I figure I could post this anywhere, but here or the armor thread is likely to get the most attention. My question is (I know, I know, this has probably been asked 100 times before) what is (are) the best online hobbyshops? One of my two LHS suddenly closed its doors and I fear I will have to resort to doing much, if not most, of my shopping online, which I have never done before. What sites have people had the most success with? How about what ones have created the biggest headaches?
The three I use are squadron.com, spruebrothers.com, and plastic-models.com (tower hobbies). I’ve never had a problem with any of them. Tower hobbies usually has the lowest price, but doesn’t have any aftermarket stuff.
They carry a lot and I have had great experience with their service and speed of shipping.
Same story here, add in greatmodels.com…no problems with them but a lack of stock at times.
I use Internet Hobbies, Tower Hobbies, and Squadron.com for my online shopping. In my opinion, Squadron is not the cheapest, but they have the best selection of aftermarket accessories. Tower Hobbies has the best regular prices, but limited kit selection, Internet Hobbies has a better selection of kits, and they have great clearance sales.
I primarily stick to megahobby.com. They always have what I want and have the best paint selection I know of. Their prices, to me, are some of the best and the service is great. For aftermarket stuff, I usually go with squadron.com.
Andy
Squadron is good. Great Modles-I iwll only order by phoen so I can find out if the item is in stock. Had problems with placing orders online and had the order filled with several shipments and seveal shipping charges. SprueBros-Ordered from the once, so far. Placed order and got the order confirm about an hour later. Then got the shipping confirm 90 mins after that and delivered in 3 days.
Here is a list of online hobby retailers I’ve ordered from and never had any problems with.
Decals:
http://www.eaglestrikeproductions.com/index.html Aeromaster and Eaglestrike Decals
http://www.brookhursthobbies.com/camdecals/index.html Cam Decals and resin detail sets.
http://www.decalgear.com/DG/ Custom decal making software and accesories.
http://www.mawdecals.com/index.html Specilizing in F-18 Marines Decals.
http://www.vfdecals.com/ Specializing In Markings Of The F-14 Tomcat
General Model and supplies:
http://spruebrothersmodels.com/
http://www.squadron.com/Index.htm
http://www.testors.com/default.asp
I’ve had great service and fast shipping from all sites listed above and use them all quite often.
Hope this helps.
Air Master
I still use Squadron.com on occasion, but find their inventory is not what it used to be. I haven’t placed one order with them in the last two years or so where there wasn’t a sizable amount of my order “out of stock”, even when the items were ordered straight out of their current sales catalog, and confirmed via their website. I remember 20 or so years ago when things were quite a bit different.
I now favor Great Models. I’ve dealt with Stephanie each time, and not only receive prompt and thorough replies to my inquiries, but she has gone out of her way to track down specific kits for me, and still maintained a fast turn around with delivery.
For my figure modeling kits etc. (my real passion), I use Michigan Toy Soldier Company most of the time because of their large selection and good pricing.
I use www.hobbylinc.com quite often and have never had a problem. I have shopped there many times. Squadron and spruebrothers are real good to. I also like www.meteorprod.com for aftermarket stuff.
Also add Http://www.internethobbies.com to that list. Was http://www.rollmodels.com on the list also? In the links page of my website is a large listing of reputable on-line hobby shops.
Hobbylinc.com is good, but they focus on items in stock instead of shipping time. Internet Hobbies.com and Greatmodels.com are very good. Airfix.com has a fairly good sized inventory as well.
Chris
In the past i have used a lot of the companies mentioned. Recently I have discovered Sprue Brothers and absolutly love them. My last three orders have been from them, and as mentioned above I get a confirm and a shipment e-mail within a day and it arrives three days later. Another plus is that when you pull up a product it tells you how many are in stock. Its not a guessing game like Greatmodels or Squadron.
TOM
And if you live in Missouri, you can get stuff from spruebrothers in 2 days, and sometimes even next day [:-^] But you have to pay MO sales tax [yuck]
If you live in the mid-west, you should get your order in 2-3 days, if they are shipping priority. I order from Hobbylinc a lot and they ship priority, and i get them in 2 days, everytime, and thats from Georgia to Indiana!
Hey all,
Thanks for the info. Looks like a few places get used by just about everyone, so I’ll start with those.