Letters to the Editor
Send your Letters to the Editor to: Model Aviation, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
Hobby Shops
As Model Aviation's table of contents suggests, there is indeed something for everyone in this hobby, one which has been an important part of my life for more than 50 years. I especially appreciate that this magazine's editors have given ample space for my primary modeling interest: Free Flight.
Virtually every part of the magazine is read and reread as useful ideas and interesting reports abound. And on occasion, someone's ideas merit—indeed, demand—a response.
One such item is a Letter to the Editor in the June 1999 issue. The writer, Lance Novak, claims that in his ten years of RC flying, he has "learned the ins and outs of buying equipment." He shares his "wisdom" regarding the advantages of buying mail order and at the "large hobby supermarkets in the Los Angeles area."
I too live in Los Angeles and I too have bought from the "supermarkets," as Novak chooses to call them. And on the occasions I have shopped at the large-chain price discounters, I found the employees both friendly and knowledgeable—about Radio Control. Period.
What Novak is unable to realize, apparently, is that some of us enjoy different aspects of this great hobby. The large-chain discounters aren't exactly the place to turn for silk, tissue, FAI Tan II rubber, engine shutoff timers, etc. Perhaps if Novak could find time between his encounters with "the rude little jerk at the small hobby shop," he would discover some other facets of this hobby his price discounters aren't concerned about.
And what about the small hobby shop owner and his mother who "were so ignorant and rude"? Well, if Novak went into any hobby shop with the attitude his letter reeks of, I can understand why he was not given the respect he feels he deserves!
In sum, Lance Novak, with his "ten years of RC flying"(!) will probably continue to regard the owners of small hobby shops as "price-gougers." I will continue to respect them as people who fill a real need and who have treated me fairly, honestly, and courteously for half a century. And I will continue to support these owners to ensure their survival.
And that's what's really important!
Lee Hunt Northridge, California
Lance Novak is more to be pitied than censured. When he concludes his diatribe by characterizing small hobby shop owners as "greedy price-gougers" who are going to go out of business, then admits that "what's really important" to him is bargain-hunting, he simply reveals his own mercenary values and priorities.
His crocodile tears for the "old time" hobby shops are not impressive. Especially when he repeats, "It all comes down to saving money." I can only hope that there are enough modelers who do not share his bean-counting, bottom-line view of "what's really important" in modeling to keep the "old time" hobby shops alive.
I would be willing to place a substantial bet that if 100 modelers selected at random were asked, "What's really important?" to them in the hobby, getting a good deal on equipment would not be the predominant answer. I would be further willing to wager that personal relationships would be high on the list. A mail-order catalog can't provide that.
Small hobby shop owners provide another personal quality that mail-order and hobby supermarket stores can't touch: personal service. Both qualities are valuable intangible commodities and rare in today's marketplace.
The kindest thing I can say about Mr. Novak is that he seems to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Bill Darkow Olympia, Washington
It was with great dismay that I read Mr. Novak's letter in the June issue. This man has apparently been shopping in the wrong places. I live within 40 miles of several hobby shops, and patronize several of them.
One sold me the Top Flite P-40 for $5 less than the mail-order places. One sold me four .25 engines for a couple of dollars each less than the sale price of some of the major mail-order houses. Some items are more expensive locally than through the mail, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that my money is staying right here in Colorado. I'd just as soon let the people in New York or Chicago support their economies; I'll support mine.
Also, I have had several bad experiences with the mail-order places. I ordered covering (for the P-40 I bought locally) and waited for about five months before I finally canceled the order. "It's on back order" was all I got from them. Two months went by with no word; finally I ordered a covering iron about the same price as the covering. They sent notice that that item was backordered. I finally went through their catalog and gave them four or five options, the last of which said, "If everything in your catalog is backordered, donate the money to a local RC club's next event as a prize!" I got the glow plugs that were on the list, but they are still into me for a couple of bucks.
Another mail outfit charged me shipping cost on both halves of an order that was backordered! I stupidly paid it, but they'll never get any of my business again.
Nope, I'll stick with local sources. No mail-order for me, thank you.
Wes Nelson Superior, Colorado
It's obvious that Mr. Novak works for someone else and is probably the first person to raise his hand if raises are offered. I suppose his comments are typical of a society of "me first" people who are living only for what they can get out of things.
And surprise, surprise—he is the first one to admit that he trades with the mail-order houses, whose password is greed. They invented the word. Does Mr. Novak think that the mail-order houses are performing acts of kindness when they accept his money?
I spent 30 years in the mass-marketing business, yet I would be the last one to accuse a small business of being greedy or of price-gouging. And yes, I was greedy; and yes, I knocked out the competition as fast as they stood up to get it.
The fact is that not all hobby shop owners have master's degrees in marketing, and yes, there is a lot of marketing ignorance in the hobby business; but there are a lot more that are performing very well indeed.
Mr. Novak, if you think hobby shops are greedy, you ain't seen nothing until you see what happens when the mail-order houses wipe all the hobby shops out. Then, my friend, you will see what happens when a few can corner the market. Just keep on buying from them and it'll eventually bury you.
As for me, my hobby shops always beat the mail-order houses by a sizable margin, and I shall continue to buy from them.
Bob Wilson Franklin, North Carolina
Since the American Aircraft Modeler days I've always enjoyed Model Aviation and the AMA, until now.
I was extremely disgusted by your editors publishing a letter from Mr. Lance Novak in the June 1999 issue. Disgusted for two reasons:
- It was not an op-ed type of letter. It was a very thinly disguised personal attack on hobby shops in general, and remarkable AMA shop owners in particular.
- That you would allow this egregious display of wanton hubris and ego to get national (international?) exposure!
A personal apology to the mother and son would be a step on the way to correcting this affront and insult. They have done more for model aviation, education, competition, and promotion than a thousand Lance Novaks.
Let's ask how many hundreds of AMA members are flying now because of them! I've seen them devote their time, talents, treasure, and feelings far beyond anyone else I've ever met in 50+ years of aeromodeling.
I began Free Flight when a hobby shop owner taught me at age 7 to fly and build gliders. I began CL Scale and Stunt at 17, when a hobby shop manager at a navy base taught me. I began RC 20 years ago; again, a hobby shop owner taught and helped me.
Total education cost? $0. Hours spent? Probably over 100! Net result: I fly, my sons fly, and I promote hobby shops, period.
What Mr. Novak misses and will always miss, is the airplane is but a toy, the "goodies" are just things, but the feeling, memories, friendships, education are without price.
Please apologize.
Angus Crosbie Glendale, California
P.S. Hobby shops (real ones) smell good!
Don't you read the letters before you publish them? Ref. June, p. 173, Lance Novak.
If it were not for the small hobby shops I would not have been able to enjoy this hobby for 50+ years. You would not be editor of a model magazine.
Some of what he "spouts" is true, but don't we owe something to the small shop owner who has been there for us so long?
I don't like people who try to hurt the small person. Why do you publish such stuff?
No, I don't work at or run a small shop. But I have used and enjoyed them; of course there are good and bad examples.
Next time some guy with an axe to grind writes you, think before publishing his stuff!
You could run an editorial column with an apology or some kind of recognition to small hobby shops across the country and the people who advertise on pages 131–133 of your magazine.
Bob Giesecke Irving, Texas
I just received my Model Aviation for this month and as always I read "Letters To the Editor" first.
I wanted to send my thanks out to Mr. Lance Novak. He's made a decision I've been wrestling with very easy.
I'm one of the owners of a mom-and-pop hobby shop. I've always tried to be competitive with the mail-order shops by selling kits, engines, and everything I possibly could at their prices. Radios I have to add another $5 to or we would hardly make any profit at all.
I've been in business for 13 years and for the most part always struggled. I try my best to help my customers be the best modelers they can be. All for naught, I suppose, after reading Mr. Novak's letter.
The decision I've been struggling with is whether to close at the end of the year or not. With Y2K coming, my store computer is old and my POS program is out-of-date, so instead of purchasing new equipment I suppose it's time to give it up.
I really love this hobby and I believe it's the best hobby for young people to be in. I've been in this hobby for 25 years, raising three boys in it — one of whom competed in the Tournament of Champions this past year, making his family very proud of him.
It will be sad closing the shop. I've spent a lot of good times there, but Mr. Novak has shown me the light. I'm tired of being a dead horse.
Oh, and about those little grocery stores: I don't know about California, but there's a convenience store on every other corner in Texas.
Richard Byrd B&H RC Hobbies Arlington, Texas
I read the letter about hobby shops in the LA area written by Lance Novak. Boy, he sure had a problem the day he sat down to write his letter to you.
I, too, live in the LA area (San Fernando Valley). I have shopped at the store he mentioned in Camarillo. It is a nice, small shop. There is no reason I know of to leave the LA area to shop for RC supplies.
Undoubtedly Mr. Novak had a bad experience at his local shop. I quote him, "People are not stupid." He goes on to say other things regarding mom-and-pop stores.
Well, I am an owner of a "mom-and-pop" business, and his statements are not productive about paying more at small stores. Businesses are either competitive or they cease to exist. Learning to fly or drive RC is still introduced mainly by hobby shops — not by mail-order.
Clubs are good. They cannot and do not replace the owner or employee who teaches the new customer. Clubs survive because of the local shops. Hobby shops support club activities by giving gifts and discounts and holding great clinics and raffles.
I agree, stretch your dollars. However, you may buy your $7.75 part by mail, add shipping, handling, time, and that part will cost more than the convenience of going to your shop. When only the superstores are left, beware of the next step: super price at the superstores. Without the small shops, "scratch building" will be just that.
I am also questioning the editors and publisher of the magazine. Why did you publish a letter of this nature? This person had a problem. By publishing a letter from a disgruntled person you have not done the small businessman justice. You should have investigated the situation. The RC hobby and business does not need this kind of "help."
John Curran Northridge, California
Publisher's note
The Novak letter was a response to the "Now You're Talking" opinion piece in the October 1998 issue. Model Aviation published both letters as a means of inspiring discussion and raising the level of controversy about an important issue: hobby shops and mail-order houses. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Model Aviation or the AMA.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
