What has happened to the local model shop

[stock_2007]

Thank you all for your replys glad to see they are a number of people who think like me, (God help us)

I think how I feel was put into words by the manager of MZ this morning. I was in town and as I was passing I poped in just for a look see.

As it was Sunday the only person working in the shop was the manager. So what the hell he may know where the chips are, "Hi I need a Bachmann 21 pin chip." "No sorry we don't have anything like that, you'll most likely have to go on line."

So I think that kind of sum's it up.

ps I've never used one, but £34 for a 8 pin Hornby chip they must be really good or made of gold?

[dbanbery]

Thank you all for your replys glad to see they are a number of people who think like me, (God help us)

I think how I feel was put into words by the manager of MZ this morning. I was in town and as I was passing I poped in just for a look see.

As it was Sunday the only person working in the shop was the manager. So what the hell he may know where the chips are, "Hi I need a Bachmann 21 pin chip." "No sorry we don't have anything like that, you'll most likely have to go on line."

So I think that kind of sum's it up.

ps I've never used one, but £34 for a 8 pin Hornby chip they must be really good or made of gold?

 

i only go in there to browse and pick up something thats been mispriced or in the sale. and thats mostly plastic kits. for full price stuff i tend to buy from "Something Wicked This Way Comes" in the town centre of Huddersfield - one of the last proper Model Shops left, and they are friendly and helpful with boxes up to the ceiling, just like it used to be.

[Torn-on-the-platform]

My local shop in South East London (Kent Garden Railways) has recently up-sized - so its not all doom and gloom!

[APOLLO]

Visited Hattons last week - £40 for a Hornby J94 68006, £49 for a Heljan Cl 47 (North Star weathered t/t green with fye). Who can compete with this ?

 

My modelling budget shrinks ever more year on year as the cost of living (essentials) rises alarmingly and income does not. I suspect this applies to most of us on this site also. It's the box shifter (usually Hattons) or nowt for me these days when it comes to (very occasional) new locos.

 

Brit15

['CHARD]

Gone are the days when the traditional 'mom + pop shop' type of emporium used to be commonplace. There was another thread on this subject on here which I last remember being active probably a couple of years ago.

 

Here in Walmley, there was once a model railway shop in the 'village,' to which I cycled from the other side of Sutton as a teenager for rail joiners and so on. Long since closed, possibly where 'Jeff's Useful Shop' is now, for those familiar with the area. I used that shop after Gill & Son (Toys), Sutton's premier train retailer, retreated to its other, Lichfield shop, some time around 1982.

 

Now we have the gem that is Hobbyrail, which I frequent for all my sundries, and Peter probably gets the benefit of a few new and second hand loco sales per year, plus there's the invaluable benefit of face to face chat and gossip, which the box-shifters and distance-buying can't really offer.

 

Rewinding ten years:

Sleepers models in Erdington, plus Acme models who shifted second hand railway stock as a sideline to Star Wars cinemabilia;

Graingers in Walsall (plus another shop where Morrisons car park now occupies) - Graingers had the famous 'Push bell and wait for buzer' notice!

The Train Shop in Walstead Road near Bescot station

Two model shops either side of Scott Arms shopping centre - one was part-knitting supplies, a real mom+pop enterprise!

Hawthorn Road, Perry Common there was another second hand outfit

 

What did for most of these was probably Walsall BC's business rates as much as internet trends. For new releases, my purchasing is now strictly on line. Either through pre-order, or biding my time and using Google shopping comparison tools between 6 and 12 months after release. With Hornby RRPs in particular, this is the only viable way when fleet quantities are in the mix. My local stockist usually receives Bachmann and Hornby's minimum stock quantities, and these usually sell out for him, so my other trade for ancillaries, wagons etc is a reasonable compromise I reckon.

 

Out and about I do like to spot new shops to explore though, and this year Loughborough Model Centre's new Derby premises and Hereford Model Centre have both proved rich treasure troves.

[coachmann]

It's nice to see new models in the flesh in model shops, but they do have a knack of tearing the pocket lining with all the loose change falling into a till.

[MJI]

Forced to the internet

 

Last new loco I bought was a 9F from a now closed shop - wife was ill, he had to close. Good shop bought a bit there.

 

Antics were forced out by Phototopic closing down and stupid rents.

 

So now choices are....

 

a) Model shop north of town in middle of countryside, specialising in DCC and continental, closed weekends normally.

 

b ) Drive to Ross for Totally Trains

 

c) Drive to Cheltenham for Cheltenham Model Centre

 

d) Direct from suppliers on internet such as Dart, DC, Presision, ect ect

 

e) Ebay for tools and materials.

 

f) Mail order from the likes of Hattons ect.

d and e win normally

[MJI]

I rarely go to town, parking is not that easy, better now we have an Asda.

 

So what about other shops.

 

Local Sony Centre shut down. Not my fault - I do own a W series LCD, and I spent a fortune with the company at a different town pre SC.

 

Game at risk, well try to sell games at a slightly lower price, all the supermarkets do them at 37 to 38 not Game 44.

 

Now back last November I would have bought a game at that price from them if they were open, no they only open overnight for Call of Duty and Xbox stuff. I wanted the latest game in a popular and very big selling PS3 series. No not interested, Tescos didn't get it in, so thought stuff it went to Sainsburys at 08:00 and was first in queue to buy that game, yes a queue at a supermarket for a very popular game Game would not open specially to sell. Yes I was sad enough to have the day off (was in hospital so had to cancel a two week holiday)

 

To be honest the only reason I have to go to town now is to buy cider and pay in cheques.

 

I wanted a new video camera - online as no one stocked it.

[Paul Cram]

I have a local model shop but unfortunately it doesn't stock much that I would buy. I usually pick up the MRJ and paints and brushes and not much else. Occasionally there are some components I want. I don't buy ready to run as most of it is out of my period and I then need to convert it to P4 anyway. They don't stock many kits although they do have parkside wagons and vans. Consequently most of what I buy is either at exhibitions or online.

[Herr Dienstleiter]

I would love to be able to walk into a shop and buy all the bits and pieces that make it possible for me to build Austrian n.g. in 7mm but of course I can't (not even in Austria as it happens) because I have chosen to model in an area that is just that bit too specialist - I mean how many others work in that particular scale/gauge combination ... you can count us on the fingers of one foot! So, I am reduced to buying what I can when I can - shows and the like - or happening to pass a railway shop for paint and brass that is to heavy too post economically. Sadly, an awful lot of 'model railway' shops are 4mm box shifters - fine if you have chosen 'something sensible' to model but not much help for anyone else.

[Horsetan]

There were two model shops which hung on grimly in my area for as long as they could: H.A. Blunt & Sons in Mill Hill (premises is now a carpet shop, I think), and Model Mart in Willesden. Of the two, Blunts tended to be more promising for detailing parts.

 

There is also Hannants near the RAF Museum, but they don't do railways and their supplies of styrene sheet and strip has been a bit erratic of late.

 

 

Up the A1(M), K.S. Models in Stevenage now runs restricted hours on Thursday to Saturday only but remains useful for detailing components and name/numberplates.

 

Since commencing work in Ealing, the nearest model shop is at Northfields, but that is more for those looking for older-generation stock.....of which the shop is absolutely stuffed full.

 

Further out, there's Junction 20 Models at Kings Langley (very eclectic selection of stock), and Transport Treasures at Aston Clinton (restricted hours only, 11am to 3pm). There's nothing else in that direction until you reach Howes at Kidlington.

[The Lurker]

My local shop in South East London (Kent Garden Railways) has recently up-sized - so its not all doom and gloom!

 

very friendly and helpful shop, this one; not been to the new site but the old one was a veritable aladdin's cave! Next time I have to brave Nugent's Way, I'll pop across and have a browse.

 

I suspect that at present, with the tough economic situation, people are spending less on luxuries like model railways, so buying cheaper over the internet makes a lot of sense. The SE is lucky in that not only is there KGR, Signal Box is usually pretty good - and I was once told by the bloke in ModelZone in Bluewater that it was far cheaper to shop elsewhere, which was an attitude I appreciated though possibly not good for his career prospects!!

[Ceptic]

A relative newcomer, 'Buffers' of Axminster http://www.buffersmodelrailways.com/products/new-products, must be doing something right.

Not situated in Axminster, exactly. More like 'out in the sticks', a couple of miles up the A358.

Since they've been there, they've built up quite a reputation, and won awards. Must be the free cup of tea, or coffee, offered to the weary pilgrim.

[Jol Wilkinson]

I suspect that at present, with the tough economic situation, people are spending less on luxuries like model railways, so buying cheaper over the internet makes a lot of sense. The SE is lucky in that not only is there KGR, Signal Box is usually pretty good - and I was once told by the bloke in ModelZone in Bluewater that it was far cheaper to shop elsewhere, which was an attitude I appreciated though possibly not good for his career prospects!!

 

Buying cheaper has been a major pursuit in this hobby for a long time, certainly pre-internet when the large adverts in RM competed for customers. It seems to be something that largely affects the main RTR manufacturers products in OO and N. The impact of the recession is probably to have made that market sector even more competetive.

 

The demise of the majority of local shops has meant that loco, carriage and wagon kits are now usually only available direct from the manufacturer, via mail order, online or at shows. The result is probably that fewer people get involved in making models rather than buying them, as both ready local availability and advice have largely disappeared.

 

With the exception of some scenic materials available from my local shop, I now have to buy all my model making needs online or at one of the half dozen shows I attend each year.

[GC Jack]

There was an interesting editorial by Chris Leigh in Model Rail recently where he regrets the demise of the large "cottage industry" of small scale manufacturers. He correctly summarises the state of play - its so easy now to have superb models with no modelling skills at all, although he does suggest that inflation might have an effect in the years to come.

 

Perhaps back to detailing kits etc.? I personally hope so.

 

Are we really back here to the "Is the hobby changing" thread? The retail sector has to reflect consumer demands. We do have a sort of model shop here, not really railways more aircraft and car kits and masses of RTR in those markets. I can get some bits but I have to find them myself usually, only the owner knows that side of the stock, the shop assistants are uncertain about most of this.

 

I recently went into Modelzone in Harrogate to get some super glue. My question was met with blank stares, so I went round the shop and found it myself.

 

Jack

[Kenton]

Popped into my "local" model shop in Alton this morning. I use the term local very loosely as it is close to a 50 mile round trip !

 

Still a friendly face and greeting from all the staff, who managed to help me find all the items on my list (even if they had to reach for them with poles or clamber up and down ladders. I can never find what I am looking for and if I start browsing all the new goodies I come out with 2 carrier bags instead of one and having parted company with my wallet.

 

I am glad that he continues to survive against all odds and would frequent more often if it wasn't for the 30 minute journey each way. It is another one of those Aladdin's cave type of shops.

[GC Jack]

Alton I'm glad he is still there - a real gem if was 30 mins away I would be a regular.

 

Jack

[dbanbery]

Are we really back here to the "Is the hobby changing" thread? The retail sector has to reflect consumer demands.

 

Jack

 

i see this as a cultural thing. rather than making things ourselves we would prefer to buy from somewhere as its less work. its something that i would trace through to the mass exodus of industry to the far east in the last 30 years. because its so easy to buy something made in a sweat shop in China etc a lot of people don't bother building, and as such the mentality and skills disappear slowly.

 

its not all negative though - more people find it accessible because they can simply just spend money and get decent models with minimal skills and work. everyone has to start somewhere, but ceasing to start means that the skills arent acquired. The advent of the internet and its ability to share massive amounts of information across the globe has enabled people to develop their skill base by the help of others. This has perpetuated a higher standard of modelling throughout the hobby IMHO. I have seen this from witnessing my grandad build everything from scratch, with the type of layouts that were published in the 1970s magazines etc.... the mean standard is so much higher now it seems.

 

so its polarised the hobby. on one had we have massive amounts of RTR that people collect and stick in cabinets etc, and then we have others that continue to hone their scratchbuilding skills far beyond what would have been possible without the net. I believe the latter are in the minority though.

[The Stationmaster]

Popped into my "local" model shop in Alton this morning. I use the term local very loosely as it is close to a 50 mile round trip !

 

Still a friendly face and greeting from all the staff, who managed to help me find all the items on my list (even if they had to reach for them with poles or clamber up and down ladders. I can never find what I am looking for and if I start browsing all the new goodies I come out with 2 carrier bags instead of one and having parted company with my wallet.

 

I am glad that he continues to survive against all odds and would frequent more often if it wasn't for the 30 minute journey each way. It is another one of those Aladdin's cave type of shops.

You're lucky Kenton, it is basically a 1 hour+ drive each way for me but it is one of the two 'local' shops I frequent and use - it's just that I stay longer on the visits I do make.

[Kenton]

But a "local" model shop is not all about RTR - and not all of us who frequent the variety within the true model shop do not necessarily buy RTR. My purchases today didn't include a single RTR or RTP item (plastic kits, Wills sheets, tree bits, scatter and styrene) They also stock brass, paints, balsa and lots of other useful aids to modelling. Of course they are a "model" shop and not all modelling is "railway" - cars, boats, planes, dolls houses... there is no reason why they should focus just on our eccentricity. But this type of shop certainly is declining in favour of the Modelzone's, Hobbyworld and ToysRus of this world.

 

But it is a bit like the trade at model shows, there are shows which have kit suppliers along with every conceivable component then there are the box shifters.

[Talltim]

My last five railway purchases have been over the net as no-one in the UK sells any of them. Some of them could probably be ordered in by the likes of MG Sharp, but it would take just as long and most of them are only available from the US manufacturers anyway

[Silver Sidelines]

There was an interesting editorial by Chris Leigh in Model Rail recently where he regrets the demise of the large "cottage industry" of small scale manufacturers. He correctly summarises the state of play - its so easy now to have superb models with no modelling skills at all, although he does suggest that inflation might have an effect in the years to come.......

....

Jack

 

Didn't see the editorial so will need to be careful what I say - but I would have thought that the Internet positively encourages the cottage industry - where the small supplier / manufacturer - in fact anyone can sell world wide?

 

Regards

 

Ray

[Kenton]

Didn't see the editorial so will need to be careful what I say - but I would have thought that the Internet positively encourages the cottage industry - where the small supplier / manufacturer - in fact anyone can sell world wide?

 

On the basic assumption that they have a web site or even take email orders, and then even if they do, that the website has some presence and is linked to or known to the search engines - otherwise it is pretty useless.Many of them don't, many of them aren't and far too many still require a cheque in an envelope. Being encouraged by the internet does assume a basic connection.

[Bilbo]

Forced to the internet

 

Last new loco I bought was a 9F from a now closed shop - wife was ill, he had to close. Good shop bought a bit there.

 

Antics were forced out by Phototopic closing down and stupid rents.

 

So now choices are....

 

a) Model shop north of town in middle of countryside, specialising in DCC and continental, closed weekends normally.

 

b ) Drive to Ross for Totally Trains

 

c) Drive to Cheltenham for Cheltenham Model Centre

 

d) Direct from suppliers on internet such as Dart, DC, Presision, ect ect

 

e) Ebay for tools and materials.

 

f) Mail order from the likes of Hattons ect.

d and e win normally

 

Well if you drive to Ross for Totally Trains you'll be disappointed as they closed some time ago and moved to Monmouth then sold all their stock to someone down south.

[Jol Wilkinson]

On the basic assumption that they have a web site or even take email orders, and then even if they do, that the website has some presence and is linked to or known to the search engines - otherwise it is pretty useless.Many of them don't, many of them aren't and far too many still require a cheque in an envelope. Being encouraged by the internet does assume a basic connection.

 

It seems that you expect even the smallest supplier to invest time and money in a website, etc. Some of these cottage industry businesses are run as part time operations by people with a full time job. The fact that they provide some worthwhile products that require a bit of effort by the purchaser such as writing and posting a letter to get hold of them, is a small price to pay.