Conference vmszoo::rc

    The best thing to do is to pick up a copy of RCM (Radio Control
    Modeler) and flip through there.  Tower Hobbies is certainly the
    biggest mail order house, but they are not always the best price.
    On the other hand, their catalog is pretty extensive, and it helps
    when you are looking for something.
    
    Once you know what you want, you can use RCM to find the best price.
    Sheldon's, Doug's and Indy RC have had lower prices on some items I
    have looked for.
    
    And don't forget about your local hobby shop..  RC Buyers generally
    sells near Tower Hobbies prices (after all, that is where they get
    everything anyways!) and it is always nice to touch and feel the
    thing before you buy it..  I believe Tom's is also the same way...
    
    cheers,
    jeff
    

    I've been ordering from Tower Hobbies for years.Their service is
    great.On average,I recieve my orders the same week, and considering I
    live outside of Ottawa,Canada, that's pretty good. They have a wide
    range of supplies and are lots of help on the phone.The only problem I
    have is getting the name right.  Tobby Howers,Hobby Tower's

    <--- re .2,
    
    	I haven't ordered from Tower in probably  6 years or more.  How
    have things been with Customs?  The last go around with them, turned me
    off ordering equipment outside of Canada. (I guess they won.  This was
    probably their intent)
    
    
    Rod

    Once had a problem, they tried to charge duty on an airplane kit, kits
    are duty exempt. I've ordered about 4 time in the past year with no
    hastles. There is still GST and a postal handling charge due to the 
    large package size. I still convert the dollar and compare the price
    with the local prices, sometime (though rare) local is
    cheaper.Typically the local store just don't have what I'm looking for.

    I don't know if this should be a new topic,  I'll just add it here to
    be moved if required.
    
    As a small hobby shop owner, I would like to ask. 
    
    Do the local hobbiest owe any loyalty to the local hobby shop ?
    
    Is it right for the guy to buy all the big stuff from a mail order
    house and then when they brake something small run down to the local
    shop and expect them to be there when these parts are needed ?
    
    Yes we may not have the specialty item on the shelf but we can get it
    within the week that mail order takes. I would suggest not more than
    10% higher prices than the discount houses. Remeber here in Canada the
    dollar is 1.40 when it is at .71 US.
    
    Is it worth 10% to have a shop that supports you when you need these
    small parts that aren't worth mail ordering or to save a flying day ?
    
    I'm from Canada where mail order may be needed more than in the US, but I 
    would think this would apply to anywhere there is a hobby shop and mail 
    order. I also realise there are some hobby shops that couldn't give a
    hoot about special orders, this is not the case at my shop. Our order
    system is the best we can be because we are small and can't handle the
    big inventory. (we still have lots of stuff)
    
    From my side of the fence, I see all the hard work we put into keeping
    the shop going to have a Customer come in for the $2.00 part and answer
    to question on the equipment that they had mail ordered (we answer with
    a smile hoping that the customer will see the service we provide).
    
    I have to say on some things we cannot compete and even I would mail
    order it. I would ask that you check with your local shop before you
    make an order, all we need is a chance to compete and a bit of thought
    about the small extra you may/or maynot be paying. If we have a chance 
    to quote I would hold no hard feelings and would wish our customer the 
    best of luck with thier new equipment and have no problem supporting this
    equipment.
    
    PLUS, don't get me wrong the $2.00 parts are what mainly keep the doors 
    open so don't stop coming in, even if you do mail order. (was that kissy
    enough) every little bit helps.
    
    Now I got that out, am I all wet or is there no loyalty required were 
    the buck is concerned ?
    
    Fred
            
     

    <--- Since I have stopped ordering from Mail Order houses some time
    ago, I will vouch for the benefit of purchasing from your local HS.  I
    have made some fairly large valued purchases from my local shop over
    the last 12 months, and have been given extrememly helpful service, and
    a willingness on the part of the owners to provide advice which has
    proven invaluable (in some cases the advice has resulted in purchasing
    an item of lesser value, but just worked better for the situation).  My
    rule of thumb now is, I am willing to pay up to 20% more (dollar
    exchange rate considered)for the supplies/kits/engines (whatever) from
    my local hobby shop, than go through a mail order house or direct
    factory outlet.  The extra percentage is pretty minor in many cases,
    and certainly does not cover the cost of buying valuable advice and
    support, which the local shops hve been more than willing to provide.
    
    
    IMHO
    
    A) Purchase from the shops (if within 20%)
    
    B) Speciality orders through the manufacturer/distributor
    
    C) Mail order houses
    
    	There is one particular case where Mail Order houses obviously
    shine.  Here in Calgary we have several well stocked H.S., however if I
    were located in a small center or in a rural setting, then mail order
    certainly looks favourable (however many HS's will provide mail order
    service as well).
    
    Regards
    Rod
    

    Five years ago when I got into this hobby, I bought everything mail
    order because I couldn't find a decent hobby store in my area.  When I
    finally found one within reasonable driving distance, I noticed he was
    way high on the major items like kits and engines and radios, but below
    the mail order houses on small items like props and nuts/bolts.  So he
    drove my behavior and I never bought big ticket items from him.
    
    Then RC Buyers opened up in Nashua only 20 minutes away, and the owner
    was willing to match Tower's price on any item, so I started buying
    kits and engines from him.  Now my general practice is to buy at the
    hobby store NOT mail order.  I use mail order as an exception now.  But
    my whole point is that the store owner drives our behavior, and if he's
    willing to make the price difference go away, there's no contest
    because the service is much better and RC Buyers in particular has a
    very knowledgeable staff.  They're tops in my opinion, and a model (no
    pun intended) for the rest of the industry.
    
    I recognize there are areas of the country not so well blessed with
    such stores, or they are just too far away to shop regularly or
    casually, and in these cases, mail order fulfills a real need.  But
    given the choice, I'd opt for the local store if possible.
    
    Bottom line is that is not JUST a matter of money, but what the total
    package is and how we respond to it.
    
    My $.02 worth.
    
    Regards,
    Joe
    

    
    
    I'd rather be an educated consumer.
    
    Plus, not all shop owners are pleasant to talk to. 
    I'll open a catalog if it has a better personality.
    

    I caught hell one day from the local hobby store owner for ordering an
    engine from Tower rather than letting him compete (it was a "friendly"
    catching hell).  In the ensuing conversation, I asked him about big
    ticket stuff like transmitters and engines.  He said that he made
    virtually nothing on them and that his big markup stuff was on the
    nuts and bolts kinds of things.
    
    Recently, he had to order a transmitter for one of the locals.  After 2
    months, it still was not in, so he refunded the money.  During that
    conversation, he grumbled (again, friendly) that he was only making
    about $20 on the transmitter and that it was hardly worth it.
    
    I'm led to the conclusion that mail order on big ticket stuff is better
    for everybody.
    
    					Dave()