Where to buy these days?

[rust-n-dust]

After being out of the hobby for years building real cars, I'm trying to get back into the hobby....question is, where's a good place to get kits these days? a local hobby shop is wanting $20-25 bucks a piece for kits! Seems excessive....

Edited November 28, 2010 by rust-n-dust

[Guest Sickfish]

Best advice I can give you mate.... eBay 

[Harry P.]

Do a google search for what you're looking for. You'll get dozens of places to buy from.

[Tim H]

I have gotten mine mostly from Ebay. Since we have no local shops with on 80+ miles.

Tim

[Lownslow]

90% of the stuff i picked up this year i got from model shows stay away from ebay it ruins the thrill of the hunt

[Railfreak78]

Since your new to the forum I say welcome aboard! Ebay and other online places is good but I'll put it out here that E-Modelcars is a great place with many people from right here on this board. If you can ever make it to big shows like the NNL stuff or toy fairs, there is normally a lot. Also if you join a club you never know what some of those guys are willing to sell and cheap too I'm fortunate enough that between my club and my bigger local shows I can get many oop kits for $10.

[Ben]

Do a search on Ebay and specify, "Buy it Now". You might find good deals that way. Online hobby shops like Tower Hobby's and HobbyLinc will usually have the best prices on kits.

[Aaronw]

Get used to paying $15-25 for car kits, that is the standard price these days.

As for online shops I use Tower Hobby, Megahobby and Model Round up.

[runsw/scissors]

I presonally don't like ebay. I also have an excellent local hobbie shop where I am. You will spend 18 to 25 a kit there. But I also like online vendors too. One of my favorites is starmodels.com But my all time favorite is a swap meet. These are often associated with contests and NNL's. That is where I get my biggest bang for the buck.

Edited November 28, 2010 by runsw/scissors

[diymirage]

i dont know if you have a meijers store nearby but they used to carry models

nowadays though, they only carry them around Christmass

i was in there last week and bought the special edition 69 charger for 11.99

the rest of the year there is hobby lobby and micheals

both of them have email newsletters you can sign up for that usually include a 40 or 50 % off one item coupon

that also brings the prices down close to 12 dollars

my last trick is look on ebay for lots of 4 or more kits

try to buy them as cheap as possible, pick one kit you like and try to sell the leftovers (iether by themselves or as a lot) for close to as much as you paid for the whole lot

[Adam deCoste]

well i am veary lucky and found a add on kijiji for a guy selling models so i went to his house and he has around 500 and there like $10 a model and there all factory sealed but if im going to a store the local hobbie shop is just about the only place around. If you want to buy online Jimnohio is a good place to buy with cheap kits and theres some pretty cool kits on there to.

[DRG]

I will second jimnohio as a great place to buy models. Good selection and good prices.

I'm lucky in that I live about three or four miles from him. Place the order pick it up a day or two later.

[mtlhead]

Did you try freds model world? I buy most of my kits from him. His site is fredsmodelworldonline.com

[DanielG]

If you are fortunate to have a hobby store nearby than I say support it. If you don't and it closes then all the other stuff that you may need that you also bought there is also gone. Now comes the heretical part, buy a kit when you intend to build it, you won't be spending so much as when trying to fill your house with kits that you may build 'someday'. (I think I live far enough out in the boonies that it will be years before the kit hoarders can hunt me down for the burning at the stake!)

[Draggon]

I like http://www.modelexpress.net/ Dennis is a good guy to deal with, fast service and good communtication. Scale dreams http://stores.scaledreams.com/StoreFront.bok is also great for aftermarket stuff.

[ricknaks]

try creagslist,i got some great kits from people just getting rid of there kits cheap.

[samdiego]

Where are you? If at all possible, I second the idea of supporting the Local Hobby Shop. Above and beyond the supplies, advice and connections to be made can also be found there. I treat mine like the local bar since I don't drink and just hang out from time to time. They also are displaying 18 of my builds so I go to visit the kids too.

Edited December 6, 2010 by samdiego

[Nick Winter]

I like http://www.modelexpress.net/ Dennis is a good guy to deal with, fast service and good communtication. Scale dreams http://stores.scaledreams.com/StoreFront.bok is also great for aftermarket stuff.

Dennis is great he's where I get my kits and glue, and BMF and Some resin stuff, and well decal paper

The rest I get at my local Hobby shop, he's got a great selelction and prices just doesn't have a huge selection like Dennis.

Nick