I have two past times, both of them I am very enthusiastic over. One RC and the second golf. This service from shops you mention is not limited to RC shops. If your a noob or a new customer you are treated with what appears to be contempt, in many cases.
However - there are some absolute gems. Unfortunately our local gem closed just after xmas 2007. A shop owner that would talk you out of a bad purchase, save you money on compatible but better priced items, would discount and match prices - from wherever. (Although I never asked for a price match because of the friendly and helpful service).
It's a general British trait for shop keepers to be funny old bunch. I too am in business and if I treated my customer base like many shopkeepers do, I would have gone bust a long time ago.
A shop cannot hold all of the stock to suit all of the people all of the time. Our local gem was the same but we knew when his orders were placed, the lead times and when the deliveries were coming. I am sure if these shops, as above, make the effort to keep you informed, let you know the lead times and is friendly in their approach, you will order from them.
It takes a pretty thick skin to continually walk into a store ask for advice without purchase and really, how many do?
Treat every customer like they're your best client. If they need advice and your shops busy, they will wait - they are after free advice! If your friendly no one will mind while you run a couple of things through the till for another who knows what they want and are waving those 20's.
And finally, car kits will help turnover, but they are tiny margins. If someone brings a car to you they bought off flea bay - Be grateful. It's used, worn and most likely going to need all sorts of higher margin spares.
Recent stores I have dealt with and have nothing but praise for.
Microtech
DMS
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