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JohnW -> RE: Problem with Hobby Town USA (9/3/2004 11:44 PM)
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While I do not work for, nor have I ever worked for HT, I know a bit about their stores as I live in Lincoln. Hobbytown is a franchise with HQ in Lincoln, NE. The stores are independent and all vary in how they are managed and what they stock. HT is NOT a model aircraft shop. Never has been and never will be. They are a generic hobby store that carries everything from RC planes, trains, cars, boats, telescopes, kites, games, action figures, and yes, pokemon cards. They have tiered their offering to cover a broad range of hobbies and have specialized in no area. IMO, this is why they are successful. In fact, HT is rated in the top 2% of all franchises in the US. HT will never be the model airplane store of yesteryear. If they tried, they would suffer the same fate. My local HT store actually has a large selection as they are the flagship store, but they still don't offer many of the items I need. But I can't really fault them for that because they are not a full blown model airplane store. They do however carry the typically everyday items I need (glow plugs, glue, basic hardware, etc.) Sure, they are more expensive than mail order, but name me one local store front that isn't. What I like about HT is that they have the small generic basic stuff I need every day. If I want to build this weekend, and Friday evening I realize I'm out of CA, HT will have the CA I need and I'll pay an extra buck over mail order just so I can build now. Sure, it would be great if they stocked spare parts to my YS and DS engines and had a wide selection of 27" to 28" menz, mejs & p-tip props, but that won't happen. HT may not be the RC aircraft superstore I would like them to be, but they do offer a service I need. In addition, our local HT store and HQ have donated over $1000 in stuff to our club in the past two years. Everything from prizes for our funfly and contests to full trainers with buddy box, fuel and spare parts so we could start an "Introductory Flight" program.
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