Well I've paid my last respects to Model Zone and it was a very depressing affair. That's not to say I didn't leave my local shop without a bag of bargains but it was sad to see half the shelves empty of stock like that. More importantly I felt really bad for the staff in the store. I've been in their position myself many years ago and its not an enviable one. I had a quick chat with them while I was paying for my stuff and wished them well but that's little comfort when they are faced with unemployment.
I really should have gone to the store last week because there wasn't much left that I wanted (most of the Vallejo paint had gone) but I didn't want to leave empty handed. So I joined the other vultures circling Model Zones corpse and picked up a few items as a last huzzah to yet another high street victim of the ongoing 'recession that isn't officially a recession but bloody well feels like it'.
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| RIP Model zone |
I bought a 1:72 Airfix Cromwell Tank to paint up as a display model and some Tamiya spray paint to base coat it with when its assembled. I'll see if I can get the Young Padawan to join in and build it with me. I also bought her one of the Revell mini kits mainly because she seemed to like building aircraft and because I think the Fokker DR I is an interesting and evocative plane. If she continues to show an interest I'll see if I can pick her up something a little more challenging at the next show I attend.
I was never a big spender at Model Zone but I did go there regularly to stock up on sundry items like flock, glue and paints. Personally I always thought the stuff it sold was a bit overpriced and certainly couldn't compete with other retailers or the Internet. But it did carry a reasonable variety of items in its stores and was my main 'local' source for modelling paint and materials outside of trade shows. Its other main selling point as a brick and mortar store was that it wasn't Games Workshop. With the departure of MZ I guess I'll just have to stock up when I go to shows in future.
I should add that the reason I don't buy modelling supplies from Games Workshop is that I find them far too expensive. Gram for Gram their bags of flock are more expensive than class 'A' drugs!
ReplyDeleteSad to see this shop go. Always popped in and picked a few bits up whenever in town.
ReplyDeleteYup, shame to see it go. I used to pop down to the Holborn (now New Oxford Street) shop regularly to pick up bits and bobs, mainly paints and basing material. I've done the carrion crow impersonation twice since the announcement. I guess now I'll have to find alternative sources for things - Vallejo paints I should be OK for a while, and can easily pick up online or at shows if needed. The more awkward one will be a new source for Humbrol matt spray varnish.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad and I will possibly visit my local store one last time but they had little chance once they went down the road of open as many as possible and hope they hit the ground running strategy.
ReplyDeleteIan
I always went for a visit to the Bluewater shop whenever I got dragged there by the scruff of my neck.....
ReplyDeleteSad news! Here I have one shop left. All the rest is gone!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Peter
I got 10 Vallejo paints at £1 each and some talus for £3 a bag. Agree its sad to see them go but they should have gone online a long time ago..
ReplyDeleteSad to see another shop/chain go out of business. In my recent attempt to support local shops I found myself wondering a little bit at the pricing. It's like they buy it on the internet and then mark up the prices from there.
ReplyDeleteI went to a local hobby shop recently just to find it was GONE! I had no idea it was going to close. It was a shock even if I really only got spray packs, glue and brushes very occasionally from them. Sign of the times perhaps.
ReplyDelete"..Personally I always thought the stuff it sold was a bit overpriced and certainly couldn't compete with other retailers or the Internet..." and that's why they went bust... nothing to do with the recession (my view), more to do with an inability of the managers/owners to see the writing on the wall - bricks and mortar shops need to offer something special to be able to match the (inevitably) cheaper prices of internet dealers - hide your head in the and and this is what happens... HMV did the same and almost completely went, I reckon next few years will see WHSmiths go the same way, and based on my experience, when was the last time you bought a book from Waterstones??
ReplyDeleteYep, totally agree. The retail sector may cry "unfair" but in the end they will all have to compete with the Internet in order to survive. Waterstones is a great example, I love browsing in my local branch, but I can't remember when I last bought a book there. Now when I can easily shave 25-50% off almost any book by ordering on-line.
DeleteIts all so abit catch 22 for store, be they model or book, to try compete as well, since to chop price by upwards of 50% they need to some how pay for the building etc (i shudder to think what some of those stores pay in rent which internet doesnt ...
Deletecheers