Houston is blessed to have 2 large, well-stocked, trains-only hobby shops. The employees at one of the shops are just super, very congenial and helpful, and act like they care about me and my layout.
The other shop is generally staffed only by the owner, and he sometimes has a rather blase' attitude towards his customers. Here is an example: I was in the shop on Monday seeking a SOO Lines 40 foot boxcar for a project. I looked around and didn't see any, so I asked if he had any. He said "yes, I have some Athearn RTRs, but they are in the trunk of my car because I was at a show over the weekend. I don't feel like getting them out right now." He just basically shrugged me off. I have noticed this type of attitude before, and have been gravitating to the other shop with the employees who make me feel like they care.
Now, I have made a concerted effort to make my hobby purchases at the two shops rather than use the internet because I want to keep them in business. I do enjoy browsing in the shops. But I now find myself not giving a darn about that one shop. It is sad, because the shop is full of neat stuff, alot of older stuff that you don't see just anywhere. But the guy needs to realize that he needs me alot more than I need him, especially because of the internet.
The other shop is generally staffed only by the owner, and he sometimes has a rather blase' attitude towards his customers. Here is an example: I was in the shop on Monday seeking a SOO Lines 40 foot boxcar for a project. I looked around and didn't see any, so I asked if he had any. He said "yes, I have some Athearn RTRs, but they are in the trunk of my car because I was at a show over the weekend. I don't feel like getting them out right now." He just basically shrugged me off. I have noticed this type of attitude before, and have been gravitating to the other shop with the employees who make me feel like they care.
Now, I have made a concerted effort to make my hobby purchases at the two shops rather than use the internet because I want to keep them in business. I do enjoy browsing in the shops. But I now find myself not giving a darn about that one shop. It is sad, because the shop is full of neat stuff, alot of older stuff that you don't see just anywhere. But the guy needs to realize that he needs me alot more than I need him, especially because of the internet.