As G scale hobby shops struggle they either close or open a online internet store which seems to be the newest trend. We won't discuss economy here, but I will say trends change just like going from having the milk man deliver your milk to buying it in a store. Will all hobby shops have only internet stores? In my opinion, no. The trend will slow down to a halt because there is customer service needed such as installing sound units. I noticed a huge rise especially in G scale train listings on Ebay and there is some listings from hobby shops also that is familiar to us but won't list those due to our no vendor name policy here on train board. LGB Had a total of 2,400 average listings for 2010 which is double that of 2009 in which they had 1,200 average listings. LGB 2009 listings also was double that of 2008 which was a average of 600 listings. This was probably due to the bankruptcy of LGB and Marklin in the last 2 years. USA Trains has always been averaging out around 600 to 700 listings since 2008 but in 2010 has doubled for the first time in 2 years. The USA Trains listings are now at 1,400 and I also noticed even new release items being listed. Bachman is surprisingly is 3rd place as far as listings which is at a average of 800 listings. I noticed the last couple of months that Bachman has been the highest in listings since the last 2 past years. This is probably due to many new Fn3 products Bachman has released. Aristocraft has remained the same as it has in the last 2 years which is averaging around 600 listings. USA Trains produces more different product models than Aristocraft does which is probably why the figures haven't changed much for 2010. The 2 bay offset coal hopper is the newest release rolling stock that Aristocraft has come out with in a while Track & Accessories listings is at 4,400 which includes listings for structures, track, people, etc.
It isn't just the G scalers. The closest shop stopped selling all N scale and most HO. They have an entire store of O and a little large scale. The only HO, and Z, is Marklin. I can't see why the can stay in business with such a little market segment. The other store has a little bit of everything but still has more O selection.
Well hopefully with less overhead comes lower prices. Somehow I know that's wishful thinking . Ebay stores seem to have the highest prices anywhere for large scale trains.
You are right, I have investigated the pricing on the G scale Ebay stores vs a regular hobby shop store, the Ebay stores are definately higher than a hobby store on your corner. The G scale ebay stores are charging as much as the manufacturer retail price. Lets take tha USA Trains 55ft modern tank or center flow hopper car for example. I noticed most ebay stores want $119.00 for a centerflow hopper. USA Trains retail price is $150.00. I can buy that same hopper from S_A_ in Nevada for only $80 which is a mortar and brick hobby shop. Thats a $60 difference between ebay store and a hobby shop. What drives the price up on ebay?? I'm still researching on this problem, you would think it should be cheaper, but not so. Dealing with Ebay myself I know you have listing fees which were just raised up and then you pay again when the item sells which those fees haqve risen. Then if you are a store you pay a monthly maintenance fee for your store. There is one more thing about most ebay stores that urks me. Most of these places have no actual mortar and brick store. It's someone by the name of John Smith for example drinking coffee in his underwear and wearing his fuzzy robe with old holy slippers who is using a direct ship service. Yep another new thing manufacturers are offering anyone who wants to become a dealer, direct ship service. No warehouse or store needed, when you order a train, John just calls up or emails USA Trains to send what you just ordered to your house and John did nothing but collect your money. Direct ship stores don't get the same discounts from the manufacturer as a actual brick and mortar store and thats a fact. I rather deal with USA Trains store myself thru Malden Mass myself than give some idiot who stays at home selling trains direct ship. Anyone can actually deal with USA Trains store directly which runs under the name of C_R_. If that is not enough hint for you please pm me for the name and website, don't list it here.
I'm the same way. If I go buying Aristocraft, I go through my local Aristocraft dealers. Those guys are trying to stay afloat too and I seen no reason to do otherwise.
