Michael's - what's your opinion?

[Nick Notarangelo]

to me it's a hit or miss on selection

[Tony_B]

I wonder if it's on a per-store basis? I know I have access to two different stores, and I've picked up a few things, but like some of the other folks, the selection was really small and hit or miss. I do like the coupons...just picked up the AMT Christine model for $10 as the box was damaged and had a coupon. Mostly though I try to hit the local hobby shop here....they do RC racing, but have about a 30' shelving section of models.

I went to Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago as well...but they didn't have too much either. I've been dreaming a lot over a modelroundup.....but with Christmas, the old funding situation is a bit sketchy!

[TonyK]

The Michael's near me has a small model section in the far end corner and have much of nothing. I sometimes go with the wife when she needs art supplies and the models are always the same. Passenger cars, a couple of planes and ships, etc. I've never seen anything else. In years past, other Michael's in the area were the same so I've never bought a kit there.

[FordRodnKustom]

I stopped in to my local one last weekend to pick up a Revell 49 Merc for parts on a 50% coupon. I usually check in every other week to see if anything is new. Looked like they sold quite a few kits for Christmas. I thought that was a good sign.

[mikemodeler]

Which Revell motorcycle kits did they have?

They were the custom chopper kits from years ago.

[espo]

I hadn't been in a Michaels for over a year until Christmas shopping with my wife. The incense in there is over powering. I used to use their weekly 40% coupons along with the Hobby Lobby coupons. What I found was that the Michaels store would charge $2-$3 more going in. They have not kept their inventory current, but that could be because they have over priced their models. They are usually the most expensive price wise in the area. I think they have created their own problem.

[johnbuzzed]

I won't go into Michael's specifically to look for models, but I will look at their selection when my wife and I go together. Their kit selection isn't bad, but too often, they have nothing that floats my boat, and the $$$ is a bit high. I do buy Testors paints and glues there, and other crafting supplies on occasion. For kits, it's Hobby Lobby or the nearest LHS.

[Jon Haigwood]

I go there for glue, wire (beading wire section has great wire for plug wires) and other building supplies. I have only bought two kits there and they both were the Revell 32 ford coupe, using a 50% off coupon. I will most likely pick up a couple more.

Edited December 31, 2014 by Jon Haigwood

[mustang1989]

The last time I was in Michaels and scored huge was two years ago when I got a tip over at FSM that Michaels had Badger 200 airbrushes on sale for $20.00!!! I scored a couple of entry level Badger 350's for the same price and gave 'em away to friends. I bought and currently use both Badger 200 airbrushes hooked up on quick disconnect fittings. If I'm in the middle of a "do or die" painting sessions I can simply switch out real quick and not miss a beat.

What made the whole experience funny was that the store manager thought I was full of it when I told her that I wanted two of the 200's for 20 bucks a piece. Her jaw fell open when she rang it up! It was priceless.....lol

Ever since that I really haven't had much use for them.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've picked up a few closeout models really cheap on occasion, but the craft stuff they have that can be used for detailing materials is where they really shine. I've found all kinds of bits there that will eventually appear on some of my builds.

[Danno]

I've picked up a few closeout models really cheap on occasion, but the craft stuff they have that can be used for detailing materials is where they really shine. I've found all kinds of bits there that will eventually appear on some of my builds.

^^^ What he said! ^^^

[Muncie]

I've picked up a few closeout models really cheap on occasion, but the craft stuff they have that can be used for detailing materials is where they really shine. I've found all kinds of bits there that will eventually appear on some of my builds.

Exactly -

None close - but have three or four on my path for running errands - Each is unique and it changes beween stops. Never know what I'll find or not.

[Art Anderson]

Michael's is also a great source for those micro-pens that come in all colors, INCLUDING metallic silver and gold--needle point tips down to .3mm!

Art

[mikemodeler]

It must be a difference in management that sees several model aisle re-sets at Hobby Lobby every year while Michael's appears to have not updated their selection in several years. I will have to spend more time searching their craft section for some items that can be used for detailing as many have mentioned here.

Thanks for contributing to this thread, a lot of great information was shared.

Happy New Year!

[Darren B]

I never buy kits there selection is pretty bad but I buy a lot of detail parts there out of the jewelry section and scrap booking section.

[Danny Lectro]

A bit of out-of-the-box thinking can make Michael's a treasure trove for a modeler, especially the scrap-booking section. I have found flocking in multiple colors, pearl powders fine enough to add to my clear-coats, little details that could work on rat-rods, and stencils with interesting patterns. I have found some useful dry transfer decals with the stickers and with the Pinecar racer supplies.

Edited January 1, 2015 by Danny Lectro

[Tom Geiger]

It must be a difference in management that sees several model aisle re-sets at Hobby Lobby every year while Michael's appears to have not updated their selection in several years.

Different management yields different results. My own observation is that the shelves will be helter skelter at Michaels. Nothing in the right slot, different models behind the first kit, and stuff just sideways and upside down like consumers messed it up and nobody cared enough to straighten the shelves.

In the two Hobby Lobbys I've been to, their shelves are always in perfect order, nice display. Obviously the management is more particular. Anyone else?

[BubbaJoe]

locally i have a Michaels,AC Moore and a hobby lobby.out of the 3 i would have to say hobby lobby has a much better selection of kits and supplies. AC Moore would be 2nd and in a distant 3rd Michaels. very small modeling section and very pricy even with the coupons i think they are very over priced

[iangilly]

I was at my closest Michael's today, I'd say they have an ok selection, and up to date.

[Guest]

The above looks like the ones near me.

[martinfan5]

The nearest location to me is set up like that as well.

[Tom Geiger]

Same here. They added the second case of spray paint recently at mine.

[martinfan5]

Same here. They added the second case of spray paint recently at mine.

Sounds like it was company wide reset of the model isle.

[Danny Lectro]

Sounds like it was company wide reset of the model isle.

The location closest to me is not set up like that. The most recent kit they had was Revell's Chevelle Pro-Street. I have not yet checked the one a bit further up north.

I think the NY Metro area may be a worse market for model kits than most these days.

[martinfan5]

The location closest to me is not set up like that. The most recent kit they had was Revell's Chevelle Pro-Street. I have not yet checked the one a bit further up north.

I think the NY Metro area may be a worse market for model kits than most these days.

So almost a company wide reset , in all seriousness, a good amount of the locations here are still stocking kits from 2010-2012 catalogue, they have some semi current kits, but thats very limited on the kits. But its hard to tell, as the locations that I visit , the model kits are a mess, nothing is organized and its hard to see what they have without moving kits around.