93 replies to this topic

[darquewanderer]

Three Walmarts in the area and not one is carrying models.

[outragis]

Wallmart in Vermont has a small selection...they had none a month ago!

[Rob Hall]

I just don't get why people are so excited over this... IT'S WALMART!

I don't get it either...I avoid those stores like the plague...

[robertw]

I just don't get why people are so excited over this... IT'S WALMART!

I agree with you. I'd sooner drive further and shop at my LHS and be able to get everything I need plus have a better selection of kits even if I have to pay more. Walmart is never going to have everything my hobby requires so supporting the LHS is and always has been of higher priority to me then getting a few cheap bargains at Wally World. BTW, my nearest Walmart is a hundred miles away and LHS one hundred and fifty miles.

[johnbuzzed]

I'll buy a model at any store- the money does get back to the manufacturer in the long run. If and when the Wal Marts in my area (Charlotte 'burbs) do have kits in stock, I'll buy them if only out of convenience- if my LHSs would sell household goods and other things that we purchase often, I would shop and buy there as much as I do Wal Mart. I would also visit the LHSs if they were closer to my home. The nearest Wal Mart is only 7 miles away and their hours are better for our work schedules; the LHSs are at least 15 miles away and their hours are limited. Every time we pass a nearby shopping center, group of stores, strip mall or what-have-you that's under construction I do hope that one of the occupants will be a well-stocked hobby shop.

[mademan]

Walmart here does not carry Models.....Yet, fingers crossed. However I do most of my kit/supply buying online, Mostly ebay. I did however buy 2 cases of kits from the LHS a few months back ( revell 2010 Camaro ss, and Revell Lowrider Cadillac) and even buying 24 kits..... the individual price was high. However If Id have bought that volume online , shipping would have been more. I like to support the local guys as much as possible , but when the pricing is so out to lunch, that I can buy online and with shipping its still almost 10.00 less for a kit, then why spend the money here. I mean on eBay right now, I would get a Revell 2010 Camaro SS for 16.98 and 7.50 shipping, so under 25.00 ... to buy one at the shop here is 31.99, same with the Cadillac lowrider. Heck the Moebius kits like the Hudson and Chrysler are 32.99-35.99 at the LHS.....on ebay around 20.00

[niteowl7710]

Wal*Mart isn't selling them for $5 this time around, and pretty much inline with my LHS prices. Nobody is forcing anyone to shop there, but for some people it might be the only tangible way to buy a model in person. Plus since they aren't hosing down Revell & Round 2 on prices, they bought thousands of in production kits giving nice injections of capital to both companies. That can't be a bad thing can it?

I don't understand how the hobby shops that charge full MSRP can stay in business against the internet. They must have some serious overhead expenses to justify charging a 90% markup on their inventory.

[mademan]

I was at the LHS today and he said I had a bill oweing....turns out he had acciedentally ordered an extra case of the Lowrider Cadillacs, which I already bought a case and a bit of. 29.99 shelf price, told me if I took the case he could do 25.00 each, which is 1.00 over cost...... Im not calling the guy a liar, but im pretty sure ive seen papers on his counter showing cost was around 9.00/unit

[Von Don Koolkat]

It is my understanding that with models, wholesale is generally 50% of retail, generally with a 'buy-in' much higher than most modelers would care to spend.

[bandit1]

Does anyone know if the walmarts are carrying any RC2 (AMT) reissues such as the Pete 352 Coe kit?

[Mike_G]

Michael's also sells model kits and periodically issues coupons for 40-50% off a single item by email- I just got one for 40% off today.

[Futurabat]

Does anyone know if the walmarts are carrying any RC2 (AMT) reissues such as the Pete 352 Coe kit?

Not the Pete, but my local has a couple of the ROUND2 kits. RC2 is defunct. They had the General Lee and Starship enterprise.

[Erik Smith]

I finally checked one of the Wally Worlds here that has models - the selection was really small and prices were not good. I hope it is an avenue for initiation of new modelers, because it's not a bargain (or even cheaper than HS) for "regular" purchasers.

[Patrick2005]

I check one of the Walmarts in Erie, PA and they had nothing, Edinboro had nothing as well and both are pretty big areas. But the little hole in the wall town known as Cranberry (not the one near Pittsburgh) carried a small selection. Figure that one out??