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                        LOOKING for GOOD online hobby shop to purchase plastic models.

                        1645 views
                        14 replies
                        1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
                        namvet66
                        • Member since
                          January 2009
                        • From: Lafayette, Louisiana
                        LOOKING for GOOD online hobby shop to purchase plastic models.
                        Posted by namvet66 on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 2:05 PM
                        Our local HS is very limited in their stock of plastic models. Looking for a GOOD online shop to make my purchases.

                        Any help from you folks will be appreciated.

                        Thanks
                        namvet66
                        Report Abuse
                        searat12
                        • Member since
                          March 2007
                        • From: Portsmouth, RI
                        Posted by searat12 on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 2:58 PM
                        There are a number of good ones out there, Tower Hobbies is one, but I have found the best selection and the best prices at Freetime Hobbies.....Go to:  freetimehobbies.com
                        Report Abuse
                        caramonraistlin
                        • Member since
                          July 2005
                        Posted by caramonraistlin on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 5:02 PM

                        Greetings:

                         

                        I second what Searat12 said, Free Time Hobbies is very good and very fast. Barring that, you can try Pacific Front Hobbies or the old standby the Squadron Shop.

                        Sincerely

                         

                        Michael Lacey 

                         

                        Report Abuse
                        enemeink
                        • Member since
                          February 2008
                        • From: San Bernardino, CA
                        Posted by enemeink on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 6:04 PM
                        is there a specific genre you are looking for? modern navy, sailing etc
                        "The race for quality has no finish line, so technically it's more like a death march."
                        Report Abuse
                        smeagol the vile
                        • Member since
                          April 2008
                        • From: Philadelphia PA
                        Posted by smeagol the vile on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 6:33 PM
                        www.scalehobbyist.com

                         

                        Report Abuse
                        namvet66
                        • Member since
                          January 2009
                        • From: Lafayette, Louisiana
                        Posted by namvet66 on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 7:00 PM
                         enemeink wrote:
                        is there a specific genre you are looking for? modern navy, sailing etc


                        Navy
                        namvet66
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                        dnatech
                        • Member since
                          December 2003
                        Posted by dnatech on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 7:14 PM
                        a2zhobbies.com is another good place to deal with. I have ordered many things for our scout rocket launches from them, they are very reliable and have good prices as well.
                        Report Abuse
                        keilau
                        • Member since
                          April 2004
                        • From: Windy city, US
                        Posted by keilau on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 8:58 PM

                         namvet66 wrote:
                         enemeink wrote:
                        is there a specific genre you are looking for? modern navy, sailing etc

                        Navy

                        For ship models, check out the vendors that advertise on the Steelnavy.com front page. They all have something to offer.

                        I second searat12 and caramonraistlin about Freetime Hobby and Pacific Front. They are NOT the cheapest, but the selection and service are excellent.

                        Report Abuse
                        DD1
                        • Member since
                          September 2008
                        Posted by DD1 on Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:14 PM
                        www.ebay.com - truly great shop :)
                        Report Abuse
                        warshipguy
                        • Member since
                          September 2005
                        • From: Groton, CT
                        Posted by warshipguy on Thursday, April 9, 2009 7:43 PM

                        I have had excellent service from Pacific Front Hobbies.  I also find their prices to be very reasonable. 

                        Bill Morrison

                        Report Abuse
                        Wilbur Wright
                        • Member since
                          February 2006
                        • From: Boston
                        Posted by Wilbur Wright on Friday, April 10, 2009 12:45 PM

                        I had done business with Tower for years, however their prices have gone way up and or are fluctuating wildly. I have complained to their management, being one of their best customers.

                        They do have exceptional customer service, however for the time being I'm not buying from them.

                        It seems that when  model first comes out, you will be able to get a better price, however over time, the prices will settle more towards full retail.

                        In any case I haven't bought a kit at the LHS for years, and have literally saved thousands of dollars, in buying online. I also find Squadrons prices to be outrageous.

                        Report Abuse
                        btp2k2
                        • Member since
                          October 2007
                        • From: Bothell, WA
                        Posted by btp2k2 on Friday, April 10, 2009 2:42 PM
                        I've had very good luck with ehobbyland.com
                        Paul I Like Tomcats!
                        Report Abuse
                        JMart
                        • Member since
                          March 2007
                        • From: NJ
                        Posted by JMart on Saturday, April 11, 2009 8:39 AM

                        I usually go for sales, not a specific item...

                        GreatModels has the best 'regular" prices CONUS and now you can FINALLY tell if the item is IN STOCK before you purchase!

                        Squadron - huge selection, high prices unless you go for their "green" sales (good deals)

                        LuckyModel - Some of the best prices, if you can figure out their byzantine shipping calculations and are willing to wait 2 months for your kit. On the other hand, their small selection of AM offerings are cheap and free air shipping. Go figure

                        SprueBrothers - good reputation, medium selection, fast shipping, better prices than squadron

                        E-hobbyland - small selection but great prices.

                        For naval stuff, cutting edge, new releases, hard to find items... dont forget the japanese stores, HobbyLink Japan and HobbyWorld Japan... sometimes they DO have the best non-sale price for a specific item, even including shipping

                         

                         

                        Report Abuse
                        namvet66
                        • Member since
                          January 2009
                        • From: Lafayette, Louisiana
                        Posted by namvet66 on Sunday, April 12, 2009 7:09 PM
                        Thanks to all who gave me some ideas about online buying. I will take all this into consideration when I put my first order in via the internet.

                        Again thanks for taking time out to give me some good info of who to buy from.

                        Thanks
                        namvet66
                        Report Abuse
                        a6m5zerosen
                        • Member since
                          August 2004
                        • From: Denver, Colorado
                        Posted by a6m5zerosen on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:12 PM
                        Go to www.hobbybuy.com, and click on the links on the right side of the screen, including the one that says "Armor Models"-there are ships in there as well.  Every week they usually have something on sale at a super low price-right now the Dragon 1/700 USS Essex (CV-9) is on sale at 50% off-about $18.00 US. Check every week-they change often.  I've dealt with them for years and have never had a problem.  You can also try www.squadron.com, who occasionally has good sale items.

                        "no, honey, of course that's not another new model. I've had that one for a long time..."

                        Report Abuse
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