Kit Acquisition--Informal Poll

1) How many kits (rough estimate) would you say you buy in a year?

It's been about 10 to 15 right now, I am still new to this hobby but I imagine it may grow overtime as I get better.

2) Do you buy a kit as soon as it is released or do you wait a while? If you wait, what's the main reason for waiting?

I wait, mostly because I have formulated a list of my own and won't get a kit until I'm ready for what's next on my list.  I will stay about a kit ahead of my list.  The list is roughly organized by when the vehicle was actually produced and I plan to do every variant I can.  Here is a small example.

14. Sd. Kfz 222
    A. Hobbyboss - SH $34.46
    B. Mid Version : Tristar - GMW $47.15
    C. Sd. Kfz 223 : HobbyBoss - SH $33.15
15. Sd. Kfz 6
    A. 7.62cm Flak 36 'Diana' : Bronco - SH $62.65
    B. 3.7cm Flak 36 BN9 : Bronco - SH $49.53
    C. Personnel Carrier : Trumpeter - SH or GMW - $51.95
16. Sd. Kfz 7
    A. Early Version w/riders : Dragon - SH $41.28
    B. Initial Production : Dragon - SH $40.32
    C. Late Production
        1. Dragon - SH $44.21
        2. Trumpeter - SH $39.40
    D. 3.7cm Flak 36 : Dragon - SH $49.35
    E. 3.7cm Flak 37 
        1. Standard : Trumpeter - SH $42.34
        2. Armored : Trumpeter - SH $42.57
    F. 3.7cm Flak 43 Armored : Trumpeter - SH $42.57
    G. 2cm Flak 38
        1. Standard : Dragon - SH $48.01
        2. Armored : Trumpeter - SH $40.88

The SH stands for Scalehobbyist.com and GMW is Great Model Webstore.

3) Do you buy online or from a physical LHS or show vendors or combination?

I mostly buy online, unless I find a good deal at a show of LHS.

4) If you buy online, from who? (feel free to list more than one if you have multiple favorites)

As stated above, I am a big fan of Scalehobbyist.  Their organization is amazing, you can narrow down you're search really fast via the left column which can be filtered by country, scale, model, maker...and the list goes on.  Also, I've found their prices can't be beat, best online retailer that I've seen so far, always 5 to 10 cheaper than GMW, which is my second online dealer if what I was looking for isn't on Scalehobbyist. I will frequent Ebay to find any bargains or rare kits.

I'll buy one or two a year, when something neat really strikes my fancy.  I only have a dozen or so kits in stash, and probably won't live long enough to build them.......

Bill,

1) I average 6 kit purchases a year

2) I usually wait until after a kit has been available for awhile; the reason is price.

3) I buy from a combination of vendors and online. I will also support the LHS, but the closest ones require special trips and hence not the majority of kit purchases.

4) I like Scale Hobbyist and Squadron.  

1) How many kits (rough estimate) would you say you buy in a year?

Not as many as I used to...these days I buy more AM supplies, mags and ref books as models but I'd say I still  buy 30 to 50 kits a year...

2) Do you buy a kit as soon as it is released or do you wait a while? If you wait, what's the main reason for waiting?

As soon as its released, as I've found that unlike the old days kits can go out of production very quickly...

3) Do you buy online or from a physical LHS or show vendors or combination?

Mostlhy online...

4) If you buy online, from who? (feel free to list more than one if you have multiple favorites)

Primarily from Sprue Bros, Great Models, Amazon and Squadron (Squadron's search engine sux or I'd buy more from them...)...

Quick and painless...unfortunately I can't offer you any random drawings for gift cards or free cruises or similar...although I hear Manny has connections for some nice winter accomodations if you ask real nice. ...4 days and 3 nights at the Kharkov Holiday Inn Express await the lucky winner...shelling and sniping are at a minimum this time of year...

Every year I remind myself to buy less kit and it never worked... since my return to hobby three years ago, my stash stands at 51... 48 armor, 2 wingy, and 1 rotary thing. Not just that but I like to collect figure sets too.  Figures stash stands at 75+ mostly from Dragon.

1. Lost my count for last year.  Since Christmas I have purchased nine kits.  I won't be surprised if I buy another ten kits especially at upcoming shows. 

2.  I like to wait a while.. never buy at full price.  Always on sale or at model shows without paying for shipping. The only time I placed a pre-order was for the SAS jeep kit.

3. Most online.  Physical LHS? Yes, mostly figures because they cost only $12-$18 each.  I go to show only once or twice a year. 

4.  Most were orders came from DragonUSA because of its Facebook promotions.  Great Models and Sprue Brothers are not far behind... once a while eBay when I see a good deal. 

All I want is a case of ...

1) I've reduced my purchasing in a year because I have literally thousands of unbuilt models. If I do buy a kit, I try to sell some kits on eBay or trade forums to balance out. Right now, maybe 5 kits purchased in a year.

2) I have bought new kits as soon as they are released, but often wait until those that "had to have them" no longer want or need them so I can buy it at a discount. A couple of kits that jump to mind in recent history that I bought right away were the Ka-Mi with floats (pre-ordered) and the Batpod.

3) I buy in a combination. For instance the Ka-Mi was bought through DragonUSA and the Batpod was bought at my LHS.

4) Squadron or eBay tend to be my main online venues for purchasing, however, I have bought online in a number of different vendors as well as private individuals.

1)  Too many.  I've got a stash of about 200 but I still keep buying.  Probably about 5-6 a year.  I've been trying to replace my old Imperial Series DML armor with new stuff however.  I've sold a dozen or so in the last couple of years.

2)  Rarely buy something just out due to prices.  I scour for bargains.

3) Both.  Online mostly because the sales are better.  I do support my LHS frequently though.  He has a consignment section where I've picked up some bargains and the kits I sell there are paid in store credit.

4)  DragonUSAonline has redonkulous sales.  Sprue Bros and the former Great Models have gotten a lot of my business.  Squadron also.  Oh, and Evilbay....  

Satch