Another Model Shop about to close

[Guest]

I went in Essex Model Centre earlier today to pick up some Birch Ply, the shop is sadly looking very empty and it's about to close in Easter when his current lease runs out. It's a sad state of affairs and is another local model shop about to go.

:emo10:

[Guest]

is that the one in bush fair in harlow?

Richard

[Guest]

Yep, thats the one - might be able to pick up a bargain if you get in quick before it's gone!

:sadcry:

[Guest]

I just despair. Another golden age of modelling and there is hardly anywhere to get stuff.:emo10:

[Guest]

will have to go donw and check it out before it closes. that now means my closest model shop is about 30miles away!!!

[wonwinglo]

Very sad to hear this,some towns are looking so deserted that they look like Hollywood ghost towns,went into Dorridge today into a shopping mall,half a dozen shops out of room for a few dozen which were deserted,overheads and soaring costs together with peoples buying habits are to blame for the most part,a secure warehouse stocking thousands of items employing a webmaster to download the orders coupled with someone doing the packing is all that is required, and they make more money,the friendly model shop and its enthusiastic owner are now almost a thing of the past,as they say use it,or loose it ! how true that is.

[Guest]

I am in Brookfield Wisconsin USA. We had my LHS close last fall they too lost their lease. Big new building. No small Hobby Shop

[Guest]

This is now happening so fast it really is becoming scary. Our towns are changing overnight and we all turn our backs on it for the sakes of our cheaper and more convenient internet shopping.

Use it or loose it has never been more appropriate and I now make a point of spending that little bit more to support my local model shop. Unfortunately more and more are only interested in the cheapest product via mail order and we can only watch as the retail world as we know it slowly dissapears.

[Guest]

My most recent purchase (revell uboat) came from my local shop it actually worked out cheaper than online. I do endeavor to use my local shop whenever it is prudent to do so. But as far as R/C stuff goes, it is all online case example-

.Tamiya 1/16 Panther full option= £310 inc postage, Ebay.

.as above..............................= £600 local shop.

[Guest]

Tamiya 1/16 Panther full option= £310 inc postage, Ebay..as above..............................= £600 local shop.

Unfortunealty the model shops are not making the £300 differance its probably changed hands at least twice before the can sell it and the importers make the most as the dont have to handle the goods only the paperwork max profit for them

and as been said were all to blame by buying on Evil Bay and other places

I'm including myself in this statment

[jspitza]

These shops can setup online services................................ Brick and mortar are a must BUT to be competitive in todays world, one must join the current trends. I'm sorry but there are options. I just purchased a plane from a local shop-even spent 10 dollars more and he even does mail order.

[Guest]

I aggree, i suggested he start up on line and he did that "laugh" which really means no way! lol.

i went in there last friday and forgot to mention on here that last weekend were his last days open, so Alan sorry if you wanted to nip down this weekend to get any clearence deals.

when i went in all kits were 25% off so i got a nice academy 1/72 F-8 for £5 and another which im keeping secret and will show very soon!

Alan did you see the hand grenade thing he had on a counter? i thought it was great. I couldnt find one online anywhere but luckely someone found it for me!!

IMS-PLUS Hand Grenades, Cannon Fuse, Dummy Ammo, Flechettes

(go to bottom of page)

going to have to get one!

Richard

[Guest]

Alan did you see the hand grenade thing he had on a counter? i thought it was great. I couldnt find one online anywhere but luckely someone found it for me!!

Yeah he's had that grenade for a fair while - luckily he never had cause to use it on any irate customers!

Not too sure where my local model shop is anymore...is that CB Radio / Hobby place still going in Harlow?

[Guest]

Economic Downturns

I agree, it is a shame that more and more small businesses seem to be feeling the pinch these days...ironic when you consider that small businesses account for over 60% of our nation's growth, and very often they tell the same story about business costs, and the headaches involved in masses of imposed legislature they have to deal with, just to stay open.

Small wonder that entrepeneurs have had the stuffing further knocked out of them by the strangle holds of big businesses controlling prices and overheads wherever they can...just to keep a handful of share-holders happy!...pity the small business man, his dreams, his future? Early retirement? or ....on-line trading, where there are low overheads, and the buy it cheap , sell it with a smaller profit margin seems to rule...

My local model shop in Farnborough closed because he couldn't compete, and the conditions of renewing his lease etc., he told me he was fed up with it and was winding it up.

I know that as I spend less on my Railway, I can stretch my petrol bills further...(more than a note of cynicism here!)

[Guest]

Sadly it seems to be the same all the world around. Here on the french riviera, there have been at least four modelshops closing.

It shurely is a hard time for our hobby, VDO games gathering more and more kids every year, the hobby fans average age is getting older every year. Nevermind cause were still there, alive and kiking.

Averof