LHS Prices

[aaron2u]

I feel bad knowing that everyone should buy from their local hobby store, but I can't get over the price differences in this area.

For instance, TowerHobbies carries the O.S. .46 LA engine for 61.99 right now. At my lhs, they want $99 and some change. I just can't see how they are staying in business. They don't race, there kits are always a lot higher too. There service literally sucks as well. I mean, a couple of bucks is one thing, but I'm not paying that much extra for something that I could possibly do without. UUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! It just drives me insane!

What are your opinions on this? Would you guys and gals pay that much extra? Keep in mind, thats only one piece of the kit!

Alright, thanks for letting me vent....

[lescar]

Hi and Welcome. :)

What Hobby shops are is in your area, is it a chain store or a mom and pop type store. I do most of my business with Hobby People and that same engine is 64.99 on there web site but the store is higher, but if I bring a print out of the web price they give it to me for the price on the web.

There is a mom and pop store in town and it’s the only place I can get Raptor 50 Heli parts from, the Hobby town has Raptor part but there selection is vary limited and takes forever to get parts. The mom and pop orders direct from the main distributor so there prices are fairly good but you do need to watch them because they will try to get more money from you, so I always bring a web printout with me so they know I know what the going price should be. :D

[aaron2u]

It would be nice if they were a chain, where I could use a little leverage, as you have learned! Unfortunately, it's a decent size hobby shop. I haven't been there enough to know if it's a mom and pop store, but it's a possibility. I'm in California (not by choice, my wife and I are in the Air Force and we are stationed here) which seems to be the land of the entrepenuirs. So it probably has some market research into it.

It still ruffles my feathers a little. The next closest hobby shop is at least a half hour drive.

[lescar]

Depending on where in Calif. you are stationed, I would check out the Hobby People web site Hobby People (http://www.hobbypeople.net/) They have 21 store in Calif. and Nevada, 19 of them in Calif. So there maybe one near you, and they would probably have the best pricing around. then you could just order off the web site and delivery shouldn't take that long scents the warehouse is in Calif. or find the closest one to you. :)