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It's not just train shops, but pretty much all hobby shops that are feeling the online competition, even from their own suppliers!
When I owned my LHS, several times I found stuff on the distributors online store that they were selling to the public for LESS then they sold it to their own dealers!
Quite true, and this is one of the biggest complaints dealers have about Walthers. They will often have sales on things the LHS already has in stock for less than the LHS paid for it. It's a really bad deal for the LHS since Walthers tends to have sales on slower moving or overstock items, which the the LHS probably isn't selling well either. In the old days, Walthers would reimburse dealers to take some of this off their hands. Now they can sell it direct to the public at a higher margin. While Walthers says they want to support hobby shops, I suspect they are looking towards the day when most of their money will come from direct to consumer sales. Heck, I remember when you couldn't order anything direct from Walthers, you had to go through a dealer. That was a long time ago.
This is so true about all the competion. Do you guys remember when you went to the Butcher , bakery , fish store , fruit markets or the Ma & Pa corner stores. record shops, florists, ? Who put all these liitle guys out of buisness ?
I think OldGettysk has a point. However, if I want or need something special such as a prime rib roast for a special occasion I go to the butcher at the meat market. As we all mentioned before "Atlas Flex Track" is Atlas Flex Track regardless of where you buy it. However, the online seller (this is not a knock on them) can't tell me about their experience using that track or tell me that a new process to lay it quicker and easier is to do this and this etc. That is the purview and sole advantage of the LHS - if they fail to do that then ......
Buying track is moving up on my do to list. From what I've heard, one side leads using the Atlas Super flex which runs about $300 to $340 per 100 36" sections. Or you in the Micro Eng camp with 100 36" sections running about $400. (no weathered)
But today I saw an add for Model Power flex track, 100 36" pack for $189.99. All are code 83. So wow, big difference there!
I've never seen the MP Flex and was wanting to pickr brain about the pros and cons of going with MP flex. My original thoght was to use Micro Eng and the cost difference was really not that drastic, but using MP would cut that cost by 50-60% and that DOES catch my attention.
I'll give you my experience with Model Power flex track. It's very little different from Atlas flex track and I think may be made by the same factory in China. I've held the two next to each other and the Model power ties actually look a little better, if anything, especially the brown tie version. You can get the brown tie code 83 version for $2.59 each at http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mdp/mdp106.htm. If you call them, I think they'll give you a better deal on a 100 pack.
If the budget is a deciding factor between ME and Atlas/Model Power, I would buy the Model Power track. If you have the funds, I'd still get the Micro Engineering track. You'll end up laying way better curves with less frustration and the ME track does look better than either of the other brands.
Loco, since that's less than $2 a section, I suspect it's a typo. I'd go ahead and place the order and see what happens. Hobbylinc is usually pretty good about standing behind their prices.
I luckily have 3 decent hobby shops in a 20 mile arc from me. I frequent them all. I may pay a little higher price to get my supplies but in return I get to have them around to check out for ideas, look for new stuff, and just a place to take the kids from time to time. Without them where will our kids get the idea to start out when they hit middle age? Nothing like the ole hobby shop in town. I'd suggest trying to use them as much as possible. Pay the extra buck for the flex track and have it available in a pinch.
I couldn't agree more. I shop online occasionally, but unless I find a huge difference, I always use the LHS. Reason? If they lose their business on locos, rolling stock and track to online purveyors, why would they carry the nickel and dime stuff (OK, $1 - $5 stuff) that I need? The mail order business killed the hobby shops back in the 70's and 80's. I remember El Paso, Texas had 13 shops at one time (all sorts). Now there is one plus Hobby Lobby. I'm not there now, but Woodie's Train Shop used to advertise in Model Railroader. Now they don't. I suspect there is now NO train shop there.
A hobby shop can't stay in business if the only thing people buy from them is nuts and bolts or track joiners. Support your LHS as much as you can. They are a valuable asset.
