Should You Buy Plastic Scale Model Kits on eBay?

eBay is the popular online auction website, but I find that it's a bit of a minefield when it comes to buying plastic scale model kits there. All I want to do is buy my Airfix kits for a good price, but how can I guarantee that they'll be in good condition?
Join me in this video as i voice my concerns with buying plastic scale model kits on eBay.
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[@jimi71smw]

"purchasing kits from your local store can be cheaper" good luck with that, most of the model shops i used have since closed down making buying kits online especially on ebay the only way to buy them

[@ModelMinutes]

jimi71smw it’s a shame that shops are indeed closing down, but I do find that when I go into the shops they tend to be slightly cheaper or the same price, plus I don’t have to pay for postage 😂

[@ImranKhan-kq3nw]

There are hardly any stores around. Michael's and Hobby lobby hardly carry anything worth building.

[@jaybirdjargon]

@@ImranKhan-kq3nw Let me help you here Imran: "Michael's and Hobby Lobby hardly carry anything."

[@jaybirdjargon]

@UCZq-vp7SHcMWDFEtJLzCwuA I mean what I said. They hardly carry anything. There is nothing worth buying.

[@TheGameCamer360]

All my local shops and any I have been in are extortionately priced compared to the web.

[@Captain-Nostromo]

Occasionally when I am looking for a vintage model I buy them on Ebay. On the other hand I try to support my local Hobby Shops, Because I believe There will be soon Gone. It's a special feeling to walk into hobbyshop and watch all the different items, talk to the owner and get some good Advices at the same time And meet other modelers😎 by the way your channel is awesome.

[@ModelMinutes]

Captain Nostromo thanks! Yeah, local shops are great! ☺️

[@Captain-Nostromo]

@UCcJpjxUtCVFwlSlw9WRD32g I will check it out Thank you, Recently I bought a big box of vintage Models on an estate there were over 40 Models in the box brands like Airfix, Matchbox, Frog, Johan, old tamiya, Revell, Amt and you name it 😀 $80

[@MrPolicekarim]

@@Captain-Nostromo WOW!

[@ImranKhan-kq3nw]

Every country,city and state holds IPMS model show all around the year if you Google it there might be one in your city or state. Good part about it is that you can participate in the contest without being a member of the IPMS and you can also buy vintage model kits and new ones very very cheap at the show from the vendor tables you can even bargain. It's cheaper than eBay please try . Look for IPMS CALENDAR ON GOOGLE FOR YOUR STATE AND CITY. Watch this video for example. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b321ooeFlNqrbKc

[@Matanumi]

depending on where you live...I'm finding that gunpla shops around me are exploding EVEN after covid impact

[@pajero28tdi]

Have bought several hundred kits from ebay past ten years. Less then 1 % were "bad" i can live with that :) But shipping is getting to expensive...

[@ModelMinutes]

pajero28tdi yes, sometimes the shipping is the same cost as fuel to go the nearest shop

[@MOS6510Models]

for the record.. posting a small parcel by hermes or royal mail is £2.95 and the price is for postage and packing, bubble mailers are 15-20p each, boxes are 45p each so the cost can go up.. if people charge more than 3.95 then its a tad greedy.. but where ive been to model shops ive paid 2 quid to park the car in a local carpark..

[@ImranKhan-kq3nw]

I agree with you 💯 most of the time delivery cost more than the kit you are buying. I wish they come up with something better.

[@blle3110]

@@MOS6510Models For the record, ebay is so much more than UK so please start acting like you have a pair because i ain`t hearing it. The rates you speak of are dirt cheap compared to what i am used to paying.

[@fe3613]

Do you have to only choose kits where the seller specifically states "all parts included" for that to be almost always true? I've found that most listings don't say one way or another. So I'm wondering what you've found with your experience.

[@Myfactory62]

Support your local hobby shops if you can,the bad side of the internet is that it's killing the high street,the model shops will have to keep raising prices to compete until they can no longer and get cancelled out,also occasionaly it's nice to go out!..ebay's good for older vintage kits like matchbox though..if you can stand bidding. Also the postage cost's are mad.

[@ModelMinutes]

I completely agree!

[@jyvesguillemot]

totally agreed , mate ! youre right !in france , so many local hobbies shops are died , its a pity !

[@dr.doppeldecker3832]

So thankful for my local hobby shop to exist! i would not want to miss just strolling trough the store wasting my time:)

[@ModelMinutes]

Same!

[@rebelsatcloudnine]

I like the discussion on this video, and I've made a few notes on topics. I'm going to make a video as a response and post in an a while, mainly from a Canadian buyers point of view. But I really enjoyed the topic and that you brought a lot of ebay seller problems to light.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, i just felt that it was something that hadn't been discussed much and it had been bugging me for a while :P

[@barringtonmcfarlane4739]

I'm in the UK there are no model shops left they have all closed down so for me eBay is kool I never had any problems with eBay .you get what you pay for.

[@ModelMinutes]

It's a shame that there aren't any where you live. I'm quite fortunate as I do manage to get to shops occasionally

[@gbjanuary]

barrington mcfarlane hobby craft have shops most places but local model shops are hard to find.

[@robblawrence9020]

I have a local model shop near me! I’m very lucky as I live in Scotland! :)

[@juliekmunden]

I sell them on ebay and do so if they are sealed because I feel like if I find them at a garage sale it is nice to sell to those who are interested in buying. I've had good luck so far. Just sold a KC-135A Stratotanker on ebay. That is what I love if someone finds a cool item that they have no use for, but sells it so others can enjoy and is honest about the condition; then everyone wins. New sub. Thanks for sharing!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for watching and commenting! :)

[@bentobarreirinhas5702]

When I get a chance to go to a model shop, or a shop that has models, I usually buy something.

[@ModelMinutes]

Same!

[@rickmoreno6858]

@Yoshihiko no amazon is just as ridiculous with their prices as some ppl on ebay

[@joeshmoe9978]

One key to finding good deals on ebay is having a lot of patience. Decide on a specific kit you want and create a watch list on ebay for it. You can even have alerts sent to your phone as soon as one goes up for sale. Also, check the newly listed search, because sometimes you will be the first to see a good price and "buy it now" or put the first bid on it. Sometimes you will have to let a number of auctions go by without purchasing anything. This will allow the limited number of people who want exactly the same kit as you want to pay the crazy prices since some of them are the "gotta have it NOW!" types. You will notice that, after a few auctions pass by, it seems that everybody who wanted one has gotten it and you will have little to no competition getting one at a good price. This strategy really works, if you have the patience to work it out over two or three months. Also make sure to really study the photos and description before buying. Sometimes sellers re-shrink wrap used or defective kits to sell as "new". You can sometimes spot imperfections in the wrap, such as waves or bumps from it not being as tight as the original wrap. You can also have success selling if you have a kit that is out of production, and has a demand for it. My suggestion is to only list your item when there are absolutely no items that are exactly the same as yours for sale, and list it at a REASONABLE price. If you start the bidding ridiculously high, nobody will bid on it. The demand will raise the price considerably by the end of the auction, especially if two or more bidders get into a bidding war. As an example, I once listed a 1/48 Monogram EA-6 Grumman Prowler for around US$15.00, (this was before the Kinetic brand kit came out) and it ended up selling for US$98.00!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the tips! :)

[@rollandcaissie1945]

I believe you are spot on in your assessment/comments regarding EBay!

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks!

[@warrenchambers4819]

When I have the time to drive across town to the hobby shop I jump at the chance. I personally know all 3 of the shop owners and prefer supporting them. But when they don't have the kit I'm looking for usually an out of production kit or the wonderful nostalgia purchase of a kit from long ago that "got away back in the day" I use eBay. Modellers are GREAT people and I've never had any issues that wasn't handled to my liking. Even made afew friends along the way. And I've had my share of issues. Once I ordered a 1/24 Airfix 109 but received a 1/35 Panzer IV instead. The seller was super nice and very apologetic. Turns out she'd even sent my 109 to someone else who kindly sent it to me. The fella who ordered the Panzer apparently wasn't very understanding and demanded a refund along with leaving some nasty feedback. Mistakes happen Lord knows I've made my share and don't feel as though I should treat someone badly for it. The lady even pleaded with me to keep the Panzer as she much appreciated my understanding and she would hear none of my offering to pay her for the kit. I've since bought many other kits from her store as well and not a single hitch either. Missed my far share of kits as well on eBay. You diehards will know who Shepard Paine is and believe it or not I had a chance at the diorama he built for Monogram using the sherman tanks in the hedge rows. Out bid by 100 bucks, it went for less than 1,000. Knew I should've place max bid at 1500.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for sharing your story :D

[@johnparker1696]

As to successful buys I had a 1/32nd Scale Matchbox Puma bought for £15.00 that only had the decals missing and I got a set of decals for this kit for £3.50 both from E-bay so my total outlay including Postage was about £25.00 not bad for this rare and lovely model from Matchbox(Now Revell). However I did once buy an Airfix F-86D Sabre from a seller and when it arrived it contained a Westland Scout inside the box which funnily enough I was looking for at the time aswel LOL

[@ModelMinutes]

John Parker lol that’s crazy!

[@2kidsnosleep]

Yes we should be buying from eBay. Online stores, eBay and local hobby stores when available. Bought tons off of eBay and have only had a very few issues, and all were solved. Internet allows for very wide search of rare kits and detail sets. This is the Golden Age of Modelling

[@ModelMinutes]

I hope you're right about it being the golden age :)

[@subliminalstyrene811]

I live in Denmark, there are simply NO Model Shops here at all because the Danish tax system would make them completely unaffordable, so basically I have no choice but to buy them on eBay. Have bought at least 300 kits over the years on eBay and only twice had a problem, you just need to buy from someone with a proper store, a high amount of completed transactions with a high seller rating, I generally keep to Sellers I know well and have bought from many times before. Most of my kits come from China, Thailand, South Korea & Japan, occasionally from the UK or Germany. As I say, two duds in over 300 buys can't be scoffed at !

[@ModelMinutes]

Shame that they don't have any shops, but sounds like you had some great success! :)

[@pajero28tdi]

@@ModelMinutes Same in Norway

[@mattclass9176]

I recently bought the 2011 airfix red arrows gnat started set, I believe it was the last time the old tooling was used before they retooled it. The seller was great and made sure it came in perfect condition with all the parts and instructions. Just got to build it now!

[@ModelMinutes]

awesome!

[@mattclass9176]

Model Minutes I really love the gnat and the hawk for some reason! Must get more of them!

[@felipequesada6833]

Enjoyed your video. I've been building models for over 50 years. Usually have a good idea of what's available. Use several online sites. Squadron & Mega Hobby are 2 favorites. However, eBay can be a solid choice. Have purchased several kits that are no longer available. And as you have found some sellers to who have no idea what they have. I usually ask several questions and have a good idea of what price I will go to. I'm lucky to enjoy just about any kit. So I don't just have a particular one. If one stays with a seller with a good reputation and fair prices there's good deals.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the tips! :)

[@someduckwithanultimax6549]

"I'm not someone who buy some kits and puts them in storage, if I buy a kit I'm going to build it" A modeller without a large stash...? Good on you, I suppose...

[@ModelMinutes]

lol, i try my best to build everything that I buy - i'm not saying I don't have a stash - the difference is that I'm going to build them instead of "save" them

[@angelreading5098]

I only buy to build,that is what kits are for not to look at and hoard the boxes !

[@mznabi]

Angel Reading I always keep the boxes for my models but not to sell on. I would either use it to store my paints or tools or if it’s a starter set I might need the painting instructions in the future

[@johnparker1696]

I have to agree with you on E-bay although it is a really good source for OOP kits For new stuff I try to support the local shops as they need as much business as poss at the mo and you have to be really careful and check the pictures as much as possible when buying from e-bay sellers. If it looks incomplete it usually is!!!!!! I tend to opt for the auction sales rather than BUY IT NOW as the prices are usually too high with the buy it now sellers they tend to be too greedy. I once asked a local seller that had a Revell 1/32nd Scale Mosquito B-IV (Same Box and everything) why his kit was £4 more money than in the shops and his reply was well do you want it or not. I said I would buy it for £4 less and Have it new.

[@ModelMinutes]

John Parker yeah, I’ve had very similar conversations before

[@brucerobinson7295]

John Parker check old time model kits every thing is a 100 % if its missing parts they let you know they have a lot of oop kits take a look hope you find it useful good day Bruce

[@BillHalliwell]

G’day MM, I agree with everything you say about eBay in this video. I’ve been dealing on eBay since 2001 and I’m also a aircraft model kit maker. There are bargains to be had on eBay but it takes a lot of time and a keen eye for the details. Eventually, you develop a ‘feeling’ for those sellers who don’t know what they are selling and those that do. Sometimes a seller who hasn’t got a clue about the costs or details of model kits, and any other items for that matter, can lead to an excellent saving. But like you said, you have to be careful. I’ve also found that people who describe what they are selling incorrectly usually means they have no idea how much the item is really worth. So, instead of searching for a kit using all the details of what I want, I might just search for ‘plastic aeroplane’ or ‘toy aircraft’ etc. This really takes a lot of time but I’ve found some outstanding bargains over the years by doing this. Also, if there’s time, I email the seller and get them to tell me if all the bags are still sealed. If they say no then there’s no deal. I live in a remote area so there is no local model shop. Generally, I buy kits from reputable kit shops who have a page on eBay. Sometimes, if buying more than one kit you can ask for a discount, sometimes they agree so it’s worth a quick message to find out. Cheers, BH

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for your comment! Yes, it can be a bit of a minefield!

[@richardbishop3620]

I agree with your assessment on the Ebay prices but it is a good source of models that are discontinued

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, i've picked up some classics on there :)

[@gsr4535]

Agreed. I use Ebay as a research tool and to casually browse. I do make purchases occasionally but as you say, being very careful.

[@ModelMinutes]

Well said!

[@kirovskiecrab1365]

I've bought a few used kits on eBay but I've made sure that the packages are sealed. I got a 1/35 tank for £8 with postage and the seller stated that the decals where missing which I was happy with and I got a revell antanov an2 for £10 and it even included some aftermarket decals that I was not told about when buying it.

[@ModelMinutes]

Sounds like you got some great deals!

[@billgalloway1799]

Completely agree. I try to check amazon, Hanants, emodels etc to compare and check delivery costs first but even then it’s not easy to find a bargain on eBay. Less and less bidding and more buy it now pricing. Sadly my local model shop closed down so it’s hard to just nip out and impulse buy but more and more nowadays I’m looking for something different and eBay ends up being the place.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, its a shame that real shops are closing. Although there are good deals on ebay, sometimes it's more trouble than it's worth

[@Zone5Aviation]

I used to use eBay when I lived in the UK but since moving to New Zealand, I’ve only used it once or twice in 9 years. I tend to only buy from sellers I’ve used before who have a feedback rate of 99 or 100%. Shipping prices are just too high. I much prefer to support my local hobby store who knows the hobby and can also offer any advice when I’m in the store. Without doing this we won’t have any high street hobby stores.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, the local store tends to be better :)

[@schlookie]

Trademe here in NZ is a good source for rarer or out of production kits. However often the asking price is far too high - especially if the seller as got it into his or her head that the kit may be rare, so I'll give the kit a miss unless it's something I really really want. The local hobby shop is your best bet for run of the mill kits etc. I do find there are often brands of hobby paints and consumables available on Trademe that my two hobby shops don't stock.

[@jameshandy1250]

Hawaii, few if any model shops here. In the states many shop owners have closed the brick and mortar location to reduce overhead and work from home by selling via internet. This makes it possible for me to find kits I want. My best advice is to beware shipping costs. Example $12 for a 1/72 kit with $26 snail mail shipping. Yes, be cautious.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the info!

[@jerrell1169]

Sadly I do not live close to a dedicated model shop, the majority around me mostly sell things related to other hobbies (one is even a half music store half hobby shop combo) and the small modeling section they have mostly consists of the cheaper starter kits from Revell and Airfix. As far as quality goes, I usually just ask a seller to send a couple of other pictures to see if there has been any damage or if anything was missing and even then the price I pay for the kit isn’t really a big enough investment for me to be annoyed if it’s not all that great. Granted this is mostly because I mostly build 1/100 and 1/144 scale kits for which I barely pay more than 30$ including shipping but I can 100% see why someone would be peeved if a 1/48 or more expensive 1/72 scale kit has issues.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, contacting the seller is always a good step!

[@ricky4k743]

I'm always looking for more pictures of the kit before decide to buy it. So I can make sure nothing is missing or damaged. If tje seller doesn't do that, I don't buy it. And up to now, I never got disappointed with it. So, yes you are 100 % right, when u say be careful.

[@ModelMinutes]

well said

[@bentobarreirinhas5702]

I agree in part. In the town were I live there are no model shops. In fact I am not mistaken there are no model shops for hundreds of km, the nearest one I know of is about 320 km away. In the country and town were I was born there are about 5 shops that have models, and these shops are declining, usually not having a great selection. I prefer buying at shops, but while I live here I buy through the internet. It would be great if there were more model shops, with more stock and if models were sold in supermarkets like they used to be until the 90's.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, it's a shame about the decline

[@ianarnold2760]

I bought a complete collection of the Kiss Destroyer kits made by polar lights all with original price tickets sealed and unboxed at a great price. I won't build them but. Tricky question? Should I hold them until certain band members pass on orjustleave them in my stash ! I'm not young so they might end up on a rubbish tip , like me.

[@ModelMinutes]

i suppose it depends on what you want to do really, if you find enjoyment in owning them then that is great, but if you think someone else would like them and enjoy them more from building them, it could be worth selling

[@jdoriginals9223]

I am a new scale modeler and I can never find any models in shops nowadays because were I live I cannot find any model shops, I can sometimes find some older kits in antique shops but other that that's it, Amazon and Ebay and other online websites are where I have to buy it and I don't know anyone other than me who does is hobby, glad to see a bunch of modelers in the comments tho!

[@ModelMinutes]

ah yes, there is quite a community here!

[@nmmlo]

Thank you for sharing this very useful video. I personally wouldn't buy a kit on eBay unless is something absolutely unique. I use to buy kits on Amazon and never had an issue with it, excepting the extra price for shipping. One must be careful though, as some kits on Amazon are absolutely over priced. The good thing is that you can return it or ask for a refund if you are not happy with the pruchase

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kingrevet1st]

i only tend to buy newer kits on Ebay and then that's only from Jadlam, i have occasionally bought from the odd seller just trying to get rid of an old kit that they don't want, even thought the kits still in production the decals aren't, so as long as am not paying too much and the decals are in a fab condition i don't mind if the pieces aren't as i can always buy the new tooled version and use the old decals.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, the decals can be a bit of a problem - i've had a couple where they've been pretty dire

[@johnmanley7859]

In the US if you have a Hobby Lobby near you they often have 40% off sale. I just bought 2 vintage kits a Revell 1972 Bre Datsun 280z still wrapped and a 1973 Bre Datsun 510 open box but everything was there still factory sealed contents check the pics on E bay Around $50 dollars US each and that is almost the price of a new kit since shipping about 15 US.

[@ModelMinutes]

nice

[@jpwphotographicstudio3891]

I totally agree with your assessment .... I got a good deal though on a Frog FW 190 Ta, this is a vintage kit and got it for less than £10 with the postage. Vintage kits yes worth a punt, but a case of buyer be carefull... If possible I prefer to buy from a model shop sadly though not many left. Seen Airfix Lysanders in 1:72 go for silly money on eBay.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, i wonder how many collectors are pushing the prices up for us guys who want to build them

[@jpwphotographicstudio3891]

I now want a Hs 129 after seeing yours....

[@ModelMinutes]

Lol! hopefully i get a good build out of it :)

[@billykuan]

I have purchased around 50 model kits on ebay. I build them, most are from the sixties. Most I got what I wanted and only a couple parts missing. I bought a sealed box, a revell model boat from 1964. When I opened it the model was in a plastic bag with modern safety warning and recycle label. LOL the kit was complete at least.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, it's weird when you don't get exactly what you are expecting

[@mikkt7827]

I once bought a vintage airfix 1/72 hawker Typhoon. And got two planes without any parts missing!

[@ModelMinutes]

Sounds great! :)

[@atnorange5491]

I've never bought a kit from online as I like to see the kit in hand. Another reason I like to buy kits in irl is because of how people can get the scale wrong or something like that.

[@ModelMinutes]

ATN orange yeah that’s true. I like holding it In my hand before I buy it 😂

[@speckgens]

Model Minutes I agree. On the other hand if you are searching for a Revell Regulus II missile for example, it’s almost impossible to get them other than from Ebay.

[@frogsgottalent1106]

I agree with the points in your video. Often postage is the same or more than the kit ! I just found your video after typing in " Airfix kits, missing parts ". Only I've just opened a brand new Airfix Scammell kit from Amazon, and it's still missing a wheel..?!

[@ModelMinutes]

That's a shame! Have you contacted Airfix with a spares request?

[@frogsgottalent1106]

@@ModelMinutes No, I've not done anything like that before. I was going to make a mould ( heat in hotwater that reheatable plastic/rubber stuff) and press some greenstuff into the mould.

[@thegremlin3194]

I was actually surprised when shopping at my local model shop in Dorking for 1/72 military kits . The seller was selling the same kits new for what was being offered second hand and at the same price but no postage . I now only buy discontinued kits on eBay

[@ModelMinutes]

interesting

[@glennbarr2855]

Couldn't agree with you more. I found exactly the same issues myself.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, ebay is a bit of a minefield for our hobby

[@iangascoigne8231]

You have to be wary of delivery charges. Some companies that have an ebay shops offer free delivery but if you go direct on to their website they charge for delivery. It’s good for discontinued models. If I see a model that I am interested in which starts at a low price I will check what the full price is elsewhere and choose my maximum bid accordingly.

[@ModelMinutes]

a great idea! It definitely pays to do some research :)

[@gbjanuary]

Find some sellers are not good with postage packing normally bit paper stuffed inside small box so if box gets a knock there is lot of damage.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, i've had that sort of thing happen before

[@petermerz2704]

I’m just getting back into modeling after 50 years out of it. As I look at KZbin videos on what I’m interested in, I find that a LOT has changed in my time off. I’m still in the information gathering stage and starting to collect supplies. What I did find is that Amazon does have most of what I am looking for in kits. Unfortunately, there are no hobby stores in my area, where I could get advice on what to buy, and suggestions on how to build. So I watch videos on KZbin and get as much information and tips and tricks on building the models I am interested in. I am a Prime member on Amazon, so shipping is free. What advice do you have for a beginner in modeling?

[@ModelMinutes]

My advice would be to check out some more of my videos! Haha! But seriously, pick a subject that you find interesting and just have fun building it. I recently uploaded a video where I built a kit using only the paints included in the starter set, I thought it would help demonstrate that you don't need all the fancy tools to get reasonable results with a model

[@petermerz2704]

@@ModelMinutes thanks very much!

[@ModelMinutes]

@@petermerz2704 If you have any more questions, feel free to let me know :)

[@johnkelley9877]

I have bought twice on Ebay and I had no problems. However I agree you need to be very careful in what you buy and figure the postage as well. I have also seen ridiculous prices on Amazon but this is due to the seller and not Amazon. I bought an Airfix Panther tank from Airfix U.S.A. and the postage was only $5.00. If I can I always purchase from my local hobby shop but if it is truly rare I may buy from Ebay. Looking at the sellers stats is a big help too.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks! I do prefer to buy from a shop :D

[@danielburkett7835]

I've bought MOST of my model kits on Ebay, and I've had good luck most of the time with the kits I've bought. Some I've bought at auction, but most I've bought paying sometimes a high price for them. As for condition issues, most of them were either in Very Good or Excellent condition, whether sealed or unsealed. The sellers I've dealt with were pretty good, and were willing to work with me on payments, and I am very grateful to Ebay AND to all the sellers of the models that I've bought over the years!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for sharing

[@Duececoupe]

Being one with a fair amount of interests and not only model kits, during the 17 years that I've been a member on ebay, I've only had problems twice, these were quickly sorted by ebay though! Some of those that I buy from has an online store AND sell on ebay. I also used to nip in to my local here in Glasgow, but that shop has shut now as the owner decided to retire.... I also try to stick to the same seller most of the time, unless....it's a vintage kit! Vintage kits, this is something that I've been buying as of late, both thanks to the lack of mojo at the moment and for that lively kick of nostalgia, sweet childhood memories of Airfix, Matchbox, Esci, Heller, Italeri and so on....gonna build them and then frame the empty boxes and hang them on the wall! Roy Cross, Roy Huxley and others have a lot to answer for! Great channel and great videos!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks so much for watching my videos! I do enjoy building vintage kits, but more often than not they tend to be out of my price range. Occasionally I get a good deal, but I much prefer popping into a local shop to see what they have

[@Duececoupe]

@@ModelMinutes True, some kits reach silly money, just as some books on Amazon! 😉😆😂 I do miss the feeling of picking among the boxes in a hobby shop and to open (with owners approval of course) them to look inside... Managed to get my dirty mittens on the old Airfix and Matchbox Wellington kits recently with boxes in a nice shape too! Looking forward to slap them together! Next, the Matchbox MiG-21 I think, or Heller's SAAB Draken! ....and they time travelling isn't possible! 😉😆😂

[@theleninist4272]

I do sometimes buy kits on ebay but only if i cant get one from a model shop that has a web site or the model has been out of production and a specialist kit seller such as Kingkit does not have one , so i look on ebay and sometimes some one is selling one but i alway contact the seller and ask them questions about the kit , where i live there is a model shop but as i only make Soviet model aircraft and military vehicles from 1919 to 1991 things the local shop does not stock , so i buy from places like Hannants and have been for over 30 years, in the early 80s i worked in a model shop in my home town it was called Ernest Berwicks , there was also a large national toy and model shop called Taylor and McKennas , they were selling kits for less than we could buy them for , so people brought the kits there and came to us for paint and brushes , glue and expertise on certain aircraft and vehicles and as a result we went out of business and as soon as we had , guess what the prices in Taylor and McKenna went up to more than the RRP , its been going on for ages , that is what is wrong , people want something but dont want to pay for it , until people grow up and realise things cost money and if you want small good model shops that have staff who are modellers and know what there talking about , then shops will close down , but this is the world we live in , there is nothing wrong in buying from ebay but use it if there is no other choice , remember once a place is gone its gone for good and in the end it costs more because theres no one to ask and you end up spending extra on books ,so think carefully .

[@ModelMinutes]

very true

[@WanderCampesino]

Most of my local shops are gone. We have one over 30 minutes away. When I can I go there, but i like buying from eBay. Usually, i can find things that I can’t find at my local. I like Guillows and old Frogs. 20thCenturyclassoom sold me a Heritage HU-16 Albatross kit that was sealed! So, check out the listings.

[@ModelMinutes]

I tend to go to shops as much as I can, but ebay can be good for those odd and unusual kits

[@WanderCampesino]

Model Minutes I think you bring up a great point - make sure to educate sellers on what they have because often these models are being sold by resellers who have $s and £s in their eyes. Thanks for the vids!

[@ModelMinutes]

@@WanderCampesino Thanks for watching! :D

[@civraypete]

I have a massive stash of models in my loft, I have a mixture of older kits and newer ones, like already said below, trying to buy the kits I want and at sensible prices from local model shop (not that many around to be honest) is almost laughable, the last time I visited my local model shop I didn't see a 1/48 kit for under £35 (I only normally buy 1/48 models), I often buy kits I want from Ebay at very good prices and postage is normally either free or no more than £5, if I visit my local model shop I will pay the fuel cost to get there and then about £3 for parking fees, I usually buy all my paints and glues from my local Hobbycraft store as they are pretty cheap and saves me postage costs (and parking is free), I've only ever had one kit from a private seller that had bits missing but that was just the gun pods from an Airfix Harrier but the kit was priced accordingly and I obtained the missing parts from Airfix for about £5 posted, so I don't have a problem with buying kits from Ebay, I also get Nectar points, so win win, you do have to compare prices sometimes on the newer kits but special offers are often available and sometimes unsuspecting sellers put up kits for "Buy it now" prices that are a steal, right place, right time often is the order of the day.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for your comment :)

[@TheQstoltz]

I have used eBay to purchase high end Tamiya F1 kits which are out of production with no issues. The last one was in shop condition although it was at least 35 years old. You have to be careful, do your research and stick to a budget. The site has always been one where caveat emptor applies. Nevertheless a useful reminder to everyone. Thanks for posting.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for watching!

[@russelltaylor535]

I see a lot of ridiculous asking prices for old kits on ebay, but it's pretty easy to search completed listings to see how much that item has sold for in earlier transactions. That's a tool I've used as a seller (probably close to 1000 kits sold) and a buyer. As a seller, you can ask for any price you want, but if it's not reasonable, the item won't sell. This is the way things should work and I don't waste time arguing with sellers that their prices are too high. Also, if the seller says the kit is complete and it isn't, ebay's resolution process is quite effective in securing a complete or partial refund if the seller isn't cooperative. I haven't had many bad experiences. As always caveat emptor!

[@ModelMinutes]

Top tips right there! Thanks :)

[@dafyd242]

always look at the sellers reputation on their feedback page, a good reliable seller will have a good to excellent rating.

[@J.A.Hansen]

Good idea to talk about that.Well i never bought anything from ebay or amazon. When it comes to modell kits i got 4 - 5 Online Shops in Germany and some of them also have a shop in some citys in Germany.Plus i have one lttle shops in my area where i can buy things(glue maskin tapes and so on) So when ever i will looking for something i get it for a good price and it is new. And the best of it all is,that they even thru out the pandemie very fast. For an example i was looking for the Gorch Fock from Revell and i was gettin it in a onlinestore for 15,euros new instead of 29 euro.Good price. The right information and the right adress saves money and nerves.However thats my experience.The only modells which are hard to get are the Airfix ones.Because the company has been sold many times,and the new management is..they don't have a good service. But for that there is an online store called 》Modellbau Universum and they have 70% of all Airfix Modell Kits...the only problem with that one is that they pretty slow..and that when you get the bill online that they take some extra money for package and mail,which don't tell you before.However. But thats the way it is.Greetings from Germany😎✌

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the info!

[@paulhastings3439]

Unfortunately in my city, model shops are disappearing at a rapid rate of knots, and new releases from manufacturers like Airfix are almost impossible to come by (I live in Australia) - the current 1:72 scale Bristol Beaufort kit I have never seen in my local model shops - more than 12 months after it's initial release. I had no choice but to buy online and got quite a good deal on ebay.

[@ModelMinutes]

Sorry to hear that

[@mznabi]

I struck really lucky on eBay. I bought a limited edition airfix Afghan model ( it’s out of production and the seller didn’t say that) it was worth 80 and I got it for 30. It was still sealed and everything was sealed and included

[@ModelMinutes]

Nice! You were quite lucky

[@chipblock2854]

I have bought almost 75 kits on EBay. So far I have had two major issues and 3 or 4 minor ones. The major ones took awhile to resolve but with EBay's help I got my money back. One of them the seller was suspended from selling anything again (not sure how long that lasted). The minor ones were resolved by the seller. When possible I look for sellers that pay for the shipping (post).

[@ModelMinutes]

Sucks that you had those problems, it seems to be the minority of sellers that ruin it for the good ones

[@silentstormstudios]

Yes, but of the seller is paying the shipping, they are usually building that cost into the price of the item, so either way the buyer ends up paying for it.

[@repeatedaction4273]

I occasionally buy models on eBay as my local model shop is 15 miles away and like a couple of quid in petrol so sometimes it’s worth the postage I found 2 revell b 17sfor 10 pound they usually retail for like 25 on Amazon it was a 5 year old kit the seller was selling it as it was her husband’s “unwanted” kit?

[@ModelMinutes]

perhaps he'd annoyed her and she was punishing him :P

[@repeatedaction4273]

Model Minutes yeah probably

[@edwarddillon4950]

I live in Northern Canada and I have bought from e bay and never had a problem with the kits . But I hate paying big shipping and postage. I found a place in the UK , King Kit, that I have been buying from. They have new and old kits, I order 2 or 3 kits at a time and I don't know how they do it but the postage, which is airmail. usually works out cheaper per kit hen the rates asked for by most e-bay sellers in Canada. There is no VAT or duties.

[@ModelMinutes]

That's crazy! I'll have to take a look at their site more often!

[@MrMoosModels]

I have bought a few kits on eBay and only ever been disappointed once. However it pays to do your homework and I do not hesitate to ask the seller questions including extra photos of the sprues. You can get a good bargain but need to be aware you can get caught out just the same as buying second hand from a model show.

[@ModelMinutes]

Mr Moo's Models yeah, at model shows I always take a look at it before buying. eBay sellers get a bit funny about that I find

[@speckgens]

I am buying models from Ebay since 2016. On average 10-12 per year. Jets, props, helo’s and (some rare) rockets too. Only once I was victim of a scam, (refunded by cred card company), twice a shipment got lost (refunded by seller). Overall I can say I am a happy camper on Ebay. I always compare prices and shipment rates before buying. In the past I’ve won some very interesting biddings which I wound’t have found in my LHS.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yeah, there are some cool things on there, you just have to be careful

[@goose5253]

My local model shop actually has a second hand section with tons of kits for good prices and some of them are vintage.

[@ModelMinutes]

That's very cool! I'm not so fortunate in my local shops :(

[@goose5253]

Yeah but the catch is they don’t bring in much new kits

[@ModelMinutes]

dad 🙁

[@travis_thompson]

I find the chinese and hong kong based ebay shops are great for the likes of Hobbyboss, trumpeter and academy often with free shipping. Some of them sellt mr hobby paints with free shipping as well.

[@ModelMinutes]

Travis Thompson thanks for the info! I’ll have to look into them ☺️

[@speckgens]

..not mention shipping from China to Holland is often faster than from Italy to Holland. At least this is my experience.

[@HO-bndk]

I got an old Airfix 1/76 Centurion tank kit off ebay and that was fine as regards quality and price ("would buy again" as they say) but, apart from that one, I gave up assembling plastic kits years ago because it became far too expensive and as the kits improved the challenge faded away.

[@ModelMinutes]

perhaps you should get some of the older "vintage" kits - airfix have released their range of kits in this way

[@anthonybeech676]

I believe in supporting the local hobby shop as they are also a good a place to get advice and chat to like minded people. Incedentally Aldi are selling starter kits on 6th December for £6.99 if anyone's interested.

[@ModelMinutes]

anthony beech thanks for letting us know! Yeah, I prefer going to my local shop, although my local shop is not so local

[@williamsmith3857]

I fully agree with you. It's just greed. I hate it when they say not sure if all the parts are correct. It can be a con. I don't know how they can sell them at the price they ask. Greed is the order of the day

[@ModelMinutes]

William Smith yup! Seems to be the case sometimes

[@mattcannon8467]

If the kits are sealed or pics are taken of the contents then there's no problem. There is also the ebay money back guarantee if what you get isn't what was described and I think these days most good model shops now have an ebay store which you can buy and collect from in person. Its all I've ever used for my kits

[@ModelMinutes]

Yep, I suppose you've just got to be smart about what you get

[@jcwoodman5285]

I've happily bought many kits on eBay, BUT check your vendors rating & ask questions 🤗 eBay vendors often will offer free shipping also, if not ask for a better deal IF they take offers

[@ModelMinutes]

Top tips!

[@32Benjy32]

I’d only buy brand new....and make sure it’s returnable and it’s from a model shop who’s selling on EBay. 😀

[@ModelMinutes]

:)

[@outlawflyer7868]

I too buy in Ebay but sometimes I find it way cheaper at a model shop because there alot of older gentlemen are selling off there old stuff. But I make sure to do my homework before I order off of Ebay.

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, i prefer going to the shop if i can!

[@outlawflyer7868]

I get that but by the time you pay taxes plus the cost of the model. You can find it cheaper on Ebay by having free shipping and no taxes

[@crossbones8956]

Nice video, but I’d like to add that the pricing and consistency is something that can be found in any collecting hobby. I’ve bought and sold on eBay for years and it’s always been hit or miss on both sides. I’ll say, as a seller, if a collectible is selling for insane prices, I’ll definitely throw mine up there to try and get some extra cash while the hype is strong. That’s worked out for me in the past with other collectibles. I mean, the price of a collectible factors into the reason why something is collectible, right? As far as the parts count on older kits, I get what you are saying and for sure many people use eBay as the world’s garage sale. Which is really what it’s for. So, if I can get a kit real cheap, and only have to modify or find some parts for it, or search online for the manual I’ll do it. Finally, I’ll say that online is way cheaper than buying locally. The local shops always add 10-20% above retail, plus tax to the kit. So, an Airfix kit that should be $20, sells for $30 or more in the shop. Their reasoning is that I would have to pay for shipping and this they can justify the up charge. Amazon or other online places are usually better and if you bundle your stuff and only buy in big piles, you can often get free shipping and no tax.

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info

[@michaelgrey7854]

I always buy my new model kits from e-bay. I have never had a problem with it. For example I got the Trumpeter 1/48 Type VII U-Boat for $500.00 locally it would have been near to $1000.00 As regards to old kits, People often buy these just to collect and never make.Original boxes/ decals etc do mean a lot to collectors. The model may still be in production, but it is often the old first production run kits that mean something to collectors. I do feel that eventually the local store will be gone the same way as video stores. Yo u can often buy new models direct from the manufacturer too, which I do as well as the margins they put on products are less than a model shop.

[@ModelMinutes]

Well said! It's a shame that things are going this way, but it would seem that local shops are vanishing these days

[@rogerhoward1832]

I need to sale my collection of models not the aircraft,all are in 1/35 scale the kits are Tamiya,Monogram,and Testors how do I go about it?

[@ModelMinutes]

eBay is an option, have you considered taking them into a local shop or perhaps a carboot sale?

[@beyond_hope]

I have to use the Internet or eBay for my kits as I have no local shops to support. And as I don't drive, my nearest shop would require a public transport costing more than standard Royal Mail postage. But I will echo your comment about "Buyer Beware". If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Research your kit and if it's fairly new, Google can give you an idea of price limits to watch for. And the feedback facility on eBay can give you an idea of whether the seller is reliable and declaring truthfully what is in the box. In the 20-ish years that I've been registered on the site, I can't honestly say I remember being victim of a poor sell (and only once caught by a Far Eastern seller running away with my money and no kit, this was pre-Paypal protection days though).

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, it's all a learning experience - gotta learn what looks dodgy...

[@Ducknuck84]

was able to get an old Revell 1:720 USS Arizona '97 rebox unopened for about $10. Not a great kit but i Built one and had meany a carpet battle with one as a kid before it got destroyed during a move

[@ModelMinutes]

nice!

[@potopoton]

i totally agree.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks :)

[@blanvoizer9538]

In recent years I've used ebay to buy kits. Now I like to buy ones with photos of instructions and transfers in ad. I've always liked to buy Airfix (for old times sake, box art etc.) Would it be better to buy their kits new sometimes to give the company a bit of support?

[@ModelMinutes]

possibly, depends if you like the company though

[@Alantheleopard]

I have bought a bunch of kits from eBay (and material to build them like decals, paints, and such), and most of them were either/both rare models hard or even impossible to find in our local stores, or/and vintage kits which you can only find in places like eBay, while I just ignore those average scale models that we can find every day in our local stores (from a Spitfire or Mustang to an F-14, F-15, F-16 or F-18, regardless brand and/or scale). Yes, some times prices are exaggerated, but that is the price to pay (so to speak) for original items which are really hard to find. In fact, I always have a close look at the price of the item itself, and then the shipping costs. Prices (article and shipping) and condition are to me the keys. It has happened to me a couple of times that after been wondering for too long whether buying some item or not, eventually the only one in existence was sold. Missed chances, but no big deal either. Other rare kits of which I bought some by eBay are no longer to be found there. In any case, I am always very strict in what I look for in eBay, not anything at random (save paints when the ones that I need are late or too late to arrive to my usual store).

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@ken-vc8bf]

When l was a child l started making Airfix models, first with my father and then on my own. From commencing being a teenager to retiring in my sixties l never touched a model kit. When lockdown happened l restarted modelling. I usually get my models from the New Modellers Shop and buy several at a time. His prices are slightly cheaper than the recommended prices so by getting several at once this cancels out postage and packaging costs an excellent service which l thoroughly recommend. The only snag is that l cannot get discontinued models from him and so have to resort to EBay and charity shops with mixed results. Using EBay l have paid, what l consider, fair prices and yes postage as well. I have also paid over the odds. Most kits are fine but some have had parts missing as well as instructions and decals - take a gamble. The reason l take it is that l make display cases for my models and each of these has a history of the development of something in particular e.g. British fighter planes, British ships, British cars etc. Certain items which are essential, for each collection aren't in production and can only be got through other channels. Thanks for the video, good luck with your modelling, have a look at my channel - ken 20. PROFESSOR KEN.

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for your thoughts!

[@tmmt7895]

Very interesting and nice video!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks! :)

[@Slycockney]

I have used Ebay for kits that I can't get elsewhere or are house clearance etc. But I do read the descriptions several times to ensure that I know what I'm buying.

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, sometimes the descriptions are really vague though :(

[@TheBorderlandsman88]

I use eBay and not really had a problem with any kits i have purchased. King kit is another good website for kits and Scalmates is good for looking at the history and versions of a certain kits.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for the tips!

[@mc2594]

Frog MiG 21 is a Hasegawa, sealed like yours worth 3x what you say you payed but tbh if you want a better one to collect buy the uncut sprues Hasegawa. Good builders or parts doners the two you got. I just payed £15.00 for a Type 4 HS129 without any issues, find the good ones, keep them on a watch list and the sellers often make heavily discounted offers from their side.

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@miguelvieira4445]

I bought a kinetic cf-18 from China. I hope it gets here. It also look like there is a pattern, the photos on the listings are all screen shots with their name in the center.

[@ModelMinutes]

cool

[@chilliges7259]

I buy a lot of kits on ebay and allways under the price and until now nothing is missing. you just need the right salesman

[@ModelMinutes]

Sirius that’s true, some people don’t know what they’re selling, or don’t care...

[@chilliges7259]

@@ModelMinutes that's also true

[@morrismckinnon6047]

Forget it, it's a rich mans hobby. I remember buying a 1/25 scale models in the 90's for like £5 at the model shop, I'd love to do this again but they're like £60 now and I haven't seen a model shop in at least twenty years. The HGV trucks are over £180!

[@ModelMinutes]

I feel your pain. Some of the kits that I had as a child and would like to do again are just silly money these days. I have managed to find some good deals in places though (1/24 scale Spitfire for £25 was a good one)

[@morrismckinnon6047]

​@@ModelMinutes For an experienced modeller maybe, but if I screwed it up £25 would be an expensive mistake. I did buy a couple of kits the other week, first time since I was a teenager which is when I saw how expensive this hobby has become, I was shocked. The boxes were open but only ten quid for the pair I decided to go for them to pass time away during lockdown.

[@michaelnaven213]

I was looking for a Privateer B-24. Many kits were priced from $100 to $300. I wasn’t going to pay that price. I finally found a kit on auction for $12 plus shipping. The kit was complete with directions but the decals were beyond saving. So I ordered an aftermarket set. All of my purchases from EBAY for model kits have been very positive but you have to be careful.

[@ModelMinutes]

sounds like you got a good deal

[@RaiderDave-xe1pn]

Where I live it is cheaper to pay the eBay P+P as the Train or Bus cost to get to the shops is higher and the car parking fees are higher still.

[@ModelMinutes]

sorry to hear that

[@lxtechmangood9503]

There are quite a few model shops now on ebay. Ebay is also good for classic / rare / historical kits. I may have some kits to get rid of in the future. Any I might sell would be sealed. Plus all the model shops are closed currently and we dont have any real model shops near us. So I would either need to go out of my county to find a model shop. Or see if there are any model shops on line and I would need to pay postage!! So it's a bit of a juggling Act and like everything on ebay you decide what you want to pay, if you dont win that auction look at others.

[@ModelMinutes]

true

[@daveg4738]

I have found some very good deals on E-bay.I've also seen some very poor deals on E-Bay.When it comes to scale models when verlinden closed up shop a place on Ebay called Dragon hobbies tripled the Verlinden items.Since then I avoid Dragon Hobbies for any purchase seeing that they are not selling an item that they purchased for normal retail markup,but have rasied their prices because of the company have gone out of business.You can see that their prices are high and the item never gets sold.

[@ModelMinutes]

I've seen that sort of thing too! When the newspaper was giving airfix kits away for £1, suddenly loads popped up on ebay for 10 times that much. Apparently offering them the £1 they paid for it is insulting! :P

[@daveg4738]

Its a shame and i've walked away from those offers.If there is a issue with the model,your out of luck.They company is gone.With other kits i've purchased off e-bay,like old Star Wars kits I'm cautious.Every one wants to put rare or vintage in the title.Make you feel like your getting something no one else has.I just purchased a 2005 snowspeeder,which is a re-issue of the 1980 MPC kit for $10.00.There are people on there selling them for a great deal more.Sometimes with e-bay you just need to be patient.

[@angelreading5098]

Horses for courses,very few of us are lucky enough to have a local model shop,gone are the days when every corner shop sold model kits for a few shillings,now we are confronted with astronomical prices for old kits,to be fair personally I have managed to get old nostalgic kits from EBay that I would never have had the opportunity anywhere else but what does annoy is when a seller knowingly puts a kit online that is incomplete/started/broken or parts missing,you then ask them to show a better picture which is never sent so you take a gamble and it is then when disappointment sets in like those missing instruction shhets,not a problem to build up with a simple subject but anything else of a complex nature virtually impossible to work out.So buying from EBay can be good and it can be bad,postage is inevitable but weight that up against getting in your car and filling up with petrol to search for models in the shops if you can find what you want,never tried Amazon ? perhaps I should do.

[@ModelMinutes]

Yup, I tend to get some off amazon, but ebay can be good for those specific and hard to find kits - it just has a bit more risk

[@julianmhall]

I think as with everything it's 'caveat emptor'. I tend to filter Brand New, Buy, UK Only. Even then the supplier may be a box shifter for the actual company overseas. If in doubt check feedback especially bad feedback - user error or supplier screwup? Also are any breakages the delivery service's fault or the supplier?

[@ModelMinutes]

good points

[@julianmhall]

Also Ebay policy was / is to charge the seller commission on the goods price only. So sell the seller tended to sell the goods for a pittance and increase the postage charge. Amazon did charge postage on /each item/ - don't know if they still do - so for example if you bought 6 spoons as I did, at 1p per spoon, and then charge postage at £1.99 per item suddenly it's £2.00 each. You have to look at the delivered price of anything online.

[@brucegibbins3792]

Mate, it's because the local hobby store does not always have the kit I need. I've bought many kits over the years from eBay, both US & UK, but it's so very important to ask any questions of the seller you may have. Hobbiests selling surplus kits are the best to deal with because they can provide any answers to questions a buyer may have. However, the danger zones are mostly estate sales and second hand dealers, who know nothing and care even less. The world of buying kits is alivet with difficulties so, buyer beware, but the fear of missing out can sometimes make us act without the necessary caution. But, there you are. Living in a tiny tot country way down here at the bottom of the Pacific we have always needed to look outwards for things we need. It's like say, if some of you British modelers living in a small village away from a large town or city, your experience would be the same or very similar to mine. Shipping has become horrendously expensive especially under COVID-19 where there are far fewer long haul airfreight flights. But, we modelers are an inventive group and are not so easily deterrent from buying what we want, need and can afford I've just last week gone to eBay UK to buy some Submarine kits and detail parts. None were available in NZ, I don't expect to receive these this side of the New Year. What, can you do though other that buy in the conditions we are faced with?

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, it can be hard at times

[@SideStrafed]

I only buy online from eBay and Amazon because there really aren’t any hobby shops around me. Hobby lobby is near me but they have like 5 different kits that are good

[@ModelMinutes]

That's a shame. Sometimes model shops complain about going out of business, but if they're not stocking good kits it's hardly a surprise

[@ewancronin1594]

I've seen some one try to sell a modern boxing of an airfix kit for around 60 pounds because it was "vintage"

[@ModelMinutes]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@meauxjeaux431]

EBAY is where I bought most of my kits and have never had a problem. Next is online shops, still no problems. BUT like your momma told you... YO HAVE TO SHOP AROUND ! I got some unbelievable deals, such as the Hasegawa 1/16 Sopwith Camel kit I got for $120.00 INCLUDING shipping. The cheapest I had ever seen was in the $150.00 rage.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bengalghost5403]

Yes, it was a hit and miss. I bought a 1/72 revell junkers 290. The seller claimed it was a sealed box. The box was opened as well as the parts bag. Although this seller had a lower price, the claims that it was sealed was false.

[@ModelMinutes]

Bengal Ghost very unfortunate 🙁

[@allandavis8201]

I realise that you made this video some years ago, and that the points you raised were the issues of eBay selling back in 2018 when you uploaded this video, but, and there is always a but, now, in 2022, the situation from my perspective is totally different, and I thought 💭 that I would point this out so that anyone who sees this will realise it is older information. I buy virtually all my kits online, mostly with eBay and Amazon but from other websites as well, and I can honestly say that I have only had one major glitch, I ordered a 1/32 Stuka from a company in China 🇨🇳 and was aware that the delivery estimate was probably not going to be achieved, and I was not wrong, I had to get onto them via eBay message three times before they agreed to send another kit, by airmail this time and I received it within a week, but that is genuinely the only time. My other point is that not everyone has a local hobby shop, I certainly don’t, my nearest shop that stocks my modelling kits etc is over 30 miles away, there is a warehouse distributor that has a counter collection but it is only open twice a week so it is not very helpful, in fact it is quicker and easier to buy from them online and have the order arrive before the next time the collection point is open. As I said the points you make were probably valid in 2018 but things are, at least from my point of view, much better in all respects. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@johngafa3480]

To have a complex kit arrive without instructions could be very awkward. Can't the seller be asked point blank if there are instructions with the kit ?

[@ModelMinutes]

What I normally do - if i ever buy off there, is to ask for full pictures of everything in the kit (unless it's sealed) then I ask for pictures of that

[@speckgens]

..often you can download the instructions from the internet as PDF. Quite handy.

[@simonbarnes7620]

Good luck in finding a local model shop, bought kits on eBay for years (20) never had a problem but then I’ve always known what I’m buying because I read the description. No local shop to nip to. Most online retailers also sell on eBay nowadays although here you have to be careful as sometimes they charge more. Jadlam are selling some of their kits for nearly twice the price of their own website.

[@ModelMinutes]

Whilst model shops can be far and few, it seems I’m fairly well catered for as there are at least 4 within a sensible commute of my home. Whilst this is not the case for everyone and some only have the option to buy online, brick and mortar shops still exist

[@simonbarnes7620]

@@ModelMinutes that makes you very lucky. My last one closed about 6 years ago, at this moment my local is Aldi and next week Lidl 😂😂

[@ModelMinutes]

@@simonbarnes7620 haha fair enough!

[@mh53j]

I have never had a problem buying kits on eBay here in the US or from the UK. If you can get them still in the shrink wrap, you're usually ok. Got several Fujimi Westland Sea Kings in this condition. I purchased Modeldecal sheets from Canada and UK, photo etch brass from UK and US, kits mostly from US, many old Chota Sahib Falklands War and Northern Ireland figures and old Cheshire Volunteer figures of modern and Falklands War figures. Never had a problem with any, postage paid for figures from UK was only about $6 Think that pretty good, received goods in 7-10 days. Usually only use eBay to find out of production goods. Current kits cheaper from retail/mail order shops. Final thought: many figures I got were from estate sales. Generally find these prices much cheaper, sometimes don't think they know much about the items. Getting Chota Sahib Falklands figures for $1-$5??? Yeah, I'll gladly pay a bit extra in postage to get a highly desirable figure! (Well it is to me!) And I guess that's the bottom line....how much do you really want the item? If you're happy to have got something for what YOU think was a good price then that's all that matters. I would have paid $50 for a Chota Sahib Falklands Parachute Regiment figure, got it for about $10 + $6 shipping from UK. I was tickled to death! One of most surprising purchases was a 1/72 Revell-Germany A109 military helicopter. Bought it from UK, kit had a special decal sheet for the SAS marked ones captured in the Falklands--sheet wasn't listed as being included! I wanted to build one of these, so it was quite a catch! (Eventually, realized way to many differences between Revell kit and Argentine version to make an accurate model. Still a good purchase!)

[@ModelMinutes]

Sounds like you got some good deals!