Good model shops i can visit
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I live in North London Harrow area and i was wondering if anyone knows of any good model shops selling static diecast model cars/bikes i.e. Autoart, minichamps, Kyosho etc..
There use to be a fair few round my way (Harrow model shop & old town models in Windsor etc..) but they all seem to have closed down.
I know there are plenty of online shops i can order from but you can beat seeing them in the flesh or shall i say metal.
After seeing the traders at Autosport with their stalls full of models i really want to get back into collecting.
I live in North London Harrow area and i was wondering if anyone knows of any good model shops selling static diecast model cars/bikes i.e. Autoart, minichamps, Kyosho etc..
There use to be a fair few round my way (Harrow model shop & old town models in Windsor etc..) but they all seem to have closed down.
I know there are plenty of online shops i can order from but you can beat seeing them in the flesh or shall i say metal.
After seeing the traders at Autosport with their stalls full of models i really want to get back into collecting.
Eric Mc said:
Although yhe internet has its uses, there's still nothing to compare with the Alladin's Cave effect of being in a decently stocked model shop.
Local model shops are a dying breed and it would be a pity to see them all go.
Couldn't have put it better myself tbh.Local model shops are a dying breed and it would be a pity to see them all go.
Quite a few websites do not allow returns if you find that the model you ordered is not quite to your liking plus i have been looking on various ebay sales and the P&P is quite simply shocking even though they might have a good choice of models!!!
You may save on the model but you soon pay for it on P&P.
Just stay away from phil greeno's in rayners lane, rubbish unless you like rc cars, and even then he's an aging poseur.
I know these are a little further afield but theres some model shops in MK centre, and maybe watford (beatties if its still there).
Most model shops are succuming to the internet, i fly RC and have to travel about 30 miles in any direction to get to a decent shop, so if i need something quick then I ring the shop and they mail it to me. Its cheaper that way.
Sad to hear that harrow model shop has gone, on a weekend as a teen I used to go there and then to the cinema just along the parade there. we even used to smoke in the cinema back then!! (until we got chucked out).
Happy Days.
I know these are a little further afield but theres some model shops in MK centre, and maybe watford (beatties if its still there).
Most model shops are succuming to the internet, i fly RC and have to travel about 30 miles in any direction to get to a decent shop, so if i need something quick then I ring the shop and they mail it to me. Its cheaper that way.
Sad to hear that harrow model shop has gone, on a weekend as a teen I used to go there and then to the cinema just along the parade there. we even used to smoke in the cinema back then!! (until we got chucked out).
Happy Days.
hman said:
Just stay away from phil greeno's in rayners lane, rubbish unless you like rc cars, and even then he's an aging poseur.
I know these are a little further afield but theres some model shops in MK centre, and maybe watford (beatties if its still there).
Most model shops are succuming to the internet, i fly RC and have to travel about 30 miles in any direction to get to a decent shop, so if i need something quick then I ring the shop and they mail it to me. Its cheaper that way.
Sad to hear that harrow model shop has gone, on a weekend as a teen I used to go there and then to the cinema just along the parade there. we even used to smoke in the cinema back then!! (until we got chucked out).
Happy Days.
yeah i know only too well to avoid the Phil Green lolI know these are a little further afield but theres some model shops in MK centre, and maybe watford (beatties if its still there).
Most model shops are succuming to the internet, i fly RC and have to travel about 30 miles in any direction to get to a decent shop, so if i need something quick then I ring the shop and they mail it to me. Its cheaper that way.
Sad to hear that harrow model shop has gone, on a weekend as a teen I used to go there and then to the cinema just along the parade there. we even used to smoke in the cinema back then!! (until we got chucked out).
Happy Days.
Al's models is good and so is west london model.
Yeah Harrow model shop was amazing back in the day! Pitty it closed down. Alan the the RC/static model dept always gave very good discount. BTW that cinema is now a GOLDS gym lol
Eric Mc said:
Although yhe internet has its uses, there's still nothing to compare with the Alladin's Cave effect of being in a decently stocked model shop.
There in lies the problem. Those well stocked shops just do not exist anymore. Shame I know, but the Internet and the power hungry mail-order giant (you know the one mean!) have killed them all off 
BooHoo
Shame the current credit crunch can't take some of these operations down with it...
motormania said:
Eric Mc said:
Although yhe internet has its uses, there's still nothing to compare with the Alladin's Cave effect of being in a decently stocked model shop.
There in lies the problem. Those well stocked shops just do not exist anymore. Shame I know, but the Internet and the power hungry mail-order giant (you know the one mean!) have killed them all off BooHoo
Shame the current credit crunch can't take some of these operations down with it...
motormania said:
robzi said:
I would suggest Modelzone, there are loads of shops around and they've all got models in cabinets where you can see them....
Modelzone all the way..
Modelzone.... there in lies the problem.Modelzone all the way..
All part of the mighty model beast in this country
Hannants have been going since the 1950s. I've been a regular customer of theirs since the 1970s.
The shop at Colindale tube station is now closed but they re-opened in an industrial unit on Grahame Park Way right beside the RAF Museum.
Their main store is in Lowestoft which is also their mail-order hub.
They mainly stock plastic kits but do stock everything in that medium (planes, ships, cars, bikes, military vehicles, space etc) . They don't do die-casts.
The shop at Colindale tube station is now closed but they re-opened in an industrial unit on Grahame Park Way right beside the RAF Museum.
Their main store is in Lowestoft which is also their mail-order hub.
They mainly stock plastic kits but do stock everything in that medium (planes, ships, cars, bikes, military vehicles, space etc) . They don't do die-casts.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 5th March 17:31
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