Another Big Box Exit from N Scale...?

umtrr-author Aug 5, 2022

  1. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    Okay, so Hobby Lobby is not the first place one would think of when considering the purchase of N Scale items. But occasionally they've had a few things, including purely entry-level sets, which arguably could be had for less money elsewhere than the amount on the chain's "Your Price" sticker. ("Your Price" items are not available for further discounts, like the (in)famous 40 percent off coupon.)

    Until, perhaps, the present.

    I happened to be in a Hobby Lobby store yesterday, and their entire selection of N Scale, consisting of three Bachmann starter train sets, was in the Clearance Section, at a substantial markdown from their "Your Price."

    Might this be a chain-wide decision? If so, it would be yet another Big Box exiting N Scale entirely, leaving, well, I don't know if any, left.

    I hasten to add that were someone to ask me to recommend a starter set for N Scale, I would recommend something else besides what Hobby Lobby had left on the shelf.
     
  2. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    An update: During our just completed trip to Maine, we stopped at an HL in Seabrook, New Hampshire to find two fully-priced Bachmann N Scale Train Sets. So perhaps the presence of N Scale in that Big Box will continue to limp along in selected locations.
     
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  3. jwaldo

    jwaldo TrainBoard Member

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    I don't think I've ever seen much in the way of N scale at chain hobby shops. I first switched to N when the local Hobby People started stocking one Bachmann set AND one Life-Like set, and that was pretty much the extent of their selection for as long as I went there. The smaller, RR-focused shops always had a lot more to offer.
     
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  4. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    Was in a HL last week and they did have some N scale sets on clearance, but they had sets and accessories at regular price in their usual spot. Retailers often will clear out older stock to keep inventory fresh. I hope this is the case.
     
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  5. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    I visited a HL in Gainsville Virginia (west Washington DC suburb) and they had no train stuff.
     
  6. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    If HL stands for Hobby Lobby they have only had one low level train set at Christmas. And some other modeling supplies for young folks.
     
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  7. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    I don't recall ever seeing any train sets in Hobby Lobby...not that I visit them very often. They just really don't have anything I need or want, including trains.
     
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  8. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    I was in one the other day. Nothing.

    They really never got serious about the market. I never saw anything but the usual cheap junk there. I'm surprised they stayed in as long as they did.
     
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  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    When it comes to scenery type of stuff you can find some interesting stuff at HL. For train equipment I avoid buying anything Bachmann. Sticking with Kato, Intermountain, Micro-Trains just to name a few.

    Our local Brick and Mortar Hobby Shop carries way to much Bachmann stuff for my satisfaction.
     
  10. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    That fits the picture at our local Hobby Lobby too, a decent selection of scenery items (turf, trees, rock, etc.) and a few RTR Bachmann sets and Bachmann track.
     
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  11. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    I've had the sense that the model train industry has been waning but see a lot of products still coming out so there is interest but mostly upmarket. I suspect the HL customer that would be looking for trains is probably a beginner where price over quality is paramount. The one closest to me (still 150 miles away lol) actually has a decent scenery products with a lot of woodland scenics but like others have mentioned the loco and rolling stock inventory leaves a bit to be desired.

    I was chatting the other day with the owner at PWRS (Dan) who manufactures North American Railcar Corporation products where he was saying business has been good for the upper end rolling stock like his NARC line. His hypothesis is those that have been in the hobby for a while appreciate quality and are at the stage in their life where they have been relatively unaffected by the economic turbulence.

    The HL I go to seems to focus more on RC and rc cars/trucks at that. Me also being an RC plane enthusiast I find their plane selection pretty lacking as well but more stuff than trains for sure.
     
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  12. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    Given their real specialties, it really isn't surprising they're a better source for dioramas than hard working railroads.
     
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  13. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    Some say that but new products continue to be announced. In fact there is a new company called Class One Modelworks. Tangent offers a new model about once a month. Exactrail has gotten in a number of new models. Intermountain continues to offer models monthly. Atlas is a little slower but still going. Athearn as well. I don't follow the low end stuff but the demand seem to be pretty great for higher detail models. But Accurail continues to offer modest price kits.
     
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  14. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    I see that affordable DCC++EX will be a great impact on our hobby to bring kids and younger folks in. When they realize they can run miniature, actual trains from their smartphones, they will be hooked.
     
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  15. Pfunk

    Pfunk TrainBoard Member

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    I'll buy supplies - glue, knife blades, materials, etc - from HL but try to go out of my way to buy anything trains-related from a LHS if I can. I do remember seeing a Bachmann starter set there for full-price last trip, maybe 3wks ago.

    I always feel like it would make a great Christmas present for a kid somewhere when I see those. I want what *I* want, but I wasn't that way at 9, watching it go in an oval on a sheet of plywood with nothing else on it lol
     
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  16. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    If anyone is interested in a Christmas gift, Hobby Lobby had several of the Thoroughbred N scale sets on clearance for $47.
     
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  17. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    And meanwhile, the other HL in my area still had two "Yard Boss" sets in the regular aisle at their "Your Price" of $119.99. (Versus the MSRP from the Bachmann site of... sitting down? $250.) These are the ones with the 0-6-0 steam locomotive, DC only.

    I think this illustrates that the Clearance protocol for HL may vary from store to store. The one that had the diesel sets for $47.99 didn't have any Yard Boss sets.
     
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  18. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    All of which are great for the HO Scaler... or should I say Horribly Oversized :ROFLMAO:
     
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  19. sidney

    sidney TrainBoard Member

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    i dis like HL never liked them...... bring back my OSH i loved that store they had every thing i needed . HL is for females that want junk.......
     
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  20. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    What's OSH?
     

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