Bricks and Mortar Shops (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

I am not sure where the closest toy soldier store is from me, but has anyone heard of BT Toy Soldiers in Laurys Station, PA?

I've never heard of BT Toy Soldiers, Andreas, but Laurys Station is local to me. It's about 12 miles or so above Allentown, along the Lehigh. Searching now, though, I see he has a website, http://www.btsoldiers.com, and a Facebook page. It looks like the shop is actually part of the owner's dwelling. You should contact him and see about visiting. It's worth it to hit Emmaus, too, and visit Ron Ruddell at London Bridge.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Desertkiwi]

As Mr Scott points out in his original post, Andy's comments during the Brisbane Dinner were simply about the importance of collectors continuing to support their local TS stores whether it via their online mail-order service or by actual visits.

Obviously a personal visit isn't always possible for many collectors, (including me) however that doesn't mean you can't support them by purchasing from them online.

Some of the posts on here seem to be missing that point.

 

[jazzeum]

Since most collectors don't have a local dealer, they can't purchase from them online or otherwise; it's simply not possible to follow your recommendation. Support for a dealer tends to come from personal contact and sometime that dealer can be one located far away. In my case, Minuteman and Treefrog are several hundred and thousands mikes away, respectively.

 

[theBaron]

As Mr Scott points out in his original post, Andy's comments during the Brisbane Dinner were simply about the importance of collectors continuing to support their local TS stores whether it via their online mail-order service or by actual visits...Some of the posts on here seem to be missing that point.

Sorry, but that's not quite accurate. Here's Scott's original post:

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

If anyone has missed the point, it may be because of the way Scott worded that post, and the title he gave this thread, which suggest paying a visit to a physical location.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Desertkiwi]

Since most collectors don't have a local dealer, they can't purchase from them online or otherwise; it's simply not possible to follow your recommendation. Support for a dealer tends to come from personal contact and sometime that dealer can be one located far away. In my case, Minuteman and Treefrog are several hundred and thousands mikes away, respectively.

I don't have a 'local dealer' either Brad, but that doesn't stop me from supporting one of my choice, which just so happens to be in Australia.

There are no matte dealers in NZ and the closest retail TS stores are in Australia and in that sense they are my 'local store'.

Maybe my use of the term 'local' gives the wrong impression, but I would have thought my meaning was self explanatory as was Andy's?

Bearing in mind I also attended the Brisbane Dinner last weekend, all Andy was suggesting was the importance of supporting a TS store opposed to simply buying over the internet from an array of sellers.

Hey it's a personal choice either way. If you or anyway else doesn't understand the reasoning behind that suggestion then I really don't have much further to add.

 

[braddinpa]

I just paid a visit to my favorite brick and mortar shop in Gettysburg today and came away with Rommel and the Adler. I always try to support John because I enjoy the relationship and talking toy soldiers painting his wargamer he has going.

 

[jazzeum]

Unfortunately you were not clear because your use of the word "local" implies a dealer within close proximity to where you live. Had you not used the word "local" I doubt that either I or Brad the Baron would have posted.

As far as supporting a dealer who happens to have a physical site that one can visit, if the dealer is local I agree. I used to have one in my town but he closed. However, if a dealer has a physical location but is hundreds or thousands of miles away from you, I fail to see why supporting one with a physical location is important or necessary. I will support one that can get me product in a timely manner and with whom I have a personal relationship such as the ones I mentioned previously. For example, Dutkins is within two hours of me but I don't know them nor am I going to drive two hours each way when I can easily receive product by mail.

 

[Panzer ace]

Hi Jason,

You are in a very unique situation, I would say.
Your life has you living in two different, far apart, locations, and both locations offer a quality "brick and mortar" store close by.
That has to be a Toy Soldier Collector's dream, doesn't it?
The majority of collectors don't know and don't have any Toy Soldier store for 100's of miles around them.
But then again, like you pointed out, there's plenty of "teasing" coming along with this.
There are probably a bunch of figures in your collection that got bought because you saw them "eye to eye".
I know, if I would have the opportunity to easily visit a Toy Soldier store at any given day, it most likely would do a lot of damage to my finances :wink2:
But I have a feeling that you are in good control of your hobby.
Enjoy the opportunity :smile2:

Cheers!

Konrad

Konrad:

I just got back from Los Gatos and had this thread on my mind as I shopped and browsed.

They currently have a dio with the Adler in it. To show my point, I actually had not considered buying it until I saw it on display. Now. I am thinking about it. ^&grin

I know I am very lucky to have a toy soldier shop within 15 minutes (well, 20 in San Antonio) of the two places I call home. I support my brick and mortar shops because geography allows it. The internet has its place as well, but I kind of see it as drinking a beer at home as opposed to having one down at my local pub or bar. If time and other circumstances limit my ability to go out then I will enjoy a beer out of my refrigerator, I just know that as I drink it I would have enjoyed it more had I gone out to have it.

-Jason

 

[Desertkiwi]

Unfortunately you were not clear because your use of the word "local" implies a dealer within close proximity to where you live. Had you not used the word "local" I doubt that either I or Brad the Baron would have posted.

As far as supporting a dealer who happens to have a physical site that one can visit, if the dealer is local I agree. I used to have one in my town but he closed. However, if a dealer has a physical location but is hundreds or thousands of miles away from you, I fail to see why supporting one with a physical location is important or necessary. I will support one that can get me product in a timely manner and with whom I have a personal relationship such as the ones I mentioned previously. For example, Dutkins is within two hours of me but I don't know them nor am I going to drive two hours each way when I can easily receive product by mail.

I stand by my original post and also believe Mr Scott's thread starter was a light hearted positive post about the benefits of being able to visit his local store and buy items.

I've already covered off the 'local' aspect in my last post, but if you wish to get nit-picky about it's use then that's up to you.

I live hundreds, if not thousands of Km's from my 'local' store/s but I still like to support them, even if they are in a different country.

Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy the relationship and the benefits this type of loyalty can offer. Most retailers see the value in repeat customers and if they are any good will foster this relationship. Furthermore along with the assistance of the forum I have gained a whole new group of mates over the years which has eventually led me to meet and greet them in my 'local' store along with Andy and his brother.

This type of contact is invaluable to me and I view it as part of the fun that this hobby can bring to a collector.

In saying this, you don't have to know your dealer on a personal basis nor visit their store to gain the benefits. It's my experience that a good online retailer will make an effort to attract you back as a customer by offering good service etc. If you don't understand that concept then there's little more I can say.

 

[LTC PaulN]

At the end of the day, I think that the sentiment is that the brick and mortar shops are a dying breed in the modern economy, but serve an invaluable purpose for display, generation of enthusiasm about our hobby, fellowship, and finally, sales. It's in our interest as a collector community for them to survive, and "local" is a relative term.

 

[waynepoo]

I stand by my original post and also believe Mr Scott's thread starter was a light hearted positive post about the benefits of being able to visit his local store and buy items.

I've already covered off the 'local' aspect in my last post, but if you wish to get nit-picky about it's use then that's up to you.

I live hundreds, if not thousands of Km's from my 'local' store/s but I still like to support them, even if they are in a different country.

Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy the relationship and the benefits this type of loyalty can offer. Most retailers see the value in repeat customers and if they are any good will foster this relationship. Furthermore along with the assistance of the forum I have gained a whole new group of mates over the years which has eventually led me to meet and greet them in my 'local' store along with Andy and his brother.

This type of contact is invaluable to me and I view it as part of the fun that this hobby can bring to a collector.

In saying this, you don't have to know your dealer on a personal basis nor visit their store to gain the benefits. It's my experience that a good online retailer will make an effort to attract you back as a customer by offering good service etc. If you don't understand that concept then there's little more I can say.

To Australians Kiwis are locals and visa versa, half of them are here anyway............^&grin

 

[jazzeum]

I stand by my original post and also believe Mr Scott's thread starter was a light hearted positive post about the benefits of being able to visit his local store and buy items.

I've already covered off the 'local' aspect in my last post, but if you wish to get nit-picky about it's use then that's up to you.

I live hundreds, if not thousands of Km's from my 'local' store/s but I still like to support them, even if they are in a different country.

Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy the relationship and the benefits this type of loyalty can offer. Most retailers see the value in repeat customers and if they are any good will foster this relationship. Furthermore along with the assistance of the forum I have gained a whole new group of mates over the years which has eventually led me to meet and greet them in my 'local' store along with Andy and his brother.

This type of contact is invaluable to me and I view it as part of the fun that this hobby can bring to a collector.

In saying this, you don't have to know your dealer on a personal basis nor visit their store to gain the benefits. It's my experience that a good online retailer will make an effort to attract you back as a customer by offering good service etc. If you don't understand that concept then there's little more I can say.

I don't know that we fundamentally disagree. I first met George of Minuteman in 2005 at a local show in NJ and we hit it off on many levels, not just business. He has remained my principal dealer since then. The same applies to Treefrog: Shannon and I hit it off almost instantly when we first met in 2005 -- after all I was a moderator here for many years -- and Treefrog remains my other dealer.

Sorry, but I wasn't being nit picky regarding your use of the word "local;" when we can't see each other face to face, clarity in our writing is critical.

 

[Rutledge]

I'm no expert on this subject but I would make these observations.

- Seeing product in person makes a huge difference to the potential buyer.
- Brick and mortar shops are rare as hens teeth
- When and where they do exist, they often:
Sell other items besides high end toy soldiers, ranging from regular toys to other collectibles
Are rarely located near major metro areas. Consider our erstwhile web host TF is situated miles away from the Twin Ciities. There has never been a proper one near me in Atlanta,Ga, by far the largest city in the south. But there is one in the small mountain town of Brevard, NC and Jacksonville Fla (Tim Tyler's Troops of Time). There was a store in Charleston SC but it shut down a few years back.
- They tend to be very much mom and pop operations and thus financially precarious.
- To survive they must also be competitive in the online marketplace, like TF
- Exceptions include stores with a cultivated, long term, loyal customer base; stores with an especially advantageous locale like Kings X.
- Customers will continue to prefer the convenience and value of buying online but will always appreciate the opportunity items to see in person.

 

[Desertkiwi]

I don't know that we fundamentally disagree. I first met George of Minuteman in 2005 at a local show in NJ and we hit it off on many levels, not just business. He has remained my principal dealer since then. The same applies to Treefrog: Shannon and I hit it off almost instantly when we first met in 2005 -- after all I was a moderator here for many years -- and Treefrog remains my other dealer.

Sorry, but I wasn't being nit picky regarding your use of the word "local;" when we can't see each other face to face, clarity in our writing is critical.

It's all good my end Brad, we're just two blokes chatting.

 

[Desertkiwi]

To Australians Kiwis are locals and visa versa, half of them are here anyway............^&grin

........I may be back sooner than you think if it keeps raining cats and dogs over here mate....{eek3}^&grin

 

[jazzeum]

It's all good my end Brad, we're just two blokes chatting.

Same here Toddy. Too bad we can't meet for a pint.

Brad