Excuse the question but I have no idea. I’m attending my first hobby show tomorrow and while I’m looking forward to seeing the expert builds, I’m really looking forward to seeing what kits I can score. I thought I once read here that the vendors sell well below retail at shows. Is this true and what kind of selection can I expect from your past experiences? Thanks to all who reply.
Here is what I know, prices vary from vendor to vendor and also depends on what kits they have. Out of production and vintage kit prices can and do go pretty high at these events. Kits that are still in production can go at retail price or lower. The scale of the kits also factor in with 1/72 kits being the cheapest and 1/32 kits being the most expensive. My advice is visit all the vendors selling kits and browse and price kits BEFORE you commit to buying any. One vendor may have a kit that they are selling lower than another vendor, so shop around first and see what you can afford.
I’ve found you can get some really good deals. The bigger the show, the more likely you are to find a great deal, but they can still be found at smaller shows, too. The vendors vary greatly, some will sell below retail on everything, some will only choose a few items to mark down. If you’re at a smaller show, the individuals selling off their kits ususally have some unique finds, which can be had at some good prices. The best advice I can give is to look at everything, and know your spending limits. Sometimes it pays to be patient, too… one contest I went to a guy ended up giving away all his kits. I bet this is pretty rare, but it happens.
EDIT: Forgot to add… everything is negotiable, don’t be afraid to haggle.
Thanks for the tips. Since I’m a morning person I was planning on getting there when they opened and also thought this good in that the inventory would be high. Kind of goes against the giving away scenario but the selection will be at it’s best early on . So could hard to find kits be present? My dad wants a 1/25th scale Tiger but I don’t think any body makes one for the U.S. market. I am hoping Tamiya for instance has some that are only sold overseas or have been discontinued.
negotiate and stay away from some of those guys who only have kits being sold retail and wont bargain with you. Bargainig is the key to success and you can walk out with an armful if you do it right.
My first show this weekend as well and I am really looking forward to it. What makes it even better is it being held in a great aircraft museum, the Canadian Warplane Heritage at Hamilton airport. I hope to come home with a bag full of treats. I hope you enjoy your show.
I’ve only been to a couple of shows but one thing I thought I would add is that the vendors have limited display space so often they can’t put everything on the table all at once. It pays to go back at regular intervals and check to see what else they’ve put out. Hard to find and discountinued kits are available but don’t get your hopes too high if you’re looking for something specific.
Thanks for the further advice. Much appreciated.
All of the above, good advice. It definately pays to be early, to get the good stuff, but late, haggling gets a bit easier. Aircraft subjects are usually cheapest, armor doesn’t seem to come down much. My process is, do a walk around, the ones I remember are the ones I really want, buy 'em. Then parooze the AM table. Then throughout the rest of the day, killing time on impulse buys and doing my best to come home with an armfull and broke!! GOOD LUCK!!
If you can stick around until closing time or just before, you can also find some good deals, when some dealers decide that they’d rather sell the kit for whatever they can get, rather than pack it up and take it back home and store it.
And as the other guys have said, don’t be afraid to haggle. Most dealers won’t have too much of a problem with it, especially if you’re polite about it.
Don’t be afraid to take your time and talk to as many dealers as possible, too. If you get to know them over time, they may offer you a deal on this or that kit.
Shows are a lot of fun (even for those of us who help organize them!), I hope you have a good time!
Zar, how did it go? Did you get some good deals?
excdn11.
I was there too. I only popped in for about an hour. Went over the vendors for 50 minutes and then looked at the contest models for about 10 minutes 
I walked away with a 1/32 Fieseler storch and 1/32 109e for $10 each. A bunch of 1/72 kits for $5 or less and a verlinden 1/48 monogram 110 detail set for $15. Great deals for sure.
I found the guys unloading their stashes had better deals than the actual vendors.