Ebay is my LHS...

[JbC5]

Well, maybe not just Ebay. There are other online retailers...

Hobby shops cannot slug it out with large discount shops online and still turn much of a profit. Malls, shopping centers, and retail stores in the markets where RC is big face the same adversary. These guys all pay too much rent (anyone see how real estate has just risen into the ozone layer lately?). Rent is overhead. Overhead equals retain mark-up.

I feel bad for the LHS system- it is a great system. I'm affraid they will lose out to the 'net!!! Look at how Wal-Mart has reshaped the face of retail.

For me, Ebay is my LHS because I live in an area where most hobby shops are too far away (I'm kinda stuck in Germany), too expensive (wanna pay USD to EUR currency exchange rates?), and don't stock what I need (mostly planes). Go figure. But then again, if I need technical support... I have RCZ!

Does anyone feel that way?

[4DMNYC]

I guess if your too far away from a shop you have no choice but to shop on-line. But I personaly don't order on-line, I support my shop, they always do the right thing, help me out when I need it and their prices are great, plus they'll match any on-line price I bring them. And the big bonus is I live 5 minutes away from them.

[Peterbilt]

I go to the LHS when I need something immediately...but some things are way too overpriced locally. I could get it off the net with shipping for less...

[Quad Racer]

I support tower hobbies. they have what I need and are usually the cheapest. My LHS doesnt know much.

[Duster_360]

Clever way to put it, lol. I scratch built a Tmaxx mostly off ebay early summer '04. Was a kit type experience, expensive, but fun.

I'm a Tower guy too, my nearest lhs is a 75mile round trip away and I get to run so little due to work right now, I have ample time to plan ahead and get whatever I need from Tower usually. I use other online shops too, but mostly for stuff/brands Tower doesn't carry.

[Quad Racer]

Tower carrries most of my stuff. I went to my LHS last weekend. i said I need some parts for my revo. The guy said de dont sell them There were 5 of them on the shelf two in front of him and on on the conuter. I asked him what the truck on the counter was he said it was a hpi. ( Never know hpi had lay down shocks on a monster truck witha 2.5r in it did you)

[ministerOFfire]

I try to shop at the LHS..but...
1. They almost never have what I need :mad:
2. They almost never know what I am asking for :mad:
3. Online is cheaper...buying out of state...no taxes :D

...I live in Los Angeles and live in walking distance to a Hobbypeople...what does that tell you? ;)

[ministerOFfire]

....oh and I wish Kyosho and Tower would kiss and make up...or at least Kyosho should come up with a better website where you can easily view parts like Towers site...or at least something like it.

[Noob33]

i try my lhs and it always works but then rcmadness wat can i say

[DaveG]

My closest lhs (10 min away) has been in the same spot for at least 20 years and they're still going strong. They are great people and usually cheaper or the same as most shops online when shipping is figured in. They have a tremendious amount of stock and will order anything they don't have and get it in no more than 3 days and not require prepayment or deposit. They have nearly every ground vehicle out there and they have it in stock. They support 80% of what they sell with in stock parts and as I said, they will order what's not onhand. They can knowledgably discuss and help with planes, helis, boats, cars, buggies and MT's. The guys are friendly and helpful, so much so that even my wife likes them. They even sponsor and put on a parking lot race/bash every Thursday after they close the store.
I'm not saying I never buy something off e-bay or other online shops but it has to clearly be a much better deal.
I know I'm lucky to have these guys and feel sorry for those that don't have a shop like this nearby.

[Duster_360]

....I know I'm lucky to have these guys and feel sorry for those that don't have a shop like this nearby.

I'm glad you recognize how fortunate you are to have such a super shop and close by too! I'd gladly help support one like that if there was one within a 30-45min drive.

My experience has been with rude, arrogant sales staff and way overpriced merchandise. I paid $519 for my 1st Tmaxx an a gal of TF not knowing any better. Going out the door, it was such an unpleasant experience that even with a free 1yr track membership, I never went back.

[Peterbilt]

Adding to my previous post:

Well, my LHS staff is very helpful. They stock a ton of parts and will order anything free of charge. If Im buying only a couple parts, I go to my LHS. If Im ordering a large package of parts (once I ordered over $100 worth of small hopup parts for my Stampede and TMaxx) I go to Tower since it will come up to be much less overall.

[adrianderekluna]

agreed, ebay rocks.

i don't feel bad for LHS's in retrospect, they've been over charging us off for years. generally i've found that their knowledge is mediocre at best, usually dissapointing component selection too.

[tadium54]

I used to go to an LHS.I was a pretty good customer of his, and he was a good guy. He closed down, and when were both free, we bash for a few hours. Its nice to be nice tot he little guy. He still has his suppliers and can get stuff for me at cost, which is good. When I can, I buy from the LHS. i do my best to support them

[tq_racing]

My LHS sucks they have almost nothing on hand and it takes close to a week to order parts in if not longer. I live 2.5 min away, I wish they would get a clue and get their track back in running order and stock some parts. I am also lucky that I drive by two other shops on my way to work. I can normaly find what I need at on of the simi LHS. Larg price items come off line for me, got to save some money.

[Skribble]

Guess my LHS is the complete opposite of most shops ..

Generally the kits/rtr are cheaper here then the net by $20-40+. Losi MF2 here is $220. The employees/friends are cool to chill with, small offroad track and touring car track in the back.

Only thing I hate is there are no good 1/8 tracks offroad/onroad here so I'm limited to what I race. :(

[CAMIII_Al]

My LHS is great. The prices there are also about $20 - $40 less than online. I help out with setting up and running the races and I get and additional percentage off. They keep the most popular items in stock, some specialty items require ordering but that's to be expected. I only buy online if the deal is really good.