My Local Shop Closing Down

[ColinB]

My local model shop specialises in "n gauge"  and I suspect he makes most of his money doing railway fairs and swapmeets. There again that was how Rails of Sheffield started, I suspect if you are willing to put the effort in you can probably make it work as is shown in Rails case. I remember when him and his mum were running the business on a shoestring. There again with most small business enterprises that is what you have to do, work like mad for the first few years and hope it pays off. Trouble is people on this thread belittle us for finding the cheapest deal, but if that difference is £50 or more in some cases then that is important. If it was say a few pounds then a lot of us would buy locally but often it is not. There is the other point, most of my new locos are preorders so generally they are going to come from someone who I know will be able to supply them in 2 or 3 years time when they finally arrive.

[atom3624]

There's also the age and enthusiasm thing.

There comes a point whereby if you've genuinely tried as hard as you're capable of, but not making headway, together with the potential for continuity - similarly affected offspring, enthusiastic younger staff perhaps - that fateful decision may need to be made.

Al.

[Rallymatt]

RoS like Hattons, as was, and the best physical retailers, present really well. Welcoming, professional, clean and well stocked. Ultimately the offer any retailer makes to the purchaser is one they must have calculated to be appropriate. I don’t think anyone is belittling people who take advantage of the offer the retailer makes to us @ColinB. It’s the seller’s prerogative. I do think a mistake many outlets have made is to make a commercial proposition an extension of their personal relationship with the hobby. Passion for whatever you do is fantastic but it is easy to get the balance wrong and not evolve. Lose what no longer works and strengthen what does; the basics of evolution, survival of the fittest meaning fit for purpose not being a gym enthusiast. 

On a basic observation, how many model railway outlets have an actual model railway working in the window or at least in store? It’s the one trump card a physical shop has over the internet and they don’t play it. 

[sir john]

For many years we had a caravan near lowestoft and every time we were there I found myself in parrs model shop been there for ever, a proper model shop extremely well stock very friendly and knowledgeable people and they had a model railway in the window, unfortunately a 100 miles is a bit far to go however i am on holiday there in a weeks time so will be visiting again 

[Rallymatt]

@sir john that does reinforce my perception. If you want to attract people in, nothing is more magical than a model railway in the window and once inside friendly staff and good stuff to buy 😁

[LTSR_NSE]

9 hours ago, ColinB said:

Trouble is people on this thread belittle us for finding the cheapest deal

6 hours ago, Rallymatt said:

I don’t think anyone is belittling people who take advantage of the offer the retailer makes to us @ColinB.

I very much doubt anyone on this forum would belittle/begrudge taking advantage of traditional retailer offers - however caution/concern is expressed over undercutting by manufacturers & especially non-traditional retail, (likes of Amazon etc.) since this is achieved through economy of scale & negatively impacts the viability of retailers.

Even this concern is generally targeted at those unhealthy/unsustainable business practices & not necessarily at those who take advantage of them!

[ColinB]

6 hours ago, LTSR_NSE said:

I very much doubt anyone on this forum would belittle/begrudge taking advantage of traditional retailer offers - however caution/concern is expressed over undercutting by manufacturers & especially non-traditional retail, (likes of Amazon etc.) since this is achieved through economy of scale & negatively impacts the viability of retailers.

Even this concern is generally targeted at those unhealthy/unsustainable business practices & not necessarily at those who take advantage of them!

Have you bought anything model railway off Amazon in the last few months, generally they are more expensive than anyone. They used to have the odd good deal but that hasn't happened for a while. I do wonder whether Hornby every so often release a number of products from their unsold mountain to specific retailers, Rails were doing deals on Hornby Dublo A4s, TMC frequently do the same, I don't think these are examples of "over ordering" by the Retailer. 

[Rallymatt]

You can still pick up bargains and good value items on Amazon but you do have to research the prices. Just as the TT:120 HST was arriving, it was being offered on Amazon and almost double RRP! I wouldn’t be surprised if the volume retailers who support Hornby well, were offered attractive rates on additional stock. Quite a common practice, especially in motor industry, the manufacturers just asked you not to ‘distress market’ them. 

[Deem]

1 hour ago, ColinB said:

Have you bought anything model railway off Amazon in the last few months, generally they are more expensive than anyone. They used to have the odd good deal but that hasn't happened for a while. I do wonder whether Hornby every so often release a number of products from their unsold mountain to specific retailers, Rails were doing deals on Hornby Dublo A4s, TMC frequently do the same, I don't think these are examples of "over ordering" by the Retailer. 

Hornby does have a store on Amazon where they sell directly via Amazon, link is below. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Hornby/page/42AC0C70-1D10-41C5-99F4-64CEA8B4928A?ref_=ast_bln

Just an example, Hornby is showing out of stock R30151 Class 66 at £96.99 but on Amazon in Hornby Store showing next day delivery, at £87.29, 10 in stock.

[The son of Triangman]

On the good news, I am starting a concession and internet model business including model railways, it's be a very long time in the making and few false starts and yes there is still much to do, but October is pencilled in as starting date.  I won't be competing with the big box movers, as I can't, and the model railways is only 1 facet of the business, the main part of the business is electronic components, CAD, 3D printing and 3D scanning work.  So all is not gloom and doom.

Edited September 10 by The son of Triangman

[Deem]

Just now, The son of Triangman said:

On the good news, I am starting an online and internet model business including model railways, it's be a very long time in the making and few false starts and yes there is still much to do, but October is pencilled in as starting date.  I won't be competing with the big box movers, as I can't, and the model railways is only 1 facet of the business, the main part of the business is CAD, 3D printing and 3D scanning work.  So all is not gloom and doom.

Look forward to see and maybe even buy to support at the start-up.

[ColinB]

32 minutes ago, Deem said:

Hornby does have a store on Amazon where they sell directly via Amazon, link is below. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Hornby/page/42AC0C70-1D10-41C5-99F4-64CEA8B4928A?ref_=ast_bln

Just an example, Hornby is showing out of stock R30151 Class 66 at £96.99 but on Amazon in Hornby Store showing next day delivery, at £87.29, 10 in stock.

Last time I did a search Amazon was fronting for a third party, I think it was Gaugemaster. That price is RRP minus 10% is about normal. About a year ago I did get a loco amazingly cheap but I have not seem any other offers like that since.

[Deem]

4 minutes ago, ColinB said:

Last time I did a search Amazon was fronting for a third party, I think it was Gaugemaster. That price is RRP minus 10% is about normal. About a year ago I did get a loco amazingly cheap but I have not seem any other offers like that since.

Was that around black Friday sale, I find Amazon does do very good deals at that time. So if I need to buy something above £50.00, I will wait for that period or other sale which are good time to buy.

[Aussie Fred]

Amazingly, I just ordered a Hornby product from Amazon, price competative with others, coming from Germany and post free.

[Deem]

Amazon must have given extra discount to Hornby to sell or have given incentive to Hornby, so they can have another brand name to Amazon list of seller, that's how hornby can sell at 10% reduction with next Amazon delivery which must be coming out of Amazon pocket as well.

[Deem]

2 minutes ago, Aussie Fred said:

Amazingly, I just ordered a Hornby product from Amazon, price competative with others, coming from Germany and post free.

Now for sure, a Local shop can not compete with this kind of business with vast resources and competitive pricing. Hence more business are going under. Look around and so many big names are closed there shops, either shut down totally or only doing online. The personal touch is very important in business but if one can not survive, than, they have no choice but to close down. At the moment loads of business incline towards web chat or customer chat, to get the info before or after sale, not far from where customer maybe start have video chat with seller to seek advice or information. More costly compare to web chat, in which one sales advisor can have various chats with various customers at one time. Video will have to be one customer at a time? Just an thought.

[Aussie Fred]

AS a point, I could not find any other online shops that have one in stock, in Australia or the UK, most listed their price and "out of stock". Amazon had only one and it was in Germany, but even then I may still miss out as after 2 days they have not advised despatch, which might mean they haven't got it. fingers still crossed.

[The son of Triangman]

The biggest problem I have come across so far with my new start up is opening a Hornby trade account, it seems nigh on impossible to do.  Hornby don't respond to my calls and emails.