I check out the model sections of Hobby Lobbys pretty regularly when I travel and around my state. I haven’t noticed much of a change in amount of inventory. I’d say the armor section has been a little thin the last couple times I went, but nothing that made me worry. And they usually mark some items for quick sale. I’ve been trying to figure out the pattern. It’s almost certainly an inventory driven process, but I haven’t figured out the timing yet. I have gotten some nice model cars for $7.49 in the past, though. They had this amazing model of a hook and ladder fire engine on sale once for $7.49 and I really wanted to buy it, but I couldn’t figure out when I would prioritize the months it would take to build it over all the models I have, so I left it for someone who might get more joy out of it. Anyway, I don’t think you have anything to worry about yet. Just enjoy the markdowns when they come!
Well, with Revell being down for the time being, and they appeared to be the primary supplier of kits, the situation is understandable. I’m seeing more Hobbyboss and Academy stuff there at the one by me. But not of subjects in my scales or interest areas. It is what it is. I mostly just go there for supplies at 40% off anyways. Their kit selection is mostly stuff I already have or dont build.
Well their really not a model shop,decent though for tools and supplies.If your depending on Hobby Lobby for the latest and greatest,well,your in the wrong place.
Noticed the same issue up in Canada at Michaels. Sure they are not really a hobby shop to speak of but when they throw around the 50% coupon makes it worth the drive to see what kits are in stock. Only Revell/Monogram with a scattering of AMT car kits is what is stocked in Canada and the shelves of course are getting pretty bare. I aleady have the Revllogram kits that I would consider worth purchasing. I remember 15-20 years ago Michaels would at least have some Hobbycraft on the shelf. Wonder if another manufacturer might be stocked? Academy would be nice. Even if the price was inflated the 40-50% coupon would ease the blow.
Many, many years ago, at least 10 they were fair at having a selection of kits I had some interest in getting. Now none at all. We don’t even shop there anymore, we don’t like other things about Hobby lobby. Besides ,I have a Hobby Town a little over 1 mile away from it. We live about 3 miles from both of them. Now to make all off you envious, I also have Colpar Hobbies 25 minutes away, a really GREAT hobby shop. I’ve been going to Colpars since I came to Denver 42 years ago. They know me well. Now they get tons of all the latest kits and are fantastic at supporting the clubs and members. One club even meets there and builds models. I could rambel on.
The Hobby Lobby by my house is very well stocked with Auto & Truck kits. The military section is only a quarter of the Auto section, but there is always something new added to the shelf. It always has a US Arizona, F4, German 75mm anti-tank gun and some Sci-fi, mainly Star Wars items.
At one time Hobby Lobby had a good selection I picked up one of Revells 1/72 U-Boats there about 10 years ago with the 40% off coupon it was a steal. Over the years they have went to stocking mostly cars over tanks and boats. The one by me is a bit thin but I just figure its because the whole Revell thing going on right now. They did have one kit on sale a Bandai Tie Striker on sale for $7.49 I snatched that right up.
The last time I went into my local HL, I noticed a bit of a decline of what I’ll call their traditional model inventory - warbirds by Revell/Monogram, and armor seemed to have all but disappeared (along with ships). Lots of cars (which I typically do not build). They had some Revell and Bandai Star Wars kits, with the Bandai being new additions to their inventory.
Used to be that HL actually stocked a good inventory of kits. As I primarily build warbirds, I focused on those. They would have a number (albeit small) of kits by Tamiya, Accurate Miniatures, Academy, and of course Revell/Monogram. I augmented my stash quite nicely with more than occasional visits to that place with their 40% off coupon in hand, picking up a couple of Tamiya Spitfires (1/48), some Accurate Miniatures kits like a Vindicator and a Dauntless, etc. The one that I still kick myself over was leaving the Accurate Miniatures B-25 on their discount shelf - could have had that one for less than $20. Why I did that I’ll never know.
For me when shopping for kits,I just don’t show up to see whats interesting,I don’t buy kits on a whim.When there is a new release or something I want to try out, I will go and acquire it.So Hobby Lobby really doesn’t work for me.I could see myself getting some Tamiya armor like Easy 8 using the coupon,but they don’t carry much that I look for.Glue,some paints,brushes,supplies yes,but to me I don’t care how many Monogram,Revell,sci-fi,car kits or whatever ,if its not what I want at that time.I haven’t seen Meng,Takom,Dragon or Hasagawa there,no figures of any kind.
This topic resurfaces from time to time. Someone notices that the scale model inventory at his local HobbyLobby has gotten thin, and wonders whether HL is phasing out carrying kits.
In past discussions, some forum members shared responses from HL employees, who explained that it’s just inconsistencies in getting restocked.
As stikpusher has mentioned, with Revell’s situation up in the air, we’ll probably see the current stocks of kits dwindle, till the German owners have settled their purchase and decide what they’re going to do.
As others have pointed out, the other craft stores have shown similar situations as HL. And they’re all franchises, too, just like HobbyTown, so not every store is going to have the same stock as the next one, necessarily.
I’m in the same situation as one of the previous posters-I don’t really buy kits at HL, or at the other craft stores. They don’t carry kits that I want to build. I have to get my kits online.
In any case, I don’t think HobbyLobby is abandoning carrying scale models.
I doubt any of us here use HL as a “goto” source to buy our kits. My main interests are scifi and figures. A few Star Trek and over priced (even with a coupon) Star Wars snap-crap kits is their idea of scifi. I do enjoy picking up a classic car kit for under $20. I’m not into cars enough to spend much more than that. I guess I’m actually hoping they will replace the Revell line with kits from manufacturers they havent carried before like Moebius or at least a wider selection from Polar Lights.
I wouldn’t write off the new bandai star wars kits as crap just because they are snap kits they are very well done far better then the old revell and comparable in detail with the fine molds kits.
Hobby Lobby carries both types of Star Wars kits- the kid level Revell kits, and the much nicer Bandai kits. Those are the best ones out there currently in production. At 40% off MSRP with the coupon, they are a good deal. Unless you find some that “fell off the truck”.
They still have them at the local one by me. But many are on clearance. I picked up the HALO Warthog kit by Revell on clearance for my son on my last visit. With Revell being out of action for the time being and him being on deployment, and being a huge HALO fan, I figured I’d get him one before they’re all gone, possibly for good.
