Perhaps this is opening up a can of worms, but I’d be interested to learn what some of the better online vendors are in your esteemed opinions. 
I’ve purchased from a couple of the larger copmpanies years ago, but am curious to find what’s new out there.
B~
I like squadron.com They’re in Texas. They always get shipments out fast. They reply quickly and with great service. 5 out of 5 stars. www.squadron.com
My top three are www.squadron.com
www.greatmodels.com
www.megahobby.com
all are usually within a couple of bucks of each other, but to tell ya the truth, megahobby has always been the fastest for me, I mean within a week!!! Pretty good turn around.
Is Internet Hobbies really all that? I see them ALL over the place - and I have to wonder if they’re really THAT good, or if they just have a huge advertizing budget and then pass the cost on to the unsuspecting modeler…
Curiously,
Brian~
I’ve never found anything that I wanted at their website. When I decide to get a kit, AM parts, or references, I do searches on about 5 different places, including internet hobbies, and they have never had anything in stock I wanted, and/or the price was a few dollars higher than any others. That’s the best reason for shopping on line…comparing prices with 5 different store in a few minutes, really cuts down on the gas costs!!![;)]
although i dont have much experience with online model purchases. squadron was quick and the order was intact. i am going to try international hobby suppliers and phoenix (heard much good of them) but havent as of yet. btw the prices are all pretty close it seems.
joe
I have had great service from “Michigan Discount Models”(10 day turnaround), “Squadron.com” (3 week turnaround), but the fastest ever was “The Barrel Store” in Canada (6 day turnaround). I have had good experience with all these and don’t forget I am ordering from overseas (Oz).
[tup] Cheers…Snowy
I have ordered from these sites: squadron.com, modelmecca.com & missionmodels.com. I have also bought from Michigan Discount Models and Victory Models at model shows here in the midwest. Both businesses also have internet sites.
I’ve done a lot of ordering from Squadron, lately. Very quick turn-around (most orders ship the next day), decent prices. Overall, I’d give them 4.5 out of 5. Unfortunately, there is no way to track your shipment . . . which bothers someone like me. What little patience I have is reserved for building the models. It makes me feel better to be able to track a package’s journey across the country. But that’s my only real complaint.
-Jonathan
Hobby Link Japan ( www.hlj.com ) and Grand Prix Models ( ww.grandprixmodels.com )for 43rd scale are my 2 favourites both of whom I’ve used for years without any problems.
www.internethobbies.com has some good prices. I also believe that if you buy from them and you find the same item cheaper they will give you the difference.
mark956
I’m with ya all the way Jonathan!!! I have very little patience when I order from a company. When I want something, I want it now!!!
Squadron is the only one I have used and I very rarely order from them as it is not cost effective because I am usually only buying an item or two so shipping costs are not worth it. I find it cheaper to go to the LHS and actually pay a little less because there is no 5-6$ shipping charges, plus I have it right then with no wait for delivery. [:D]
I did order some resin AIM-120 missiles from Squadron here recently though as the LHS did not carry them. That made them expensive having to pay shipping on a product that is the size of a 1/144 scale WWII aircraft model box. [:0]
Mike
My experience is…
Squadron you can count on relatively quick and correct, but they might be slightly more expensive than some.
Tower Hobbies has good stock and great pricing but their packaging leaves something to be desired, I had a Attack Radio, Battery and Multi-charger all whipping around in a big box with one deflated air-pack. Another shipment had a few dented or crushed boxes from the same problem. So far no damage to the actual mechandise.
Hometown Hobbies will get you anything out there and have the probably the best prices overall, but you usually have to wait. They don’t ship for 6-8 bus days from order normally but might be longer if they have trouble finding things.
Hobbyworks has some incredible specials, but it’s hit or miss if you are looking from specifics. They don’t list a lot on their site, but are very cooperative.
By the way, has anyone noticed Tamiya paint lids are always loose?
I’ve had pretty good luckl with modelexpo.com
Bruce
I like www.rollmodels.com and www.greatmodels.com. Greatmodels has a better selection, rollmodels has better prices. They are just a little quicker too. Squadron, I was unimpressed with their prices.
As it turns out, Great Models is just down the street from me! I’ve found two fairly big model shops I didn’t even know existed in the last week and both are within about a ten minute drive of my house! Great stuff. [:D]
I know this is an old topic but i have not seen anyone recommend the one i use. I use modelexpo-online.com and have had great results and turnaround. I am not fortunate to have a good hobbyshop nearby so i have to use mailorder for everthing
My best luck has always been with evil bay. Not exactly an online hobby shop but Ive gotten hard to find kits, airbrush compressors, modeling supplies… You just have to know what your buyings worth.
Definitely squadron.
It’s one of the few I’ve tried, and they’ve been very very nice about everything, since my first order had a problem. They called and e-mailed till they got a hold of me, and straightened everything out, then shipped my kit immediately.