aquilla Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Having recently got back into railway modelling, i often visit my local (12 miles) shop for various bits and bobs, however last weekend, i was in stratford with my son, with the aim of getting some paint and ballast only to find the shop closed, all the blinds pulled down. I popped into stratford again today to see if it was opened, thinking they may be having a shuffle round of the shop layout, but the blinds were still down, the shop is called MUCH ADO ABOUT TOYS. We went upto another model retailer in the town, who unfortunatly does not deal in railways to get the paint, i asked the shop owner about MAAT, and he told me they had ceased trading. It is unfortunate, but i guess yet another victim or the times, although they were always abit OTT on price, compared to other places, looking back over the recent months going in there, his stocks of locos werent being replenished etc, but they were stocking alot of expensive 'collectors' models, cars, RC stuff etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary hill Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Bit more background information here on the ACE Trains Owners Club site: http://atoc.forumotion.com/t808-much-ado-about-toys#6446 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-BOAF Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Sorry to hear this. Only visited once, but came out with a newly released Bachmann Presflo and a long-released and very hard to find first issue of a Metcam Pullman (Emerald). An excellent retailer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted October 21, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 21, 2013 It's a shame, but I did find their prices eye-wateringly high when I visited a couple of years ago, about what I'd expect for central London. I guess they charged what they had to to make the business work, but it did mean that I only bought a few bits rather than any big ticket items. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roryrail20 Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Having recently got back into railway modelling, i often visit my local (12 miles) shop for various bits and bobs, however last weekend, i was in stratford with my son, with the aim of getting some paint and ballast only to find the shop closed, all the blinds pulled down. I popped into stratford again today to see if it was opened, thinking they may be having a shuffle round of the shop layout, but the blinds were still down, the shop is called MUCH ADO ABOUT TOYS. We went upto another model retailer in the town, who unfortunatly does not deal in railways to get the paint, i asked the shop owner about MAAT, and he told me they had ceased trading. It is unfortunate, but i guess yet another victim or the times, although they were always abit OTT on price, compared to other places, looking back over the recent months going in there, his stocks of locos werent being replenished etc, but they were stocking alot of expensive 'collectors' models, cars, RC stuff etc. Hi although its a pity that my home town of Stratford Upon Avon no longer has its own Model Railway Dealer.After just reading that Much Ado About Toys has closed down.I never really liked the people that ran it.I always found them to be very rude and arrogant in their communication skills with their customers.Including myself.And like you their prices for their products were over the top.I only used the store when they were located in Windsor Street Stratford Upon Avon.I never went in to their store whilst they were located in what was the old Bus Depot on Guild Street in Stratford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinty3f Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 I am not sure what this post was meant to achieve - pretty easy to slag off a closed concern with no prospect of a comeback from the staff. However, I always visited twice a year as part of my theatre breaks (fantastic theatre, even if you are not into Shakespeare) and while I agree that some prices could be high, they kept a good range of peripheral stuff like static grass and kits at reasonable prices. More importantly, the staff were - always - helpful and friendly - if you approached them in the same way. Perhaps this thread is somewhat redundant since the shop is sadly closed. JD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I think that post was relevant , ie a description of contributing factors. I agree that their prices were very high, and their communication terrible - they never replied to several emails so I resolved not to bother Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangelygreen Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Have to say I never liked Much Ado either. I found the staff unhelpful and the prices sky high. I see Castle Trains (formerly of Warwick, lately of Leamington) have gone too. Sign of the times I guess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Sad to hear of two more model shops gone. Paddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Pattern developing here - castle trains and much ado ....poor customer skills, ceased trading. You can't afford to be offhand or not answer enquiries in this day and age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Unless you are dealing with a small trader who is the sole maker and/or distributor of a specific item you require, then the buyer has the power to shop around. It's as simple as that. The internet makes it much easier too (how long before a model version of Go Compare, I wonder...?) You get good service, you'll go back even if the price might be a pound or so higher. If you get poor - or no - service you'll look elsewhere. Either way, you're likely to tell your modelling friends about it when they say they are looking to get something. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian461 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Does anyone know what the nearest shops are now there's two have closed ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted January 26, 2014 Administrators Share Posted January 26, 2014 Classic Train and Bus in Leamington Spa. By far the best and friendliest of any local model shop: http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/shops/136-ClassicTrainandMotorBus or in Rugby, Joto Hobbies: https://www.jotohobbies.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I note that it is not "right" to slag off a business after they closed, but I did so before they closed as a result of poor unfriendly service. As my nearest model shop they became a place of last resort for a while and then I simply stopping visiting altogether. I think their RC plane business was of more interest to them. A simple gripe precipitated my earlier complaint - all their locomotives were displayed out of the box and inevitably the add on bits had got lost when I went to buy, so I politely refused to go along with the sale. I think they considered me as a time waster! I am trying out Leamington's Classic Train and Omnibus this week because I have heard many good things about them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 22, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2014 I am trying out Leamington's Classic Train and Omnibus this week because I have heard many good things about them. A good shop but be prepared for a tight squeeze if there's others in the shop at the same time.Very competitive on prices too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Spent an hour at Classic Train and Omnibus and found it a very enjoyable experience. Bought a second hand Lima/Airfix Scot and some bits and pieces I have been looking for so a successful reconnaissance visit. Friendly service too! A first rate LHS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 ......I am trying out Leamington's Classic Train and Omnibus this week because I have heard many good things about them. They are apparently home to the old Jackson-Evans range of locomotive detail castings - although they don't really publicise it or produce a catalogue - so if you've still got an old catalogue / price list from the JE era, now's the time to start quoting part reference numbers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 23, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 23, 2014 They are apparently home to the old Jackson-Evans range of locomotive detail castings - although they don't really publicise it or produce a catalogue - so if you've still got an old catalogue / price list from the JE era, now's the time to start quoting part reference numbers! Sold under a different name I purchased a brass GWR cab fallplate just last week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Sold under a different name I purchased a brass GWR cab footplate just last week. I think the header cards on the packets now have "Classic Train and Omnibus" on them, instead of JE. Such a pity that they don't do more to publicise the detailing bits, given that they are so hard to find in this day an age. It's almost like they don't want you to know about them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 23, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 23, 2014 I think the header cards on the packets now have "Classic Train and Omnibus" on them, instead of JE. Such a pity that they don't do more to publicise the detailing bits, given that they are so hard to find in this day an age. It's almost like they don't want you to know about them! Classic parts for perfection.With a cat on the card and CT & MB plus address/phone number. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Classic parts for perfection.With a cat on the card and CT & MB plus address/phone number. That's the one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I did say, during my visit, that they were hard to find, but their logic is that an internet search by town is more sensible than a search by company name. Can't fault that logic. I did look at a Jackson-Evans Patriot kit but decided that with owning two Bachmanns already it was a tough call. I think the white metal kit, ex-wheels and motor, was Pds 40. The drawer it was in was not large so how big their retained stock is remains an unknown. Give them a call. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focalplane Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Visited again this week and Mark, the owner showed me the Jackson-Evans catalogue which he is getting reprinted. So he has plans to market the stuff! There will be a small price increase. A very good LHS, lots of interesting detailing parts, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I did say, during my visit, that they were hard to find, but their logic is that an internet search by town is more sensible than a search by company name. Can't fault that logic. I can. Anything and everything should be used to build a position on internet search engines unless the intention is to hide or shy away from potential customers and markets. Such a pity that they don't do more to publicise the detailing bits, given that they are so hard to find in this day an age. It's almost like they don't want you to know about them!Another communication disaster. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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