Gaugemaster - Thank You

[DesertHound]

Morning All!

I'm quicker than most to jump on here and have a rant when I'm not happy about something - just look at the contempt I hold some ebay muppets members in!

So, I thought, how nice it would be if I could come on here and sing somebody's praises. Yesterday I popped down to Gaugemaster in Ford, West Sussex, to pick up a Kato starter set and some other bits and bobs.

I'd like to say a thank you to the staff, specifically the guy who spent the best part of an hour chatting about anything model railway related to my father and I. It brought into stark contrast to me the value that our remaining model shops (those with a physical presence) offer us. Not only the ability to look, even to open boxes, to measure up track sections etc etc, but to have someone on hand who isn't trying to get rid of you ASAP, someone who's genuinely interested to answer any questions you have, no hard sell, just genuine interest from the seller to explain things to you. So a Gaugemaster, thank you very much for making my visit pleasurable.

This is not to say other model shops are better or worse, I think any remaining shop should be applauded. It's also not to say other suppliers of things such as Kato track are inferior in their service - I'm only commenting on the experience I had yesterday. Gaugemaster aren't necessarily the cheapest, but the service I received was exceptional and on this occasion I had no problem paying a little extra for that.

The internet has many advantages, but I hope we don't bottom feed to the point where we end up with no physical presence on the high street (sadly I think we're almost there). I think it dehumanises our hobby.

I do, on the other hand, recognise that value is one element for many people and price could be the difference between buying / not buying something.

Now, if only Gaugemaster and the other model shops still stocked secondhand stock (such as Farish) I'd really be in my element. We might even be able to swing things away from fleabay! I guess that won't happen though as second hand sales could cannibalise sales of new items.

Anyway, I know we've all got different opinions on the internet and I do also use it for purchases - just wanted to say thank you to Gaugemaster.

Cheers

Dan

[Agrippa]

Good to hear of good service from Gaugemaster. Re s/h stock, Hattons and Rails list used
stuff on their websites. but I don't know if they display them in their shops.

I wonder if people put stuff on Ebay thinking they'll get a better price than selling
to a dealer who has to check the used stock , hold it until it's sold and make a profit
in the end.

[Newportnobby]

I totally agree with your sentiments, Dan.
We have a local model shop who, despite being ironically named the Chuckle Brothers, can be a good source for N gauge stuff and paints etc. Mostly I tend to order locos/rolling stock from Rails but continue to use Transport Models in Preston on the basis of "Use it or lose it".
They do, at certain times, come near enough to the prices of the majors to make it sensible to buy from them and I am in there frequently enough to become known to them, not that it improves their demeanour though.

[d-a-n]

Now, if only Gaugemaster and the other model shops still stocked secondhand stock (such as Farish) I'd really be in my element. We might even be able to swing things away from fleabay! I guess that won't happen though as second hand sales could cannibalise sales of new items.

I remember going there as a kid in the early 90s when there was a table of secondhand bits and pieces in amongst the layouts and stuff - it's much more of a slick operation there now!

[Claude Dreyfus]

Its a pity you did not visit on the Sunday. Last weekend was their open weekend, with layouts (including 5 N Gauge) and demonstrations. Saturday was very busy, but Sunday afternoon was pretty sane.

[DesertHound]

Claude - yes, good point. Unfortunately I couldn't make it at the weekend, but nice I'm sure it would have been.

Dan

[DesertHound]

As an extension to the thread, I thought it only fair that I mention two other shops I visited this week (I'm on,y here for a week, so six months of train buying gets compressed into a few days - ouch!)

Jane's Trains (I think it's actually Janes Trains without the apostrophe, but me being a grammatical buffoon - albeit one who gets it wrong himself - has to be pedantic) ... anyway, made a visit to them in Tooting, South London the other day. Great shop and fantastic staff. They were happy to chat and I bought two secondhand diesels in there for possibly only 5-10 pounds more than I'd pay on ebay per loco. By the time you strip out postage and add in the personal touch, plus see the diesels actually work and don't have broken buffer beams etc - I'd say it's worth it). They also stock new Bachmann models etc. etc. very welcoming environment amidst the model shop drought lands of South London.

Another interesting shop (actually concession), which pulled me back three times, yes three times, was the model centre in the former Allders department store in Croydon. Was chatting for about an hour with the chap in there and bought quite a few wagons, all at half Bachmann RRP (many for less than a fiver)!

They bought Modelzone's stock when they went bankrupt and have been selling it all (apparently) through the one store. The chap said that the company is actually owned by the same group that now own the HMV music stores and they specialise in buying liquidated stock and selling it cheaply - hence the bonkers prices for Bachmann stock. It's a bit if a gamble as to what they have and I think it comes in drive and drabs. Don't go in there expecting to find the latest this and that, but if you just want a few wagons the prices are very tempting. Sadly the chap doesn't think they'll be restocking once the liquidation stock runs out.

We had an interesting discussion about the demographics of the hobby and how this would affect the hobby's long term prospects.

Agripa - you mentioned about ebay vs selling to a model shop. This chap had worked in various model shops for quite a few years and recalls (not too long ago) a shop he worked in having a policy that they'd pay no more than 15 quid for a secondhand loco, which they would then resell. I guess they have to cover their overheads.

I do buy from ebay (sadly it's the best option if you're into Poole built stock like me) but I try and buy from shops when I can and when the prices aren't too outlandish.

As for Hattons I'll just state the facts. Sent them a message via their contact us function on their website about a second hand loco - never received a reply. Enquired previously if I could arrange for FedEx to collect (since I need overseas shipping and I get a special rate with them) but was told not possible. They might be cheaper, but that's not everything in my book.

So, Jane's Trains in Tooting and The Model Centre in Croydon (in the former Allders department store) thank you too!

Dan

[Pengi]

My experience of Gaugemaster is the same as yours. When I first decided to go over to N and Unitrack, Gaugemaster answered all my silly questions, got most of the Unitrack master and variation boxes down for me to inspect and then had to put most of them back up again! They were also very helpful regarding the Kato Eurostar (which I bought) and, at a later visit, the Arnold ICE3 which was just too expensive 

I am happy to pay a little bit more for the friendly and helpful service and the way that I am made to feel valued as a customer . The issue comes when the price differential with internet becomes too great. For example, a couple of years later I bought the Arnold ICE3 new from Germany for over £100 less  (and the postage was cheaper too)

[DesertHound]

I am happy to pay a little bit more for the friendly and helpful service and the way that I am made to feel valued as a customer . The issue comes when the price differential with internet becomes too great. For example, a couple of years later I bought the Arnold ICE3 new from Germany for over £100 less  (and the postage was cheaper too)

Pengi

Agree with you 100% there. I guess it's a balance between the two and the line might be different for everyone (how much more you are prepared to pay for good service). I know my limits and whilst I'll happily spend in a model shop, it still has to be competitive in a broader sense, factoring in that you are getting good customer service. I still think it's possible for model shops to remain competitive (not the cheapest) but perhaps it's getting more difficult.

Dan