So I read the thread here, on Armorama, and it looks like converting the AFV Club’s Australian Centurion Mk 5/1 to a Canadian Mk. 5 is feasible. Just leave off or add on parts that are included with the kit, just might need to get the Type A barrel.
So I look around and can only find two places on-line that have the kit in stock (the LHS doesn’t carry AFV Club stuff).
LuckyModel has it for approx $35us (including shipping), which is about $39cnd.
Military Hobbies has it for $53cnd and you still have to add shipping, that’s way too much!

So, has any fellow Canadians ordered from LuckyModel?
Are they any good?
Is the shipping time correct (Air Parcel, 7-11 business days)?
Any comments good or bad?

Thanks

PS
Anyone have any experience with HobbyEasy? Looks like they have good pricing (just no Centurion in stock)

when they say 39, you pay 39... havnt had troubles!

althught i order some stuff over 4 months ago and some havnt arrived yet as they have a hard time getting them in stock i belive... but whenever an item is in they ship it immediatly( shipping time should be about right.. dont gcry if its a day or two late lol) but they never charged extra...

i recomend them!

Frank

HI

Just an FYI. When ordering from places like Lucky Model, you run the risk of CCRA applying their nasty little add-ons.

So lets take your kit as an example ..

$39.00 declared value plus 14% taxes is $5.46 = $44.46 plus either $5.00 or $7.50 (?) "handling fee" would put your purchase at $49.46, which is certainly cheaper than Mil Hobb :-)

Have you tried Hobby Gryffon?, they have some good prices (just a satisfied customer).

Tom

Wayne:

I got an order this year of over $200 worth from Luckymodel. I took the snail mail route and 2 months to the day it showed up at my office. They did not put an invoice inside and they said it was a present. :-) (a present to myself) No taxes or tariffs applied.

Good luck

Go with Lucky Model if you are not in a hurry. Like Brian said, they'll leave the invoice out on request. At their checkout, you will be given the choice of no invoice, undervaluing the shipment on customs forms, mark it as a gift, and something else. Although Canada Customs will delay it by a loooonnng time (2-4 months for me, and I've bought four times from them) Lucky ships immediately if in stock (which they tell you in the item description) and will email you to tell you that it has shipped. Pricewise, it is definitely worth it. Older kits, at $10 a pop, are still $40 here.
Lol, steamer.

Cheers!
Mike

Thanks Everyone !!!!

Just the kind of input I needed.

Now, were is that credit card ?
:-)

hi i order from lucky models a few times now his name is syvia very good to deal with i pay with pay pal too he marks it as a gift as well but to avoid the customs charge i order a small order i think if you were to get the one kit you would be fine i just ordered a tamiya Panzer III L and it was 25$ usd and that included the shipping and i will not get charged customs do not get me wrong on the customs thing i thought it was free trade i live in canada also i buy stuff from lucky models that i can not usally get locally hope this helps you they are really good to deal with take care paul

You would have been charged 8.50 Canadian shipping from Military Hobbies and received it in 4 days. Expresspost only.

So I placed an order with LuckyModel.com, here is a summary of my experience

Models ordered: AFV Club Centurion and Dragon Sherman Ic
Shipping: Air Mail (7-11 days)
Order Date: 9/9/2006
Dragon Ship Date: 9/12/2006
Date Received: 9/21/2006
AVF Club Ship Date: 9/22/2006
Date Received: 10/2/2006

Charged $73.87 CND (499.00 HKD)
No Extra Taxes or Fees (nothing collected by Canada Post)

It is strange that I had checked the “do not split shipment” and yet there where two shipments.
It was nice to have the “mark as gift”, “declare low value”, and “no invoice in the box” options.

Military Hobbies has the Cent listed at $52.99 and the Sherman, I would guess, would be in the $50.00+ range so you decide for yourself if it’s a good deal.

I feel this was a good experience. As soon LuckyModel.com ships you’ll wont have long to wait to get your stuff, it just appears that it might take awhile for them to get it out the door.

LuckModel.com is recommended!

Might try HobbyEasy next time, just to compare.

Again, thanks to everyone for your opinions.