New Models at Hobby Lobby?

OOOPS ! Didn't you know Fransiscan closed about a year or more ago ?

Yes I did. Don in trains was a good friend, as was John the owner.

No, not at all; you completely missed the point---did you miss the posts about the hypocrisy and illegal, unethical behavior by this company? I put my money behind people whose values coincide with mine, and my values don't include theft and deception for self-gain and ideology.

Honestly, I would pay double for something from a company which I respect rather than one which is deceitful and hypocritical. That's just how I roll.

 

A lot of the Christian artifacts and other historical sites were being destroyed once these areas fell under ISIS control. Smuggling them was wrong. Trying to preserve them is not. There was probably a better way to accomplish this.

I agree trying to save priceless artifacts is a worthy pursuit but the issue was the way they did it.  It was proven and the Green family had to pay a mutli million dollar fine and lose the artifacts because the way they were paying for the artifacts directly funded isis and they knew it. 

Just to connect the dots...

You buy stuff from Hobby Lobby.  That money makes its way to the Green family through fair and legal means and capitalism. The Green family buys artifacts on the black market knowingly funding isis.

Isis buys explosives, makes a ied, kills a US soldier.  

You have to ask how many modelers serve, served or have family serving.

You can also argue the same thing for gasoline, as isis receives major funding from the Gulf states, who in turn derive their income from their oil exports. And I'm willing to bet that isis receives far more funding from our various "allies" in that part of the world than they got from one business  transaction. 

I served until 2007, and my son is serving now. It is what it is. 

Not shopping at HL is a choice that's doable. Not buying fossil fuels from the Middle East is immeasurable harder, although we are getting there. Sure wish I had an electric car.

And it's only the latest transgression. Bad staff treatment too.

i see it as a simple matter for me.

First, thank you for serving stik.  A valid point.  I am as guilty as the next person for filling up.  

When an oil company purchases from opec, they are dealing in the open market.  If that government then takes that money and funds terrorism I can't blame the oil company.

Many of the same countries buy our weapons and turn and use them in horrible ways.  I do not blame the US or the weapons manufacturer but the government of that country.

The Green family dealt in the black market will full knowledge where the money was going.  Had they purchased the artifacts legally on the open market and then that government or seller of the artifacts funneled money to terrorists, I would not blame the Green family.

I don't judge anyone buying from Hobby lobby or buying gas to get to work.  You are right, it is an imperfect world and we are all guilty in one way or another.  

For myself, there are many sources to get what I need for this hobby.  It's a small way I can take back a little control over where my money goes.

Just an update:

I stopped in to HL today to pick up some primer and noticed that lots of kits had been moved to the clearance section, and the shelves were half empty.

The guy working there said that a slew of new kits are arriving shortly. It'll be interesting to see what they get in. 

Probably the usual Revell and Monogram kits.

route62

I agree trying to save priceless artifacts is a worthy pursuit but the issue was the way they did it.  It was proven and the Green family had to pay a mutli million dollar fine and lose the artifacts because the way they were paying for the artifacts directly funded isis and they knew it. 

Just to connect the dots...

You buy stuff from Hobby Lobby.  That money makes its way to the Green family through fair and legal means and capitalism. The Green family buys artifacts on the black market knowingly funding isis.

Isis buys explosives, makes a ied, kills a US soldier.  

You have to ask how many modelers serve, served or have family serving.

 

Well,I went to the grand opening of the Hobby Lobby in my area.For a non model shop it was pretty good.They had about 1 side of an aisle worth of models,mostly cars but some Tamiya armor and Revell planes.I don't think they will be my primary source of models,but with that 40% coupon I could have gotten the Gamma Goat or Easy 8 at really low prices.

They have a supply of Vallejo Paints and MM Acrylics,glues,and various supplies. Airbrushes and parts were available,brushes,artist oils.So I downloaded my coupon,and picked up an Optivisor and a handful of supplies.My wife also enjoyed it,so while not a LHS as we know it,it was useful and I will use it.

The nearest Hobby Lobby to me is about 50 miles away from where I live.  It doesn't seem worth the trip to me.  I have a local hobby shop that I have used since the late 1970s, and I mail order what they can't get.  I might make the trip someday out of curiosity, particularly for the Vallejo paints.

Bill Morrison

warshipguy

The nearest Hobby Lobby to me is about 50 miles away from where I live.  It doesn't seem worth the trip to me.  I have a local hobby shop that I have used since the late 1970s, and I mail order what they can't get.  I might make the trip someday out of curiosity, particularly for the Vallejo paints.

Bill Morrison

 

I agree,not where we would go out of our way for,especially if you got a good LHS.This was the 1st one in the area,only 2 mi away.

Took my son to HL today to pick up some glue, and they did indeed have a number of new kits. 

Really disappointing stuff. It looks like they replaced the usual Revell/Monogram stuff with a number of pre-painted Hobby Boss 1/72 kits. Nothing even remotely interesting. 

I have not seen a model sold at Toys R Us in close to 20 years. The one by me stopped carrying Models probably in the mid to late 90's. And the Hobby Lobby that they opened up in town is in the same center, right next door to Toys R Us. 

Yeah, I haven't seen models at Toys R Us in ages. Used to occasionally buy them there as a kid in the early 80s. K-Mart was my mainstay, though.

Almost forgot: HL also had a bunch of new 1/144 scale Trumpeter kits. 

Again, the selection seems totally haphazard. No real sales strategy. I mean, is there really that much of a market for 1/144 stuff?

Conversely, I suppose it's also possible that their target buyers don't really care about stuff like scale and just buy what looks cool. That's what I did as a kid.  

Agreed. I'd say for the most part that their model customer base is the casual modeler. The serious modeler has their hobby shop in the area or online already picked out. But the kid with mom or the grandparent goes in there, or one of those non builder adults looks to HL for a model gift there.

Just in case you guys who still shop at Hobby Lobby missed this: it bears repeating.

route62

"... the Green family had to pay a mutli million dollar fine and lose the artifacts because the way they were paying for the artifacts directly funded isis and they knew it. 

 

You buy stuff from Hobby Lobby.  That money makes its way to the Green family through fair and legal means and capitalism. The Green family buys artifacts on the black market knowingly funding isis.

Isis buys explosives, makes a ied, kills a US soldier.  

 

 

GMorrison

Sure wish I had an electric car.

the doog

Just in case you guys who still shop at Hobby Lobby missed this: it bears repeating.

 

route62

"... the Green family had to pay a mutli million dollar fine and lose the artifacts because the way they were paying for the artifacts directly funded isis and they knew it. 

 

You buy stuff from Hobby Lobby.  That money makes its way to the Green family through fair and legal means and capitalism. The Green family buys artifacts on the black market knowingly funding isis.

Isis buys explosives, makes a ied, kills a US soldier.  

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling a little "activist" Karl? 

Youve made it quite well known before about your personal feelings on the store on pretty much any thread that pops up. 

Your quoting and reposting of one particular post for the second time is venturing into the political. 

Roald

Yeah, I haven't seen models at Toys R Us in ages. Used to occasionally buy them there as a kid in the early 80s. K-Mart was my mainstay, though.

 

The most recent model kits at Toys R Us were the Star Wars Force Awakens snap together Revell kits (TIE, X-Wing black and grey and Millenium Falcon). Also right after the Deadpool movie, they sold the Moebius deluxe figure model kit (1/8 scale).

But, yes, they used to carry a pretty good selection of model kits.

Roald

Just an update:

I stopped in to HL today to pick up some primer and noticed that lots of kits had been moved to the clearance section, and the shelves were half empty.

The guy working there said that a slew of new kits are arriving shortly. It'll be interesting to see what they get in. 

I recall from a previous post, whether in this thread (sorry, I didn't go back through and look) or in another thread, that this is their standard procedure, when a new shipment is due.

the doog

Just in case you guys who still shop at Hobby Lobby missed this: it bears repeating.

 

route62

"... the Green family had to pay a mutli million dollar fine and lose the artifacts because the way they were paying for the artifacts directly funded isis and they knew it. 

 

You buy stuff from Hobby Lobby.  That money makes its way to the Green family through fair and legal means and capitalism. The Green family buys artifacts on the black market knowingly funding isis.

Isis buys explosives, makes a ied, kills a US soldier.

I find what the Greens did to be indefensible and reprehensible. Full stop.

I also find that appropriate legal action was taken, and they paid the appropriate fine. Criminal prosecution would have been nice, but the facts did not support the likelihood of a conviction.

Did they knowingly support ISIS? I have no idea. Prosecution under the relevant federal statute requires a mens rea (state of mind) element. The prosecutor clearly felt that he could not prove this element, hence the plea deal.

Unfortunately, as consumers we are forced to make ethical concessions all the time. When I buy gas, I am supporting companies which do business with the Saudis who in turn fund madrasas that cultivate terrorists. When I pay my mortgage, I am funding a bank which has probably ripped people off, etc etc etc.

It is almost certain that you too, are engaging in economic activity with companies that you disapprove of in some way. The issue is where we draw the line, and that's going to depend on everything from our personal experiences to our political views.      

Back in the 1960s, there were very, very few hobby shops around. Toy 'R Us was the biggest source of model kits around.  Then, joy of joys; the Squadron Shop opened in Silver Spring, MD (My Dad was stationed at Bethesda, MD then) and I discovered Mecca!  I have had a plethora of hobby shops around my travels in the U.S.N. ever since, and there is on where I retired near Groton.  The local Toys 'R Us has no model  kits.

stikpusher

Feeling a little "activist" Karl? 

Youve made it quite well known before about your personal feelings on the store on pretty much any thread that pops up. 

Your quoting and reposting of one particular post for the second time is venturing into the political. 

 

It's just that I don't think I've ever seen a more UN-ambiguous moral/ethical choice in my life to be made than to boycott these shameless hypocrites, who have the absolute chutpah to actually write on their website " “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles.”. OK, so let's overlook the well-documented bigotry of this company--some would see fit to excuse that on grounds of their professed "faith". But come on--the deceit and self-interest so evident in this latest fisaco---which may have put America lives and interests in danger, especially those of soldiers --seems so blatantly contemptuous of the law and any cynically-offered "Godly" personal standards that I can't believe some of the equivocations and willing attitudes to just "forgive" these manipulators and support their PERSONAL business, all for seemingly the sake of a few dollars saved!?

Let's be clear: this is not buying gas or fuel oil from some monstrous, faceless conglomerate of literally thousands of nameless merchants. This is not committing an irresponsible case of "not paying your mortgage" as someone else here said. This is making a personal choice to buy, after all, what are essentially "toys"--inconsequential model kits which can be had and bought online today with the mere press of a button.

Rant over. I'm out. But I remain deeply, genuinely disappointed. And by the way, yes I DO carefully and conscientiously choose where, and with whom, I spend my money.

I think it's an entirely appropriate thing to do to choose not to give them business. Reasonable alternatives exist. 

I unfortunately cannot choose who I buy gas from,  it I am saving up for an electric car.

I can and go buy my models online. 

Do I know what kind of ethics are practiced by Amazon? Yes. Do I agree with all of them? No.

So I spread it around on line too.

I am fortunate to have a great LHS owned by great guy! I go to his wholesalers website and he orders stuff for me. Mostly the prices are comparable to Amazon and I don't have to pay shipping. I still end up paying  $50-100 every month or two, but I'd rather see him get my money than HL.

I will admit to buying a bottle of paint or getting a great deal on a model, but they are not getting rich off of me. (yes, I use the 40% off coupon on a bottle of VJ)

Guys, this is certainly a political issue when your boycotting a businesses for whatever reason. Especially when we bring ISIS into the discussion. And it has no business on the forum. I could write pages on it but will not for that reason.

And armor is very correct. We have much greater problems out here at home than this. Especially those involving veterans. 

Of course but I can care about multiple things at the same time.

i don't consider this political as I haven't said anything about employee rights abuses.

i just consider the company a criminal enterprise.