Fantasy Diecast Shop

[The real OZ GP]

So .... supposing you could find the perfect shop what would it be like?

Would the owner be a collector or a motorsport enthusiast or just a business man?
Would it stock everything from Matchbox to CMC or only "Aussie" brands

All scales ?

Web site?

Only Cars or other diecast and motorsport stuff?

My Fantasy shop sells all of the above and is run by a collector who has a cupboard full of old cars that he sometimes sells at retail . Diecast Aeroplanes of the RAAF are always on sale and all preorders are honoured .

How about it ? What makes your fantasy shop?

[pitcrew]

My fantasy shop would be the one I go to now.
Large range Aussie and overseas cars all scales.
Also a large range of scale eletric, trains, trucks, F1 cars, Simpson stuff, and a few surprises every now and then (rare items/cars).
If it's not there he will try his best to find it for you.
Also now has a pinball machine and a couch for the regulars to sit on and have chat about anything die cast.
Cheers :)

Hes also putting a coffee machine as well

[minh427]

Which shop is that Pitcrew?

[smokey_dj]

oz its probly bleeding bloody obvious but might jsut want to mention if you dont agree with someone else's fanatasy shop ideas dont go shooting them down in flames we are all entitled to our dreams :D

[supa-roo]

all you've listed there OZ as well as a cappuccino machine

how many times have u been in a shop gasbagging and felt like a proper coffee

the guy up here wont put one in as he recons he'll never get rid of me :p:laugh4:

also what pitcrews shop has would be good "Also now has a pinball machine and a couch for the regulars to sit on and have chat about anything die cast"

[pitcrew]

Responded via PM

[ratster70]

all you've listed there OZ as well as a cappuccino machine

how many times have u been in a shop gasbagging and felt like a proper coffee

the guy up here wont put one in as he recons he'll never get rid of me :p:laugh4:

also what pitcrews shop has would be good "Also now has a pinball machine and a couch for the regulars to sit on and have chat about anything die cast"

Dunno bout the coffee machine but if he puts in a bar fridge he's in trouble with me :D:wacky:

[The real OZ GP]

oz its probly bleeding bloody obvious but might jsut want to mention if you dont agree with someone else's fanatasy shop ideas dont go shooting them down in flames we are all entitled to our dreams :D

Absolutely right , if someone wants dancing girls and someone else wants dancing elephants who am I to judge?

We all want something different I am just curious what the members here think makes an "ideal" shop. Its your "Fantasy" after all not mine.

[Leigh]

It doesn't matter who or what they are to me, as long as they get me ALL the models I ask for, are good for a chat and they don't have a sook when you have a different opinion to them...

[david5]

Funny this should come up as I was only thinking while on holidays that with the struggle some model shops are having why dont some put in a cafe/ coffee shop with a motoring theme. I understand room/cost issues, but I think it would be a goer in the right spot.

[AmonFan]

Funny this should come up as I was only thinking while on holidays that with the struggle some model shops are having why dont some put in a cafe/ coffee shop with a motoring theme. I understand room/cost issues, but I think it would be a goer in the right spot.

There is already a brilliant Shop with that kind of setup in Frankston :D well worth a look......

[grease]

Where if Frankston or are you just joking?

[AmonFan]

Where if Frankston or are you just joking?

Ask Smokey, he's been there.....

[grease]

Ok will do if I remember when I see him down the Island.

[Andrew]

The shop would be a large one and stock everything from modern releases by all manufacturers to an extremely well stocked 'old' release section. This includes all the current manufacturers - Amalgum, Kyosho, CMC, Exoto, Biante, Classics, Minichamps, HPI, Ebbro, AUTOart etc all the way to original Biante and Classics as well as old Onyx and Vitesse, Trax, Minichamps, Dinkum, Dinky, Rosso, Matchbox and Corgi.

In addition, it would have a train section, plastic model kit section, military section and scenery section to support train and deicast dioramas.

It would also have a slot car section with an extremely impressive track built with the latest Scalextric Digital technology, fully landscaped with detailed pit garages, grandstands, scenery and fencing. There would be cars driving around all the time for customers to come and 'try before you buy' with it, but with a time limit so everyone could have a go. Young kids would be encouraged to have fun with the set, as that is what slotcars are all about, but all damage caused by these kids would have to be paid for by parents!

It will also have a large flatscreen TV with constant motorsport videos played in the background, switching between F1, Rallying, Le Mans, - everything, including historic racing. The constant motorsport on the TV plus the slotcars tearing around give a great atmosphere.

It will not allow the tribalism of Ford versus Holden, but all marques and all racing types would be encouraged.

There would also be a coffee machine where partners who are dragged in to the store by their hobby-obsessed husbands/wives could enjoy a latte and sit on a couch to relax while their other half shopped.

It would also put on regular events when there was a major live motorsport event on - whether that be Bathurst, the F1 GPs, Nascar etc The TV(s) would be brought out and motorsport fans assemble to watch it together and have a yarn with a few pizzas while watching the racing. It would be especially fun late on a Sunday night watching the live F1 on ONE HD.

Every 3 months or so, a racing driver would come and be part of a special event for the regular collectors - Jim Richards, Glenn Seton, John Bowe, Mark Skaife, Sir Jack Brabham, Harry Firth, Allan Moffat , Fred Gibson, Neal Bates etc all the way to the more obscure drivers who, in their day were guns on the race tracks. Laz would know all these chaps! A themed display of their racing career in models (and framed photograhs) would be prepared and the invited customers could have an opportunity to spend time with their racing idols, having photos taken, getting models signed, and relaxing in the company of the great drivers of Australian motorsport history. Slot car races against their idols would be encouraged. When in Australia, a foreign driver would be welcomed, whether they be a star of circuit or rally. Imagine Sir Stirling Moss making an appearance!

There would also be well trained specialist staff (maximum 3) who are knowledgable about all the products, passionate about what they sell and about motorport in general, and who actually care about the customer. They would also seek to host 'industry nights' whereby representatives of the major model makers would come and discuss the craft of diecast model making and let the collectors speak with the people who are responsible for making their dream diecast. I'd expect reps from Biante, Classics, Trax, Icon Models and occasionally visting reps from Kyosho, Minichamps, Hot Wheels and others to spend an evening with customers who are genuinly keen about knowing about the process and seeking feedback from customers about quality control and new releases. However, these visits would be done separately for each company!

But that is my dream store. And with a place like that offering all of that, it would be a place where passionate motorsport fans and collectors would want to spend time - and spend their money.

The reason I know all of this is a dream and not real is because, even if everything else happened (the slot cars, visist from drivers, visits from diecast reps etc), there would still be one or two customers that would wreck it for everyone else. Sadly.

[david5]

Andrew you have given this way too much thought lol

[onfire]

andrew you mite have to build that shop, nice read.......

[minh427]

Jesus Christ Andrew, imagine if your computer shut down when your about to hit the submit button. LOL :p But i agree with you.

[The real OZ GP]

I like it Andrew , thats the spirit . Especially the Amalgam bit , I really really really want one of their cars.

[AmonFan]

Yes if only people were happy to pay rrp we'd see a shop like this ;)

[Andrew]

I'm happy to pay RRP and do. Of course we all like bargains but sheesh, shop owners have got to make a living as well. And if a shop put this on for their customers, hopefully you'd see that reciprocal arrangement occur and customers would support their shop, pay RRP, honour all pre-orders etc.

I gve it a lot of thought because that's the sort of shop I'd love to visit and be a part of. :)

[AmonFan]

I've seen many race drivers in store.... Legends in my eyes, however few would have heard of them, lol.....

[Leigh]

I'm happy to pay RRP and do. Of course we all like bargains but sheesh, shop owners have got to make a living as well.

Sheesh, IMHO my shop owner spends WAY too much money on activities that he shouldn't, so I wouldn't want to be seen as anti-community and "fueling the addiction" so-to-speak:p

[AmonFan]

Sheesh, IMHO my shop owner spends WAY too much money on activities that he shouldn't, so I wouldn't want to be seen as anti-community and "fueling the addiction" so-to-speak:p

LMAO you spend more on models in a couple of months than i do in a years racing.... Mind you i do it on a ridulously small budget.....

[david5]

LMAO you spend more on models in a couple of months than i do in a years racing.... Mind you i do it on a ridulously small budget.....

Its your huge ability that makes the difference.............send the $50.00 to the usual place ;)

[smokey_dj]

laz get whittikers to sponsor you :p you sponsor them enough :p