Hobby Lobby cutting models back again

Seeing it in the Chicago Metro area as well.

Clearance prices here still only 40 percent off

I was just there today and I concur. I've gotten some really good deals in the past there, with clearance stuff.

Hey I picked up the Tamiya Swordfish for less than $30.

My local HL has consolidated all of the models (autos, aircraft, armor and ships) down to about 2/3 of an aisle. And half of that is autos. 

Oh well. Don't buy many kits from there anyway.

And if you asked them why I'm sure they'd say "well, we're cutting back because we're not selling them and need to make room for more profitable items"... To that I would smile and say "well, stop reordering the same crap over and over when you run out and you might sell something..."

I also would imagine that the coming price increase is driving some of it too. A good friend of mine works at the local Hobby Town and does the ordering. He said that in the next 4-6 weeks we will see a 15-20% price increase and in some cases more... a LOT more. One kit they got in at the shop was a Space Shuttle with interior (4D kit) Anyway... that kit's price jumped $100 over night. It now sits on their shelf for $249. I would imagine that that has a lot to do with it as well since the price to keep the shelves stocked has risen dramatically over the last couple of years. Couple that with their inability to bring in fresh kits and there you go... They have a lot of money sitting there that they can't move.

K-dawg

in the next 4-6 weeks we will see a 15-20% price increase and in some cases more... a LOT more. One kit they got in at the shop was a Space Shuttle with interior (4D kit) Anyway... that kit's price jumped $100 over night. It now sits on their shelf for $249. I would imagine that that has a lot to do with it as well since the price to keep the shelves stocked has risen dramatically over the last couple of years. Couple that with their inability to bring in fresh kits and there you go... They have a lot of money sitting there that they can't move.

Just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

I can't help contemplate what the price on the average -made in China- Revell kit will cost or expensive kits, like the Tamiya 1/32 P51D.

K-dawg

I also would imagine that the coming price increase is driving some of it too. A good friend of mine works at the local Hobby Town and does the ordering. He said that in the next 4-6 weeks we will see a 15-20% price increase and in some cases more... a LOT more. 

Thank goodness for the stash!

The HL by my house has such a small offering now, I can't imagine it being cut even further. I only shop there to pick up misc. supplies, and don't even bother to look at the kits. They seem to be more interested in selling Home Accents rather than hobbies. You know, if you wanted a bronze penguin for your coffee table, you could probably find one there....

I asked my friend about the Tamiya Mustang. The HT he works at is selling it for $145 and he seems to think it already has the price bump included.

Tigerman, No Doubt!!

tigerman

K-dawg:

I also would imagine that the coming price increase is driving some of it too. A good friend of mine works at the local Hobby Town and does the ordering. He said that in the next 4-6 weeks we will see a 15-20% price increase and in some cases more... a LOT more. 

 

Thank goodness for the stash!

  My stash will serve me a lifetime, but I do like occasionally adding to the family.  I noticed the same thing at HL....clearance aisle has grown, but is still only 40% off.  Agree with comment the HL would serve themselves and the model community better, if they would rotate their stock with new builds.

As I noted on another thread, my HL is consolidating as well, and they are moving away from Tamyia and more to the Revellogram kits. Looking more like Michaels every time I go there.

Hercmech

As I noted on another thread, my HL is consolidating as well, and they are moving away from Tamyia and more to the Revellogram kits. Looking more like Michaels every time I go there.

Maybe Hans got a job as a Hobby Lobby  Vice President ??

Sprue-ce Goose

Hercmech:

As I noted on another thread, my HL is consolidating as well, and they are moving away from Tamyia and more to the Revellogram kits. Looking more like Michaels every time I go there.

 

Maybe Hans got a job as a Hobby Lobby  Vice President ??

HMMMMM he does seem to have a great insight on thier operations and knows lots of folks there. I think you may be on to something, even if he will only admit that he gets this "in" by going there a lot

As most have seen the HOBBY LOBBY stores are indeed downsizing models .They are also going more to easy build metal PLANES and CARS .This comes as no surprise .When I left CALIFORNIA the MICHEALS and HOBBY LOBBY stores had less space dedicated to models and model supplies than I have in my stash and shop ! When I asked the mgr. at H.L. about this he just stated that with HOBBYTOWN opening more stores it,s not profitable to the point it once was . Let,s face it most of us in two to ten years (GOD WILLING) will be buying most everything from HOBBYTOWN or on line. So Much for neighborhood stores ! SAD BUT INEVITIBLE !!!          oldcarguy

But again, it goes back to them not competing with Hobby Town as far as inventory.Their inability to compete is largely due to their complacence in what they order... Most often the person doing the ordering has no knowledge of models thus they do it the easy way and re-order. Hobby Lobby has almost 500 stores nation wide and Hobby Town has less than half that and Hob Lob company is about 12 years older. They should know better but apparently don't.

I used to buy a lot of kits from Hob Lob, it was my main source in fact... however when 2-3 years goes bye and they still have the exact same kits on the shelves and I already got 2 of each... why would I buy anything there?

The owner of our local Hobby Town clears his shelves at the end of every year of items that have not sold. He red tags everything and gets rid of it and (here is the key)... Doesn't buy the same kits over again! He gets new stock in and keeps it fresh. Sure there are a few kits that are classic sellers that every shop keeps in stock but by enlarge when an item sells out he doesn't order that one again unless requested.

Hopefully they don't completely drop kits because almost without exception when I do venture into the local Hobby Lobby there is a young modeler or returning modeler excitedly perusing the isles. Most of them will step into a Hob Lob long before finding a true hobby shop or online ordering. That's where they're hooked so to speak and it's vital to the growth of the hobby to keep that avenue open.

Sorry for hijacking this topic, I just don't want to open another similar one.

How does HL's inventory compares to Michaels? How steady is the selection from store to store? I build mostly WWII and Modern Era jets. I've heard HL so much around here but never been to one. I checked and there is one in MN about an hour drive (Mankato, MN). Just wondering if is worth the drive. How about coupons?

My apologies in advance.

Hi El Taino, I can't speak for all of the Michael's stores of course but the few I have been to here in AR had MUCH less model inventory than Hobby Lobby. Again, that may just be here. They do have different brands of stuff though and I have found some cool buys at Michael's that were not available at Hob Lob.

As afar as coupons... well..... let me put it this way. Don't EVER buy anything full price at Hobby Lobby. They run a 40% off any item coupon about once a month sometimes more it seems. In fact, they have a 25% off any item coupon running right now... http://hobbylobby.com/weekly/coupon.cfm

Yep, they run 40% coupons very often.  I was down at our local HL, today, and something started to register in that pea-sized brain of mind.  The clearance area had all high end kits (Tamiya, Trumpeter, Hasegawas, etc.), and as someone pointed out in a previous thread, the regular aisle was filled up with Revell. 

Us avid model builders are probably part of the problem to where stores are adjusting.  We tend go toward the higher end, more expensive kits.  While we enjoy it when we see a find at HL, the general public probably leans more toward the inexpensive kits-->Revell.  Most of us would not pay for the sticker price and would shell out a 40% coupon...while that is a good price, why stop there?  Why not wait until it gets marked down even more.....  Enter the HL SCORE threads....doesn't help when some characterize the cashier as a dolt or stupid for adding additional discounts.  I am almost sure word has gotten to HL somewhere along the line that the market for Revell on the average HL customer, that may drag along little Johnny, will be more inclined to purchase one of the current Revell offerings because with a 40% coupon they can come away with a winner for less than $20.

Anyway, surely I digress...I also suspect my analysis may be a little off as well.....just throwing that out there.

Hutch,

When I first noticed this happening I was a bit disappointed but on further reflection I think it may be a good thing in the long run. Here is my rationale for this thought:

The lower cost kits will appeal to the younger folks that get dragged into the store by mom or dad looking for that trinket they just can't live without. Or it will appeal to that Grandparent that is in there and happens to wander down the aisle to see what they might pick up for little Jonnie or Suzie for birthday/Christmas, etc.

Both of these are good as in the long run it might introduce a youngling to a hobby that will in the end support us old crusty builders. We (old and crusty) have many other options and avenues to acquire kits so not such a big impact to us. So not such a bad thing after all.

That and Hans will have a bigger selection.

Hercmech

Hutch,

 

When I first noticed this happening I was a bit disappointed but on further reflection I think it may be a good thing in the long run. Here is my rationale for this thought:

 

The lower cost kits will appeal to the younger folks that get dragged into the store by mom or dad looking for that trinket they just can't live without. Or it will appeal to that Grandparent that is in there and happens to wander down the aisle to see what they might pick up for little Jonnie or Suzie for birthday/Christmas, etc.

 

Both of these are good as in the long run it might introduce a youngling to a hobby that will in the end support us old crusty builders. We (old and crusty) have many other options and avenues to acquire kits so not such a big impact to us. So not such a bad thing after all.

 

That and Hans will have a bigger selection.

I think you are spot on.  I am enjoying the industry, today, because it has really evolved into quality kits with a large variety.  But I do worry that us aging and crusty guys are part of the golden age.  If the future generations do not inherit or embrace the hobby, it could go into decline, at least here in the states.  But I am optimistic the wave will continue. 

Thanks so much for the update guys. I just signed up to get those coupons and discounts specials. I'll be visiting the store soon.

Have a nice weekend.

I build dioramas, so H/Ls a natural choice..

I buy 90% of my diorama materials at H/L, about 20% of my kits, and about 80% paint...

 H/L's craft paints match up to most military and aircraft acrylics (Ya just gotta bring in your color chips), and you get three times as much for way less than half the price... 3-oz bottle of paint for 1.29  vs. 3/4-oz for 3.50.. You do the math... (Plus, I use 40% coupons on the 1.29 paint, too) Same for glues, thinners, frames, brass, casting materials, etc...

I haven't paid retail for a single thing at H/L since I started going in there, lol...  It's either 40%, 30%, or 25% off...

If you limit yourself to just the kits at Hobby Lobby and don't build dioramas, then you're really limiting yourself in both the hobby and in materials... Just sayin'...

I also keep a couple extra coupons on me and turn folks onto 'em that're hangin' around the kit aisle...

Hans von Hammer

If you limit yourself to just the kits at Hobby Lobby and don't build dioramas, then you're really limiting yourself in both the hobby and in materials... Just sayin'...

I also keep a couple extra coupons on me and turn folks onto 'em that're hangin' around the kit aisle...

Chuckle....that last sentence conjured up an image of Hans hanging around the HL kit isle saying:

"PST ! Hey buddy....wanna buy a plastic model?  Here's a 40 pct off coupon."

All kidding aside, HL has an amazing amount of stuff for dioramas !

I have not yet tried Han's craft paint suggestion but I'm looking forward to dragging along sample paint swatches for match up.

Thanks again for the guidance, Hans.

Ja,ja, Hans with a long black coat by the end cap opens up showing coupon clippings

Yeah, Hans has an offer you can't refuse....

Hans isn't the only one shopping at HL with spare coupons.

I was standing in line holding a Tamiya re-issue Brewster B-339 kit at the Westmont, Il HL and a fellow shopper noted I did not have a coupon.

( I didn't know the 40 pct on-line coupon was available that week )

The lady gave me one of her spare coupons.

Hercmech

 

Sprue-ce Goose:

 

 

Hercmech:

As I noted on another thread, my HL is consolidating as well, and they are moving away from Tamyia and more to the Revellogram kits. Looking more like Michaels every time I go there.

 

Maybe Hans got a job as a Hobby Lobby  Vice President ??

 

 

HMMMMM he does seem to have a great insight on thier operations and knows lots of folks there. I think you may be on to something, even if he will only admit that he gets this "in" by going there a lot

..the staff may someday take a cue from the series "Are You Being Served?"

and call Hans "The Young Mr. Hammer."

I am seriously not surprised, as Hobby Lobby seems to have made some poor decisions on what to carry in the past. So the size of the aisle shrinking is no shock. A casual modeler is not going to walk in there and buy a $70 1/48 Tamiya F-16, or a $250 Wasp kit , even with a coupon. The only people that bought stuff like that were 'serious' modelers, who waited for the 40% coupons, so they probably hardly ever made any money on the expensive stuff. I bought an Iwata airbrush there. With the coupon, of course.....

I'm going to guess that a large percentage (if not the majority) of Hobby Lobby's revenues come from shoppers using the 40% off coupon. I mean, I suck at coupons and even I use those. The key demographic Hobby Lobby caters to also happens to be pretty much the key coupon-clipping demographic. I bet if they stopped the 40% coupons, they'd have to close half their stores by the end of the year.

I rarely see anyone use a coupon at Hobby Lobby.