Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Yes I agree, but being of a quiet disposition and not the sort to time waste, it hurt even more. It's true that I didn't buy on every visit, most enthusiasts like to browse before they purchase. My grandfather had a model shop in 1969 he valued his customers old and new, always keen to offer advice. It's nice to know that most retailers have good manners, or at least tact!
Thanks, John.
Thanks, John.
- son of triangman
- Posts: 635
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Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Richard has it summed up to a tee. I enjoy the challenge which customers offer and it's very rewarding, however.....................
You get a lot of people who waste your time, just pricing things up so they can go and then buy off the big bulk discounters or Joe bloggs up the road who is having a special discount sale. As Richard has said you learn to spot them a mile off. Invariably they try to keep you chatting ages, and look at one or two models and then don't buy anything! Sometimes you are asked to supply your best price for them, they then look and think, at which time alarm bells ring as this often means they will waste your time. Usually you hear "I'll come back tomorrow" or "will have to speak to 'er indoors" etc but they never do. If I had a quid for every potential customer who has said that I would be a rich man.
If I have such a customer in the shop, and a regular customer comes in, then I will leave them deliberating at the counter if the shop is busy and serve the regular customer who nine times out of ten will buy something. You carn't mess about in retail if it's a choice between a maybe sale and a genuine sale and if your shop is busy then the customer who spends with you comes first. As Richard has also said you have to allow for someone browsing who will spend once they have made their mind up.
2 potential customers through the door out ten will actually spend money on models with you there and then, 1 will just be in to ask for advice, 1 will want loco servicing and/or spares, 2 will be come back sales, the other 4 will waste your time.
Of course you have quiet moments but they are few and far between when times are good, often these moments are spent doing rafts of paperwork, making a brew, going to the loo, ordering etc. I try to be polite to all customers but there are times when limits apply, retailers are only human after all.
Model railway retail is all a balancing act.
You get a lot of people who waste your time, just pricing things up so they can go and then buy off the big bulk discounters or Joe bloggs up the road who is having a special discount sale. As Richard has said you learn to spot them a mile off. Invariably they try to keep you chatting ages, and look at one or two models and then don't buy anything! Sometimes you are asked to supply your best price for them, they then look and think, at which time alarm bells ring as this often means they will waste your time. Usually you hear "I'll come back tomorrow" or "will have to speak to 'er indoors" etc but they never do. If I had a quid for every potential customer who has said that I would be a rich man.
If I have such a customer in the shop, and a regular customer comes in, then I will leave them deliberating at the counter if the shop is busy and serve the regular customer who nine times out of ten will buy something. You carn't mess about in retail if it's a choice between a maybe sale and a genuine sale and if your shop is busy then the customer who spends with you comes first. As Richard has also said you have to allow for someone browsing who will spend once they have made their mind up.
2 potential customers through the door out ten will actually spend money on models with you there and then, 1 will just be in to ask for advice, 1 will want loco servicing and/or spares, 2 will be come back sales, the other 4 will waste your time.
Of course you have quiet moments but they are few and far between when times are good, often these moments are spent doing rafts of paperwork, making a brew, going to the loo, ordering etc. I try to be polite to all customers but there are times when limits apply, retailers are only human after all.
Model railway retail is all a balancing act.
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Wow, thanks chaps for all contributing to the Collector's Corner Thread, i have read and agree muchly with all that has been discussed in relation to what can and should be a fruitful visit to a decent model shop for the customer and the patron/matron/owners/staff etc.
Back to Collector's Corner for a minute though, if that's ok? MEGALOLZ, it is indeed a fine example of what passes for a 'top' experience for the modeller, railway and etc in the Portsmouth area.......
To my and perhaps some other's dismay, the shop will be closed for a couple of days in August, owing to the owners believing that they have some god-given-right to have a short break! This is outrageous! and surely illegal???
So yep, for those planning a 'pop by' Collector's Corner in portsmouth around mid-August or there abouts, phone ahead to make sure they are open, only 4 days bless em' .they deserve it to, last time i was there, got another extension for my n' viaduct, an Oxford cars n' Morris Tourer, some n' corragated sheeting and some top-tips on train fares!
BEEEP!
Back to Collector's Corner for a minute though, if that's ok? MEGALOLZ, it is indeed a fine example of what passes for a 'top' experience for the modeller, railway and etc in the Portsmouth area.......
To my and perhaps some other's dismay, the shop will be closed for a couple of days in August, owing to the owners believing that they have some god-given-right to have a short break! This is outrageous! and surely illegal???
So yep, for those planning a 'pop by' Collector's Corner in portsmouth around mid-August or there abouts, phone ahead to make sure they are open, only 4 days bless em' .they deserve it to, last time i was there, got another extension for my n' viaduct, an Oxford cars n' Morris Tourer, some n' corragated sheeting and some top-tips on train fares!
BEEEP!
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Thanks for the info Terrier, i often drive down to southampton to vist family, so next time im passing pompey ill pop in, looks a great little shop.
I understand where Son of triangman is coming from, but ive found some shop owners/staff just dont want to seem to help themselfs. My local model shop in Eastbourne is a perfect example, the guy just seems so grumpy and not willing to even try that i would rather take my custom elsewhere now.
I can honestly say ive never gone into the shop and came out empty handed, and only a few weeks ago between myself and brother in law we spent just over £200 in there, and he still seemed like he couldnt be bothered, very sad as he has now lost both our custom in the future.
Now the other day i stumbled across a small model railway shop in Peacehaven, (about 1/2 hour drive for me) first time i went in i ended up coming out with a new loco and a chip for dcc, the guy even took a used loco of the shelf to take it apart and show me how and where to solder the wires for the chip, and to top it off he gave me a little discount, i didnt even ask for one, ok it was only about a fiver, but still.....
Last tuesday i phoned the shop in eastbourne to ask if he stocked or could get hold of a station canopy that covers the tracks, all i got was a ....nope, i popped down to peacehaven, the guy couldnt do enough to try and help, searched the web for one on his laptop, then said he could order one from gaugemaster but to be honest you might as well order it direct lol. still spent about £30 while i was in there though, so that was £30 the other shop didnt get.
So for me, ok customers might be a pain in the rear sometimes, but they have to try and remember like me, customers can vote with their feet.
I understand where Son of triangman is coming from, but ive found some shop owners/staff just dont want to seem to help themselfs. My local model shop in Eastbourne is a perfect example, the guy just seems so grumpy and not willing to even try that i would rather take my custom elsewhere now.
I can honestly say ive never gone into the shop and came out empty handed, and only a few weeks ago between myself and brother in law we spent just over £200 in there, and he still seemed like he couldnt be bothered, very sad as he has now lost both our custom in the future.
Now the other day i stumbled across a small model railway shop in Peacehaven, (about 1/2 hour drive for me) first time i went in i ended up coming out with a new loco and a chip for dcc, the guy even took a used loco of the shelf to take it apart and show me how and where to solder the wires for the chip, and to top it off he gave me a little discount, i didnt even ask for one, ok it was only about a fiver, but still.....
Last tuesday i phoned the shop in eastbourne to ask if he stocked or could get hold of a station canopy that covers the tracks, all i got was a ....nope, i popped down to peacehaven, the guy couldnt do enough to try and help, searched the web for one on his laptop, then said he could order one from gaugemaster but to be honest you might as well order it direct lol. still spent about £30 while i was in there though, so that was £30 the other shop didnt get.
So for me, ok customers might be a pain in the rear sometimes, but they have to try and remember like me, customers can vote with their feet.
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
I went thorough some hard times work wise a few years back and had to work as a driver for a bakery. One of the routes ended near Collector's Corner so I'd often park my 13 tonne bread van nearby awaiting them opening! Wonderful shop, made the days on that route just about bearable!
North Cornwall SR 1944
http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Fo ... 22&t=46717
http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Fo ... 22&t=46717
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Where exactly are or were your premises Triangman?Triangman wrote:Richard has it summed up to a tee. I enjoy the challenge which customers offer and it's very rewarding, however.....................
You get a lot of people who waste your time, just pricing things up so they can go and then buy off the big bulk discounters or Joe bloggs up the road who is having a special discount sale. As Richard has said you learn to spot them a mile off. Invariably they try to keep you chatting ages, and look at one or two models and then don't buy anything! Sometimes you are asked to supply your best price for them, they then look and think, at which time alarm bells ring as this often means they will waste your time. Usually you hear "I'll come back tomorrow" or "will have to speak to 'er indoors" etc but they never do. If I had a quid for every potential customer who has said that I would be a rich man.
If I have such a customer in the shop, and a regular customer comes in, then I will leave them deliberating at the counter if the shop is busy and serve the regular customer who nine times out of ten will buy something. You carn't mess about in retail if it's a choice between a maybe sale and a genuine sale and if your shop is busy then the customer who spends with you comes first. As Richard has also said you have to allow for someone browsing who will spend once they have made their mind up.
2 potential customers through the door out ten will actually spend money on models with you there and then, 1 will just be in to ask for advice, 1 will want loco servicing and/or spares, 2 will be come back sales, the other 4 will waste your time.
Of course you have quiet moments but they are few and far between when times are good, often these moments are spent doing rafts of paperwork, making a brew, going to the loo, ordering etc. I try to be polite to all customers but there are times when limits apply, retailers are only human after all.
Model railway retail is all a balancing act.
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
HI yes it happened to me alton model shop i thought the owner was rude and very unhelpful why i was trying to explain what i was after he kept talking to someone else behind me so i told him what i thought of his attitude and left get most of my stuff now mail order.rust2bits wrote:It's nice to know that most model railway retailers enjoy talking to their customers and value the custom. I was shocked and hurt when the owner of a model shop in my area asked me not to frequent his shop so often. I haven't been back since as I don't feel welcome anymore. Has anyone experienced the same from a retailer?
cheers
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Hi i didnt know this shop exsists been working in north end for a while been to the model shop there but not a great deal of train bits will have to search out this one tho looks very well stocked.
cheers
cheers
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
It's a top shop! It's in New Road, i'm in there quite often pestering them! .
"A nudge is as good as a wink to a blind bat! Know what i mean!? Eh? Eh?"
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
hi all and i will also vouch for collectors corner im in there about once a week and nomally come out buying something i did find him abit quiet at first but now hes very chatty and always has been very helpfull and i find his prices just as cheap as mailorder normally by the time you would put postage on
so once again a thumbs up to collectors corner from me
so once again a thumbs up to collectors corner from me
oo gauge modern era dcc layout / blue and grey and network southeast those were the days
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Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Is there any parking near this place? I visit one of our offices in Kingston Crescent about once a week so will have to have a look. It doesn't look too far to walk but I'd rather not do that at this time of year
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- slackbladder
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Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
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Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Postby Terrier on Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:32 pm
Triangman wrote:Richard has it summed up to a tee. I enjoy the challenge which customers offer and it's very rewarding, however.....................
You get a lot of people who waste your time, just pricing things up so they can go and then buy off the big bulk discounters or Joe bloggs up the road who is having a special discount sale. As Richard has said you learn to spot them a mile off. Invariably they try to keep you chatting ages, and look at one or two models and then don't buy anything! Sometimes you are asked to supply your best price for them, they then look and think, at which time alarm bells ring as this often means they will waste your time. Usually you hear "I'll come back tomorrow" or "will have to speak to 'er indoors" etc but they never do. If I had a quid for every potential customer who has said that I would be a rich man.
If I have such a customer in the shop, and a regular customer comes in, then I will leave them deliberating at the counter if the shop is busy and serve the regular customer who nine times out of ten will buy something. You carn't mess about in retail if it's a choice between a maybe sale and a genuine sale and if your shop is busy then the customer who spends with you comes first. As Richard has also said you have to allow for someone browsing who will spend once they have made their mind up.
2 potential customers through the door out ten will actually spend money on models with you there and then, 1 will just be in to ask for advice, 1 will want loco servicing and/or spares, 2 will be come back sales, the other 4 will waste your time.
Of course you have quiet moments but they are few and far between when times are good, often these moments are spent doing rafts of paperwork, making a brew, going to the loo, ordering etc. I try to be polite to all customers but there are times when limits apply, retailers are only human after all.
Model railway retail is all a balancing act.
Where exactly are or were your premises Triangman?
Yes, I been wondering that too... just where exactly are or were your premises Triangman? I heard you were East side.. My great uncle is always complaining about not having a good model shop near him in Stalham Green.. Are you anywhere near him by any chance?
The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the devil's own satanic herd
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Hi mate, there is limited parking, it's in the back streets of Pompey, which are pretty tight usually for parking, but during the day, you should be able to get pretty close if not within a stone's throw (not literally lol) Kingston Cresent is roughly in the same area, so yep, i'd definately recommend you see if you can pop in.I'll_be_in_the_loft wrote:Is there any parking near this place? I visit one of our offices in Kingston Crescent about once a week so will have to have a look. It doesn't look too far to walk but I'd rather not do that at this time of year
It's ok Slackbladder, i reckon it's taking Triangman a little while to locate the paper work so that he can tell us all where this imaginary shop is?Triangman wrote:
If I have such a customer in the shop, and a regular customer comes in, then I will leave them deliberating at the counter if the shop is busy and serve the regular customer who nine times out of ten will buy something. You carn't mess about in retail ......
- slackbladder
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:54 pm
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
Oh aye,, he maybe put it in the same place as his imaginary footplate firemans ticketIt's ok Slackbladder, i reckon it's taking Triangman a little while to locate the paper work so that he can tell us all where this imaginary shop is
The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the devil's own satanic herd
Re: Collector's Corner. Portsmouth.
hi as previously said you can normally park in the side road next to the shop as its on a corner so should only have to walk a few yards i was in there again today chatted for ages about all things railway and hes chasing up some products for me so he is very helpfull
jon
jon
oo gauge modern era dcc layout / blue and grey and network southeast those were the days