Modelers beware

I recently ordered a rare kit from a place called 'model airplane depot'. I thought their price on a rare kit was great and the fact they showed it in stock was alluring. ($119 for a 1/48 He177) so I ordered it. Got confirmation of the order and they then went silent. CC was charged. Sent emails no response.

So I did a search and found they had dozens on complaints including at the BBB. Found they had changed their name several times and had been under investigation from the PA attorney general.

So I called my CC and had them cancel the order. Great. Next day a new charge shows up under 'military models depot' they dinged my CC again. So I had my CC cancel them again and requested a new card with a new number.

They keep changing names. Seems according to the complaint's they take orders and play out the clock giving all sorts of reasons for delays (latest one is the owner by hit by a car and has severe head injuries)...last was the owners wife was severely ill and in the hospital. And along with supply chain issues due to covid.

They play out the clock until you can no longer charge back. Do a search on them. Beware.

Don't take my word for it google them.

MG3 said:

I recently ordered a rare kit from a place called 'model airplane depot'.

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I believe the name you mention is a new disguise of Internet Hobbies.
This is what they "inform" you:
We regret to inform you that the owner of Internet Hobbies was involved in an accident last week. While leaving the local Walmart during a rainstorm, he was struck by a vehicle. He sustained several injuries, including a severe head wound and a concussion. He is currently in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Unfortunately, due to these unforeseen circumstances, operations at Internet Hobbies have been temporarily halted until his return. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support during this difficult time.
We will provide updates as they become available and look forward to resuming normal business operations as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
The Internet Hobbies Team

And here's what Model Airplane Depot "informs" us:
We regret to inform you that the owner of Model Airplane Depot was involved in an accident last week. While leaving the local Walmart during a rainstorm, he was struck by a vehicle. He sustained several injuries, including a severe head wound and a concussion. He is currently in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Unfortunately, due to these unforeseen circumstances, operations at Model Airplane Depot have been temporarily halted until his return. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support during this difficult time.
We will provide updates as they become available and look forward to resuming normal business operations as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Model Airplane Depot

One finds the exact same "information" @ Military Model Depot-site as well.

Any doubts?

Had that happen to me but, it was King's Hobby.
I placed an order for the 1/48 B-17 Bloody Hundredth kit by Eduard when it first came out.
Luckily I got my money back.

Seems there were or are two King's Hobby shops. One is a consignment store and the other an online shop.

Yeah I really hate to call out so called vendors like this. But this case needed called out as they were so obvious if you research them. Its really a shame that people do this sort sort of thing. I never figured a vendor so innocuous as a model airplane supplier would do this sort of thing. I just wanted to warn others here. If the price seems to good to be true and the fact it's in stock seems to good to be true when no one else as it then it probably is. Do your research before buying.

According to the other net sources ...

Model Airplane Depot and its aliases…Hobby Wheels, Hobby Rails, Hobby Book Depot, Red Star Hobbies, Military Model Depot, Model Airplane Depot, Model Railroad Depot, Model Ship Depot, Gundam World Online, Takom-Military, Model Kit Closeouts, and Model Train Closeouts sites are confirmed scammers.

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Worse than I thought. As stated when I had my CC cancel my order from Model airplane depot and the very next day (they had my CC number) they dinged me as Military model depot and charged me again.

You have to cancel your CC and get a new number or else they will just keep dinging it under another name hoping you don't notice then run out the clock on excuses. When researching I found dozens of modelers that got ripped off by them. It's a shame people do this sort of thing. But here we are.

Very common MO these days, I've even had issues like this with eBay vendors. Ordered an aftermarket electric drill battery, got several ship notices with tracking #s - all fake. Never got a battery. Luckily my CC company was on board.

These sorts of scams happen in the musical-instrument marketplace as well. Rather than be reluctant to call out scammers, I think it's best to call them out once you see stuff like double-charges and failures to ship. Cockroaches do not like sunlight.

tlott01 said:

Luckily my CC company was on board.

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I'd tend to make ebay my first port of call in this case, though I've never experienced any hassles buying on ebay that said.