Local Hobby Shop Attitudes??

[Interceptor]

Is it just me, or do most of the LHSs seem to be only interested in the Nitro stuff and to heck with the electric guys? The shop I deal with the most has good prices and they stock the majority of the electric stuff that I need, but when I have a question about something, their answer is usually smart or sarcastic, and they don't know because they don't run electric cars anymore. The Shop up the road from them has even worse service, and they don't really stock anything for electrics, and won't even talk to you about it, they literally ignore you. Needless to say, I don't shop there. The Track/shop that I race at is the only one that seems to have any interest in helping the electric guys. The only reason why I don't go there more often is that they are the furthest away. I usually go there on saturday to race. Anyone else notice this? Please, if you work at a Hobby shop who does this to electric owners, stop it. The money that we spend there helps pay your salary just as much as the nitro guys. If you do this, then you automatically loose your right to complain about people shopping on line or from magazines. At least those people answer our questions.

[BadRacer]

I totaly agree with you cuz this has happend to me, the only diff is if you walk in asking for help for anything but a Losi, AE, Yoko........you know the top end cars they look at you "why should i waste my time with you". I walked into this LHS yesterday with 650$ from selling my XXX-T and was looking around, picked up a AE FTGT took it to pay for it, pulled out my wallet with the money i really didn't want to give these guys for being such jerks to me in the past. I closed my wallet took the kit back to the place i got it and walked out the door while these guys were probably kicking themselfs over the money the almost made!

Were i live i only deal with the Hobby Shop i trust which is also the place i race at. If every Hobby shop had ppl in them like these no one would need help with anything. Iv spent an hour trying to decide what to get while the guy helped me and told me his opinions about sertin things and all the while carrying a long conversation. You know Hobby guy talk (weather for racing, track changes, most popular set up for the track and so on).

One day you will have a chance for some pay back to the ppl that were jerks, and when that day comes it wont be worth it.......so just let it slide.

Keepin it Real
BadRacer

[gacjr0]

Sounds like more of a local customer service problem than a national trend. Go to the manager/owner of the shop and tell them they have a problem. If the person giving you trouble is the manager/owner tell them they are the problem and you'll spend your money elsewhere, and tell your friends to go elsewhere too.

For example: I tried to get an M8 from one LHS and they made it sound like an ordeal; we don't stock those, we'll have to special order them, I had to put a deposit down, it'll take a week or two and so on. I go to another place they don't stock them either but the guy says "oh sure I can order you one and get it here in a couple days, what frequency do you want?"

[SteveP]

Guys - you can have a good or bad experience at any hobby shop, or any other store for that matter. The best solution is not to give them your business. I would REALLY prefer this type of thread NOT be part of the BB. I want this BB to be place where people can visit for good information, not a lot of negative talk about customer service at the local hobby shop. Don't get me wrong, I understand your point. I just find it odd that most of us are more likely to come on the BB and complain about something bad instead of good. You ever notice how rare it is to see a thread about a great local hobby shop. They're out there, and there's more good than bad, but we seem to single out and focus on the bad.
I didn't delete or close the thread, so I'm not trying to suggest you should be able to voice your opinion; it would just be refreshing to hear positive messages more often....

[Isky]

I have a great local hobbyshop..its called American Raceway, and they are awesome!! They stick up for both the nitro and electric guys. Need your batteries assembled? They'll do it for free, all you have to pay for is the batt bars...now thats service...its like a family since its also a track. Everyone who runs on the tracks(theres more than one...) also helps clean them, or rebuild them...they know about everything there is to know, and will help you at a moments notice...
-Isky

[chucksolo]

OK SteveP. I also have a great hobby shop near me. It is the Hobby People in Escondido, CA. Everytime I have gone there looking for a part or with a problem, they have been very helpful and informative. I often see the guys who work there helping people start finicky nitro cars and gas airplanes for newbies. It is one of the only shops I have ever been to that doesn't treat the "racer" types any different than the basher. It's always fun to go to this store. Keep up the good work guys.

[SteveP]

Chuck - Hobby People in Escondido? Where did they open up? I used to live in Carlsbad and frequently visited Escondido. Do they still have the store on Convoy?

I'm glad to hear of quality hobby shops. At least now other BB members know where they SHOULD go for a good experience. :D

[Throtl Hapie]

I don't have a nice LHS near me, although the one 30 minutes from me is better, I don't go there a lot. I won't mention names. The guy at my LHS is very rude and impolite. He always has an attitude. I asked to see a stock motor selection, and he looks at me like I have two heads. I try to explain that it's not a 540 type, then he gets all mad and tells me I should explain myself better. I finally see the selection, and it's about 4 outdated motors. he has a whopping selection of 2 radio systems, 1 stick, and one pistol, with 2 servos each. :rolleyes: I really drown in riches every time I go there. I don't even think the guy carries tires. I don't even want to know what batteries and chargers he has. Good thing I haven't been there in like 2 years.

[bullfrog]

well the first time i went to my local hobbyshop the guy was a real A hole and it was a bummer cuz it is only 5 blocks away from my house.But then i got to know him then he turned out to be pretty cool but he seems to only like people of his ethnicity (japanese) but when i need it he can be very helpful.