IronCross

I keep hearing Servo City is cheaper then Tower so I checked.
Servo City is selling 3001 servos at a blow out price of 19.95
I just purchased half a dozen from Tower and the price worked
out to 18.99 each. This did not include the additional 20 dollars
I got off for ordering over 150 dollars. Shipping as usaual was
free. Where is the cheaper thing with Servo City ???????

JimRoss

I tried several times to go to their site and it woldn't open.

depfife

My Feedback: (14)

My NSLHS (Not So Local Hobby Shop) is 80 miles away. I think the current US government reimbursement rate for driving is around 35 cents a mile. This is supposed to cover gas and wear on your vehicle. If it costs 35 cents a mile to drive, a trip to my LHS costs me $56. Add in the benefit of not using up four hours of my free time, and I have to say, paying $7.99 shipping seems to be a bargain for me.

Eric

JimRoss

Your analogy is flawed.
It doesn't cost you $0.35/mile to go to your NSLHS. That is the amount the government says you should be reimbursed for using your own vehicle.
What it costs you is the amount of gasoline you burn in the round trip times the price per gallon plus an amount equal to what your time is worth. If your going to the NSLHS you are obviously goofing off and not doing anything really productive so you should be charged back an amount equal to the time you goofed off which could make your trip quite expensive. So, in conclusion, order from Tower Hobbies and be happy.
LOL
JK

JimRoss

tiggerinmk

Flawed? Not entirely... That 80 miles takes you closer to having to pay out for another service, increases the milage on the car which increases depreciation and may even affect the insurance premium.

Now it seems that the owner of my favorite LHS has now taken a job down in NC (he has a 'proper' job as well as running a HS) so no more LHS. The next closest is right over the other side of town, 20 miles each way. As I'd rather spend my weekends flying than driving across town I know where I'll get my stuff....

FunXtra

LOL actually ive never been to the military ( hope i can join the air farce), but ive read something that haqd to do with that AND the funny things ground crews can pile up in scrunge bags lol
the author is Richard Herman and the book if called Force of Eagles really great stories the man writes!
aw about the props...well it happens you knw...and its usually a pain to point something out to them

mars

Seems like its turning into a bashing so.....

I have nothing good to say about Tower Hobbies. Ive been told items are in stock ( when They arnt ) then 6 weeks later I get my missing parts. They owe me like 5 of those flight boxes, and ever paid for 2 day and not had sent 2 day?

Tower suxors. BASH BASH. Buy locally.

I prefer Sheldons for ordering, they know what they are doing. In todays sales markets its REALLY all about the customer service. I as the consumer have the right to CHOOSE where I spend my money.

Sorry for going off, its been building for years. I finally feel better.

I hope someone at Tower is reading this.

pete913

[/quote]

My NSLHS (Not So Local Hobby Shop) is 80 miles away. I think the current US government reimbursement rate for driving is around 35 cents a mile. This is supposed to cover gas and wear on your vehicle. If it costs 35 cents a mile to drive, a trip to my LHS costs me $56. Add in the benefit of not using up four hours of my free time, and I have to say, paying $7.99 shipping seems to be a bargain for me.

Eric
[/quote]
Yup, sounds like the gov't to me alright. I defy anyone to operate a car on 35 cents a mile, thats cost of the car, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, all that. Maybe 30 yrs ago. I just got a box of balsa worth $156 from lone star, woulda cost me more like $300 at the local LHS, even if the stuff was available there, which it isn't. All they ever have is a standard Sig balsa display, half empty, and unless it's a bARF, or a P51 or a cub kit, an OS engine priced 20%above what I can order one for, or something else I don't want, forget it. So I don't feel real bad about paying the delivery charge, or not supporting the LHS. Why do you think Tower and all the rest of the mass marketers have gotten to be the size they are? They have the stuff, period. If my LHS wants to get serious about being in the hobby shop business, great. Start stocking!!! That and be halfway competitive pricewise. I can remember buying monokote at the LHS back in the late 70s for less than $3 a roll, now it's over $14 at the LHS, on a product that maybe costs top flite about $1 to produce, at the outside. I've spent enough time working in the plastics industry to know things like that. But that's another rant.

mars

I think you 2 are spliting hairs here. I live in a rural area and my drive to the local hobby shop is twice yours, at least. Thats why I have done business with Tower. It doesnt mean I'd rather do business on-line. Its just easier. The cost of shipping is normal. Tower has everything you could want. And if they dont they will tell you they do anyway. My LHS has a phone and I can call them and find out if its in stock. I call it instant gratification. So what if it cost me 10 percent more and I burned 4 gallons of fuel. The point is you can get what you want with out deceptions, gimicks, give aways, and brain damage. If you order a ARF for a online store there is the panic of will the box be dented or crushed. At a LHS you can look at what your paying for before you buy it.

I think that ordering online is great! Just use your power as a consumer to decide who deserves that hard earned money.

Brick and mortor stores have more expense's then a faceless online store. Its the way it is.

I dont drive to it very offen. Only when I really need to. Sometimes its just nice to see a real person.

Oh yeah, I got my latest kit at my LHS and the price difference was 100.99 at tower and 109.99 at my LHS. Last Christmas tower got my gift to me by Jan 21. I ordered it early Dec. .This year I had soming to open.

IronCross

It would be nice to support the LHS. However most of them I have
tried to deal with think I am here for them. I drive several miles, the
clerk is usually some kid I have to explain to what a propeller is, they
naturally don't have it in stock but will order it. When it does come in
a few weeks later I have to drive back to the shop, they usually want
20 percent more then the online price plus tax. I have been to some
that don't even have CA in stock.
If they are serious, most of them need to change there aproach and
keep at least the basics in stock.
On the other hand I can order from Tower etc, get a pretty good price,
usually free shipping, no tax, no driving etc. If it is coming from Reno
I can hit the submit button and go stand by the door. Almost anyway,
they are getting fast.

Scott McCrory

Mars,

I also live in Dillon. Maybe we're just spoiled when we drive to our "LHS" in denver (Action R/C, Hobby Giant) and 99% of the time they have what we need in stock. Their prices are also very competitive with Tower and all the other mail order companies.

mars

Ive found that colpar hobbies has the best prices. Action is great expecially for foamie planes. I need to update my address I have now bought a house in Fairplay. So my drive is even longer, about 15 mins one way. Hobby Giant has not been that great for me but I go there in a pinch. They do stock alot of models.

Scott are you a member of sparcs?

My only real complaint is.....Dont tell me you have something in stock just to get my $$. It'll piss me off and I'll stop giving you my dollar. Honesty pays. I think that alot of big business have tossed that in the garbage and now have no morals or convictions, other then there bonuses.

Scott McCrory

Mars,

Yes, I am a member of SPARCS. Are you with the Super77?

mars

Why yes I am. Have we met maybe? I am in the process of joining sparcs. I now live in Fairplay.
Im sure if we havent meet we will in Feb at the winter fly in. Did I see one of your planes in a magazine a while back?
I am pretty active with the gliders, I'm just now getting back to wet flight.

Scott McCrory

Mars,

I don't think we've met but I will be at the winter fly in. No pictures in any magazines that I know of. I only have 1 glider but several glow planes.BTW I'm the VP of SPARCS and welcome to the club. I'm hoping to do test flights of my new 4*120 at Farmers Corner sometime this week. Checked it out today and there's finally enough snow to fly, although the kite boarders were there cutting it up. The winter fly in will be at Ron teke's house again this year if you haven't heard. Look forward to meeting you.

Scott

mars

Scott I have sent you a PM. Just checking to see if you received.

Mighty Mouse-RCU

My Feedback: (145)

I personally find it refreshing they are answering your emails personally. I usually get a company sending me a generic email and never following it up.
Sorry, but I find Tower to be one of the better companies out there as far as mail order.

pete913

Ha Ha. I deal with it on a daily basis myself. Our general manager is a retired air farce procurement guy. That man could make a 30 page paperwork nightmare out of buying a box of paper clips.