This month we have seen several changes in they way we can buy our card models. We have seen a joining of one of our oldest card modeling companies with a new firm located in Canada. The Canadian part of the firm has opened up a web site that now gives us the opportunity to purchase models over the internet. The U.S. part of the firm continues to operate from their catalog. There have also been several other companies that have been added to the commercial page of the web site. One is carrying only Maly Modelarz and another is ordering models from overseas for you.

One of the large companies in Poland has added an English page to their site and there is indications that they may take credit cards. Some on the mailing list say they do but I have been unable to get their shopping cart to work so I can not verify that they do. With Poland about to join the European Union, the taking of credit cards by the Polish companies should appear in the near future.

When you look at the prices of the models on the companies out of Poland it appears that the models are much cheaper than they are here in the states but be careful. If you live in the U.S. and order model from Europe there are hidden cost in there that you must figure into the cost of your models. First is postage, this can double the cost of the model especially if they send the model airmail. Because of postage it is not reasonable to buy models from Europe unless the total is well over $100 as the cost of the models will be much more than if you buy them from a dealer here in the U.S.

Another consideration is how are you going to pay for the models? Not all companies take credit cards and if they do not then you must either transfer money or send cash. Most of us do not like to send cash as it can disappear very easily. Money transfers are expensive, normally they will cost you between $20 and $50 depending on which company does the transfer. Does the company charge additional handling cost to take your credit card? Some may as the banking system in parts of Eastern Europe does charge them a fee for this service.

To sum up, try and buy your models in the country that you live in unless you are going to make a very large order. In small numbers you will wind up paying much less for the models primarily because of the shipping cost. It is also a good idea to support dealers that try and sell models in your country so that you can continue to buy the models in small numbers without paying very high prices.

Saul