Hobby Lobby - The Whistle Post

ALCOholic · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 06:24 PM

I just a few minutes ago got bck from Hobby Lobby to pick up some art supplies for my Design Fundamentals college class and saw an N scale tanker car so I purchased it because I don't have any tanker cars myself. And this is my first time buying from there because I usually buy from ABC Hobbies a local hobby store where the owner has a ton more knowledge than Hobby Lobby. My question is yhis. Is Hobby Lobby a good place to get model railroading stuff or should I just stick with ABC Hobbies?

Trainman1965 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 06:58 PM

Well most of there stuff is bachmann are model power. Thay are not the best but they are ok. I stick with Atlas and athearn but that is just me there is a lot more real good N scale items to buy.

Catt · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 10:58 PM

HL also sells Woodland Scenics and some ATLAS products.The thing to do is get on their email list where they send your a sales flyer in your email.

These quite often will have discount coupons ranging from 15% upto 40 and sometimes 50% off any one regular priced item.

There is no law that says you can't make multiple trips with a newly printed coupon or get your friends and family to go with you each with their own coupon.

TrainNut · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 01:11 AM

Hobby Lobby is in essence the same as our Hobby Bench. They never have anyone in the train department but yet they can seem to find the need for four guys in the RC section. I only shop there when no other alternative is available. By the way, are you also known as Squidbait?

twenty · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 02:13 PM

I bought most of my stuff from Hobby Lobby when I was starting on my first N Scale layout. Back when I could not drive so it was easier to convince my mom to go their then the local hobby shop. Plus they tended to be cheaper than the local hobby shops. I havent been there in probably 5 years now so not sure how that has changed.

ak-milw · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 10:15 PM

Alco,
If you are talking about the Hobby Lobby in La Crosse (Onalaska) I would stick with ABC hobbies. Enrytime I have been in HB it has been a waste of time. Most of the stuff they sell is the low end items for kids to play with. Where ABC has just about anything you want, people who know whats going on, and isn't a part of a big chain. These are just my opinions, take them for what they are worth.

thogan3 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 10:20 PM

Hobby Lobby may not have top quality locos...ect.....but they do have cheap alternatives to landscaping materials if you are creative!
Tom

TallDude · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thogan3

Hobby Lobby may not have top quality locos...ect.....but they do have cheap alternatives to landscaping materials if you are creative!
Tom

And craft paint for structures!

Eastern Roads · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 10:43 PM

I like to hit the craft stores for landscaping materials, spray paint, colored sand, grass, etc. It's less expensive, except for when the big train shows come into town, then I stock up. The specialized stuff and the decent advice I get from my local train store.

Mountain Man · #10 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008, 01:56 PM

Hobby Lobby is OK if they have something you want, but watch the prices.

In my area, their prices are almost always higher, and in some cases much higher, than the identical item in the LHS.

The other probelm that I have is that there is no one to answer any questions I might have. The Hobby Lobby people just stock the shelves; they don't know the products.

But if you happen to be there and see something you want or need - why not?