Toysareforkids
Posts: 228
Score: 100
Joined: 5/26/2010
Last Login: 5/8/2013
From: Deer Lodge,
TN, USA
Status: offline
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The hobby store I'm talking about has no problem selling stuff. He has a on-line store also, and brags about how good he is doing. He sponsors 20 heli pilots, he flew for Kyosho, he has 2 helicopters on the market he designed. He was loading up a hugh trailer when I was there taking half his store to Indiana for a fly-in this week. He say's he does it several times a year. He flys a 12' Telmaster that he built from a kit he paid $1200.00 for. Which is sitting on top of a shelf after a light crashed. He has large open space, were he could put a kit or 3. I didn't say to stock a dozen or so, just a couple. The main fly around his area is were 1/4 scale is the smaller planes, and most are scratch or kit built.
There are 4 other small shops that cater to the hobby, around, I mean small in size, that all carry balsa, plywood and spruce, wires wheels and small parts, and each try to keep a couple of kits alos. But they all mainly supply to arf's and foam planes.They don't have the same foot traffic as the other guy so I tried him. I have sold planes at one of the the others and at the tlying fields around.
I drive 60 miles to his shop be cause the nearest one to me is 45 miles away
You say to sell it on RCU, I'm already giving them away at the price I'm asking, and most people don't want to add the cost of shipping these days. A year and a half ago I sold 45 of my kits, a couple sold on RCU but no one wanted to buy more, so I sold them on ebay, I had 73 nitro & gas engines, a few sold on here, I put the rest on ebay, I had over 100 new servo's, I installed in planes I sold I have maybe 20 left for me.a dozen planes not one sold on here, I hung and sold some on ebay I have 25 planes built, half are ready to fly or I am flying, 8 need to be covered and motors & radio's reinstalled. from .020 to my 1/4 scale DR1 and 2 arf's, and one micro foamy!
Not to count the 3 new radio's, 2 boats, 2 helicopters, and 13 rc cars I sold also. Just in the last 1 1/2-2 years, to pay for my wifes meds!
The owner doesn't make squat on selling your planes over what he makes on his merchandise. Ahh but he does, the amount is different for each store. I have sold many, many planes over the years. I am a builder of kit and scratch building for over 40 years, and always am selling a plane somewhere. And it also brings people in when the see different planes in the store. The only one that does Not make money is me! I do it because I have built planes since I was 8, and it's in my blood! I do it now because I sit in the room next to my wife, and take care of her because a surgeon screwed up and hit her Vegas nerve 2 years ago, and it keeps me going!
You say - "Why would I want to buy a plane that I have to spend more on just to get engines and radio stuff I already have. If I need an engine, I'll ask if one comes with the plane." Not everyone has a spare engine, and today people want to buy & fly, And I also tell the shops that I will also sell it with out the servo's or motor for less, if they don't want them.
And YES! it is thier buiness to do what ever they want, But, don't bicth when they close, when they could have also been selling stuff that the builders also need and want! They are the ones changing from hobby shops, to arf stores, not us! They can still sell to both and still turn their stock.
Most hobby store owners I know of, where flyer/builder first, and then were store owners.
Pat
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Kit Building >> LHS Rant! 
LHS Rant! - 
and China your main supplier 
Truth!! It's what I did. 
