Hobby Stores

[9-3 Viggin]

For the sake of finding 'hard-to-get' items which I cannot locate on the Biante site, I'm in search of other online stores to make my purchases.

I have discovered the following stores, and would like to know whether people would recommend them or not (I have always purchased off Biante because of security and reputation, but in this case feel discouraged confiding in another store for a particular purchase).

Ta.


www.gatewaymodels.com.au
www.pitstopmodelcars.com.au
www.shopmotorsport.com.au
www.frontlinehobbies.com.au



I hope I don't get slapped on the wrist from Biante for advertising these here???? :(

[admin]

Originally posted by 9-3 Viggin
For the sake of finding 'hard-to-get' items which I cannot locate on the Biante site, I'm in search of other online stores to make my purchases.

I have discovered the following stores, and would like to know whether people would recommend them or not (I have always purchased off Biante because of security and reputation, but in this case feel discouraged confiding in another store for a particular purchase).

Ta.


www.gatewaymodels.com.au
www.pitstopmodelcars.com.au
www.shopmotorsport.com.au
www.frontlinehobbies.com.au



I hope I don't get slapped on the wrist from Biante for advertising these here???? :(

No, we also have a list on FAQ's of the 200 odd stores who handle our goods. and their email address's.

[Gan88]

Viggin

Gateway (aka Wynnum Batteries) have been around for years. I bought my first few cars there and the last one I bought off them was the Texaco Sierra. They are quite good. The only thing is that they have models piled everywhere. You have to check the boxes carefully to make sure there are not dents/dust. Or you can knock a few bucks off is the car you want doesn't have a mint box.

SMS is newer. I've used them since 2002. I have only ever noticed boxes that are dusty (if the release is really old). I've never had a damaged box from them.

[wayno]

Have used gateway before and found them to be great. I'm Victorian based and buy all my models from pitstop in Melton, despite the fact it is a two hour plus drive each way from home! Can't reccomend them highly enough.

[martinw]

Hi all,

I've used Pitstop 2 or 3 times, and have found them to be good. Last time I was there they had a whole lot of no-longer-available models that a collector was selling.

Cheers

[biante2959]

www.motofocus com au. located near brisbane

[Gan88]

Dimitri at Motorfocus is a pretty good. The prices are slightly above the RRP though. I only get stuff from here if I have to do a layby. He also stocks less commonly available brands like Johnny Lightning and Ebbro. The store itself is small, but he always has a fantastic display of cars (not all are for sale mind you).

[thetormentor]

I always use Terry at Past and Present Model Cars on the Central Coast of NSW. Very helpful and always competitive prices. All his models are in Mint and he is always helpful about hard to get models.
www.ppmcars.com.au

[herbie]

I shop mainly at that motorfocus shop. Find the guys there very helpful and always on for a chat. I dont know about Gan88 but ive only ever paid rrp or less there. They have a good newsletter they send via email as well with reminders on pre orders.

[Gan88]

That's interesting Herbie...

I haven't been around there in about 2 months. The last time I was there was when the Kyosho 1:12s came out. I recall that the last car I looked at was the Lowndes/Murphy car on the shelf for 169.95. The Biante RRP is $168. I picked up mine for $153 from another store.

If you look at the website most prices are above RRP and some of the Minichamps are 10-12 above RRP. I haven't paid RRP in a long while, so to me, it's just a little unnatural to pay above RRP.

Do you negotiate a price? I know the previous owner used to have discounts for collectors who paid a "membership" fee, but even then the prices were high. That scheme was removed, I thought, under the new owner. But of course, the prices are lower now than what they used to be.

[V8SS]

I've used Bridge Model Cars in SA and they are really good to deal with. They'll also e-mail you a quarterly newsletter of their current stock and new releases.

bridgemodelcars@bigpond.com

[teambrock50]

I would recommend Mark from Brigde Models and Ken or Kent "cant remember what one it is" from Mortuary Collectables. His email kpeter@bigpond.com.au

[brchi17]

If you're looking for a great place to buy your models from why not checkout Coffey Ford in Dandenong.

Michael is on the email ( firthy26@hotmail.com ) & is always extreamly helpful. I know there has been quite a few forum members who have bought from him, who would say the same.

They also do mail order & you can contact Michael in the spare parts department on 03 979 49919

It's where I go to buy most of my models & the service is fantastic & friendly, which is all you can ask for.

cheers. :)

[craigrobbo]

Hi guys,

The number one model shop in Sydney (in my opinion), is Shie Models at Sutherland

I have only had a problem with one model that I have bought there and the model was swapped with no questions asked.

www.shiremodels.com.au

[a9x]

i got a confirmation about an order from frontline and in the email it listed my full credit card number including the cvv number and expiry.

I recommend that you don't order online if you order anything from them ring or fax and give them your credit card details

[wayno]

Originally posted by a9x
i got a confirmation about an order from frontline and in the email it listed my full credit card number including the cvv number and expiry.

I recommend that you don't order online if you order anything from them ring or fax and give them your credit card details
Jeez, I'd go NUTS if any shop did that to me! There's enough credit card fraud going on via the internet as it is without stores making unprofessional errors like that.

[a9x]

Originally posted by wayno
Jeez, I'd go NUTS if any shop did that to me! There's enough credit card fraud going on via the internet as it is without stores making unprofessional errors like that.

yeah i'm not happy i only use my credit card for biante and now these guys at least if anything goes wrong i know it's not biante
but i also have a lot of zero's in the credit card number (as opposed to lots of zero's in the credit card account)

[wayno]

Have you asked them for a please explain as to why this happened? I'd be interested to see their response.

[username]

A while back, I ordered five products online from Frontline Hobbies with an email response that only one item was in stock and that I'd receive the other four within the next month. Waiting patiently, two months passed, receiving NOTHING. I called Frontline concerning this and was told they would get back to me the following Monday regarding my purchase. Monday came, nothing. Tuesday came, nothing. On Wednesday evening I called back, explained my concerns and was told that my orders were not even listed......???????.....:mad: I had used my dad's credit card with his consent for these purchases, so you can imagine that he had his turn on the phone, and was fuming. The orders were cancelled, did a Google search, and discovered Biante. END OF STORY.

[Kiwiracing]

I got a 1:43 Ambrose from Front Line a while back, had a problem also with their web site, it ordered me TWO of them, seemed a bit strange when I did it, I think it crashed out, so I rung them and they confirmed my two orders, douh.

Changed this to one, then after a week the car hadn't arrived, may have been pre-ordered I cannot remember, had to call them anyway and they had forgotten it! I was a bit peeved with this, so he said he'd send it today, it arrived a couple of days later, but typical I found the same car cheaper by about $10 bucks at:

BJS Models (http://www.bjsmodels.com/home)

:p

I also like and have bought several cars from:

Mals Toy Shop (http://www.malstoyshop.com/)

Have also stopped in to Taree when up there on business and bought a few, contact Sally there she has a few cira 2002 1:43's on sale - well they were about 4 weeks back:D

Cheers
Kiwiracing

[herbie]

Gan88,

I just go in and even if its got a price on it i still ask him. With that membership thing i think its still going but not as official, more on them seeing you there alot.

Dont know i might just be lucky getting a good price.

[Kiwiracing]

Thought I'd add this retailer to the list I used them on ebay, they are new to ebay but were very good to deal with, quick emails and sending of the cars.

They also had the best packaging I have seen from a retailer. They have a web site, plus you may see them on ebay:

Willoughbys Model Cars (http://www.willoughbysmodelcars.com)

Thanks to Paul at Willoughbys.

Cheers
Kiwiracing

[mick xu1]

Originally posted by Gan88
Dimitri at Motorfocus is a pretty good. The prices are slightly above the RRP though. I only get stuff from here if I have to do a layby. He also stocks less commonly available brands like Johnny Lightning and Ebbro. The store itself is small, but he always has a fantastic display of cars (not all are for sale mind you).

Hi Gran88 the models I buy from Dimitri (Motor focus)this is for 1.18 touring cars, depens if you put them on lay by or pay cash, if you pay cash I get them for $10.00 bucks cheaper, if lay by $5.00 discount you just have to ask.

I mean it may only be 10 to 5 Bucks but it all adds up, and he likes to have a chat about most things not just after your money

[dwarfs]

hi
do you know any model car sites around australia and new zealand except biante.
thanks anthony morgan

[dwarfs]

Do you know any different model cars websites except biante that sell v8 supercars and do you know anybody that would be intrested in buying a 2001 greg murphy 1:18 race car off me for around $115-$120.The car has a bit of paint damage on the back but is very minor.
thanks
anthony morgan

[The real OZ GP]

Its a long way from anywhere up here,
but Trevor at T-bar cars in Coolalinga has a good range of slightly olderstuff ( a couple of different Webber 1/43 Minardis including the 5th place car, and both the 1:6 Bayliss Ducatis released so far ) . His website Tbar Model cars (http://www.tbarmodelcars.com.au) is only new and I know he hasn't put anywhere near all his stock on it . He has a few Exoto F1 cars going for $150 or so too .

[Mclaren]

Dianns Models at loganhome in Brisbane is a very god store to buy from there is nothing she does not have or can get. You can find her number in the Biante store directory.Good luck.

[BB]

Originally posted by teambrock50
I would recommend Mark from Brigde Models and Ken or Kent "cant remember what one it is" from Mortuary Collectables. His email kpeter@bigpond.com.au

I have used both of these stores and both guys are very friendly and always on for a chat. The Mortuary Collectables is in Tanunda smack bang in the middle of the Barossa Valley and your right teambrock50 the guy's name is Kent Peter.
My usual dealer is Model World and John Croker is a walking encylopedia on all things motor racing (remember the Moffat Sierra / Stucky Tyre's decal search).
John used to be in Twin Street off Rundle Mall but he has recently shifted to Deakin Ave Richmond.

[stevelb1]

Originally posted by craigrobbo
Hi guys,

The number one model shop in Sydney (in my opinion), is Shie Models at Sutherland

I have only had a problem with one model that I have bought there and the model was swapped with no questions asked.

www.shiremodels.com.au

They are so over priced its unreal.

I very rarely buy anything localy as I dont get the same service as I do from Coffey Ford and Bridge Model Cars, Michael and Mark are simply the best to deal with, nothing seems to be a problem for them.

[the_goldie]

I remember reading something on a forum that HobbyCO in the city have a club you can join - not sure if it is free or what, but they offer a 10% discount on purchases. Can anyone give me any more info on this. They are normally $5-$10 cheaper than my dealer, plus with a 10% discount they would be even cheaper...

[singer]

Monaro Models & Hobbies in Queanbeyan isn't too bad though its just changed hands. The new owner seems to be enthusiastic

[inter]

Originally posted by thetormentor
I always use Terry at Past and Present Model Cars on the Central Coast of NSW. Very helpful and always competitive prices. All his models are in Mint and he is always helpful about hard to get models.
www.ppmcars.com.au
I will second that
inter