21st century getting a little hard to find .Ideas?

[Bandit]

Hi All, Not counting E-bay is there any where else to find 21st century US armor. Alot on e-bay don't have the boxes and alot of hobby stores wants an arm and leg for the older ones. I'm a late starter in collecting 1/32 scale.
An tips on getting a good price on e-bay. Is it better to have the first bid or to wait until last time to place?
I'm starting the mongram 1/32 Sherman Screamin Mini soon and would love to stay will 1/32 scale but 1/35 scale look better everyday.
On a side note I'm looking for the right kind of bogie wheels for that sherman kit. It has the M-3 bogie {Lee} now anyone have the bottom half of a 21st century sherman around they want to part with or the right kind of bogie wheels. I have 4 bogies in 1/35 scale that the right kind but need two more if they will work. If so sent me a PM. THanks and have fun collecting. Bandit

[PanzerArm]

Well if your budget is tight going over 1/35 really a way to save money, especially when you factor in the cost to build up the necessary equipment and paint to build decent models. If you like 1/32, stick with 1/32. There are some ways to stick with 1/32, however, you will need to be patient however if you don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I was fortunate to be involved in this scale when the times were good, back when 21st and FOV were cranking out many awesome new vehicles and you could get them for a relatively good deal (FOV preorders/Monkey depot etc).

Hunting ebay frequently will give you the chance to get the 1/32 items that pop up that are actually good deals. Example: about 2 weeks ago a seller listed both a FOV 1/32 M1A1 Abrams (Camo version) and a FOV 1/32 Challenger II. Both of these pieces regularly bid in the $100 area on ebay these days, and they usually get a lot of attention due to the fact that they don't show up all that often. Now the Challenger was a regular auction, and was sure to bid up high as usual, but the camo Abrams, NIB, was a buy it now for $45. I snatched that up immediately as that is about what you would have paid for it when they first came out.

The best deals don't come around every day, and that is where the patience comes in. The more desirable the item, the harder it will be to get a good deal. To be honest I have come to enjoy the hunt for a good deal, but it definitely isn't for everyone.

There are some other ways to get good deals, but they are not as common. I have come across some good deals from both ebay and retail sellers that had brick and mortar stores that were changing out their displays. Oftentimes they still have the original box and have been very well taken care of. Also, there is always the toy soldier shows that show up here and there, but I have never had the good fortune to have one nearby. I did get to go to several IPMS International shows here in Phoenix in 2004 and 2010, and the former had 21st Century toys show up (And they gave me some free vehicles!), but the latter one just this past August didn't really have much in the way of 1/32 armor stuff.

As far as the later VVSS suspension you are looking for, I cannot help you out, but since you have been here for 6 months I would post a thread in the B/S/T forum and ask if someone has any spare Shermans with running gear they'd like to part with.

I hope this bit of info can lead you in the right direction, and if you ever need any help just shoot me a PM and I'd be happy to help


-Kevin

[ketelone]

If you have the time, flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales, toy or toy soldier shows, Craigs List, etc. They are all hit or miss. This past year I picked up quite a few pieces at flea markets averaging about $7 a piece. Recently I picked up a P47 "Eileen" in the box for $15. I've had considerable success at model train shows. Since my job requires a little bit of driving at times, sometimes you can get lucky at local hobby shops, although they really are a dying breed.....

[Bandit]

Thanks guys . That great help. I'm staying with 1/32 scale.

[ketelone]

I have also had some success at militaria shows....