HLJ Rant

[exhaust smoke]

I get a lot of my Aoshima kits from my LHS in the form of special order. I've never had to special order any Tamiya or Fujimi kits as they always have a good amount on hand.

That is virtually impossible here in the UK. The importer only brings in a handfull of Aoshima/Hasegawa/Fujimi car kits and these are spread out through the whole country. The majority of the kits they do bring in from the manufacturers are military and aviation related models.

Also, what with the tax being so expensive, the prices of kits are extremely high. For example, when Tamiya's Enzo was first released the price of the kit in the LHS was £30GBP. I ordered it from HLJ for around £15GBP, which included shipping...and I managed to get the kit a couple of months before it even hit the shops in the UK! I mean paying more for a kit is painful, but worth it if it's a Tamiya product. However, imagine paying around £22.00 for a bog standard Fujimi...now that hurts! That is even if you can get hold of one in the first place!!

[nis.k.a.]

Well then. It sucks to be you guys....

[exhaust smoke]

Well then. It sucks to be you guys....

At times like these, HLJ is a Heaven send!

[dag65]

Originally Posted by Future Boy

Gee I'd love to, but I already bought all three of their good kits (they're primarily a train shop, with a few cars, and a lot of military stuff). I get all my supplies there, though. Luckily I get a 10% discount since I'm a member of the local model club.

I also found an alternate source for most of the kits I was looking for, with cheaper shipping AND shipping time.

http://www.best1hobby.com/

I was a bit grumpy yesterday sorry. I hate to see all the nice little local shops closing though, seems to happen more often these days with all the mail order stuff going on.

[Future Boy]

Originally Posted by dag65

I was a bit grumpy yesterday sorry. I hate to see all the nice little local shops closing though, seems to happen more often these days with all the mail order stuff going on.

Yeah, but when they have 1000 yen Fujimi kits marked up to $28.99, and don't have 1/100th of the selection...

[freakmech]

I hate to say it but you all are lazy with the E-bay, HLJ, crap!!!! I admit that some countries cant get certain things and im a victim. But all i did is ask my LHS what there distributor was and found there web site (some times hard because there wholesale only sites). Ive gotten alot of models that are "OOS","OOP" or "BO'd" on HLJ from my local hobby shop. Fudge these mail orders and see what your shop can do for you. within 3-4 days shipping as well. shops that dont specialize in cars doesnt mean there distributor cant get them.... they just dont know what your talking about cus they dont deal with cars. get the product number code on-line then ask your LHS to see if they can get it. WAKE UP. sorry but my LHS doesnt give 2 shits about cars but have gotten me alot of stuffnot available on HLJ or e-bay.... for example i got the entire Aoshima "Skyline Series" in 12 days. And there distributor is not a secret but i wont tell who it is... do your work.... where ever you live in the world.... find out who distributes models in your area and then research.... EASY

[dag65]

Originally Posted by freakmech

I hate to say it but you all are lazy with the E-bay, HLJ, crap!!!!

Agreed, hell when I was a kid you had no choice but to go to the store yourself. All the modern conveniences are making people lazy.

[nis.k.a.]

eBay, LHS, HLJ, Hobby World, Hobby Search, Rainbow 10, Best1Hobby and AF friends. I go to all when purchasing.

I have yet to come up empty handed when looking for something. Even the most rarest of kits (or wheels). So to say that online shopping is crap is a statement I don't agree with. Why limit yourself? All these sources are a previelege not a burden.

I do agree about asking to get stuff through the distributor as I have mentioned above.

[WorldFamous]

Originally Posted by freakmech

I hate to say it but you all are lazy with the E-bay, HLJ, crap!!!!

The local stores are generally more expensive than HLJ and eBay even after shipping. It may be lazy but I'm never going to pay more for something just because it happens to be local, it makes no sense.

[dag65]

Originally Posted by WorldFamous

The local stores are generally more expensive than HLJ and eBay even after shipping. It may be lazy but I'm never going to pay more for something just because it happens to be local, it makes no sense.

If a guy wants it bad enough then all options should be explored instead of ranting about someones online stcok

[WorldFamous]

Originally Posted by dag65

If a guy wants it bad enough then all options should be explored instead of ranting about someones online stcok

I'm not disputing that, I just thought I'd chime in towards the guy calling online shoppers lazy.

[dag65]

Originally Posted by WorldFamous

I'm not disputing that, I just thought I'd chime in towards the guy calling online shoppers lazy.

Yeah I see your point> And I guess we were trying to point out that there are other options to be explored, online shopping is not the only option

[tonioseven]

I'll try my LHS first (six of them so far! ), then I hit the 'net. So far, I have found all of my "Holy Grail" kits!!