Back in the 80's it was Squadron and Battle Hobbies that would have price wars to see who could sell the cheapest model.   It was fun to get each mailer to see all the models for $0.99 from Squadron, then look in the Battle mailer to see they reduced prices to $0.89.

Squadron was cool because their mailer had drawings of the model, where Battle was a typed out list, which joked in my model clubas to why they could be cheaper.

Not Cool "No Mo'.

Selection of ship models even worse than my last post. No Civilian ships and the total of all ship kits is down to 80.

 Aircraft: 

    No Nakijima Kate in 1/48

    But somehow they got 2 in 1/72

    No Zeppelin to build outta da box

   If it weren't for Cobi they'd be outta Stocks.

   I just got up 25 min ago (which explains the " above"). Did have time to see the latest email Ad from Squadron. It makes my day to confirm there's 1 less email I will henceforth have to read.

   Nino

   For fun...   ()

A Cobi "Nakajima":

 The Hooters sang "Don't knock it til you try it".  Well,  I am not going to try Cobi... ...except they do FULL HULL.   Wooooo,  Woo.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

    Jim.

     Squadron's Stock of Ship models has increased.  I have given Squadron another chance at my money.   I checked in on a recent, (May), 25% off deal and ordered AFV 1/350 I/58, AFV 1/350 Gato 1941, and a 1/72 Nakajima Kate. The price after shipping worked out to $22.49 each, for the Subs.  This got me a $15 coupon to use on my next purchase.  That purchase is on the way. It is the Trumpeter 1/700 New Orleans for $17.89 shipped!

     Their prices are still higher than the other sites I have bought from.  The 25% off deal at least gets the price in range of other Online Retailers.  I will watch their flyer and emails for awhile more.  You never know...

   Nino

 EDit:  I received the 1/700 New Orleans It shipped fast and was a very good price too.

On the other order: I received the Airfix 1/72 Kate right away.  Still waiting on the Subs.

A small update, if anyone intrested...

I have not gotten an email reply to my request for an update on my open order so far this month. ( I ask every month, on the anniversary date.)

 I did get another email though.

Here is the latest Subject line for the email I did get...

Stock is dwindling. Browse this sale while you still can❗

No Comment.

      Nino

    I find Squadron to be hit or miss, I had 4 items chosen figuring atleast one would be in stock.....NOT! It was a phone order and I did make a purchase because it was the principal of it, was VERY suprised when my kit came in one week and was really happy when I opened the kit, lots of cool things I didn't expect. So back on topic, like you Nino I thought maybe Squadron has thier stuff together so I computer ordered the Firebar I asked about in a different thread. Check " my account" on the web site and even after a week it says "processing" the website clearly said it was IN STOCK.......I would not have ordered if it was "available" or " backordered". Frustrating

So I get the latest flyer today. Almost pitched it, but decided to have a look during a, umm, some personal time. Anyway, I saw listed several AFV kits that I was interested in. Pull up the website and every single AFV kit on their webpage was either out of stock or 'available to order'. To be fair, I only went through the Armor section, so they may have plenty in their other sections. But DAYUM!

Unfortunatly Squaron, like Sears and Robuck, was one of the first to pioneer their particular niche. Sears was the original Amazon, you could order anything, including a house, but lost their way sometime back. I remember when Squadron was "Squardon Mail Order", it was one of very few or perhaps the only one you could mail order from (I don't know anything about the Euro shops). Now, they're the one who does the mail ordering when you order from them. Such a shame, I bought many things from them in the early years.

   Found out what happened with my order. Apparently they had computer issues the day I tried to buy the Firebar. Recieved an e-mail from them explaining the situation and had the option to e-mail my info or call.....I CALLED! The fella on the other end run my information that they had on file, said the transaction was approved......2wks ago, hoping my kit shows up soon. Maybe I'm just impatient? I did send it regular post so. Still Texas to Washington state shouldn't take a month even for low priority.

I've switched to Sprue Brothers.  I have never had any problems like these, when I ordered on the computer from them.  Delivery usually takes 2 -3 days.

Cadet Chuck

I've switched to Sprue Brothers.  I have never had any problems like these, when I ordered on the computer from them.  Delivery usually takes 2 -3 days.

 

Same here.

cwalker3

So I get the latest flyer today. Almost pitched it, but decided to have a look during a, umm, some personal time. Anyway, I saw listed several AFV kits that I was interested in. Pull up the website and every single AFV kit on their webpage was either out of stock or 'available to order'. To be fair, I only went through the Armor section, so they may have plenty in their other sections. But DAYUM!

 

       I emailed again on the anniversary of my 5/22/19 order. I got a rapid response from Tom at Squadron..My 2 AFV 1/350 submarines "...are still on "backorder"".

Note: They do not have ANY AFV kits in stock anymore, not even as "Available to order".  I find that disappointing.

     I did check with some overseas online retailers who quoted 3 to 4 days or 7 days, or 2 to 3 weeks for back-ordered AFV Submarine kits.  Here in the USA, Stevens International has them in stock for their dealers.  Squadron has their own import thru MMD I believe.

Going to wait it out and report back every month.  

On a brighter note... FreeTime has really cool daily deals.  Better'n Sprue Bros IMHO.

     Nino

   I like to"share the wealth" so to speak, I have yet to find one online or brick and mortar store that caters to my eccentricities, however my real go to online shop is ScaleHobbyist. They are reliable, well priced and clear about availability of stick, only during the winter months do I have shipping issues however that is because I ship by the USPS.

      I'm hoping today wil be the day my model shows up from Squadron.

Upscalehobbies for cars and bikes

I love the ScaleHobbyist website! So easy to find what you need although usually just a tad more expensive on most stuff than Sprue Bros I found

Was going to order 3 books from the new flyer...one in stock, two available to order.  Holding off for now, the single not worth the shipping cost.

Nino

  ...

       I emailed again on the anniversary of my 5/22/19 order. I got a rapid response from Tom at Squadron..My 2 AFV 1/350 submarines "...are still on "backorder"".

Note: They do not have ANY AFV kits in stock anymore, not even as "Available to order".  I find that disappointing.

     Going to wait it out and report back every month.  

On a brighter note... FreeTime has really cool daily deals.  Better'n Sprue Bros IMHO.

      Nino

 

At 3:09 this past Sunday, I placed an order with Sprue Brothers. My order shipped on Monday. I received it yesterday.

That's how mailorder is supposed to work.

  Finally got my plane last week from Squadron, very excited.

     Placed an order with Sprue Brothers....the order SHIPPED the same day it was recieved...WOW!!

armornut

  Finally got my plane last week from Squadron, very excited.

     Placed an order with Sprue Brothers....the order SHIPPED the same day it was recieved...WOW!!

 

Glad to hear you finally got your merchandise. Used to use Squadron back in the late '80s and they were fantastic. Now days not so much.

I've been using Sprue Brothers and Hobby Link Japan for years and no issues are all. Super quick shipping and my orders are always right. 

I promised a montly update on my 2 AFV 1/350 subs , ordered from Squadron on May 22nd, 2019.

Got a note from Tom at Squaron this month.  Sounds hopeful and depressing at the same time.

Well, the "next week" for an update sounds good but the Purchase order only being worked on, 8 months after I placed my order, not so good.

       Nino.

With all of the complaints people post online-here, and elsewhere-it's a wonder anyone chooses to order anything from Squadron at all.

They used to be as good as Sprue Bros awhile back.  I have not ordered from them recently, so have not experienced the problems being posted here.  Sounds like they have let a good company slip down the drain.  Too bad.

I felt nostalgic and cruised around their website over lunch and found the price on this interesting.

Cadet Chuck

They used to be as good as Sprue Bros awhile back.  I have not ordered from them recently, so have not experienced the problems being posted here.  Sounds like they have let a good company slip down the drain.  Too bad.

Oh, I know that a lot of old-timers love Squadron, for their selection and service back in the days of mail order.  I never ordered anything from them back then myself; I knew of Squadron, but I just looked for what I needed at the local hobby shop.  That was in the Seventies. 

Fast-forward to the late 90s, when I got back into the hobby, and there was little need to go to Squadron, and the need has diminshed in the 20 years since.

I've bought a couple of things from Squadron, but only when the deal was something that I couldn't find anywhere else.  There are just too many other vendors with the same items, for a better deal and service, or with a broader selection, than Squadron has.

I get the catalog, skim it, and then toss it in the recycling.

And I have noticed a conspicuous absence of Tamiya models in the last few catalogs.  What's up with that?

No Tamiya. Airfix is gone. No Hasegawa. No Italeri. No Academy. Seems like a Company that isnt paying their bills and is getting cut off by manufacturers. Ive been getting stuff from them since the mid 1970s, also used to visit their shop on Long Island. Sad state of affairs, really.

Joey B

No Tamiya. Airfix is gone. No Hasegawa. No Italeri. No Academy. Seems like a Company that isnt paying their bills and is getting cut off by manufacturers. Ive been getting stuff from them since the mid 1970s, also used to visit their shop on Long Island. Sad state of affairs, really.

 

Promise not to Laugh?

     I wanted two specific aircraft in 1/72. So while I am cruising AUTO World's website I find them! Got both for seventeen bucks.That included shipping, Were on my doorstep three days later.

       Really ! I was looking for a car too! got it as well a day later! I haven't ordered from Squadron since 1990. They seem to always be Out of Stock or Back-Ordered!

     You still have to promise not to laugh. I got the Enterprise with "Beehive Island-1/350 scale and I got it on the "Bay" for $80.00 bucks less than at any hobby site. Got it in five days too!