I think my answer depends on which scale and what type of model you are asking about.
In 1/72 scale, you will want to ask people about a kit, or if they know of a review of a kit.
That is because there are Jems and there are Clunkers, from any given company, depending on the kit in question.
If you want a 1/72 T-38 Talon, and see an old Starfix kit at a show for a very low price,,,,,,,,go ahead and buy it, it will be higher in quality as the higher priced newly boxed Hasegawa kit (they are from the same mold, but, that mold is aged now, it could be "flashy")
Haha, that above line says two things,,,,,,,,"Starfix is not automatically bad" and "Hasegawa is not automatically great"
Fujimi has some of the best kits in 1/72, at times,,,,,,,,,,but, also had the oversized and crude 1/72 F-8 Crusader kit, while Academy's TBM Avenger is a copy of the old Frog kit, but Academy produces the "best" 1/72 F-8 Crusader
People on these sites will help answer any questions you ask, some answer in general, and some will drill down to details if that is what you are after
welcome to the forums
Rex