Where in Calgary to buy Diecast 1/18 models? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

3 Justin 3 · 03-01-2010, 01:37 AM

As topic says, I want to buy some 1/18 scale cars, what is the best place to go?

PM Hobby and HobbyGuys I know have them but HobbyGuys is expensive.

Hack&Lube · 03-01-2010, 01:51 AM

You pay that premium if you want a brick and motar store to carry a niche item like that. Aside from what you might find at Wal-Mart/TRU (junk), just go online for your diecast needs. PM Hobby probably has the best selection but that is still limited to 2/3 isles. I stopped collecting cars like 10 years ago in highschool as I felt it was a waste of money and I only ever liked AutoArt made models which can be $50-$100 a pop.

3 Justin 3 · 03-01-2010, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

You pay that premium if you want a brick and motar store to carry a niche item like that. Aside from what you might find at Wal-Mart/TRU (junk), just go online for your diecast needs. PM Hobby probably has the best selection but that is still limited to 2/3 isles. I stopped collecting cars like 10 years ago in highschool as I felt it was a waste of money and I only ever liked AutoArt made models which can be $50-$100 a pop.

The AutoArt one I want costs $180 shipped on eBay.

speede5 · 03-01-2010, 06:30 AM

All my best deals have been from Ebay.
Sad but true. Love cruisin through Hobbyguys when I go through Calgary though.

DownInFlames · 03-01-2010, 07:22 AM

You can try this place:

http://www.familyracingcollectibles.com/FRC_Home.htm

or

http://www.mopacautosupply.com/main.html

3 Justin 3 · 03-01-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speede5

All my best deals have been from Ebay.
Sad but true. Love cruisin through Hobbyguys when I go through Calgary though.

Have any good sellers?

I was considering eBay, but with the price of shipping being $25+ on 1 model, it sort of takes away from the "bargain". Model is $25-40, then shipping is nearly the same.

speede5 · 03-01-2010, 11:19 AM

I haven't bought anything in a couple of years, so no recommendations. One thing that I had good luck with was finding vendors who in their listing said US only, and I would ask them if they would ship to Canada and how much and many were fine with just sending it. It doesn't cost them much more. Also multiple items is a great way to save on shipping.

The other thing with ebay is you can find more than one of just about everything, so if you miss one another is usually not hard to find. Patience is a virtue on Ebay.

3 Justin 3 · 03-01-2010, 01:57 PM

I hate shipping on eBay, they charge me $11, then when I get my package I can clearly see on the label "$1.47". Thanks for the suggestions. I will ask if they can ship cheaper, I know the shipping for USA is A LOT cheaper than it is here in Canada. Hell, to ship a game across Canada costs me $11, I can send it to the States for $3. wtf eh?

bomber317 · 03-01-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I hate shipping on eBay, they charge me $11, then when I get my package I can clearly see on the label "$1.47". Thanks for the suggestions. I will ask if they can ship cheaper, I know the shipping for USA is A LOT cheaper than it is here in Canada. Hell, to ship a game across Canada costs me $11, I can send it to the States for $3. wtf eh?

Was this recently? Shipping has gotten a lot better now, with sellers not using shipping as a huge profit markup due to the star rating system.

Most of the stuff that I have gotten lately, comes close to breaking even for them in terms of cost of shipping and materials.

Byrns · 03-04-2010, 02:10 PM

Would anyone know where I could find really small f1 or other racing cars? (eg. smaller than a Micro Machine)

1:200 - 240

Engine09 · 03-04-2010, 02:16 PM

What about Phoenix Comics on 17th next to Melodiya Records?

Have not been in there for some time but I seem to remember that they have some type of car/plane models.

FurnaceFace · 03-04-2010, 02:37 PM

What about euro models? I'm looking for a reasonably price Renault 5-door Meghane for a friend.

worth · 03-04-2010, 02:42 PM

Does anyone have recommendations for custom scale models? My company is looking to get something done. I'm sure it will be super expensive.

Hack&Lube · 03-04-2010, 02:44 PM

What car do you want anyway?

worth · 03-04-2010, 03:01 PM

Me? It wouldn't be a car. It would be models of custom mobile oilfield equipment.

Flapper97 · 03-04-2010, 09:32 PM

3 Justin 3, try Chinook Hobby West. I know they sell some AutoArt cars, but I'm not very familiar with car collectibles. I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but you can give them a try.

3 Justin 3 · 03-04-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

Me? It wouldn't be a car. It would be models of custom mobile oilfield equipment.

This may sound crazy, but go to PM Hobby, then go to the Model Train section, they have a ton of different buildings/models. You can try the Model Train place on 4th street (I believe, it may be center) as they would have a larger selection.

Where is Chinook Hobby West? I go to school at Mt. Royal so I could probably go there during a break.

DownhillGoat · 03-04-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Where is Chinook Hobby West? I go to school at Mt. Royal so I could probably go there during a break.

50th & McLeod. Neat store, but I haven't been there in years.

http://www.chinookandhobbywest.com/

Redliner · 03-05-2010, 01:29 AM

Chinook & Hobby West is great. They used to have quite a bit of die cast, not sure how much they have now. They also have a pretty good model train section at the back, so you might be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Table 5 · 12-05-2012, 05:33 PM

Bit of a bump here, but does anyone know where you can buy AutoArt, CMC, or Exoto car models in Calgary?

It seems like the Hobby Guys went out of business, and I went down to PM(what happened to the S?) Hobbycraft but they only had a couple of AutoArts and didn't even want to open the box to show me the cars. Even if they don't have a lot in stock, I'd like to be able to see them to take a look at the quality, and then maybe buy online.