What do you guys like and dislike in a LHS?

So I'm into my small business program now, developing a business plan, going well... If the financial side of things comes together, I should have a store up and running sometime in the summer.

I just want you guys to throw me a bunch of ideas. What would you like to see in a hobby shop? What do you tend to dislike about your LHS that I can maybe avoid or change? Here's some ideas of my own I've been tossing around so far:


a central workbench area where models are being assembled by me almost constantly, so customers can get an idea of my work
A rack of automotive, military and aircraft magazines, both hobby magazines and the real kind? (HOT ROD, Car Craft, etc)
Weekly or monthly seminars after-work hours for group builds or general how-to and brainstorming sessions
A large online presence with web-based store, possibly an ebay store too
Group buys for you guys at AF and the other modeling forums for a variety of items
Since I've already done a handful of cars for friends and family that turned out great, I'll be offering my services for custom model builds as well
In terms of stock... mostly automotive models, with a large selection of military and aircraft models, equipment and supplies
Paint gun balls and CO2 refills, possibly some sports memorabilia, educational toys (lego, construx, whatever else smart kids are doing these days)


Throw em at me guys, I need to hear what YOU want! :evillol:

Sounds really great. I would put some motorcycle models in their as well. You will definately get more business with the CO2 refills because I used to paintball and it is a pain to drive really far to go get a refill. Also, if possible, you might want to expand into the RC market, maybe just carry a limited supply of some stuff. Maybe try to get some nitro for the RC cars. It also depends on your location. I live in Las Vegas, and there are only two hobby shops. They are both right next to each other but a 40 minute drive from my house. If there was one closer to me, you would definately get my business. This said, depending on your location, maybe some of the things I mentioned do not need to be held in stock. Hope this helps a little.

An Owner than is not a dumbass :D
An Owner that know Alclad, Carbon Decal and Flocking does exist.
An Owner that don't look at me strangely when I ask for Gunze paint.
An Owner that know what its sell.

Basically everything that my LHS don't have. :D

Edit: Don't forget Playboy as educational toys :D

Sounds really great. I would put some motorcycle models in their as well. You will definately get more business with the CO2 refills because I used to paintball and it is a pain to drive really far to go get a refill. Also, if possible, you might want to expand into the RC market, maybe just carry a limited supply of some stuff. Maybe try to get some nitro for the RC cars. It also depends on your location. I live in Las Vegas, and there are only two hobby shops. They are both right next to each other but a 40 minute drive from my house. If there was one closer to me, you would definately get my business. This said, depending on your location, maybe some of the things I mentioned do not need to be held in stock. Hope this helps a little.

Good points. Motorcycle kits will definitely be included. I'm going to try and avoid RC cars, because a) my knowledge on the subject is nil and b) there are two rather successful RC car shops in London that'd kick my butt in service and knowledge.


An Owner than is not a dumbass
An Owner that know Alclad, Carbon Decal and Flocking does exist.
An Owner that don't look at me strangely when I ask for Gunze paint.
An Owner that know what its sell.

Basically everything that my LHS don't have.


I can promise the last three, but the first I'll have to work on!! :grinno:

I agree strongly with Vric, but i think that an owner that gives a damn about the hobby would help.

My LHS is all wrapped up in the RC buisness with 5 percent of the store dedicated to plastic and the rest to RC. Don't get me wrong, I like RC too, but it seems like the plastic is forgotten at that store.

I can promise the last three, but the first I'll have to work on!! :grinno:

If you have the 3 last one, the first one will come itself.

Serious, a knowledgeable Owner that can give tips, it's such a dream :D

I will stress this as best i can.... PAINT and Supplies are the most important. This is why.... 90% of the times i go to the hobby shop it is to buy paint. lets face it, with HLJ, Ebay and others, most people are buying there kits online and getting the new kits before there availiable at the local shops.

It pisses me off so bad when i go to the LHS and there out of TS-29 (semi-gloss) or other. Get a good stock of paint and keep it stocked, dont run out ever. PRIMER, LHS never has primer, ever. Tools and scratchbuilding supplies are the next most important. and of coarse... being able to answer questions is a big plus. But dont worry about wads of kits, its nice to see a well stock hobby shop but only if there old OOP kits LOL. serious, the best hobby shop i ever had near me had everything you could ever need for a project EXCEPT for the kit. they would order them and get them in a week, no problem. but i hate waiting to finish a kit cus hobby shop has to order the stuff i need. I can wait on a new kit, i cant wait to finish a started kit. speaking of waiting, about those BBS, give me a PM.:uhoh:

a shop that carries a large amount of aftermarket stuff and doesnt complain when you want to order something they dont have. Also hire some young hotties to work inside the store. they might not know anything about the hobby but eye candy is always nice..lol..

Cool! I wish I could visit your new shop but I live in the states...

Anyhow, things that would be good are, as mentioned, an owner that cares and knows what's going on. Employees that know where stuff is is good too. I hate going somewhere and being passed on by 3 different people just to tell me if they have something in stock. As a final training test you should ask someone to locate the most obscure item you carry LOL. :lol:
Definately stock aftermarket detailing supplies and be able to order from almost all of the companies. There is a hobby store I really like (good selection and range, nice owners who build) but they can't order from several companies, which kinda bugs me. A wide selection of paint and supplies like freakmech mentioned.
Ummm, let's see, what else... Oh! Good sales! There are only a couple large sales each year, and they are a whopping 25% off when you buy at least three kits! But I suppose this depends widely on your financial position and popularity among consumers.

Good luck! What are you going to call your shop? Will you go online?

As mentioned it will definitely have an online store. And I do like the idea of carrying a vast array of aftermarket parts. I think I may have to talk to a bunch of the resin suppliers...

I think freakmech nailed it perfectly. Well stocked paint and supplies. It frustrates me going to the LHS for paint to find the most basic items like Tamiya primer, thinners and half the TS Sprays sold out. Its a decent sized store but they place monthly order amounts with no confidence and sell out of TS13 (especially) in the first two weeks every time. Empty cabinets are a great way to lose customers. :banghead:

If you have direct competition in your city, space size in the phone book is important. Make it as eye-grabbing as you can afford!

Good Luck!

My LHS has TS paints, but no Tamiya primer! And they once recommended me to paint a model using Tamiya's PS range... So, don't make that mistake please ;)

Freakmech and Ozmax have it right. Think about yourself as a builder...
Kits are cherries on the cake but serious and heavy use modelers will want something else from you - on going supplies, interesting new media, styrene rod, tools etc IMHO.

Kits will probably most frequently be bought as birthday presents for someone's kid :)

If you are in London and opening a shop, I guess you won't be too sad the Hannants closed their N. London shop IIRC? :biggrin:

I agree with everything said, just want to add that a customer-display area would be nice. I've been to an LHS in El Paso, Texas, that had one and it was great inspiration to see what other customers build. This area would be even better if it would not just be a simple showcase, but rather a diorama kind of display.
GOOD LUCK with your business :thumbsup:

When I was a kid living in Pennsylvania, my parents wouldn't let me set up a permanent work area. I frequented a local, GREAT!, hoppy shop that had workbenches available for a moderate fee, mostly to cover the electricity, etc. A bunch of us would get together each Saturday and talk, model, etc. He had a spray booth and compressor too. Those were some of my best modelling memories. I learned a lot from more experienced builders too. I always thought that if I ever opened a shop, I would make room in the back for workbenches. I might even get some old lockers from a school or somewhere, for people to tent andkeep their supplies in them.

I am from Toronto Ontario and here are a few problems with the LHSs I go to normally.

1. They never stock the following:
Alclad2
CF decals
Studio24 decals and transkits
After Market parts (Like GT wings and aftermarket seats)
Any decent Wheels and tires set (Either Aoshima or Fujimi ones)
Gunze Paints

2. High price. Paying 40-70 bucks for a kit? Are you kidding me? I'll try my luck on ebay.

3. Always running out of stuff that everybody needs. As mentioned above by some posters.

4. Never current with the market. I have yet to see a 06 Mustang here...OMG. This gives me no choice but to order from elsewhere (ebay).

5. More diecasts than plastic models (This is more of a personal rant...)

I think in the end you have to stock more military models and Aircraft models to keep yourself in business. The enthusiasts in those areas can not be ignored. They are the ones who will pay you the big bucks IMO.

Winston

How about displaying some of you models, with detail pics of the real ones next to it. Never seen that before. My LHS, Beaney's in Kent, is good as he actually knows what it is you are talkinng abou. He will source you anything, try to do this, including contacts with HLJ. He also does a few shows but mainly for planes, so you should do them car orientated.

All great ideas guys thanks. I had the idea of displaying my completed models, but having r/l pics next to them is a neat idea.

As far as the workbenches for rent, I'm not so sure I'd have the room, but I had considered renting my paint booth (I intend to build a really nice one in the back room, sort of thing) either for them to use or for me to spray it for them.

Keep em coming guys, all good ideas!

things I dislike

Disorganized kits. Ilike to see manufactures models grouped together, i hate looking through all kits when I know a revell is the one I want. i dont care about amt or whatever else at this time.


lack of help. please approach me and say Hi. ask if there was anything I needed help with

LAck of supplies, being out of paints is stupid. why is the color I want the one thats always out of stock.

things I dislike

Disorganized kits. Ilike to see manufactures models grouped together, i hate looking through all kits when I know a revell is the one I want. i dont care about amt or whatever else at this time.


I had also thought about that! Aggravates me too. :banghead: