Has anyone else noticed that there is never – that’s a dangerous word, because someone will make me a liar – a really good bargain in the Squadron Mail Order Supplements that come monthly? I still use them, because where else can you get the stuff (that may have answered my question), but they never seem to have really low prices on selected overstocks and out-of-print/production products. Last year, I did get a copy of AAF Colors and Markings, Vol. 1, for 19.95, which is $32 off list price. But no good dumping of kits or paint or even other books to speak of, not in my scale anyway (1/48). I turn forty-(zzzwhitenoise) in a couple of weeks, and maybe I’m just prematurely turning into one of those mumbling, cranky old men that hang around in hobby shops and seem to know the owner real well.
Hmmm, I once picked up a Czech 1/48 XP-55 with resin for $20.00 on that special. Within the last year I acquired a Monogram 1/48 Prowler for an amazing $6.35. Another time I got the Classic Airframes Whirlwind for $23.00. Sorry to make a liar out of you but from time to time they have some really great deals.
LOL Shark
dang swanny, 23 bucks for the whirlwind!!![:(!] i paid almost 50 for mine!!! and didn’t even get it built correctly!! man!! later.
Never say never…
There’ve been plenty of deals to be had at Squadron over the years, but they are appearing less frequently.
I can remember getting Monogram B-25’s for $4.99 way back (of course retail on those kits at that time was still around $12!!) and their bagged kit deals were legendary.
Back when Accurate Miniatures was ‘out of the biz’ you could get alotta their kits for as low as $10, including the Il-2, Dauntlesses and Avengers. Although nuthin’ beats the deal I got at one of my local shops; Yaks for $5.99!!! I never thought I’d have a use for fifteen Yaks but… [:p]
With the exception of two, all the LTD kits I ever owned came from Squadron when they were on sale for $4.95 each. I had plans for some burning airfield type-o dioramas, so I loaded up on those…
I also got one of my ProModeler Ju 88’s from them for $12.99 and I dunno how many decal sheets for anywhere from 50¢ to $2 each.
Never say never… [;)]
Fade to Black…
I realize that I left key words out I meant to write. I should have said “not as many bargains, it seems, as there once were,” like the ones Wolf mentions: they always seemed to have some bagged kits, and though I’m glad AcMin is still with us, they were practically giving them away. Monogram kits and Humbrol paints as well. This seems to have stopped pretty much in the last two years (the AcMin kits being the last really good, month-to-month bargains I recall), and there may be some technological reason that Squadron, which, after all, is not a charity, found a way not to get stuck with unneeded, unsold merchandise.
Tom
Blackwolf, thanks for that mental nudge - I had forgotten all about the LTD kits. That’s Squadron’s own production I believe. Loved the IAR80 for $6.99.
I go to the Squadron open house each year where you can rummage through their warehouse and also pick up some good deals on the sale tables. Talk about model heaven!!! They have EVERYTHING. There must be fifty double rows of industrial shelves stretching off into the distance.
The point is, though, that I think they still have a lot of storage space, so they don’t necessarily have to dump kits to make room for “hotter” stock. Maybe they get rid of the overstock at their open house.
I found an old Squadron monthly catalog the other day, and sharkskin is right - they don’t seem to have as many great deals as they did half a dozen years ago. Their prices are good, not great, in my opinion. However, they virtually always have what I order in stock, and their service to me has always been excellent. That’s worth something. Being a sophisticated operation, my guess is they have figured out exactly how much it is worth and charge accordingly.
ChemMan is right. Their prices aren’t always a steal but I’ve found that on the stuff I want their pricing is actually better than the “other place”. As important, their service is top notch which to me counts for a lot.[2c][:)]
And I though I was the only one noticing!. I’m a suscriber for over two years now and notice the same things…the same specials and the same prices over and over…you have to peruse thru the flyer to find a couple of good bargains nowdays…but they’re top notch service and nobody beats that!
that’s where I got all this…
Although the deals in the catalog aren’t that great, if you just surf their site you can stumble accross these ComSale items. I’m not sure what the deal with these are, but they are generally really good prices on some products. It doesn’t appear to be stuff that appears in the catalog.
I’m not sure if there’s some rhyme or reason to what products are put in this ComSale category, but it seems kind of random.
-Jonathan
LOL woodbeck…
you need more mustang AM stuff…
…and
would you mind elaborating on the package contents of the Eduard PE…48-339 ?..next to the Squadron vac canopies ?..plz ?
The kits and model supplies could be listed as FREE in the catalog and it would not help me. I have NEVER received a complete order from SQUADRON and no longer choose to do business with that company.
I have had no problems with their service. I have been using them since they had regular store locations and their mailorder was done out of Michigan.
I can only once remember getting an out-of-stock notice from an order to Squadron, but of course it was the one thing I wanted most (an Eduard fret for Tamiya F4D). And I didn’t know about the warehouse sale. At last, a reason to move to Dallas! And, as for their own lines of stuff, I’m alway going on about the quality of their Encore kits, which are truly a bargain. Unfortunately, they are all, apparently, 1/72 kits, so I generally buy them for a couple bucks, then just take out the sprues and decals from time to time to admire them, like my Yak-9 and Il-15. Beautiful little kits. I don’t know who the original Eastern European manufacturers for these kits are, but they are a fine bargain for those who work in that scale.
I bought several of the Revell/Monogram A-4 E/F Blue Angel kits for $14.99 a few months back. That is a $27 (MSRP) kit. I consider that a good deal. As stated above their service is top notch, and they maintain an outstanding selection.
Keep in mind folks that profit is not a dirty word. As mentioned above the retailers in the business have to carry a very large inventory. The warehouse costs, insurance, interest on loans, utilities, employees and employee benefits, legal and accounting fees, advertising, etc. are staggering.
If these suppliers(of kits), including the local hobby shops, cannot make a decent profit , then we will not have a source of supply. It is not a hobby for them, it is a business! Food for thought.
rangerj
Squadron has changed over the years. I put myself through college with their $2.99 monograms and $1.99 Heller kits.
I have said this before. I don’t know how you find deals in this catalogue anyway. It is the most confusing thing I have ever laid eyes on. Smallest font available and what appears to be no rhyme or reason to anything. I hate the darn thing but still look forward to it coming every month. I am sick!
I disagree about never getting any good deals from Squadron. I got my Trumpeter Essex for $60.00. You can’t beat that with a stick.