discussion Local model shop dissapointment

[Guest]

Popped down into town to have a browse around a model shop, they do railways primarily so i thought i could pick up some scenic stuff if the price was right.

On entering the shop i was met by weird stares (probably because i didn't have a beard and look like a railway buff ). I had a quick look around and popped to the counter to ask the price on some bags of scenics ..... i stood there like a plank for about ten minutes whilst the two chaps behind the counter rabbited on to a third guy about the latest hornby equipment.

Getting a little irritated i cleared my throat a couple of times which was met by an innane stare followed by a return to talking trains.

My next step was to toddle off back to the shelves and pick up a very expensive box set of a locomotive type thing and go back to the counter .... they both fell over each other trying to get to me.

I had the greatest pleasure placing the box on the counter, stating "is this the only way to get any service here" and informing them of the error in their ways of running a shop (probably in not so many words and maybe a few choice words thrown in there also ..... ooops ... i was a tad annoyed)

I'm not into naming and shaming so the name of the shop is for those interested to find out themselves.

i'll tell you who it isn't ..... "wonderland models" is spot on and Marrionville models is pretty cool too.

 

[Guest]

Was it in Edinburgh?

 

[BarryW]

Sad that a local business cannot do what they are supposed to do best, provide a service.

I too rarely go into my LMS and while I have not had as poor an experience as you I did not feel comfortable browsing there. Their range of kits and materials I find rather too limited to 'popular' brands I do not use.

The one advantage a small shop owner can have over the internet and larger chains is friendly good and knowledgeable service. If they do not exploit that advantage then I fear they will never do well.

I use Scale Model Shop for most of my purchases as I find John offers a tip-top service, somehow managing to cross the advantage that a LMS has with the internet. Well done John.

 

[Guest]

I've used John a couple of times and I cannot fault his service.

I do, however, like to browse through local shops as i can look in the box to see if it'll do what I need.

 

[stona]

Stupid really.

SWMBO is in marketing and loves to tell people,particularly those who give her a hard time,that it costs at least twice as much to acquire a new customer as it does to retain an old one.

She got a chunk knocked off our RAC membership renewal using that very line. There is plenty of choice and you can always go somewhere else.

Vote with your wallet

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

Up until recently we had a well known model shop called galaxy models, they specialised more in radio controlled stuff and I had the same problem. They would totally ignore you if they had a r/c buff at the counter. Sadly it has closed down now

Cheers, Andrew

 

[stona]

Sadly it has closed down now

But not surprisingly.

Steve

 

[Guest]

But not surprisingly.Steve

No, not really. The annoying thing was I didn't know they were closing, and at the end they were nearly giving stuff away it wa so cheap!!!!

Another interesting thing I've noticed with my local modelzone, is a leaning more towards die cast vehiles, at the expense of the number and range of model kits. The staff are still excellent tho I must say

Cheers, Andrew

 

[Guest]

Vote with your wallet

Cheers

Steve

Couldn't agree more, Steve.

Keith

 

[Guest]

The thing that gets my goat is when you are being served the assistant carrying on a conversation with another assistant.

Now counter this by butting in and asking if they have seen the price of beef nowadays, or what do you eat for breakfast. Do you wash your hands every day. Amazing they take a quick look at their hands.

Laurie

 

[john i am]

the days of model shops on the high street are fading away. i remember when i was a young boy back in the 70s going to my local m/s with my weekly pocket money and how excitied i used to be . the good old days the nearest one to me is about 10 miles away and when i do visit im in there for at least an hour and a half up to my elbows in boxes i love it still a big kid at heart really

 

[Guest]

I bet it felt good to tell them off LOL

I wish I was there

 

[john i am]

red square the best

 

[peterairfix]

i thought i would add that i have at least 5 very good model shops within a 40 min drive but i do have one 1 mile away yes they do mainly railway but i can get 90% of model kits from them and the service is second to none they always offer tea and coffee they do have a web site they are called buffers model railways but if any one is in devon give them a look you will be suprised its what a model shop should be like

 

[Guest]

I bet it felt good to tell them off LOL

I must admit i did have a satisfied smirk on my face ..... especially when they realised they didn't have a sale

 

[Dave W]

The only model shop in Southend now is an Arts and Crafts shop with an upstairs modelling section.The owner can be a bit off but two other staff are friendly and helpfully.Theres also a chap who gives demonstrations two days a week.Although he's a real rivet counter.they are a bit pricy which I suppose they have to be to survive on the high street these days.But they carry a lot of stock and its a nice place to browse and buy kits.Havent been for a while as I'm saving my money for the Telford show.

 

[Guest]

Last time I was in in a model shop near me was around 2 years ago which was a modelzone in sutton surrey which closed down shortly after , again the staff were 1st class , sadly I only shop online now , lately I`ve got a few little bits from John but needed some replacement race car decals which I could only get from Spain and the Czech Rep , I also get alot of stuff from HK and Japan , if I could get it from the UK I would but the bits I need are never availible .

Gone a bit of course sorry lads , bottom line is if you get good service you will return be it a shop or online shop .

Richy

 

[Guest]

How was this for mint super fast service..............

Asked in LMS for a certain colour of paint?

The shop assistant talking on his mobile!

He pointed!

I looked!

He said 'there' !

I went over and got the paint!

Went to counter!

Assistant still chatting on his phone!!

Placed paints on counter!

''I'm getting ANGRY at this point''

Assistant STILL chatting on his phone!!

Assistant now turns his back to me and straightens something on a rack!!!

Thats it I snap and shout ''EXCUSE ME BUT CAN I BUY THESE PLEASE''

The assistant turns around and says he is on an important phone call!!!!

I say... ''MORE IMPORTANT THAN A CUSTOMER''

At that point I knocked the paints at him and a tier of Revell glue is followed too and snap at him telling him to.....

FORGET YOU IGNORANT GIT :finger1:

 

[Ian M]

I cant complain about the service in my LMS. there isnt any lol. No really a very helpful chap.

The problem is the other customers. Absolutely NO cue culture.

I only needed some filler and a couple of other small bits, but took the 45 minuet drive anyway, as I have not been there a while.

I was just going to pay and some guy just comes in the shop goes up to Michael, the owner and gives him a list of loads of things he needs, After an hour and two cups of coffee I gave up.

Told Michael I would pay for them over the net shop and took my leave.

Quite a normal thing apparently.

Ian M

 

[John]

This sort of customer service isn't limited to model shops, nothing more ignorant than standing at a counter while the people behind it finish telling each other what they did last night or what they are doing at the weekend, that sort of stuff should wait and they should put their customer first.