kit collectors exposition and sale

Thanks so much for the feedback on the event. I will definately try to make it to the next one.

Well, went I to the expo today. I got there a little after noon so the day was already half over. There wasn't as many people as I had expected, but that was probably due to my late arrival, and people breaking for lunch. From what I hear, many people are there before the doors even open.

There were plenty of vendors and thousands of kits. There were also lots of vendors with aftermarket parts (photo-etched, resin, and decals) and reference materials (books, posters).

Of the kits available, I would say that the biggest portion of them were aircraft, then armour, then cars, and others. There were definitely deals to be had. Sure, some vendors were triying to get priemium prices for their kits but there were others just trying to get rid of them.

Overall it was pretty good way to spend part of my day. The vendors I spoke with were very nice. They seemed more that happy to share any info they had on their kits and didn't mind me opening the unsealed kits to look at the parts. The other buyers were just as nice,and informative. So in addition to the kits I bought, I also got some information on what's available out there.

Nothing particular, just want to know if there is a wide variety of kits available at decent prices. And what the "vibe" of the event is like. Thanks.

casey

Caseyn5,
Sure, I can do that. Is there anything in particular you'd like for me to check out?

2000 redrider: let me know what you think of the event, unfortunately i probably wouldnt have been able to go this sunday anyway, but I believe there is one again in either June or July. By then I will be able to save a little money to make the trip woth while.

casey

QUOTE: Originally posted by caseyn5 must not be a very popular event......maybe I'll take a rain check on this one.

On the contrary. Herb Deek's Kit Collector's Exposition and sale is a huge event and is still going on. He has a new location for it. It is held at the UFCW Hall in Stanton. The last time I was there, I spent 35 dollars and walked out with 22 kits! One guy had a bunch of models going for five to eight dollars each. I chose 8 kits that I wanted to buy, thinking I had the money. I only had $15 dollars, so I was putting them all back, when the guy asked what was wrong. I told him that I only had 15 dollars, not enough for all these kits I wanted. He told me he'd take the 15 dollars for all of them and call it even: He just wanted to get rid of everything! I scored big on that one!

Yes, there are some collectors selling high-priced kits at collector4 value, but they account for only 2% of the vendors. The time I went, there were 32 vendors in the banquet hall, and I was able to look arouind for some great deals at great prices.

That is my personal experience with this show. The reason that I never went back is because A) I still have 180+ kits left to build and no room to store anything, and B) I haven't got the cash I need to be able to buy the way I want to. Believe me, if you go to one of these, be sure you have lots of disposable income in your pocket!

One other thing: Herb is a member of my IPMS club in Orange County. He's a great person who only puts on these shows once a qwuarter bbecause he wants to make sure he has PLENTY of Vendors; there's no "ten or so vendors" in his shows!

I highly recommend going to the next one! I only wish I'd seen this thread sooner so you could have gotten a better answer sooner.

I went to a couple in the past and am going to this one on Sunday. I think it's a great place to pick up a few kits, especially if you like to model in a variety of subjects. From the name you may get the impression that all the kits are high priced, being that it's a "kit collectors" show, but this isn't true at all. I'm sure there were some high priced rare kits but I didn't see many. I was too busy looking through the boxes and boxes of cheap kits.

The kit show at the Sequoia Club has been there since the early 90's. One large room with about every kit imaginable and standing room only. I've picked up many hard to find kits in the past at this event. Its defanitely worth going to for SoCal modelers, but I don't know if its worth the drive from elsewhere. Unfortunately I can't go to this one, but they used to have 2 or 3 a year. And that's going on the assumption things haven't changed as I haven't been to one in years.

Who says we need a chat room here on FSM?


Fade to Black...

man that sucks, I thought we were on the verge of some great discovery...oh well. I guess we will have to settle with what we got.

Hey I just called the number expecting an answering machine, and some guy answered. He said that he's doing it out of his home now, because he had a shop, and people broke in like 3 times, and kept stealing the cars....all he has now is airplanes. I almost asked him why they would steal 1/25 scale car models!!! LOL He only does RC stuff. DAMN!!!!

Cool!! I'm gonna call 'em tommorow, and if they are within range, I'll head over there Sat, and give ya a head's up!! I'm lovin this Spring Break thing!!! I'm getting twice as much modeling done this week than I usually do!!

yeah, the number is 746-4350. If you check this place out let me know what its like.

Well dude, never saw the trach, so I guess I didn't see ya. I go at night, and have been for the last 4 semesters. I can't find that My Hobbyshop number, do you happen to have it handy?

hey kik36, this is almost like talking in real time...well in a way it is I guess...lol. Yeah I go to palomar, I just started last semester. If I was in one of your classes or even if you may have seen me on campus you might remember me cuz i stick out like a red thumb. Im a skinny dude with tattoos and a trach.

Never heard of 'em, I'll have to look 'em up and pay 'em a visit this weekend. I see you're a student, are you in College or in High School? I go to Palomar College at night, and was wondering if perhaps we've been in class together.

Oh definately the paint selection at Hobby town is great. They even got the rack of Gunze for like a dollar or something like that. Value crafts paint isnt too bad either. I know what you mean about the brushes at Hobby Town, the best brushes they have are the Testors ones...lol. I got my 3/0 and 5/0 brushes at value craft on sale for a buck. There is another hobby shop called My Hobbyshop, I dont know how good it is or even where its at. Have you ever been to this place?I have been meaning to call them to see where they are located but I just havent gotten around to it.

Yeah, I go there also....Value Craft...I picked up a couple of kits on clearance a week or two ago. It's great for me, 'cause I got 3 places to choose from within a few miles of where I live. Not too thrilled with the main hobby shops.....like you said, more for R/C ers and Trains. It really shows at Hobby Town, I went there to try and get some detail brushes, and they were all kinked, frayed....all crap!!! I got 'em at Value Craft. But you can't beat the paint selection.

Kik36: Wow that is wierd I thought I was the only person that bought models around here, since usually the stores are full of people looking at rc cars and rail rodad stuff. But yeah those are the places I shop at. there is also a craft store that is right next to the Hobby People on El Norte and they have a little selection which isnt too bad.

Casey, you live right around the corner from me!!! I live in San Marcos. I take it you go to Hobbytown off of Nordahl, or the Hobby shop off of El Norte, eh?! I've never been to the Buena Park thing, but I've always suspected that it was like Blackwolf describes, as they have the same show for like 4 months, every two weeks.

Well im certainly glad I asked about this. I think I saved myself a long drive, not to mention some gas money that I could use at the LHS. Thanks for the input guys.

I wonder if that's the same 'show', or same type of 'show' that used to make the rounds on the east coast a few years back. I know that the organizer of the 'shows' which I'm thinking of has run them all over the country. He would put on several 'events' in the space of a few months, all in the same geographic region.

This fella would rent a conference room or some such at a hotel and then fill it up with some local dealers and call it a 'show'. I had the misfortune to attend two of these things and there couldn't have been more than ten tables at either 'event'. The guy was kinda weird too, he was always dressed in solid black and was very strange to talk to. We called him the 'Plastic Dracula'.

Who knows, this one that you speak of could be a decent gig. But the name sounds distinctly familiar...


Fade to Black...

I'm just gonna guess, but if the name of it is kit collectors exposition, then I would say prices will be fairly high, as they collect for the so called value, and not to build.
Lee

must not be a very popular event......maybe I'll take a rain check on this one.