Boycott Hobbytown USA - Northern Colorado Rocketry

This topic has 19 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 2 months ago by Greg Rapp.

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November 2, 2007 at 2:02 pm #40017
Joe Cowan
My name is Joe Cowan and I’m level 2 in NAR and TRIP. I used to Run the Hobbytown USA in Longmont CO. I’ve been dismissed by Gary Kolm and Justin Mueller for absoluty no reason. I ask that you boycott HobbTown USA in Longmont, Wetminster and Ft. Collins.
November 2, 2007 at 2:34 pm #45628
Warren B. Musselman
Moderator
What the hell? Well that just sucks. That’s the end of my business with Hobbytown. I guess they just want to pay minimum wage to a bunch of kids instead of keeping experienced managers around.

Warren
November 2, 2007 at 2:52 pm #45629
new2hpr
Participant
Well, so much for the ONE person who knows anything about rocketry at Hobbytown, and knows what to stock in the stores. Might as well rename it RC-town, now…
😡
Ken
November 2, 2007 at 3:07 pm #45630
Chris LaPanse
That sucks…

Honestly, I would bet that the rocketry supply there will shrink fast anyways, forcing somewhat of a boycott by default. So much for a local hobby store with someone who actually knows about rocketry…
November 2, 2007 at 3:24 pm #45631
SCOTT EVANS
Joe

So thats what they ment when they said ” hes gone for a while “
that sux, dont really feel like going back now !

scotte
November 2, 2007 at 4:10 pm #45632
Anonymous
Joe, I’ll add my name to the chorus here — it is sad that they did this. FWIW, I remember calling Joe San Filipe (spelling?) at HT a few years ago….. (JSF was the rocket guy before Joe Cowan) and I got quizzed hard by whoever answered the phone as to if it was a personal call, what I wanted, etc. I told them that I wanted to talk to JSF because he was the only person in their organization that knew diddly about rockets and that I really didn’t care to get interrogated when I called their place of business. It was really weird.

Bottom line, this seems to be a bit of an odd fit for them — and I’m sorry you took the brunt of their decision. Sure hope you keep flying with NCR, though!

JW
November 3, 2007 at 2:01 am #45633
Art Hoag
Participant
I regrettably had the opportunity to read the letter that Gary Kolm (the owner of HobbyTown in Fort Collins, Longmont & Westminster) left Joe. The letter explained a couple of reasons why HobbyTown was letting Joe go. Let me tell you, I have not had a lot of experience in the work force but I know what is right and what is wrong and what they did to Joe is wrong! They basically dismissed Joe on a moments notice for the same reasons you would dismiss a 16 year old punk making minimum wage, NOT a grown man with a wife who has put his own sweat, interest, and time into the company.

After being displayed at the X Prize Cup, BAMF was scheduled to be hung in HobbyTown for display. Not now, in fact, I made a trip to HobbyTown Thursday to exchange e-mail addresses with a couple of the employees who I consider to be friends and pull down the Event Horizon photo as well as the X Prize Cup banner.

I don’t support anyone who makes a decision like HobbyTown did in dismissing Joe. I do not plan on supporting or affiliating myself with HobbyTown anymore. There are plenty of rocketry vendors among us who have stood behind NCR and will continue to, support them, not HobbyTown.

It is unfortunate but true. Best of luck to Joe and Shirley, let me know if I can do anything to help. Most importantly Joe; don’t let this stop you from flying rockets!

Art
November 3, 2007 at 2:36 am #45634
Bruce R. Schaefer
You mean, POOL TABLE TOWN? Joe, I’m never going to the Westminster store again. Count on that. You’re a good man and will find something better. 😉
November 3, 2007 at 4:57 pm #45635
Dale Netherton
Participant
I am in full agreement with a boycott of Hobby Town. This forum can be a tremendous resource, and according to the hit counter reaches a huge number of people. NCR consists of a large community of diverse people with contacts all over the state. Why not use this resource as a way to network and help Joe find employment with a company that will treat him with the respect he has earned.

-Dale.
November 3, 2007 at 5:22 pm #45636
Doug Gerrard
Participant
Joe, if you’re willing to relocate, I’ll put in a good word for you where I work in NM. I’m always trying to recruit fellow rocket people in my area. If you, or anyone, would be interested drop me a PM. I find it an interesting place to work and they do treat their employees right.

Doug

http://www.nrao.edu/
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