george these are good news. at least for customers living a few thousand miles closer than i am. good luck !
HeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHey! Are you going to sell visits to Pete Nolan's layout, too! Pete: That is exactly the problem with San Antonio. You just can't get there from here!! Congrats George and Debra. Looks like I will have to stop in Albuquerque a lot more. (On the way to LAX)
Got the map from your web site for my next trip there. Expect me on 11/14 at the latest! Of course, the big question is, will the discount structure stay the same, or will you have to raise prices a wee bit to pay for the store?
Jeff: ABSOLUTELY not! Our pricing remains the same. In fact some lines will see a reduction in reservation pricing as we become "direct"dealers". In order to accomplish that, we selected a functional space that was not fancy. Heck I can even walk to work so there will be almost no commuting costs. We believe in our business plan and intend to live up to it. The concept of offering the lowest possible pricing on in stock items and even lower prices for reservations has worked for us and has allowed the business to grow from litterally a $0.00 amount in inventory to the level of stock you saw in Temple(? can't remember the shows anymore they blend together) Even at Temple though, we didn't get to put everything out due to space limitations. This weekend at San Antonio we have a larger space and hopefully will have more time to get more out. I also don't believe in raising the price of existing stock just because a new price was announced on new items. 11/14 is a Sunday Jeff. We will do Sundays by appointment BUT we leave on 11/11 for the: 20th Annual Fort Worth Train Show Amon G. Carter Jr Exhibits Building At the Will Rogers Memorial Center Fort Worth, Texas [ 29. September 2004, 14:26: Message edited by: wig-wag-trains.com ]
George, Thanks for the info. Hmm, I forgot that you would be coming to me that weekend. I think I will fly out late Sunday night, or just attend the show on Saturday and skip the shop tour this time. A logistics question - will you keep most stuff on pegboards that you can take up and down easily, now that you have to reset up everything Monday morning back in ABQ? Also, I'll bet a fair dollar that a group of us DFW customers of yours would be willing to take you to dinner Fri, or Sat. Night. Let me know if you are on....I would hve given you and Deb my hockey tickets, if the NHL had decided to have a season this year......
Jeff: Initially the shop will look very familiar to you. We will be setting up on Friday 11/12 in FW till they throw us out. I've got to remember to find a rental center in that area where we can get some lights for the nook we setup the booth in. Saturday evening dinner may be more workable. We're always eager to meet other modelers and discuss their modeling. We get lots of ideas and it's nice to hear about the progress people are making. Let's swap e-mail on this when it gets closer.
What about a store layout!!!??? More importaNtly what scale(s)? And would you consider letting TB members help you set one up? What a great excuse for a week or so vacation! Or, have a contest for a layout design... give us the alloted space dimensions and let the TB populace come up with ideas for you.
This sounds like a cool idea! Could be a lot of fun to see what ideas people came up with for a layout. Maybe after they get settled in? Boxcab E50
Y'all are certainly eager to spend George and Deb's money, what with store layouts , contests and all. Me, I'd rather they just continue to expand their lines carried and keep their prices the lowest around! Just my 2ยข.
Gregg: That is our plan. As to a layout, if there is room we will setup our modules as a test track since it has a self contained loop & grades. The idea is to keep costs as low as possible. Since 95+% of our sales are from internet business a "layout" may not be the best use of that space.
Yep, I know the place- I've been there almost every year I've lived in either Paris or Sherman! I will definitely stop & introduce myself (one way to meet your fellow Trainboarders ). Ft. Worth in November and Plano in January are the two BIG shows in this area, both put on by the local model RR club council. I recommend these shows, esp. the Ft. Worth show, to EVERY Trainboarder in the area (Texas, OK, KS, AR, LA, NM). PS- good luck on your new shop. Guess I'll have to come up with an excuse to go to Albuquerque (not that I need one, as I like the town ).
Better hold out for the Ft. Worth Brahmas or the Dallas team (don't know their name)- the Stars' season is on ice this year.
George- When you're all set up, and the doors are officially opened, how about posting a few photos for us? As you proudly pose in front of the store front, etc??? Boxcab E50
