LHS Not Helping Themselves

This is another reason why it is becoming increasingly unappealing to do business at a brick and mortar shop.  Do yourself a favor and move all of your purchases online.  I don't get why some folks feel obligated to continue to buy at local shops as though they were a charity case that we should prop up. 

If we were talking about food, clothes, appliances or cars we wouldn't be having this discussion.  You'd go to the place with the best selection and lowest price---period... 

Rob Gronovius

Once upon a time, paint selection was limited and modelers needed to mix various colors to get the shade or hue they needed. Tamiya still provides mixing ratios albeit specifically for their own line of paints in their instructions.

Maybe paint mixing is a lost art, but I wouldn't let the lack of a certain color stop me from building a kit. I'd use trial and error and mix up a close approximation.

I agree Rob.  And i'm the first to say my generation of modellers really are spoilt.

But for me, it's more the brand issue.  I like Gunze because i find it easy to A/B and easy to brush paint - which for me is a necessity to touch up issues/problems with my a/b coat.

Tamiya acrylic is a bear to brush paint (if at all) and i don't want to start A/B with enamels, just to be sure i can touch up here and there with a paint brush.

That's my point - i do actually buy just as many random kits when i'm paint shopping.  If not them, then it's glue, tweezers, no. 11 blades, PE parts, styrene etc etc.

I guess the issue for me is, paint is what gets me in there and gets me spending money on other things.  Without paint, i really have no connection there anymore.  It's now better for me to do fewer trips to a shop that is further away, that i know constantly stocks what i want and will ultimately get my money for it.

I understand competing with online stores is hard, but down here in Australia, i haven't found online stores to be too much cheaper.  Quite often, when you factor in the shipping costs, you're only saving $10-$20 on most higher priced kits (ie, above $60 instore). 

Lower priced kits i just buy from LHS - makes me feel good keeping money here.

Once upon a time, paint selection was limited and modelers needed to mix various colors to get the shade or hue they needed. Tamiya still provides mixing ratios albeit specifically for their own line of paints in their instructions.

Maybe paint mixing is a lost art, but I wouldn't let the lack of a certain color stop me from building a kit. I'd use trial and error and mix up a close approximation.

Someone mentioned previously, on another post, about how the profit margin for paint is very low. However, what good is building a kit unless you can find the proper paints? What the LHS may not understand is, I'd go to buy paints and maybe pick up a random kit or other supplies as well. I wish they made it easier, but I can see why online places, like sprue brothers or squadron, may be driving them out.