Local Hobby Store

 Instead, I bought it, and he told me to run it on my layout within the next few days, and if there is a problem, bring it back; then, he will either fix it, or replace it with an identical one that works. 

Does every local hobby shop have the same policy?
Does every person have a local hobby shop to even ask?

My LHS and Forum Sponsor, The Imperial Train Company, will test and run any engine you want to look at.  They are all on shelves and tested before each and everyone is put up.  Regis has no qualms about putting any engine on the test track and running it. As far as being on a shelf and ran on request, Regis's thought is how will people buy it if they can't see it, hear it, and watch it run.  If it's in a box that is impossible. I guess it's different philosophies.

If I pre-order anything, before I leave we run it on the test track and make sure it's all correct.  If there is an issue it's addressed before I leave the shop.  Also if something is ordered over the phone or on-line before it's packed up it gets another test run just to be sure it's leaving 100%.  Obviously this doesn't guarantee when it gets to it's destination there might not be an issue due to shipping or an unforeseen issue.

A LHS even if they are there to give you some good advice is always a great way to buy if you can.

MartyE posted:

My LHS and Forum Sponsor, The Imperial Train Company, will test and run any engine you want to look at.  They are all on shelves and tested before each and everyone is put up.  Regis has no qualms about putting any engine on the test track and running it. As far as being on a shelf and ran on request, Regis's thought is how will people buy it if they can't see it, hear it, and watch it run.  If it's in a box that is impossible. I guess it's different philosophies.

If I pre-order anything, before I leave we run it on the test track and make sure it's all correct.  If there is an issue it's addressed before I leave the shop.  Also if something is ordered over the phone or on-line before it's packed up it gets another test run just to be sure it's leaving 100%.  Obviously this doesn't guarantee when it gets to it's destination there might not be an issue due to shipping or an unforeseen issue.

A LHS even if they are there to give you some good advice is always a great way to buy if you can.

 

Totally awesome!

C W Burfle posted:

 Instead, I bought it, and he told me to run it on my layout within the next few days, and if there is a problem, bring it back; then, he will either fix it, or replace it with an identical one that works. 

Does every local hobby shop have the same policy?
Does every person have a local hobby shop to even ask?

I doubt it. Just sharing my anectotal experience. Maybe my experience is not so common. Maybe I got lucky.

As I started this post, there are various ways to get what we want and need. 

I empathize with, and have compassion for, anyone who has a less than satisfactory experience buying something.

I would offer this. There is an expression that goes something like this: doing the same thing over and over again that does not work, and expecting different results, is the definition of insanity.

How about this. Maybe we each need to figure  out what works best for us and hope and pray that it works out well.

It is very nice to hear of your positive experience, Arnold, with buying and running a new locomotive. There is plenty of room for such experiences in our hobby.

FrankM

Yes, this is service we have come to know and expect... and now since locomotives have gone from several hundred dollars to a couple THOUSAND dollars. Its a real high dollar cash investment that few customers really want to venture into.

My LHS have pretty much all disappeared. There is nowhere I can test it before I can take it home and customers gravitate to me with questions when I am there, and I cannot help feel that they are loosing lost sales by not having a working DCS and Legacy test layout.  I cannot have items repaired, so other customers are to fend for themselves as well. Parts are impossible to find, and I fear this will spell the end for this train shop here locally in the next 5-10 years.

Note that buying a new Legacy or DCS engine is not a cheap investment. Can you imagine having 10 in the case and you cannot move them for 6 months? Especially if they all have defects? 

 Having a knowledgeable staff and a repair person on sight is just not practical anymore. Especially since the margins are so thin.

Add to the fact that manufactures are not providing repair parts and taking back bad product ....

Its just a difficult balancing act and I am glad I am not in that business.

Thank you, Frank.

Here is a short video of the Lion Chief Plus NJ Central Pacific using the remote, which I bought yesterday at the relatively affordable Price of $389:

Arnold

I’m ecstatic with the above NJ Central Pacific.

One more thing: the music is from Schuman’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, which did not come from Lionel.

LOL, Arnold

J Daddy posted:

Yes, this is service we have come to know and expect... and now since locomotives have gone from several hundred dollars to a couple THOUSAND dollars. Its a real high dollar cash investment that few customers really want to venture into.

My LHS have pretty much all disappeared. There is nowhere I can test it before I can take it home and customers gravitate to me with questions when I am there, and I cannot help feel that they are loosing lost sales by not having a working DCS and Legacy test layout.  I cannot have items repaired, so other customers are to fend for themselves as well. Parts are impossible to find, and I fear this will spell the end for this train shop here locally in the next 5-10 years.

Note that buying a new Legacy or DCS engine is not a cheap investment. Can you imagine having 10 in the case and you cannot move them for 6 months? Especially if they all have defects? 

 Having a knowledgeable staff and a repair person on sight is just not practical anymore. Especially since the margins are so thin.

Add to the fact that manufactures are not providing repair parts and taking back bad product ....

Its just a difficult balancing act and I am glad I am not in that business.

Everything you say makes perfect sense to me.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

 And I did not even take my toy for a test drive. The owner stated that taking the train for a test drive is a good idea except that does not work for his business. The owner explained that if he opens the box and runs the engine for 10 seconds, it devalues it for future potential purchasers.

I can't don't fully agree with that because today most buyers are as interested in operation as they are in the item's appearance (or future value), but each dealer is certainly free to have his or her own policy in that regard.

My dealer test-runs everything for me (and most others, I assume, unless they request otherwise) before it leaves his store and even before it is paid for. The shop has a good-size layout and can run anything made today.

Even if I am buying a locomotive that is going to spend more time on a display shelf than running on the layout, I feel much more comfortable knowing that when I do place it on the track at some point, it is apt to run correctly. And it used to be that some manufacturers would test run every locomotive before it even left their premises. Perhaps some still do, but I don't know for sure. Nevertheless, having a locomotive run for a brief time when purchased (or even before) is, as I see it, a darn good thing because it saves me time and possibly a lot of frustration  or disappointment.

Allan Miller posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

 And I did not even take my toy for a test drive. The owner stated that taking the train for a test drive is a good idea except that does not work for his business. The owner explained that if he opens the box and runs the engine for 10 seconds, it devalues it for future potential purchasers.

I can't don't fully agree with that because today most buyers are as interested in operation as they are in the item's appearance (or future value), but each dealer is certainly free to have his or her own policy in that regard.

My dealer test-runs everything for me (and most others, I assume, unless they request otherwise) before it leaves his store and even before it is paid for. The shop has a good-size layout and can run anything made today.

Even if I am buying a locomotive that is going to spend more time on a display shelf than running on the layout, I feel much more comfortable knowing that when I do place it on the track at some point, it is apt to run correctly. And it used to be that some manufacturers would test run every locomotive before it even left their premises. Perhaps some still do, but I don't know for sure. Nevertheless, having a locomotive run for a brief time when purchased (or even before) is, as I see it, a darn good thing because it saves me time and possibly a lot of frustration  or disappointment.

I totally agree with you, Allan, if we, the customers, can get that from the store owners.  I suppose it’s a function of the negotiation and willingness of the store owner to do that for the customer.

Arnold

C W Burfle posted:

 Instead, I bought it, and he told me to run it on my layout within the next few days, and if there is a problem, bring it back; then, he will either fix it, or replace it with an identical one that works. 

Does every local hobby shop have the same policy?
Does every person have a local hobby shop to even ask?

What's a "local hobby shop"?  Those all dried up and blew away years ago......

By the way, Allan, would you like to see and hear my video of Phil Klopp’s magnificent layout with my model train song playing in the background?

Alan Arnold has seen and heard it and liked it.

If so, just go on YouTube, search for Arnold Cribari, and then click on to Who Am I (Rollin’ By).

My only interest in bringing this up is to help promote The Greatest Hobby in the World.

Arnold D. Cribari

That's a nice story, Arnold.  I'm pleased to hear that.  I dig your music videos too.  I'm new to this hobby and I share your fears regarding modern equipment.  Alas, with a few exceptions, I think your experience is east-coast exclusive. 

I visited every LHS in St. Louis metro and I can't think of a reason to return to one of them.  The whole experience was such a dismal failure that it really left me wondering why and how any of these places are still in business and where this whole thing is headed. 

I have a couple friends here who are also into O and we've all come to the same conclusion.  And we're all in our 30's and 40's so we'd love nothing more than to have a place for the next few decades!  So we're left with the Internet dice-roll.  Luckily, no problems so far.  I have been to a few train shows where I picked up flyers for guys who do train repair.  I guess I'll turn to them in the future if I have a problem.

Anyway, enough of my negativity.  I'm happy for your LHS experience and hooray for the Internet.  Otherwise I'd be stuck doing N gauge or something.

Arnold- very nice engine. I've been contemplating maybe a LC+ purchase one day soon.

As for LHS's- I am extremely lucky I guess. Here on Long Island I have three within a short drive. Trainland, Nassau Hobby, and Willis Hobby. All three are great stores with great people.

Since I buy all conventional equipment on the used market, I do my own repairs. Still nice to know I have the resources nearby if necessary.

A short drive from Trainland and Nassau!  Embarrassment of riches! 

Yea- one of the few good parts of living in one of the most expensive counties in the northeast.

mwb posted:

What's a "local hobby shop"?  Those all dried up and blew away years ago......

Sad but true. . . What will replace the LHS? Web-based retailers, who will offer a video sales connection so you can see and speak to a salesperson? An a la carte menu of products and services; i.e. test run, service contract options, etc? You purchase your item and it's shipped to you within 2 days? Major Box retailers who will have a dedicated "train" section in the "hobby" department staffed with sales personnel who are not well educated in the product offerings? Or perhaps "video salespeople", centrally located offsite, on an in-store monitor to handle all your questions and then have a "clerk" go to the back and get your product once you decide to buy. The technology exists - it just needs to be deployed within the retail model.  I don't know!?!?  What I do know is that "Mom and Pop" retail train stores are not profitable under the current retail model. They are fast becoming obsolete.

beachhead2 posted:

That's a nice story, Arnold.  I'm pleased to hear that.  I dig your music videos too.  I'm new to this hobby and I share your fears regarding modern equipment.  Alas, with a few exceptions, I think your experience is east-coast exclusive. 

I visited every LHS in St. Louis metro and I can't think of a reason to return to one of them.  The whole experience was such a dismal failure that it really left me wondering why and how any of these places are still in business and where this whole thing is headed. 

I have a couple friends here who are also into O and we've all come to the same conclusion.  And we're all in our 30's and 40's so we'd love nothing more than to have a place for the next few decades!  So we're left with the Internet dice-roll.  Luckily, no problems so far.  I have been to a few train shows where I picked up flyers for guys who do train repair.  I guess I'll turn to them in the future if I have a problem.

Anyway, enough of my negativity.  I'm happy for your LHS experience and hooray for the Internet.  Otherwise I'd be stuck doing N gauge or something.

I really feel for you. Good news is that I can’t think of a better place than this Forum for you to make a connection with some store, dealer or person with a great reputation for honesty where you can buy your future trains and get them serviced.

Arnold

Arnold, and even if I don't make that connection, I've purchased from many forum sponsors.  So far it's 100% pleasant experiences.  In fact, the only problem I've had was the LC Polar Express Bluetooth set died 5 days after Christmas.  I purchased it from Nassau and they replaced it within a week.  So bully for them!

Allan Miller posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

 And I did not even take my toy for a test drive. The owner stated that taking the train for a test drive is a good idea except that does not work for his business. The owner explained that if he opens the box and runs the engine for 10 seconds, it devalues it for future potential purchasers.

I can't don't fully agree with that because today most buyers are as interested in operation as they are in the item's appearance (or future value), but each dealer is certainly free to have his or her own policy in that regard.

My dealer test-runs everything for me (and most others, I assume, unless they request otherwise) before it leaves his store and even before it is paid for. The shop has a good-size layout and can run anything made today.

Even if I am buying a locomotive that is going to spend more time on a display shelf than running on the layout, I feel much more comfortable knowing that when I do place it on the track at some point, it is apt to run correctly. And it used to be that some manufacturers would test run every locomotive before it even left their premises. Perhaps some still do, but I don't know for sure. Nevertheless, having a locomotive run for a brief time when purchased (or even before) is, as I see it, a darn good thing because it saves me time and possibly a lot of frustration  or disappointment.

Not sure I agree with that dealer, either.

If you buy a new car it always comes with 5-10 miles on it because it's been test driven to make sure there's nothing wrong with it. Is it still marketed and sold as a "new" car ?  You bet.

In fact, my experience has been that many LHS dealers encourage you to run it on their test track to make sure it's running right, because that helps protect them from a situation where a customer may have something set up wrong on their layout at home, or does something wrong, and fries a motor or control board on a brand new train and then claims it was defective out of the box.   

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

One more thing: the music is from Schuman’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, which did not come from Lionel.

LOL, Arnold

 

Arnold, I enjoy your music in your postings. Thanks for sharing! 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

. The owner stated that taking the train for a test drive is a good idea except that does not work for his business. The owner explained that if he opens the box and runs the engine for 10 seconds, it devalues it for future potential purchasers. I

While I can agree with his position. I would think a much more solid and customer service orientated response would have been.

"Buy the locomotive. Run it on my test track right here with me afterwards. If there is a <problem> we can immediately refund, or correct the situation. " 

That response, would hook me. It shows a willingness to spend time with you <and> prove the functionality, which due to the associated cost (loss of the title NIB)  <requires> a commitment from the buyer that he isn't just window shopping the locomotive.

 <edits for grammatical issues>

beachhead2 posted:

Arnold, and even if I don't make that connection, I've purchased from many forum sponsors.  So far it's 100% pleasant experiences.  In fact, the only problem I've had was the LC Polar Express Bluetooth set died 5 days after Christmas.  I purchased it from Nassau and they replaced it within a week.  So bully for them!

Good news, sounds like the problem is solved.

Richie C. posted:

Allan Miller posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

 And I did not even take my toy for a test drive. The owner stated that taking the train for a test drive is a good idea except that does not work for his business. The owner explained that if he opens the box and runs the engine for 10 seconds, it devalues it for future potential purchasers.

I can't don't fully agree with that because today most buyers are as interested in operation as they are in the item's appearance (or future value), but each dealer is certainly free to have his or her own policy in that regard.

My dealer test-runs everything for me (and most others, I assume, unless they request otherwise) before it leaves his store and even before it is paid for. The shop has a good-size layout and can run anything made today.

Even if I am buying a locomotive that is going to spend more time on a display shelf than running on the layout, I feel much more comfortable knowing that when I do place it on the track at some point, it is apt to run correctly. And it used to be that some manufacturers would test run every locomotive before it even left their premises. Perhaps some still do, but I don't know for sure. Nevertheless, having a locomotive run for a brief time when purchased (or even before) is, as I see it, a darn good thing because it saves me time and possibly a lot of frustration  or disappointment.

Not sure I agree with that dealer, either.

If you buy a new car it always comes with 5-10 miles on it because it's been test driven to make sure there's nothing wrong with it. Is it still marketed and sold as a "new" car ?  You bet.

In fact, my experience has been that many LHS dealers encourage you to run it on their test track to make sure it's running right, because that helps protect them from a situation where a customer may have something set up wrong on their layout at home, or does something wrong, and fries a motor or control board on a brand new train and then claims it was defective out of the box.   

Good point

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

One more thing: the music is from Schuman’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, which did not come from Lionel.

LOL, Arnold

 

Should have been Rachmaninoff third Piano concerto, then everyone listening to it could go crazy *lol* (little bit of non railroad humor, in the movie "Shine" the Pianist David Helfgott cracks up after playing the piece. 

It is a shame that the local stores have disappeared, like many things 'Lowest price, always" has taken over for customer service as the value people seek. To have someone you can show something to, talk to, is invaluable. I am fortunate, near where I live there is an old fashioned hardware store, the kind that has everything (my wife was laughing, when was the last time you saw someplace with a selection of ashtrays?), and shopping there compared to Home Depot or Lowest is night and day. That said, in the pre internet/pre super discount days, a lot of the LHS were not exactly friendly, welcoming businesses either, they had the idea like they were doing you a favor and if you didn't like it, well, there is the door and good luck (lamentations about the loss of local businesses tend to forget that part of the equation, that the good old days weren't always that good for more than a few local businesses). 

I am glad you found a great place locally, to me that is worth paying extra for. 

bigkid posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

One more thing: the music is from Schuman’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, which did not come from Lionel.

LOL, Arnold

 

Should have been Rachmaninoff third Piano concerto, then everyone listening to it could go crazy *lol* (little bit of non railroad humor, in the movie "Shine" the Pianist David Helfgott cracks up after playing the piece. 

I think I have Rachmaninoff on one of my classical music CDs. I’ll make a train video with 1 minute of that music playing and drive the rest of our Forum friends crazy.

That will be so much fun. Thanks for giving me the idea! LOL

Once an item is shipped from the manufacturer to the distributor, to the hobby shop.....it may or not be "factory fresh".

Boxes get dropped and are subject to the stresses of shipping. I would never purchase an engine from a shop without testing it first.

I never buy "used" at a train show without testing it first.

Yes, buying at auction and on a website IS a roll of the dice but, reputable sellers will either sell it as "untested" or "tested" and the marketplace determines the value.

A "new , never opened" out of warranty product is also a roll of the dice ( Although,  a well known online auction site has the policy that the buyer of an item listed as "new" , has the reasonable expectation that the item will function as advertised. The buyer that files a dispute if the item is broken...usually gets to return it and a refund is issued by the seller.)

Sorry..but a small shop that requires you to buy it first, without a test may be getting that item on the secondary market, check to see if they are a manufacturer authorised seller or distributor.  Check to see if they are a manufacturer authorised repair facility. Once you've bought it you may not be able to return it for a refund, and a repair might be "farmed" out to a third party.

Had a friend lose a clock he gave to the "friend of a friend" to repair...long story short..the repairman died. No one knew of the death till several weeks after the family had an estate sale, and sold the clock. 

Would you walk into a new car show room and buy a car that had never been started or driven?

I've known good hobby shops that un-box, test, then repackage every engine they recieve.  And they insist it be tested before the purchaser leaves the store.

Broken or faulty merchandise is an affront to the store's  reputation.  Testing it  ensures a satisfied customer.

Sometimes seeing and hearing an engine run is what closes a sale.

And yet, many stores, not limited to hobby shops, experience customers that walk in and tie up the owner/salesperson forever asking all sorts of questions netting plenty of free advice, only to go home and order the same item on-line for $100 less.  You can spot them as they come in with the note pad like they are doing a homework assignment.

I worked holidays one year at Sears selling televisions. One guy came in and fired one question after another at me for almost an hour while I had other customers waiting. He was writing down all my answers on his pad. Finally I had to ask if he was going to buy a television today and he responded coolly, nope just doing research. I had to excuse myself and explain I had other customers waiting. He was annoyed I was cutting off the free training session but I had actual customers waiting to spend money.

These freeloaders are the enemy of brick and mortar stores of all types and are causing the slow but constant decline of the owner operated hobby shop we love to talk about in threads like this.

areizman posted:

And yet, many stores, not limited to hobby shops, experience customers that walk in and tie up the owner/salesperson forever asking all sorts of questions netting plenty of free advice, only to go home and order the same item on-line for $100 less.  You can spot them as they come in with the note pad like they are doing a homework assignment.

I worked holidays one year at Sears selling televisions. One guy came in and fired one question after another at me for almost an hour while I had other customers waiting. He was writing down all my answers on his pad. Finally I had to ask if he was going to buy a television today and he responded coolly, nope just doing research. I had to excuse myself and explain I had other customers waiting. He was annoyed I was cutting off the free training session but I had actual customers waiting to spend money.

These freeloaders are the enemy of brick and mortar stores of all types and are causing the slow but constant decline of the owner operated hobby shop we love to talk about in threads like this.

I agree with your statement.  But when I walk into one of two "hobby" stores in my area and they have a new ZW for 900.00 I cant justify that purchase when I can get one anywhere online for 700.00.   And if I buy it local that is plus 9.75% sales tax.  I do try to buy things local and do when I can.   Then I call the other LHS and tell them I want to order track and they never contact me back.   I try to buy local because when I "need" something I like to run out and get it.  I will pay a bit extra to keep it local.   But not hundreds.

Jim

Areizman & Carsntrains, you're both correct!  Makes me wonder where it will all end up?  These are strange days in all of retail.

I remember when I was young we had several LHS in town...they always tested whatever you were purchasing whether it be an engine or slot car.  I left the hobby for many years and moved to Atlanta after college.  LHS were plentiful, but some have gone away, but the good ones have stayed.  I have moved back to the city I grew up in and there was one LHS left..I frequented it, but unfortunately they too have gone away...so I am left to either buy used online (scary most of the time), train shows (hit or miss) or new online....OK if you buy from a reputable dealer, but still scary when shipping expensive toys.  Now, when I travel, I try to frequent as many LHS as I can...because I still love going in and seeing the layout and talking to people that enjoy the hobby as I do...and it makes me feel young again.  I wish we had a LHS though.  Building rapport in local shops are what I grew up doing and still enjoy.  

Test run or not the point is you had a person to speak to, you learned something, you have an item you like.  What could be better than that?  I need an item to fix something on my layout.  Now I could get it off of Ebay, I could contact MTH and it will arrive in 72 hours.  I asked the LHS to order it.  Why, because I like having a store 7 miles from my house, I like the conversation, I like browsing and I want them to stay in business.  It is a symbiotic relationship.  I provide them with $$$, they provide me with product and knowledge, a value added experience.  

carsntrains posted:

areizman posted:

And yet, many stores, not limited to hobby shops, experience customers that walk in and tie up the owner/salesperson forever asking all sorts of questions netting plenty of free advice, only to go home and order the same item on-line for $100 less.  You can spot them as they come in with the note pad like they are doing a homework assignment.

I worked holidays one year at Sears selling televisions. One guy came in and fired one question after another at me for almost an hour while I had other customers waiting. He was writing down all my answers on his pad. Finally I had to ask if he was going to buy a television today and he responded coolly, nope just doing research. I had to excuse myself and explain I had other customers waiting. He was annoyed I was cutting off the free training session but I had actual customers waiting to spend money.

These freeloaders are the enemy of brick and mortar stores of all types and are causing the slow but constant decline of the owner operated hobby shop we love to talk about in threads like this.

I agree with your statement.  But when I walk into one of two "hobby" stores in my area and they have a new ZW for 900.00 I cant justify that purchase when I can get one anywhere online for 700.00.   And if I buy it local that is plus 9.75% sales tax.  I do try to buy things local and do when I can.   Then I call the other LHS and tell them I want to order track and they never contact me back.   I try to buy local because when I "need" something I like to run out and get it.  I will pay a bit extra to keep it local.   But not hundreds.

Jim

And that's  the answer for local brick and mortar.  Know your market and pricing. Adjust your business to compete. Local customers are willing to pay a few dollars more, not, hundreds.

Manufacturers and distributors are loosing business every time a local shop closes. They also need to provide the small guys some cost incentives. Even the big on line retailers lose business when a small retailer closes. There's less people being exposed to the hobby.

Less buyers.

Maybe a few smaller brick and mortar could co-op regionally and get the volume discount that online retailers get.

That could work for shipping too.

They are only alone and on their own because of an outmoded business practice.

And in addition..as far as old product is concerned.  We've all seen guys try to sell, what they've owned (and many times used ) at full retail. Whether it's at TCA or train shows. Same stuff month after month.

Toys depreciate over time...used or not used.

And a lemon is still a lemon no matter how long it sits in a box unused.

That's why I think York is a huge sucess..lots of merchandise..lots of price blow outs...and most of all...a great, fun gathering of like minded people in their quest for that "all I really need is..."

I remember when a hobby shop could bring new, just released items to a train show. Items sold out fast, price was highly competitive. And demand was higher because "you could hold it in your hands".

Lionel and MTH and others need to remove the restriction of selling new product at train shows. The restriction hurts the small brick and mortar. 

necrails posted:

Test run or not the point is you had a person to speak to, you learned something, you have an item you like.  What could be better than that?  I need an item to fix something on my layout.  Now I could get it off of Ebay, I could contact MTH and it will arrive in 72 hours.  I asked the LHS to order it.  Why, because I like having a store 7 miles from my house, I like the conversation, I like browsing and I want them to stay in business.  It is a symbiotic relationship.  I provide them with $$$, they provide me with product and knowledge, a value added experience.  

No argument with that.  However, I was looking at a Legacy diesel at a LHS.  It was full MSRP + 7.5% tax.  ($650+).  While I was salivating over it, I could hear the owner telling a patron/friend that he's ready to retire, the building is for sale, etc.  So I was thinking, why start a relationship with this guy?  This same engine is $475 delivered online.  Why pay the premium if this place will be gone anyway?  

justakid posted:

 

That's why I think York is a huge sucess..lots of merchandise..lots of price blow outs...and most of all...a great, fun gathering of like minded people in their quest for that "all I really need is..."

That's my theory of where the hobby is headed. I think eventually there will be Internet retail and train shows.  That's it.  Every big city will have repair guys.  And I think that will be okay.  It might be better.  I think Arnold started this topic on an optimistic level.  I'm optimistic but things are going to be different.