Anyone know how often they move new stuff in or replenish their shelves? The one on the way home from work has had a barren aircraft section since the begining of september. Checked the clearance section and there was just a few ugly cars in there.
Went to another one close to where I live and they have fully stocked shelves with the same ugly cars in the clearance section. I also noted that the aircraft kits are the same ones that have been there for over a year. I haven’t seen anything new except for the 1/32 F-4G.
I don’t know about the HL where you live .Hl where I live brought in new stock back in aug. Gama goat sherman easy eight just to name couple can’t remember the rest. They also have some new stars kits.
I know that the frequency with which they rotate or replenish the stock of model kits was mentioned in a previous thread about HobbyLobby as a place to buy models. I’m sorry but I don’t remember how frequently that is. If you search on “hobby lobby”, I’m sure you’ll find the specific thread, though.
I do recall that the discussion was triggered by someone’s observation that the model shelves were somewhat bare and he commented that HL was phasing out model kits. It turned out not to be the case; someone else asked a manager at his local HL store, who explained that they were waiting for a shipment to come in.
If I were you, I would talk to a manager there, the next time you go, and ask how frequently that particular store replenishes. You could also let him know what you’re looking for. I bet that they don’t often get that kind of feedback, so who knows? You might influence a decision just by letting them know you’re interested.
I wouldn’t count on HL for kits.Supplies,maybe paint,why bother,their not a model shop.you migjt find one kit your interested in,just go online for what you want
I find HL very handy for resupplying with glue, paint brushes, paint, thinner, etc… That 40% off coupon comes in real handy and with the store on my way home from work I am not forced to make a side trip.
Once in a while they will have a model that catches my attention.
Brad, been looking for that post. I’m going to have to try a manager cause a month is too long to just fill the shelves with the same old Revell and Academy kits.
Reset of the department is in August, so new stock should be there. It gets a mild refresh in February. They replenish weekly, so if it’s empty, someone is not doing right.
About 7-8 years ago HL had a very good selection of Tamiya, Revell and Trumpeter kits then got rid of just about all the military models. HL is ok to get glues and some paint but that’s about it.
I once called the corporate office to ask who is responsible for their anemic model selection and was told that came from the regional managers who determine what to put on the shelves.
With that said, don’t hold your breath for any new stock to come in any time soon. There are plenty of on line sites that have superior stock selection and excellent pricing.
The shelves at my local HL are always pretty much full. However, the stock is mostly older kits, few really new ones, and they tend to be the most popular stuff. Still, if I want something, it is convenient and the discount coupons certainly are nice.
I am trying something different. I picked up one of those Model Earth photo-etched kits Monday, a CAT excavator. I will attempt to modify the kit to as scale as possible. I have identified the CATmodel the kit is based on (the 318), and will be painting it, decaling it, and rounding off some of the edges that are sharp in the kit.
The Hobby Lobby in my area is always full but nothing moves. that’s why I hardly go there anymore. Their Vallejo and Model Master (enamels & acrylics) selection are pretty limited.
Don’t get me started on Michael’s. They’re no better.
The one by me has probably 80%+ of the same kits in the past year or more. They do tend to get new Revell releases quickly. And recently added a few new Tamiya armor kits to their selection. The only othe new kits I see are the Bandai Star Wars kits, and Round 2 stuff that seems to cycle thru rapidly and regularly. That and some world of tanks stuff.
My local HL has had the same old stock for the past year. Three weeks ago I stopped in for paint and they finally… FINALLY were rotating to almost all new stock. Plus the kits they didnt sell all year long were now on clearance. I asked and was told that they change out the kit’s once a year. (september to september)
Their new selection still aint that great… maybe 4 kits I have a minor interest in.
I miss the days when I had a choice of LHS, Kaybee, Toys,r us, Meyer’s Toy Store, Two Guys, JC Penny, Sears Woolworths, Newberys and not to mention the multiple drug store and super markets that carried kits. Maybe I was spoiled but that’s just the way it was in the 70s.
I’ll have to check on my way home tomorrow and see if they moved anything in.
On a happy note, today I happened upon a Hobbytown in the town I’m working in about three hours from the house. Found a RoG C-17 kit on the shelf! Just how long has that thing been out of production? Yay, me!
Yes, indeed. I miss the Ben Frankllin store that was about 2 hrs from me when I was a kid. I remember begging for a trip every now and then. They had one, full aisle of just aircraft and amother of just ships, all paints/supplies you would need plus tons of model railroad and RC stuff. I also miss having kits at the local drug stores (K&B drugs) and stores like Woolsworth. Kaybee Toys had a great kit selection when they first opened in a local mall. The good old days.