Declining number of shops

[Guest]

Is it my imagination, or are Hobby/Modelling shops in decline? There seem to be fewer and fewer on the High street nowadays. Balsa is getting harder to find even from what shops there are. Ebay and similar sites seem to have a monopoly.

By the way, I can't tell you how impressed I am with the standard of skill and workmanship to be found on this site.

[spanner570]

Hello shepherduke and welcome to this forum. It is one great, freindly place to be.

You are right, Hobbies shops are on the decline. Trouble is if it 'aint got a battery or you can't watch it on a screen, forget it!

Don't get me wrong these mediums are great, I've been playing computer games since day one and love 'em. But it does sadden me when I buy my grand children kits then watch (and help if req.) as they rush the build just to keep the old sod happy!

Then it's back to the T.V.

Have you ever tried clearing a modelling table with your eyes glistening? I have......

Enjoy your stay here and have fun.

Ron

[Centurion3RTR]

Thats the problem now with the interwab, it's just too easy to order online and get what we need. And yes, i done the same too but the thing is, i'd sooner go to the shop/store because i always come out with something i didn't need but like the looks of.

It's more fun going to the shop/store too(but please go without the wife, Sorry ladys), you can stand there and have a good old chinwag about new models and new ideas.

YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP NEEDS YOU!!

John

[spanner570]

You're quite right John, the internetty is the root cause but as I posted a few minutes ago, youngsters have less and less interest in modelling nowadays, so I guess perhaps the decline will continue irrespective of where the stuff is bought.

Ron

[Centurion3RTR]

This is true Ron, kids nowdays want instant gratification (big word for me). I was in the middle of writing the last post as you posted before me (the wife needed something of mine moving lol).

Give them a Xbox or PS3 and the're in like flynn but the only models the lads have any interest in is in car mags lol.

John

[Guest]

Most of the reason is down to the costs of running a shop-rent, rates etc plus the decline in traditional high streets doesn't help. To be honest, I don't think it's the tinernet or computers that are the reason, more a general shift in our society toward immediate gratification. Without wanting to get all deep on this, kids these days expect stuff straight away & have lost the qualities of patience that are essential to building models, not to mention a lack of appreciation of quality-just listen to the music charts these days!

I found it quite interesting watching that programme with James May about Airfix & how the kids got right into modelling when offered the chance-perhaps the answer's right there, get them into it & get another modelling boom.

Patrick

[yak face]

ee when i were a lad ,you could go to t' paper shop get thisen an airfix spitfire ,a quarter o spice, an still have change from ten bob! No really! you could and i did,regularly. My point being that back then just about every post office,paper shop,department store sold model kits,not to mention the hobby /toy shops. Now i think were down to about 3 in sheffield, just a reflection of how the hobby has changed.Like you say the younger kids arent that bothered, too many other things to occupy them.its not all doom and gloom though,several manufacturers are actively trying to draw younger modellers in with easy assembly kits /starter sets containing glue ,paint and a model etc,just look at the 21st century kits and hobby boss and pegasus kits.I recently went to the waddington airshow and airfix had a tent there with a table for youngsters to have a free bash at a kit and enter it into a mini competition ,and it was really popular with all the lads and lasses ,so theres hope yet! cheers tony (ps i do really talk like that!, its only when i type stuff that i have to use the queens english! oh and "spice"= sweets!)

[spanner570]

To expand a little further, perhaps children not making models so much now is down to the parents?....Come home, watch t.v., have tea watching it, say goodnight to it!

I know it gives parents a break, but so would sitting down with their offsprings and making a model together. My late father did this with me and taught me a few tricks of the modelling game.

Mind you, this was back when Ena Sharples was the pin-up girl in 'Coro' on t.v, so I guess the shed was the best place to be!!

Perhaps the youngsters of today think it sissy to make models, join the scouts, go camping...but get them to have a go and they soon change their tune.....enough said!

Soap box kicked away.

Ron

[Guest]

Having spoken to my mate who owns a model shop though it be a large scale model shop, we have arrived at the conclusion that a lot of the items you can now buy on line, prices that can beat the high street seller. I try every time to vivit his shop to give the support that he needs to keep his business running. If everyone thought the same we would see more shops around, but at the end of the day...for those less prosperous than myself i cant really blame them for trying to save a pound or two here and there. Let us remember that there is a recession on and these shopkeepers are almost certainly finding the pinch of it, I know shops around here that have closed already. Lets hope that those still going manage to see it through the hard times. We wish them luck im sure.

Andy

[Guest]

There's been some interesting comments on here and i agree with all of you. It's very interesting from my perspective. I often compare my youth (i'm 31 now) with that of what i work with. I spent some yaars as a secondary school teacher back in Blighty; still teach now in Russia and i pay strong attention to the decline of creativity for more conformist interests.

The decline lies in a few factors especially among the youth. Out of many of the countries i have worked in, none are as conformist as in the UK. The youth take great pleasure in worshipping celebrity culture which is fed by the media. You just have to look at mags and the TV for that. As a result, if one kid in a group has a particular hobby eg modelling, painting, stamp collecting, that kid would be put down at school and sadly i've witnessed that.

Another factor which has been mentioned here is how toys and an array of hobbies have developed which have taken away the use of imagination and creativity. For example, dolls. When i was young, my sister's doll would be a mere lump of plastic, but now, they talk, cry, vomit and fill their nappies. We all love computer games but with them being so readily available and require very little brain use, the same results are that of the modern doll. So with this modernism and a product and information overload, children and young adults these days have developed a very short concentration span and therefore are not willing to invest time into something say modelling and get no gratification from, according to them, a mere lump of painted plastic; it doesn't move, kill Germans, or blow up.

An interesting comment Ron about parents It seems that parents these days are spending less time with their kids as before. Again, my comments above explain why, in my opinion. Are we working longer hours than before trying to make end meet when we're billed to high heaven? Do parents care less ot themselves have no imagination and knowledge to pass down to their kids? It's a difficult one. I honestly believe that life has become too easy and in our society where we're spoon fed, there's no reason for many to invest time or effort into something like modelling - It's easier to watch and learn from Discovery than read a book. And that's how many think.

Paul

ps. you see i'm very passionate about themes like this

[Guest]

I think that the statement is correct that the since the internet and e-bay was born a lot of our hobby shops have went out of business, simply because when you buy something on e-bay you bid for it and usually end up getting it cheaper than in your local shop, i've used e-bay in the past and items usually are more expensive in shops however the amount of help and knowledge that can be gained by using your local hobby shop is something e-bay will never be able to offer. Also children today want instant gratification they have no concept of patients or imagination, i remember when i was younger a card board box was a fort, submarine or airplane.... now it is something just to be discarded. I also fly fish and the same thing is happening there, it is seen as a hobby for old men or geeks with no life like modeling it does not appear exciting enough for them however we can't really blame the kids as they are a product of what we as a society make them, they need to be encouraged to try " the old ways as it were" they might just like it.

scott

[Guest]

Ha ha do you have 'Fly fishing' by J.R. Hartley, Scott?! lol you're probably too young to remember the Yellow Pages advert! But when all's said & done, we're using the dreaded internet otherwise some of us might not be making models. I for one found the inspiration to start after looking at stuff on here & I'm sure that's true of others. I do buy stuff on-line but I also buy from my local Modelzone shop. Sometimes you've just gotta get your hands on the kit rather than wait for it to be sent by post! Is their a directory of shops on here? Might be an idea, and also might be good to get more shops directly involved with the site-it's in their interest. Patrick

[Guest]

Ha ha do you have 'Fly fishing' by J.R. Hartley, Scott?! lol you're probably too young to remember the Yellow Pages advert! But when all's said & done, we're using the dreaded internet otherwise some of us might not be making models. I for one found the inspiration to start after looking at stuff on here & I'm sure that's true of others. I do buy stuff on-line but I also buy from my local Modelzone shop. Sometimes you've just gotta get your hands on the kit rather than wait for it to be sent by post! Is their a directory of shops on here? Might be an idea, and also might be good to get more shops directly involved with the site-it's in their interest. Patrick

1st iam not too young to remember the advert 2nd it is a real book that has nothing to do with flyfishing at all.... i kinda had a browse through it, LOLOL but yes a directory of local model shops is a good ide, how would you propse to get them liked to the sight though, let me know.

scott:smile11:

[Guest]

A real book? Wow all these years I thought it was just an ad-man's invention! I'm not sure about how to do it yet, or what form it could take. I don't think just adverts by the shops is enough, so it would really depend on what level of involvement the various shops want. I'll keep my thinking cap on. Patrick

[Guest]

Hi Guys.

One thing that the internet has opened up is the customers awareness and ability to " shop " around for the best deals, prior to the tinterweb if you only had access to a local model shop you used it no matter what price the goods were, where as now people are a lot more informed about supply / prices etc.

This is now an age of information and the good model shops have realised this with good web sites and an willingness to " price match " etc, thereby not ripping off the modeller.

Some shops add an extortionate amount of money on a single kit / item then quote shop overheads etc to justify the price hike when you can actually buy it cheeper and get it delivered direct from the manufacturer, despite all the overheads they have to pay for ie wages of staff, development, production, materials, tooling etc never mind premises rent etc.

It is a buyers market i am afraid and the shops need to get into the techno age and offer a good product at a reasonable price and not rip people off.

Just my thoughts.

Regards to all.

Sub.