Erik Smith Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Spokane is lucky to have three pretty decent places to buy models plus Hobby Lobby (Michael's too, but I don't count them). I'll get a picture of them on my next trip - B&B Hobbies has quite a selection - White Elephant has great prices (Revell kits, I think they said they have to get R2 from a wholesaler so no discount anymore <sad face emoticon>- and Hobbytown has Tamiya (kits too, but not as many). I know White Elephant has expanded their model sections over the last three years from almost gone at one store to a whole section. Promising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Chuck, thanks for those pictures. They have a great variety of kits at your LHS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob McKee Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 We are also very lucky here in Vancouver to have several good hobby shops with a great selection of kits, tools, and after market accessories. The closest to me is 10 minutes away and carries a good stock of paint including my favorite Tamiya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Hey, Chuck, I just realized they also carry MCM, that's very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotrod59f100 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 So thats what a hobby store looks like?High taxes killed all the small town hobby shops ,here in N.Y.Now we have Kinney Drug store... agreed . The closest store to me has recently has 2x what they had a year ago. But ony carry testors paints,no styrene or tubing . But as the last few years we had a big drop in kits and stores. Luckly the hobby shop I was saying that increased its stock started out as a baseball card shop in the late 80s,then in the 90s moved to video games to now a full on hobby shop. Only due to the owners sone being a model freak. Now if I could get him to sell sheets and rods of styrene . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOSWELL891 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 My LHS doesn't carry hardly any models maybe 10 or so and hardly any paint, I asked the owner if he was ever going to get new kits and he said no because they aren't selling well, and I thought to myself maybe if you got some new kits in that aren't 10 years old people would actually buy some but I guess if I want a new release I have to buy online but I don't like to do that because I feel like the shipping charge is a rip off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have an unbelievably huge, well-stocked hobby shop incredibly close by. They have a selection like you wouldn't believe... new releases, vintage and collectible kits, diecasts, all sorts of aftermarket stuff... the widest selection of paints, tools and supplies I've ever seen. It's really amazing. And to top it all off, it's open seven days a week, and they even deliver to my door! Oh, and the prices will probably beat your LHS price. So what's the name of this incredible place? The internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 My LHS doesn't carry hardly any models maybe 10 or so and hardly any paint, I asked the owner if he was ever going to get new kits and he said no because they aren't selling well, and I thought to myself maybe if you got some new kits in that aren't 10 years old people would actually buy some but I guess if I want a new release I have to buy online but I don't like to do that because I feel like the shipping charge is a rip off. That all depends on where you buy online. I usually buy my kits from Tower Hobbies.Their shipping is 9.99 for your whole order. I wait until I'm going to buy several kits and then place an order. I joined the Super Saver club for 9.99 so I get free shipping for a year on any order over 100.00. They also match prices. I have saved boatloads of money ordering from them versus buying from a hobby shop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOSWELL891 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) I probably would order online more if I had my own debt card but I can't get one until I'm 16 because you have to have two forms of I.D. so a licence and something else but thats only a year away so that's not to bad Edited February 28, 2012 by BOSWELL891 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I probably would order online more if I had my own debt card but I can't get one until I'm 16 because you have to have two forms of I.D. so a licence and something else but thats only a year away so that's not to dad LOL, be patient. A debit card can get you into trouble just like a credit card can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffs396 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I'm pretty lucky here in NE Ohio, I've got three Mom & Pop type hobby shops, two Hobby Lobbys, and a HobbyTown USA all within 30 minutes of me. Then another independent shop and another HL and HT USA within ten minutes of my work in western PA. My favorite LHS is well stocked with car kits, mostly current, but a few OOP also. And a mark-down table, usually with 6-10 kits that are 50% or more off (usually only one or two are car kits though ) He discounts his current kits at about 15-20% off retail, but this was after HL moved in 3 minutes away! So, I buy most current kits from him now. I was in the Monday after Xmas talking to the owner (after spending $80+ on kits ), he said this was his best year in awhile, and still had a week to go before 2011 sales were in the bag! I think the manufacturers are helping shop sales by giving us the things we've been asking for, in new tooled kits AND reissues! Keep it up!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 LOL, be patient. A debit card can get you into trouble just like a credit card can! No it can't. That's the whole point of a debit card. It only works if you have the money sitting in your account. So the minute you use it, whatever you bought is paid for and you don't get a nasty bill in the mail a few weeks later. Unlike a credit card, which lets you spend money you don't actually have, a debit card is only good if you have the $$$ sitting in your account to cover the transaction amount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 No it can't. That's the whole point of a debit card. It only works if you have the money sitting in your account. So the minute you use it, whatever you bought is paid for and you don't get a nasty bill in the mail a few weeks later. Unlike a credit card, which lets you spend money you don't actually have, a debit card is only good if you have the $$$ sitting in your account to cover the transaction amount. Exactly! And that's why I hardly have any money in my account. Because I have a debit card, a mouse and no self control! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Exactly! And that's why I hardly have any money in my account. Because I have a debit card, a mouse and no self control! LOL Ok, yeah... it can get you in that kind of trouble... But at least you know that what you bought is already paid for and you won't be getting a bill in the mail! Just think of the trouble you'd be in if you used a credit card without any self control! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Ok, yeah... it can get you in that kind of trouble... But at least you know that what you bought is already paid for and you won't be getting a bill in the mail! Just think of the trouble you'd be in if you used a credit card without any self control! Actually, if you don't keep a close eye on your funds, you can have charges clear late and surprise you! I am a member of the Red Line Club (HotWheels) and they are famous for taking your credit or debit card info and then, with almost everything they offer being on backorder, you never know when it will clear your account as they don't charge until the item ships. They won't give you a "heads up" that they are about to charge your card either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Actually, if you don't keep a close eye on your funds, you can have charges clear late and surprise you! I am a member of the Red Line Club (HotWheels) and they are famous for taking your credit or debit card info and then, with almost everything they offer being on backorder, you never know when it will clear your account as they don't charge until the item ships. They won't give you a "heads up" that they are about to charge your card either! But even so, the worst that can happen is your order won't be processed. That's better than having used a credit card, having no money to cover the cost, and getting the bill anyway. Then you owe money you don't have plus interest if you can't pay it off. I swore off credit cards a long time ago. I do have one, just for "emergencies" and I use it to rack up gift points for large purchases, but 99.99% of the time, when I buy something I use a debit card. I never even carry cash anymore! It's all debit card, even if I stop at the gas station for a cup of coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The70judgeman Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have two hobby stores that I frequent on a regular basis. Both are family owned and have found their own niche. The first store, Model Empire, is both a store (brick and morter) and also an on-line catalog store. They sell mostly plastic kits, but also have quite a bit of die-cast. Recently, they put in a slot-car track and have race nights after hours I believe. Along with the store and internet, they also travel to car shows and sell models in a few states. They seem to be weathering very well. The second store is a little more diversified. They have hobby sections to suit many people. Plastic kits, RC, arts and crafts, children, basic science, slot-car, trains, puzzles, and a huge selection of magazines/books. They also offer classes in various types of hobbies. They used to have another store, the original, but closed it years ago and just have the current stand alone store. They also seem to be doing quite well dispite the economy. So, both stores are fairing well in my opinion, because they both have found their niche and have a pretty strong customer base that is willing to spend what cash they have. They can both thank me as I am at both stores at least once a week and rarely do I not dump some cash. And I know I'm not the only one. I see some of the same people at both stores, like me...and of course walking out the door with a full bag of goodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 But even so, the worst that can happen is your order won't be processed. That's better than having used a credit card, having no money to cover the cost, and getting the bill anyway. Then you owe money you don't have plus interest if you can't pay it off. I swore off credit cards a long time ago. I do have one, just for "emergencies" and I use it to rack up gift points for large purchases, but 99.99% of the time, when I buy something I use a debit card. I never even carry cash anymore! It's all debit card, even if I stop at the gas station for a cup of coffee. Nope, I have 300.00 overdraft protection on my debit card. If I don't have the funds in the account, the charge will still go through. (as long as it's not over 300.00). If it does and there's not enough funds to cover the purchase, I get hit with a 25.00 overdraft fee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Nunes Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) As a former hobby shop owner in the '70's, and a fellow that loves to visit hobby shops while traveling to have a look around (often purchasing a kit or two in the process), I absolutely will not buy plastic kits from our local hobby shop that does, in fact, have a nice selection of models. Why? Because a few of the employees have a real hard time saying a simple "thank you" when a purchase is made which gives the impression most of the time that they don't give a hoot if you're there or not. While not the owners of this hobby shop, the effect of this kind of attitude has a direct bearing on where my hobby funds are spent. Since the time I've made a decision not to shop there, I've discovered, and spent LOTS of money, on various hobby items from internet sources; and I always get a "thank you" along with a discounted price. It's a bit of a shame, but that's the way it is. Joe Edited February 28, 2012 by rhoadapple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Joe, you bring up a good point. That's the difference for me between going to Michaels or even Hobby Lobby and going to my local LHS. My local LHS is staffed with people who care about and build models themselves. They know or try to be helpful when answering questions, etc . . . that's a big plus if you are going to keep an LHS going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercman Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 You both make good points. As for me though I have always gotten good comments from all 3 of the store, my LHS, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby. However HL no longer carries half of the stuff they did in the area I work in, but I do like the other sections of the store. I am all over the place, bead aisles, paint art supplies, never know what interesting things you'll locate that may work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Beads, Junior? What are you looking for there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixx Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Not much around here, just have a Hobby Town, crappy selection, got Valpo pet-n-hobby, in Valparaiso Indiana, and G & G hobbies in Griffith In. these shops cater to RC and train stuff mostly, oh they can order stuff but so can I. I still go to em if only to buy glue or a magazine, gotta give em some kind of support? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyBad Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 (edited) I have an unbelievably huge, well-stocked hobby shop incredibly close by. They have a selection like you wouldn't believe... new releases, vintage and collectible kits, diecasts, all sorts of aftermarket stuff... the widest selection of paints, tools and supplies I've ever seen. It's really amazing. And to top it all off, it's open seven days a week, and they even deliver to my door! Oh, and the prices will probably beat your LHS price. So what's the name of this incredible place? The internet. That's my Favorite store too.. (OMG! I agree with Harry ) 3 of my LHS don't have much but when they do they are at the Max MSRP. Examples The Trumpeter Falcons $52. Lindberg Police Chargers $30+ 2 have decent prices if I know what I want and they order them. Trumpeter Falcons for $42 Lindberg Police Chargers for $20 But Mostly it is the Internet and I take the price of shipping into account.. I don't have too many models because I paid too much, I have too many cause I pay less. Edited February 29, 2012 by RodneyBad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 (edited) Exactly! And that's why I hardly have any money in my account. Because I have a debit card, a mouse and no self control! LOL Same here Ben, I plan out my online buying for each week. Also Ben, I shop at tower hobbies but only when I get too use the free shipping offer on $30 or more, I just did that a few days ago, other then that I dont shop there. If you want the free shipping code let me know and i will give it to you if you dont already have it Edited February 29, 2012 by martinfan5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.