Ha, ha...I know...this is one of those questions where the most common answer will be "it depends" followed by "what are you looking for?". It's been a long time since I have bought kits on line. The main reason is that I try to support my local brick and mortar shops as much as I can. Sadly, over the past couple of years some of the shops closed down and others seem to have taken their inventory in different directions.

When I did buy kits on line I would usually go to Squadron.com but every since they have basically done away with their inventory of 54mm figures I stopped shopping there. I've also purchased a few figured from Colorado Miniatures. That's about it.

I am mainly interested in figures in 1:35 or 1:32 (54mm) scale, buildings and diorama accessories. I am not big on armor although I do have a small selection of unbuilt kits. I like soft skinned vehicles best.

Here is what I am looking for in a good on-line hobby shop:

1 Variety and availability of model kits (including new releases)
2. Ease of shopping (good website)
3. Fast order processing
4. Good selection of paints
5. Good selection of modeling and reference books

So, what are some of the best on-line hobby shops?

Martin, I have found Scalehobbist.com to be a very good sight. Lower prices then some of the other guys, good inventory, for me at least, fast delivery, and a very easy site to navigate/search. I also check every few days in there recent arrival section. Here is there link:

http://www.scalehobbyist.com/?gclid=CI6IkvWasZQCFQNfFQodkHdttA

Greatmodels

I know others like Spruebrothers

for the fast i need it now models, i use sprue bros. delivery is prompt, usually in 2-3 days for my location in az.. when i don't mind waiting awhile i use lucky model. delivery is usually within their parmeters stated, and the prices are just right for some of these models.

as for books for study and reference i usually end up on e bay, and we all know ts a catch all there, but usually get what you want.

reb

Hobbyeasy hands down. Low prices and a massive selection. Spruebrothers if you want to stay Stateside. Scalehobbyist has an adequare selection and great prices. I have ordered from Freetime Hobbies. Their prices aren't that great and shipping is high, but you recieve the item the next business day. I wouldn't suggest Greatmodels for a couple of reasons. One being that they are frequently sold out of the items you are looking for. And, two being that whole mess with the big blowout special on Sep. 11.

I use:

Greatmodels
Spruebrothers
Freetimehobbies

I love the Greatmodels search engine.

A good buy can be had on Ebay if you shop with your head and are patient.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I will be sure to check all of them out.

I don't do figures that much except for dioramas. I would recommend all the stores given and add Hobby linc Japan and maybe hobbyworld Japan. Keep in mind the dollar vs the yen rate can whack you sometimes. Stateside Sprue Bros or Freetime is my first search

I placed orders with both Scalehobbist and SprueBrothers. Scalehobbist hasn't shipped it yet (it's been three days) and SprueBrothers shipped the order 3 hours after I placed it.

I am very impressed with the efficiency of SprueBrothers.

Sprue Brothers: http://www.spruebrothers.com/

HobbyEasy: http://www.hobbyeasy.com/

Great models: http://www.greatmodels.com/

Der Sockelshop: http://www.sockelshop.de/

My order from Scale Hobbyist arrived yesterday. Not bad.

Luckymodel may be the cheapest, but their delivery took over a month.

A company I like to use is Tower Hobbies. They ship really fast!!

http://www.towerhobbies.com/

My favorite is Squadron but you mentioned that you quit using them.

Randy

ok..I'm on the spruebrothers bandwagon !! I placed an order w/ them, it arrived a short 3 days later. They have been my go-to for the last yr.

Great models is ok ...but find them out of stock regularly.

Sprue Brothers is my Favorite. After reading some of the other comments I may try a couple of others since Sprue doesn't carry it all.

hobbylinc has great prices. I use hobbyeasy if I'm willing to wait.

The two best I've found, and the only two I presently use are Sprue Brothers and the Squadron Shop. Both have real time inventory, both have great customer service, and both ship within 24 hours of receiving your order.

I have purchased at both Sprue Brothers and Lucky Model.

Sprue Brothers is fast and they can have great deals even cheaper than the HK stores.

Never had any issue Lucky Model either, usually get item in a week after shipping. Only concern I have had is when you order more than a model and some accessories the shipping cost can get high. I did just order from them to see how long the $2 shipping would take, websites says November, but we will see as it has already shipped last week.

If you want figures, a local shop here in Michigan, Michigan Toy Solider has a lot of figure stuff and they ship worldwide and give discounts to customers that sign up for thier email group etc. www.michtoy.com

I just ordered from SprueBros and lucky for me, I live like an hour away from where they are, so I got my shipment the next day. They are fantastic and had what I was looking for, with good prices better than my local shop here in town. A++!

Spruebrothers for me I own stock

I've dealt with most of the aforementioned sites, and I have two additions:

HobbyMasters is an LHS in Red Bank, NJ. I go to Jersey pretty frequently and I'm always sure to stop by. Their website isn't the best, but if you have a kit you want, give them a call and ask for Steve...he'll be able to get you just about any piece you're after! Unfortunately, you may have to pay a few bucks extra depending on the stock at the time, but I for one am willing to pay it to keep fine Americans like Steve in business.

Sci-Fi Genre is a website store that expanded into a "brick-and-mortar" store instead of the other way around. They don't sell the kinds of kits we typically look for on this network, but they use the same tools and paints we do...I dealt with them specifically for Vallejo paints. They had the cheapest prices, shipping was fast and cheap too, and they truly, truly care about their customers and will do anything to satisfy them. Highly recommended!

I'll have to agree with Jeff, Michigan Toy Soldier is the place for figures,and in 54mm.They also have online videos showing how to do stuff.(don''t let the corny intro throw ya,there is some good stuff there)
I have visited the shop to buy & attend classes and can't speak highly enough of the stock available and friendly,courteous staff. That is both in person or on the phone.
Sprue & Lucky Model also get the nod for military models,Scalehobbiest & Megahobby for trucks,cars,etc.
Just my $.02 worth,
Jake

http://www.modellbau-koenig.de
A really great store. This shop is for my big luck in my little home town. They get all the new releases pretty fast

Martin,Glad you got your order from Scalehobbyist,I was going to tell you not to be worried about the delay in shipping thing.sometimes it happens to me also and the stuff shows up in about 3 days.I have had very good service from them and if I have a question about any thing they have in stock the reply is very quick.They just started carryingVallajo paints and pigments.I also have had excellent service from Spruebrothers,fast service,lots in stock,Really like the real time inventory.Questions are answered quickly also.I do all my model stuff online because I have no LHS But feel very much at ease ordering from these two sites.Jeff

Hello everyone; I have a question, too, that I think does not merit its own topic...
There's a -I think- Japanese online store that has the instructions scanned on their website; and I keep forgetting it... does anyone by any chance know which one I'm talking about?