As my wife will tell you, I have far too many hobbies — and that’s just the ones she knows about.
A good number of these hobbies are the kind that are served by a “hobby shop.” In most of the burgs I’ve lived in, the hobby and game shops were the same thing — which was fine, because folks like me who played D&D, AD&D, Car Wars, Avalon Hill games, etc., etc. also were into model railroading, miniature figures, plastic model kits, and other traditional hobbies.
Sadly forays into hobby shops were always joyful excursions of wonder and excitement — until I had to interact with the store employees.
In short, throughout a couple decades of regular hobby-shop visits in three states, I have yet to encounter a hobby-shop employee who was even remotely customer-friendly.
Now I know that the kinds of customers such an eclectic mix of products attracts will include a fair number of annoying, um, enthusiasts, like this guy Fred. I’m not like Fred. So why not greet me and the other non-Freds out there with at least a friendly smile?
I’m going to keep a weather eye on this new blog by a hobby-shop employee. I can’t speak to this fellow’s customer-service chops, but he at least writes well.
And the title indicates his heart’s in the right place.
h/t: Tam.
If you’re looking for another hobby, and if you think guns are expensive, try amateur astronomy.
Heh. Not only do I have a shelf full of astronomy books I’ve been collecting for the day when I have time to kick back and take up this hobby, I’ve even been holding on to an article about Dobsonian telescopes for about a decade now — because there’s no way I can afford to buy a ‘scope that big, but I can sure build one.
Good link! I like the guy already! 😉
Wow, thanks for the link and comments!
I must say, though, my biggest pet peeve is not being greeted when I enter a store. If one of my guys doesn’t greet you (or myself) as you enter my store, my guy is gonna get greeted with my size 12 after I drag him by his ear to the back room.
One of the few things we hobby shops have going for us is a personal touch, and it pains me to hear that some shops haven’t discovered that yet.
You played D&D? … Geek =P
Long ago, I used to play Magic: The Gathering and still remember the smug people behind the counter – much like Jeff Albertson (Comic Book Guy) from the Simpsons.
I really should dig up those cards…
Hey, the guy reads Weber and Ringo. So he already has points with me.