £5.00 more than I was originally intending to pay) but a couple of hours later, they were gone even from that huge store and now, a couple of weeks later they are going on FleaBay for twice the price already....!! I really hate to think what the price will be in a month, or maybe a year from now!! >:(
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Jonty on January 12, 2008, 08:05:17 pm
Bee's idea might just work. Anyone who has lived in rural France will be familiar with the mobile tool shops that visit many areas. La Poste distributes their brochures a week or so in advance, and then they park up for half a day in small towns and even villages.
A real service and, I imagine, a profitable business. The key is the publicity, letting people know what you have, and where you will be and when.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 12, 2008, 08:45:57 pm
The basic problem is that as a proportion of the overall population, Boat Modellers don't even register these days. The only way you can develop a decent customer base is via the Internet as Dicky D rightly implies. Yes it's a shame, but modelling just isn't popular enough to attract sufficient passing trade to sustain a decent retail outlet. Mail order and/or Internet sales are essential.
And yes, I accept that the lack of high street (or more likely side street) presence means less exposure to new potential modellers and in particular the younger generation. The only real way to at least partially plug that particular gap is through the commercial model shows and from people seeing models in action through club events. Although boat modelling may be very much a minority interest it is still far from extinct and may even experience a small renaissance as the 60 somethings retire and have more time to devote to the hobby (at least until they fall off the perch anyway!)
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: grasshopper on January 12, 2008, 10:43:51 pm
I like to feel that I have a close rapport with our local model shop owner and his staff - 95% of my modelling bits are bought from him. The other 5% being from other model shops that I might come across on my travels - and buy just because it's there and I happen to be able to afford it at that time ( I don't use credit for modelling - I always save up and pay cash.)
There are many that come to his shop, touch, feel and discuss a particular item then go home and order it on-line to save a few pennies!
Our local chap is reasonable in that he gives all local registered club modellers a 10% discount on products bought, yet one of the most common things I hear from my fellow local modellers is how cheaply they can get whatever from fleabay, the internet in general or other mailorder stores and they get it next day - admittedly sometimes you might have to wait a week for something ordered but I still am patient enough to wait, after all it's a hobby and not that urgent. It would be a shame if our local shop closes due to lack of support - but eventually I'm sure it will - so many are more concerned about saving money - I wonder where they'll go then to chat and play with stuff before they buy it?
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 12, 2008, 10:46:27 pm
Quote
I wonder where they'll go then to chat and play with stuff before they buy it.
Look no further....
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Roger in France on January 13, 2008, 06:57:23 am
Re: a mobile shop.
JONTY, sorry to disillusion you but all is not well with the French itinerant hardware lorry. In my part of France that service has ceased. As you say, it was an amazing convenience. The catalogue arrived via the postman (the delivery of vast amounts of "publicite" once each week via the postman is another feature of French life) , you could then take the chance that what you wanted was on the lorry when it arrived or you could order by telephone or post and the goods would be on the lorry a week or 14 days later.
However, to compete with the hypermarkets they started offering ever cheaper and shoddier goods and even then could no longer compete.
Yes, it is true that most of the public want to buy cheaply and many of them have neither an appreciation of good quality or any sense of long term loyalty which allows a small trader to survive. However, the fat cats who own vast supermarket chains happily pander to the worst instincts of the public, using their vast purchasing power to demand low cost products from manufacturers and (between them) they allow quality to be depressed. Hypermarkets also have very sophisticated stock control systems which cease to order items which do not sell in large quantities.
Fortunately, their is still a very high level of service in many smaller businesses in France but how long that will continue is anyones guess. For example I recently bought a heavy dresser (a "buffet" in French), it was delivered 2 days after the purchase, the delivery men set it in place (well, several places until SWMBO was satisfied) then they produced tiny plastic wedges to ensure it was level; they then adjusted the doors on their hinges; then it was polished. They would not accept a tip but a cup of coffee was shared and a few minutes of pleasent conversation ensued.
Roger in France.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: Jonty on January 13, 2008, 01:48:00 pm
Sorry to hear that, Roger. It's four years since I was living in France. Can't wait to get back - lorries or no lorries.
Title: Re: Another shop closing
Post by: steve*mac on January 15, 2008, 05:11:22 pm
The nearest shop to me is the Dockyard Model Shop in Chatham, Kent. I do this for a few reasons, I know the owner very well and appreciate he's there six days a week running it on his own, if its not in stock he does his best to get it.
What he's seeing at the moment is members of the local clubs, including the one thats sails at the Dockyard itself a few hundred yards away, is people trying to save a few quid on a kit by buying it on the net and then coming to the shop for the odd fitting, a tin of paint or some advice on their new kit..
Ok so everyone wants to spend wisely but I find it hard to believe that if your spending £195 on a kit from the net then £199 would have broken the bank by buying from the shop.
as already said Use it or Lose it!!
Title: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 14, 2014, 05:20:11 pm
I heard shop owners complaining about online shopping ruining their business, and I as a modeller try to use model shops when I can, lets face it there aren't many left, there's one in Gosport that's OK if you are into planes or trains but not much else, well I need some 1/4"x 1/4" balsa and ramin and 6 tiller arms for 3mm stocks, so as I was in Portsmouth attending a SWA exhibition I thought I would visit the Fratton Model Centre to buy said items, they must have them right,, wrong,, they had just 3 tiller arms 4mm. that was their entire stock, so I checked the wood rack, you guessed it no 1/4" balsa and no 1/4" ramin in fact the guy didn't even know what ramin was when I told him hardwood he just said we're having trouble getting those items, what part of "if you don't stock it you wont sell it" don't they understand, and to say he could not have cared less would be somewhat of an understatement, no wonder they are in decline, I for one will be shopping on line from now on. <*< well that's my rant for the day I feel better now and I'll make my own tiller arms, Joe.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 14, 2014, 05:28:01 pm
The reason they are in decline is that there simply are not enough customers to justify keeping comprehensive stock levels. They are businesses and probably rely on high ticket items and mail order to get by. You can't make a living anymore out of stocking balsa and ramin in the hope that somebody will come in and buy it on a regular basis. Scratch building is approaching extinction and most boat modellers either buy kits or simply ready made models on Ebay. No demand, no stock. The only way to make a profit on these sort of items is via inline selling.
Model shops used to depend on there being enough kids in the vicinity who were into modelling to guarantee a good turnover of stock. That simply doesn't happen anymore.
Colin
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on June 14, 2014, 06:00:34 pm
Well I make it a rule not to get involved in this sort of character assassination these days but I feel I need to respond.
yes, we are having a hard time of it at the moment, like a large number of retailers I know, but we are doing the best in a difficult economic climate. Portsmouth is not a wealthy city and money is tight with alot of our customers. This is reflected in weekly takings and, yes, stock levels. As for tiller arms, I have just checked the stock level which is as follows; 10 off 3/16" Single Steering Arm F-LA300/316 Logic RC 8 off 4mm Double Steering Arm F-LA310/008 Logic RC 5 off 3/16" Double Tiller Arm 5511700 J Perkins Distribution. You requested 3mm Tiller Arms, which as far as I am aware are only available from Graupner as a Tee Tiller. Graupner is currently very difficult to obtain as any model shop will tell you.
I questioned the Ramin comment, as this is usually only available from the big warehouse DIY stores, not model shops. We prefer better quality wood to this.
I take offence at the statement that I couldn't care less. I certainly do care, and will continue to do so until you lot grind me down to nothing. long way to go yet though.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: triumphjon on June 14, 2014, 06:54:59 pm
local shops can only try to stock what we require , i use my local shop whenever i can , very often im there when a customer will visit with a problem due to something they have purchased " cheaper online " who often want the local shop to sort out for them ! there are four very reasonable shops within the portsmouth / fareham / gosport areas , think yourself lucky
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 14, 2014, 08:01:51 pm
I would love a model shop near where I live, I hate paying the crooks at the Post Office for postage, and poor service when I purchase items online. I can honestly say I do not know of a model shop in NE London.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Bob K on June 14, 2014, 08:22:19 pm
I am lucky, having a model shop less than a mile from where I live in Windsor. I try to support them as much as possible, and very handy for all those materials and bits when I run out. They are also an online retailer and I suspect that their online business is a major factor for them, which is good for me whenever I need to pop in there whilst building.
I cannot help but notice that the average age in model boat clubs seems to advance by 12 months each year. We Few, we happy Few, we band of Brothers.....
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Stavros on June 14, 2014, 08:23:08 pm
Same Here html....if I want a model shop I haev to travel 50odd miles to one so sorry BE THANKFUL you have one close to you
Dave
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Rottweiler on June 14, 2014, 08:31:51 pm
Well said Unbuiltnautilus! this reminds me of the saying "you cant please all the people all the time" It must be impossible to stock every possible variation of an item all the time. I always try to support my local shop before trying online.Biggest problem now is I dont have a local shop within 15 miles and that is for mainly aircraft stuff rather than boats. As a person I have dealt with and met on a personal basis,and in my opinion you are most helpful obliging of people,so take no notice mate! (please make it a personal cheque!)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Neil on June 14, 2014, 08:38:14 pm
Well I make it a rule not to get involved in this sort of character assassination these days but I feel I need to respond.
I take offence at the statement that I couldn't care less. I certainly do care, and will continue to do so until you lot grind me down to nothing. long way to go yet though.
well said, and good luck in this climate of constant faceless on the cyberspace wingers............bet they didn't speak to you about their disappointment face to face..............no! didn't think so...............well I for one will always use the model shop when I can and have breath in my body.........much better than faceless contact.
again good luck and best wishes. neil.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Brian60 on June 14, 2014, 08:38:29 pm
Last time I was in a model shop I picked up some Billings parts in bags with very old price stickers on, I mean old! Took them to the counter and they guy nearly had a fit-'where did you find these?' On the hooks over at the back I replied.
Turned out 4 years earlier he had bought up the stock of the best model shop in Hull when it went bust, it was there stock complete with very old price stickers :} He grudgingly sold me the 5 bags I had selected at the price but made sure I knew I was buying them at a £1 a bag less than his newer stock :-))
Never used the place since and never will- I'll stick to using decent shops like Cornwall Model Boats etc online, the postal service can get me most stuff in 48 hours. Must say that I've never tried to get anything delivered to Spain yet, but thats another story!
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 14, 2014, 09:01:00 pm
If you don't have a local shop and need to use the internet then give your business to the small scale UK suppliers instead of ordering sub standard stuff from China or Ebay. We have some very good UK retailers who give excellent service at very reasonable prices and they should be supported.
Colin
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: craig dickson on June 14, 2014, 09:07:05 pm
For my part, the model shop that I first visited 40 years ago, remains a shop under the same family ownership as was then. And I still visit it today for well stocked products and good friendly advice from the owner that I have known for years.
I like the fact that I can feel, touch and see the products. And if you have a problem you can go back and get it sorted face to face. Now having said that, it is my opinion that retailers really must if not already doing so, embrace and capture the on line market by way of a good website that not only promotes themselves, but which allows for product sales on line in a way that makes it easy to buy.
It is my personal opinion that the best model shop of tomorrow will be the one that retains a bricks and mortar shop, with the stock and knowledgeable staff, but with a significant on line presence. It is a mistake to ignore the power of the internet.
Craig
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Brian60 on June 14, 2014, 09:07:51 pm
If you don't have a local shop and need to use the internet then give your business to the small scale UK suppliers instead of ordering sub standard stuff from China or Ebay. We have some very good UK retailers who give excellent service at very reasonable prices and they should be supported.
Colin
Now that raises a second thorny topic Colin. You can certainly do that and it is what I do as mentioned earlier. However when you use some suppliers and your goods arrive marked up and also in packaging marked 'Made in China' and with a sizable mark up on Chinese ebay prices, people are going to order from China!
I have looked at online arms of well known model shops (I've seen an advert in Model Boats) and seen for instance 540 motors that they advertise as Chinese at twice the price you can buy from chinese ebay sellers. OK you may have to wait a week or 10 days for delivery but in todays economic climate whats a few days wait?
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 14, 2014, 09:12:51 pm
OK I apologize for not caring remarks, but that's how it felt, there was no forthcoming information about when or even if more stocks would be in, yes I know times are hard for small shops not only model shops, but if you let stock get low aren't you just adding to the decline.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: malcolmfrary on June 14, 2014, 09:17:07 pm
I used to have a great model shop within a 20 minute walk, but unfortunately the owners retirement equaled closure. While a supply of balsa and obechi was always good, and access to a KS metal bar is great, these both represent a big outlay for the trader if there is not a good throughput. 6mm sq ramin always was a DIY store item. Doing a bit of measuring, the wire hole in the earth pin of a 13A plug is . . . 3mm. A bit of modelling may will be required to give a custom arm. In brass, as well. Before model shops, people indulging in a craft hobby had to do a bit of lateral thinking, or, as they called it then, looking with a modelers eye, or just thinking. We are headed back that way if we don't want an off the shelf toy the same as everybody elses.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: sparkey on June 14, 2014, 09:17:43 pm
%) When I was a young apprentice in the early 1960s there where at least 12 good model shops in south London, now there is only Mick Charles at Epson that I know of,I agree with Colin that there is some great British online supplies out there which should be supported instead of ordering from the other side of the world,we would all be stuffed without our computers as you cant nip round the corner to buy what you want strange world it is turning out to be,Ray. %)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 14, 2014, 09:48:50 pm
Quote
Now that raises a second thorny topic Colin. You can certainly do that and it is what I do as mentioned earlier. However when you use some suppliers and your goods arrive marked up and also in packaging marked 'Made in China' and with a sizable mark up on Chinese ebay prices, people are going to order from China!
That is very true of course and many people do go down that route. Yes, UK suppliers buying in from China will obviously put a mark up on the items (they are in business after all) but in many cases that is what you pay for quality control and a UK after sales service and many of our home based suppliers are very good in this respect. Plus, you will see them and their products at shows where you can handle the stuff yourself and that counts for a lot. Also not everything is available from ebay/China and if our people go out of business then the hobby will definitely suffer as a result. Buying cheap is not always good value, especially if the items are counterfeit and inferior quality as many from China are.
I have just bought a variety of minor items from Cornwall Model Boats costing £55. I expect some of these items could have been sourced from China/ebay had I spent enough time online looking for them and checking feedback etc. but it would not have been possible to get them all from one supplier and I might have had to wait a while for some of them. Cornwall Model Boats supplied the lot in a couple of days and I had no qualms about using my debit card to pay for them which is more than I can say for less well known suppliers who are more of a risk and certainly more likely to flog your email address on to add to your spam count!
We have a filling station in our village where I and many locals buy most of our fuel. We could get it at Tesco etc. when driving around for a couple of pence cheaper but if everyone did that then our filling station would be likely to close leaving the nearest alternative 5 miles or more away. It's worth the extra to keep the facility and support a local business.
You can always find something cheaper but it is not always the best value when you take everything into account.
Colin
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Subculture on June 14, 2014, 09:57:41 pm
I can honestly say I do not know of a model shop in NE London.
Hobby Stores on Hertford Road. Als Hobbies in Hainault. 308 Hobbies on Holloway Road.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: RAAArtyGunner on June 14, 2014, 10:11:27 pm
If you don't use it you will lose it.
In Oz we don't have the benefit of shops as you do in UK simple economics.
The problem mentioned applies to every type of retail activity, not just model boats, and is the result of bean counters philosophy which makes perfect sense. Namely why tie up heaps of money on stock that is not sold daily, when it, stock, can be obtained from a distributor within say 24 hours. The benefits are obvious, less money tied up doing nothing, less storage space required, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Eventually all that will be left is the on-line store.
The danger here, is that it, the on-line store, will be located off shore and postage costs will impact on our hobby. Already happening here in Australia.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Shipmate60 on June 14, 2014, 10:25:02 pm
I never thought this would happen but hope you are sitting down Alan.
I have been using this model shop for nearly 50 years. Yes times have changed and so have the economics of the trade. The present staff I have always found informative and give exceptional customer service. It is one shop that do employ Modellers, several of which are Marine Modellers. It is my first port of call when I want something. Now it is not always available (it used to be!!) but at least Alan is honest and if they cannot supply in time will usually give you an alternative supplier.
Bob
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 14, 2014, 11:03:37 pm
Hobby Stores in in North London (Enfield) Als Hobbies is in Essex 308 Hobbies (the old Henry Nichols is in North London)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: BrianB6 on June 14, 2014, 11:52:02 pm
Ah yes! Henry J. Nichols in Holloway Road. They must have been fed up with me popping in every other day just to hear them testing engines out at the back when I was at the Northern Poly. I did buy things there and recommended them to other students for model making bits
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: TheLongBuild on June 15, 2014, 09:51:31 am
I think that a lot of model shops are like a well known camera film producer who thought digital cameras were just a fad and so did nothing until it was too late, and then tried to get on the band wagon.
Our local shop " Steve Webb's Models" run a reasonable stocked store for boats although their main displays are cars, and planes, however I have never visited for something and not gone way with either the required product or a suitable replacement. But Webb's set up their website " Servo Shop" at quite an early stage of the game and so get the best of both worlds, always people in the shop..
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Brian60 on June 15, 2014, 10:46:26 am
Here's the other side of online buying.
Two weeks ago I wanted a reference manual from AK paints, on the website it advertised free postage to UK, great it was only 10 euro so I ordered it.
Now here's the stinker- The company is based in Logrono, Spain. I am in Spain about 400 miles from Logrono. They charged me 5 euro postage because it wasn't going to the UK! So if I had been another 1000 miles away it was free, as it was I had to pay.
But because it was bigger than a standard letter (it was A5 size) our postie won't deliver it, they leave a card telling you go pick it up. We had to drive 11 miles to the post office to collect it in person, such is life living in Spain.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Subculture on June 15, 2014, 11:11:48 am
Hobby Stores in in North London (Enfield) Als Hobbies is in Essex 308 Hobbies (the old Henry Nichols is in North London)
Splitting hairs a bit aren't you? At least two of those are relatively local to you in Chingford. Even in the heyday of modelmaking back in the late seventies and early eighties getting to a model shop usually required a car journey.
The thing is these days, if you buy something from a model shop, where is it made? Pretty much with few exceptions it will have been made in China. We don't make things any more. Prior to the Chinese it was Japanese or European imports denting sales.
The internet has dialled out the middle man. As customers I'm not sure what you have to complain about, I think the supply and quality of equipment is hugely better than it was years ago. Take off those rose tinted specs.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: U-33 on June 15, 2014, 11:41:59 am
We used to have three model shops in Eastbourne...then two...then one...now all we have a toy shop selling mainly RTR stuff.
Bob's Models was a personal favourite..always full of people chatting, whatever you wanted was normally on the shelf, if not Bob would do his utmost to get it within a day, and even phone you up to say your item had arrived (if the wife answered the phone he would always claim to have forgotten the price...). The kettle was always on, you even had your own mug, and there was a selection of stools to park your rear end on.
His wife was as knowledgeable as he was, a real gem she was. A cracking shop, but rent increases (I think) forced him out of business...such a shame.
Rich
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: NFMike on June 15, 2014, 01:38:05 pm
The internet has dialled out the middle man. As customers I'm not sure what you have to complain about, I think the supply and quality of equipment is hugely better than it was years ago. Take off those rose tinted specs.
Have to agree with you there. Things change.
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way (John Mellencamp - Peaceful World) Hard maybe, but that's the way it goes.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 15, 2014, 05:56:57 pm
Splitting hairs a bit aren't you? At least two of those are relatively local to you in Chingford. Even in the hay day of modelmaking back in the late seventies and early eighties getting to a model shop usually required a car journey.
The thing is these days, if you buy something from a model shop, where is it made? pretty much with few exceptions it will have been made in China. We don't make things any more. Prior to the Chinese it was Japanese or European imports denting sales.
The internet has dialled out the middle man. As customers I'm not sure what you have to complain about, I think the supply and quality of equipment is hugely better than it was years ago. Take off those rose tinted specs.
Not splitting hairs subculture, I did say NE London, not Middlesex or Essex. When I was into control lines planes I was always in H J Nichols, I am not sure I want to travel for 25 minutes and then struggle to park, also the cost of parking is almost the same as the Post Office rip off charges.
There used to be a model shop in Chingford, I went there twice. I asked about some timber when I was building my Puffer, I might as well have been talking Russian to the boy. Second time I was after a charger I had seen on their website, they had the box but no charger and not sure when if ever they would get any more in. I wonder why it has shut?
A lot of companies on the internet do not have premises to visit, it is much cheaper for them to be a virtual shop. It is not much cheaper for the modeller though, as Post office rip off charges make it more financially viable to go to EBay and the far east suppliers, who a lot of the time do not charge postage.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Subculture on June 15, 2014, 06:07:34 pm
Hobbystores is probably no more than a ten or fifteen minute drive from Chingford, and it has an EN3 postcode.
I think most modelshops have always been fairly minimal on Marine stuff in proportion to other model stuff, unless the owner or staff are into that side of the hobby. I guess it's just not such a strong seller as cars and planes.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 15, 2014, 08:08:36 pm
Hobby stores is 18 minutes away from where I live and even with its postcode it is still in Middlesex
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: slug on June 15, 2014, 08:24:55 pm
lucky in Newark we have 2 model shops,one in the town...a pig to park,handy for bits and bobs,mostly trains and plastic kits.the other on an industrial estate mostl planes but a good boat section and easy parking,both are on the internet so the best of both worlds.the one on the industrial estate are very helpful and try and get things for you....tony
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Subculture on June 15, 2014, 09:20:30 pm
Not splitting hairs subculture, I did say NE London, not Middlesex or Essex. When I was into control lines planes I was always in H J Nichols, I am not sure I want to travel for 25 minutes and then struggle to park, also the cost of parking is almost the same as the Post Office rip off charges.
There used to be a model shop in Chingford, I went there twice. I asked about some timber when I was building my Puffer, I might as well have been talking Russian to the boy. Second time I was after a charger I had seen on their website, they had the box but no charger and not sure when if ever they would get any more in. I wonder why it has shut?
A lot of companies on the internet do not have premises to visit, it is much cheaper for them to be a virtual shop. It is not much cheaper for the modeller though, as Post office rip off charges make it more financially viable to go to EBay and the far east suppliers, who a lot of the time do not charge postage. :o :o :o :o
It is included in the starting price, isn't it. {:-{ {:-{
Someone has to pay postage. O0 O0 O0 O0
That's the same as buy one for ten pounds and get one free, no, they are five pounds each %% %% {-) {-)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Peter Fitness on June 15, 2014, 11:54:38 pm
Here in Lismore we have 2 shops, 3 if you count Jaycar Electronics, which sell modelling items. 2 are basically toy shops with modelling departments, but their main focus is on cars, trains and aircraft, boating related items are scarce. Jaycar stock quite a good range of electronic equipment, some of which is useful for boats, plus they have a good stock of batteries of all kinds. As a result of all this, I do rely heavily on internet purchases, and have dealt successfully with a number of English companies.
Peter.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: raflaunches on June 16, 2014, 08:52:40 am
In my local area (Wellingborough-Kettering-Corby) there used to be one or two model shops per town, now due to the bad times there are only 4-5 left in my entire area- Geoff Stubbs of Oundle, Toymaster in Rushden, The Loco Centre in Wellingborough, Models For Sale in Raunds (trader), and the one in Northampton. But these are mainly plastic modeller or railway shops, only Geoff Stubbs in Oundle usually has anything close to model boat stuff.
I support my local shops as much as possible- usually buying paints and plastic models for my other hobby but I've seen too many disappear recently. My favourite was T&R Models in Wellingborough but when the owners retired and sold the business the new owner didn't carry on with the big selling items such as railways and scalectrix so other smaller items like model boat stuff could be sold there too without too many problems. Unfortunately he went into plastic modelling too much and cut out the stuff that keeps a model shop going and he closed down 2 years ago. The Loco Centre which has taken over the model shop scene in Wellingborough is getting better and better each time I go in there for stock but its going to take them a few years to build up enough stock and experience before they enter the model boat world.
I now usually buy model boat fittings and the alike from shows or visit Ron Dean in Peterborough which is always worth a laugh, and failing that I go to the dark side and buy online... for the moment...
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: hopeitfloats on June 16, 2014, 12:26:50 pm
you aussie guys have float-a-boat in melbourne. that has to be model boaters heaven. cant think of anything they haven't been able to supply me or at least something that will do.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 16, 2014, 07:35:55 pm
Just an historic county now. Enfield is part of Greater London.
You are promoting this store, but obviously do not know where it is. North London or Middlesex it aint NE London Hobbystores Enfield 497 Hertford Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN3 5XH
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 16, 2014, 07:43:42 pm
It is included in the starting price, isn't it. {:-{ {:-{
Someone has to pay postage. O0 O0 O0 O0
That's the same as buy one for ten pounds and get one free, no, they are five pounds each %% %% {-) {-)
Define postage This sensor HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Range Finder Distance Measuring Module Sensor Arduino Pi Pic on average is £2.99 in the UK some with postage which will be £3.20 and some with out. I brought the same item from one of our far east cousins for £0.99p post free, explain to me why I should be ripped off by the Post Office. By the way I also brought the Arduino for £2.99 post free, average UK price is about £14.00, plus postage. It seems to me the only people making money out of our hobby is the Post Office
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 16, 2014, 08:00:48 pm
Yes I would agree with that, I wanted a LR11 battery, like an AA but half the length £7.99 in ASDA for a pack of two, I paid £2.99 post free for the same Duracell two pack, and got them in two days, a sign of the times maybe but as a pensioner it's a no brainer.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: derekwarner on June 16, 2014, 11:40:06 pm
I suspect that air parcel postage originating in China with a Hong Kong tracking number is heavily subsidised by the ruling Government
A colleague was astounded at the rates that Australia Post [on website calculator] quote for a one kilogram parcel to China, UK or USA...... >>:-(
I will find the e-mail & copy the costs..........Derek
oops....it was a 1.5 kg parcel................ International postage from Australia to other parts of the world is very expensive here is a calculation link via Australia Post 1.5kg parcel from Australia to China with signature is approx $41 AUD 1.5kg parcel from Australia to England with signature is approx $84 AUD 1.5kg parcel from Australia to USA with signature is approx $90 AUD
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: hopeitfloats on June 17, 2014, 08:20:16 am
same destinations but from nz and in AUD. 39 to china. 41 to UK and 44 to USA. someone is ripping you guys off. didn't say if signature was required.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Dave Cook on June 17, 2014, 09:01:13 am
I live in the Preston area and again there are very few model shops around , my nearest one is Scale Hobbies in Skelmersdale, 22 miles away but i prefer to travel to the shop , we have a good chat and Steves knowledge of model boats as been a great help to me , The number of times i have gone to buy something i thought was right for the job only to find he comes up with something better and some times cheaper . You just don,t get this service on line and when you go to the shows the stands are often to busy to ask advise . LONG LIVE THE MODEL SHOP. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: HUNTER on June 17, 2014, 09:13:05 am
Mr H, What about that blooming good, old guy in Hampden Park who has an internet shop and does shows, birthday parties and bar mitzvas and has been doing it for 28 years! {-) As for postage, please don't kick the internet sellers. Here is an example of the Post Office way of charging. I have an order for a delicate item that is 25 mm thick and weighs just 30 grms but only costs say £4.99. At 25mm it will fit the Large Letter profile of 76p BUT if you wrap it in one layer of bubble wrap for protection, you go over the 25mm to 40mm - this now puts you into the SMALL PARCEL profile which jumps to a whopping £2.90 OR £4 for Recorded OR a massive £6.15 for Special Delivery. These prices are for Franked mail which is cheaper than stamps. WHO IS RIPPING WHO OFF!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say most of our orders have to go out in this profile. >:-o . The Post Office know what they are doing. Screwing the business man and the customers.
We used to have three model shops in Eastbourne...then two...then one...now all we have a toy shop selling mainly RTR stuff.
Bob's Models was a personal favourite..always full of people chatting, whatever you wanted was normally on the shelf, if not Bob would do his utmost to get it within a day, and even phone you up to say your item had arrived (if the wife answered the phone he would always claim to have forgotten the price...). The kettle was always on, you even had your own mug, and there was a selection of stools to park your rear end on.
His wife was as knowledgeable as he was, a real gem she was. A cracking shop, but rent increases (I think) forced him out of business...such a shame.
Rich
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: HUNTER on June 17, 2014, 09:26:20 am
Sorry to jump in here but my business is on the Internet and at shows. As for service on line , I spend half of time on the phone talking to people, giving advice from my 58 years experience and even telling them where to get items which may be more appropriate to them. At the shows when you are busy you ask the guy who wants advice to come back in 5 minutes when you can talk to him. So please do not classify all Internet/show sellers as the same. I can assure you we are not. As a matter of interest we and a few other manufactures who felt that it was important to be honest and helpful to our customers formed an association back in the years gone bye, it is called the MMMA which stands for Marine Models Manufacturing Association. This association is made up of all of the Major well known Companies. Best Regards Hunter
I live in the Preston area and again there are very few model shops around , my nearest one is Scale Hobbies in Skelmersdale, 22 miles away but i prefer to travel to the shop , we have a good chat and Steves knowledge of model boats as been a great help to me , The number of times i have gone to buy something i thought was right for the job only to find he comes up with something better and some times cheaper . You just don,t get this service on line and when you go to the shows the stands are often to busy to ask advise . LONG LIVE THE MODEL SHOP. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 17, 2014, 02:51:21 pm
I really have to support internet shopping, without it I could not do the hobby of boat building, when you consider the number of items that is needed, working models in particular, and 30 minutes on the computer usually has all or most of the components on there way to you, and I have to say most of the companies I deal with cannot be faulted, most show when an item is out of stock and give some indication of when it will be in stock, but if one supplier is out of an item you can usually find it with another, yes postage is the down side, but is usually offset by the fuel getting to a model shop in another town, and like as not you come home empty handed anyway, I've heard some say you cannot expect shops to stock every item that you might want, but that is exactly what I expect, if a customer is visiting a shop, any shop, they should reasonably expect that shop to stock whatever that shop would normally sell, hence the saying "my stock and trade" , no stock = no trade, I used to love the old model shops but alas when I do visit one, maybe in that particular town on another matter I come away disappointed {:-{ <:(
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: inertia on June 17, 2014, 04:11:57 pm
I recently visited one of the 'premier' model boat retail establishments in the UK - no names, no pack drill. I was sadly disappointed. The stock level appeared to be poor (apart from the usual large glossy boxes) and the place was very untidy. Granted they probably had a few bits and pieces that you wouldn't find in your local Hobby Store, but I don't see how they could justify the reputation they used to have - unless their mail order trade is superb. I'm with Radiojoe; model shops are very rarely the way I remember them and the easiest way to get what you need is to let your fingers do the walking etc. Driving (and parking) in towns these days is an expensive and time-consuming activity, so why not let some other berk do it for you? Alternatively if your local model shop is a genuine treasure then do just that - treasure it! You're one of the lucky minority. BTW it's Royal Mail who are the newly-privatised rip-off merchants, not The Post Office (as our local sub-postmaster keeps reminding me!), and Chinese businesses are helped by huge state subsidies to their postal service. DM
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: HUNTER on June 17, 2014, 07:10:31 pm
That's strange, the last time I bought stamps (postage) from the POST OFFICE, I had to make the cheque payable to POST OFFICE COUNTERS!!!! Not Royal Mail. I think your sub postmaster doesn't want to accept responsibility. My main post office states that all of the time that the post is still within the confines of the post office they are responsible for it including postage. Once the post has left his care it belongs to Royal Mail. So when the post gets lost or is late do not blame the post office blame Royal Mail. But at the end of the day lets all agree to blame the Royal Mail who ever it now belongs to. The staff at the Post Office up and down the land do a good job, that includes my POSTMAN or should I say Royal Mail delivery person. ;D Regards Hunter :-)
I recently visited one of the 'premier' model boat retail establishments in the UK - no names, no pack drill. I was sadly disappointed. The stock level appeared to be poor (apart from the usual large glossy boxes) and the place was very untidy. Granted they probably had a few bits and pieces that you wouldn't find in your local Hobby Store, but I don't see how they could justify the reputation they used to have - unless their mail order trade is superb. I'm with Radiojoe; model shops are very rarely the way I remember them and the easiest way to get what you need is to let your fingers do the walking etc. Driving (and parking) in towns these days is an expensive and time-consuming activity, so why not let some other berk do it for you? Alternatively if your local model shop is a genuine treasure then do just that - treasure it! You're one of the lucky minority. BTW it's Royal Mail who are the newly-privatised rip-off merchants, not The Post Office (as our local sub-postmaster keeps reminding me!), and Chinese businesses are helped by huge state subsidies to their postal service. DM
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 17, 2014, 07:39:14 pm
Mr H, What about that blooming good, old guy in Hampden Park who has an internet shop and does shows, birthday parties and barmitza,s and has been doing it for 28 years! {-) As for postage, please don't kick the internet sellers. Here is an example of the Post Office way of charging. I have an order for a delicut item that is 25 mm thick and weighs just 30 grms but only costs say £4.99. At 25mm it will fit the Large Letter profile of 76p BUT if you wrap it in one layer of bubble wrap for protection, you go over the 25mm to 40mm - this now puts you into the SMALL PARCEL profile which jumps to a whopping £2.90 OR £4 for Recorded OR a massive £6.15 for Special Delivery. These prices are for Franked mail which is cheaper than stamps. WHO IS RIPPING WHO OFF!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say most of our orders have to go out in this profile. >:-o . The Post Office know what they are doing. Screwing the business man and the customers.
I would never blame the sellers I know they are being ripped off by the Post Office, who have no idea what customer service is
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 17, 2014, 07:42:15 pm
I recently visited one of the 'premier' model boat retail establishments in the UK - no names, no pack drill. I was sadly disappointed. The stock level appeared to be poor (apart from the usual large glossy boxes) and the place was very untidy. Granted they probably had a few bits and pieces that you wouldn't find in your local Hobby Store, but I don't see how they could justify the reputation they used to have - unless their mail order trade is superb. I'm with Radiojoe; model shops are very rarely the way I remember them and the easiest way to get what you need is to let your fingers do the walking etc. Driving (and parking) in towns these days is an expensive and time-consuming activity, so why not let some other berk do it for you? Alternatively if your local model shop is a genuine treasure then do just that - treasure it! You're one of the lucky minority. BTW it's Royal Mail who are the newly-privatised rip-off merchants, not The Post Office (as our local sub-postmaster keeps reminding me!), and Chinese businesses are helped by huge state subsidies to their postal service. DM
I stand corrected on that, you are right it is the con artists under the disguise of the Royal Mail that are the rip of merchants
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: NFMike on June 17, 2014, 11:16:59 pm
Er, excuse me, silly question. If the Royal Mail are such rip-off merchants why are you or your sellers still using them? It's not like there isn't UPS, DHL, FedEx, MyHermes and a dozen others who'd be more than happy to do the job instead.
Or is it that they are all less convenient and/or more expensive than RM?
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Nordsee on June 18, 2014, 11:11:40 am
You have to look outside of the High Street to find model Shops, I have found them on Industrial Estates (Rents are cheaper, car parking easier.) For anyone in South East Kent, then Ashford Models is well worth a visit, lots of goodies and a knowlegable owner too. I am nothing to do with him, just a very satisfied customer...
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: HUNTER on June 18, 2014, 12:00:58 pm
Sorry, my friend but just at the moment the cost of small light items are cheaper with Royal Mail every time. The carriers come into their own when the size /weight increases.
Er, excuse me, silly question. If the Royal Mail are such rip-off merchants why are you or your sellers still using them? It's not like there isn't UPS, DHL, FedEx, MyHermes and a dozen others who'd be more than happy to do the job instead.
Or is it that they are all less convenient and/or more expensive than RM?
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: inertia on June 18, 2014, 02:05:28 pm
Just to demonstrate; I am sending a couple of small models to Scotland in a box 50cm x 33cm x 33cm. The weight is 2.3Kgs. Here are the various prices I've been quoted: Royal Mail First Class Signed For £16.95 Royal Mail Second Class Signed For £14.85 Royal Mail Special Delivery (Next Day) £26.60 Parcelforce Express 48 (2 days delivery) £12.98 My Hermes 3 days Signed For (and collected!) £6.44
Bit of a no-brainer, innit? As Graham says, Royal Mail is cheapest for the smallest packages but they have increased their prices by over 100% in the last 2 years. Do you suppose that privatisation might have had something to do with it? And did you know that the taxpayer will still foot the bill for the pensions of currently-employed RM staff? Sorry - straying into politics there :-X DM
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: NFMike on June 18, 2014, 02:26:42 pm
Thank you both. You have confirmed that for some things Royal Mail is not competitive, but for others they are. They are not 'rip-off' merchants as some have suggested, any more than, eg. DHL might be expensive if you used them to send a postcard to your granny in the next village. They are competing in an open market and as Inertia has shown it's up to the individuals or companies who wish to send stuff to pick the company and service that suits their budget.
If you think you are getting ripped off as a buyer then start shopping more selectively. For instance, on ebay when you do a search you'll usually get a list sorted by - "Time: ending soonest". First thing I usually do is change it to - "Price + P&P: lowest first". Simples. On other websites I try to find out their delivery charges before filling the basket, and I often have several tabs open on different shops with a basket in each so I can compare total cost including p&p. It's perhaps no surprise that often the 'cheapest' place actually isn't :-)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 18, 2014, 06:59:29 pm
just got home from Milford-on-sea where I called into Milford models& hobbies, true he does specialize in railways but has an adequate stock of basic model making materials and bagged parts and at last I came away happy, when I find a model shop worthy I am the first to sing their praises and give them credit, if only Nigel was in Gosport I'd be in there every week :-)) :-))
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Dave Cook on June 20, 2014, 07:41:43 am
Sorry Hunter , I was in no means tarring you all with the same brush , but I would say people like yourself are in the minority .When seeking advice at shows I have NEVER been asked to come back later , but that's really good if that's your policy . :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: triumphjon on June 20, 2014, 08:07:04 am
so radiojoe whats wrong with mainly trains and planes in stoke rd ? granted they dont open on mondays and close at around 4 pm during the week , but for such a small shop i notice its very well stocked with a range of timber and ply , lots of glues , metal racks are both full as are the fixings stand and possibly the best selection of servos on the shelf in the whole area ! theres another shop in cranleigh lane , porchester , which is open until 9pm most nights and all day on sundays which also carries a good selection to keep our models working . ive no connection with any of the local shops apart from being a customer ! jon
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 20, 2014, 04:04:31 pm
Being in the process of clearing out and renovating my workshop I have discovered that I actually already have a traditional, very well stocked model shop on the premises which is full of all the stuff that I am likely to want. Of course, like all model shops it is often the case that the specific nut size or shade of paint I want is not currently in stock but I suppose you can't have everything.....
Colin
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 20, 2014, 04:46:40 pm
Hi Jon Nothing wrong with Mainly Trains and Planes at all, and has got better over time and caters more for boat building than he used to, He used to say himself he didn't carry much for boats as the name suggests, but seems to be changing track, no pun intended, is the shop in Cranleigh lane still open I thought he retired a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: John W E on June 20, 2014, 06:18:28 pm
hi there
Hello Mr Bishop you know when you were cleaning your store room out - did you come across any tins of Kiel kraft diesel fuel? All joking aside - if you want to make yourself really depressed - get a hold of a 1960 era model boats mag - have a look on the back for the advertisements for Model shops in the UK that were advertised - there were about 4-5 in the North East - and they have all gone - 2 are still going though over in North Shields. They are pretty good for catering for model boats. I generally find though the owners of the Model Shop tend to stock items that they themselves are interested in - e.g. railways etc. Same as over in the North side Alans that used to be there used to have a hefty slection of model aircraf cos that is where his interests lay.
The thing I miss about model shops are the crowds that get there on a Saturday morning - also if you were lucky enough the person who owned the shop had a good knowledge and he was prepared to explain stuff to you.
aye john
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 20, 2014, 06:35:25 pm
Hi John,
I did come across a Keikraft catalogue which I have kept as a historical document!
As you say, independent model shops do tend to reflect the interests of their owners.
The basic problem with Model Boating is that we are all getting older and the numbers who drop off the perch are not being replaced with people entering the hobby. I have a bus pass but when I attend the Warwick show I seem to be one of the younger visitors! The average age of entrants to the Model Engineer Exhibition competition is around 75!
In 15 years time or so I think model boating will be even more of a niche hobby than it is now. It won't fade away completely but it won't be sufficient to maintain specialist model shops on the high street and I expect that even online sources will be few and far between. We shall be consigned to the dustbin of history and our work will become museum pieces.
Colin
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: triumphjon on June 20, 2014, 07:48:19 pm
yes radiojoe , the shop in cranleigh lane is deffo still open , i visited them on Tuesday afternoon , it's now run by the sailing for the disabled charity .
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 20, 2014, 07:51:15 pm
Cheers Jon, I'll give them a visit, :-))
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Peter Fitness on June 21, 2014, 12:24:25 am
We shall be consigned to the dustbin of history and our work will become museum pieces.
Colin
I doubt any museum would want mine, Colin <:(
Peter.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: slug on June 21, 2014, 06:30:56 am
in the 1950,s do I remember in London a basett&lowke model shop,i think I remember being taken by my father...also all the ex military electrical shops in Tottenham looking for ex mod motors etc out of aircraft to run models...also gamages for bits...sadly all gone...happy days....tony
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Nordsee on June 21, 2014, 10:31:16 am
Just looked in my copy of RCM and E from August 1978, and there are 204 model Shops listed in the Directory. The Mag covered cars , boats and Planes, with Electronic Projects as well, had the plans for a DB Trainer ( the Bat) of which I built two for me, and 8 more for new members of the Club. You can learn on 3 channels and build another wing and upgrade to Ailerons with no Problems, Great model!
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: html on June 21, 2014, 04:02:59 pm
in the 1950,s do I remember in London a basett&lowke model shop,i think I remember being taken by my father...also all the ex military electrical shops in Tottenham looking for ex mod motors etc out of aircraft to run models...also gamages for bits...sadly all gone...happy days....tony
The Basset Lowke shop was in Holborn and at one time Beatties were there, sadly it is a Macdonalds now.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 21, 2014, 04:53:50 pm
Anyone remember WALLY KILLMINSTER in Wembley?
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Kilmister )
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 25, 2014, 05:50:52 pm
I visited Fareham models in Cranleigh Road, Portchester today what a pleasant surprise, a good model shop with adequate stock, I thought they had closed down a couple of years ago, I got everything on my list except one item, and it's only fifty yards from Wicor park, where the dog had a swim to cool off, I'll be shopping there again. :-)) :-))
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: triumphjon on June 25, 2014, 06:46:07 pm
i often shop there joe , good coffee machine there too with hot beverages just 40 pence a cup ! our dogs also know when ive visited the shop they are having a run in either wicor park or porchester castle !
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: radiojoe on June 25, 2014, 06:53:20 pm
Yes thanks for the letting me know about them Jon, I'll certainly shop there, and of course my excuse will be to SOMBO, I'm just taking the dog for a swim. :-)) {-)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: tobyker on June 26, 2014, 11:35:41 pm
SWMBO wanted to go to Lochwinnoch to get birdseed so I said we'd go to Paisley if Paisley Model Centre had a bit I wanted. Googled them to find the phone no but alas they appear to have gone out of business. Then found a very nasty spiteful article from the Scottish Daily Record saying that some old granny had dropped little Johnny's Hornby loco off to get it fixed and now couldn't get it back. I doubt Willie wanted to put the shutters up! I think we will very soon be left with a very few internet suppliers, some of whom may have shop fronts, like Howes of Oxford, and a few specialist niche suppliers who cast or make bits. The problem will be that as the hobby contracts, it won't be worth anyone's while making eg tiller arms and we will all be dismantling plugs for tiller arms - which I never stopped doing anyway! So even the internet hobby shops will be reduced to stocking nothing but RTR chinese stuff like the helicopters people keep giving me for Christmas.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Calimero on June 27, 2014, 01:01:54 am
I'm not as gloomy as you guys.
I think we'll see the same thing as other markets: the general RC model shops and also suppliers (like Graupner) will probably suffer. Niche/specialized manufacturers will offer stuff for the hardcore enthusiast. What was previously "mid range" will probably disappear.
On the lower end you'll get toys and ultra-cheap RTR (just like you said tobyker). At the same times, the Chinese also ship motors, ESC, TX/RXs for a fraction of what higher end manufacturer cost (and they can also output decent products provided you're willing to pay more than $20 for a TX, for example). I'm not going to lie: I nowadays order most of the electronics from China/Asia through eBay or dedicated sites (like Hobby King).
Now when it comes to models, kits, fittings, I think we'll have some niche suppliers with very narrow product ranges, quality products and ... probably some relatively steep prices. What you save on electronics, batteries, ... will probably be spent in those boutique shops.
Thanks to the Internet, a small manufacturer can sell worldwide.
There's also 3D printing. The cost of printers is still quite steep and it takes some learning both in term of 3D modeling and the actual printing. It's the kind of device that a club could afford to maintain, right next to laser or wood milling machines and scroll saws. Can be used to print actual parts or molds to cast resin for structural parts.
Anyway, model shop owners are probably in a hard place right now, just like many "brick & mortar" shops these days. There are so many products available; market is so fragmented, you just can't stock so much stuff. And with hot topics like drones, there's the same problem as with smartphones: every 6 month there's a faster, more advanced version ...
There's a small RC shop a couple miles from where I live. I doubt the guy makes a living out of it (in spite of what I consider steep prices - which I don't blame him for). And among younger generations like me ordering from the Internet is just the go to solution.
Title: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: TheLongBuild on May 30, 2015, 07:54:38 am
Just seen this reported on the MB forum..
http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/giantshark.htm
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: U-33 on May 30, 2015, 08:05:36 am
Another one bites the dust.... :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: Netleyned on May 30, 2015, 08:13:06 am
They were one of the good guys to deal with as Giant Cod although they didn't do a lot of boaty stuff. However they were the first step into 2G4 for many of us with the Radiolink gear.
Ned
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: RAAArtyGunner on May 30, 2015, 08:38:01 am
Is the "Hobbystore etc" link in the original post the same as for Model Boats magazine?
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: inertia on May 30, 2015, 09:38:17 am
As far as I know, Giant Shark is/was owned by My Hobby Store who also own My Time Media (the publishers of Model Boats magazine). This is one of the first examples of a retail business failing because it has been unable to obtain Chinese-manufactured goods for significantly less than can the customers they were trying to service - even by buying in quantity. There will be more. DM
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: Subculture on May 30, 2015, 10:57:23 am
The only way you can compete against Chinese goods is by making innovative, very high quality products that you can't get elsewhere.Try and compete in volume or price and you will lose every time- the deck is stacked in their favour.
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: inertia on May 30, 2015, 12:21:24 pm
How very true. I imagine that in the fullness of time they will get greedy as more and more aspire to become "consumers". At that stage they will lose their competitiveness - like the Japanese have done, especially in cars and electronics. I will have long ceased to give a tinker's cuss by then!
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: SailorGreg on May 30, 2015, 08:54:17 pm
:(( {:-{
I used them a few times and found them a pleasure to do business with. Perhaps I should have used them more often? Too late now though.
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: Brian60 on May 31, 2015, 12:56:17 pm
There's always HobbyKing %) or order via one of the many chinese suppliers on ebay, delivery in 10 days! Seriously though, I wonder if this will mean the end of Model Boats magazine? Having said that I hadn't bought a copy for 10 months or so. To me it just seemed they were 'dumbing down' the content. Very basic articles aimed at complete beginners and next to nothing to satisfy the reading needs of seasoned builders.
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: rob on May 31, 2015, 01:25:19 pm
The end of Model Boats magazine ? If the efforts of the 'renewal of yearly subscription team' are anything to go by, they certainly do not want that to happen.
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: Bowwave on May 31, 2015, 01:32:18 pm
There's always HobbyKing %) or order via one of the many chinese suppliers on ebay, delivery in 10 days! Seriously though, I wonder if this will mean the end of Model Boats magazine? Having said that I hadn't bought a copy for 10 months or so. To me it just seemed they were 'dumbing down' the content. Very basic articles aimed at complete beginners and next to nothing to satisfy the reading needs of seasoned builders.
Brian 56 you must be reading a very different Model Boats magazine than me . Bowwave
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: Colin Bishop on May 31, 2015, 01:56:06 pm
The magazine is doing OK actually. As with all periodicals, subscriptions are worth much more to the publishers than newstrade sales. There is no direct connection with Giant Shark other than that they are both part of the same group of companies. I know nothing about the Giant Shark situation but would be inclined to agree with Dave M that an attempt to retail Chinese products by a UK supplier in direct competition to Chinese based suppliers was an experiment that ultimately didn't work financially. At least GS is being wound down in an orderly manner, current orders are being fulfilled and no one will lose their money.
I also agree with Bowwave re the content of the magazine. In particular, the series on building HMS Daring, has been a masterclass. However, articles from 'seasoned modellers' are always welcome although many people falling into this category are reluctant to contribute so all credit to those that do.
Colin
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: inertia on May 31, 2015, 01:58:17 pm
Seriously though, I wonder if this will mean the end of Model Boats magazine?
And just why would that happen? As far as I know there isn't a Chinese alternative to Model Boats available for pennies on E-Bay or direct by mail order from Schenzhen. It would be amusing to read one, judging by the Chinglish instructions I've seen for things! I'm sorry to have to tell you but the fact that you haven't purchased a copy for getting on for a year probably would not bother MTM too much, let alone cause its imminent demise. In that time there have been some stunningly good articles and plans - and you've missed them all! :o DM
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: bj on May 31, 2015, 02:22:08 pm
As far as I know ......... one of the first examples of a retail business failing because it has been unable to obtain Chinese-manufactured goods for significantly less than can the customers they were trying to service - even by buying in quantity. There will be more. DM
HOR Racing (formerly Head of the River) also closed down recently and they worked out of Hong Kong. AsTec and Prestwich both sold HOR products.
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: Peter Fitness on May 31, 2015, 11:26:57 pm
Brian 56 you must be reading a very different Model Boats magazine than me . Bowwave
And me, I think Model Boats is an outstanding magazine for beginners and seasoned modellers alike. In particular, Dave Wooley's series on the building of HMS Daring is a real eye opener, especially regarding the detail incorporated into the model, and should be an inspiration to all modellers. For those interested in steam, Richard Simpson's ongoing articles should be compulsory reading - and the list goes on. I won't be cancelling my subscription any time soon.
Peter.
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: TugCowboy on June 01, 2015, 08:09:26 am
HOR Racing (formerly Head of the River) also closed down recently and they worked out of Hong Kong.
Working out of HK can be just as bad as working out of the UK. You're still a middle man just as a UK based importer would be but you have the added headaches of time (and some times language) barriers between the customers and your staff. Chinese companies are now charging the same prices to these HK buyers as they would be to UK ones.
A lot of businesses are now closing down their HK offices and moving them direct into China where possible....which is a bummer as everybody loves a business trip to Honkers, especially as a boat lover!
Title: Re: Giant Shark...Closed down..
Post by: jarvo on June 01, 2015, 12:30:57 pm
As a fairly new subscriber to Model Boats mag, i can only agree with Inertia, the on going build of superb models is something i will only aspire to. The workmanship is superb, they do a lot to get newbies into this hobby, showing easy builds etc, this is critical as a lot of the seasoned modelers are getting long in the tooth, see a lot of the pics from Mayhem!!!!!
People coming into modeling are often going the RTR route, no skill no mess!!!! this goes for all models not just boats.
Mark
Title: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Delboy1958 on January 25, 2016, 08:11:10 am
Hi Guys So Hobby stores have closed the Enfield, St Albans, Chelmsford and Watton stores as of last Friday. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
Sad state of affairs
Derek
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: inertia on January 25, 2016, 08:31:59 am
I wonder if the staff knew anything about it prior to the vans turning up to empty the shops of stock? I doubt if there's many Hobby Stores left. DM
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 25, 2016, 09:57:47 am
Important Store Notice
Sadly, and entirely due to the adverse conditions that have affected the model trade over the last few years, the reluctant decision has been taken to close with immediate effect the following store branches: Chelmsford, Enfield, St.Albans, Reading and Watton.
HobbyStores will continue serving all of our loyal customers through our ever growing online store so we would like to take this opportunity to assure all our customers that they will continue to be able to purchase the very best radio control models and products from around the world from Hobbystores. It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but with the momentous changes in retail driven by the growth in web sales, it is the only option to enable Hobbystores to offer the range of products backed by service that the keen modeller needs to enjoy their hobby to the full.
We will continue to offer service, warranty and returns support and will fulfil all existing orders through our website which itself will be moving to a new bespoke home shortly.
http://www.hobbystores.co.uk/
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: BFSMP on January 25, 2016, 10:08:12 am
I used to visit and buy my supplies of modelling merchandise from the Watton store on a regular basis for dolls houses and such.
It was a wonderful place to visit and just browse, and have a look at the myriads of articles on sale, ( some which I had never imagined before, although I always bought. Even bought male order from them and their service was always super fast and excellent.
It has saddened me that this outlet has closed as it will be missed by local modellers.
Jim.
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: sparkey on January 25, 2016, 10:28:53 am
:-)) I know they closed the one in Camden town a couple of years ago,I remember using that one in 1961 when I was an apprentice at Pratt st training centre,we used pop in there in our lunch time and spend our hard earned pennies,I used to look in the window at the Taplin twins and Gannets that were there which no way could I afford one,I had pay in account and save up to buy a boat kit as it was the only way for me to get on the water,great memories of a long time ago..........Ray. :-))
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Delboy1958 on January 25, 2016, 10:42:57 am
Hi Guys I dont think the staff had a clue I heard that a mate of mine was in Enfield store on Tuesday and Vic the Manager did not say anything. On Saturday when I looked through the shutters there was stock in the store .
As Enfield is my local shop its a real shame I feel sorry for Vic who has been with them over 20 years.
Ever since Irvine engines took over the company its been going down hill as a model shop became more like toys are us.
Derek
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: lakesidebob on January 25, 2016, 11:13:33 am
"What's a shop,Grandad?"..."Well,once upon a time....."....
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: essex2visuvesi on January 25, 2016, 11:45:05 am
That was my nearest paint supplier (Broomfield/Chelmsford)
A sad state of affairs, I have used that shop on and off since about 1983 when it was RadioActive
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 25, 2016, 12:16:32 pm
Radio Active, Chelsmford - great shop.
Enfield, did that used to be Red Baron Models?
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: essex2visuvesi on January 25, 2016, 12:27:09 pm
Showing our age now lol First proper rc car came from there... Tamiya super champ
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: destroyer42 on January 25, 2016, 12:33:01 pm
I think the stores are owned by Ripmax. Destroyer 42
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 25, 2016, 12:45:02 pm
Ripmax created the Hobbystores chain by basically buying up independent shops. Originally they just owned the shop at Camden Town, which was known as Aeronautical Models, and was I believe where Ripmax started. They used to get a lot of end-on-line stock, so it was a good shop to pick-up a bargain back in those pre-internet days.
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: sparkey on January 25, 2016, 01:38:38 pm
Ripmax created the Hobbystores chain by basically buying up independent shops. Originally they just owned the shop at Camden Town, which was known as Aeronautical Models, and was I believe where Ripmax started. They used to get a lot of end-on-line stock, so it was a good shop to pick-up a bargain back in those pre-internet days.
Bought my first radio from there in the eighties that was a Ripmax made by Fatuba,it was a great shop in its time so sad......Ray.
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Delboy1958 on January 25, 2016, 02:01:17 pm
Hi martin Yes it was Red baron.
Ripmax sold it to Irvine about 5 or 6 years ago.
D
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 25, 2016, 02:22:16 pm
The shop staff knew nothing about it until the morning senior managers came round and asked for the keys to the premises.
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: sparkey on January 25, 2016, 02:51:44 pm
Same thing happen to a pub in Wandsworth road,told staff that they were shut for the weekend for redecoration,when they came into work on the Monday they had pulled the pub down which upset a lot of people living round there ,post note to this,the building was a listed grade 2 and had a conservation order on it,the council were not too happy about this as the owners didn't have permission to do this,they have got rebuild the pub using the same materials and got a £50,000 fine,the way some firms treat their staff these days is disgusting and to close down without giving the staff notice is unexceptable....Ray.
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: Nemo on January 25, 2016, 03:00:37 pm
"What's a shop,Grandad?"..."Well,once upon a time....."....
Some weeks ago a lad about 10 yrs old came up to me and asked what the black stuff was on the deck of my ship. I said, 'Its coal for the boiler' and his reply was (no lie!) 'What's coal?' I just stared at him for half a minute then, patiently, tried to explain what 'coal' was. %) %) %)
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: inertia on January 25, 2016, 03:19:23 pm
The shop staff knew nothing about it until the morning senior managers came round and asked for the keys to the premises.
I heard the same thing happened at the Nottingham branch. No-one had been warned. The first time I found out was when I turned up to buy something and found the place locked and empty. I decided then and there that if they could treat their staff and their customers so shabbily then I wasn't going to use them as a supplier again - and I haven't. DM
Title: Re: Hobby Stores shops close
Post by: lakesidebob on January 25, 2016, 03:42:13 pm
Well said Int. think we all feel like that nowadays...Loyal employees are just treated like ****! and these companies want THEIR ***** kicked....
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Klunk on January 25, 2016, 04:32:43 pm
My old company did the same to me. We were in receivership as the parent company in spain went in to a Spanish court to protect the owners from bring sued. On the Wednesday morning we had a meeting with Ernst and young the receivers and we were told the company buying the uk section were keeping all sections of the company. At 4pm that day I had a phone call to say me and 45 of my friends had no job. We had been closed down with no consultation. A lot of companies treat their staff with contempt nowadays. I never used hobby stores even though we had one 15 miles away as the parking around the shop was a nightmare. I feel sorry for those who are losing their jobs.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: grasshopper on January 25, 2016, 05:04:36 pm
Unfortunately it is the way things are done now. A decision is made high up and the shop closed without notice and the staff out of the door before they can pilfer any of the stock. Similarly in an office environment, the 20 minute rule applies, pack your desk up, collect your personal effects and out of the door before you can download client lists or do any damage via you computer etc..
Years of faithful service add up to zilch in the end, they're too afraid of what they could lose or suffer from when they yank the plug. You get paid for lack of notice and there's no money in sentiment.
I can understand more and more specialist shops closing down. I tried owning a model shop for a couple of years, great fun, met a load of interesting people but a lot of customers were the same, came into the shop, played with all the gizmos and stuff say they'd come back later, then went and bought it for a couple of quid less on the Internet, you might get the odd purchase when they needed something in a hurry, especially late on a Saturday afternoon because they wanted to fly, sail or race or race on the Sunday!
The best bit would be when they would call in when they had a problem with their Internet purchase and expect us to repair or replace it free of charge or under warranty then wonder why we weren't that accomodating
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Brian60 on January 25, 2016, 05:48:14 pm
Similarly in an office environment, the 20 minute rule applies, pack your desk up, collect your personal effects and out of the door before you can download client lists or do any damage via you computer etc..
Similar happened to me when I took retirement. I never got a retirement party or gift even though I had over 30 years service, just six colleagues came to me and shook hands before I walked out the door.
I did get my back vis a vis sabotage of a kind. My office supervisor who was responsible for nothing happening was a self serving cow ( I do not use the words lightly) used to pass down to me all the collation work as she had not a clue when it came to using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. She even got me to do her Powerpoint presentation when she applied for a higher position!
Anyway I tied up all the calculations in 'behind the front page' macros. On the last day when I sat out the day in the managers office playing games on his computer - so my replacement could begin to take over my desk, it was fun to see them trying to make changes to the pages :} They could add and subtract figures but they couldn't alter the way they were calculated it was farcical, the whole team of 4 people stood around my desk staring at the computer screen and scratching their heads.
I got a call from IT the following week to ask how I had locked the Excel sheets, they were kind of in awe when I told them I had converted the functions to macros, they had not thought of that. They scrapped the sheets and began again {-)
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: BFSMP on January 25, 2016, 06:19:07 pm
I got a call from IT the following week to ask how I had locked the Excel sheets, they were kind of in awe when I told them I had converted the functions to macros, they had not thought of that. They scrapped the sheets and began again {-)
you weren't vindictive enough Brian.
I would have denied all knowledge of anything and left them to sort it out themselves..........or demanded triple time for 3 days work cash in hand to sort out the "anomaly"
Luckily I never suffered such bad personnel practices whilst in work or I might have been tempted to turn to sabotage in some way..
Jim.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Dave Cook on January 25, 2016, 06:48:23 pm
It,s The people,s fault that buy on line ,instead of supporting there local model shop. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
Dave
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 25, 2016, 06:58:28 pm
As far as buying modelling stuff is concerned the underlying problem is that while there is a market there is not a sufficient local market to support local shops so online purchasing is inevitable unless you can get all you want at shows.
However it is still possible to support UK based businesses over the internet but many people still insist on buying direct from China to save a quid or two despite often receiving inferior quality products. Maybe China is the only source for some items but I would always try and buy in the UK first if the price is fair.
Colin
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 25, 2016, 07:00:57 pm
Online retailers haven't won out simply as a result of cost. It's also about choice, being able to select what you want rather than what the shop has in stock, or what the owner wants to sell to you.
With regards to buying from China. Pretty much everything in the model world apart from niche products is now made there, whether you buy local or overseas, you tend to end up with the same product. Just the price differs.
I think Ripmax are on thin ice personally. Their online presence lacks the sophistication of competitors.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 25, 2016, 07:03:35 pm
Not sure I would agree with the above, there is plenty of model boating stuff still produced in the UK, including Kits but I agree that most electronics comes from China these days.
Colin
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 25, 2016, 07:11:31 pm
Model boat kits are what I'd categorize as niche. Many model shops don't even stock them.
I'm referring to batteries, electric motors, radio control equipment and associated electrickery.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 25, 2016, 07:32:46 pm
Yes, but you can't make a model boat just out of electric bits - you need lots of other stuff as well. Constructional materials, wood, GRP, paint, propshafts, propellers, maybe fittings etc. etc. etc. and you can source most of those in the UK even if the items sometimes originate in other parts of the world. And we have excellent manufacturers of speed controllers. Batteries don't always come from China either.
Colin
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 25, 2016, 08:16:46 pm
I do need to source materials for projects, but they're almost invariably not from model shops. I tend to make almost everything from scratch, as I like to do things that way, and also because my tastes are unusual and generally commercial items aren't suitable.
If I want GRP, I go to a GRP supplier, paint- car paint suppliers or Halfords, propshafts I buy metal stock from a metal supplier and machine my own, same with propellers and fittings.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: ballastanksian on January 25, 2016, 08:58:03 pm
My fellow model club members have often mentioned buying cheap stuff from China and have later complained they had problems just as often. I accept that much electrical stuff has been made in China/Far East, but I assume that UK companies who use components test a sample of each batch before soldering them onto boards etc? Maybe they don't, or have a reputable components supplier??
My local model shop has no interest in stocking much in the way of Model boating supplies. The prop shafts and tubes I bought there last year were in varying stages of warped (admittedly they were not the highest end ones available anywhere) but then they are self confessed RC aircraft enthusiasts and so aim their stock and product towards that interest.
I hope to be self employed as long as possible as I would hate to think I might enjoy that sort of treatment :((
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Brian60 on January 25, 2016, 09:36:05 pm
To be honest the internet while doing a great deal of good for communication has really sounded the death knell for small retailers, not just model shops. Once it was realised Bob Smith could run a business with next to no overheads and also source much of his stock very cheaply from China, the small High St retailers were on to a hiding.
But what goes around comes around. Many of these small suppliers are now in the same boat, the customers they robbed from the High St have now realised they can save even more by sourcing direct from China themselves - just wait 10 days for delivery which is acceptable if you are saving ££££££'s.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: cos918 on January 25, 2016, 10:00:39 pm
I have just ordered some micro pre wired LED from China . I paid 25p with free P/P . From the UK it is 1.20 +P/P . Guess were the UK supplier gets the leds from ,yep China .
John
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: RAAArtyGunner on January 25, 2016, 10:51:06 pm
It,s The people,s fault that buy on line ,instead of supporting there local model shop. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
Dave
:o :o :o No it isn't >>:-( >>:-( <*< <*<
I buy on line, why, because if the item is available locally it is ridiculously over priced. Too many want to get rich quick. Gone are the days when 10% profit was aimed for. These days the minimum profit margin is 100% plus, even for items sourced from the far east.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: raflaunches on January 25, 2016, 11:10:25 pm
It's a shame that model shops close as they seem to get fewer and fewer. I tend to buy a mix of online and model shop, I have a very good shop close to where I work at Kings Lynn and two realtively decent shops at home in Wellingborough and Rushden. I buy some specialised fittings from Modelling Timbers in the Isle of Man and a few other manufacturers. I'm lucky to be in range of a big model boat manufacturer at Peterborough but I've seen what was a brilliant model shop in Wellingborough thrive then shrivel away because the owner neglected his base of sales- model railway and scalelectrix enthusiasts. Without them the niche modellers don't have a chance of a shop dedicated purely to boats other than the Model Dockyard in Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: BFSMP on January 26, 2016, 07:47:41 am
However it is still possible to support UK based businesses over the internet but many people still insist on buying direct from China to save a quid or two despite often receiving inferior quality products. Colin
I agree Mr Bishop.
We should all buy from British outlets if at all possible.
Jim.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Brian60 on January 26, 2016, 08:15:11 am
We should all buy from British outlets if at all possible.
Jim.
But that is the point we are making here.
Yes you can buy from a British outlet, but more often than not they have sourced their product from China very cheaply and put a massive mark up on it. Why buy locally when you can get the same object pounds cheaper by ordering it direct?
My last purchase I wanted a laser engraver/cutter. From the UK supplier it was going to be close to £3000 :o From Ebay it was near £1100 a massive difference. However I did a bit of digging and contacted the manufacturer in Hong Kong, I got it for just under £400 :-)) delivered. It didn't come from China oh no, it came from a big warehouse in Germany where they have 100's of them for supply to Ebay shops.
Now why would you give a dealer in the UK a massive profit margin of £2600? That's not profit that is ripping off the customers.
Somebody else mentioned led's. I now source all my electronic stuff where I can from China. Led's from Maplin, 80 pack £7.99 plus postage. Led's from China 100 pack 99p postage free. It's a no brainer that people will buy direct, its no good harping on about shops having overheads, people look at the base line first and that is price difference.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: tigertiger on January 26, 2016, 08:52:23 am
... the 20 minute rule applies, pack your desk up, collect your personal effects and out of the door before you can download client lists ...
I always made regular 'backups' of client lists and other useful information, to a thumb drive. ok2
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: sparkey on January 26, 2016, 09:13:28 am
The down side of all this online shopping is the road traffic it generates,in London it is becoming a major problem with thousands of white van delivering parcels everywhere,I live in a cul-de-sac and years ago it was very quiet with little or no traffic, now we get loads of vans down here delivering peoples online purchases,the trouble is that this road is so narrow that we cant get out when there are vans delivering and if you get two or three they have trouble turning round and getting out again......Ray.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 26, 2016, 09:22:30 am
I did say in my original post buy in the UK if the price is fair. It is of course your opinion as to what constitutes 'fair' in any particular case.
I do think you need to be very careful when buying direct from China or via EBay though. Like a previous poster, I needed some white 12v LEDs. My usual first port of call, Component Shop, didn't list them and a general search turned up an EBay supplier offering them at a ridiculous price. So, on the basis of 'what have I got to lose?' I ordered some. They turned up about ten days later from Hong Kong but were not 12v LEDs at all but ordinary ones with resistors soldered into the tails and covered in shrink wrap - not what I'd expected at all. It didn't matter too much as I wanted them for interior lighting and the bulky, stiff tails just made the installation a bit untidier than I would have liked. They would have been useless for mast lights though.
It also left me with the nagging thought that somewhere in China there is some kid spending all day soldering resistors to LEDs in probably not very nice conditions.
As far as buying larger items is concerned there are plenty of horror stories of people buying cheap lathes from China and finding the bed warped or other defects. There are of course perfectly good examples but how can you be sure you are getting one? And if you buy direct and there is a problem, will you be getting any aftersales service - and if so in a language you can understand?
In China they build down to a price and if the purchaser wants it low then quality can suffer as the recent publicised instance of almond paste being adulterated with peanut paste which is a lot cheaper but which is dangerous to people suffering from peanut allergies demonstrates.
Colin
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 26, 2016, 11:18:26 am
I think you need to know what you're doing if buying direct from China. LED's are not 12 volt ready, if they are, they have a resistor built into the component.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: sparkey on January 26, 2016, 12:45:20 pm
Yesterday I ordered some bits from Component shop and got them 10 mins ago,first class service and the the parts are always very good and value for money,so why order from abroad when you get service like this,company's like this deserve to thrive and did I pay over the odds I don't know but as the order was about £25 so who cares,I rather have the service thank you.............Ray.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Subculture on January 26, 2016, 04:59:05 pm
Nothing wrong with component shop, however they have a limited range of equipment, and if the desired item falls outside of that, you need to look elsewhere.
Sometimes that will be on these shores, sometimes it will be overseas.
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: cos918 on January 26, 2016, 05:29:54 pm
component shop micro LEDs 1.12 pounds so X20 = 22.4 pounds .http://www.componentshop.co.uk/12-v-warm-white-micro-led.html. Plus P/P 2.95 so total is 25.35. Same LED pre wired from Ebay 4.99 pounds for 20 with Free P/P from china , saving you 20.36 pounds for exactly the same product . Ok I take the point I will not get it in a few days put I can wait 2 weeks no problem . Just plan your work in advance .
John
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Robotnik on January 26, 2016, 08:15:01 pm
The down side of all this online shopping is the road traffic it generates,in London it is becoming a major problem with thousands of white van delivering parcels everywhere,I live in a cul-de-sac and years ago it was very quiet with little or no traffic, now we get loads of vans down here delivering peoples online purchases,the trouble is that this road is so narrow that we cant get out when there are vans delivering and if you get two or three they have trouble turning round and getting out again......Ray.
Don't worry, in a couple of years you'll hardly see any white vans anymore, the skies will be buzzing with Drones though. :)
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: sparkey on January 26, 2016, 08:20:37 pm
{-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 26, 2016, 08:27:37 pm
There's still one independent shop near us, Geof Stubbs of Oundle. Goodness knows we how he keeps going. He's mainly old style Aero stuff ... anyone know his story, has there been an article about him?
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: Howard Q on January 26, 2016, 10:58:56 pm
As I live on the Isle of Man and only have one shop supplying hobby items everything is difficult to obtain, the shop owner is very helpful but obviously restricted to what can be sold and still return a profit, a general cross section with no particular area covered, with the recent restrictions on postal deliveries this problem has been further compounded. Internet buying of goods for my hobby model boats has become a way of life, the companies I use on a regular basis are both friendly and offer an excellent service, the one problem that arises on a regular basis is, some UK firms treat the Isle of Man as overseas and charge postage to match, as we are within the Royal Mail system this can be frustrating, I recently attempted to order a small item that would fit into a small jiffy bag and was quoted automatically £5 postage, but!!! credit to the supplier, on contacting him he emailed me back with a reduced price and promised to change the automatic postage rates on his site. I was as guilty as most, if not all of us, looking for a cheap item only to find the shops that we visit have gone, driven out by excessive High Street rents and overseas purchases reducing the footfall, unfortunately this is only the start and we are masters of our own destiny, the saying "use it or lose it" is very prominent and can only make our hobby much more difficult. Howard Q
Title: Re: Hobbystores shops close
Post by: madboats on January 26, 2016, 11:22:57 pm
I remember the model shop i used when i started this madness in the mid 60s Ron Jackson was the owner, the shop was on Bar st in Scarborough. I was an apprentice then so money didn't go far built of plans in them days.If you were building and funds were low mid week he would let you have it on tic and you would square up with him on payday One lad got a Kraft Gold Medal radio £200 which was a fortune back then on tic He would not sell you anything if fell you weren't to take that step in your hobby he would not rip you off Sadly he died with cancer in the 70s a sad loss I often wonder if paid a visit for a day what he would think of the advances hobby of rc boats & planes
Title: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Robotnik on March 08, 2016, 10:33:02 pm
Another model shop closes down, Tooleys in Northampton.
Title: Re: Another model shop lost, Northampton
Post by: Arrow5 on March 09, 2016, 10:30:40 am
The Inverness Model Shop has closed too <:( :(( Nearest in Highlands is Dingwall Sports and Model Shop. :-))
Title: Model shop closure
Post by: Howard on January 02, 2017, 09:28:41 pm
Hi Gents, Just to let you all know another model shop has now closed in North Lincolnshire SHERMANS in Scunthorpe closed it's doors on Dec 31st very sad been using it for nearly 40 years.
Regards Howard.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: timg on January 03, 2017, 08:48:11 pm
Hi Howard,
That's sad news
I would pop in the shop if I was working in the area , Fingers crossed we don't lose any more. ..
Spud
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: nemesis on January 04, 2017, 01:05:52 pm
The only way that we will not lose more model shops is to patronise them, yes, we may pay slightly more but that is made up by the free advice we need from time to time. nemesis
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Dave Cook on January 04, 2017, 06:32:41 pm
I echo Memesis , Very sad , these guys are trying to make a living in very small margins, i always buy from my local model shop ( 20 miles away) rather than the internet because i get advise and get to look at the goods , and if there are any issues he just sorts it . LONG LIVE THE MODEL SHOP.
:(( :(( :(( :(( :(( :(( :(( :(( :(( :(( :((
Regards Dave
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 04, 2017, 06:48:08 pm
Quite right but lots of people on here are just pleased with the very low prices they can get from China. They are not willing to spend a bit more to keep the UK trade afloat whether retail or internet/mail order.
Colin
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Bob K on January 04, 2017, 06:55:26 pm
I am lucky having Mantua Models in Windsor just half a mile down the road. I am probably in there every week, buying paints, materials, and bits where there is never enough info on the internet - you have to actually see it. Another advantage is that there is a load more they have which isn't on their web site.
Support your local model shop. Saves on postage fees, and saves waiting till the Post arrives.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: cos918 on January 04, 2017, 07:28:39 pm
Quite right but lots of people on here are just pleased with the very low prices they can get from China. They are not willing to spend a bit more to keep the UK trade afloat whether retail or internet/mail order.
Colin
And when said local model shop sells items from China at a big mark up . All people are doing is cutting out the middle men ,no harm in that.
John
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: gregk9 on January 04, 2017, 08:01:03 pm
But what do people do who are not lucky enough to have a good local Model Shop? I for example used to get my basic supplies from Hobby World [sorry to advertise], however their range of suppliers like paint and plasticard products has declined and now stopped...so my next nearest is probably 30 miles away....so I have to rely on internet now, purely on costs.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: bikerdude999 on January 04, 2017, 08:02:34 pm
I am lucky having Mantua Models in Windsor just half a mile down the road. I am probably in there every week, buying paints, materials, and bits where there is never enough info on the internet - you have to actually see it. Another advantage is that there is a load more they have which isn't on their web site.
Support your local model shop. Saves on postage fees, and saves waiting till the Post arrives.
Unfortunately we aren't all that lucky, I do like to go to 1 shop because it's a proper old shop, not even got a til, just a pen and paper, and a draw with the cash in. But, it costs about £3 of fuel to get there and back, so that almost evens out the P&P, and it is predominantly planes, with a few plastic kits on the side. So apart from wood and glue, not a lot of use.
The next nearest shop I know about is a gallon of fuel to get there and back, a pain to find anywhere nearby to park, got 1 or 2 little racks about 18" wide with a few boat bits on (which are low quality and high price). Wood, metal and plasticard is a ridiculous price, and ESC's, batteries etc are significantly dearer.
So as much as I would like to support a local shop, I don't have much choice. I tend to use Cornwall Model Boats, and Always Hobbies. For ESC's I buy the 'EX-Demo' direct from Mtroniks
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Stan on January 04, 2017, 09:25:31 pm
We are very lucky here in Leeds the model shop is still up and running offering a good service.Good stock levels on all sorts of items good e/mail service.Otley Modelsport just the job for model cars.Airtek hobbies near Huddersfield mainly aircraft but some good deals on one direction speedos The first two have good parking well worth a visit.
Stan
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Bob K on January 04, 2017, 10:11:25 pm
All I am saying is that if you have a model shop nearby then support it, otherwise it may not be there in the future.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Stan on January 04, 2017, 10:17:43 pm
HI Bob have to agree. Use them or loose them.
Stan.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Fred Ellis on January 05, 2017, 02:44:49 am
I agree that we should support our local model shop,( mine is a 40min drive away) but when you go into your local shop and ask for boat parts and you get a reply sorry do not do boat parts, as there are so few of you it is not worth us stocking any parts but I can sell you RTR boat.
Ask for any rod or strip over 12" long, you get sorry do not do it as it takes to long to resort it after some one has put it back in the wrong place,
Now if I was into Train's - Planes - Helicopter's or Car's then they would bend over back words for me.
So you see for me the Webb is the only way to go.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on January 05, 2017, 01:32:36 pm
And when said local model shop sells items from China at a big mark up . All people are doing is cutting out the middle men ,no harm in that.
John
ALL products are sold at a mark-up, that's how the shop earns money to stay open. Along the way they take the risk of stocking stuff that might not sell, having it to hand so we don't need to wait for shipping and offering advice and assistance.
Cutting out the middle man is fine if you are happy to see the demise of the model shop. Just don't complain when the middle man isn't around to sort out problems and the man in China couldn't care less about you.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on January 05, 2017, 06:40:17 pm
ALL products are sold at a mark-up, that's how the shop earns money to stay open. Along the way they take the risk of stocking stuff that might not sell, having it to hand so we don't need to wait for shipping and offering advice and assistance.
Cutting out the middle man is fine if you are happy to see the demise of the model shop. Just don't complain when the middle man isn't around to sort out problems and the man in China couldn't care less about you.
Spot on mate :-))
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Shipmate60 on January 05, 2017, 06:57:18 pm
You do get a better class of insult from our local shop. Not had a coffee in a long time so customer service is not as good as it was. 1 possible saving grace is that unbuiltnautilus does have a grasp of the basics and you can get some good advice almost free of charge. Wouldn't swap a face-to-face over the counter chat for purely internet shopping. I look on it more as a social exercise keeping him off the streets and secure behind the shop door.
Bob
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: cos918 on January 05, 2017, 06:58:24 pm
ALL products are sold at a mark-up, that's how the shop earns money to stay open. Along the way they take the risk of stocking stuff that might not sell, having it to hand so we don't need to wait for shipping and offering advice and assistance.
Cutting out the middle man is fine if you are happy to see the demise of the model shop. Just don't complain when the middle man isn't around to sort out problems and the man in China couldn't care less about you.
with out naming said shop or item . The uk Shop sell item for 1.20 each + p/p . Same item from China is 5.64 for X20 items with free p/p so that works out at 28 pence each . Uk has over a 300% mark up . This is one example of many . For advice there loads of places ,forums ,you tube ,manufacturers website or email etc . How many people who work in model shops use the stuff ? Yes shops can make a profit but there limit and 300% is taking the "xxxxx" . I have worked in a model shop. Most good shops will know whats selling and whats not so will stock the correct stock . Man in China takes pay pal . If man in china gives no answer there Pay pal steeps in and you get a refund . Done this before .
John
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Buccaneer on January 05, 2017, 07:34:09 pm
I would love to support my local model shop. Unfortunately it is Westbourne Models, and £6 fuel and car parking before I even go through the door. John
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on January 05, 2017, 07:51:11 pm
You do get a better class of insult from our local shop. Not had a coffee in a long time so customer service is not as good as it was. 1 possible saving grace is that unbuiltnautilus does have a grasp of the basics and you can get some good advice almost free of charge. Wouldn't swap a face-to-face over the counter chat for purely internet shopping. I look on it more as a social exercise keeping him off the streets and secure behind the shop door.
Bob
Why, Bob, you old sweetheart, I knew giving you discount would one day pay dividends...I am however still waiting for that day :}
Posted from behind the cage.
PS, would love 300% mark up, lucky to get 30% these days. What is p&p from China for a sheet of ply and a couple of metre lengths of balsa anyway??
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on January 05, 2017, 09:57:50 pm
with out naming said shop or item . The uk Shop sell item for 1.20 each + p/p . Same item from China is 5.64 for X20 items with free p/p so that works out at 28 pence each . Uk has over a 300% mark up . This is one example of many . For advice there loads of places ,forums ,you tube ,manufacturers website or email etc . How many people who work in model shops use the stuff ? Yes shops can make a profit but there limit and 300% is taking the "xxxxx" . I have worked in a model shop. Most good shops will know whats selling and whats not so will stock the correct stock . Man in China takes pay pal . If man in china gives no answer there Pay pal steeps in and you get a refund . Done this before .
John
How much profit IS a model shop allowed to make? I don't think anyone running a model shop is getting rich, even with the massive 98p markup. Maybe they pay the people working in the shop too much money?
As someone else has said, how much for a sheet of ply from China?
And man in China might give refund if goods don't turn up, but what happens if they don't work as expected? He's done his bit, you are on your own. If PayPal refunded every time someone has a grumble, and judging from other forums they won't, then they will go bust.
A model shop will be able to help in lots of ways, not just a refund on faulty goods. I can't understand why people are so keen to see them go.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Jonty on January 07, 2017, 11:35:42 pm
The problem seems to be that most people have no understanding of what is involved in running a high street shop, or any other business for that matter. No understanding of the cost of borrowing money, taxes, business rates, insurance, utilities, and all the rest. If we are to prosper as a nation our education system needs to address this.
I owned and ran a hardware and DIY shop, not so different from a model shop, for ten years. When a lad came to work for me I would tell him that he should never go in the pub next door and mention figures. Suppose we took £360 one day, that did not mean that I had £360 to stick in my back pocket. I would then show him a couple of simple sums:
Takings 360 Less VAT 60 300 Cost to restock (50% GP) 150 150 Overheads 40 110
His wages £50 My wages £60
But on a bad day, and there plenty of them after 2008, we might take only £180 - do the sums yourself. And we were trying to compete with people working from their garages, and in China where the government is reputed to cover the seller's postage costs.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: NFMike on January 07, 2017, 11:57:55 pm
with out naming said shop or item . The uk Shop sell item for 1.20 each + p/p . Same item from China is 5.64 for X20 items with free p/p so that works out at 28 pence each . Uk has over a 300% mark up . This is one example of many .
With Jonty's post above in mind ... That's 300% (shock horror) of very little. (There are ruder versions.) It's 92p. At minimum wage, excluding any other overheads, that's about 8½ minutes. It probably takes 5 minutes to do the paperwork, pack and address it, so by the time you take the other overheads into account there's precious little left of that 300%. I'm not even a shopkeeper, but this sort of failure to understand basic economics is frighteningly common. In a similar vein, how many people price their car journeys by the cost of petrol? Yes, most of them, because that's the only cost they see day-to-day. Servicing, tyres, depreciation all get ignored but can significantly add to the cost per mile (I'm ignoring fixed costs like tax and insurance).
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: tigertiger on January 08, 2017, 01:39:35 am
Exactly true . 300% or more is not unusual on small or slow moving items, even in Walmart
BTWThe full cost of running a car is in the region of a pound per mile. Unless you own an older car one of the biggest costs is depreciation.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: derekwarner on January 08, 2017, 02:13:05 am
Yes TT...every component in driving a motor vehicle costs........being self employed for 20+ years prior to retirement......I did understand tyre costs :-))
In OZ & my humble 2.4 litre Mitsubishi wagon chew tyres at a cost of 13.33 cents per kilometre O0.... and that is with a very conservative driving manner
Derek
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Onetenor on January 08, 2017, 04:20:37 am
I agree that we should support our local model shop,( mine is a 40min drive away) but when you go into your local shop and ask for boat parts and you get a reply sorry do not do boat parts, as there are so few of you it is not worth us stocking any parts but I can sell you RTR boat.
Ask for any rod or strip over 12" long, you get sorry do not do it as it takes to long to resort it after some one has put it back in the wrong place,
Now if I was into Train's - Planes - Helicopter's or Car's then they would bend over back words for me.
So you see for me the Webb is the only way to go.
B&Q and similar stores stock , meter long rod studding, extrusions etc Yes they may be mixed up but generally easily sorted
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Onetenor on January 08, 2017, 04:25:47 am
B&Q and similar stroes stock meter long rod, studding, extrusions etc/ Yes they may be out of place but easily sorted if you keep your eyes open and have patience. John
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Subculture on January 08, 2017, 04:55:03 pm
Years ago a lot of stuff available in model shops was made by companies based here in the UK or in Continental Europe. Japanese companies started to make big inroads in the late 70's, but the supply was always via UK distributors.
Fast forward to today, and most of the stuff comes from China, and via the internet they've worked out how to trade directly, hugely undercutting the more conventional supply chains.
I think there will be a small amount of model shops that manage enough trade to stay open, but the days when you could find one or more in almost every high street are gone and will not return.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Colin Bishop on January 08, 2017, 05:15:07 pm
There are a lot less modellers about these days too so a much smaller market than there used to be.
Colin
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Subculture on January 08, 2017, 05:27:24 pm
Maybe so. Paradox is I've never known such a huge range and high quality of product as we have available today. Who's buying all this stuff?
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Jonty on January 08, 2017, 05:50:18 pm
I think the answer to that one is that wherever you are based you have the whole world as a market, not just the people a bus ride away.
An Ebay shop helped us to survive, and we had Australians tell us that it was easier for them to buy their flypapers (!) from us rather than drive a long way to the nearest town and possibly find them out of stock. Most things took just four days to arrive.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: BFSMP on January 08, 2017, 05:51:30 pm
you cannot put a price upon the enjoyment and peace in mind of browsing in a well stocked model shop................something you cannot do on line.
to look at and hold the tactile items on the shelves and displays that you can imagine going into your model [ and items for dolls houses is no different to other forms of modelling, is just immeasurable to a model maker. the smells of wood and other items and the browsing is worth far more to me than a £1.00 reduction of an item from china or on line hobby stores.
sadly this experience will be long gone if people worry about their pocket rather than the experience and joy of a visit to their local shops.
And before anyone tries to put me on the spot and ask when the last time I browsed a model shop............Saturday.....Lancaster model shop and speedy's at Broughton, Preston.
Jim.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: John W E on January 08, 2017, 06:11:40 pm
hi there
I have also learnt Just recently that the model shop I used to go to Gladstones in North Shields has closed down - that is another loss to chalk up on the wall.
As has already been said, I do miss the browsing around the shops - 10 mins to sort out and purchase and 2 hrs looking at the rest of the stuff that you would like to buy. Also talking to friends you would meet from other clubs when they too were browsing.
But lets hope that for every shop which closes we gain another on the world wide web - hopefully. Put it this way = if we could turn back the clocks to 1970 and we had said not long from now you will be able to chat to someone in the USA; discuss prices in the shops there and even purchase from there with ease - and also buy items from Australia - speak to friends easily as well in Australia or indeed around the world - what would we have thought.
So, in balance what we have lost in shops - I personally think it has been well made up for with the Web - in more ways that one.
John
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on January 08, 2017, 06:58:00 pm
So, in balance what we have lost in shops - I personally think it has been well made up for with the Web - in more ways that one.
John
It depends what you want to buy. For some things, the web is fine: RTR boat Speed control RC gear Motors
but for others, mail order isn't so easy: Plywood/foamboard/Depron Sheet of plastic Length of wire/tube/wood Paint
Indeed, paint is a special problem in the UK as it can't be sent through the post, courier delivery only.
You CAN buy all this stuff and have it posted, but the cost is terrific and will put most people off. Going to shows is a way around this for many people, but model boat shows are few and far between so you'll need to plan your build very carefully.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Jonty on January 09, 2017, 08:57:16 pm
I've long felt that the only shops worth visiting are model shops and second-hand bookshops. I buy a lot on the web, but you can't beat a good browse - and the chance of a serendipitous find.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: cos918 on January 09, 2017, 09:58:56 pm
It depends what you want to buy. For some things, the web is fine: RTR boat Speed control RC gear Motors
but for others, mail order isn't so easy: Plywood/foamboard/Depron Sheet of plastic Length of wire/tube/wood Paint
Indeed, paint is a special problem in the UK as it can't be sent through the post, courier delivery only.
You CAN buy all this stuff and have it posted, but the cost is terrific and will put most people off. Going to shows is a way around this for many people, but model boat shows are few and far between so you'll need to plan your build very carefully.
Cost of parking Fuel etc . If you work it out its not very far to travel before Post and Packing would beat the cost of Fuel and Parking . Yes you can get paint in the post . One big plus when buying wood is you can select the good timber . Went to a big DIY store and some of the timber was so warped dont know what you could use it for apart from fire wood . 4d models in london do mailorder sheets of plastic and wood etc
john
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Onetenor on January 10, 2017, 06:19:21 am
Something I've noticed is people saying " A shop I used to go to has closed " Could that be because they " used to go to " if you take my meaning :((
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on January 10, 2017, 11:41:50 am
From where? It's illegal according to the Post Office to put solvents through the mail and I know one paint supplier who concurs and will only ship via courier. Fine if you want a lot, but a bit pricey if it's just a single tin of Humbrol.
As for the fuel/parking, that's the point of a town centre model shop. You get to visit when out doing other things so the cost can be spread amoung all the purchases. I agree that if you make a long and special trip, the cost/benefit changes but most of use have to go into town for other shopping. Some are even told they are going into town for other shopping and the model shop would be the highlight of the trip!
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: IanLloyd on January 13, 2017, 11:01:28 am
This situation is not new and not only for model boat shops. Having raced model cars for many years I have seen 5 local (to me) shops close down making it almost impossible not to have to use the internet. There are other ways to use the internet though, still buying from genuine UK based model shops and not China. This then keeps or at least helps keep, those model shops going. Obviously.
For me personally one of the great regrets I have about local shops closing down is, or was, my regular Saturday morning sit down in the shop with a coffee (supplied by the proprietor of course, I supplied the donuts!) and going through all the bits and pieces they had on show, discussing new parts coming out etc etc etc. I rarely went home without spending something. I really really miss that being able to actually look at in the flesh and handle those bits and pieces.
Now my model car racing days are, while not numbered, diminishing due to age, loss of reaction time and to be honest it is getting quite expensive, my model boat building, or attempting to build, career is blooming. However it is at least an hour by car to my nearest boat shop and they are not all they could be. So again the internet comes into use. I do try as much as possible to use genuine UK based shops that actually have a high street presence (rather that these internet only run from the shed in the back garden type places) as there will be days when I can spend the time to visit that real shop and look at real parts on real shelves. There is nothing better for me anyway. Just very very envious of those of you who have one close by.
My advise for anyone would always be to use your local model shop even if you have to order online from them.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: tigertiger on January 13, 2017, 11:29:07 am
Maybe surprising to some, but model shops are also closing down in China. The city I live in has 7 million inhabitants, and the only model shop we had closed down. In the last city I lived in (popn 6 million) there were two model shops. One for expensive ready to fly models and one very small model shop for people who made models. In Shanghai (popn. 23m), after months of searching I only found two good model shops that were more than toy shops. One was silly expensive and specialized in cars and helicopters but did have some ARTR boats. The other was a general model shop with lots of plastic kits, but also some RC and even a few boat models (maybe 10). Both have now closed.
In China people are too busy for hobbies, and the days of buying your 5 year old the biggest most expensive toy/model have gone.
Even on the main internet selling platform (Taobao.com) it is hard to find any models, other than a few RTR fast boats.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on January 13, 2017, 02:42:57 pm
A couple of years ago, Hong Kong is stuffed full of model shops.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: tigertiger on January 13, 2017, 04:03:29 pm
There is a well known hobby website in HK that is blocked in mainland China. HK is a magical market city with mainland China as the ugly sister
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: spearfish99 on January 13, 2017, 06:07:55 pm
I am lucky that I still have a long established local model shop, which sells a bit of everything. Though I do use the web for specialist items, I use the local shop for as much as I can as well as enjoying a natter there !
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Nemo on January 13, 2017, 07:36:13 pm
In the past 10 years our local hobby shops within a reasonable distance drive have reduced from seven to one. The survivor is more into trains and planes than boats and even then, more kits than parts, so we are hanging on by a thread, or should I say, sprue?
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: skierdive on January 26, 2017, 07:57:16 pm
I've long felt that the only shops worth visiting are model shops and second-hand bookshops. I buy a lot on the web, but you can't beat a good browse - and the chance of a serendipitous find.
My idea of heaven, i could spend all day in a model shop and a second hand book shop.
Ian
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: cos918 on February 26, 2017, 09:19:51 pm
been reading about the business rate rise . Some business in the south are get over 100% increases . I wonder now more model shops this will effect John
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: TheLongBuild on February 26, 2017, 09:49:14 pm
been reading about the business rate rise . Some business in the south are get over 100% increases . I wonder now more model shops this will effect John
Not just Model shops with that sort of increase..
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on February 27, 2017, 03:34:21 pm
It's based on the value of the property. I suspect many model shops aren't in the high street locations that are attracting massive business rate increases so the headline figure might be a bit misleading.
Speaking to Bachmann, owners of Pocketbond, Trumpeter, Toysway, Timpo etc. , last month at the Toy Fair, they are seeing an increase in accounts overall. Not massive, but the number is going up.
As their T&C's require shops to have a physical shop over a certain size and with over a certain number of opening hours, this presumably means that places are opening. Not specific model boat ones, but model shops where you can buy paint, glue etc. Better than nothing and if modeller use them, they will thrive.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: cos918 on February 27, 2017, 06:24:03 pm
It's based on the value of the property. I suspect many model shops aren't in the high street locations that are attracting massive business rate increases so the headline figure might be a bit misleading.
Speaking to Bachmann, owners of Pocketbond, Trumpeter, Toysway, Timpo etc. , last month at the Toy Fair, they are seeing an increase in accounts overall. Not massive, but the number is going up.
As their T&C's require shops to have a physical shop over a certain size and with over a certain number of opening hours, this presumably means that places are opening. Not specific model boat ones, but model shops where you can buy paint, glue etc. Better than nothing and if modeller use them, they will thrive.
Why is it miss leading ? Shops in Westminster are expecting rises of over 100%. This was on TV,Radio and Newspaper. Ok not many model shops if any in Westminster . 4D models are not far away . Yes it is based on property value . The south especially the south east has seen massive increase in value in the last 7 years .
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Nemo on February 27, 2017, 06:52:07 pm
I agree that we should support our local model shop,( mine is a 40min drive away) but when you go into your local shop and ask for boat parts and you get a reply sorry do not do boat parts, as there are so few of you it is not worth us stocking any parts but I can sell you RTR boat. Ask for any rod or strip over 12" long, you get sorry do not do it as it takes to long to resort it after some one has put it back in the wrong place, Now if I was into Train's - Planes - Helicopter's or Car's then they would bend over back words for me. So you see for me the Webb is the only way to go.
DD - I think (reading between your lines!) that we share the same shop! The word 'Hobby' may be in it's title? I have been using this establishment since I took up this hobby some 8 years ago and have struggled with the previous owner (a flier!) to supply more boat bits and he did make an effort. I told his wife one day that I honestly supported them rather than get many things from the Internet, to which she gave me 10p/c off every time she served me! When the shop changed hands about a year ago it has gone downhill, as you say in favour of the few fliers, engine drivers and tankies etc, whereas we boaties are almost ignored for specific boat parts. Like you, I went looking for strip planking recently and what he produced was a pathetic handful of odd bits which were no good at all, but he let me have the lot for a quid. I doubt if he intended to get more in! I presume there is a lot more income elsewhere. :(( Bob.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: MartinL on February 27, 2017, 07:07:58 pm
Nemo, I think you,ll find that the model shop you talk about has lost all its model fliers as well. If your into trains or plastic kits your well in. I have recently got back into boats after a 15 year lay off, still keen flyer as well though, some mates and I traipsed across the county into West Sussex looking for boat stuff only to be told they don,t do much. We now do a bi monthly trip to Chatham and stock up there. Failing that it's tinted net.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on February 27, 2017, 09:25:02 pm
Why is it miss leading ? Shops in Westminster are expecting rises of over 100%. This was on TV,Radio and Newspaper. Ok not many model shops if any in Westminster . 4D models are not far away . Yes it is based on property value . The south especially the south east has seen massive increase in value in the last 7 years .
The headline figure is something SOME shops may face. They don't know the actual figures yet and even then there is transitional relief for a couple of years. Some will actually see a redution in business rates.
Most model shops are not based on the high street in London. Even 4D is in a backstreet well away from the pricier bits.
All I'm trying to do is be optimistic, or at least not all doom and gloom. Newspapers need to do this to sell copies but there's no need to for Mayhemers give up all hope. New model shops are opening, probably away from the SE of England where most of us live!
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on February 27, 2017, 09:36:21 pm
Maybe it is time to promote your local model shop then?? Rather than concentrate on the negative aspects of the hobby. Not everyone has a model shop just round the corner and has to rely on Chinese imports, but if you know of somewhere supporting model boating..SHOUT IT OUT! Stop moping about, there is too much of that out there already..
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on February 27, 2017, 09:44:50 pm
Maybe it is time to promote your local model shop then?? Rather than concentrate on the negative aspects of the hobby. Not everyone has a model shop just round the corner and has to rely on Chinese imports, but if you know of somewhere supporting model boating..SHOUT IT OUT! Stop moping about, there is too much of that out there already..
Very sensible. Near me are no model boat specific shops, but:
Dolls Domain (www.dollsdomain.co.uk (http://www.dollsdomain.co.uk/)) stock wood, glue and paint. Also some 1:12 details that I've used on boats. Classic Train and Motor Bus (www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/shops/136-ClassicTrainandMotorBus (http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/shops/136-ClassicTrainandMotorBus)) stock paint, plastic and metals.
Both in Leamington Spa.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Colin Bishop on February 27, 2017, 10:13:43 pm
Model shops will only stock what people will buy and it is fairly clear from numerous posts on this and other Forums that most modellers prefer to go down the cheapest route even if this means ordering direct from China.
Colin
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Howard Q on February 27, 2017, 10:24:40 pm
Yes I agree, our model shops are having a lean time, living as I do on an island, Isle of Man, various items needed for our hobby of boat building are expensive or unable to be posted so I am pleased that our last remaining shop is still in being, the old adage, use it or loose it is very true, the lady who runs ours is extremely helpfull and tries to stock a good cross section of paints both in aerosol and tinlets along with balsa, ply and various glues, so it goes without saying I am a regular visitor, the shop is Model World Ramsey, :-)) (no connection with a similar name from the past), thus I will say a big thank you to her. Howard Q.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on February 27, 2017, 10:34:57 pm
Model shops will only stock what people will buy and it is fairly clear from numerous posts on this and other Forums that most modellers prefer to go down the cheapest route even if this means ordering direct from China.
Colin
Well, to misquote a film I have not seen...If you stock it, they will come.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: justboatonic on February 27, 2017, 11:47:16 pm
Well, to misquote a film I have not seen...If you stock it, they will come.
Ive ran a retail outlet on the High Street for just over 4 years with my wife. It wasnt a model shop but we couldnt make it pay. We ended up losing £90k in cash by the time I had to close it down.
You say stock it and they will come. First, unless you specialise in one aspect of the hobby ie all cars or all boats or all planes, you're never going to stock 'everything' unless you have massively deep pockets. If you specialise in one aspect of the hobby, say, boats, then you're not getting any customers for cars or any aircraft related parts.
So you get a customer in and he says "Have you any 4 bladed clockwise rotation 5 bladed brass props, 80mm?" Damn, you've just sold your last one. So you say "Sorry but can order. Going to be 5 days and £x.xx"
If the customer says Nah forget it, you've lost the sale. If the customer says ok, you've either got to 'make' a bigger order to make it worthwhile or you get stiffled by the wholesaler who has a minimu order amount (1 prop plus p&p) that's £10 please. So you tell the customer that'll be £10 please and he says forget it, i'll buy it for 5 quid off the net.
People dont realise how difficult it is to run a shop and the actual economics of it. Customer buys 1 or 2, shop owner has to buy 8 to 10 to have stock for 1 sale. If he's lucky, the shop owner might make a few pence profit on a single prop.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: roycv on February 28, 2017, 03:40:32 am
When I was a lad I would call into RipMax (Camden Town) every Saturday, pretty well everything that was available was in there. early 1950's. I always bought something. Now there is just too much for any one shop, I have just returned from Oz and there is a model shop near Gosford I think, contents has to cover everything, model railways to dolls via drones and plastic kits. I asked about a made up model sailing boat on display as I quite fancied it but it was a long gone kit so unavailable! Not helpful to me but looked nice on display but pointless from a sales point of view.
My son wanted a code 75 curved left hand point and as mentined above it was just not a stock item. Three weeks delivery and a deposit required and rather expensive.
A new retail model is needed, I am guilty also of shopping on line a lot. Sunday afternoons seem to be my peak time. Manufacturers launch their new kits ( Deans Marine ) at large German trade fairs which we are not invited to. I did go to one in Germany (Nurenburgh) representing Model Boats magazine 25 years ago and it is an eye opener for what is available.
However there is a failing on the on-line part of shopping as you may well not know something exists so do not look for it. A visit to a shop or even trade fair might well start a new interest. Maybe 'they' should let us in to trade fairs?
Having several interests is also useful as I remember answering a query many years ago from a boat modeller on where to find some handrail 'knobs' I pointed him at larger scale model railway spares where they are a common item.
I saw a new model railway product on ebay auctions going for bargain prices, now this has stopped and these items are only available from the web site. I suspect that this is a shrewd guy who has just done a bit of very cheap advertising of his products. I can buy a cheap esc for £5 free p&p wait 2 weeks and it is mine. Bringing that sort of trade back to the UK or where ever is going to be difficult.
Someone is going to come up with the obvious solution and we shall say why did'nt I think of that?
Maybe an out of town super market with everything in stock a small lake and a flying field plus a model railway, lots of demonstrations, an associated club(s) perhaps? You pay a small fee to get in or perhaps for parking and you buy and take it home with you. Going to cost a lot of money to set up though. regards Roy
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Ron Rees on February 28, 2017, 06:50:07 am
Hi All, All your comments I read with interest having been a modeller for 60 years and attempted most disciplines and interests, I also owned my own Model Shop, which has unfortunately gone, like so many others. For purely financial reasons a shop owner must stock what sells the fastest and gives the best profit margins, in my time and probably the same today it was the current 'Fad' that helped pay the bills. In the 80's it was electric buggies and all their spares that kept us going, today it appears to be Drones. I have always had a love of model boats but when I bought the shop I was into flying scale and as a business owner promoted trainers and all their kit offering trimming, first flight testing and to some even lessons, this helped increase the footfall from local aero clubs a bit but not much. After the Fad of the time, it was keeping 'All the bits' one might need generally, including adhesives, balsa and ply, covering, paints, nuts and bolts and so on and all this stuff costs an absolute fortune.
Members of the Boat club I had been a member of a few years before started coming to the shop when they knew it was me who owned it and they bought a few bits but constantly asked me to start stocking Boat stuff, Lesro, Caldercraft, Billings kits etc soon joined the boxes on the shelves and then Couplings, propshafts, fuel tanks, marine engines and thicker plywoods and GRP resins...but hardly anyone ever came back and bought this stuff. A K&S rack was a major purchase for a model shop and you had to have the whole thing including all the aerofoil and wing spar sections of brass. Apart from being the worse thing to stock take and restock, the price labels fell off the strips of metal and so on.
Anyway, now...over 30 years after closing the shop, I am still using my old stock of shafts, couplings, motors, K&S metals and strip hardwood planking!!!
Granted we have had a couple of recessions and you can't eat model stuff, but modellers are a fickle lot in the main and any shop owner who tries to please everyone, unless they have won the lottery, will go to the wall after a few years. The overheads to run such a shop are horrendous and from newspaper reports are likely to get worse.....The old adage is still a good one..."If you want to make a small fortune, start with a large one!"....very true of the model business.
Anyone thinking of trying to start a model business today, these are my recommendations, Don't give up the day job....Pick a niche in the market and don't deviate from it. Don't rent or buy a retail premises (Money PIT) work from your shed or garage. Don't borrow money from the banks to fund it, they'll take back the free umbrella they gave you for opening the account as soon as it starts to rain.
I drive 40 miles each way to support the nearest proper model shop to me, for all the rest...I'm afraid I buy it on line....It's desperately sad but we reap what we sow. It took me 15 years to financially get over the loss of the shop and we lost our house as well, so you can't blame me for being cynical........Let the Model shop buyer beware.
Ron.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on February 28, 2017, 08:04:40 am
Having had the pleasure of being in this business for about thirty years, and having been through the ups and downs of it more than I care to remember, here are my thoughts.. 1) Never Listen To What Your Customer Thinks You Should Stock. They do not know what they are talking about, they are customers, and will desert you quicker than rats off a sinking ship. It is your business, you know what sells, don't fall into their trap. I have done this on occasion and it is really annoying. It would be nice for the customer to see a range of high price items on your shelf so that he can pick just one of them, but that does not guarantee that the rest will sell to other customers. 2) Never Fill The Shop With What You Think Are Great Products Because You Use Them In Your Hobby. You are in the model shop because you know what you are talking about. Joe Punter might not have the same appreciation of that weird Multiplex radio that you use, and would much rather have a forty quid stick set instead, stock lots of those and one of the decent set. 3) Don't Specialise. It would be nice to be the One Stop Shop for everything marine related, but that just aint possible, unless you are in a shed out in the wilds of England ( Well done by the way :-)) ). You need a broad spread of things on the shelf. Modelling is seasonal, outdoor stuff when the sun shines, plastic kits and railway in the wet winter months, slot cars just before and four months after Christmas, figures and materials for the architectural students in the Autumn and Spring, WWI tanks for school projects, the list goes on. So, don't think it is easy because it isn't, but then again what is in this world?
We have been here since 1957 and have seen everybody else come and go, it has not been easy to say the least, but we have a decent customer base, cheers guys, you know who you are, and it is growing all the time. so pop in, watch me drink a cup of tea (we are not a tea shop you know), have a browse about, maybe pick up something for that next project. You can always suggest something we should stock, but I will refer you to rule 1) above.....
We cannot hope to stock everything, but we hope to make your shopping experience a little easier..
:-))
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Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: tigertiger on February 28, 2017, 08:25:21 am
Adding to what has been said by Ron Rees and Unbuiltnautilus.
You can select just a niche and work from your shed, OR stock a wider range. What is important is having a customer base who can access your products. In this day and age, this usually means an online presence, be it Facebook, or dot.com. Fratton models has both these :-)) , and the ability to sell online. It does not need to be online payment, it can be email sales.
The only small independent High Street retailers still in business in my hometown are those that are lucky enough to own their own premises. No mortgage, no rent. I think the only remaining hobby people seem to afford is throwing empty beer cans at the seagulls.
The phrase 'use it or lose it' is a bit of a cliche, and IMHO a bit of a cop out too. The world has moved on, like it or not. Even if we don't want or believe in any of these newfangled interweb/horseless carriage thingies. If Norman Tebbit's dad were alive and looking for work today, he would go online.
Much as we would like, we can't turn back time.
Just my 2c, but what do I know?
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Ron Rees on February 28, 2017, 12:21:15 pm
30 years and still going, well done unbuiltnautilus...you have more stamina and drive than I managed, and thanks for the comment tigertiger.
Thinking about my average week back then and probably what yours is still like now, I'm sure the lovely boaters on here have little idea. Just a brief resume:-
Monday 10.00 till 6.00pm (No lunch breaks..sndwich or sausage roll on the go)..serving, unpacking and running shop. Tuesday ..same all day..7,30 till 10.00pm Running sponsored 1/10th car racing club. Wednesday...same as Monday plus doing the orders sheet for next day. Thursday 10.00 till 2.0pm, Afternoon off was spend going to model suppliers, Ripmax, Irvines, Model Technics etc in the van and buying from the warehouse. Thursday evening, pricing it all up and restocking shelves, Friday 10.00 til 8.00pm...late night, Saturday 10.00 till 6.00pm. Evenings Cashing up, totalling for the week, Banking (Wall Safe)...Sunday mornings...VAT, PAYE, paying bills, Doing the main ledgers...till two o'clock and if time going to the flying club, also helped to found that club. Plus each day, Hoovering and wiping down before we opened...All day wrapping and taking Parcels to the Post office...changing window displays, tidying up and if any time left...repairing models for customers and sorting out problems.
Only one week holiday in 8 years and worried about the shop and staff all week, came home early to deal with a problem. Add VAT inspectors, Reps at all hours, Inland Revenue..and the Banks...
What a fun life we had.............still I did enjoy it...but then...I am a bit mad.
Well done Frattons......I really hope you get all the support you obviously deserve. and I hope all your customers realise what a great shop they have....Must pop in when I'm in Pompey again.
Ron.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on February 28, 2017, 12:30:28 pm
Currently consuming a ham sandwich and cheese and onion crisps, while sat at the back of the shop going over emails ok2
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: tigertiger on February 28, 2017, 12:35:26 pm
Ah! Luxury. We don't have cheese and onion crisps here <:( . If they did I would put some into a ham sandwich :-)) and chomp away. Two sugars with my tea.
Well mentioned about the out of hours stuff. Lots of people forget that shopkeepers don't just go home for the night when they shut up shop for the day.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: KOI on February 28, 2017, 12:39:19 pm
Hi, thought I would add a controversial point of view. The customer base is limited, so to drive profit, each shop needs to maximise the sales of the available demand. However the priority is doors open, lights on and available for business. To do this, you need to cover the costs on a daily and weekly basis. I don't see that there is any inducements for the modeller to buy from a shop when, prices, availability and lead times are inferior in the majority of cases. Don't forget how many times you buy from amazon, due to availability and lead time and then realise you have paid through the nose! As someone who runs a couple a businesses with £30m in turnover, it is about retention of the customer base. Loyalty, incentive schemes work, upselling and cross selling are fundamental part of business these days, just look at the supermarket models. I don't see anyone suggesting, that as committed members to a forum, an excellent one in that, that we would attract preferential prices, either directly or indirectly. A tie in between the forum and model shops, that wish to be associated with the forum, could be agreed. Forum members, could yield a discount from the model shops, based on £'s spent, for every £50 spent, a 5% discount as an example, go back to the onset of this post, doors open, lights on. Don't forget that it is us as consumers, that drive what the shops and internet providers offer. My piece complete on the topic
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on February 28, 2017, 12:46:10 pm
Hi, thought I would add a controversial point of view. The customer base is limited, so to drive profit, each shop needs to maximise the sales of the available demand. However the priority is doors open, lights on and available for business. To do this, you need to cover the costs on a daily and weekly basis. I don't see that there is any inducements for the modeller to buy from a shop when, prices, availability and lead times are inferior in the majority of cases. Don't forget how many times you buy from amazon, due to availability and lead time and then realise you have paid through the nose! As someone who runs a couple a businesses with £30m in turnover, it is about retention of the customer base. Loyalty, incentive schemes work, upselling and cross selling are fundamental part of business these days, just look at the supermarket models. I don't see anyone suggesting, that as committed members to a forum, an excellent one in that, that we would attract preferential prices, either directly or indirectly. A tie in between the forum and model shops, that wish to be associated with the forum, could be agreed. Forum members, could yield a discount from the model shops, based on £'s spent, for every £50 spent, a 5% discount as an example, go back to the onset of this post, doors open, lights on. Don't forget that it is us as consumers, that drive what the shops and internet providers offer. My piece complete on the topic
Interesting..more to follow..back to work :((
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Ron Rees on February 28, 2017, 05:58:57 pm
Have to answer you there KOI.
I agree with what you say but compared to big business the British model shop is almost a cottage industry. A lot of model shops will offer a discount to local club members but on most items the mark-up is very tight indeed. Items like sundries and stuff you buy in bulk and bag up yourselves can be discounted, but there is little leeway for bulk discounts on many of the larger items like kits and so on. Back in the 1980's there were some selling battles going on, I was Chairman of the MHTF (Model Hobby Trade Federation) at the time and all the shop owner/members of that organisation knew exactly what the main protagonist was up to. Buying every single one of a new shipment of popular kits and selling them on at cost. The idea being to draw customers to his business where they might buy the other bits needed for the kit. He also managed to wangle extra quantity discounts from suppliers, we couldn't compete. In the end he went seriously bankrupt and took some suppliers for hundreds of thousands of pounds....needless to say his antics ensured that not only customers but suppliers and other traders walked away and wouldn't sell him anything at all..
Big business ideas only really work if you have serious clout and a lot of ready cash to threaten or back it up. He had neither and the trade suffered.
The main advantage to a well run and stocked model shop is the chance to learn from the experts, feel and look at the goods you are thinking about. Most model shops, certainly the ones who survived for any time were those that treated their customers well, were friendly, helpful and enthusiastic....That is what has been eroded over the years and a couple of quid off will never bring that back.
Ron.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: KOI on February 28, 2017, 07:50:29 pm
Hi Ron, agree with the sentiments in your response. However, without appearing rude, if the shops don't change, there will be no shops. The biggest captive audience that the model shops have, is the modeller. The largest meeting point for the modeller is the largest modelling forum. Hence to promote the business they must entice the audience of the forum. The larger online companies, having the highest hit rates on the web, they have to stop the modeller at source from searching the web. I have a loyalty card for gardening products, which promotes that I look at them first. Hence I don't use a search engine for gardening products. Model shops cannot compete with most on line businesses due to overheads, selection etc, only service, knowledge and advice normally differentiate them from the crowd. Unfortunately the added value of the proprietor is undersold, when price and selection are involved
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Colin Bishop on February 28, 2017, 08:35:56 pm
Koi,
I think you are missing the point a bit. The basic reason for the closure of model shops is simply that there are far fewer modellers than there used to be. Years ago a local model shop would be supported by local footfall. That has all drained away now. To survive, a model shop needs mail order and online sales. If Fratton models offered 5% off for Mayhem members (how do you prove that?) I would not take advantage as it is a 1hr 15 minute's drive away from me and I can almost certainly get a better selection from Cornwall Model Boats online.
Also, whilst Mayhem may be a popular forum, it's ongoing membership is far smaller than the circulation of the two Model Boating magazines which also carry advertising so the average modeller will probably use one of those advertisers as first port of call.
There may be local exceptions but the reality is that the traditional local model shop is on its last legs and has been for a while now.
As has been said, times change and we need to adapt.
Colin
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: KOI on February 28, 2017, 08:55:03 pm
Hi Colin, understand your point, however I guess Nokia reverting to the basic principles of a mobile phone, the rebirth of the Record for music would not have happened had they have said things have changed, audience is smaller etc. I only offer a suggestion as to how the might of the Internet, sorry forgot to mention I used to work for Amazon, has changed the principles of shopping. 35% of all GDP is traded through the Internet, perhaps we should just roll over and accept no more human contact when we purchase. A halfway house might be support the independent model shop through on line purchases, you can talk to the expert and also purchase. I don't high street shop, but try to use the independent. Re the audience decline, the only option is diversification. A bigger basket of goods. Yes capital tied up in stock, but what other option does the retailer have. We can moan, complain, but only actions will support the shops
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: jarvo on February 28, 2017, 09:15:46 pm
Howard Q, is the model shop in Douglas still there? it was in a small shopping center, on the 1st floor, seemed to mainly do cars but had some boat bits
Mark
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Howard Q on February 28, 2017, 09:38:24 pm
Hello Jarvo. No, the shop has long gone, we only have the one in Ramsey now that you can call a model shop, like a lot of other shops this lady covers Airfix, Revell, Dolls House, some railway items, and a number of usefull items for boat builders, with only a small Island population she is working hard to keep everybody happy, she is the epitome of good old fashioned customer service, the small shopping centre you mention has been sold in it's entirety to Sports Direct and is being gutted, just one shop left, only time will tell what will happen, I am not holding my breath on a pleasing outcome. Howard Q.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: jarvo on February 28, 2017, 10:11:31 pm
HI Howard, yes when we visited i managed to have a look at the Ramsey shop as well, very much a mixture of stock, what ever to stay in business, pity the "proper" shop has closed
Mark
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Kevgarth on February 28, 2017, 10:30:29 pm
Again like so many have mentioned on here I think the model shop like other shops that specialize on the high street are struggling if you have a coffee shop well you seem to be doing alright??? Even at £4 a cup!!! I agree with the gentleman who said there's not the people doing this hobby now that there were some years ago now without getting on a political issue here personally I think a lot was to do with the Sunday trading where for me my Dad would take me model boating on Sundays whether it was to the local lake or a national regatta, and when the Sunday trading started all families ended up walking around the shops instead of doing their hobbies or they be working. I remember the Model Engineers Exhibition up at London as a kid in the early / mid 70's and WOW the choice of traders specializing in all sorts of different materials etc, I think this was before model boat kits were as big as what they are today as modelers then scratch built there models and the model shop was the place to get the items to help them build them. Its like the RTR models today you take them out the box and you turn the radio on and your away even the batteries are supplied in most RTR models, again if you didn't purchase the model from the local model shop they have not part to play with this product. Please don't think I'm knocking the kit or RTR models the choices out there are massive but with all the bits included there's no reason to go to the local model shop. I live in Bristol which has two model shops one does a range of everything the other just concentrates on flying planes/helicopters and its been like that for some time now, as I remember visiting friends in Essex years ago now and they took me to the Essex Model Centre in Harlow and they catered for all modelers there and it had far more stock and range than anything we had here in Bristol. I even understand that shops gone now? Its a great shame as this was pre-internet days but obviously it picked up on the north London and surrounding areas trade.
A friend of mine at work said to me a few weeks back even the kids that used to go fishing with there Dad's on weekends don't go anymore as he said when he grew up and on weekends he would go fishing with his father and granfather but the kids today don't want to go, so its not just the model boating that the younger generation don't want to get into anymore.
Regards Kevin
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Howard Q on February 28, 2017, 10:38:41 pm
Hi Jarvo. In all honesty we never had what you would call a shop dedicated to boats, even the Douglas one you mention was heavy into aircraft/helicopters and as you say rc cars, you get as many people at a football match as we have in total population, this is the reason for our brave shop carrying a cross section of items, my first model boat had to be ordered by a shop on the Island, and this had to slot in with a bigger order, this was over thirty years ago so things have not changed very much, As can be appreciated for me mail order for special items is a necessary evil, although I try to use just UK retailers. I can say I have always had first class service. Howard Q.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on March 01, 2017, 12:00:05 am
On the subject of discounts. Over the years we have offered discounts for club members, model boat and railway and aircraft clubs. The problem was that they were a majority of your customer base. So, in effect you were reducing most of your profit on most of your products. Great in the Boom years, not so good in the Bust years. Recently we have first reduced, and now done away with our club discounts. If you want to survive, you have to be ruthless. Now, an interesting thing has happened, which goes against some comments and suggestions about the Great British Buying Public. When given the choice of a 5% discount, or a well stocked model shop, all bar one person went with the well stocked shop, happily. The lone voice against may have been joshing about, but to be sure, we took him out the back and had him shot :} . Which makes Joe Customer just that bit more wise in my eyes. We have to back up their support with product at a decent price, there is no need to be the cheapest out there, just don't take the p**s with inflated, silly prices. Where we are in Portsmouth, higher price point stuff is a no-no anyway, Pompey has a bit of a glass ceiling, which keeps us grounded ( It also makes our second hand boats pretty decently priced..plug plug!!). Also the Pompey mentality makes us stubborn!! Anyway, it is midnight and I have to be elected Chairman of the PMBDT tomorrow, if not, more time for modelling :-))
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: phil_parker on March 02, 2017, 07:26:14 pm
My parents are in Portsmouth for a holiday at the moment. Yesterday, my dad rang me to rave about Frattons, telling me what a superb shop it was. Excellent stock and very helpful.
Sounds like you are doing something right. He bought a few bits last time and will probably drop in on his way home tomorrow.
All in all, it sounds like you know what you are talking about!
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Yarpie on March 02, 2017, 08:20:36 pm
Of far greater importance "unbuiltnautilus", how went the PMBDT election?
Much better than the recent American one, and with far less acrimony one would hope :} .
Having been a retailer I would thoroughly agree with much of what has been said on this thread about the exigencies of selling model boat accessories to the great unwashed. One of the deeper pitfalls was to accede to the wishes of punters who wanted that "special item" and never to turn up to purchase/collect. That is a recipe to an over full stockroom of unsaleable items, given time.
Sandy.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on March 02, 2017, 11:49:06 pm
My parents are in Portsmouth for a holiday at the moment. Yesterday, my dad rang me to rave about Frattons, telling me what a superb shop it was. Excellent stock and very helpful.
Sounds like you are doing something right. He bought a few bits last time and will probably drop in on his way home tomorrow.
All in all, it sounds like you know what you are talking about!
I deny everything :}
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on March 02, 2017, 11:55:00 pm
Of far greater importance "unbuiltnautilus", how went the PMBDT election?
Much better than the recent American one, and with far less acrimony one would hope :} .
Having been a retailer I would thoroughly agree with much of what has been said on this thread about the exigencies of selling model boat accessories to the great unwashed. One of the deeper pitfalls was to accede to the wishes of punters who wanted that "special item" and never to turn up to purchase/collect. That is a recipe to an over full stockroom of unsaleable items, given time.
Sandy.
We have some of those 'special order' items knocking about, mostly RC Car bits though. Specialised boat bits...that's just selling sand to Laurence of Arabia, my other chosen specialist subject, never been stuck with a weird boat bit..maybe that Marx Variable Pitch Prop Assembly...and the Hawn Bilge Pumps, but that is going back some years..
Chairman Unbuiltnautilus, but you can call me Sir.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: derekwarner on March 03, 2017, 02:35:34 am
No not Sir....how about .. "The Honourable Sir UBN Esquire" ?.......
ha ha... congratulations.......Derek
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: U-33 on March 03, 2017, 08:53:34 am
All hail to the Most Reverend UBN, Chairman and all round boss man. Arise, you Pompey subjects...arise, and salute your Master!!
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on March 03, 2017, 10:07:46 am
YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE REBEL ALLIANCE AND A TRAITOR!!! I'll get you!
A little off topic, but you customers make me like this!!!
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: U-33 on March 03, 2017, 04:56:38 pm
I sense a deep disturbance in the Force....
(especially in Portsmouth.....)
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Shipmate60 on March 03, 2017, 05:59:32 pm
Sir, didn't know you had been knighted. Always has been and always will be "Watch-that-Alan" Always a good supply of insults in a "nice" way, but have noticed the coffee has dried up.
Bob
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Stavros on March 03, 2017, 06:43:43 pm
Arise SIR Alan...... Milk 2 sugars in my coffee please
Dave
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: Yarpie on March 03, 2017, 07:37:50 pm
An appointment not before time, dare I venture Your Excellency. :D
Here's wishing you fair winds and calm seas.
That also goes for Fartin' Model Shop .......... just to remain on-topic. O0
WHAT typo ... ??
Sandy.
Title: Re: Model shop closure
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on March 03, 2017, 08:11:28 pm
Why thank you gentlemen. Who knew the way to a modellers heart ( or wallet! ) was through a simple cup of coffee... Don't hold your breath, times is 'ard mate!!
Title: HSL Mouldings - Closed
Post by: mudway on March 22, 2017, 06:22:32 am
I went to order something today and got a shock. They are gone.
http://hslmouldings.co.uk/
Title: ANOTHER shop closes
Post by: BFSMP on March 26, 2017, 04:37:59 pm
just had a phone call from my mate to tell me that the model shop at Lancaster on Skerton bridge has closed down permanently, after a 50% sale over the last few weeks.
does anyone know why, as it looked to be a thriving shop when ever I went along for the ride.
Jim.
Title: Re: ANOTHER shop closes
Post by: Colin Bishop on March 26, 2017, 06:14:29 pm
Too much online competition apparently.
See posting here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=126027&p=1
Colin
Title: Re: HSL Mouldings
Post by: mountfleet on March 26, 2017, 08:46:39 pm
Hi HSL mouldings figures & fittings are now part of Mountfleet. They will be going on our web site soon. Contact us if you want to order. Adam
Title: Re: ANOTHER shop closes
Post by: justboatonic on March 26, 2017, 11:25:10 pm
Goodness, this wasnt just a boat shop as well. He did just about everything and like many owner stores on the High Street, just couldnt make enough money. I think Speedy Models is currently my nearest physical shop at Broughton!
Im not sure its just 'internet' shops that have done for him because he sells on ebay and has an internet presence himself. More likely, it is the crushing rent and rates, mountain of red tape from H&S and the council, insurance and just about everyone going in and wanting 10% discount.
I ran a High Street outlet for 4 years and couldn't make it pay. People coming in and saying they could get the same item on the other side of town for 95% less that you were selling for. You knew they were lying and eventually you tell them to go buy it there then! We had an old girl who was dodgy on both legs and walked with sticks fall over on a perfectly flat floor. Course we got sued and thankfully had insurance but even so, the worry while all that stuff is going on is unimaginable.
We had our shop window put in one Saturday night and the number of times we were greeted on opening in a morning with a half eaten kebab, pizza or piece of excrement shoved through the letter box was just utterly beyond comprehension. Never again.
Maybe we'll end up with a High Street we deserve, empty and boarded up. (Apologies for the rant!)
Title: Re: HSL Mouldings
Post by: mudway on March 27, 2017, 01:49:21 am
Adam,
Thanks. No hurry, I'll wait until they are up on the website.
Title: Re: ANOTHER shop closes
Post by: malcolmfrary on March 27, 2017, 08:15:25 am
just had a phone call from my mate to tell me that the model shop at Lancaster on Skerton bridge has closed down permanently, after a 50% sale over the last few weeks.
does anyone know why, as it looked to be a thriving shop when ever I went along for the ride.
Jim.
He's been doing it for 28 years, and has got to the feeling that enough is enough. I feel that the nearest model shop to me is going to be Skelmersdale, after reading the online reviews of the one near Preston. But for bits n pieces that are not strictly boat, I noticed that the dolls house and craft shop on Waterloo Rd bridge has Humbrol and a balsa display.
Title: Re: ANOTHER shop closes
Post by: boat captain on March 27, 2017, 09:28:12 am
Anyody going to Scale Hobbies (Skelmersdale) phone him to make sure he is open, as he only opens certain days of the week.
Title: Re: ANOTHER shop closes
Post by: malcolmfrary on April 05, 2017, 06:21:42 pm
Quote
But for bits n pieces that are not strictly boat, I noticed that the dolls house and craft shop on Waterloo Rd bridge has Humbrol and a balsa display.
So I had a walk down there today and.. shop window all papered up and no signs saying if the business has relocated. Yet another door closes.
Title: Another model shop to close.
Post by: robbob on November 29, 2017, 05:49:43 pm
I saw in the London Evening Standard today that 308 Hobbies, probably the last remaining model shop in London is to close in the new year. This article in the local paper gives more detail. http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/holloway-road-insitution-308-hobbies-to-shut-forever-1-5294185 'Another one bites the dust' 😡
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Klunk on November 30, 2017, 04:19:43 am
I used to frequent 308 when under the management of Richard then Jamie Nichols. I even helped at sandown show with them until elmbridge stopped running the show back in the 80's. Jamie then ran the shop as a computer store for a while. I did go in under the present owners, but at the time i was out of modelling due to work and family. A sad demise, if i had the money i would run it, but as the article says the internet is a game changer, but i feel there is still a niche for model shops. It's getting the balance right.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: roycv on November 30, 2017, 09:24:48 am
Hi Klunk, I remember visiting when it was Henry J Nichols and the RC had valves in. The trouble is that when you have the easy opportunity of buying things cheaper on-line what are you to do?
Would I be right in thinking that our young generation do not have the wide spread of hobbies that I remember back in the '50s and 60s? One of the by-products of having a hobby or several is that it can guide you into a congenial working life. You find out early without having to re-invent yourself every time you have a work interview to fit the job criteria.
Did not mean to hi-jack the thread, so another one bites the dust. regards Roy
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Klunk on November 30, 2017, 09:29:38 am
I think you're right on both counts.. ..although i buy via the internet i prefer going to model shops. I like to discover things on dusty shelves! And ask a kid today what's their hobby, and you will probably get the answer 'what's a hobby?'
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: roycv on November 30, 2017, 09:41:27 am
Hi Klunk, I agree in my younger days you had a sort of relationship with the model shop, my one was Rip Max in Camden Town. You could buy a kit and take it in to show them when you had finished. I do seem to recall that Model boat clubs were different then, everything was i/c engines and speed no radio so watch out. I remember one guy used my small electric boat as a target and virtually destroyed it, that was on the Whitestone Pond. He was quite pleased with himself. I also seem to remember going up behind him and pushing him in the water and then making a dash for it, well I was only 11 or 12 at the time. So I never joined any clubs ontil the 1980s when there were more of my type of boats around. regards Roy
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: robbob on November 30, 2017, 12:31:23 pm
I was a very infrequent visitor to HJ Nichols back in the day, a bit of a long bus ride from Finchley, and I only went there because they stocked some items that Blunts in Mill Hill didn't have. Blunts, and in later years Michaels Models in North Finchley, were far more local to me and both took a lot of my hard earned 'paper round' money from me as I recall! Sadly both of those establishments closed many years ago while HJ Nichols carried on even after a change of ownership. I did go there a few times in the 80's, when I worked in Archway, to buy Keil Kraft kits for my young son but never since. I now source all my requirement from web sellers and at model shows because the days of the high street model shop are now long gone. It's true that a few remain but they specialise in certain things, for example Hannants in Colindale, very close to me, only do plastic model kits and accessories so those shops survive because of their niche market presence. I do agree with Klunk that browsing a dusty model shop with the prospect of finding a little bargain item used to have a special appeal, and the heady mixture of aromas of balsa wood, dope and thinners, glow plug fuel and pipe tobacco made a visit to the local model shop a very pleasant experience. So the closure of 308 models is sad but inevitable and I wish Richard Harris a long and pleasant second retirement. Robbob.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 30, 2017, 01:00:36 pm
Yep, I remember visiting the shop when it was Henry J Nichols, Holloway Road, North London,
Other great model shops from the past;
Wally Kilminster, The Triangle, Wembley. H A Blunt & son, Mill Hill roundabout Apex corner (?) The model shop on Parkway, Camden Town, London - what was it called before it was Ripmax, Hobbystores, Al's Hobbies? Michaels Models, Finchley Pardon Mill Model shop, Harlow, ... another model shop in Harlow, in the Stow shopping centre, Midway Models, Leicester, Maritime models, Greenwich, Orton Models, Peterborough.... What Model shops have you been too in Rose Tinted pass...?
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: imsinking on November 30, 2017, 01:23:32 pm
Anyone from the dim & distant past in Liverpool/Lancashire - Wirral :P would remember Stan Catchpoles in Renshaw (Bold Street ? never could remember which) , and slightly further afield Alpha Models in Ellesmere Port , Model Engineers were well catered for by a shop at the bottom of Sir Thomas Street Liverpool ( :embarrassed: name escapes me ) where any sort of brass / copper tube , sheet preform section, was available also the local supplier's of CASCAMITE / AEROLITE 301 {-) how many will know what they are . . . . Bill
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: robbob on November 30, 2017, 02:05:54 pm
FYI peeps.
H A Blunt & Sons of 133 The Broadway, Mill Hill can be seen in this 'photo taken the year of my birth %)
/ AEROLITE 301 {-) how many will know what they are . . . . Bill
Back in the 50's we used that in school to build the frames for our PBK's. Screwed and glued with brass countersunk screws and Aerolite glue. Anyone built a PBK?
Ned
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Liverbudgie2 on November 30, 2017, 02:47:31 pm
Anyone from the dim & distant past in Liverpool/Lancashire - Wirral :P would remember Stan Catchpoles in Renshaw (Bold Street ? never could remember which) , and slightly further afield Alpha Models in Ellesmere Port , Model Engineers were well catered for by a shop at the bottom of Sir Thomas Street Liverpool ( :embarrassed: name escapes me ) where any sort of brass / copper tube , sheet preform section, was available also the local supplier's of CASCAMITE / AEROLITE 301 {-) how many will know what they are . . . . Bill
Catchpoles moved to Bold St., in the late sixties/early seventies after being in Whitechapel for many years. Lost count of the times I had my eyes glued to their big window. There was Hobbies as well, off Church St., where my Dinky cars and HO railway came from (Christmas 1959) and Revel kits @15/6; Woolies of course sold the first Airfix kits @ 2/-. All gone now of course
I can't recall who the metal stockholders were but I was often sent to a place in Duke St,. the name of which escapes me now. For non-ferrous stuff now I go to Mersey Metals in Birkenhead.
LB
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Liverbudgie2 on November 30, 2017, 02:57:21 pm
Back in the 50's we used that in school to build the frames for our PBK's. Screwed and glued with brass countersunk screws and Aerolite glue. Anyone built a PBK? Ned
Ned, Can you please enlighten me as to what was/is a "PBK"
The only things I built at school were a tea tray, which I still have, and steam turbine made from a treacle tin and a shoe polish tin. LB
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Netleyned on November 30, 2017, 03:06:42 pm
PBK Percy Blandford Kayak Ply Frames, Softwood Stringers and a canvas covering painted to waterproof. Thousands were made and used by SeaScouts Scouts and Youth Clubs. Percy Blandford was the Vic Smeed of the Small boat for kids to get afloat. Ned
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Buccaneer on November 30, 2017, 05:49:40 pm
I, like Liverbudgie it would seem, cut my teeth on the 2/- Airfix Kits from Woolworth. I started off with a Spitfire and Gloster Gladiator in the late 1950's. After leaving the Royal Navy and settling down in Ringwood I frequented Westbourne Models for about 30 years, but we all know that saga! John
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Peter Fitness on November 30, 2017, 09:57:27 pm
The same situation applies over here. We do have some excellent model shops in the major cities, and we are fortunate to have one near us, in Lismore NSW, but many have closed. Unfortunately, not much stock for marine modellers is carried, particularly in the more specialised categories such as fittings. Most shops that I have seen do carry stocks of materials such as wood, but for things such as fittings and ESCs we have to resort to the internet. Float-a-Boat in Melbourne are an excellent source of model marine supplies, they offer a prompt mail order service and are well regarded by the marine modelling fraternity here.
Peter.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: BrianB6 on December 01, 2017, 07:31:40 am
I spent many enjoyable lunchtimes during the early 60's when I did my architectural training at the then Northern Poly. just down Holloway Road. We bought our balsa wood and glue for our building models. The highlight of visits was when a Merco 60 was tested in a tiny open area at the back of the shop. I don't know what the neighbours thought. I also visited Ripmax many times and bought E.D, radios and diesel engines there.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: McGherkin on December 01, 2017, 08:42:31 am
I feel very fortunate to have a model shop literally across the road. And to ensure I keep said model shop running, I buy everything through him. Yes, I could get it cheaper online, but then I wouldn't have a local model shop, would I?
As for modelling not being very popular amongst yoofs like me, I think it's mostly due to modelling being a bit 'sedate', plus being interested in engineering isn't very 'cool' these days. Plus there's the instant gratification of just being able to buy a 40+mph catamaran off the shelf, and just charge it up and go.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: tigertiger on December 01, 2017, 10:21:07 am
H A Blunt & Sons of 133 The Broadway, Mill Hill can be seen in this 'photo t...
The shop has a black frontage and is two doors down to the right of the dairy. It's currently an estate agents :(( . ...
I am assuming that most of the trees and grass in that photo have also gone now.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: robbob on December 01, 2017, 10:55:58 am
Hi tigertiger. The roundabout is still there, slightly smaller now but still green and there are still trees on it. The grass verges of the road you see going north of the roundabout (to Apex Corner) were reduced when the road was widened to make it a dual carriageway. The biggest change is the number of vehicles that converge at that junction, many more than the three you see in the 'photo 😕.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Subculture on December 01, 2017, 11:38:50 am
The model shop on Parkway, Camden Town, London - what was it called before it was Ripmax, Hobbystores, Al's Hobbies?
Aeronautical Models. Was never Al's Hobbies, although Ali did start off as the manager of the store before branching off to front his own chain.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: DimReaper on December 02, 2017, 05:03:09 pm
Hi all. Just to say Midway Models is still open for business. If not open knock on house next door. Have been there recently.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: FsASTSyd1 on December 03, 2017, 12:27:16 pm
Can't think how many hours I spent gazing/drooling over the display in the Bassett Lowke shop in High Holborn.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: roycv on December 03, 2017, 01:24:26 pm
Hi, yes I may have stood next to you! Later on in life I was building an early boat kitted (Graupner Condor) but I had the plans and was scratch building and I went in to ask how much stanchions were, I was shocked! I was told they had to come, on order, from Switzerland and the price was equivalent now to maybe £2 - £3 each. So it was very much a gentlemans model shop. I ended up buyng the excellent fittings kit for the cost of 10 B L stanchions (28 needed). As they never reduced their prices they went to the wall early on. I think in the early 60s they sold an electric Streamlinia with radio control for £50. I have never seen one so was later driven to building my own. regards Roy
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: robbob on December 03, 2017, 04:19:19 pm
Hi Roy. Just for you... http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/03/Basset-Lowke.jpg (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8c751)
(I have been playing with the Mayhem image hosting site, I think I've got the hang of it now :-)) )
Robbob.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Mark T on December 03, 2017, 05:34:39 pm
Beatties was in Lewisham South London. I spent many an afternoon in there wishing I had the money to buy a Tamiya radio controlled car. It was a great shop that moved premises after a fire and became bigger and better. Good times.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: robbob on December 03, 2017, 05:48:38 pm
Hi Mark T
Beatties had quite a few in London and around the country, I remember going to the Finchley and Southgate branches.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Mark T on December 03, 2017, 06:50:38 pm
Crickey I never knew that - mind you I wasn't that well travelled when I was 8 years old {-) Its amazing how you think the world works at that age! I do remember the original shop burning down in Lewisham in about 1977 and it moved to a bigger and better place soon after. We went to the grand re-opening and turned up a day too late %%
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Peter Fitness on December 03, 2017, 08:45:01 pm
I visited the Beatties branch in High Holborn during our visit to the UK back in 1997. I bought a 3 car Lima Class 101 DMU set in Network SE livery, which is still operating on my layout to this day.
Peter.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: bfgstew on December 03, 2017, 09:40:52 pm
We had 2 wonderful model shops in Bedford, Goldings and Gascgoines. Think Goldings is still going as it is on the high street and you could buy anything in there. Gascgoines went years ago but it was an absolute alladins cave, one half was full of gardening stuff the other was the model shop. Back half of it was a display area and was full of all manner of models and dioramas. What the 2 lads in there didn't know about modelling wasn't worth knowing about. Very keen to show us youngsters tips and tricks, even had demo's on airbrushing and other magic tricks.........broke my heart when it shut, you could get any model on the planet you wanted. Even had credit as a kid, good old days.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: roycv on December 03, 2017, 10:54:12 pm
Thanks robbob, remember it well. I know exactly where Rip Max was I used to go to Saturday morning pictures and then afterwards go through the market and over the road to Rip Max. I think they used to sell Meccano spare parts as well. regards Roy
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: ballastanksian on December 03, 2017, 11:29:55 pm
We had Martlet Toys and Models in Chichester who boasted separate shops for each across the road from each other (Ooh the luxury in what would become an uber expensive city for shops) Dad and I bought our first kit there, I just remember the tins of blue and red Humbrol we bought to paint the balsa cabin cruiser kit*. They finally closed in the early naughties. In the ninties we had Kits 'n' Bits, who had a wee shop in an Arcade. This was my 'Hobby home' where I bought my first Dragon kit and did a couple of painting commissions. He moved to Southampton and had a three storey shop with basement for the same rent as the wee shop! All gone now <:(
After Trains, Boats and Planes in Bognor finally died for the third time (much to the proprietor's wife's relief financially) a friend of mine opened up a shop on the other side of town and is quite successful. He has a tidy shop and does not stock everything but can order it for you from several online suppliers. His interest is wargaming, but he keeps an up to date selection of model ships amongst other kits and model railway products.
I think things go in phases. What were kids doing 150 years ago?
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: bj on December 20, 2017, 08:46:45 pm
How good is your memory, Martin? On the corner of North Street and Lincoln Road in Peterborough was OLIVER CARLEY's model shop. I am going back here to the 1950's and in Midgate/New Road there was Handicraft's.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: LJ Crew on December 20, 2017, 10:18:06 pm
Nostalgia ain't wot it used to be! But oh it's good to remember. Blunts at Mill hill was one of my "locals". I went to school in Mill Hill and my mate used to build model aircraft kits for Blunts' window display. I occasionally went to "Wally's" in Wembley. Whitestone Pond has memories too. I used to take a B/L "Streamliner" on the 210 bus from Golders Green up there and sail it. How I managed Meths, water etc I don't know. It's all gone now, but the memories haven't. Oh, and I had a ruddy great PBK 2 man sailing canoe.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: boat captain on December 21, 2017, 09:43:25 am
Anyone from the dim & distant past in Liverpool/Lancashire - Wirral :P would remember Stan Catchpoles in Renshaw (Bold Street ? never could remember which) , and slightly further afield Alpha Models in Ellesmere Port , Model Engineers were well catered for by a shop at the bottom of Sir Thomas Street Liverpool ( :embarrassed: name escapes me ) where any sort of brass / copper tube , sheet preform section, was available also the local supplier's of CASCAMITE / AEROLITE 301 {-) how many will know what they are . . . . Bill
The shop at the bottom of Sir Thomas Street was Precision Models.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: boat captain on December 21, 2017, 09:47:25 am
Catchpoles moved to Bold St., in the late sixties/early seventies after being in Whitechapel for many years. Lost count of the times I had my eyes glued to their big window. There was Hobbies as well, off Church St., where my Dinky cars and HO railway came from (Christmas 1959) and Revel kits @15/6; Woolies of course sold the first Airfix kits @ 2/-. All gone now of course
I can't recall who the metal stockholders were but I was often sent to a place in Duke St,. the name of which escapes me now. For non-ferrous stuff now I go to Mersey Metals in Birkenhead.
LB
The metal stockholders you refer to was Slater Metals in Slater street.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: tigertiger on December 21, 2017, 09:59:57 am
I think things go in phases. What were kids doing 150 years ago?
Working in the mines. A report about this (at the time) is what inspired Charles Dickens to write A Christmas Carol. That's my addition to the Christmas trivia quiz.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: Liverbudgie2 on December 21, 2017, 11:03:35 am
The metal stockholders you refer to was Slater Metals in Slater street.
In this case I was thinking of Wiggins Ester (sp) in Duke St. I remember Slater Metals as well, they moved out to Regent Rd. They are still in business by the look of things.
LB
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: mrlownotes on December 21, 2017, 11:13:03 am
How good is your memory, Martin? On the corner of North Street and Lincoln Road in Peterborough was OLIVER CARLEY's model shop. I am going back here to the 1950's and in Midgate/New Road there was Handicraft's.
Oliver Carley was on Broadway opposite the cinema when I haunted it in the mid 1960s.
Back then, to buy a kit I paid a £5 deposit, then returned the following 8 Saturdays to pay £1 instalments. Each instalment took a whole morning round trip (two 6 mile bus rides and a very long walk). Credit cards hadn't been invented. The kit was kept on the top shelf at the back of the shop until the day of my final payment of £2 (Total £14 over 13 weeks).
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: tigertiger on December 21, 2017, 12:34:39 pm
During those days of very strict credit control, those 'lay away' schemes kept a lot of people out of trouble, and gave other access to stuff they could not otherwise buy.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: deadbeat on December 21, 2017, 12:44:15 pm
I also understand that ARTWOX, who make wooden decks forship kits is also to cease trading as the owners take on other new ventures.
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: bj on December 21, 2017, 05:21:22 pm
Oliver Carley was on Broadway opposite the cinema when I haunted it in the mid 1960s.
He opened it in Lincoln Rd using his disability payout as I recall. It was only a short walk from school (now under the foundations of the John Lewis store) Which cinema in Broadway? The Odeon (NOW called the Broadway) or the original Broadway which was opposite what is now the Tesco Metro store. Orton Models is now under the foundations of Wilkinsons. We will discount the Embassy which was a theatre cum cinema
Title: Re: Another model shop to close.
Post by: mrlownotes on December 21, 2017, 05:44:05 pm
Oliver was opposite what was Sheltons dept store. Now also gone.
Title: MORECAMBE MODEL SHOP
Post by: Neil on April 24, 2018, 09:48:52 pm
some months ago it was reported that the model shop at Skirton, Lancaster had closed with the retirement of it's owner.
someone told us that possible staff were working on the opening of a model shop in Morecambe to "replace" the Lancaster shop...............does anyone know whether this happened, and if so, where in Morecambe and what's its trading name please.
thanks.
Title: Re: MORECAMBE MODEL SHOP
Post by: Capt Podge on April 24, 2018, 10:06:46 pm
Hi Neil, a google search revealed a few possible : Could this be the one ? http://www.carnforthmodels.co.uk/
Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: MORECAMBE MODEL SHOP
Post by: Neil on April 24, 2018, 10:44:39 pm
Thanks Ray...........I've also googled model shops and most are trains or plastics in Morecambe.........the one in carnforth has been there a few years now.......but thanks for trying.
there was a member on here who told us about the two guys starting up and said he would let us know when it was up and running but that was a good while ago now.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 01, 2018, 08:07:56 pm
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Bob K on June 01, 2018, 10:24:32 pm
An excellent and informative video. Kinda says it all doesn't it?
Well I regularly buy at my local model shop in Windsor. It is so handy when I run out of things and don't want to twiddle my thumbs for nearly a week waiting for an internet order to arrive. I often jokingly ask if I can get a season ticket, I seem to be in there up to three times a week.
The proprietors take a genuine interest in what I am building, and earlier this week asked for photos. This evening I emailed them three. Just got a reply they have found my Agincourt thread on Mayhem, and will be spending this evening reading through it "while SWMBO watches TV".
If you are lucky enough to have a good local model shop, then support it, otherwise it may go the way of our unique hardware store that closed after Christmas. A real pain. I was in there once a week too. So handy.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: tigertiger on June 02, 2018, 02:11:24 am
Good video, great shop. I did a bit of Google, and there are at least 10 model shops in Helsinki, lucky people; perhaps the long winter nights have something to do with it. The larger model shops in Helsinki, including the one in the video, also have a website and online shop, which is a key to survival.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: surfer71 on June 13, 2018, 10:48:51 pm
:-)) Love that video.. Sadly it's true they are dropping like flies..
Solihull Model Shop was my window I looked though and couldn't afford anything until ONE DAY!
My Dad and I went and got a Glider kit.. DOPE!!! hmmm anyway did I build it .. no !! my dad did? I just looked on at all the pins from my mothers sewing box stabbed and jammed into places I didn't know exsisted while things set!! glue wise!! that smell!!!
anyway my mother looking very despondant at her sewing box now being used in areas she just didn't understand as a woman..... a glider was produced!!!!!!!
To the park we went where... after much excitement !!! it crashed
never did get it to fly well so it got binned!!
alas Solihull models you failed us!! So RC Cars was next on my list and off we went with a Kyosho Scorpion which I have today! along with an RC 10
Lucky Portsmouth has some model shops as the old boys and their boats still make things!! real things!! so for now.. the demand for a shop is real!! long live the shop :-)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Neil on June 20, 2018, 11:54:06 pm
talking of the decline of model boat shops, I read tonight that a new model boat shop has just opened up in Fleetwood...
go and have a look tomorrow and check it out.
https://fleetwoodmypbc.org.uk/
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: tigertiger on June 21, 2018, 01:46:57 am
Good to see a new model shop opening, I wish them all the best.
In fact it is nice to see any new shop opening these days, a reversal of the general demise of the High Street is always welcome.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: roycv on June 21, 2018, 09:32:07 am
Hi all, I remember back in the late 1940's that there were no model shops but I did buy plans from a shop (in NW London, Chalk Farm area) which seemd to sell everything. There was no advice as such, like 'don't do it' I built my first model boat about 20 inches loa from 1/16th balsa and powered by a recovered Mighty Midget motor and a 4.5 volt flat battery. Needless to say it was an undramatic start! Then I remember making my own design 'airboats', which were cheap and the same motor was transferred. The first model shop I remember was Ripmax and they were very helpful but I could not afford the outlay of a model boat kit from my pocket money, which was also financing Meccano (which they sold) as well. My first kits were rubber powered model aircraft at around 2/- (10p), and I built many of them. This was not a model shop just had a side line in these kits. Model boat kits were mainly 10+ times that. I only recently identified the Jetex powered model boat I made as coming from Adamcraft. That went very well but anything more than a £1 was not allowed by my parents. So in reality over the years I have never been a big spender in model shops. I remember buying some Feltra (Gamages) and Veron kits when I could finance them from my own income but really I would rather have had the plans and bought the wood. Kit contents then were mainly just a lot of wood! I had to buy prop shafts and motors etc, but not many. My biggest interest was the Model Maker magazine which I started buying in 1954. Apart from a friend who also built Keilcraft and Skyleada kits we were loners. The 'grown ups' did not want to know us!
The most money I ever spent in one go was a Fleet (non-proportional) RC set and that really worked hard for me in several boats and it was the first RC item I had bought that really worked! I did do some kit reviews but from my background I insisted that the model must be assembled only from the kit, with the usual caveats, glue, paint. There are some very good kits out there and some less so. I agree it is nice to go and chat with someone in a model shop but I suspect that with forums like this one and ebay the writing is on the wall for model shops. The get togethers are now in the many model exhibitions and as we at St. Albans found you have to diversify across the spectrum and of course it is possible to use common components. I have been using some tiny 10 amp esc's in my small boats and they cost £3.99 each and work great, no pause between fwd. and rev. Not sure what the application was but work for me. If you do the finance side and give the model shop owner a modest income of £25K with his shop 'out goings' rent, advertising and profit margins he has to have a turnover of at least £150K. p.a. You can't do that just selling model boats! You can work out the rest. I suggest his best bet is highly disposable items like helicopters? We are doing very well with a few on-line UK traders who have moved with the times and also have been giving excellent customer service and I always use them first if they have what I want.
A close family member once in the Motor industry told me he would like to run a franchise selling cars and here he named several motor car manufacturers, I asked why as I knew he liked the high end cars. He said they go wrong a lot and there is loads of money to be made in the waranty and repair work. I ocassionally buy ebay failures, sometimes local donated model boats and get them working properly, so I do my own warranty work! Kind regards and as usual I have gone on a bit too long, Roy
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: jaymac on June 21, 2018, 11:42:26 am
Hi all, I remember back in the late 1940's that there were no model shops
Well pretty sure we did in Edinburgh more sure some keil kraft kits were 1 and 6 pence rubber powered Ha! my spitfire flew well but I had to go faster extra rubber and extra winds the first run Wow alas the second did one wind too many and just as about to let go she imploded to about 1/3rd of her length must have made a sound job of the hooks and gluing the formers
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: roycv on June 21, 2018, 02:09:02 pm
Hi Jaymac, thanks for your comment my remarks about no model shops was meant to be about model only shops. I never got to H J Nichols and not sure when they started up either. Apart from Bonds of Euston and Bassett-lowke, all the model supplies I bought were from bicycle and similar shops that also had a counter for models aircraft kits. And balsa cement and dope.
My method of transport was bike and trolley bus, (I used to get sick on diesel buses!) we also had a lot of still damaged buildings and there was more pressure on surviving than hobbies. But it does also limit the size of any models you make. My elastic powered aircraft would come apart and travel on my bike to the park but in the main were flown in the street outside. At the price of model aircraft kits the stock holding was quite affordable. When Ripmax opened it was a cornucopia of models of all sorts and I visited every Saturday, but I could still not afford 95 % of the goods. I later reproduced two of the boats I saw in the B.L. window at Holborn, Streamlinia and Sea Jay, this sorted out some of my 'early unrealised yearnings'. But I recall before this going into B.L. to buy some stanchions and each one cost about the same as the model aircraft kits I used to buy and I was told rather loftily that they had to come from Switzerland! No sale there then! This was early 60's. I never went back after this, but at those prices how long did they expect to trade?We have had several model shops come and go locally, but they have to cater for the majority and so aircraft and helicopters were the bread and butter, not much jam here! I may be wrong but model aircraft makers seem to have deeper pockets! As long as I can buy glues, paints and wood, brass and tubing, propellers, RC and servos plus those lovely people who put pen to drawing board and produce model boat plans I shall be happy. OOps must not forget batteries etc. The younger generation do not get the training and skills in dexterity from schools any more which may well be the basic cause of the lack of young modellers. I think they will regret it in the end. kind regards Roy
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Subculture on June 21, 2018, 03:32:59 pm
I'm in my mid forties, so a bit younger than some on here, but old enough to remember when model shops were ubiquitous. I personally think modellers have never had it better in terms of what is available in both quality and price, and have found the internet the perfect medium for purchasing my wares. I can find what I want rather than what a shop has in stock.
It does mean a bit of planning ahead I find, but generally speaking I rarely found what i was looking for in model shops past or present. As primarily a scratchbuilder, I find ebay more relevant than most model shops.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: jaymac on June 21, 2018, 03:47:27 pm
Hi Roy this was a models only shop tiny but well stocked I was fortunate as it and parks were within walking distance or trams which were abundant .Boating no used to love the big yachts down the pond and marvel at how the old geezers seemed to steer them no R/c. building them no we did used to fantasise how easy it would be to break in the boathouse and take one ah wild youth but had the sense to realise where would we keep it or sail it. Batteries funny enough I was pretty clued up on batteries and accumulators (no leccy at home) for our steam radio . Regular trips by tram with the accumulator down to the bicycle shop to get it charged imagine trying that today those were the days Jay
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Neil on June 21, 2018, 04:19:14 pm
just been into the shop, and met the two owners... .very knowledgeable about modern electronics, electrics, brushless motors and such, and from the dιcor of the shop, they mean to be here to stay for a while... ...very nice indeed...at the moment they are concentrating on r/c cars, quad copters, a few plastic model kits, electronic gear, tamya paints and things that kids and dads want to play with for Christmas, but were asking me for a little advice about model boaters like,......and so, glues, epoxies, plasticard, timber and separate sets of radio gear are on the cards...steered them away from boat fittings in plastic packs for the time being and anything that they can get via ebay and the internet for much cheaper prices. they have spent a lot of dosh on setting up... ...I do hope that they will be here for a good long time... ..it's brightened up Fleetwood already.
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: roycv on June 21, 2018, 04:22:01 pm
Hi, yes the yachts, they are part of early memories at Highgate yachting pond, 10 raters and a few A's, beautiful, never liked the vanes much though, spoilt the appearance I felt. I went to a lecture many years ago curtesy of the Model Engineering exhibition and a chap gave a talk on turbines where the spinning part was about the size of the old 2 shilling coin, afterwards I asked him if he was the one I remembered from back then and we swapped a few stories. Well the lake is still there I did hear that a club was proposed then it died. Clubs make groups of like interested members and groups can be a nucleus of starting the model trade up again. The other option is for them to bulk buy and get a discount. I used to do the battery walk for my grandad each Saturday morning, down to the cycle shop where it was swapped for a charged one. Hi Subculture, you sum up what happens now and as you say there is a wide source of items on the Internet. And it does mean that kitchen companies can set up and sell a niche product with a huge range of customers.
Well done Sir Tim, I take my hat off to you, what a gift to give everyone! We must not also forget the free browsers and word processing programmes that forced the automatic supply of cheap if not free s/w. Microsoft and their ilk would have liked to have charged everyone for everything.
Just a thought but a small donation to Martin on this forum is well worth keeping what we have going.
I have got to go and complete some sails I am making! Bye for now, Roy
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: Subculture on June 21, 2018, 09:33:13 pm
Never much cared for Highgate ponds, did run there on occasion, but much preferred the pond at Broomfield or at a pinch Friary Park (long since filled in) which was a bit small.
Highgate is a very deep puddle, so if you lost a boat there, slim chance of recovery. They partially drained that pond a few years ago for alterations, and found a Mk3 Cortina in the bottom! It was rumoured to be a vengeful spouse that caught her husband cheating and decided to submerge his set of wheels. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ford-cortina-found-at-bottom-of-drained-hampstead-heath-pond-10440852.html (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ford-cortina-found-at-bottom-of-drained-hampstead-heath-pond-10440852.html)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: roycv on June 21, 2018, 09:39:44 pm
Hi subculture, that is weird! I shall tell my wife lived there when we met. Our flat was just the other side of the Heath over the railway bridge in Mackeson road. thanks for that,Roy
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: jaymac on June 21, 2018, 10:32:53 pm
Mines was not a battery Roy or was that a typo imagine taking this on public transport today :} and when you think the HT battery was 90 volts (http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/jaymac_port/Accumulator_zpsswe8c5jl.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/jaymac_port/media/Accumulator_zpsswe8c5jl.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The decline of the model shop
Post by: roycv on June 22, 2018, 05:22:51 am
Hi Jaymac, you are right it was just a single cell. Just enough to warm up the valves. I seem to remember that the cycle shop had the edge on technology back then! My first radio control set had a 45 volt battery for the rx.
regards Roy
Title: Re: The sad decline of the model shop
Post by: jaymac on June 22, 2018, 05:39:48 am
Our 90V one on the radio was massive pretty sure they were about 15 bob (but not certain) a time lasted for yonks though lot of money then Roy
Title: Re: The sad decline of the model shop
Post by: Peter Fitness on June 23, 2018, 12:20:15 am
I fondly remember a model shop in Sydney when I was a kid, in the late 40s and early 50s, called Walther and Stevenson. It was an Aladdin's cave of models, almost literally, as the model section was in a basement in George Street, not far from the Capitol Theatre. The toy department was on the ground floor. Even after leaving Sydney at the end of 1953, I would still go to W & S any time we visited that city. Sadly, W & S closed their doors in 1969. Sydney now has Hobbyco, a multi storey shop in the Queen Victoria Building, still a place of pilgrimage for me any time I visit Sydney.
We are fortunate to have a model/toy shop in Lismore, only 10 minutes from where I live but, while it still has quite a good modelling section, its bread and butter is toys, and it carries very little boat related. It was started back in the early 50s by an avid aeromodeller, then handed on to his son, and now run by his daughter-in-law and grandson. The founder and his son have both passed away.
Peter.
Title: Re: The sad decline of the model shop
Post by: RAAArtyGunner on June 23, 2018, 02:19:11 am
Yes it was an experience going down the stairs. O0 O0
Hobbyco is on line. :-)) :-))
Sadly don't get down to the big smoke these days.
Title: Re: The sad decline of the model shop
Post by: Peter Fitness on June 23, 2018, 11:07:24 pm
Hobbyco also have two other shops, one in Macarthur Square shopping centre in Campbelltown, and the other in Rhodes Shopping Centre, as well as their on-line store. Neither of the other two shops is anywhere near as big as their city store.