I have never been able to use more than one descriptive word...and if I had the mfr's part/item number it would be easy but I rarely have that... 

Manstein's revenge

I use them but their search engines limit my business with them...

I've never had an issue with their search engine. I simply use the search box at the upper right corner and type in the subject I am looking for.  Mustang, Stuka, Patton etc. You can search by mfr's part number. You can search by scale.

If you know the mfr you can use the list on the left to select search by mfr, click on the BY MANUFACTURER and everything that company produces that they stock will be listed. The links of the left side also take you into product categories which allow you to sort through those products in those categories and subcategories.

Typically everything used as a descriptive by the mfr is used in the search parameters

scale, mfr, subject, sub-topic and catalog number which is a combination of mfr code and mfr part #

1:48 Steel Beach Accessories S-2 Tracker Seats #SB098

1:35 AFV Club AH-1W Super Cobra NTS Update #35S49

1:32 AMS F-5 Tiger II Correct Shaped Duckbill Nose (HAS kit) #32024

I typically start very generic in my searches, if I am looking for a set of decals say for an F-14 Tomcat, I either search for F-14 or Tomcat. The search gives me everything they stock related to that subject.

I use them but their search engines limit my business with them...

I ordered from SB an Eduard BRASSIN 1/32 ejection seat seat for my Tamiya 1/32 F-4J. Dropped it in the box for a month 'till I joined the group build here. One of the 2 PE frets was missing, a month later and no receipt, they sent me the missing fret no questions asked. I'm happy for them.

Other than a couple of decals-only suppliers, I have only ever used them for online orders because the customer service is superb & prices are reasonable. Congrats - well-deserved.

SB also has great sales in their "Super Specials" section. Yes, search engine leaves a lot to be desired... Squadron is the worst; you cannot enter the kit # as a search item, making it very hard to comparison shop.

I hope they upgrade their search engine while they are at it...

Just had another great experience with these guys.  I bought a 1/48 ejection seat sunday afternoon but noticed I made a mistake on the shipping address so I shot em an email telling about it and the order was updated 15 minutes later......on a sunday afternoon!  The package was then shipped first thing monday morning.  I will be buying from these guys for a long time

MAJ Mike

Must say that I've had nothing but great transactions with these guys.  They ship super fast and their prices seem reasonable.  I wish them continued success.

plastickjunkie

Goodness180:

I have checked out their site several times but have never ordered anything from them because of being kind of wiery about them all. 

 

No Need to worry!! I have ordered from Gordon on multiple times and each and every order has been delivered within 2-3 days, not weeks!! And if for some reason you get shipped a wrong item, a short email will fix the problem.

plastickjunkie:  Thanks man good to know.  Been looking at a Stryker kit from them and some after market parts.

HawkeyeHobbies

What's most interesting to those of us in the biz about this...he continues to grow in a down economic market that has been negatively affecting other players in this realm. Who says the hobby is dead...its just moving to bigger and better digs.

That can be attributed to excellent customer service.  The number one thing custom,ores look for today is customer service.  There are only 2 types of customers.  1st time customers and repeat customers.  The latter is directly related to how you treat the former. Gordon knows how to keep his repeat customers.

Congrats Gordan.

Goodness180

I have checked out their site several times but have never ordered anything from them because of being kind of wiery about them all. 

No Need to worry!! I have ordered from Gordon on multiple times and each and every order has been delivered within 2-3 days, not weeks!! And if for some reason you get shipped a wrong item, a short email will fix the problem.

Congrats to Sprue Bros. for building a success in a time when every business has reason to fear failure.

They have been first rate with my questions and orders, and their search mechanism is OK with me. Takes a little time, but not bad. Squadron, as mentioned, is good on communication and shipping but their search is horrible (doesn't even remember your last entered parameters). I keep their old flyers so I can search by their stock #'s, which seems to work better than any key word(s). Haven't ordered from Scale Hobbiest yet, but probably will - their prices are good and their search engine is fantastic!

Back on topic...will continue to be a Sprue customer...they seem to really value my business.

mike

Manny is right about the search engines for finding products - seems to be a common weakness among most of the large vendors. But take a look at this site and try to find sometihng. They have got it right:

http://www.scalehobbyist.com/

If only every e-store was able to break a search down into scales, eras, country, manufacturer, materials, etc. like these guys do.

I actually have ordered form Sprue Bros quite a bit lately, and have been even more satisfied in general w/ my experience than when I order from my two main suppliers: Great Models and Squadron...they get the order out FAST...

Where I feel they fall way short is their search engine...they's probably get ALL of my biz if their search engine was as good as GM's---in fairness, Squadron's sux too...I don't understand why they can't do better in this area...I'd buy even more if I could find it...I was also unhappy w/ GM's until I found out it didn't like commas between search words...

What's most interesting to those of us in the biz about this...he continues to grow in a down economic market that has been negatively affecting other players in this realm. Who says the hobby is dead...its just moving to bigger and better digs.

it is what it is .......

Ron

We now break away from this commercial to return to our regularly scheduled postings...

They have been getting all my orders .great place to buy from first class company.

Ron

I ordered once from them recently and was very impressed. They've got my business.

I love ordering from Spruebrothers.  Living in Nebraska, I can place an order in the morning and it will be at my door the next day in almost every case.  They are my first choice when it comes to online shopping.  Glad to see they are prospering.

I have checked out their site several times but have never ordered anything from them because of being kind of wiery about them all.  But after reading what you guys have said about them i think i might give em a shot.

Good for them!

I only started ordering through Sprue Bros. in the last few months and have been very impressed. They tell you exactly what is in inventory and what is not, they ship immediately (receive my orders here in WA in about 2 business days!), super-easy payment through PayPal, S&H cost is very reasonable compared to other vendors. (They have even refunded  a portion of calculated shipping charges a few times -  when the actual postage came out to be less I suppose).

From now on they are the first place I look to see if they have the items I need. It is a great thing when a company can grow and be successful by simply taking care of people with good, old-fashioned customer service.

Must say that I've had nothing but great transactions with these guys.  They ship super fast and their prices seem reasonable.  I wish them continued success.