local shops closing

[Ade_Law]

Hi Guys,

2 of the 4 local model shops have closed in the bournemouth area with rumours of the others being in trouble. They have been struggling for a while partly due to them not stocking what people need and not being able to compete with the big boys on pricing i suppose the credit crunch broke the camels back.

is this just happening down here or are others closing too?

Ade

[moonmanflyer]

Welcome back Ade, you have been a bit quiet recently
Don't know of any others being in trouble but it wouldn't surprise me in the credit crunch and all, hobbies are normanly the first thing to suffer

[SteveH39]

It is a shame when this happens as the competition dies and eventually the big boys can charge what they like, although, if they can't be competitive or atleast offer quality service for a few extra pence then really they only have themselves to blame.

Spose you could call it "retail: national selection"

[Kwickkwack]

The credit crunch is one factor, cheap imports from HK and the like are another, I try to support my local shop, but it is a chicken and egg. If you dont use them, they cant afford to hold the stock and then you dont use them visious circle I am afraid.

[Kwickkwack]

The major players are usually great at what they do, and dont forget they are also local shops to some flyers, If they are not local to you just remember its no good complaining on a saturday afternoon wanting a few bits if you have been a factor in your local shop closing. (I.E. you dont use them)

[moonmanflyer]

The last thing i bought from HK was a charger, similar to one you can get here but at the time (about 6 months ago) was just over half the price, had to go buy a new one last week as it went wrong, so a lesson learnt for me.
One thing they can't give is back up support like you can get at uk stores

[Kwickkwack]

A point well proven James
I know we can all save money in the short term, but at what cost!!

[machasm]

When I was talking to my loacl I was told that the rent for the shop was £20000 p.a!!!!
They just cannot compete against the e-tailers who run the setup from their garden shed for peanuts.
Shame really as I quite liked meeting the people face to face.

[Mart61]

I do feel for the smaller retailers. Mind you, whenever I get to my LHS, the place is usually pumping and people are buying too.

I guess that, in some shops perhaps, the margins are just insufficient to support the business.

[shoot51]

My LMS is a 60 mile trip to me and unable to compete with the internet on price or stock level. However i go there at least once a week and as a beginner the face to face contact with the owner and other customers is invaluable, its like a day college for me!, my needs could be dealt with in minutes but i,m usually there for 2 hours minimum, talking and learning from others, watching test flights etc., Well worth the trip and dearer prices. Richard

[maderdog_1024]

I bought a 600nsp from HK, i saved £175 on the cheapest uk stockists price.

We live in the internet ages now so the small shops need to start competing or they will fold.

[acwman]

I know the ones that you are talking about Ade. It is a shame to see shops going, and it will be a shame if we do lose anymore which are local to me. It is difficult for the locals to compete with the bigger specialist Helicopter shops for them. I try and support them as much as I can though, but unfortunately, they sometimes just do not hold the spares which I may require.. and thats generally when I have to go mail order to one of the specialist shops.

It is still good to try and support, and get to know them though. One of the remaining lhs I still get the 10% for anything I buy there. They did an exceptional deal for me for my new 450 pro, which nowhere online was advertising for that price at the time. Did phone up one which had stock at the time, but did not budge on the price they advertised at.

..Still, if I need anything, I would always give them a call before I go online..

andy

[Mike W]

I support my LHS as much as I can and tbh like most some have said the experience and friendliness of other fliers far outways the little cost overrun of the internet shops ...

If we dont support the shops then what happens ??? it becomes faceless and nameless and we get nobheads in the hobby that go rogue flying with no insurance and no bloody idea what they doing !!! ....

Yes alot of it is down to the credit crunch as well which makes it even worse and hobbies are always the first to go , which is a shame as I have met some brilliant people through face to face meets and the like which is what its about .....

My LHS has even got optifuel in now as well.. .Oh and they are cheaper than fastlads on price .... I have a very good relationship with the staff of my Lhs and will continue to support it thru thick and thin ... You cant pay for backup support like you get thru a Lhs ..If I need something next day delivery then yeh I do sometimes use the big names to order stuff from like most do ... But if we dont support these people then where do we end up eh ????......

[tourerjim]

I live 3 miles from heathrow airport always plenty of work in the area 'out of one job into another so to speak' but now I've noticed many of the shops & businesses disappearing even traffic around the airport half of what it was.
Police are always out in full force on many of the roads stoping vehicle for Tax Insurance etc, then you see transporter lorrys taking cars & vans away.
Does make me think how our area will recover as the airport is the heart of all the business.

[Eddie]

Hi Guys,

2 of the 4 local model shops have closed in the bournemouth area with rumours of the others being in trouble. They have been struggling for a while partly due to them not stocking what people need and not being able to compete with the big boys on pricing i suppose the credit crunch broke the camels back.

is this just happening down here or are others closing too?

Ade

What a nightmare.....which ones are they Ade?