Where do you buy your kits?

Well, there's Squadron Mail Order (www.squadron.com) and Sprue Brothers (www.spruebrothers.com) and Roll Models (www.rollmodels.com), for starters.

I've heard very mixed things about both Squadron and Roll Models.  Personally, I've ordered through Amazon for some kits and Lucky Model (Hong Kong, I think) for others, but you have to consider shipping for Lucky Model, which offsets their lower prices somewhat.  No problems with either Amazon or Lucky Model. I understand Hannants in England and Hobby Link Japan are good, too.

There are a lot of other domestic places that ship; just takes some digging.

Tom

There are plenty of online options out there. Here are a few that I use:

Free Time Hobbies: http://freetimehobbies.com/

Squadron: http://www.squadron.com/

Hobbylinc: http://www.hobbylinc.com/Plastic-Models

Scale Hobbiest: https://www.scalehobbyist.com/index.php (my favorite)

While there is nothing at all wrong with buying online, it really can save money, still I buy kits only from my only hobby shop in town. 4th generation family owned, great stocking policy and all of the other stuff you need for building.

I also do scale balsa free flight, so superior grade balsa, fir, basswood and spruce is available, any kit I want that they don't have in stock is quickly ordered and delivered. The bonus there, is I don't pay any shipping costs.

The main reason I buy only at my local hobby shop, is they are a store near me, very responsive and when I do need something they are there. I feel it's important to support my local business, because when they go, I can buy only online. Other reason? I like them very well.

A shout out for Eugene Toy and Hobby, Eugene, Oregon.

www.scalehobbyist.com 

www.redfroghobbies.com 

www.spruebrothers.com 

www.dragonusaonline.com 

I also scan Ebay for deals,especially for aftermarket and figures.

For the most part, I use Squadron and Sprue Bros (already mentioned and linked).

The majority of my orders are for after market goodies, as I can't get them at the LHS, although I'm very certain they'd order me anything I wanted. When I do order kits, it's with a sale or great deal...or it be that I just HAVE to have it!

Amazon can also have some great deals...last year I got 3 1/72 Hobby Boss A-7's...2 were $8.99 and the 2 seater was $15. Those kits are priced in the $20's each, everywhere else (mostly).

The majority of my stash has come from contest vendor tables. Many...MANY great deals to be had there...especially toward the end of the day. You get better deals too, if you buy a couple-few kits at a time. Even if you don't enter the contest...bring a fist full of dollars!!!

fermis

 Many...MANY great deals to be had there...especially toward the end of the day. You get better deals too, if you buy a couple-few kits at a time. Even if you don't enter the contest...bring a fist full of dollars!!!

 

True as well as gun shows, eh?

I have 4 sources.  The local Hobby Lobby, the local hobby shop that's been around for ages, eBay, and I've ordered from Hobbylinc.com before.  For my rare/hard to find kits I've had to use eBay.  Paitence is needed though, otherwise you will pay an arm and a leg. 

Yup, hobby show vendors for the win. I can buy enough kits at one show to keep me in modeling work for a year, and I usually spend only $40 or so. Biggest way I've made the wife happy in the last five years! LOL

--Chris

Vendor tables at shows are the best source of bargains. I usually wait for sales at Squadron and SB. Scale Hobbyist has the lowest prices around. Freetime Hobbies is another good source.  And finally eBay once in a while has what I'm looking for.

Scale Hobbyist has been my go to for new kits for years now.  No one has lower prices and they have great customer service.

Sometimes Tower will have kits Scale does not have and with the coupons 15% off plus free shipping, then I'll buy there.

I stopped buying at the LHS when the Revell Germany Hermann Marwede was $109 plus tax.  I got it online delivered to my door for $79 dollars.  Thats $30 saved on one kit.

I don't understand why anyone that buys many kits would pay Brick and Mortar prices.  

I've bought my last 40 kits or so off EBay. Best price and best selection, although in some cases, patience is a requirement. 

dirkpitt77

Yup, hobby show vendors for the win. I can buy enough kits at one show to keep me in modeling work for a year, and I usually spend only $40 or so. Biggest way I've made the wife happy in the last five years! LOL

--Chris

 

...You might be doing something wrong!

Lots of good info here.  I guess it just boils down to what you want and what your resources are.  If you need it bad and quick, you may have to go with someone with a large inventory and superior service, like HobbyLink, or Squadron.  If you can wait a little bit, I'd check out Roll Models for a great selection, but longer order fill time.  Their website is a bit clunky, but the customer service is great.  I get a great deal of mine from eBay because they are cheaper, have a great variety, and most sellers are pretty reputable.  You really have to know WHAT you are looking for, and are at the mercy of a seller at times.  LOOK at the pictures, ASK questions before you bid if it looks sketchy, and HUNT for bargains.  I use the Android eBay app. to track the things that I'm most interested in.  It helps to know what the retail price of an item it; how rare it may be, and what condition it is in.  If you are looking for aftermarket items, I'd recommend a seller by the name of "rebelalpha,"  I got a lot of good decal sheets from him and he provides first class service.

If you want it, it's out there!!

Dave

Yep rebelalpha is a trusted seller and has some really great looking decals.

Ebay

I use Squadron and Sprue Bros if buying retail. I mainly use them as a pricing guide when looking at kits on eBay. I would say that eBay is my number two source for kits, but I always make sure that it is the cheapest price or else I buy it retail.

My main "go to" source are model forums. They will almost always have the best deals, but you have to be careful when buying and selling there. Sometimes when the buyer or seller is out of the country, postage can be cost prohibitive. Buying a $50 kit for $20 and shipping is great when the seller is in the US. But if the seller is in the UK or EU, that $20 kit becomes a $50 one with international shipping. Might as well buy it retail then.

I've learned, and other US sellers have learned that a quick way to separate ourselves is to state shipping from zip code 12345 (ex.). That way another US modeler can figure out approximate postage from the seller's zip to the buyers zip.

Hey Raindog, Looks like you got the best replies. I have to agree with all here. If you have the opportunity to go to a model show, even a smaller local one, you will do very well at the vendor tables. Just search online for local shows or regional ones close to you. eBay is a good source too....BUT, like everyone said, you must have patience! Watch the prices (some will make you laugh!), and check the seller's feedbacks. You can get some super deals, but remember you are bidding against the world. LOL! Local hobby shops are great! Yes, the prices are noticeably higher, but you have to consider their overhead expenses, etc. that are factored into the final price. The personal interaction is nice, but it does come at a cost. Local model clubs are also a good source. A lot of clubs have swap night, small shows where they will have a table or two of kits to sell....and you can't beat the friendships and knowledge you gain from them too. Hope all this helps. Great advice from all here, so I think you're stash will start to increase. ;) Eagle90

3 local hobby shops within 45 miles, once in awhile Ebay and HL.  Lately have got some from other members here when offered.

Mostly ebay.UK, where I live, some ebay USA. Most of the shops have gone but we have one about 20 miles away but we only get to that town on a Sunday when it's shut!

He is open on Sunday's though in December only with the run up to Christmas, so it's once a year!

I get my kits from a variety of sources.

I do frequent local hobby shops.  I do mail order- like others mention, my two most common are Squadron and Roll Models, and have occasionally ordered a kit from Amazon.

I belong to three model clubs, and one has a vendor that attends and exhibits new kits, and will bring kits we order from him.  Also, members often bring kits they want to sell because they have lost interest in them.  Also, two of the three have annual swap meets.

I attend two or three contests a year, and all have vendors that attend the show and bring lots of tempting kits to sell.  I have occasionally, though rarely, bought kits from individuals based on conversations in forums.  Lastly, I have bought several old kits from garage sales.

Mainly at my LHS.. IF... he has something worth buying. This past summer, I found another great LHS in Webster, NY. Other than that, my usual go-to shopping is scalemates.com. They have the best prices compared to other sites. I also go to Squadron, Hobbylic and Sprue Brothers as well if they have good sales.

Ebay is another if I find something at a great price. I found one ebay store I frequent to for very unique stuff not found anywhere else. Ordered from him a couple times and am happy with the service.

I buy my kits on line since the LHS stocks mostly 1/25 cars and train stuff, but they have an excellent selection of paints and tools so when I'm building I'm there quite a bit for one thing or another. I buy my kits from hobbylinc (located in Atlanta, GA) and sometimes from Tower Hobbies (plastic-models.com) located, I believe, in Vermont. I usually buy from hobbylinc since they seem to be a bit less expensive and, if you sign up on the site, you get points that give you some money off of your next purchase. Squadron is great for tools that the LHS dosen't have and micromark is great for that real hard to find stuff. Another site I use is drill bits unlimited in Pittsburgh PA. I've gotten drill bits from them as small as 0.2mm.

Hi Raindog!  Lots of excellent info here.  I'd like to add one more source that I recently came across.  They're called Mustang Hobbies out of New Jersey.  Personally, I like to build the older kits especially the older, out-of-production Monogram kits.  It goes without saying that they also carry all the other big manufacturers out there as well (Tamiya, Hasegawa, et al).  Their prices are phenomenal!  Aside from kits, they also carry decals, armor, ships, figures, etc.

http://www.mustang-hobbies.com/

Also, as Rob mentioned, check out some modeling groups and forums.  I'm a member of a couple of Facebook pages that are dedicated to selling and trading of all things model related.  I've gotten some excellent deals from there.  Definitely check them out!

Eric

Oddly enough I sometimes find deals at Tower Hobbies

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVSEARCH=%3Cb%3Eplastic%3C%2Fb%3E+model+kits

Or at their eBay side 

http://stores.ebay.com/OmniModels

They have in the past had clearance items for a great price and their eBay price is sometimes the lowest.

It's worth a check whenever I am looking.

I get about 99% of miner on line. Most of those are from E-bay,alot of which are from China as the cost even with poistage is better than ipay here. After that its hannants and a range of other on line dealers, including Sprue Brothers on occasion.

I dogo in the LHS quite often, but the kitselection is not great for my taste, but i do get as lot of other supplies from there.

I have gotten about 99% of my kits on the second-hand market, and of those, most were bought via eBay, then via model shows, and then via my club, in our raffle or gifts and swapping between members.

You're right, HobbyTown has a limited selection, as do the other big commercial sources around here:  HobbyLobby, Michael's and AC Moore.  They're all general hobby stores, though, not scale modeling specialty stores, and so, I understand that they don't generally carry the kinds of subjects that many of us might want to build.

Playing Captain Obvious for a moment-yes, the Internet has made a much broader selection available to us, than in the days before we all got wired.  So, I go to the bricks-and-mortar stores for many basic supplies, and I'll ask them if they can order something for me-whether a kit or supplies-but I don't expect them to be able to get me the latest Wave Maschinen Krieger kit.

Even for basic supplies, though--my local HobbyTown sells Tamiya paints, for example, but if they don't have a color I need, then I have to decide if I want to wait for them to order it and have it arrive, or if I'll just order it online direct from Tamiya USA.  It all depends.

Best regards,

Brad

If there is something I really want, I go to Squadron and Sprue Bros.  When I go to the shows, I usually get 12 raffle tickets for $10 and take whatever I win. If I don't win, that's OK because my stash is large enough for me. At Penncon last month, my 12 tickets got me 5 models and 2 books. I can't complain about that. 

Tamiya 1/35 M5A1                                                                                                         Trumpeter 1/48 P-40B                                                                                                   Revell/Monogram 1/48 F-18C                                                                                         Revell 1/35 M9001A1 ITV                                                                                               Monogram 1/24 #3 Goodwrench Lumina                                                           

Flying Colors - Squadron/Signal                                                                                        Weapons of WWII - Alexander Ludeke

Jim  

I TRY to support my local hobby store; a couple small shops in town with good (not great) selection and decent prices, a lot of paints and accessories, several others within 30-45 mins.  Otherwsie, local shows usually offer excellent deals and a variety of current and vintage kits.

For best selection and prices, hard to beat on-line.  Mostly, I use eBay, preferring to buy from large sellers with excellent feedback. Dragon USA and Sprue Brothers are also good, as others have said.  Shopping on-line, you need to be savvy, know your prices and factor in any extra taxes or fees if shipping from out of country.

I have purchase kits using all of the methods in the previous replys.  But the best bargains I found were from the vendors at the shows.  They will really discount the kit so they wouldn't have to take it back home.  The vendors that really give the biggest discounts are the ones that have brought their wife along!