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Where do you buy your kits?

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  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 7:59 PM

I've bought my last 40 kits or so off EBay. Best price and best selection, although in some cases, patience is a requirement. 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Boston
Posted by Wilbur Wright on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 7:24 PM

Scale Hobbyist has been my go to for new kits for years now.  No one has lower prices and they have great customer service.

 

Sometimes Tower will have kits Scale does not have and with the coupons 15% off plus free shipping, then I'll buy there.

 

I stopped buying at the LHS when the Revell Germany Hermann Marwede was $109 plus tax.  I got it online delivered to my door for $79 dollars.  Thats $30 saved on one kit.

I don't understand why anyone that buys many kits would pay Brick and Mortar prices.  

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:58 PM

Vendor tables at shows are the best source of bargains. I usually wait for sales at Squadron and SB. Scale Hobbyist has the lowest prices around. Freetime Hobbies is another good source.  And finally eBay once in a while has what I'm looking for.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: NW Washington
Posted by dirkpitt77 on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:39 PM

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

    "Some say the alien didn't die in the crash.  It survived and drank whiskey and played poker with the locals 'til the Texas Rangers caught wind of it and shot it dead."

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by Keyda81 on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:37 PM

I have 4 sources.  The local Hobby Lobby, the local hobby shop that's been around for ages, eBay, and I've ordered from Hobbylinc.com before.  For my rare/hard to find kits I've had to use eBay.  Paitence is needed though, otherwise you will pay an arm and a leg. 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:30 PM

fermis

 Many...MANY great deals to be had there...especially toward the end of the day. You get better deals too, if you buy a couple-few kits at a time. Even if you don't enter the contest...bring a fist full of dollars!!!

 

True as well as gun shows, eh?Big Smile

 


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:16 PM

For the most part, I use Squadron and Sprue Bros (already mentioned and linked).

The majority of my orders are for after market goodies, as I can't get them at the LHS, although I'm very certain they'd order me anything I wanted. When I do order kits, it's with a sale or great deal...or it be that I just HAVE to have it!

Amazon can also have some great deals...last year I got 3 1/72 Hobby Boss A-7's...2 were $8.99 and the 2 seater was $15. Those kits are priced in the $20's each, everywhere else (mostly).

The majority of my stash has come from contest vendor tables. Many...MANY great deals to be had there...especially toward the end of the day. You get better deals too, if you buy a couple-few kits at a time. Even if you don't enter the contest...bring a fist full of dollars!!!

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:15 PM

www.scalehobbyist.com 

www.redfroghobbies.com 

www.spruebrothers.com 

www.dragonusaonline.com 

I also scan Ebay for deals,especially for aftermarket and figures.

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 6:00 PM

While there is nothing at all wrong with buying online, it really can save money, still I buy kits only from my only hobby shop in town. 4th generation family owned, great stocking policy and all of the other stuff you need for building.

I also do scale balsa free flight, so superior grade balsa, fir, basswood and spruce is available, any kit I want that they don't have in stock is quickly ordered and delivered. The bonus there, is I don't pay any shipping costs.

The main reason I buy only at my local hobby shop, is they are a store near me, very responsive and when I do need something they are there. I feel it's important to support my local business, because when they go, I can buy only online. Other reason? I like them very well.

A shout out for Eugene Toy and Hobby, Eugene, Oregon.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Summerville, SC
Posted by jeffpez on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 5:23 PM

There are plenty of online options out there. Here are a few that I use:

Free Time Hobbies: http://freetimehobbies.com/

Squadron: http://www.squadron.com/

Hobbylinc: http://www.hobbylinc.com/Plastic-Models

Scale Hobbiest: https://www.scalehobbyist.com/index.php (my favorite)

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Longmont, CO
Posted by wxltcol on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 5:19 PM

Well, there's Squadron Mail Order (www.squadron.com) and Sprue Brothers (www.spruebrothers.com) and Roll Models (www.rollmodels.com), for starters.

I've heard very mixed things about both Squadron and Roll Models.  Personally, I've ordered through Amazon for some kits and Lucky Model (Hong Kong, I think) for others, but you have to consider shipping for Lucky Model, which offsets their lower prices somewhat.  No problems with either Amazon or Lucky Model. I understand Hannants in England and Hobby Link Japan are good, too.

There are a lot of other domestic places that ship; just takes some digging.

Tom

 

  • Member since
    September 2016
Where do you buy your kits?
Posted by Raindog9 on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 5:10 PM

Hey guys, so i've been buying my model kits from a local Hobbytown. The guys that run the shop are great, and its always fun to check out their shop, but their inventory is really limited. At this point i feel like there has to be a better place to buy my models at, because they tend to only stock older tamiya kits, and their freaking expensive! Every time i pick up a kit, i find out its left over from the 70s. Is there a good website I can order from? Is there any way to order direct? I've searched online a bit, but haven't found any online shops that are domestic (in the USA). Any tips here would really be appreciated. I would love to have access to some of the newer kits out there, but just don't know where to find them. 

 

Thanks alot!

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