i have much dedication to the hobby, its just my coinpurse that cant afford the dedication more advanced modellers have

Hi Jimmy

I guess dedication might have been the wrong word but I'm sure everybody knows what I mean.
Those people who are happy to build something that looks like a Sherman or a Tiger and want to get the right colour on it or markings but are not worried too much that the front hull plate is 40mm to big or the angle of the loaders hatch is three degrees out.

Accommodating all at whatever level you wish to participate.

Hope you find work soon.

Some of the best models I've seen have been done by people spending the least amount of money. Scratch building from all sorts of items to create some really nice models, scenes etc. so you don't have to spend to enjoy yourself.

Alan

I upeset also with shipping from online shops, but it's not their fault blame it on the USPS they raised their shipping rates. They said, They losing money, because of raising fuel prices.

There are a number of On-Line retailers who are price 'gouging' (on both sides of the Atlantic) it's not even as simple as increases from the various postal services. It's these ridiculous and unjustified handling charges which are to blame...

A small quantity of 'Handling' is justifiable (to cover costs of packaging materials etc.) when it gets to $20+ PLUS postage, they can forget it...

If the rates themselves aren't bad enough, look out for the dimensional weight charges. I went to ship a decent size box weighing about 9 lbs. actual weight. I made the mistake of using the dimensions printed on the box when calculating the price, only to find that when the very picky counter clerk at UPS measured it at the window, it was a half an inch longer in one dimension.

The effect? What I calculated at about $15 rang up at just under $40 - because of said half inch.

So, if you're shipping a somewhat larger box, measured it first! I was fit to be tied that day.

- Frank

James

You looked fairly hard for them? Did you email them? I'm guessing you bought from InternetHobbies.com? When in doubt - ask...
I too have the DML figures. IMO they are not bad, but replace the heads with some by the likes of Hornet.
It took me about 10 seconds to Google Verlinden Productions, a further 10 to locate the dealer page and about a further 30 to locate the 2 figure sets you bought on the UK agent's site. As for the wood cuttings set, if economics was a concern I would have made these myself.
As I said, words like "expensive" are subjective and relative. I said for me the shipping is not expensive. I had read your profile prior to making my statements, which is why I qualified my statement in the manner I did.

You don't need to be in an excellent financial position to be a good model builder. I have seen the most amazing models built basically OOB, with perhaps homemade PE.

If cash flow is tight, why not convert figures? Why not scratchbuild what you can? Like the logs. Most of us have done it this way at some point or another. In life we've all had to make do with our lot at some point.

John

why is this turning into a public slating.

i dont know what you typed but i was seraching for over 3 hours for a u.k. dealer.
so i made a mistake.
and whats wrong with paying 3 quid for a chopping block thingy. im not v.good at scratchbuilding, and to be honest its not somthing im going to look that far into. yeah the brick walls i made, but nothing much farther than that.

James, it simply isn't. Think yourself fortunate that you're beginning in modeling at this period of time. When I was beginning, the only source of information or advice, was from fellow modelers. If you lived in a city with an active modeling club, fine, if not...

With the 'net we're all very lucky. Doubly fortunate with a site like this which has many helpful members. So, DON'T take it as a public slating - all us have done MUCH worse things than this...

Jimmy,
I can understand your dismay at losing out on what i think are high postage costs..

This as happened to me a few times and now i mainly buy figures when i attend a show.

I'm not sure what the shows are like across the pond, but here in Belgium the vendors generally have alot of items, mostly well under retail price.
And hey..no shipping costs..only cups of coffee!!

I personally like scratchbuilding my own dioramas/elements.
As Jim has mentioned, there is more than enough information to be found on the site here for sratchbuilding etc.
.This has helped me enormously, and saved my piggybank on numerous occasions!

If you had posted on the diorama forum about firewood, i would of been able to have helped you out directly:

If you go to your local supermarket, there is a product called "licorice wood/sticks" that can be found in amongst the spice/cooking sections.

I imagine it would only cost a few quid for a large sized bag...enough firewood for numerous dio's.
Here's half a licorice stick, chopped up in a dio from year ago or so:


Don't hesitate in asking for help in the forums, there is generally always someone here to help you out.

Good luck with the dio and figures mate,
Shay

I always get the estimate by phone for the shipping costs before buying. I always go for the Spanish equivalent of cash on delivery too. The reason is I don´t trust the computer as far as I can throw it ( as they get smaller I could throw them further but still don´t trust ´em any further). There was a company over here that had an impressive online catalogue, so I phoned to place an order last June & I´m still waiting,the online catalogue has disappeared but at least my money hasn´t disappeared with it. I´ve used a few different suppliers & have found that most of them have a translation button so don´t be put off by finding what you want in another country/language after doing a Google search.( that is if you are comfortable with buying on-line ,maybe I have an irrational fear of buying on-line.) Now with all that said I would like to mention that I don´t think there are many "millionaire modellers" on this sight so it´s not strictly true that the more one spends, the better the model will be. As far as I´m concerned it´s a pastime that only goes as far as you want to take it. Some years ago I was invited to the home of "a friend of a friend". He had a huge diorama layout worth a fortune,I didn´t know whether to laugh or cry because to be diplomatic, all I can say is he should have taken more time with it ( like 20 years more time) .He was happy with it though his wife wasn´t,she left him & took the kids with her.

that is probably me in twenty yeas, wife and kids leave because of my many obsessions.
my guitar, modelling, and keeping my room untidy!!

This bloke had a diorama layout bigger than the dining table of my in-laws(or outlaws being more appropriate) where 10 people can eat with comfort. In a 2 bedroom council house,that´s just going TOOOOO far . No wonder she left him I think I might just start a new thread asking who´s got the biggest!! Don´t be disgusted I mean diorama.

Would it be from Mission Models by chance? I ordered a Des Kit flak projector from them, which I've been waiting for over a year. Apparently Des Kit is a one-man operation and is notoriously slow for shipping product. My experience seems to confirm that.

its in great models. and a european site i cant seem to contact

Hi

That little Simca, which you can find listed here

http://www.phpshopxml.com/azimut.shop/CID/2cd157d1ee7f77c8bff726305346b03b/function/itemSearchResultPageDisplay/shopSearchType/familySubFamilyCode/shopSearchData/BLI|DES

is very similar to this kit here, as an alternative. Fiat MOD 500 A Topolino at £34.99p
from S.B. Models in the UK.

http://www.sbmodels.net/Model_Victoria.html

Hope it's of interest and help.

Alan

Bit harsh that, Gary. Especially if you don't know the dude's circumstances.

People can be jobless for a variety of reasons - it's not necessarily always idleness. And at 18 it isn't always easy to find work (not everyone goes to college) - the classic catch 22 of "you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job"!

I know that personally because that's the very situation I found myself in for over 6 months when I finished university in '85.

Go easy on him mate - he's a young guy new to the hobby and is just letting off steam (let's face it we all feel the need to at some point).

- Steve

Just to add my two pence worth - THIS IS THE BEST DAMNED MODELLERS SITE ON THE WHOLE WEB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I`ve just ordered a couple of kits from HobbyLink Japan,but not before i`d asked around to find out what the service was like (everyone said they were excellent).
As the old adage goes -- If In Doubt - ASK. I have never received ANY negative responses on here so i think a round of applause is long overdue to everyone for making this site what it is.

White4.
Thankyou for that valuable contribution to the thread.
Almost makes me want to start my own thread with the same title as this one. Im disgusted to see a comment like that even once, so I wont quote it again here.
Nobody has the right to comment on anyones personal circumstances like that in these forums, especially when its a teenage modeller finding his way, and even more so when they dont know the individuals personal situation.
About the only thing a comment like that will achieve is to drive someone away from the forums and the hobby as a whole.
Nige

My thoughts exactly. Thank you mr. Owsley for your (trademark) helpful and sympathetic comments. Frankly this 'rugged-individiualist' Act is becoming a touch hackneyed and frequently offensive....

Generally speaking, shipping costs seem to be a complete minefield - I think you are very dependent on the good will of the shipper. Some examples, goods ordered (Dragon tank kit) from Uk supplier, delivered next day, packing/shipping cost less than £5, thats pretty reasonable I reckon. Similarly, motorcycle parts, also overnight (they weigh a bit more than a 1/35 Stug!) seems to depend on value of order. If you are ordering a large amount of stuff, dealers can absorb some of the perceived cost of shipping. But typically for a smallish order between £5 & £10 is OK. As the others have said, fuel costs put the cost of everything up, but to pay as much for shipping as for the goods seems like a rip-off to me (no I'm not 18, & haven't been for a long time!). I ordered a fuel tank & seat unit from another UK supplier, & although it took a week or two to arrive, it was VERY well packed, so undamaged when it arrived. I think it cost an extra tenner - it was OK with me.

thank you for your lovely response gary.
and thank you for even lovlier counter responses steve, nigel and jim( in order of post not favoritism!!)

gary i have heard of people who have really blossomed in the modelling world when unemployed, usually because of the spare time you have. i am currently jobhunting, thankyou for reminding me yet again, as if my parents dont enough!!:)
i continue with the hobby, even on low income, as it is great, i enjoy modelling and have only really just started getting good!!

Danny you did a lot better job than i did at ordering.
keep up the good work guys .
james

Whitehead,
I to was disgusted by this response but was to angry to respond until now. More than half your postings here are nether informative or helpful and nothing but short of attacks…it’s time that you put a stop to it. Regardless what the question is we are here to help and guide each other…not belittle the member. Do us all a favor and don’t post if your not going to help…

Your signature….

People who think they know it all....
Are especially annoying to those of us who do.

Yeah…..

I guess some people were not taught the " if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" lesson from the parents. I for one have found through different threads that James is in school as well as helping his girlfriend get into modeling. For that I think is commendable, and having the sense to come to this web site and seek help or even let off a little steam over the cost of shipping because of his situation is even more commendable. All he is trying to do is find a little help through our knowledge base of members.

jimbrae, sorry for venting my disgust but I am finding this a little more than irritating.