It happens rarely, but on occasion there might be parts or decals missing from a brand-new kit. Your local hobby shop might handle your replacement part request, or you might be asked to contact the manufacturer’s customer service department. Either way, you will probably be asked to provide the receipt.

I tend to lose paperwork the second I get home from the hobby shop. So, my solution is to tape the receipt inside the kit’s box top. If I’ve purchased several models, I’ll jot a quick note inside the other box tops to tell me which kit contains the receipt. If there is a problem with the kit, I’ve got my receipt to verify purchase. This also provides a handy record of what I paid for the kit. Man, kit prices sure were less back in the day!

Tip submitted by:
John BrosnanBurbank, Calif.