Over the last week I have ordered from 5 different online hobby stores. I did look locally for the models I ordered and although I do believe in giving the local guys my business. I just couldn’t spend my money at Hobby Town USA. Its really hard to give them my business when I get my model kits for alot cheaper online.
Today I recieved my order from Great Models. I orginally ordered from them on the 17th of last week and since then one of the items wasn’t available in their stock. So, I changed my order so I could have the other items sent out to me.
Items were shipped on the 18th and I recieved them today. Once again the 5 day theme is repeating itself.
[;)]Pretty ironic. I too ordered from Greatmodels on the 17th. According to the status, it was processed on the 21st. I haven’t received my order and I live only 700 miles away. [%-)] I smell that East Coast bias again.
Man, I don’t know, but I just can’t accept that the award for the “better online hobby shop” should go to whichever store gets you your models in the shortest time? I mean, there are so many factors which could impact that paradigm at any given time period of the year. Witness “tigerman”'s post there? Weather, availbility, turnover, etc…the list is long…
I can’t help that think too that this is an awfully and unnecessarily expensive way to conduct an experiment of dubious value when you figure in all the shipping and handling costs?
With all due respect to you, Cougar, a little patience would be a much better investment, IMO! [:D]
I don’t agree that there is no value in this, I did something similar about two years ago. I ordered from several online dealers. Now I didn’t just randomly pick some kits from each. I did evaluate more than just speed. I looked at shipping costs, selection, service, speed of delivery / processing, ease of use etc.
This did help me pick my favorites, my consider next, my would use again if nobody else has it and completey eliminated one from future consideration. The only award given was my future orders.
From this I found two I really liked and found one I won’t be using again, it also helped me determine the strengths and weaknesses of several sites which was further refined through repeat purchases (or at least consideration and repeated passing in favor of another).
Have you ever tried SprueBrothers.com? I prefer them over GreatModels…usually better prices, inventory count listed so you know it is there, fast shipping and excellent service. I use them 75% of the time.
MR – Doog used the word “statistics”, not Cougar. Neither one of our two mad scientists used that word to describe their experiment or their analysis of the results.
So while you and Doog are correct in that this would not be a valid statistical sample, that is not relevant as they did not claim to be using statistical analysis.
So let’s relax and enjoy this episode for what it is…
Ok, it seems as if I have ruffled some feathers once again on here. I’m not posting here to do that at all. All I am doing is using simple and easy test factors. Yes, if I wanted to get my order quick I would go ahead and pay the extra shipping. That wasn’t even a consideration in my test. I’m not an expert, but I would guess that most people that order anything online would use the standard shipping option. Most times if you order a certain amount the retailer will even pay the standard shipping cost, thus free shipping.
Look at my post, I’m not trying to figure out which one of the retailers is the BEST online hobby shop. I’m trying to figure out which one will be the best shipper for me, and at the same time share those results with all of you here.
Ignorance on statistics? Well, you only have two orders from TWO online retailers. Also, if I want to spend my own money to do this its my own choice to do so. I would like to think that this experiment is helping someone make a decision on whom they will order from. This isn’t a thesis that I’m doing testing on for my Masters Degree. This is a simple test to try and help people make a decision from my point of view. Nothing more, nothing less.
Also, when I order things I go out and I find the same items on other sites and I try to see which provider offers their products at lower prices. In fact that will be the next test results that I will publish here online.
I’m not working or representing any of the tests subjects in any way whatsoever. I know that alot of you that are posting here are experienced modelers and have ordered online and bought at LHS. But, think about those that may read the post not having any experience ordering. I just want to give an honest impression of what I ordered and how long it took to get to me.
There are all kinds of factors that are involved with this other than all of the items being on hand. If you look at great models I mentioned that they didn’t have an item on hand when I ordered. I then asked them to ship my order to me without waiting on that item.
Relax? How can anyone relax with Couger continuing to obsess over his continuing fixation with getting screwed in his earlier post…I am laughing as I type this…I was hesitant to even give this thread any cred by posting in it but I couldn’t help it…Couger, with all due respect whatever your “findings” are are worthless to most modelers on here as most folks form opinions of on-line hobby providers through more than one experience, both their own and others’ over a period of time…if this isn’t clear, I honestly am at a loss of words…I mean, c’mon, you came in here a few days ago like a bull in a china shop and pretty much had to eat crow in the end; now you claim to be providing a great service to us all by conducting this great “experiment”…whatever floats your boat, I guess…I think you are the only one with a dog in this fight…
Ok, it seems as if I have ruffled some feathers once again on here. I’m not posting here to do that at all. All I am doing is using simple and easy test factors. Yes, if I wanted to get my order quick I would go ahead and pay the extra shipping. That wasn’t even a consideration in my test. I’m not an expert, but I would guess that most people that order anything online would use the standard shipping option. Most times if you order a certain amount the retailer will even pay the standard shipping cost, thus free shipping. You aren’t an expert, really? Well take some advice from one: If you are as impatient as you come across in here, PAY FOR THE EXPRESS SHIPPING!
Look at my post, I’m not trying to figure out which one of the retailers is the BEST online hobby shop. I’m trying to figure out which one will be the best shipper for me, and at the same time share those results with all of you here. You won’t figure that out with one experience.
Ignorance on statistics? Well, you only have two orders from TWO online retailers. Also, if I want to spend my own money to do this its my own choice to do so. I would like to think that this experiment is helping someone make a decision on whom they will order from. This isn’t a thesis that I’m doing testing on for my Masters Degree. This is a simple test to try and help people make a decision from my point of view. Nothing more, nothing less. You would like to think it is a help but it really isn’t…It is nothing more than one experience by one person and you want people to form an opinion that affects their future purchases by it? maybe you should take a class on useful statistics first…
Also, when I order things I go out and I find the same items on other sites and I try to see which provider offers their products at lower prices. In fact that will be the next test results that I will publish here online. Please don’t “publish your results” on here.
I’m not working or representing any of the tests subjects in any way whatsoever. I know that alot of you that are posting here are experienced modelers and have ordered online and bought at LHS. But, think about those that may read the post not having any experience ordering. I just want to give an honest impression of what I ordered and how long it took to get to me. Oh, I believe that you aren’t representing the “test” subjects…In fact, if they knew about your rants on here they might refuse to sell to you…
There are all kinds of factors that are involved with this other than all of the items being on hand. If you look at great models I mentioned that they didn’t have an item on hand when I ordered. I then asked them to ship my order to me without waiting on that item. Yawn…
I suspect this is a followup to your experience with RollModels last week and then your thread asking for folks opinions on which shops they favor?
While what you’re doing is a good way for YOU to start to form an opinion of who you may choose to do business with it really isn’t that valuable or relevant to anyone else. Why you may ask? Because placing one order at multiple places as explained is not necessarily indicative of what anyone, even you should expect next time or times after that. Even if a shop gets your product out their door the shipping can vary widely from each location to you based upon the carriers which is not under the control of the shop. Even if a shop ‘wins or loses’ this time, who knows about subsequent attempts?
I’ll give you one lil example of how results can become skewed. I did alot of business with a firm in Florida and that’s the next state over from me here in Georgia. About half of the time my order was delayed by FedEx routing the parcel to the wrong distribution node within Georgia. It seemed their computer confused this issue on parcels inbound from Florida to Georgia and destined for my lil hometown while this was not true for anything coming from anywhere else? Didn’t matter that I spoke with FedEx repeatedly, it still happened and that’s not the fault of the hobby shop. Did that make the shop less viable as a choice to me, maybe, maybe not, but it probabably wouldn’t even apply to anyone else reading this forum. Then there are all the issues that are actually within the shipping hobby shop which can vary from day to day and to give multiple shops ‘one shot’ for the sake of a test is meaningless as Manstein’s Revenge pointed out by the definition of ‘statistics’.
You will have had an “experience” when this test is concluded. It takes more than one experience to glean a meaningful opinion short of the obvious case when something is badly botched and then not resolved- and that wasn’t even the case with RollModels who you were so quick to bash and jump to forming an opinion of.
So why did I even bother to post to this thread? Hoping to give you an idea of how at least one member of this audience views your focus on conducting business by the internet and then sharing your experience here- that’s all.
But when your parcels arrive please do share your efforts at ‘cutting some plastic’ and go ahead and praise the suppliers when you feel it warranted. We can all add that kind of info to our personal databanks for future consideration and for what we deem it to be worth.
EDIT: NOTE- My posting was delayed by a phone call and I see Manstein’s Revenge pretty much covered all my bases as well. But while seemingly redundant perhaps Cougar will still consider my input? Submitted with respect and not intended to sound condescending.
Manstein Revenge - LOL, Your too much for me to handle. Your really scaring me from posting on ever again. I’m going back to snap tight models now that I can at Walmart.
This isn’t anything other than me ordering models and sharing it with all on the forum. I’m not angry from the previous post last week. I’m not trying to force my views or opinions on anyone.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys—please, this is not worth the energy that we’re going to invest in it–I can only say that I wish I had the extra cash on hand to conduct “experiments” of this nature, and the subsequent one which you proposed, Cougar! I just can’t see how it is all that cost effective; most guys on this site worry more about prices than shipping efficiency–me included-- so I guess I’m just doubtful that your conclusions will be accurate enough to justify the costs you are incurring by having different items shipped from no less than five separate retailers! But hey, it’s your money! [:D][tup]
Hey, if you really feel that you’re going to be able to make an informed decision on the basis of your experiment here, then go for it! No “feathers ruffled” on this end to be honest, just a little bit of doubt, but no personal gruffness intended![swg]
good on you Manstein,LOL I felt bad about what I wrote! LOL I tried to go back in and change that as soon as it posted. I didn’t want to really upset you. But, you seem to have taken in in stride. Good sense of humor. Not intense,just abit wacked.
hey, I just wanted to try something to see what would happen in regards to buying from several different places.
Thanks Doog,I’m also worried about prices and I don’t like spending more money for a model on one site, and then later finding out that I can get it cheaper at another. So, honestly prices is what I’m concerned about too.
Guys, I don’t want to make enemys on here,I might get in a bind and have to ask for help or tips when modeling.
We need impartiality here! Cougar, please repeat the experiment but have all parcels drop shipped to me. I will then report on the arrival time, condition of parcels and my enjoyment of their contents!
[#ditto]I think for the experiment to be valid you must ship to Squid and I as well…
And when you do form an opinion, please don’t post in a manner that is deragatory or unfair to the company involved…that’s all I ask…it is what it is and that’s one person’s experience ONE time…