I live in Germany, in kind of a remote location (meaning there are few hobby shops near me) so I buy 99% of my stuff online and 90% of that from GreatModels. Have had no problems with them, their service is great and they often have sales and reduced proces on their stuff. They also have a great selection. Though I have to concur with an earlier posting about special order items, it may be a while before you receive it. But overall they are a 4.5 to 5 star hobby service.
I’ve had a few up and downs with them. They usually take care of any problems without a fuss, but I’ve gone to their customer service alot. I’ve learned to steer clear from preorders. Still they have the widest selection and plenty of pictures.
Thanks guys for the info- I placed my order last night and ended up getting a couple of kits that I had been looking for as well.
Great Models is excellent. One caution however. If they say it is a special order, especially with no expected shipping date, long delays can occur. So I have had great luck going directly to the manufacturer. Example: Meteor Productions for Cutting Edge detail sets and decals, and Eagle Cal decals.
Chris
i’m in a city where there isn’t any hobby shops and i just ordered from greatmodels the transaction went real smooth, had to wait for one part to get to them so they could send it to me, but it’s a good company i’ll order from them again.
Bottom line is there are two competeing Online Store philosphy’s going on here. One Such as Squadron Shop Fill and ship 99% of their orders right away ASAP. They can do that by listing ONLY what the have in stock. If you see it on their web sight they have it ! Although I’ve found them to be a couple of dollors more. But hey if you want it NOW, they have it they ship it. Now GMW on the other hand seem to represent the complete opposite. If the kit EXISTS they list it. If you order they keep an running tally on whats already filled on your order and what they have yet recieve in order to fill it. Along with several shipping options if your too sick of waiting. Often I’ve felt they rarely have had anything in stock and I 've been stuck waiting for them to buy and recieve from the manufactuer in order to send it to me. But not really building much and having accumulated a kit collection so large I might qualify to sell on line myself, I ve learn to grow accustomed to their ways and slow to fill ordering. Actualy they have improved greatly of late. They are aware of the back order issues and are doing thier best to address them, yet if you want to know if some kind of part or kit is made at all their a good place to start. Their prices are in general better than most. So I keep a running back order with them and modify it from time to time when ever I have the cash or credit to buy something else. They say their about to expand with a new site that will it seem more directly compete with squadron and only list ‘in stock’ items.
Not to dog on Squadron too much, they do a good job, but my last two orders from them took more in the ten days to two weeks to get to me but with a 100% fill rate. Both orders were not shipped “next business day” and one sat for more then a week before being shipped. I guess I fell into their .24% non-shipped next business group. I will continue to order from them anyway because I’m never in that big of hurry. I have also had “backordered” items from them. Inventory can turn fast and even in the computer age it can be hard to keep up.
Placed an order with GM on Tuesday, 5 total item, one out of stock. I choose “cancel and ship” for the remaining items. I expect I’ll see the order the first part of next week as it is in “your order is being packed” mode now.
Looks like my order should be here on or about Tuesday next week. These folks are prompt. I ordered the Revell F-14D 1/48(that’ll make 2 on the shelf) Tamiya 1/48 Kawanishi N1K1 and Tamiya 1/48 P-47 Razorback… I have been told that I have purchased my birthday, anniversary, and x-mas gift for this year. Anyways, thanks for the advice fellas- looks like I’ll do more business with GM!
I received the order that I placed on Tuesday the 19th today. Not to bad, I will order from them again I’m sure.