LHS challenge

What ever it is, do it quick before he changes his mind. I'd be basing my decision on available funds and items on my long term wish list. Don't buy just to be buying. Just my $0.02.

 

Gilly

Micheal he said an item you really want (key words) so go for it, get what you really want.

 

Thanks, Alex

My advice would be to not go for it.  I'd tell him, in that same humorous and friendly way, that while you appreciate the offer, you figure someday you will need a favor from him badly - help with a warranty claim, or in diagnosing or fixing an annoying, recurrent problem - something you can't figure out yourself - and you'll simply call in the favor then.

 

My logic is this: the Internet is unbeatable with regard to bargains - go there when you want bargains.  A good LHS provides support, camaraderie, and service you can't get over the Internet.  Use each for what they are best at . . .

Interesting take Lee. I will ponder it.

Always tough to refuse a bargain, but I would agree with Lee. Sometimes I will buy something on the Internet on a "blow-out" sale, but more often I will go with bricks and mortar folks for stuff I really want. When I have had issues, my LHS (in the same region but different from Lee's) will help out, even repairing smoke units under warranty for stuff not bought at their shop.

 

I'm willing to pay an extra percentage for that type of service and advice. I'd like to keep them in business. I would politely decline the generous offer and take a favor later.

 

Bruce

Just do it!
Go big! And stay within your budget.

Lee has the right idea. 

No personal offense intended, but if everyone followed the line of thinking presented, there would be no LHS. If I only bought service and took the free support, expertise and camaraderie offered by my local shop, I would have no local shop.

 

Seems like a week can't go by without a thread about how sad it is that a storied local shop bit the dust. The same posters who lament not being able to go there and hang out and get their questions answered are many of the same who post "Who has the best price on "X?" and buy it from the cheapest internet retailer.

 

 

edited to fix a typo

Agree with Lee

Last I checked, support, camaraderie and service(meaning taking something out and test running or to look at so you can then go and buy it over the net)  doesn't pay the rent or the employees. 

 

Service(meaning repairs) might kick in a buck or two.

 

Rusty

That's why I said "might."

 

Rusty

No offense taken. I see your point and I am not saying to go so far as to not shop there a lot.   I spend several hundred dollars a month on scratch building supplies, scenery stuff, glue and paint, repairs and parts and "stuff" at my LHS - that's not the type of purchases I try to try to save a few $ on by shopping on the internet - also the type of stuff I like to see and feel before buying so its pure LHS territory as far as I am concerned.  I end up buying a few locos and rolling stock I see on their shelves, too, and lots of buildings, and  . . .

    I also make it a policy, even though it costs me about 10 versus the internet, of putting all my Lionel and MTH locomotive pre-orders -- usually about four Vision, Premier or Legacy locos a year -- through my LHS.  I do this partly to make sure I am supporting them, but also because I much prefer to pre-order through someone I can look in the eye and know will treat me well.  

    But I do shop for internet bargains, too - I have four WBB Baldwin 10-wheelers, bought one at a time, and none from the LHS - I got seriously deep discounts on each, basically buying from whoever offered it cheapest on that day.  Etc.