Fish or Cut bait?

[grumpygrowly]

Fish or Cut bait?
I found myself staring at an empty shelf where unbuilt kits once sat. But, let us start further back; My/Our area here in Northern CA has seen a decline in hobby shops. One after another closed until we are now left with the only one store in our area to buy kits,,,, Micheal's. Micheal's (here) only stocks WWII ships and aircraft, and "Snap and Play". I have talked to them about getting other kits in stock, but nothing is ever done. So I rarely go in, OK I do go in but just for paints and brushes.
 I know my father and TooOld like Tower Hobbies and I have gotten a kit or 2 from Amazon.
 
Where do Y'all go to get kits? 




The VW type 2 is on hold, all painted and waiting for my father to visit. I think he and I could get it done in a weekend. Brown box is an almost empty parts box. So that leaves O'l Sling Rave to be done and brought me to the eternal question,
Fish or Cut Bait?

[Starryeyes]

Great subject ! We have an independent hobby shop here but hasn't stocked models for 10+ years.. so every other month 2-3 of us would like in a car and make a road trip to other , larger towns to grab a kit or two.. because of time invested and clashing schedules we soon stopped going.. since then a Hobby Lobby came to town which is great for supplies, and paints and the occasional reissue .. I spend at least an hour a day off and on trolling eBay .. that is now my main source for kits...

[TooOld]

I use Tower Hobbies for information on new releases but rarely by from them except to preorder one of those new reissues.
I also spend time every day looking on Ebay and 99% of all my kits come from there . If I need something for a project right away I'll also check Spotlight Hobbies and Model Roundup , they usually can beat any Buy It Now price on Ebay .

[donculley]

We have a hobby shop that's been around for over 50 years .Its outlasted all the others and they seem to know they are the only store around. They have a massive supply of kits in every subject matter (and I mean hundreds and hundreds !) , but the prices are as high as a kite. The average price of a kit is $30.00 or more . I always like to look around there, but I can only afford to buy paint there. Because of this I nearly always buy from Ebay , I do on occasion pick up a kit at some of the toy shows I go to .

[modelcarfan]

Well.. Like others say that E bay is a spot where we all go to. I got to agree with them. I have spent about 95 percent of my expenses on these for vintage kits or parts. I have searched over a very few hobby shop in my town area.. but not every place have them. I would need to visit an old town or small town where there is one. Usually would find many kits there.. but not here where I live is in big city. Many would come or hunt for that and it gets sold in an instant.

I have quite a large sum of kits in my collection, and like I said earlier... about 95 percent are from e bay, spotlight hobbies, and some other odd stores you would find rather than commercial hobby stores.

[grumpygrowly]

So Ebay is the spot, thanks everyone!

When I was a kid, my father would take us to a hobby shop called "kit and Kaboodle" where he would pick up parts for his Lionel trains. My younger brother and I would sneak to the back wall where they kept the model kits. We would stand, stare, dream and talk about what we could do with this or that model kit. When "kit and kaboodle" closed, my father took us to University Ave in Berkley; where at the foot of UC Berkley campus sits Ace Hardware. When you walk in it's just a plain old 1970's hardware store. However if you are to venture down the double wide staircase, you are met with aisle upon aisle of all types of models. All scales, cars, ships, space crafts, planes, figures, animals, RC everything (I remember fawning over an RC bulldozer) and of course the real reason my father took us was the large train section with a huge running HO model Railroad. 
    As a kid I always felt as though walking down those stairs meant I belonged to the "Club" and all those people buying hardware had no idea of the wonders that lie just below their feet. Of course any one could walk down the stair, it was not a club at all. Just a wonderful basement level of a store jam packed with FUN!
    Once a year at X-mas time my father and I go back to that Ace Hardware and spend time looking. I will try to pick up at least 10 kits, as their X-mas deal is normally 50% off sticker and we use a 50% off coupon, fells like stealing.  But this past year I was unable to travel to see my parents for the holiday and missed out on my shopping spree.  

I have gotten kits off Amazon using gift cards. I have bought kits from y'all or traded. I have received birthday gifts from others who ordered from Tower or Model roundup.
But Y'all say Ebay is the spot. Hmmmm,,, I have no plastic $, as I am truly opposed to the Idea.  
There come a time where we all most choose to adapt and overcome or perish,,,, I think my time has come.


Thank Y'all for the help.

[TooOld]

I only use a debit card for purchases but never use it on Ebay , all you need to do is open a Paypal account .
Once you get used to using it you'll find that Paypal can be used for most online purchases , it's secure , and you never need to give out debit card #'s again .

[grumpygrowly]

Aug 30, 2017 14:53:19 GMT -5 TooOld said:

I only use a debit card for purchases but never use it on Ebay , all you need to do is open a Paypal account .
Once you get used to using it you'll find that Paypal can be used for most online purchases , it's secure , and you never need to give out debit card #'s again .

Thanks Brother, I am looking into paypal, seems like a very do-able option.

Just for reference it's not just plastic $ I'm opposed to, I'm against power window in cars and alternate jerseys (home and away that's it). But that is how I was raised, I can't help it.

Again thanks for the help and the push.

[grumpygrowly]

Just a small update. In response to many complaints our Micheal's will no longer carry model kits, only supplies. ....... OK, thats a weird answer to the issue.

I spoke with my father about a Christmas time trip to the big Berkley Ace hardware. He got very silent and then as though one of his freinds had past, he told me that Ace had moved and in their new location the only have 1 12ft long shelf of kits for sale, "And no trains!"

Check out why my father is upset.
youtu.be/ZoF7ypodTeA

Here is a short vid of the fun stock they had......Show rods to start, the UFO's and monsters at the end.
youtu.be/wwjjXXXL1aA


Again thank you all for your input on the issue.
-Grumpy

[itsonlyakit]

My, my that is the saddest stash I have ever seen. Enjoyed those Ace hardware stories and videos. Here in Victoria BC, Canada we have an excellent hobby shop on Fort Street called Victoria Shavers and Hobbies, has everything. We also have a Michaels, I only enter Michaels with a 50% + off coupon. Their kit section has had the same selection for 3-4 years now, nothing new and when they sell a kit, the same replaces it, have called Texas HQ to complain. (hmmmm maybe they will discontinue that section now, ooops). The best deal in Michaels is a Badger Patriot Airbrush using a 55% off coupon. There are other ways to add to the stash, thrift stores, garage sales and swap'n'shops. Model contests usually have vendors, also may have a raffle for kits, also toy and collectible shows. Check up on "Buy and Sell" internet in your own town. Join a hobby club. Picked up a Tamiya Porsche kit at a thrift shop for $3.99 cdn "as is" written on box, OK I look inside, someone made a bad paint job on the body, (easy-off) oven cleaner, and we are back to normal, that kit retails for $40.00. Unless you really do need to unwrap the cellophane there could be lost opportunities. I have only used Ebay once, a friend bought something for me using his account. And that is what I do, Y'all.
Cheers Eh!