jayhkr Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Hey guys I was curious where a lot of you buy your model and accessories from? I've heard of the LHS, Michael's, Hobby Lobby etc... but I wanted to know if there were any "gold mines" out there that people frequent to for their hobby? I'm looking for the best bang for my buck on building my collection of models and paints. I use the 40% off coupons as much as I can, but I didn't know if there was an even better way/place/style! I didn't know if websites offered any type of competitive pricing to the local stores. Any tips, tricks or secrets anyone wants to share!?!!
John Pol Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Well I get most of my model kits etc. from www.modelexpress.net and some stuff from micheals only when they have 40% coupon but don`t get kits from them. John Pol
Harry P. Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 You will almost always beat the LHS prices by shopping online, especially if you buy several items at once (paying S/H just one time... not buying a bunch of individual items and paying S/H on every order). Buying online gets you the best possible selection, you can do a google price search to find the lowest price, the internet is open 24/7/365, you don't have to spend a dime on gas to get there, and they deliver to your door. Is it any wonder that the LHS is a dying breed?
disabled modeler Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Having no hobby shops and a very small income I get many of mine from garage sales and second hand stores...the cost of the kit plus shipping these days keep me from ordering kits on line and sometimes you find some really nice rare items.
The70judgeman Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 I guess I'm going to be the odd man out. I'm fortunate to have two decent LHS's in my area. One of them also offers an on-line store and has sites on ebay and Amazon. So their prices are $3-$5 less, because they buy in such bulk to supply everything...store front and on-line. The other store sells mostly full retail, but I can special order stuff that is currently available. I don't use credit cards and I don't trust paypal...my account got hacked once. I have a few Michael's stores in the area, but model selection/supplies is very minimal. The closest Hobby Lobby isn't worth the 60 or so miles round-trip for me either when the 2 LHS's are just a couple of miles from me. But, there is also a scale model and toy show 3 times a year and other car show/swap meets that I can buy models at too in my area.
Deathgoblin Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 I've bought most of them on Ebay, some from Hobby Lobby and some from other online retailers. I generally buy my supplies from one of the local LHS or Hobby Lobby/Michaels. Sometimes supplies come from more exotic sources, like Blick Arts & Crafts or even the local office supply.
Ramfins59 Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 I buy glues and model jar or spray paints at an LHS. I'll pick up Duplicolor paints at local Auto Supply Stores. For the past few years I've been buying new kit releases online from Model Roundup. Their prices are OK and, as Harry said, when you buy multiple kits you pay less in shipping costs. If I can find photo-etched and/or aftermarket stuff that I need at a LHS I'll pick them up there, but usually I'll order online from either Detail Master, Model Car Garage, Replicas & Miniatures of MD or The Modelhaus. It's really great to have whatever you need delivered right to your door. Of course, with the NNL East coming up in April I know I'll be going nuts in the vendor rooms there for sure.
Big Daddy Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 For me it's modelexpress, spotlighthobbies,or model Roundup and a couple of local hobby shops
Erik Smith Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 I buy new kits at my LHS because I can get them cheaper that online - this is not true at all LHSs, but a couple in my area discount their kits. For OOP kits, I shop through Model Express - Dennis offers exceptional service. For hard to find Kits and old built ups I go to eBay. It's not as bad as people always carry on about. I have picked up some very nice kits with decent prices. I get some paint (like Alclad II) online - I usually buy at Megahobby or eHobbies. I also troll Craigslist.
Eshaver Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Ed, this is generally what I do. I go to a couple of shows a year that I know will have the kits I'm particularly looking for . We have two Hobby towns here and one legitimate hobby store . I do not consider Hobby Town to be a hobby store over their "Indiffernt attitudes". We have a Hobby Lobby , that's a good 35 miles one way from me and a couple of Michael 's somewhat close . Still, here is the deal , I scratch build most of the models I do as i concentrate on Dioramas and gasoline pumps . Since you can't go out an buy what I do, I'm always improvising . Doll House stores , yard sales , hey broken junk jewelry works for my needs . Ed Shaver
Tom Setzer Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 I used to buy all of my kits and supplies at local Hobby Shops. I always wanted to support the shops, because the owners were friends and they would work to makesure I got good service. Now those shops are gone due to the owners getting older, and tyred of trying to compete with the Dept, and Discount stores, plus competition from on line stores. So now I buy kits at HobbyLobby, Micheals(With Coupons, and from online sources. I get Plasticote, Duplicolor, and Glazing compounds from Auto Parts Stores. I order MCW paints, from MCW. I buy a lot of Model Masters Enamels, Acrylics and Lacquers from Hobby Lobby, I also get Createx paints from them. I order Alot from Replicas and Miniature Co. of Maryland Norm has the Best Resin castings available. I also Buy Photoetched parts from DM, MCG, RB, and several others. I have to order Tennax 7, and some other glues, but I get CA, And epoxy locally. I order most of my tools and AirBrush Supplies on line. Decals from Kieth Marks, Slixx and a few others. Oh and I have to mention Scale Auto's Texture Paints, and decals, and AK's Fine Weathering Products, and BV Paints.
Pro Tech Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 For detailing parts I use Pro Tech exclusively :D Charlie Pro Tech
martinfan5 Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 For detailing parts I use Pro Tech exclusively :D Charlie Pro Tech Haha I wonder why that is Charlie I have to agree with Harry, for kits , its on line only for 98% of them, for all my supplies its LHS , or wally world or the auto parts store. Almost all my kits come from ebay, or all the on line hobby stores already mentioned, When it comes to all the after market stuff, its just depends on what I need.
wgflatliner Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Even though online shopping is cheaper I still prefer to support local business, and if nothing there grabs my attention I will go online.
Harry P. Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 For detailing parts I use Pro Tech exclusively :D Charlie Pro Tech Do you get some sort of special discount?
espo Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Hi Ed, Like you I have looked around OP for deals. The coupons are great IF thay have what your looking for. Michaels just keep getting the same old stuff, and Hobby Lobby will sometimes have something new. But if you want the latest as well as the reissues you might look at Hobby Haven at 105th & Metcalf. If you haven't been there thay are in the back next to the blood bank. Good people and they will tell you what and when something is comeing in. They will order anything you want. That's also where I buy my Model Cars Magazine.
Pro Tech Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Do you get some sort of special discount? something like that ....... 20,000 hex fittings = discount :lol:
ridedoc100 Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 A friend of mine used to work at the LHS, I could get a $25 kit for around 13 dollars. But all good things come to an end. I usually buy at Michael's with a coupon.The same with paints.
jayhkr Posted March 7, 2012 Author Posted March 7, 2012 Hi Ed, Like you I have looked around OP for deals. The coupons are great IF thay have what your looking for. Michaels just keep getting the same old stuff, and Hobby Lobby will sometimes have something new. But if you want the latest as well as the reissues you might look at Hobby Haven at 105th & Metcalf. If you haven't been there thay are in the back next to the blood bank. Good people and they will tell you what and when something is comeing in. They will order anything you want. That's also where I buy my Model Cars Magazine. Hey David I have been to Hobby Haven, but it's been a while back when I used to fly airplanes and helicopters. When I was there (mind you this was 10 years ago) I did not get good service from them at all. I'll have to take a trip back up to them and see if anything has changed. I'll give anyone a second chance but that's about it. Not going to toss out my HARD earned money for someone who doesn't appreciate it. To everyone else, thank you so much for the awesome feedback! I'm going to check out each of the places listed here and see what kind of deals I can find. I love the old hot rod's and custom cars from the 40's and early 50's. I'm really looking for a '49 custom Cady. I found one very similar on a website but I need to do a bit more research on it! Thanks again everyone! Happy building. Eddie
Scuderia Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I myself hadn't heard of ModelExpress and they have a good selection of 80's and 90's (which is my preferrence) Thanks guys.
Ramfins59 Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Hey David I have been to Hobby Haven, but it's been a while back when I used to fly airplanes and helicopters. When I was there (mind you this was 10 years ago) I did not get good service from them at all. I'll have to take a trip back up to them and see if anything has changed. I'll give anyone a second chance but that's about it. Not going to toss out my HARD earned money for someone who doesn't appreciate it. To everyone else, thank you so much for the awesome feedback! I'm going to check out each of the places listed here and see what kind of deals I can find. I love the old hot rod's and custom cars from the 40's and early 50's. I'm really looking for a '49 custom Cady. I found one very similar on a website but I need to do a bit more research on it! Thanks again everyone! Happy building. Eddie You didn't mention what year Caddy you were looking for, but, you should check out the selection of resin offerings for Caddy's from The Modelhaus. Their stuff is great... sometimes pricey, but great.
Casey Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I'm really looking for a '49 custom Caddy. As Rich suggested, The Modelhaus should be your first stop for a custom '49 Caddy: http://www.modelhaus.com/index.php?c=4033&p=63598
jayhkr Posted March 7, 2012 Author Posted March 7, 2012 I was off on the year by 2. It's actually a 1947 Caddy that I saw on the show Storage Wars. Here are a few pictures of what I would like to build in the future! http://cdn.celebritycarsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/Barry-Weiss-Cadillac.jpg Seriously who wouldn't want a car like that!
mikemodeler Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 To Harry's point about online shopping and shipping, Tower Hobbies will often cover the shipping on orders, sometimes as low as $30, and it covers everything on their website (models, paints & accessories). I will use them when I place a larger order as their prices are inline with what I can buy locally. I have been hitting the local Hobbytown USA for supplies and the occasional kit as I have been scaling back the purchases and am running out of storage space! My theory has always been do what makes the most sense for you. LHS, online, swap meets, thrift stores, garage sales are all good places to find bargins.
robertw Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Well I get most of my model kits etc. from www.modelexpress.net and some stuff from micheals only when they have 40% coupon but don`t get kits from them. John Pol I'll second John in his recommendation of Model Express, good prices, good selection of kits and sometimes older ones show up in his online catalog that you didn't even know existed. I wouldn't hesitate to order from Dennis and do so frequently. I buy a lot of my p/e and detail stuff from Strada Motorsports, Kevin is another very honest seller. The rest of my plastic shopping is done at brick & mortar shops, I'm a firm believer in supporting my local LHS even if it costs a little bit more. rob
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