Wal-Mart Selling Plastic Models Again?

It appears that most walmart's are set up on the same floor plan, so they should be near the Tonkas and R/C toy monster trucks. At least that's where they are in all the WMs in metro Detroit, and they have a couple 1/48th P-51 kits (monogram) and maybe 50 car kits (1/24 and 25th). No paint or accessories.

And Goose, the internet murdered the local hobby shop.

garylee

And Goose, the internet murdered the local hobby shop.

Sprue-ce Goose

garylee

And Goose, the internet murdered the local hobby shop.

No argument from me on that.

Just watched another one bite the dust in my area.

garylee

It appears that most walmart's are set up on the same floor plan, so they should be near the Tonkas and R/C toy monster trucks. At least that's where they are in all the WMs in metro Detroit, and they have a couple 1/48th P-51 kits (monogram) and maybe 50 car kits (1/24 and 25th). No paint or accessories.

And Goose, the internet murdered the local hobby shop.

"When" my Walmarts had models they were by the bicycle/riding toys department.

When the one by me had them they were stuck in with the crafts.  Nothing anywhere in there now.

Our Walmart here in southeast Minnesota has carried models for almost 2 yrs now. Plenty of Auto stuff, some 1/48 Aircraft, a few boats. Mainly though, it provides me with a 24 hr a day source for glue, blades, paint/thinner, etc.... It's all in the toy aisles surrounded by action figures and other junk. Personally, I think it should be over by their hobby - crafty stuff but  ........ I dunno

FlyItLikeYouStoleIt

Our Walmart here in southeast Minnesota has carried models for almost 2 yrs now. ............... It's all in the toy aisles surrounded by action figures and other junk. Personally, I think it should be over by their hobby - crafty stuff but  ........ I dunno

Probably in the toy isle for the same reason visitors to our homes think the completed builds on display are just toys..............

the megastores like wally world will always look at plastic models kits as toys and not arts & crafts. And so far here in Detroit I haven't seen glue or paint, just kits. I check once in a while, though, because every once in a while they'll have something worth picking up for the stash.

Not here by my me in NJ.

Sprue-ce Goose

FlyItLikeYouStoleIt

Our Walmart here in southeast Minnesota has carried models for almost 2 yrs now. ............... It's all in the toy aisles surrounded by action figures and other junk. Personally, I think it should be over by their hobby - crafty stuff but  ........ I dunno

Probably in the toy isle for the same reason visitors to our homes think the completed builds on display are just toys..............

If its from Walmart the kits must have something wrong with them. Poisonous plastic, some other lurid defect straight from the Party's Republic of China.

Now , fermis :

Don't fib to the poor boy .You know you saw the last model at Wal - Mart about six years ago ! I still miss the good old days when Sam Walton was alive and they didn't sell groceries .I worked there then  -1983 -84 and Sam came to our store . He was curious as to whom was ordering all those models  .When He saw the Shoppers Display of built kits (behind clear locked doors ) and planes hanging from overhead , especially the Large REVELL F-15 Strike Eagle he assented to let me do more  , I had over half of one aisle then , including paints and putty .We had Make-N- Take events and a whole bunch of store sponsored contests , always with Mr .Sam in attendance  , To present plaques and Ribbons . Gees , I miss those days . Say Hi  ! to Humper for me , willya ?    Tanker - Builder

Hey , fermis :

Don't you poor folks have a HobbyTown anywhere near you ? Here in Texas we have one in San Antonio which I go to when I go to the V.A. There . nice place ,friendly , model , train and R.C. savvy folks .paints out the Wazoo .And I mean all of them . Now as to Armor and Ships .how about a wall and a half ? Cars , two sides of a shelf unit down the center .All the wooden ship brands too . Now they even have R.C. stuff for Armor builders .How about that ? I do see the LHS dying off , (hopefully not in my lifetime ) but I think there will be a need like Custom Tobacconist Shops that cater to pipe and cigar smokers .Now , prices will continue to rise . This is true .nothing can be done about that .They have a couple of LHS units here . If you want to call them that .There's KINGS in AUSTIN and Dibbles in S.A. ( they cater mostly to the train guys ) and My All Time Favorite  and Non - Unit  is  "HILL COUNTRY HOBBIES  ".Gary sells Models and supplies . No Trains or R.C. or Craft Kits .Just Models  ,from Sci-Fi to Armor and everything else . resin kits like you wouldn't believe and even does some consignment sales .He discounts sales to Veterans and Police and Fire folks . Gary is knowledgeable and if you are his friend you will get High class insults (the teasing Kind ) from him . Highest form and class of friend abuse anywhere . I just am so glad he's here . You take care and say Hi ! to Humper for me .     Tanker - Builder

Dibbles still aint that bad though. They do cater to train builders but will help you out if you ask em. Been there lots of times when I go to the college for training. Still gotta visit Hoby town I guess. Never been there. In either case Walmart is a far cry from those kinds of shops.

The Hobby Towns in the Chicago area have a much better selection than Wal Mart and I visit on a monthly basis.

Prices are a bit higher than the handful of hobby shops that still exist, but those shops have cut kit inventory considerably over the last five years because internet shopping has decreased walk in purchases.

One big plus for Hobby Town is that they reduce prices by 50 to 75 pct. on items that have been on the shelf for a while and I've picked up some good buys in those stores.

Hi Guy :

  Listen , really , you ought to check the H.L store out .They are friendly helpful folks and because of the train stuff , there are weathering supplies you wouldn't believe . Ships are great and once in a while (oops ) they will even have a hard to find car kit . Planes are excellent too!  They were the first to have the large " UHU " kit . (of course they don't have it now , Hmmm ) I think you would like the place .Who knows , one day we may actually bump into each other in the military and ship aisle .     Tanker - Builder

I actually visit Hobby Lobby on a regular basis and recently purchased the MPC re-issue of the Dukes of Hazard Sheriff Rosco Police car kit there, partly to use the firearm accessories for use with a 1/24 Monogram Huey and 1/25 armor builds.

Another purchase has been the Tamiya "sand" weathering kit and I intend to buy one or two Revell Snap Tite Humvees from HL for painting and weathering practice.

I even buy kits from Michaels Crafts on occasion.

I visited a Walmart several miles from home recently and was surprised to see they had a "model" section. The ones near me do not. However, it was true to Walmart form: Many empty shelves and pegs and what they did have was a shambles and strewed every where. Only a few bottles of paint were even available. Mostly what they had was car models and a few snap airplanes.

Same here. I was in the one closest to me Saturday. Looking for Silly Putty. Apparently, that isn't Walmart worthy these days. I always go by their "model section" - 98% cars, a few aircraft, a ship or two. Mostly empty display area with tools, etc. Lots of spray painted boxes, though. If you are going to do it, at least do it right.

think it's bad in the "models" department?

Visit the spray paint isle in a Wal Mart some time.

Customers spray paint everything in sight.

I just cleared out my local Walmart's hobby section by using my EBT card!!!!!

Just kidding.

Eric

echolmberg

I just cleared out my local Walmart's hobby section by using my EBT card!!!!!

Just kidding.

Eric

Well, my local WalMart has brought back models. Looking for something cool for my grandson and found them along the back wall in the toy section. It was mostly cars but they had the typical Revell 1/48 kits like the F-14, Dauntless, Me-262, and a couple ship kits.

With dedicated local hobby shops disappearing, the Wally Marts of the world may be the only option .

.....BTW.............did you check their kit selection online?

They do ship to the store for pickup.

I haven't  checked lately, but at one time they had a slightly wider variety of kits available for order online and in store pickup.