24-04-2024 - Newsletter #200

Already the 200th newsletter!
The newsletter has hardly changed in the past 4 years. Time for change?
I realize that the newsletter is not ideal, but I am not sure what exactly a new version could look like. So time for reader feedback!
See further in the newsletter for the dilemmas.

A lot of stock arrived last week. For the full list, click here.
The new stock includes Warpaints Fanatic, HaT military figures, Noch HO scale figures, Vallejo Diorama FX and a new brand for the Mini-Kiwiland Shop: Fujimi.

The Mini-Kiwiland Shop is open from 1pm to 5pm on Thursday on ANZAC Day.

Just a quick response to the previous newsletter. I received the most interesting feedback about the air brushes. Not just about the brands I mentioned.
I'm also going to look further into a few other brands I mentioned.
My thanks to everyone who responded!

Several Heller 1:24 car kits are on sale this week!

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

17-04-2024 - Newsletter #199

I am always looking for new suppliers/brands and better deals.
There are a number of brands that I am considering at the moment, that I would like to receive feedback and/or tips on:

Truck Models

Given the increasing demand for truck models, I would like to expand the range with, for example, the Australian brand Drake. However, I wonder if there is a demand for this?
The Drake Website

Statues / Busts

I am considering including larger scale figures in the range. An example of this are the historical Mitches Military Models. Napoleonic, WWI and WWII. But are there other brands that are preferred?
Mitches Models Website

Remote Control

Something that is in high demand in the store is remote control. I would like to do something with this, especially boats, planes and trucks. An example for boats are the Joysway models. This could be one of the first RC brands for the Mini-Kiwiland Shop, but I'm not sure. Is there any interest in this?
Joysway Website

Airbrushing

One lack in the Mini-Kiwiland Shop is a range of airbrushes. The Iwata or badger airbrushes could be a start. Or are there other preferences?
Iwata Website

Glue

Many different brands of glue are in high demand. I would like to expand this with products from Bob Smith Industries, for example. Are there any positive experiences with this brand?
Bob Smith Industries

1:18 Diecast Cars

The 1:18 scale models are particularly popular in New Zealand. A brand that I could import is, for example, the Australian brand Biante. Is this popular?
Biante Models Website

Miniature Games

Miniature Games are booming in the Mini-Kiwiland Shop. I would also like to expand this. Brands I'm considering are Modiphius (Fallout), Knight Games (Batman) and Privateer Press. Any ideas or suggestions?
Privateer Press Website

Feedback can be given by simply replying to this newsletter. Any response is highly appreciated and may help improving the Mini-Kiwiland Shop!
I cannot immediately stock everything of all brands. I will have to set priorities or, in the worst case, I will have to skip brands if there appears to be insufficient demand for them.

Many thanks,

Robert

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10-04-2024 - Newsletter #198

Once again a week with many new arrivals. For the full list click here.

The new arrivals include many hobby supplies from AMMO By Mig Jimenez. These are mainly small and light items. Many more heavier products are expected via sea transport in June. Books, magazines, paint sets, spray cans, storage systems etc.

I have received a lot of positive feedback about the recently arrived Formula One model cars. I can get more than you will find on the website. Last week, 20 examples of models were added. Both 1:43 scale and 1:24 scale. Because all these models come via sea transport, it will take a number of months for stock to arrive.

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

03-04-2024 - Newsletter #197

Another week with many arriving products. Once again there are too many to list in this newsletter. For the complete list click here.
A lot more stock is expected this week!

Army Painter has updated its paint range with their Warpaints Fanatic range. Only a small portion of the more than 200 colours have currently been added to the website. Stock is expected in 3 to 5 weeks.

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

27-03-2024 - Newsletter #196

Since the last newsletter, hundreds of items have arrived. Too many to mention in this Newsletter. For the complete list click here.
Many more arrivals are expected this week. Please keep an eye on the new arrivals link!

Many visitors to the showroom know that I am not too strict with the opening hours. The showroom is often open outside official opening hours, when I am present for various tasks anyway or when I expect visitors.
This will certainly also be the case for the coming Easter weekend. If you want to be sure that the store is open, please email me to see if I will be there at a certain time. This also applies to Sunday and Monday.

There is still a lot to be done in the showroom. I could use some help with this. If anyone knows an affordable and reliable local builder for a number of small jobs, please let me know. There is some lugging and transportation of materials involved.

Thank you in advance and have a nice long weekend!

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

20-03-2024 - Newsletter #195

Vallejo has added more than 30 colors to their Model Color range. All the new colors have already been added to the Mini-Kiwiland Shop website. Stock is expected in April.

Three different Citadel primer sprays have just arrived in the Mini-Kiwiland Shop. Unfortunately, these cannot be sent. Pick-up only.

More than 40 different Kovozavody Prostejov kits from the Czech Republic have also arrived. 1:72 scale aircraft kits.

This week's special offers include Italeri kits, ready-made N scale buildings and HO scale car kits.

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

13-03-2024 - Newsletter #194

The Mini-Kiwiland Shop will be open on Sunday the 17th of March during the Car Show close to the Coastlands Mall (10:00am–2:00pm)!

Come and enjoy a fun day out with the Gear Jammers and visit the largest hobbyshop in the Wellington region.

American and Aussie Hot Rods, Muscle Cars and classics will be on display at the Kapiti Primary School opposite the Coastlands Mall. Food and other vendor stalls, Rock band, Pin-up Competition.

Show opens to public at 10am. Gold coin donation.
Participants all welcome to meet at Southwards Car Museum by 9.15am for 9.30am start of car cruise.

Early afternoon pinup competition prize giving and best in show awards.

On occasion, a newsletter with only vehicles ;-)

Thanks to the increased demand in the new showroom, more models of cars and trucks will be stocked. Diecast as well as kit sets.

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

06-03-2024 - Newsletter #193

The first sea shipment since the move in October has been delayed, but is expected within three weeks. This shipment mainly contains wargames items from the UK.
After this, sea shipments are regularly expected again from the UK, but also Europe.
Many items, especially from Europe, have not been in stock for more than a year. Brands that have not previously been present in our range are also expected.

Due to further increases in air freight rates this year, even more will have to come via sea transport, which will lead to more delays, but better prices.

The new showroom has created a flood of new customers with the associated demand for all kinds of items that I previously did not consider purchasing or did not know existed.
However, finding new international suppliers and setting up accounts also takes time.

The stock level is currently low, but this will change soon. My apologies for the many delays and confusion.

So expect a significant expansion of the range in the coming months!

Robert

To read the entire newsletter click here

28-02-2024 - Newsletter #192

A large variety of new arrivals has arrived. For the full list click here.

Among the new arrivals are the full range of Vallejo Metal Color, 1:72 aircraft kits from AZ Model and Kovozavody Prostejov (both from the Czech Republic), Noch HO scale figure sets, the 8 new 2024 2mm tufts from Gamers Grass and the English version of the rulebook for Freebooters Fate.
Two Milliput Two Part Epoxy Putty have arrived as well.

More than 60 different colours form the Army Painter are on sale for a limited time only!

Robert

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21-02-2024 - Newsletter #191

A few weeks ago I announced that collecting orders from Tuesday to Friday is also possible between 11 am and 12 pm. There appears to be such a demand for this that the store might as well open to the public at that time.
From now on, the store is open during the week from 11 am to 4 pm except for Monday (closed). Outside these hours it is possible to collect orders between 10 am and 11 am and between 4 pm and 5 pm.
The hours for Saturdays remain the same.

Robert

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