THIS is NOT a political thread so let's keep politics OUT! In our current economy here in the U.S. if you have some extra cash around NOW is the time to support your LHS and fellow sellers as much as you can. Since my LHS happens to be here and EBay, I can tell you I am doing what I can. I have never seen prices lower on EBay (less shipping) than right now. MANY online hobby stores are offering DEEP discounts in order to stay afloat. Great deals will help your layout and by buying NOW maybe you will still be able to visit your LHS next year. Following the trends as I do I can say I don't think things will get much lower pricewise so any money you have not donated to the TELETHON at TB, think about handing over for that engine, boxcar, or scenery you have been wanting. What? You have not heard of the the TELETHON? Check the top heading This message brought to you by the crew at the Colorado & Southern, also known as the Cheap & Slow...heavy on the cheap!
John, it seems that hobbies such as ours thrive during hard times because the money that goes into new 50" HDTV's just ain't there. At the same time, those hard up for cash unload attractive, even sometimes unique or custom-made stuff of high quality/value for $120 and a song. There are bargoons everywhere, and the LHS's still have to compete...it never changes for them in my opinion.
Funny, today the on-line DCC retailer I recommend sent me a news letter stating that they had the best month in their history in revenue, order completion, and profitability. Who knows why?
It has been kind a bad for me. Even with my job which I took a pay cut to keep out of loyalty to my awesome boss, Being a G-Scaler, it hurts. I don't know how expensive small scale stuff is these days as the last 10 or so years I've focused on G. But with newer products coming out, LGB collector prices rising (I need my stainz tender >.>) it's been pretty rough. A lot of my projects have been on the backburner because I cannot afford the parts to finish them. I kinda perfer a roof over my head you know. I'm sure it varys from modeler to modeler, but that's just where I am. Mostly because of my scale choice.
I agree that this is likely scale specific. I hope you get to hang on to your job and things improve!
I've had my hours and pay cut in half, so there isn't much hobby money lying around at the moment. I do, however, go to my LHS first for anything, and only order online or telephone if they don't have it. I don't know if the two LHS's can do much with their $50 each per month I can give them, but if everybody gave them that much, they would probably survive. Many of my fellow customers are buying rail joiners and track nails, rather than that $400 steam engine sitting on the shelf growing mold. This is good and bad, good in that it means people are actually building or working on their layouts, but bad because it takes a lot of sales of packages of track nails to keep the doors open.
I've been around in the workplace for way too many years now to count, but ever since 1972, supposedly the "Big One" when the Dow went to under 1000, inflation and unemployment were 12%, interest rates were approaching 19% and gas was on the increase, while cars took a big wallop increase in price because of government required technology. No hope was in sight. I personally can remember going to the grocery store and witnessing prices go right out of the ceiling. I learned that in every bad economy there are growth enterprises, brought on by the population who actually wants to spend less. For example, car repair parts, hobbies and crafts were making money while vacations, new cars and other more expensive pastimes were delayed. I always felt that home hobbies worst enemy were good weather and expendable income. I know the era of big priced locos, such as brass, are being passed by for now, while discounted quality plastic bodied locos are showing increases. People are spending more time inside and with the limited funds available and the possiblity of the light at the end of the tunnel dim for now, discounted trains are probably going to be the norm for the next few months. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
The model RR section of our LHS seems to be doing OK. I have talked with them a couple of times. Inventory is growing slowly, but steadily. They're being quite thoughtful about what they bring in, and how it's displayed. I like it. Those times when I was there before my illness, there were usually at least a couple of others shopping and buying. I have only been in once since returning home, and there was a constant stream of people who were making purchases. When I've called them, they're often with a customer. :thumbs_up: Boxcab E50
Unfortunately the local Hobby Lobby has more railroad stuff than the LHS...in fact they seem to be reducing it to make more room for their RC stuff. What I have noticed at the Hobby Lobby is that there are more folks looking and buying than even at Christmas time. This includes EXPENSIVE O scale Lionel sets. I got to talking with an older gentleman the other day who said he had just retired and was looking at a hobby to fill his time. His retirement benefits must be pretty good judging by what was in his shopping basket
I keep watching the Walthers flyers for items I want that are on sale. I get them through my LHS, so I save on shipping and he gets the business. I see these things at Trainworld for much cheaper, but then I feel guilty for not supporting my LHS. C'mon, Walthers. Discount that Proto USRA 0-8-0. Make me and my LHS happy.
This past weekend, my wife and I made a "tour" of all the local craft stores plus the 1 hobby shop in the area (Medford, OR) and they were all busy. I guess if you can't buy a car or a 56" TV, you spend on something that will make you happy and keep your mind occupied. --Steve from the other Phoenix
Hobby Lobby runs weekly specials which often are 40% off. Take 40% off their prices and some of those Lionel sets and accessories start coming within reach. They may not have a huge selection of train stuff, but they usually have a bunch of Woodland Scenic material. You don't even need to get the newspaper to get their coupons. You can sign up at their website and they send you the weekly special by email. All you have todo is print off the coupon. That's how we got our grandson his first Lionel train set a year ago. Regards Ed .
I wish I could take advantage of the deals. Unfortunately the economy and health issues have caught up with me. Next week I will go in to about filing bankruptcy. The only "toy" I have left is my motorcycle.
I was up in Alburqurque about 2 months ago and went to Wig Wag. George said they were doing great. Not sure if it was because people are shifting from high cost items to hobbies or if LHSs are dropping and a few etailers are picking up the pieces.
Just my opinion, but I think your second hypothesis is the correct one. On model railroading forums you constantly hear about another LHS closing. You seldom hear about one opening up. It may be a good time for the remaining LHS's, with people spending more time on hobbies, but overall I suspect that volume of business is gradually moving towards etailers (or LHS's that also deal over the internet). Ed .
I was talking this afternoon with a train shop employee. We both thought the smartest move was for any LHS to also have a solid web presence. Boxcab E50
It is a concern that people have less money and are hanging onto anything extra they have. It's kind of a spiral effect. Less people spending money, means less people making money, means less spend.... etc For myself. I have been in financial hard times for a couple years now. I haven't bought anything new for the layout in that time. The past few months I have started selling off most of my trains. I had to make some hard decisions about it. Especially selling off my Steamers was hard but I feel kind of liberated having less stuff. Still have reservations about selling my Atlas fish bellies but they are going off in the next batch. All of my sales are at a complete loss. I make maybe 30% of what I paid. So one would think I am traumatized in regard to model trains. I'm finding that I am actually more focused. What kind of layout would I build if I only kept 2-4 diesels and a selection of cars? I'm down sizing and thinking I may actually find it more rewarding. It's actually interesting to figure out exactly what locos I want to keep. So far the one all time fave is my N&W SD35. Even the unique MT box cars are going to go up for sale. I'm thinking about how small my layout can be and still make me happy. What do I like about trains? Maybe a 2.5 x 3-4 footer. Very minimal. My door panel layout was almost too track heavy to provide space for scenery. I think that is why it eventually got ignored. Always look on the bright side of life, right?
I actually had to face a decision of selling off my Rio Grande LGB Stainz Starter set just to finish a couple layout projects. Right now that set would have fetched at least around 300 or so. For those who have been in the G-Scale section know this was my first large scale set. But I decided that if I sell it, my powered tender will show up heh. I guess on the bright side, I'd rather have my starter set then the money, after all things will pick up and I still have a job after all. Things could be much, much worse.
I have noticed a definate increase in model railroading interest. From more new members joining Trainboard to more bidding and action on items on ebay, it's a growing hobby. Unlike others I saw the beginning of the "WAVE" and got off of it. I sold my home for a good profit and focused on my business until I hurt my back and ended up in an office job for construction, and sold the business. The wife and I toughed it out and lived with relatives while everyone looked at us like we were stupid while they were all buying $300000 "chicken houses" and new cars. Last summer we bought a new rambler for 60% of what many paid for some tiny 100yr old home, and are weathering the "storm" with plenty of savings in the bank despite the wife loosing her teaching job. Re-entering the model railroading hobby for me was a result of a back injury, leaving me unable to physically handle the strain involved with a automotive hobby. It hurts my brain to try to understand what people were thinking scarfing up all this foreign made merchanidise and "buying high", what did they think was going to happen?
