- Thread starter
- #21
Hobby Shop going under.
- Thread starter Aaron Brooks Wolters
- Start date
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N4521U
Colonel
There was a bloke who built his own wire control gas powered planes. He's the one got me started modeling. A little store around the corner, a 5 and dime, had a few kits, Monograms mostly, that's where I got my first plastic kit. I think it was a forty Ford coupe.
Maybe it'll go back to a section in the drug stores, and one whopping big mail order. Who knows.
Maybe it'll go back to a section in the drug stores, and one whopping big mail order. Who knows.
- Thread starter
- #23
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
It's convenient now. But the convenience is killing the small guys because they can't keep the inventory to compete with price or selection.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Strangely enough, the hobby seems to be blooming, if one considers the huge increase in kits, accessories, after-market parts, tools etc. Unfortunately though, the main, large, on-line outlets seem to be the only places where all these things can be found, understandably, to the cost of the smaller, 'high street' shops.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The difference between a local hobbyshop and internet sellers, is overhead.
Most often, the online retailers have inventory drop-shipped from a distributor instead of having the expense of a retail space and added expense of purchasing/stocking the items.
Personally, I like to hold something in my hands, look it over and then decide on the purchase.
Most often, the online retailers have inventory drop-shipped from a distributor instead of having the expense of a retail space and added expense of purchasing/stocking the items.
Personally, I like to hold something in my hands, look it over and then decide on the purchase.
I beg to differ some guys I think it's all about electronics.The kids today have little interest in something besides gaming,phones,facebook you name it.Those young kids like we were eons ago would/could crank out some models unlike us at our advance age doing 3-6 a year maybe with all the add-ons.I started my nephew giving him a few models all done in one week!Oh no paint or anything but he loved showing me his work.I guess he built about 15 of my kits which I replaced with some I hope to do.So find that youngster with active hands who likes to take stuff apart for the hell of it and put it back together thier builders
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I agree about the younger market Kevin, but I was meaning the model market in general - there's been a very noticeable and real increase in the number of kits, accessories etc in recent years, along with fairly large price increases for these items. It may be that the bulk of the market is now the 'true, dedicated modeller', as opposed to the traditional 'pocket money' market, with real enthusiasts secondary, but whatever, there's no getting away from the fact that the products are continuing to grow, and that huge investments have been made, in the form of tooling and packaging, by mainly major manufacturers, but also many smaller companies - something that would not happen if the 'hobby' was dying out.
As an example, with 1/48th scale aircraft kits alone, the total number available at any one time, thirty years could almost be counted on the fingers of two hands. This has increased dramatically over the years, and more so over the last five years and less, and now we have extremely large listings in this scale, increasing yearly.
The youngsters might not be as prevalent in the market, but the sales are still there, investments continue to be made by the manufacturers, and product bases are growing.
I don't see that as a dying market - but I can see the reasons why 'traditional', smaller outlets are falling by the wayside - a trend that is affecting virtually every, traditional, 'high street' retail business, worldwide, not just hobby shops.
As an example, with 1/48th scale aircraft kits alone, the total number available at any one time, thirty years could almost be counted on the fingers of two hands. This has increased dramatically over the years, and more so over the last five years and less, and now we have extremely large listings in this scale, increasing yearly.
The youngsters might not be as prevalent in the market, but the sales are still there, investments continue to be made by the manufacturers, and product bases are growing.
I don't see that as a dying market - but I can see the reasons why 'traditional', smaller outlets are falling by the wayside - a trend that is affecting virtually every, traditional, 'high street' retail business, worldwide, not just hobby shops.
As an example, with 1/48th scale aircraft kits alone, the total number available at any one time, thirty years could almost be counted on the fingers of two hands. This has increased dramatically over the years, and more so over the last five years and less, and now we have extremely large listings in this scale, increasing yearly.
No need in denying that fact Terry Now then could it be smaller shops being swallowed up by the bigger guys I guess?Sprue Brothers just absorbed somebody here back in the last two years.I saw a shift in our LHS about 15yrs ago when ALOT of R/C stuff started showing up and the model section shrunk and the I have seen the same thing at Hobbytown in Mobile.The owner said it was a sign of the times less modelers purchasing(internet sales? ) and it was the way to keep the doors open.Maybe in the US the hobby has faded for reasons I have mentioned but we do see alot of builders from Europe and SE Asia and maybe the market just shifted?
No need in denying that fact Terry
Now then could it be smaller shops being swallowed up by the bigger guys I guess?Sprue Brothers just absorbed somebody here back in the last two years.I saw a shift in our LHS about 15yrs ago when ALOT of R/C stuff started showing up and the model section shrunk and the I have seen the same thing at Hobbytown in Mobile.The owner said it was a sign of the times less modelers purchasing(internet sales? ) and it was the way to keep the doors open.Maybe in the US the hobby has faded for reasons I have mentioned but we do see alot of builders from Europe and SE Asia and maybe the market just shifted?
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
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- Thread starter
- #30
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
Excellent photo Chris. I wish you still had the truck.
N4521U
Colonel
Sign painting was done by Craftsmen in those days as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
.....an art that you don't see very often today!
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
My Dad did the painting. He did fantastic artwork. He should have been in graphic design. Oh well..............
- Thread starter
- #34
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
I agree.
N4521U
Colonel
Being an old sign painter.......
that's a quality job........
that's a quality job........
awesome pic Chris.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Great pic Chris. I used to love watching my mate paint signs and vehicles - he made it look so smooth and effortless. A real art.
T Bolt
Colonel
Looking for something on the internet today I happened on a reference of a hobby shop not far from my home. Looked at their web sight and they've been there quite a wile. I can't believe I've never noticed it before now. I'll have to check it out this weekend.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Hope it's the right sort of place, with the stuff you need most Glenn. Makes a heck of a difference when you have a local shop and need paint, bits and pieces, or even kits in a hurry.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Very cool Chris!
