russosborne Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) Or other aftermarket stuff? Sigh. I live in Glendale, and went to the three closest to me shops this week. Hobby HQ(59th and Greenway), Hobbytown (35th and Greenway, lousy supply of car kits,worse than when they opened a year ago it seemed btw), and Hobby something on 43rd and Bell same corner as the Whataburger(sorry, I seem to have a mental block when it comes to remembering this place's name) and all of them only had a couple of packs each store, and none had a full line. So is there a good place to go for supplies like this these days or am I stuck with online? I don't mind online ordering at times, but I like local if I can. Sometimes I need instant gratification. Hobby Depot in Tempe used to be really well stocked with this sort of stuff, but other than one quick stop there last year it has been about a dozen years since I really shopped there. I don't mind the drive if it is still worth going to though. I am open to all the valley really. Thanks, Russ Edited July 4, 2015 by russosborne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Oh boy, you've just about run down every shop out there. My only guess would've been Hobby Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my80malibu Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I bought the last bright chrome package they had this morning, they did have several of the matte aluminum packet's, some copper, and gold, if your into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I dont know how far you are from Hobby Depot, but Suzanne will order almost anything for you if you ask and will call or email you when it's in. It's really hard to stock a wide variety of stuff and items with shelf life are even worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneyzs Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I tend to buy most of my stuff I need from Suzanne and Dick. They are really great to work with. Heck Suzanne always calls me when the Model Cars Magazine comes in. In my opinion they are probqblynthe best and biggest store that carries plastic. Then again I am in the east valley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 and all of them only had a couple of packs each store, What are you going to foil ? Did you talk to anyone ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blunc Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Hobby Bench on 19th Ave & Northern is a fairly well stocked model section even though they seem to focus more on RC stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 Thanks. Right now I just wanted some foil for a 57 Chevy I am going to be starting on, but in the future I will be needing more and was hoping to find a local place that carries the full line. As far as having a store order it, why? I don 't see the point of having a local store order something I can order. In the far past before the internet, that was a great way to go, but not today. If I have to wait for it anyway, I will just go online and have it delivered to my house. And as far as talking to anyone at the stores, my take is if it isn't on the shelf it isn't available. Again, see above about ordering. Now, if there is a labeled spot for say BMF aluminum, and it is empty, I will ask if they have any in back. Because I then know they stock it. But if they just have a pile of various types, nope, won't ask. I do need to go to Hobby Depot one of these days to check them out. I used to go there almost exclusively 10-20 years ago, but that was with the old owner and before I moved to Ohio 9 years ago. I stopped by there once last year when I first moved back here and wasn't impressed-the stock of car stuff was almost nil, but maybe they have improved over the last year. Although the HobbyTown at 35th and Greenway actually got worse the past year, so improvement isn't a sure thing. I won't be going back to that Hobbytown again. They obviously don't want or care about car modelers. As far as Hobby Bench, that is the one I couldn't remember the name. At least at the one on 43rd and Bell, they don't carry BMF according to the kid behind the counter. If the one on 19th does I will check them out, but I would think they all would carry the same stock? Of course this kid knew nothing about model cars, but ask him about RC and he seems to really know his stuff there. Overheard him talking to another customer about that stuff. Thanks, Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Wann Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 There is a little hole in the wall bookstore on Rural road. It is on the left hand side in a strip mall. Can't recall the name of it. The guy handles mostly military stuff but has a few car kits. I only found out about it because I won a kit from him through fleebay and stopped by to pick it up. The shop is a little ways North of the 202. Might be around the Goodwill area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I didn't realize you wouldn't mind ordering. There is a chance that you will get old stock which for foil isn't a good thing. I'm in the east valley (lindsay & Broadway) and have some sheets on hand. I wonder how good they'll be when I go to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 Road trip! always willing to check out a new to me place. Left hand side going north or south? Thanks, Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I hope to get by Hobby Depot soon. I have a few things waiting for me there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 (edited) As far as old stock, that is a possibility when buying from a shop as well, depending on their turnover. or how long it sat in their supplier's warehouse. I have a ton of this stuff, problem is most of it is waaaay old ( newest is over 2-3 years) and would probably need new adhesive to even have a chance of sticking. Plus right now all I know is it is in a box "somewhere around here". As far as ordering it goes, I would prefer local for both being able to get it in my hands "now", and to support local shops. But if they are just going to order it for me, I'll do it myself and skip the middle man. I don't build enough to be going to a shop every week. If I was, then maybe then I'd have them do it for me. Thanks, Russ Edited July 5, 2015 by russosborne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 I hope to get by Hobby Depot soon. I have a few things waiting for me there. I am hoping to go over there this week. I have some scrap car parts I need to take to a place in Mesa to get a whole $20 dollars, but that will pay for some model stuff, and then I can stop there on the way home. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I am hoping to go over there this week. I have some scrap car parts I need to take to a place in Mesa to get a whole $20 dollars, but that will pay for some model stuff, and then I can stop there on the way home. Russ I'm a truck driver and I get out there pretty often. I've been off to help my wife with our first born. I drive right past HD twice when I'm doing the load that goes up by Superior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Wann Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 (edited) Left hand going North. You could order directly from BMF. I don't know if the old man is still alive. When I got back into models I bought some of their plastic polish. I ran out and now they don't make it anymore. I have wasted a lot of money on plastic polish. The only thing I have found close is a brand called Koala. I talked to the old man personally about the BMF polish. Seems he had it formulated for airplane clear canopies but the factory would not make it anymore for some reason. It was great for polishing paint too. I work on the ASU Tempe campus. I could go there after work and I live near 51st and Peoria, Ave. I am now stuck working 4 ten hour days, I absolutely hate days!! I worked nights for over 13 years. Edited July 5, 2015 by Greg Wann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 I used to be able to take a slightly extended lunch and go there. I do miss those days. Both being able to go there and working. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGlueblob Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 Buy from Amazon, what you can't get locally. That's my general rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Wann Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) http://www.bare-metal.com/ You know you can order directly from BMF don't you? They still have that plastic polish temporarily out of stock! It's only been like ten years and they still have it in their lists of items for sale. If you buy from them it might be fresher too. Call them up and place an order. That is what I did several years ago. Greg Edited July 7, 2015 by Greg Wann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Yes, I know I can order it from several places, including the manufacturer. I just would rather not have to. I did find some today at Hobby Depot in Tempe. I found a few other things and just happened to ask during checkout. They keep it hidden in a plastic storage thing. No, not a sealed one. They do seem to have a fair amount of aftermarket stuff on the wall also. I was surprised they hid the BMF. I also managed to find the other place. It is called Avalon Books and Hobbies or something like that. It's in a small strip mall a block or two north of the Goodwill mentioned above. Not much car stuff and nothing new. All opened and some started. But I did find the AMT Drag Gasser wheels and tires, though they only had the one. And a book that mentioned the submarine I served on. This place is really an airplane and armor shop, and some ships. Had more sci-fi than cars. And tons of reference books and detail stuff for those subjects. Not wheelchair accessible if that is an issue for anyone. My wife is in one most of the time and she would not have been able to get much past the entry. Very small place. Owner seemed very friendly however. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Avalon Books and Hobbies or something like that Don't suppose you remember where it's at ? " It's in a small strip mall a block or two north of the Goodwill mentioned above. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Goin to Hobby Depot today. All this talk of BMF, reminds me I need some. If they got it, I'm getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Don't suppose you remember where it's at ? " It's in a small strip mall a block or two north of the Goodwill mentioned above. " Greg, Between McKellips and Weber on Scottsdale Road . . . North of the Loop 202 Freeway Address: 1510 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone:(480) 994-2263 Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Yeah. that is it. I didn't have the address, just was looking for it based on the info someone posted earlier. I didn't see it, but my wife did. It is really small. I didn't get the address, although it may be on the receipt. The only sign I saw was in the window. Almost one of those if you don't know where it is you aren't supposed to go there things. He does have a couple of display cabinets, and surprisingly one is pretty full of car models. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Hobby Depot is out of chrome BMF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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