Bricks and Mortar Shops (1 Viewer)

[Mr Scott]

At the recent Brisbane K&C Dinner, Andy reminded all about how important the 'Bricks and Mortar' Toy Soldier shops are; in fact there are only 3 in the whole of Australia.

So today I followed Andy's advice and spend 2 hours in my local Toy Solider shop. Not only did I start a complete new line, I also bought a gift for someone.

Whilst the internet is a wonderful thing, actually seeing in person is an experience not everyone is able to enjoy.

Cheers

Scott

 

[Jack]

At the recent Brisbane K&C Dinner, Andy reminded all about how important the 'Bricks and Mortar' Toy Soldier shops are; in fact there are only 3 in the whole of Australia.

So today I followed Andy's advice and spend 2 hours in my local Toy Solider shop. Not only did I start a complete new line, I also bought a gift for someone.

Whilst the internet is a wonderful thing, actually seeing in person is an experience not everyone is able to enjoy.

Cheers

Scott

Scott

What new line did you start?

Jack

 

[Mr Scott]

Scott

What new line did you start?

Jack

Jack, I bought a Zero and accompanying ground staff.

Cheers

Scott

 

[Jack]

Jack, I bought a Zero and accompanying ground staff.

Cheers

Scott

That's an impressive range with more to come.

 

[Guy]

I always support my local toy soldier shop. It's only for the very rare items, no longer available through the normal commercial channels, that I use Internet
guy:smile2:

 

[Guest]

In the UK there are getting fewer and fewer places to actually buy and see Toy Soldiers. The only places I go that are worth a visit are below,
London Toy Soldier Centre
Magpies - Evesham
Treasure Bunker - Glasgow
Ian Allen Books - Birmingham

I go to the London Toy Soldier show to see what is out there,

Cheltenham Model Centre have a few Britains but a lot less than they used to have. W Britains send out a list of dealers with the price list, but this is awful and is at the least frustrating, at the worse misleading. I have visited a number the shops on the list when I have been in the area and been very disappointed as in 1 shop they had 4 clamshell ceremonial sets and another classed as the largest Britains retailer in Wales had on their shelves around £1200 worth of stock at retail price.

The reason I am highlighting above is because it does look like there are bricks and mortar dealers which do not exist.

I guess this is just a move that retail has gone in niche areas like toy soldiers, to have a shop is expensive.

 

[BHogan]

Like many other forum members, I also support my "local" toy soldier shop. My favourite K&C dealer is the Toy Soldiers Club, which is located in Quebec City. I highly recommend you pay them a visit if you are ever passing through. I always do! :smile2:

Brendan

 

[theBaron]

...I guess this is just a move that retail has gone in niche areas like toy soldiers, to have a shop is expensive.

You hit the nail right on the head. It is expensive to maintain a physical location, if you're a retail business.

Why I appreciate the nostalgia factor, when I saw this thread, I asked myself, "How much is everyone willing to pay, to keep afloat a business that is failing because the expense of its physical location no longer can be covered by revenue from its product? Ten percent above the ordinary retail price? Twenty? Fifty? Twice the price, if the seller has to charge that, to maintain his shop?

It's a similar issue for us scale modelers. Generally, modelers over 30 all have an experience with a local hobby shop, often set in a house in a row of houses in a town or city, memories of hours spent browsing the stacks, talking to other modelers or the owner. But most of them are gone. Competition from online sales is often cited as the reason, but for many of them, the business died with the owner, who probably opened his store in the early years of plastic modeling in the 50s, because he couldn't find anyone to take it over, whether among his heirs or someone else. And those who try to start up a physical location today face that same competition with online sources of modeling products and supplies. They also face competition for that spending cash from other business. And my question is the same, in that case. We have nostalgia, but how much are we willing to pay, in money and in time to wait for a physical store to order something that we want but that they don't carry?

Sorry to pee on the picnic, but when I hear calls like this to support a local business, I always think of that part of it. "How much are we willing to pay?"

Prost!
Brad

 

[Obee]

At the recent Brisbane K&C Dinner, Andy reminded all about how important the 'Bricks and Mortar' Toy Soldier shops are; in fact there are only 3 in the whole of Australia.

Good if you are on the East Coast ......

my closest K&C dealer is 3,500 kms away .... or a 3 hr 30 min flight ... or a 36 hour non-stop drive !!!

Then I could also got to Brisbane, like you did, but it's 4,400 kms away .... or a 4hr 30 min flight ... or a 48 hour non-stop drive !!!

or save my $$$$ and buy on-line

More soldiers for my $$$$

john

 

[Guest]

I agree. many, like myself, have found the internet cheaper and we know what the set looks like, possibly with the exception of tourism and historical interest sites, shops just do not work the majority of the time. You need the footfall and also the impulse buy from tourism, but at the prices for TS now an impulse buy is less often. Dealer need to have a cheaper range aimed at the tourist or kids.

 

[Terp152]

You hit the nail right on the head. It is expensive to maintain a physical location, if you're a retail business.

Why I appreciate the nostalgia factor, when I saw this thread, I asked myself, "How much is everyone willing to pay, to keep afloat a business that is failing because the expense of its physical location no longer can be covered by revenue from its product? Ten percent above the ordinary retail price? Twenty? Fifty? Twice the price, if the seller has to charge that, to maintain his shop?

It's a similar issue for us scale modelers. Generally, modelers over 30 all have an experience with a local hobby shop, often set in a house in a row of houses in a town or city, memories of hours spent browsing the stacks, talking to other modelers or the owner. But most of them are gone. Competition from online sales is often cited as the reason, but for many of them, the business died with the owner, who probably opened his store in the early years of plastic modeling in the 50s, because he couldn't find anyone to take it over, whether among his heirs or someone else. And those who try to start up a physical location today face that same competition with online sources of modeling products and supplies. They also face competition for that spending cash from other business. And my question is the same, in that case. We have nostalgia, but how much are we willing to pay, in money and in time to wait for a physical store to order something that we want but that they don't carry?

Sorry to pee on the picnic, but when I hear calls like this to support a local business, I always think of that part of it. "How much are we willing to pay?"

Prost!
Brad

I think you bring up many good points Brad. I visited the TS shop in Chillicothe, Ohio a few yrs ago during Ken Olsen's WB presentation. Really wanted to buy something to support the store but already had all the latest releases thru the internet. WOund up getting a couple of items anyway. Used to buy latest releases from an EBay seller who discounted everything 30+% until he was shut down for underselling the retail price. I really would rather have the discount as there are no TS bricks & mortar stores in my area.
Chris

 

[jazzeum]

Brad has hit the proverbial nail on the head. Unfortunately, stores are a thing of the past and a dying breed. Would it be that it were not so. The best place to see figures in person are shows. However, as Brad can also testify as an important member of the MFCA, which puts on The Valley Forge Show, attendance and the number of dealers is decreasing. Thus, the default choice for most people is the Internet.

 

[tdubel]

I think it is a good idea to support any toy solider shows you can find. As a collector, I love shows, it is a chance to see items, buy them and a lot of times find a bargain just as good or better than the internet. As a dabbler, I sell on ebay and at shows items that I am offloading from my own collection. I can tell you as a collector to collector, it is worthwhile to stop at my tables. I generally take to shows items that I feel are a "good deal", but I would like to move them for cash as a way to not get killed by online fees. Everything has a price so to speak. For example, anyone in the market for Jenkins planes that I no longer can house in my collection are on my show tables at significant savings from retail, even out of stock or retired ones. SO, the point is not a sales pitch, but an example that you can get just as good as deals at shows as you can online. I encourage all collectors to go to shows. I know that I have got my best deals at times at these shows and I still shop even though I have my own tables! This also includes major dealers as they always have consignment or retired manufacturer items priced to move.

Tom

 

[Guy]

You hit the nail right on the head. It is expensive to maintain a physical location, if you're a retail business.

Why I appreciate the nostalgia factor, when I saw this thread, I asked myself, "How much is everyone willing to pay, to keep afloat a business that is failing because the expense of its physical location no longer can be covered by revenue from its product? Ten percent above the ordinary retail price? Twenty? Fifty? Twice the price, if the seller has to charge that, to maintain his shop?

It's a similar issue for us scale modelers. Generally, modelers over 30 all have an experience with a local hobby shop, often set in a house in a row of houses in a town or city, memories of hours spent browsing the stacks, talking to other modelers or the owner. But most of them are gone. Competition from online sales is often cited as the reason, but for many of them, the business died with the owner, who probably opened his store in the early years of plastic modeling in the 50s, because he couldn't find anyone to take it over, whether among his heirs or someone else. And those who try to start up a physical location today face that same competition with online sources of modeling products and supplies. They also face competition for that spending cash from other business. And my question is the same, in that case. We have nostalgia, but how much are we willing to pay, in money and in time to wait for a physical store to order something that we want but that they don't carry?

Sorry to pee on the picnic, but when I hear calls like this to support a local business, I always think of that part of it. "How much are we willing to pay?"

Prost!
Brad

online sources are only interesting if you can buy in the region you're living in.
example: I buy a set in the USA or Canada : I have to pay on top of the purchase price : 21% VAT, import taxes, custom taxes and a very expensive postage . For 1 figure it means: a surplus of +/-€30 !!!!!!!!!!!! So where is the advantage ??
guy^&confuse

 

[BLReed]

online sources are only interesting if you can buy in the region you're living in.
example: I buy a set in the USA or Canada : I have to pay on top of the purchase price : 21% VAT, import taxes, custom taxes and a very expensive postage . For 1 figure it means: a surplus of +/-€30 !!!!!!!!!!!! So where is the advantage ??

That does not apply to American purchasers. Often online purchases are a bargain. I have yet to pay any
kind of tax no matter where I buy. You pay 21% VAT on everything. You should be used to it by now.

 

[lancer]

I am a huge fan of Brick/Mortar stores. Over the last 3 or 4 years my mobility restrictions have made it impossible for me to visit such stores, so, by necessity, all my buying is now internet. My concession to the brick stores is that my purchases are only made from brick stores that offer internet service, no purchases from internet only businesses. I may lose out on some price deals this way, but it is what I can do to help support those that maintain a brick store. -- Al

 

[theBaron]

online sources are only interesting if you can buy in the region you're living in.
example: I buy a set in the USA or Canada : I have to pay on top of the purchase price : 21% VAT, import taxes, custom taxes and a very expensive postage . For 1 figure it means: a surplus of +/-€30 !!!!!!!!!!!! So where is the advantage ??
guy^&confuse

Your local vendor is going to pay similar costs, to import products from overseas and put them on his shelves so you can buy them in his shop. He may get some discounts inherent to buying volume orders, but nevertheless, he has those costs, in addition to the cost of his shop. And you pay those costs as he passes them along to you and other customers as reflected in his prices. So my question to you is the same--how much are you willing to pay, for the luxury and charm of having a physical store nearby? We really can't ignore that question.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

online sources are only interesting if you can buy in the region you're living in.
example: I buy a set in the USA or Canada : I have to pay on top of the purchase price : 21% VAT, import taxes, custom taxes and a very expensive postage . For 1 figure it means: a surplus of +/-€30 !!!!!!!!!!!! So where is the advantage ??
guy^&confuse

Also, your complaint strikes me more as an argument against the EU's policies, taxes and fees, rather than as an argument for buying from a bricks-and-mortar store than via the Internet, or via snail mail, for that matter.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Brad has hit the proverbial nail on the head. Unfortunately, stores are a thing of the past and a dying breed. Would it be that it were not so. The best place to see figures in person are shows. However, as Brad can also testify as an important member of the MFCA, which puts on The Valley Forge Show, attendance and the number of dealers is decreasing. Thus, the default choice for most people is the Internet.

Brick and mortar retail is in a death spriral. Just read the news and see how many retailers are laying off workers, closing stores, or just closing all togeather. Soon the only stores left will be food stores and liquor stores, and the big box stores. I know I could have never lasted this long with my business if I had to maintain a retail location.

 

[Poppo]

I will never buy a toysoldier on the internet ( only tickets....), and, as my collection is completed,sometimes, I have fun to find toysoldiers on a flea market here where people sell old fornitures from their home, included some toysoldiers.