I made by normal trek to Hobby Lobby yesterday to take advantage of the half price sale going on. When I checked out the clerk said they were giving away free display cases with models and did I want any. Sure. They are very thin clear plastic, about 12 inches by 8 inches and 4 inches high. They remind me of the clear plastic trays fast food places use to cover salads. I don't think I'll use them as display cases but they should make good dust covers to use when painting.

If you're going there anyway before Saturday you might ask.

Howdy HalfYank,

Many thx for the 'heads-up' regarding the free case...I've already recently spent a small bundle at HL to pick up a few M48's and Flak 88's, noone ever mentioned or offered a 'free' case.......make's you think they din't like me much! ;-) (entirely understandable)

Tread,

P.S. why the 'HalfYank' moniker?...curious ;-)

Mum was a Cockney war bride, even though Dad didn't bring her over to the states until well after the war. So he missed out on the free transportation. When I first got onto the net I used the moniker HalfLimey, which is more appropriate, but I lost my password for that name. I switched to Halfyank several years ago and now it's as much my name as Rodger is.

Ok - everyone within driving distance of HL is making me jealous!!! 50% off, free cases - what's up with that?!?!?!?!?
#:-)

Slodder,
Don't feel too awful bad. The models are half off about once every couple of months but the selection is always the same and it seems to be the same corporation wide. They have the Tamiya Dragon Wagon (without the wagon), M16, M48A3, Leopard 2, new tooling Jeep, Duece and a half, Grant, etc. but they have had the same kits for the last 4 years.

Shaun

PS: No free displays cases at my store...

Shaun:

Add to your list the Early Production M4 Sherman, the Mobelwagen, the old Panther A, sandbags, bricks and Rommel's Greif, Italeri's Priest and the Dragon German Grenadiers at Arnham and you have covered the entire HL armor stock in Houston. I don't understand HL's marketing strategy. Why bother stocking any armor kits if you are only going to stock the same kits. In fact, the closest HL had not even re-stocked (touched??) their shelves since they had their last half off sale.

keenan, kbm - thanks for the update :-) I don't feel so bad now. The only hobby store action in the Raleigh area is Hobby Town USA shut down. Oh well.

I agree with you guys on the selection of armor at HL. I've just about cleaned the local stores out of anything I'm remotely interested in buying. Add to the list the LRDG, Stuart, a VERY few DML figure kits, and the M1A1. I think I MIGHT pick up the M1A1 next time they're on sale. I got the DML 101 airborne and ranger kits from them last year but I haven't seen them there since.

Of course there is always Wingy Things and ships if I ever want to move over there. Not many but some. They've got tons of cars though.

As far as their marketing I think it's brilliant that they even HAVE models. My wife used to drag me to Michaels, and Ben Franklins and I hated it. At least at Hobby Lobby I could make a beeline to the model section to have SOMETHING to look at.

Halfyank:

I will give HL some credit for stocking models but I can only imagine what a bit larger and more varied and consistently re-stocked supply would do to their sales, even when they are not half off. The HL's in Houston also have a huge stock of car models. I do like HL for two other reasons: they put their oil paints and brushes on sale consistently and it is a treasure trove for the person interested in dioramas.

I wish I knew of a hobby lobby 'round here...

Makes me think that their normal prices are high and that by having 50% off, they are getting close to what some of the Online retailers are selling for.

I paid 18.00 even for a Stuart and a Grant, both Tamiya. Not great kits, I'll admit, but, 18 bucks...

Shaun

Hey, the Stuart's not that bad if you want to build the diesel version that saw very little, if no action.

Also, for $9, the suspension alone off of the Grant is a deal compared to buying an aftermarket early VVSS suspension. It's perfect for doing an early Priest -- just make sure you replace the roadwheels -- they are a fictional six-spoke (use the Priest kit road wheels).