Paul Burch
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Posts:520
 | | 28 Dec 2009 04:49 PM |
| | | Paul Burch
Sierra Cascade & Pacific R.R.
Gig Harbor Washington |
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rlvette
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Posts:915
| | 28 Dec 2009 05:10 PM |
| Sadly it's a sign of the times. Fortunitly they still have there main store in Ill to fall back on.
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Gary Armitstead
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Posts:1386
| | 28 Dec 2009 05:10 PM |
| Paul,
If you think this is not good, wait until next year when a true depression hits. AND it will! Too much borrowed money and with a dollar that is now virtually worthless, thanks to the Bush and Obama admins coninuing to print more and more "monopoly" money! | | 
Gary Armitstead
Burbank, CA.
Los Angeles Live Steamers
SA #4449 | |
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aceinspp
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Conductor
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Posts:3511
| | 28 Dec 2009 05:27 PM |
| Ya wait till you got to buy some track. Yikes. Sad that they had to close that store. i had gone there couple of times. Later RJD | |  RJD Chief Engr D & S RR SA# 2510 and the 200th member | |
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Steve Stockham
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Posts:1556
| | 28 Dec 2009 05:41 PM |
| I find it interesting that they are willing to reduce their overhead by closing the Junction in order to keep the prices low. Obviously, they have made the decision that $$$ will trump loyalty to a local brick and mortar hobby store! (They're probably dead on right!) While it's sad that another location is gone, at least we can take comfort that some of the retailers realize that raising prices isn't always the answer! If this keeps St. Aubin's competitive and prices relatively stable then I applaud them for their courage in taking the necessary steps to deal with this recession and stay in business. I sincerely hope that massive price increases won't become necessary in the near future or this hobby really will be in trouble! | |  | |
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Nicholas Savatgy
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Posts:1895
| | 28 Dec 2009 06:04 PM |
| Unfortunitly i think the hobby its self is going to be in great trouble because of the price of TRACK!!!!!!!!!!! If you cant afford that why buy anything else. I talk to so many people that wish to start LS but when they price track, there put off considering the smaller scales have not raised the price of there track anywere near were Aristo did that started this whole mess in the 1st place. Wonder why the smaller scales dont do % increase on track but our buddies in NJ did ? then the other manufactures followed...... ONE word comes to my mind..... GREED...........  | | Nick
Mid Hudson Valley G Scalers RR Club...
President of the Hudson Valley LS RR Club... | |
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blackburn49
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Posts:2985
| | 28 Dec 2009 06:19 PM |
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Posted By rlvette on 28 Dec 2009 05:10 PM
Sadly it's a sign of the times. Fortunitly they still have there main store in Ill to fall back on.
More such outlets will certainly fail, possibly including the Illinois store. We ARE in a serious economic situation that is unlikely to improve over the coming year, at least until AFTER the elections in November. | |  | | Ronald N. Simpson
/ Copper
Center, Alaska |
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kormsen
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Posts:271
| | 28 Dec 2009 06:30 PM |
| Nick,
i woun't contradict you, because without greed (the wish to make money) nobody would produce anything at all.
but there is one difference. every three foot of largescale track do consist of a pound of brass.(plus plastic)
while a pound of H0 track (ties, rail and all) lays 42 foot.
in the smaller scales they need so little raw material compared to G-scale, that they can sell cheaper. | | Southern & Gulf R.R.
We build for eternity!
(so, why should we hasten?)
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John J
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Posts:2543
| | 28 Dec 2009 06:42 PM |
| November is not going to change anything. The November before that didn't....and the several before that didn't. Both parties are scum. They are equally worthless.
I vote indepenant so I can vote for someone who I think will work and even that has failed. | |  | |
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CLRRNG
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Posts:72
| | 28 Dec 2009 06:47 PM |
| Vegas is one of the top regions hit with the worst of this fumble of a economy. Most residents of Vegas are just trying to stay in there homes that they over payed for. I doubt they are headed on over the St Aubins to make a purchase. I would imagine a large if not almost all of St Aubins sales come from internet/phone sales. They can ship all over the country from there Ill branch that is almost smack in the middle of the country. Why would they need double inventory, double staffing, double etc... when they can do it all from one branch. If i was an owner of St Aubins I would consider closing the branch to stay more proffitable.
I can't believe that nobody has brought up the old thread about St.Aubins changing of there pricing policy and advertising. I said back then that I would not purchase from them anymore cause I did not see why I had to join there "club" to get the best price. Well that was then and this is now. I have not purchased anything from them in over 2 years and do not plan on ever doing so. They need to go back to the way they used to do business. KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.
Glen
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blackburn49
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Posts:2985
| | 28 Dec 2009 07:37 PM |
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Posted By John J on 28 Dec 2009 06:42 PM
November is not going to change anything. The November before that didn't....and the several before that didn't. Both parties are scum. They are equally worthless.
I vote indepenant so I can vote for someone who I think will work and even that has failed.
One cannot give up that easily, although I tend to agree with your basic sentiment. As far as MANY others AND myself are concerned, ALL our hopes are pinned on what happens in November FOR STARTERS. If substantial changes do not occur, STARTING with that next set of elections, we KNOW where this ship is sailing . . .
On the immediate matter of these brick-and-mortar large-scale train shops, and the LS hobby as a whole, a continuation of this economic trend will almost certainly kill most of it off.
| | | | Ronald N. Simpson
/ Copper
Center, Alaska |
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Dwight Ennis
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Dave F
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Posts:1352
| | 28 Dec 2009 07:43 PM |
| Bummer. I'm going to be in Vegas in June as was planning to stop in and load up... rats.
I guess the good news is I'm planning to move back to Illinois in a couple of years anyway.. | | Dave Fulghum,
CEO/Gandy dancer: Lone Peak & Western Railway.
Member, Utah Garden Railway Society.
www.lonepeakandwestern.bravehost.com | |
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John J
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Posts:2543
| | 28 Dec 2009 08:07 PM |
| Posted By blackburn49 on 28 Dec 2009 07:37 PM
Posted By John J on 28 Dec 2009 06:42 PM
November is not going to change anything. The November before that didn't....and the several before that didn't. Both parties are scum. They are equally worthless.
I vote indepenant so I can vote for someone who I think will work and even that has failed.
One cannot give up that easily, although I tend to agree with your basic sentiment. As far as MANY others AND myself are concerned, ALL our hopes are pinned on what happens in November FOR STARTERS. If substantial changes do not occur, STARTING with that next set of elections, we KNOW where this ship is sailing . . .
On the immediate matter of these brick-and-mortar large-scale train shops, and the LS hobby as a whole, a continuation of this economic trend will almost certainly kill most of it off.
I ahve not given up Ron....I am just stating a fact. Am saying nither party is any good......Look back as far as the First Bush...What Really Has changed that much. What Really have they done.
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Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Engineer
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Posts:7135
| | 28 Dec 2009 08:14 PM |
| There is just not enough local business to justify the Nevada store. The extra freight from the other store is not enough to make it up for internet shoppers.
the LV store was nice that there was no tax and less shipping to CA, but this only makes sense.
I think it's good that St. Aubins has the common sense to focus on their main business and keep prices low.
Regards, Greg | | Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words. 
Click here for Greg's web site
PLEASE NOTE: I have disabled private messages. Please use regular email: greg@elmassian.com | |
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Mike Reilley
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Foreman
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Posts:1155
| | 28 Dec 2009 08:26 PM |
| Mark Johnson, an old time MLSer who has a great layout in his back yard, was managing the Las Vegas store...and was present at all the West Coast shows hosting the St Aubins booth. I sure hope all is well with him. He's a good buddy...and a great guy. | |  | |
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pimanjc
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Posts:925
| | 28 Dec 2009 08:59 PM |
| Ditto what MikeR. said. Mark is a great guy. Mark also took great care of people at the NGRC in Denver. Mark, if you are reading this thread, you have a personal email from me sent to your St.Aubins email address. JimC. | | 
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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xo18thfa
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Posts:1017
| | 28 Dec 2009 10:25 PM |
| If they need to close one store, the smart move would be to close the Ill store. Nevada has no state income tax, of any kind, and do not tax on-hand inventory. Several online retailers are here because of those reasons. MSC Supply, Enco Tools, Summit Racing to name a few. Add the fact that that there are gillions of square feet of vacant space in this town, available for a song. Mark could run the whole operation.
| | Bob Sorenson
Las Vegas, Nevada
SA #13
"Goals are dreams with deadlines"
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Mike Reilley
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Posts:1155
| | 28 Dec 2009 10:58 PM |
| hah | | | |
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John J
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Posts:2543
| | 28 Dec 2009 11:05 PM |
| Posted By xo18thfa on 28 Dec 2009 10:25 PM
If they need to close one store, the smart move would be to close the Ill store. Nevada has no state income tax, of any kind, and do not tax on-hand inventory. Several online retailers are here because of those reasons. MSC Supply, Enco Tools, Summit Racing to name a few. Add the fact that that there are gillions of square feet of vacant space in this town, available for a song. Mark could run the whole operation. The company I just got let go from has been crying for years about saving money. Many of us suggested to look into Nevada because of the tax breaks. They did not even concider out suggestions. We were just field people had had no idea what we were taling about. Nevada Would have enabled us to send parts out for next day delivery on the East Coast at even a later hour. All the suggestions we ever summited were ignored. They all know whats best.
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tom h
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Posts:354
| | 29 Dec 2009 06:49 AM |
| The Il store has a huge landscape business also, dont think they are going to shut that down to soon. I have been to there open house in Il for a couple of years, dont like there customer service, very cold to customers, could not get anyone to help you, thats why I dont go there or shop there, and its only 1 hour away from me. Tom H | |  | |
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SLemcke
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Posts:113
| | 29 Dec 2009 07:26 AM |
| Sounds like it might be a good time to start a new Large Scale store in Las Vegas. There is already a knowledge base (Mark J) and centraly located for the southwest. Use the KISS principle, start small and mostly online, find a supplier and sell track as cheap as possible, then grow with the economy.
Steve | | | |
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Mik
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Posts:1653
| | 29 Dec 2009 09:39 AM |
| The only surefire way to make a small fortune in the hobby business is to start with a large one...... | | Mik
Allegheny Valley, the outside, inside, inside again, outside again railroad..
http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/layout.html | |
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Spule 4
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Posts:2124
| | 29 Dec 2009 10:31 AM |
| Didn't they build/remodel the store there recently? | | Garrett
Neustadter-Lokalbahn/Novoměstské místní dráhy (NStLB-NMD)
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Dave F
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Posts:1352
| | 29 Dec 2009 10:57 AM |
| Yes they did. I suspect they may have overbuilt in light of the economy and are now feeling the pinch. Too bad really. | | Dave Fulghum,
CEO/Gandy dancer: Lone Peak & Western Railway.
Member, Utah Garden Railway Society.
www.lonepeakandwestern.bravehost.com | |
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