National model shop support

[chris68nufc]

Does anybody know the official situation with model shop attendance at Nationals this coming season?

Last year i personally thought that there was a major lack of support at almost every national with a shop.

Whats the deal with Nationals? Is there supposed to be a nominated shop supporting each National or is a free for all for shops just to turn up and trade?

I have just been speaking about this to someone and they suggested that each National could be supported by 1 nominated model shop maybe local to that said track so that at least we as racers know that who to look for and maybe pre-order bits a week in advance if need be.

The only down side would be that the model shop would have to make sure that they were carrying a huge range of spares etc for all cars as their reputation may be on the line if they didnt deliver etc.

I have since stopped using certain shops that were in my eyes one of the best online after one of the Nationals as they couldnt be bothered with my business and i was stuck scratching around for bits miles from home!!

Any thoughts??

[Jamie.T]

Originally Posted by chris68nufc

The only down side would be that the model shop would have to make sure that they were carrying a huge range of spares etc for all cars as their reputation may be on the line if they didnt deliver etc.

That's probably a very valid reason why shops havent been in attendance at nationals then if you as a racer think that their reputation would be on the line if they didnt have every spare for every car

Surely its your responsibility to make sure you carry a wide selection of spares. A shop would be there to supply tyres, glue, wheels and any other common consumable a racer may need.

[Dudders]

Agree.

I think if you are racing Regionals and Nationals level then you should have a pretty good supply of kit.

Shops are great at tracks and they cant carry everythnig for every car, amazes me how ill prepared people are!.

If I'm travelling 60 miels+ to a meeting I want to have every conceivable spare part that might 'go' during the day - otherwise its a day wasted with frustration and disapointment.

Knowing my luck though, the ONE item I dont have will break

[chris68nufc]

May be on the line i said, i have met great shops at meetings that i still use to this day, however sometimes when people representing shops at meetings/Nationals cant be bothered then i will stop using them in the future.

Everybody should have glue, etc however parts from a newish car shouldnt be a huge thing to ask for should it??

[blitzboy]

Originally Posted by chris68nufc

May be on the line i said, i have met great shops at meetings that i still use to this day, however sometimes when people representing shops at meetings/Nationals cant be bothered then i will stop using them in the future.

Everybody should have glue, etc however parts from a newish car shouldnt be a huge thing to ask for should it??

mmmm tamiya could be an issue dude but there are more shops stocking in the uk now

[Jamie.T]

Originally Posted by chris68nufc

Everybody should have glue, etc however parts from a newish car shouldnt be a huge thing to ask for should it??

Given, but try stocking parts for a newish car. There are so many "newish cars" out at any one time that its very difficult for shops to keep up, and the costs involved in trying are astronomical.

I know this from experience when running my own shop, and keeping up with latest cars and stocking their corresponding spares is no easy feat.

Im currently stocking up on TRF parts for my new venture in the coming weeks, and stocking parts for just 4 cars is a lot of work, i wouldnt like to attempt all the leading brands and their respective models.

[chris68nufc]

The newish car I was looking for was a B4!! I didn't want to name the meeting or the shop so that's why I said newish car. I understand that if I have a brand new car I need to have bits. Did you do nationals last year Jamie?

[peetbee]

Personally when I've done nationals I've not wanted to travel miles only to become a spectator after practice has finished due to me stuffing the car into the track markers!

The trouble is, as most people are doing that, it means not much business for the shops. I know of one shop who in order to support a national properly stocked up on a lot of extra parts and he's still carrying a lot of them as no one needed them. Repeat that experience everywhere and would you want to spend the weekend chasing a few sales?

What we don't know is would everyone stop carrying their own spares if they knew they could buy replacements instantly (obviously apart from people running Tamiyas! )

[blitzboy]

mmmm totally agree chris seem to recall tally, southport, robin hood ,could have been others but cant rememeber them all , dms did do eden park and stsofold too .last year had some supporting shops but as you said not fully equiped but were still there ,, would be good to see a shop at every national this year but also would be nice to see a main shop known at all the nationals too ,,, im venturing into a few little project this year for the nationals so hope it will help but as for parts i wont be in that postition