Something Interesting I saw at Hobby Lobby yesterday

[crispy]

While going through Hobby Lobby's model section with my son yesterday I noticed something with the AMT kits.

All and I do mean ALL AMT kits had sale tags on them. They were either $8.99 or $8.39 depending on the price of the kit.

I wondered to myself if this was a sign of things to come. Is Hobby Lobby going to stop carrying AMT kits? When they are gone will they be replaced?

Unfortunately in my town this is the only place with a decent selection of kits. If the kit aisle goes away, even if only the AMT kits, it isn't a good sign.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed this at their HL?

[Abell82]

I have not been to my local Hobby Lobby lately, but that's not good news.

If Walmart is going to stop carrying Revell, and Hobby Lobby is Discontinuing AMT now,

How Long before they stop carrying Revell as well?

[Zoom Zoom]

While going through Hobby Lobby's model section with my son yesterday I noticed something with the AMT kits.

All and I do mean ALL AMT kits had sale tags on them. They were either $8.99 or $8.39 depending on the price of the kit.

I wondered to myself if this was a sign of things to come. Is Hobby Lobby going to stop carrying AMT kits? When they are gone will they be replaced?

Unfortunately in my town this is the only place with a decent selection of kits. If the kit aisle goes away, even if only the AMT kits, it isn't a good sign.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed this at their HL?

It's widely known that AMT was stopping retail kit production, and not taking any new orders. So exactly how would HL be able to continue stocking them? Seriously, the product line is being dropped, it's not news, and HL is clearing the decks.

If the AMT lineup gets purchased, perhaps HL will carry their products again. But at this time I'd have to say if there's anything from AMT you want that's not being funded by a private group like Model King, you'd better get it now, before the distributors run out of stock.

There's a whole lot of Lindberg products being reissued that could fill at least part of those aisles.

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

I just stopped by a HL store here in Tulsa OK and only a handful of select AMT kits were marked down and on a separate display. All the usual AMT kits were regular priced. I'll watch and keep everyone posted as this progresses to our market. BTW, HL's HQ is in Oklahoma City.

[Bowtienutz]

AMT is currently discounting there present stock. eliminating as much stock as possible. They are up for sale and are planning to cease prroduction. It may be a while till you see AMT Kits again. Rumour has it that AMT want's $25mil. Highest rumoured offer was half that. Enjoy 'em while you can.

[crispy]

I knew this wasn't new news, but I figured they would just keep popping out re-issues or currents until the place was bought.

Well, if that is the case I have a few AMT's I better pick-up. Of course I have to go online for what I want.

Just was curious if they were being discounted anywhere else.

Chris

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

I just got back from another Tulsa area Hobby Lobby and all AMT kits were removed from the regular model shelves and marked down 40%. They didn't have many to choose from, but I managed to snag a couple of AMT Dukes Chargers to use for restoration parts for some built annuals I have.

[crispy]

I just got back from another Tulsa area Hobby Lobby and all AMT kits were removed from the regular model shelves and marked down 40%. They didn't have many to choose from, but I managed to snag a couple of AMT Dukes Chargers to use for restoration parts for some built annuals I have.

Nice Avatar Marc!

I'll be going back to HL to see what they actually have and pick up something I don't need. Only because I can...

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Nice Avatar Marc!

Thanks. That's Dale Earnhardt's new personal ride. It was built by Detroit Speed and Engineering. Here's a bigger pic of that car.

This car is inspiring me to build another Gen 2 Camaro.

Dale Earnhardt's new Pro Touring Camaro

[crispy]

Thanks. That's Dale Earnhardt's new personal ride. It was built by Detroit Speed and Engineering. Here's a bigger pic of that car.

This car is inspiring me to build another Gen 2 Camaro.

Dale Earnhardt's new Pro Touring Camaro

Yeah, I remember as I saw it over at HH and mentioned you'd really like it.

Thought it was funny you used it as an avatar, however, it does compliment your building style to a tee!

Chris

[Ken]

3 of the umpteen-billion Hobby Lobby stores in the OKlahoma City area have the AMT kits on special. I didn't buy any, but I did snag a yellow Enzo for just under 30 bucks. The one with the carbon fiber decals included. I was able to sneak it in the house and start on it before the wife noticed it

[Zoom Zoom]

Yeah, I remember as I saw it over at HH and mentioned you'd really like it.

Thought it was funny you used it as an avatar, however, it does compliment your building style to a tee!

Chris

It looks like it's right out of MPC Motorsports

I would imagine we'll be seeing it in plastic or resin before too long

Dunno 'bout anyone else, but I'd take a 2nd gen Camaro (especially '70-72) over any '69 any day of the week. The first gen car was a Mustang pony car ripoff, the 2nd gen looks like an exotic.

I'm tempted on that RR '73 Super Duty resin Formula...

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Dunno 'bout anyone else, but I'd take a 2nd gen Camaro (especially '70-72) over any '69 any day of the week. The first gen car was a Mustang pony car ripoff, the 2nd gen looks like an exotic.

I with you on this one. I LIKE the first gen F Bodies, but I LOVE the Gen 2 cars!!! The Gen 2 cars had an exotic Italianesque styling flair to them that was way more original than the Mustang inspired first generation.

[Jairus]

The current owners of AMT may have announced that they are ready to get out of the model car kit business.... but that does not mean that AMT is folding up shop. The current projects in the pipeline are still being completed and that may include any new kits. A lot of older re-releases that were slated for production are still going to market and the company is still ticking along. We will continue to see stocked shelves of AMT kits because of this and because there are warehouses of stock waiting for shipping.... What we won't see is any NEW products until new owners take over.... who ever they are.

Another thing we will see is an increase in 2nd party productions like Model King and Steven's International since the production limits previously imposed have now been lifted.

I wouldn't start hording away AMT kits just yet... AMT has been sold many times in the past and new owners will come along sometime soon!

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

It looks like it's right out of MPC Motorsports

I would imagine we'll be seeing it in plastic or resin before too long

Forgot to say in my previous reply, but you probably will be seeing one similar to Dale Jr.'s from MPC Motorsports. I recently scored a nice built MPC '71 Camaro SS that would be perfect for this project. Once I finish my current 1:1 project (painting the upstairs inside my home ), I'll be getting back to the bench and starting some new projects.

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

I wouldn't start hording away AMT kits just yet... AMT has been sold many times in the past and new owners will come along sometime soon!

What's happening here is a regional hobby store chain is liquidating their stock of AMT kits and it's viewed as a buying opportunity. It's not every day that you can purchase current kits at 40% off retail.

By nature, most of us are pretty astute kit horders!!!

[Mr. Metallic]

Just went to the HL in Davenport IA yesterday with my 40% coupon and didn't notice the AMT kits reduced, just a select few in a seperate clearance area. I will go back this week and check for markdowns.

Are Hobby Lobby's franchised? If so that could explain why some are marking down and some are not, at least not yet. I've worked retail before and some companies were better than others at unifying and enforcing their company-wide markdown procedures.

[Don Sikora II]

I was in the Racine, WI HL last week, all AMT kits were on clearance there too.

[Mr. Metallic]

Nope. Pretty sure they are all corporately owned.

Well, if it was the case that could be one reason why some locations are marked down, some not. i guess they don't have a unified markdown system. I plan on keeping an eye on my local store.

[bobss396]

Not Hobby Lobby, but our local toy liquidator is blowing out the AMT kits as well. Some have a buy one get the other one 1/2 off as well.

Bob

[Mr. Metallic]

My local Hobby Lobby (davenport IA) has some AMT kits on markdown since last week, but not all. The ones that are on markdown are ones that have been around for a long time. Not doubting you guys, but are you sure all of your locations AMT kits were put on clearance, or did it just seem that way? Different locations could have different markdowns, but since they are corporatly owned that seems strange to me. Oh well. Just trying to avoid adding to the "sky is falling" atmosphere directed towards AMT that has developed seemingly everywhere lately.

[crispy]

As the topic starter of this thread I would like to add that nowhere in my initial post did I feel that the "sky was falling".

I was just curious about other stores putting sales on the AMT kits.

Chris

[Mr. Metallic]

As the topic starter of this thread I would like to add that nowhere in my initial post did I feel that the "sky was falling".

I was just curious about other stores putting sales on the AMT kits.

Chris

Chris, this wasn't directed at you. Just seems to be a developing attitude towards AMT that is just about everywhere I turn, both online and in the real world.

[crispy]

Chris, this wasn't directed at you. Just seems to be a developing attitude towards AMT that is just about everywhere I turn, both online and in the real world.

Thanks Craig, as the topic starter I felt that way. Need a thicker skin I think.

I definitely understand what you are saying.

If RC2 would be a little more receptive about their selling price and looser on their stipulations somebody could get a really nice plastic line.

It'll all come in due time. But for now, as a modeler, I have plenty to keep me busy.

Thanks!

Chris

[robertw]

Over the last month (most recent time last weekend) I've been in several Hobby Lobbies in North and South Dakota and saw no sign of an AMT kit sell off. Shelves were full of both AMT & Revell.

Even saw the Revell C-6 Corvette coupe for $29.95. I assumed that was a labelling mistake and as would be expected I passed on it.

Robert W