WHOA!! A NEW LHS

[19000rpm]

As we all know the LHS is a fading business. A sad trend for all of us; LHS owners, and guys like us, who still like the immediacy of hopping in the car, driving a few minutes, to either browse the new products, or snatch them up without waiting on UPS. Not to mention getting those parts that will keep you grounded until the UPS truck shows up.

We've lost 3 LHS in as many years around the metro.

So, it was to my shock, and delight, that there is a new LHS in town...15 min.'s from my condo. They are located in Long Lake, MN. Controlfreaksrc.com. Great name.

I dropped by yesterday to meet the guys and check the store out.
Nice bunch of guys and real RC nuts. One of them has a 250 ft. paved strip, with a 150 ft. of short grass for runoff, on his property, a few miles away, and there is a dome to fly micros in a block away.

The store is in a little strip mall next to an Napa auto parts store. Not huge, but laid out well with lots of product.

In addition to HH and Great Planes stuff they have many alternative products; most of it from HK. Helis, sport planes, war birds and EDFs. EDF units from about 15mm up to about 120mm. Lots of trucks and crawlers too. And they are just getting started with product. They have much more on the way.

I think their approach is relatively unique. And, it could become a new trend that will renew the LHS. By offering alternative product, something we usually buy online, they'll fill a need locally and also shorten delivery time of online orders of HK products, as well as others, you'd normally be waiting weeks for.

They are still working on setting up the store and finishing their website. It was, admittedly, a larger task than they had thought. I've got a feeling they will make it a success. They have the passion to make it work. I'm wishing them the best of luck.

[akphill]

Cool
Wish them all the luck in there new venture.

[Doozer]

I'm with you 19. I try to use the local guys when I can. If you really need something, It's handy to have parts that are a short drive away. I can buy anything I want online, and find all the information I need to make an informed decision. What will make me pay the extra dime is if I feel welcome, and the questions that I have are important. Don't try to make me feel bad if I can buy something $70 dollars cheaper on the internet and I choose to buy it. Offer to support it.

Finding a shop that makes you feel good about coming through the door is a great find. Once these guys put up a site. Link it. I'll give them shot.

[Gabe]

Wow that's great! If they need help with their website, one of my companies does web design. We'll give them a deal (shameless plug here)

[19000rpm]

I spent some more time at the new LHS today. Really a neat place. Opened up the new HK 35mm F-86. I think the GP F-86 will be a lot nicer. I'll wait for that.

They've got stuff I haven't even seen or heard of. Where do you find a place that has the guts to carry both main line and alternative products? Not around here anyway.

The LHS guys had been out in the morning to plow the local lake for some afternoon flying. Not just for themselves, but for their friends and customers as well.

When I was leaving I saw I had a flat tire. Ben, the Controlfreaksrc owner, managed to find a portable tank to fill the tire, enough to limp around the corner, to a closed repair shop (Sunday) that happened to have a couple of guys, friends of the repair shop owner, working on their truck, where he got access to a hose, to fill the tire enough, to get me to a station close to home, to have the tire fixed.

Now, how many LHS owners put their selves out that much for a customer? Customer? Heck, I haven't even bought anything yet. But I will. Even if I don't need it. ;D

[bugstersdad1]

That is very cool! My LHS here just started carrying the Solo Pro. Prior to that, out was Blades or nothing. When I first started out in the hobby (and didn't know any better) I went to them looking for help with my Madhawk. It was like they were almost pissed that I even came through the door because I had the odasity to buy a heli on line rather than through them. Needless to say, I hadn't been back there up until a week ago when I thought It'd take a chance and see if they had a set of small ball link pliers. Evidently, they've changed owners and the guys were more than happy to talk to me. Nice change! Buy the way, I thought I was the only one in Minnnesota who flies RC helis. We should get together sometime!

[19000rpm]

Yeah, that's the typical LHS attitude around here. That is just one of the reasons they are going away. The guys at controlfreaksrc are all about helping. There were a half dozen guys in there with all kinds of planes, helis and trucks getting help when I was there Sunday.

There a plenty of pilots in MN. We'll get you hooked up.

[Doozer]

Feb 19, 2012 19:41:38 GMT -6 bugstersdad1 said:

It was like they were almost pissed that I even came through the door because I had the odasity to buy a heli on line rather than through them.

This, more than anything is what I run into with my two LHS'. I actually just had this happen. It's like I'm stealing from them if I mention anything about purchasing online...yet... that's how they order their parts. Go figure. I don't mind paying a little bit extra for the convenience, and the roof over my head to shoot the sh!t with other people in the hobby. However when you try to sell me something for $175 dollars that I can get shipped to my door for $113 and your not even willing to meet me halfway...? You can sell for whatever price that you like, but I think most people would choose the latter and walk right out the door.

Customer service and convenience are the brick and mortar LHS' only selling points. There are few people left that don't know how to work the internet gizmo, and that number is declining rapidly. If I'm willing to wait, I can get anything delivered right to my door... tax free and generally with free shipping. The old days of raising an eyebrow when you walk in door, ignoring you for a half hour, then rolling their eyes at your question are over... if you want to stay in business that is.

[/soapbox]