kaiser wrote:and now that isn't even good enough for newbies. traxxas' 60mph rtr's are the new tamiya.
+1 on that. When I got pulled back into RC when deciding to restore my Optima a few years ago, I made a few trips to the hobby stores and was dismayed to see all these new RC cars that looked just like the plastastic Tamiyas back in the 80's. Where did all the aluminum go? Well, it was still out there, but unlike the 80's, it wasn't in the hobby store kits for the most part.
I agree the LHS is not the same any more, my shock is when, one of my locals, started to phase out/ reduce the AE parts, they said it just was not popular any more.
Agreed, I walked into a local Hobbytown and they mentioned they were not going to stock any Associated anymore, although they are willing to order. Fortunately a new shop opened that is closer, while they don have a page stock of cars and parts they do stock AE. They will get business from now on. Thanks RVA Hobbies
85Edinger wrote:"I don't have that in stock, but I can order it for you."
Thanks, so can I.
True, no need now to order anything from your LHS, but at mine at least I don't have to pay for shipping, but instead need to wait on the " next Tuesday order" that's fine.
85Edinger wrote:"I don't have that in stock, but I can order it for you."
Thanks, so can I.
True, no need now to order anything from your LHS, but at mine at least I don't have to pay for shipping, but instead need to wait on the " next Tuesday order" that's fine.
Yep that's the only advantage of your LHS ordering it for you--if the price on the item(s) itself is right, then let them eat the shipping cost.
creeker wrote:Agreed, I walked into a local Hobbytown and they mentioned they were not going to stock any Associated anymore, although they are willing to order. Fortunately a new shop opened that is closer, while they don have a page stock of cars and parts they do stock AE. They will get business from now on. Thanks RVA Hobbies
Eric
+1 for RVA Hobbies.
I'm new to Chesterfield and I'm excited to see their new carpet tracks. I'll put something RC10 together for my son and I to race their asap. I'm making parts lists this week. Maybe I'll get to meet you there sometime Eric.
I'm very interested in a Rc10 rere. Not so much for a shelf queen... but I'm hoping the older parts will be available again.
John
Hobby Shops can't survive if they don't move product. Traxxas sells and AE doesn't sell as well unless the shop also has a track associated with it. It was the same back in the day with Tamiya. I remember going to Toys R Us when I was a little kid. I used to go straight to the RC section and drool over the Tamiya Blackfoot and Grasshopper that were in a glass case as well as the Cox Cessna .049 Airplane. Now you can buy Traxxas products at autoparts stores. If Walmart wasn't such a blood sucker Traxxas would already be in their stores too.
Regarding the Re Re RC10. I would like to see it happen. If its an exact reproduction with quality parts not made in china, I would buy one and leave it in the box, or at least I would try to resist opening it and building. Ok......I should buy two, I wouldn't be able to resist.
I've now tried 5 different hobby stores around my area, not one stocks AE anymore They are all just selling old stock if they have it. My next hobby store hunt will probably take me 70-100 miles away.
If a re re gets them stocking parts again, i'll accept it.
mattxb wrote:Hobby Shops can't survive if they don't move product. Traxxas sells and AE doesn't sell as well unless the shop also has a track associated with it. It was the same back in the day with Tamiya. I remember going to Toys R Us when I was a little kid. I used to go straight to the RC section and drool over the Tamiya Blackfoot and Grasshopper that were in a glass case as well as the Cox Cessna .049 Airplane. Now you can buy Traxxas products at autoparts stores. If Walmart wasn't such a blood sucker Traxxas would already be in their stores too.
That's actually how it was back in the 80's even with Tamiya vs. Kyosho; relatively few hobby shops stocked Kyosho, and almost none stocked AE. The store I worked for (there were 2 owned by the same owners actually) was one of the few that sold Tamiya & Kyosho, as well as some of the lesser-rans like Hirobo, Marui and whoever made that Kangaroo. My city probably had 7 or 8 hobby stores big enough to sell RC stuff, and maybe only 1 or 2 of those stocked AE.
i have 7 tracks and 7 fully stocked hobby shops that stock, ae, kyosho, losi, durango, schumacher.
now not all of them stock schuey or durango but they all stock ae/kyosho/losi.
I live in So Cal and there are no hobby shops in my area anymore, save Hobby People and they don't carry anything major brands anymore.
To own a retail hobby shop these days means you have to have a strong on-line business. That's the best way for them to move product. Without it, they may survive by trying to move the old tired inventories, but that will last only for so long.
I gave up long ago believing that the LHS will carry the items I need. You ask for product X they offer you Y. Its the same in other industries as well, like bike shops. Most are ignorant to the fact that its much easier to go online and press click and the parts arrive. The intelligent ones will say, I don't have it, but I can order it for you. I found one that is willing to special order parts for me and he has earned my business.
