Where do you buy your kits?

I just got back into doing some stuff again a few months back and happened to run across what I was looking for at Hobby Link. Maybe I got sucked into that bonus point thing too. I have no idea how they are on pricing but the couple orders I made were shipped quick and all that good stuff.

Bought a couple models on Ebay that seemed to have been discontinued.

If I'm not buying locally in Arizona (Hobby Bench,) I'm usually ordering from the following:

http://www.monstersinmotion.com/

http://www.culttvmanshop.com/

I usually like to keep up with the latest releases using buc wheat's website as well. The models usually have a link of where you can purchase.

http://www.bucwheat.com/

 I even find great deals on Ebay and Amazon!

I've ordered from all the famous retailers, but I now almost exclusively buy from Scale Hobbiest: https://www.scalehobbyist.com/index.php.

SH has the lowest prices, a huge inventory, ships fast, and provides super high quality customer support. 

It appears as though the great folks here have pretty much covered many of the options available. most of which I also use. Yet, there is another option which I have been utilizing for over a year now. That is auction, sell and trade groups on Facebook. I have scored a number of outstanding kits, AM parts, decals, books, etc... on these. Most of which were obtained at bargain prices. Not to mention some very hard to find kits. The 2 that I use the most are "Military Model Sell and Trade" and "Military Model Graveyard". Folks sell and trade during the week and on the weekend the groups conduct auctions. One is a 24 hr auction and the other a 48 hr auction. The action can be rather fun and lively. There is also another group associated with these known as "Good Traders/ Bad Traders' that lists people that are unsavory to deal with and folks that are reliable and trustworthy. Helps out to check this prior to dealing with someone you are unfamiliar with. Just another option at our disposal for enhancing our stashes. Lord knows it has balloned mine exponentially. I hope this helps out. If you have any questions, please ask.

I use pretty much all of the online retailers that everyone has listed. If I am looking for a specific item, I will typically see which retailers have that item and then see who has the best price including the shipping. Typically I purchase from scalehobbyist.com or hobbylinc.com, I know that Squadron says that they will match other advertised lower prices; however, I still find that after shipping they are still a bit higher priced, plus, I've not had the best of luck with shipping items from Squadron, I still have an item I ordered last year around this time from them that is floating around the US Postal service somewhere.

Another place I've found is a local dealer, jachobbies.com. He is here in Idaho but will ship as well. For me its nice because he will do local delivery or I can meet up with him to pick up something. His prices are pretty comparible and he does sales offers from time to time. Plus, he's a super friendly guy.

Wow guys, should never have an issue ever again. Thanks for all the great information!

-Raindog

WannabeFarmboy

I generally use Hobbylinc.com . I would love to buy locally because I'm all for supporting small, local business, but the closest hobby shop is about an hour - an hour and a half away (depending on traffic). If I want an actual model focused store, I have to go a lot further than that. Anyway, I can get all my supplies from hobbylinc for half of what hobby lobby wants. Most of the models run cheaper too. 

 

Scalehobbyist is cheaper than hobbylinc. Just sayin'...

Marcus McBean

I have purchase kits using all of the methods in the previous replys.  But the best bargains I found were from the vendors at the shows.  They will really discount the kit so they wouldn't have to take it back home.  The vendors that really give the biggest discounts are the ones that have brought their wife along!

Second that!  A couple of years ago, at our Region 2 show, I got a pair of Monogram C-47s, in the original boxings (so, with the paratroopers) and a pair of B-29s, each kit for ten buck, because the vendor was packing up and didn't want to have to take them home again.  If I could have gotten them for $5 apiece, I'd have been even happier, but I still considered it a bargain.  For smaller kits, I find them for $5 or less.  Always keep your eyes open!

Shows are a great source,but there are only so many around,and you cantv add lays find the newer kits at the right prices,so I also use the sources I mentioned in my previous post.

I generally use Hobbylinc.com . I would love to buy locally because I'm all for supporting small, local business, but the closest hobby shop is about an hour - an hour and a half away (depending on traffic). If I want an actual model focused store, I have to go a lot further than that. Anyway, I can get all my supplies from hobbylinc for half of what hobby lobby wants. Most of the models run cheaper too. 

Marcus McBean

The vendors that really give the biggest discounts are the ones that have brought their wife along!

So true 

I have purchase kits using all of the methods in the previous replys.  But the best bargains I found were from the vendors at the shows.  They will really discount the kit so they wouldn't have to take it back home.  The vendors that really give the biggest discounts are the ones that have brought their wife along!

I TRY to support my local hobby store; a couple small shops in town with good (not great) selection and decent prices, a lot of paints and accessories, several others within 30-45 mins.  Otherwsie, local shows usually offer excellent deals and a variety of current and vintage kits.

For best selection and prices, hard to beat on-line.  Mostly, I use eBay, preferring to buy from large sellers with excellent feedback. Dragon USA and Sprue Brothers are also good, as others have said.  Shopping on-line, you need to be savvy, know your prices and factor in any extra taxes or fees if shipping from out of country.

If there is something I really want, I go to Squadron and Sprue Bros.  When I go to the shows, I usually get 12 raffle tickets for $10 and take whatever I win. If I don't win, that's OK because my stash is large enough for me. At Penncon last month, my 12 tickets got me 5 models and 2 books. I can't complain about that. 

Tamiya 1/35 M5A1                                                                                                         Trumpeter 1/48 P-40B                                                                                                   Revell/Monogram 1/48 F-18C                                                                                         Revell 1/35 M9001A1 ITV                                                                                               Monogram 1/24 #3 Goodwrench Lumina                                                           

Flying Colors - Squadron/Signal                                                                                        Weapons of WWII - Alexander Ludeke

Jim  

I have gotten about 99% of my kits on the second-hand market, and of those, most were bought via eBay, then via model shows, and then via my club, in our raffle or gifts and swapping between members.

You're right, HobbyTown has a limited selection, as do the other big commercial sources around here:  HobbyLobby, Michael's and AC Moore.  They're all general hobby stores, though, not scale modeling specialty stores, and so, I understand that they don't generally carry the kinds of subjects that many of us might want to build.

Playing Captain Obvious for a moment-yes, the Internet has made a much broader selection available to us, than in the days before we all got wired.  So, I go to the bricks-and-mortar stores for many basic supplies, and I'll ask them if they can order something for me-whether a kit or supplies-but I don't expect them to be able to get me the latest Wave Maschinen Krieger kit.

Even for basic supplies, though--my local HobbyTown sells Tamiya paints, for example, but if they don't have a color I need, then I have to decide if I want to wait for them to order it and have it arrive, or if I'll just order it online direct from Tamiya USA.  It all depends.

Best regards,

Brad

I get about 99% of miner on line. Most of those are from E-bay,alot of which are from China as the cost even with poistage is better than ipay here. After that its hannants and a range of other on line dealers, including Sprue Brothers on occasion.

I dogo in the LHS quite often, but the kitselection is not great for my taste, but i do get as lot of other supplies from there.

Oddly enough I sometimes find deals at Tower Hobbies

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVSEARCH=%3Cb%3Eplastic%3C%2Fb%3E+model+kits

Or at their eBay side 

http://stores.ebay.com/OmniModels

They have in the past had clearance items for a great price and their eBay price is sometimes the lowest.

It's worth a check whenever I am looking.

Hi Raindog!  Lots of excellent info here.  I'd like to add one more source that I recently came across.  They're called Mustang Hobbies out of New Jersey.  Personally, I like to build the older kits especially the older, out-of-production Monogram kits.  It goes without saying that they also carry all the other big manufacturers out there as well (Tamiya, Hasegawa, et al).  Their prices are phenomenal!  Aside from kits, they also carry decals, armor, ships, figures, etc.

http://www.mustang-hobbies.com/

Also, as Rob mentioned, check out some modeling groups and forums.  I'm a member of a couple of Facebook pages that are dedicated to selling and trading of all things model related.  I've gotten some excellent deals from there.  Definitely check them out!

Eric

I buy my kits on line since the LHS stocks mostly 1/25 cars and train stuff, but they have an excellent selection of paints and tools so when I'm building I'm there quite a bit for one thing or another. I buy my kits from hobbylinc (located in Atlanta, GA) and sometimes from Tower Hobbies (plastic-models.com) located, I believe, in Vermont. I usually buy from hobbylinc since they seem to be a bit less expensive and, if you sign up on the site, you get points that give you some money off of your next purchase. Squadron is great for tools that the LHS dosen't have and micromark is great for that real hard to find stuff. Another site I use is drill bits unlimited in Pittsburgh PA. I've gotten drill bits from them as small as 0.2mm.

Mainly at my LHS.. IF... he has something worth buying. This past summer, I found another great LHS in Webster, NY. Other than that, my usual go-to shopping is scalemates.com. They have the best prices compared to other sites. I also go to Squadron, Hobbylic and Sprue Brothers as well if they have good sales.

Ebay is another if I find something at a great price. I found one ebay store I frequent to for very unique stuff not found anywhere else. Ordered from him a couple times and am happy with the service.

I get my kits from a variety of sources.

I do frequent local hobby shops.  I do mail order- like others mention, my two most common are Squadron and Roll Models, and have occasionally ordered a kit from Amazon.

I belong to three model clubs, and one has a vendor that attends and exhibits new kits, and will bring kits we order from him.  Also, members often bring kits they want to sell because they have lost interest in them.  Also, two of the three have annual swap meets.

I attend two or three contests a year, and all have vendors that attend the show and bring lots of tempting kits to sell.  I have occasionally, though rarely, bought kits from individuals based on conversations in forums.  Lastly, I have bought several old kits from garage sales.

Mostly ebay.UK, where I live, some ebay USA. Most of the shops have gone but we have one about 20 miles away but we only get to that town on a Sunday when it's shut!

He is open on Sunday's though in December only with the run up to Christmas, so it's once a year!

3 local hobby shops within 45 miles, once in awhile Ebay and HL.  Lately have got some from other members here when offered.

Hey Raindog, Looks like you got the best replies. I have to agree with all here. If you have the opportunity to go to a model show, even a smaller local one, you will do very well at the vendor tables. Just search online for local shows or regional ones close to you. eBay is a good source too....BUT, like everyone said, you must have patience! Watch the prices (some will make you laugh!), and check the seller's feedbacks. You can get some super deals, but remember you are bidding against the world. LOL! Local hobby shops are great! Yes, the prices are noticeably higher, but you have to consider their overhead expenses, etc. that are factored into the final price. The personal interaction is nice, but it does come at a cost. Local model clubs are also a good source. A lot of clubs have swap night, small shows where they will have a table or two of kits to sell....and you can't beat the friendships and knowledge you gain from them too. Hope all this helps. Great advice from all here, so I think you're stash will start to increase. ;) Eagle90

I use Squadron and Sprue Bros if buying retail. I mainly use them as a pricing guide when looking at kits on eBay. I would say that eBay is my number two source for kits, but I always make sure that it is the cheapest price or else I buy it retail.

My main "go to" source are model forums. They will almost always have the best deals, but you have to be careful when buying and selling there. Sometimes when the buyer or seller is out of the country, postage can be cost prohibitive. Buying a $50 kit for $20 and shipping is great when the seller is in the US. But if the seller is in the UK or EU, that $20 kit becomes a $50 one with international shipping. Might as well buy it retail then.

I've learned, and other US sellers have learned that a quick way to separate ourselves is to state shipping from zip code 12345 (ex.). That way another US modeler can figure out approximate postage from the seller's zip to the buyers zip.

Ebay

Yep rebelalpha is a trusted seller and has some really great looking decals.

Lots of good info here.  I guess it just boils down to what you want and what your resources are.  If you need it bad and quick, you may have to go with someone with a large inventory and superior service, like HobbyLink, or Squadron.  If you can wait a little bit, I'd check out Roll Models for a great selection, but longer order fill time.  Their website is a bit clunky, but the customer service is great.  I get a great deal of mine from eBay because they are cheaper, have a great variety, and most sellers are pretty reputable.  You really have to know WHAT you are looking for, and are at the mercy of a seller at times.  LOOK at the pictures, ASK questions before you bid if it looks sketchy, and HUNT for bargains.  I use the Android eBay app. to track the things that I'm most interested in.  It helps to know what the retail price of an item it; how rare it may be, and what condition it is in.  If you are looking for aftermarket items, I'd recommend a seller by the name of "rebelalpha,"  I got a lot of good decal sheets from him and he provides first class service.

If you want it, it's out there!!

Dave

dirkpitt77

Yup, hobby show vendors for the win. I can buy enough kits at one show to keep me in modeling work for a year, and I usually spend only $40 or so. Biggest way I've made the wife happy in the last five years! LOL

--Chris

 

...You might be doing something wrong!