Models @ Hobby Lobby 50% off!!!!!!!

... BlueNosers352nd/Jim/

Sounds like you are infact between "the devil" and the "deep blue sea" ... so to speak ...

I would never expect a fellow modeler to support a hobby shop that was trying to rob you on pricing. Any retailer is entitled to a fair profit ... but when it goes beyond that ... I would not support them nor encourage others to do so.

In reading your post, your profile and viewing your website, it appears that the greater Kalamazoo, MI area has many active scale modelers ... I am surprised that the hobby shops in the area are not more competitive in their pricing ... I can only assume that someone must be supporting them.

I see that you have just now found the FSM community modeling forum(s) ... may I extend an "unofficial" welcome to you ... and I hope many of your fellow Kalamazoo MI IPMS members. Happy modeling!

Hard to support a local shop when the sell way above retail (in most cases). Unless I need a bottle of paint, my purchases are from online sources. I am not going to even entertain their prices for one moment.

Ridiculous........plain and simple.

We have two shops in town..........one is over priced and atleast the other gives a 10% discount on tools/paints to local club members.

MY TWO CENTS..........TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Steve,

My commute is 38 miles once a week either to work or from work. Where I get on an S-76 and head 92 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico and operate an Oil and Gas Production Platform for ChevronTexaco. I need to get over to Baton Rouge and New Orleans to a couple Hobby Shops. I usually see one of the Vendors at area Model Contests and do my best to spend my money with him. I belong to the Acadiana Platic Modelers and we have been around since 1979. The Shark "Charlie" model Huey Gunship on April's cover is from my Unit in Vietnam, the 174th AHC. I had some pictures of the very ship modeled, Easy Rider "242". Our Web Page is www.americal.org/174/. I was in the Unit in 1971.
Well, happy modeling!
Clear Left!

Hi ya Mel ... thanks for the support !

I truely am glad that you have a Hobby Lobby close by ... and I full well understand not having a dedicated Mom & Pop hobby shop nearby.

I can't pass up the 50% off sales when they have them ... shoot ... just yesterday I stopped by the Hobby Lobby store and found two kits that needed a happy home.

I must admit that I am not your usual driver ... I drive 60 miles round trip to work each day ... and most people don't believe me when I tell them that ... not too many years ago I drove 400 miles round trip each day to and from my office ... but then that is nuts I know ... but, I only had to do it for 9 months ... so, I wouldn't think anything of driving 55 miles to the Mom and Pop hobby shop ... but then that is just me ... it isn't for everyone. My very favorite hobby shop is about 42 miles each way ... I admit I don't get there every week ... but I do go often.

Anyway ... happy modeling ...

I agree with Steve about supporting your local Mom & Pop Hobby Shops but the nearest one to me is 55 miles! Hobby Lobby has made my "day" more than once. Monday it was a Hobbycraft (Trumpeter) 1/24 P-51 Mustang marked at $45! Half off ot that and I felt I needed to go to Church and confess I was stealing! It made up for the full price I paid for a Panda UH-1D! My unbuilt collection is to the point I'll only buy kits on sale and Hobby Lobby fits the bill!

Yes sir ... that would be about 1/2 price ... !!!

All kidding aside ... they do have a pretty nice selection of model kits ... and they put them on sale a few times a year ... when they have their 33% to 50% off sales ... you just can't beat it ... but ...

Beware!!!

When they (and that type of store) are not having a big sale I prefer to make my hobby purchases (kits, paints, books, tools, etc.) at a regular full service hobby shop, my thinking behind this is ...

if you don't support your local hobby shop(s) ... you will turn around one day (perhaps sooner than you think) and there will be a damn cellular phone store right where you had spent many happy hours (... and a dollar or two).

I figure that Hobby Lobby and that type of store can survive on the sales of all the other items they sell ... but, your local full service hobby shop, be it a "Mom & Pop" operation or a national chain ... they need the hobbyists support on a day in and day out basis to keep the door open and the lights on ... and no, I do not own a hobby shop. I don't have it "in" for Hobby Lobby stores or anyone else for that matter ... this is just my humble opinion.

If you doubt me ... try to place a special order or ask the clerk to hold a kit or jar of paint anywhere other than a full service hobby shop ... and ... the clerk will look at you like you are crazy.

I full well know that there are some places in this cold cruel world ... where the Hobby Lobby or that type of store is the only game in town ... and, I DO understand that I am blessed with many first class hobby shops here in the Chicagoland area.

Like I said ... just my humble opinion ... what's yours ???

The Sale started Monday March 3rd and runs till Saturday.. I got $118.00 worth of models for $59.00!!!

Thanks for the info Harry ... too late to go now ... they are closed on Sundays ... but there is always Monday ... hope the sale runs thru the first of the week!

What did you find that you couldn't live without ???

I am sure they have one or two kits I don't have yet ... <grin> !!!