Randy... This has the potential to go far off-topic fast, but I'll throw more fuel on the fire anyway... Internet-based commerce is not going to go away. With the economy being what it is, I don't see how the little guys are going to be able to stay in business unless they change their business model. The little guys are going to have to either get out there and compete in the virtual marketplace or run the risk of being left behind. Only the larger shops with a big clientele are going to survive without an internet presence. There is some hope for the local shop, though, if some of the manufacturers and distributors stay tough. Case in point...my local guy (Blue Ridge Hobbies) used to be a "basement operator" dealing strictly over the internet and at train shows. About a year ago or so, some of the distributors changed the rules (MTH and Horizon I think) and he was no longer able to sell their products through his web site unless he had a real storefront. So, he went out and opened a store here in Greenville SC, but still does something like 75% of his business over the web. He might be the one of only two shops within 50 miles or so, but his REAL competition is every other shop out there. The new marketplace isn't the street corner, it's every internet connection. There are more potential customers out there than ever before, which is obvious given the regular monthly new product announcements from Atlas, Athearn, Intermountain, Walthers, etc. The brick-and-mortar guys who have an internet presence should survive if they price competitively and have the service. The times they are a-changin... Flames off-line, please! - -pat moore - -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Janet & Randy Brown" <jananran_@_mymailstation.com> > So -- how about if your employer applies the same rule to you? The longer you > work there, the less he pays you? > Basement operators have killed the local hobby shop. It's just that some of the LHSs refuse to die. When you own the building, live in it, earn your living somewhere or someway else (that is: you get somebody else to pay for most of your expenses) and amortize the mortgage on your tax return, your overhead is > really zero. Of course you can offer a discount. > Asking or expecting a brick-and-mortar shop to discount is like bargaining with > your dentist -- you don't want to win, because you'll lose in the long run. > In the long run, your B&M (no, not PanAm) shop will go away. How many of them are still Railroad Only Shops? I know of one in the Northeast, and I hope they > charge full MRSP. > I suggest that all who disagree go down to the butcher shop and bargain for some meat. Then you can go next door and dicker for your liquor. And the next > time you need a hospital, be sure to look for the cheap one. > > If you want to pay cut price, you have to be willing to work for cut rate. Go > in and tell your boss that you are willing to work for less, if he'll only give > you more work. That should be worth a laugh. > > Remember, free or cheap stuff is usually worth every penny -- but often, not > more. > > End of rant -- for now. > > Randy Brown, who remembers Arno Rincke, and has been to Tucker's. The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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