Tiger's Den Hobbies

tigeraid · #1 09-19-2006, 11:36 PM

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com

Tiger's Den Hobbies has been open for build services for a while now, but we're moving into our new house in a couple of weeks, and then I can start ordering inventory and open the online store.

So, big question to my fellow modelers, specifically the Canadian ones, whom I hope will be my customers!

What do you guys want to see in my inventory?

More domestic stuff, or Tamiya and Fujimi stuff?

Aftermarket parts, and if so what kinds?

Should I stock Paint/thinner/putty and would you order these from an online store if I do? Perhaps in bulk?

I was considering an eBay store for used/old kits, and misc parts box stuff. What does everyone think of this idea?

This and any other suggestions are welcomed. Thanks for your support as always guys!

cyberkid · #2 09-19-2006, 11:48 PM

I'd like to see some SUV's or jeeps. Will you be selling internationally?

tigeraid · #3 09-20-2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberkid

I'd like to see some SUV's or jeeps. Will you be selling internationally?

Certainly. Though shipping out of Canada can sometimes be a royal pain. I'm sure I could stock some domestic SUV kits...

klutz_100 · #4 09-20-2006, 02:03 AM

Good luck with your enterprise!

Martbee · #5 09-20-2006, 06:06 AM

Couples of Fujimi since in Est Canada they are pretty hard to come by, of course a load of PE, some resin kit (SMT, Blue Moon...) and some hard to find Tamiya kit (SLR, FXX...).

Good luck with this, I'll be around checking your arrival ! Shipping to Québec shoundn't be a problem.

Mart.

NemesisR34 · #6 09-20-2006, 06:58 AM

Some Aoshima drifters/imports/trucks!

I would buy from you since I'm from Quebec too!

Dylza · #7 09-20-2006, 08:33 AM

I'll second the Fujimi kits and Aoshima drift models...I always have to order them from japan, otherwise.
Good luck with your business, hopefully you'll be seeing me as a customer.

mikemechanic · #8 09-20-2006, 09:11 AM

Hey John. I think I would leave the domestic stuff for Wal-Mart, very hard for a small hobby shop to compete with them. I would look forward to seeing all the import stuff and aftermarket detail stuff. There are no hobby shops here that really carry the good aftermarket detail stuff (ie P/E, carbon fiber decals, etc.) I always find myself ordering from Japan or US companies. Looking forward to making an order.

Mike.

voyageur · #9 09-20-2006, 09:43 AM

I agree with mikemechanic,

leave domestic stuff to the big retail stores. I lived in El Paso, TX for a year and they have some great model shops there...but I never bought a kit there. I did buy aftermarket wheels, decals, PE and such things, though. And I liked the choice of model magazines they had (especially the contest ones that are impossible to find in Germany).
You should also stock tools, like drills, drill holders, PE saws etc.
Basically everything one can't buy at Walmart, HobbyLobby or Michael's.

Cheers from Germany and good luck with your business!

tigeraid · #10 09-20-2006, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys... I don't think I can leave domestic kits completely, because my build service uses about 80% domestic kits! But I hear you on the Aoshima stuff, I'll have to see if I can find a supplier reasonably affordable... As for aftermarket stuff, I'll do my best, but usually the aftermarket guys want HUGE minimum orders.

Any specific choices for aftermarket suppliers you'd like to see? I don't know the import aftermarket suppliers ALL that well... plus, I believe racingminiatures carries a lot of that stuff, though they're in BC...

patoffspyder · #11 09-20-2006, 11:47 AM

Good news, I am from Quebec too, and I usually got custom fees when buying from USA.

I would love to see Tamiya's, Fujimi's and Aoshima's kits!
Some paint would be nice too, alclad, Cobra Colors, Finishers.

Robi J · #12 09-20-2006, 11:47 AM

A deep G O O D L U C K ! !

Robi

tigeraid · #13 09-20-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patoffspyder

Good news, I am from Quebec too, and I usually got custom fees when buying from USA.

I would love to see Tamiya's, Fujimi's and Aoshima's kits!
Some paint would be nice too, alclad, Cobra Colors, Finishers.

Ya, I was considering Cobra Colours as well. And yes, one of the main hopes with this business was to help Canadians avoid customs fees

willimo · #14 09-20-2006, 01:11 PM

I think the most valuable online store right now would be one that buys collections or old kits from people and other sources, and sells them. I'm not talking about the rare old 60's AMT kits or whatever, just various hard to find or OOP kits. There isn't much of that out there, especially among the import brands (Tamiya, Gunze) so you'd have that market pretty tied up. plus, it'd be awesome for us to be able to have a reliable source - as in, not ebay. I know stock won't be reliable with something like that.

tigeraid · #15 09-20-2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willimo

I think the most valuable online store right now would be one that buys collections or old kits from people and other sources, and sells them. I'm not talking about the rare old 60's AMT kits or whatever, just various hard to find or OOP kits. There isn't much of that out there, especially among the import brands (Tamiya, Gunze) so you'd have that market pretty tied up. plus, it'd be awesome for us to be able to have a reliable source - as in, not ebay. I know stock won't be reliable with something like that.

Also a good suggestion. Problem is, I'm not sure I have enough money to throw at stuff like that... and if you look at it from my point of view, I could go and bid on a bunch of lots on ebay, and things like that, and sure enough I'd get a deal on 20, 40 or 100 kits or whatever, but then the shipping and customs charges would kill me anyway!

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD