Purchasing Etiquette?
 

I've made some of my purchases online, and others at my local hobby store. Without fail, the prices at the store are around 25% higher. My desire to save money is waging war against my desire to support the local economy. I walk in there now and always walk out feeling guilty. Now if they render advice, or work with me in some way the increased cost is totally justified, but if I'm just grabbing a role of Monokote or replacement hot socks or something...

What do you all do? Is there some other benefit to the brick and mortar store that I'm not realizing?

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Here is your answer from a LHS owner. Maybe I'm 25% higher or not. Is it a special order that will not sit in the store for months. Is 25 % more only change. Add shipping is it still 25%. Is it worth 25% to ask questions. Is it worth 25% to drink coffee and talk to the other guys on a rainy Saturday. How about holding it in your hand. What about taking it home the same day. Have you ever ask him if he can match mail order. does he fly with you on week-ends. Do you ask him questions in the store or at the field. If you do does he charge you 25% more for the advice. Is he your friend. Last, do you want him to stay. Dennis

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

And, from another angle...

Two stores within an easy drive from my home will match (or beat!) the mail order price. They're used to people asking, and they don't mind quoting a price.

Actually, though... I don't ask either one of them advice.... they're both hobbyists, but first they're retailers. Advice is best sought at the club level, or the manufacturer level, in many instances.

That's my opinion, anyway.
Dave Olson

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

It might also help to say:

"Ya know Bill, Tower has this for $50 less than you"

If Bill has any sense, his price will drop a little

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

I was agreeing with you until you got to the friend and field comments. Friendship and business should be seperate. I help people at the field, and I expect no compensation. Why should a hobby shop owner, who also flies, expect that people who ask him questions at the field also buy from him? If I was friends with the owner of the LHS (it's not that he's unfriendly, I just don't know him that well), I certainly would support him, but not if the "cost" of that friendship was an extra 25% on all of my purchases. I also would hope that he not expect that I buy all my stuff from him because of our friendship. Personally I would not ask, or expect, that he discount MY purchases because of my friendship. OTOH, if he offered a discount, I certainly would accept.

I don't get to spend rainy Saturdays at the shop drinking coffee and chatting with the guys. My hobby time is limited to flying, some building, and some shopping. If I'm not doing one of these things on that rainy Saturday, I'm spending the time with the girls (wife and daughter) at home or somewhere else.

Personally, I find that in today's marketplace I spend much more online than at the LHS. Part of the reason is that before I buy something I research it. Most of the research is done online at vendors selling the stuff, on Google, or here at RCU. By the time I've figured out I want something, it's just a couple minutes more to push a few buttons and order it. Alternatively, I would have to drive 30 minutes each way to the LHS to get it, if he had it in stock. If it was not in stock, I'd have to call him to order it and then wait 1-2 weeks for the item to come in. If I'm going to the trouble of ordering it, it's most likely going to be online.

Now, if my LHS had a way to order things via the web, at prices similar to other online vendors, and then I'd go pick them up when they arrived, I'd probably steer more business his way. He'd also benefit, cause I'm sure I'd come home with a few more "must have" items that I found while visiting the shop.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Jason if you have to ask this question this it is obvious that you have never experianced a genuine Local Hobby shop rather than just another bubble pack chain store which even these are barelly hanging on. There are at least two genuine mom and pop real LHS' left in the greater Los Angeles area and I make the 350 mile trip several times a year just to do business with them and at times spend the greater part of the day in the store. An adventure that the internet could never possibly replace.

John

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

I look at it from a need versus want and how soon point of view.

Need is when I have a problem that is keeping me from flying and the LHS has it in stock.

Want is when I just have to have it but not right now and that's when the how soon comes in. If the LHS has it and I can find it online for a cheaper price then I compare shipping charges. In most cases I find the difference in price to not be all that much including shiiping and will usually got to the LHS. My LHS will even overnight it if I pickup the tab for the difference in ground shipping versus overnight if I so desire.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Chuck, my customers are my friends. I fly with alot of them every week. I travel to fly-ins with them. No I don't expect to sell everything to every one, and at the field I am just another hobbist that will help and give parts free. At my store if you are a regular customer I will do special orders and you pay when you pick up. Call me at home and i will bring it to the field on Sunday. Buy something else and need my help you will get it free. Maybe the next time you'll come to me. Ask a question of me ,I will give you the best answer I know because that is what i can supply that mail order can't. Dennis

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Can you get a gallon of nitro shipped to you in 30 mins?

Waking up on a Saturday morning, having a fly in that day, realizing I was OUT of gas, ran to LHS and saved the day.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Obviously, I've touched a nerve. Dennis, I see (and feel) your points very clearly. Living in the Bay Area, CA I am fortunate enough to be within spitting distance of, count'em, 6 hobby stores. One is a mom and pop, one is a toy/hobby store and I think the others are chain based (Hobbytown). After thinking about this for a while, it seems this is the same argument that any family owned/small time business faces when confronted with the "big box" or online retailers.

I can't say I feel comfortable asking for a discount. In fact, it *almost* feels like asking for my cake and eating it too. I not only want the best price, but I want all your advice, touch and feel support, and convienent return ability. Is all that worth 25%? Maybe. On the other hand, I really don't like walking in and feeling like "the mark" at the table (poker players understand I hope).

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Jason, with me there is no nerve. I set my price based on mail order pricing most of the time because I know the business. Sometimes I can't know the current pricing on all things.If I am way out of line I want to know. Having my customers as friends , they know that they can ask and if i have room in the price i will meeet the price and not get mad. I can make it up elsewhere. Dennis

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Some buddies and I wanted a grand total of 10 Norvel .074s (6 for me :D ). The LHS not only beat Tower's price, but there was no shipping to pay. They also gave me a better price on receivers & crystals than I can get online. I need this shop and the one in the neighboring town to stay in business, and I make it a habit to buy as much of my stuff as possible there, unless it's OOP, in which I get it on eBay.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

First you must save your economy before you save the LHS economy. The USA economy is based on competition. This competition is what keeps the prices from sky rocketing up.

Our LHS have competitive prices compared to some online stores. For the most part I purchase the nitro and other miscellaneous items at the LHS. Airplanes and engines I purchase online. My decision is based on total price. Remember that purchasing online and at your LHS both have their advantages and disadvantages. Weigh them out. IMOP just support both. Can't put all your eggs in one basket.

As far as advice, that is for free. Whether at the LHS or the field. Take any advice with a grain of salt. Get more than one opinion as for all advice is just that... an opinion.

Good luck in your dilemma

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

In the SF bay area unfortunately the prices are driven by the cost of rent. Small hobby stores and certainly ones deicated to RC only almost never last.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Many years ago, I faced this dilemma. I decided I would spend $300 a year at my LHS to buy @ $150 worth of stuff I could have gotten from discount outfits. This was before the internet and back when you could mailorder something from a discounter, and Parcel Post would get it in your hands three or four days later. Anyone old enough to remember when we got two mail deliveries per day?

Jim

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

For me, it comes down to convience. Now you might think that means internet ordering, but more me it is more convient to buy at the LHS than online. We have at least 3 really good shops within about 30 miles. The closest one is Hobbytown. That is where I do 99% of my purchases. The store manager is one of us. He is at the field a lot, he is a CD for events at our club's fun flys, and he is probably going to be president of our club next year. When the store changed ownership, he sat down with the new owner. Armed with sales figures for the previous year, he showed the owner how much of sales was RC air related. The owner gave him free hand in ordering. Now about 40% of the store is planes, from park flyers up to gassers. They match Tower's prices and give club members 10% off. I have never had to ask for more of a discount.

The other 2 stores are mom and pop shops. One is more expensive, but carries rotorhead equipment (helicopters). The other one is less expensive, but quite a drive for me.

I have never bought rc airplanes or parts off the internet. I hate having to have stuff shipped to my office and making sure I am there. If I ship it to my house, then I get 20 questions from my wife about why I needed this or that. Buying local gives me the chance to get it into my workshop unnoticed :D For my model railroad stuff, I order online, since the closest hobby shop for railroads is over an hour away.

One more thing: the local shops support our club events. Planes to raffle off, inexpensive parts for the hourly drawings, etc. I support those who support me (our club).

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

when I had my hobby shop before I started flying full scale for a living, I matched prices. Everyone bought from me. The company that bought me out raised the prices, tried to sell retail, and wouldn't fly or learn what the people wanted. Now, they are gone, and we have no good shops. One is just starting and they are finally learning after a long time that they have to match prices and learn what the customers want. they are high on some things, but not all. I buy from them when I can, but won't pay huge differences. I still mail order a lot or buy on ebay an such. It ticks me off when I have to go buy wood from them because their prices on it are so high, but when in a pinch, it works. I tend to like to support them if possible to keep them around. When they are way higher though, I will order it. They used to sell fuel for almost $30 a gallon. It sat for a long time. They got the prices down to within a few bucks of mail order and now we buy it from them.

Hobby shops can try to sell for retail and fail, or try to match mailorder, or get close at least and prosper. The ones that won't work with you and get close won't be around long. Just the way it is!

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Went to my LHS a few weeks ago to buy G2, winter's coming and I didn't want to be as rusty next spring as I was last. I had checked the price at Tower, and thought the shop was a bit high. I'm not one to question what a person needs to get for what he's selling, but I did mention that I thought this was a bit more than I was expecting. Not a real problem, I bought it anyway. Was back in the shop a few days later and was handed a gift certificate for $53! The owner had checked the price and made good. I'll remember that a lot longer than I would have remembered paying a bit much. The shop is Hobby Haven in Urbandale, IA., by the way. Great people to deal with, knowledgeable and helpful.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

We have three main hobby stores here. Two of them are full blown stores and the other is a bit of a hole. Now I have been going to one of the nice stores for several years. Its about 6 miles away. Very customer service oriented. Most of my major purchases are done their among other errands in the area.

The other nice store is just that and only a mile away but they give you the impression they are two busy to help you and their knowledge is weak and a couple guys are down right jerks, But if I suddenly need something very small at the last minute, I am going to run over here and get it and not drive 12 miles round trip for a $3 item. Common sense.

However in any state, decent hobby stores are not all that close together and your options are limited, this also makes mail order attractive. Many of these stores have and attitude also and since they are the only store in the area, feel they can jack up costs, and limited knowledge and customer service.

For this you can go mail order and come here for all the help you need

Sorry, I'm just feeling a little blue today:D

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

I try and support my LHS as much as I can, but some things they have to order and are kinda too high on other stuff. I buy fuel, glue, hardware, etc from my LHS, and have bought two planes from them too. THey're freindly and helpful, and I'd like to keep them around.

I still get some stuff from Tower, just enough so I can keep getting catalogs, because of convience and because they stock soooo much stuff.

I just bought a new Hanger 9 Twist from my LHS...they make me a smokin deal on it..it's too much plane for me right now but i could'nt pass it up. I couldnt believe it was so complete for the $. It'll probably sit for a coupla months while I log some more time..but it won't be long before I give her a try.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

This is a why a LHS is important to the hobby. It's Saturday morning now, as I cleaning in the shop a man from Kansas came in looking for CA glue .He told me that he found me in the yellow pages. He ask if I had a open bottle of thin, if not he would buy one. I ask what he needed it for and he said his front teeth had come loose and he couldn't eat breakfast. Now I have fixed many things here but this is a real first. We fixed his teeth and talked for a while about the hobby. We both like to fly giant scale. Try calling mail order to get your teeth glued before breakfast. Dennis

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

There are good shops and not so good ones. How do you know the difference? The guy that manages the one closest to me has been flying for 20+ years. I had a question about how to modify the wing on my Kadet kit to add ailerons. I took the plans in with me, and he walked me through how to modify them. I can walk in there, look around, spend 30 mins to an hour shooting the bull, walk out without purchasing anything and come back the next day. The good ones know they need to either match Tower's prices, or get them close that the cost of buying from Tower with shipping is higher than buying locally.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

II have only ever bought stuff from an !QUOT!INTERNET store!QUOT! once and did not like it, i prefer to support my LHS. I like to be able to see and touch before i buy, i want to make sure what i am buying is not just from off a picture (the picture can look great but when you get what you ordered it could be crap quality). everything is so impersonal these days you can call the bank what do you get an automated service. if i want advice i want to talk to someone face to face where i where someone can show me what to do or how to use something. places like tower might be cheaper on occasion but once you include the shipping are you really saving much. I would hate to see the day when you can only order off the INTERNET and the LHS are long gone
paul

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

Coming from a real small town where my dad owns a business, and now residing in a big city, I think I have a unique perspective on this. Growing up, we tried to keep all of our purchases local (kinda like "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine"). Sure other towns had a bigger selection and lower prices... but the town had what we *needed* and we didn't have to drive anywhere.

Now having been brought up in that manner I certainly appreciate the need to shop at the LHS. As I'm just starting out in this hobby, I have bought everything locally. What I can't find at one LHS, I can usually find at another. Some of the people that work there aren't that knowledgable, but some have been flying for several years. If I have a question about something, I can just pop in the door and ask around. Most of the time I'll buy a couple of small dollar items that I don't need right now, but will need in the future (glow plugs, a new prop, etc.) - mainly for the fact that they scratched my back.

Once I get more into this hobby and know what I'm doing, I'll probably order some stuff off the Internet. I currently check prices and if I find a discrepancy, I bring it up to the LHS in a round-about way.

RE: Purchasing Etiquette?
 

The LHS I have used since 1990 closed their doors this year. :(. They were club members and fly frequently. They always donated planes and radios to the club. I wish more of our club members had bought more from them. It was really a sad day for me.