neu Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) Hey Guys, Something just came to my mind after a discussion I had wit ha few modelers. While I'm pretty much doing all my researches on any kits online before buying and ordering online afterwards, others are spending more time and going to actual physical stores to pick up their kits. I see the pro and con of both solutions... So I'm just wondering which way you guys are going usually? I'm pretty curious to see the poll results and I'd love to see some reasoning as well! Have a great day! Greetings, neu Edited July 22, 2016 by neu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kg4kpg Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Only LHS here are Hobby Town USA and they get pretty pricey. When I can buy I usually buy from fellow modelers and occasionally online hobby retailers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Everything I buy for modelling is online. The local model shop(really a craft/hobby store with a model aisle)caters more to the young kid wanting a model to build on a rainy day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skids72 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Hi neu I have a local shop (here in the UK) that sells mostly Revell, Airfix with the occasional Trumpeter, Hasegawa etc but no AM. If they have it I always support the shop (even if its a bit more expensive) but if they can't get it I go online or order from a retailer and pick up at a show. Thanks Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 For me it comes down to cost. If my LHS has a kit that I want and I can get it cheaper from them then online then I buy from the LHS. To be honest though its a minority of the time that my LHS comes in cheaper then what I can get the kit for, including shipping, by purchasing the kit online. I do my best to help out the LHS but in the end my modeling budget takes priority. Short answer...online. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Both. All my supplies come from my hobby stores and I get models from 3 places. Here at ARC, online, and the LHS. Just depends on the price, availability, and my mood. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I have no choice but to order things online, all of our local hobby shops have closed up shop. :( Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I have no choice but to order things online, all of our local hobby shops have closed up shop. :(/> Steve Ditto here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Brick and mortar are way overpriced. Even on line is a bit expensive after you add shipping. I found the best way to go is buy at a dealers table at a show. I am always looking for those "vintage" kits that e bay sellers over price because they are so hard to find, yeah.....right. My next option after that is buying from Japanese or Chinese distributors.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Like some others, I buy kits from the LHS unless it's something they don't/won't carry. Yes, I can get it cheaper, but I want both of them to STAY IN BUSINESS. Why don't you modify the poll to add "Buy from LHS when possible, otherwise online." This will better capture myself and some others. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helmsman Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 No choice here, the only LHS moved 100 miles away couple of years ago. And I wouldn't call hobby lobby a hs at all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nachjager Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 About 95% of my kits and modelling supplies come from online retailers in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the rest from Sprue Bros, Scale Hobbyist and/or Michigan Toy Soldier. Only thinners comes from local suppliers like Home Depot or local hardware stores. I even get my clothing, shoes from online sources. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I buy online mostly because with my work hours, it is a rare event I am awake at an hour the LHS is open. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mynameismatt Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 100% of my kits are online and second-hand. I don't remember the last time actually purchasing a kit from a retailer in any form. Paints/supplies are most often brick and mortar, unless I can't find what I need. then Sprue Bros. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jgrease Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Houston only has one LHS aside from HobbyTown so the pickings are slim. I typically use HT for paints and glues. Kits and just about anything else are cheaper online. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Spruebrothers and the local HobbyTown USA. I work at the HobbyTown and our discount is pretty nice, so getting kits and supplies from there isn't so bad. I do a lot of the model orders for the store, so our selection is pretty darn good too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Fondlebottom Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Sweden here, no even remotely local hobby shop in my area. I buy it all online, though plenty of that can be supplies from domestic hobby stores that do both online and physical retail mostly because of shipping time more than anything else. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rex Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I get everything from online or model shows. I was a good supporter of my LHS, but, once he closed, that left me with no choice. Besides, since I use antique paints, an LHS wouldn't carry them anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 My local brick-and-mortar is nearly an hour away. Hobby Lobby is local but it's a crap shoot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 ARC, so online Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parche Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Both. All my supplies come from my hobby stores and I get models from 3 places. Here at ARC, online, and the LHS. Just depends on the price, availability, and my mood. ^^^ This, although I will give the LHS the benefit that if they are within a few dollars of the same kit online (plus shipping), I'll use them and take the the extra hit to the model budget. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 ^^^ This, although I will give the LHS the benefit that if they are within a few dollars of the same kit online (plus shipping), I'll use them and take the the extra hit to the model budget. Dave Same here. I'll get most of the paint, tools and misc stuff from the LHS. For kits, if he's even remotely close to the online price, I'll give him the business. I don't have money to burn but an extra $10-$30 once in a while to support a local business is well worth it IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kenlilly106 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) Best shops are 45 min or so away, I can't afford to drive down there every time I need something. Plus they only carry the usual R-M/AMT/RoG kits. I have weird interests. I do try if I'm in the area (usually every 6 months or so) to run by and stock up on paints and whatnot. One of the shops carries Floquil paints and the full Tamiya rack of sprays and bottles. Ken Edited July 22, 2016 by kenlilly106 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shadrik Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I used to buy almost all my kits online. Now I buy all of them online. There are no hobby shops near me with one exception. They only stock Revell kits so those I used to buy there. But the last time I was there the owners twenty-something son followed me around the store. And he was close, as in, if I would have tried to take my wallet out of my back pocket, I would have touched him. Very uncomfortable. So I asked if there was a problem and his answer was "not yet". So that was that, I spend my money elswhere now. I am all for supporting your local business, but if you essentially call me a thief, me, who NEVER left that store without buying a kit, even if they didn't have the one I wanted, my money will never ever go your way again. Ever. All other shops that carry models are a good 1 hour drive away. And shops that carry manufacturers other than Revell are even further. So bying kits online is the number one thing for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I try, I really do, but the local places almost never have what I'm looking for.... Guess that means I feel really bad that they can't read my mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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