ORIGINAL: bigedmustafa
Don't judge your LHS too harshly. I was sold an Aerobird Challenger as my first plane, and it was not a pleasant experience. I later discovered that almost none of the staff at the LHS were pilots, they all ran RC buggies or trucks. They were told that the Aerobird Challenger was a great beginners' plane, and they believed it to be true. Experienced RC pilots often know volumes more about the aircraft-related products at the LHS than the staff does.
Ed I very strongly agree with you as most hobby shop people (especially the chain stores) have employees who don't
know the difference between a trainer and a corsair except that on the box they look different. But isn't it possible to
train these people or ask them to research the products they are selling, so they can make an educated assumption
as to what the customer needs or should get based on their experience level.
As an employee of an LHS I wasn't allowed to help out an airplane customer unless it was one of the regulars who
had no questions. After a while of listening and learning from the owner and our resident airplane guru, I too was
able to make good reccomendations on planes engines and equipment, Even though I had never flown. But still I was
honest to all my customers and started the converstaion with "I have no firsthand knowledge of this but the owner
or guru would reccomend XXXX product"
The LHS that I buy from now actually fits my idea as an ideal place. Plenty of kits, arfs, and rtfs. and when you ask the guy
behind the counter for advice he doesn't automatically try to sell the 40% edge on the ceiling, He gives a realistic answer
even if he knows it's not the answer you want.