Where is a good place to buy from? - moved by moderator

[wdretired]

I'm looking to buy a wooden  model ship.  I have several models in mind but I'm not sure where I can buy with confidence and good customer service.  Any suggestions?  I tried to buy a model off E-Bay and I thought I was buying from California but it ended up flagging my bank from China.  When I contacted them they then said they were from Canada??  I'd like to buy from someone that can be trusted.

Any Help would be appreciated.

 

wdretired

[tasmanian]

ebay is probably not the best place.

[Landlubber Mike]

It might help knowing what ships you're thinking of.  I've bought directly from Caldercraft and Model Expo before with no problems whatsoever.  I also have ordered parts from Cornwall Model Boats in the UK, and have had a very good experience with them as well.

[Stockholm tar]

I would second Mike's suggestion, Cornwall Model Boats. Their prices seem to be cheaper than elsewhere, and they provide a good service:

 

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/index.html

[mtaylor]

Stateside.... hmm....  a few that I've dealt with, but it will depend on what model  you're looking for as no one carries every maker.  You can Google the addy's of the ones I've listed:

 

Model Expo

Tower Hobbies

Blue Jacket

Ages of Sail

Billing Boats

 

I also have noticed that MicroMark is carrying kits.  I'll pop a link on this one since they have a mixed bag of kits: http://www.micromark.com/ship-and-boat-model-kits.html and the kits spot took some digging.

[mtdoramike]

I agree with Mark, I have bought from all of them at one time or another and have no complaints. BUT, I have noticed quite a few models at Model Expo now say a 4 week or so waiting period. I never had that issue with them, but it's been probably close 10 ten years ago that I bought from them. I have purchased several ship model kits and materials from Ebay and have never had an issue, but you have to follow certain rules like verifying the sellers location, as well as checking out their feedback record. You also have to remember that a lot of these on line sellers drop ship now due to the cost of the kits, you pay them, they order the kit from a distributor, who ships it directly to you. It keeps their inventory down.

 

Good luck,

Mike

[vossy]

naturecoast.com  i'm in australia but get all my stuff from them. they are in florida (i think) and heaps cheaper than anywhere i can buy from in aus. have never had any problems with them and they have a huge range of kits and accessories. thoroughly recommended. 

[wdretired]

I appreciate the information.  I ran across Tower Hobbies, does anyone have any dealings with them?

[mtdoramike]

Yes, I have dealt with Tower & Naturecoast and have nothing but good words to say about them.

[Azzoun]

CRAIGSLIST!  I find awesome deals on there all the time.  Picked up a Mantua Cutty Sark - $600 kit. for $150 shipped to my location.  Picked up a Prince De Neufchatel- brand new, retails for $400 - I paid $50.  People buy them, don't get to them, and let them go for various reasons.  Download it to your smart phone and you can search the country in one query. 

[Azzoun]

on a side note, love BlueJacket - great company...

[AntonyUK]

Hi.

Shoping @ Cornwallmodelboats is a pleasure.

Orderd late yesterday afternoon and it's arrived this morning. Yes it's just the next county. But that's service

Avoide the dreaded TAX inport duties if you can.

Shoping direct with Model Expo. Or ther EBay shop as suggested above by Geoff.

 

All the best.

Antony.

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates  

 

I would suggest clicking on this link

 

http://modelshipworld.com/

 

Scroll down and you will find a list of companies on the bottom right who take some of their profits and use them to sponsor a great site that could only exists as a result of this generosity. Something to consider on your next purchase 

[hollowneck]

Cornwall Model Boats, Model-Expo and Bluejacket. All three top drawer companies. No B.S. Ethical. Real WORKING web sites. Decent prices and mostly excellent after- sales support. I have not had direct experience with Ages Of Sail. They are a relatively new dealer/distributor/reseller- not a manufacturer. I prefer dealing with a manufacturer for many reasons- this said, Cornwall in the UK is the RARE exception who are not manufacturers (that I am aware of), and they do a superb job of doing more than just flogging stuff.

 

Follow the advice here my friend. There's a collective wisdom no where else to be found on this hobby!

 

Good Luck on your foray into the Ship World!

 

Ron

[mtaylor]

I have dealt with Ages of Sail.  I would recommend them.  We had an issue and they resolved it very satisfactorily.  Above and beyond the call of duty, IMO.

[birchbaysider]

Try Hobbylinc.  They only carry a few manufacturers, but their prices are hard to beat.  They also have good deals on supplies and tools.

 

 

 

Hobbylinc

 

[GrandpaPhil]

I like buying from Cornwall Model Boats and Ages of Sail.

 

I have had excellent experiences with both companies.

[myxyzptlyk2003]

On the right of the forum page is a list of manufacturers/dealers.   I have dealt with Vanguard, A. Latina, Maris Stella, Age of Sail, CAF.    For those not on the list, Caldercraft, Cornwall are both top notch.      Honestly, there are so many good places to buy from.     Find the model you are interested in from whatever of the above sources and buy it.    You will not be disappointed

[myxyzptlyk2003]

Also, while a number of the manufacturers/dealers are located in Europe, they all still have extremely fast delivery times.     My UK purchases have always arrived within a week.