We are a wholesale distributor offering products and services to hobby dealers. If you are a consumer seeking product for your own enjoyment please visit www.BestRC.com for product information, or use our Dealer Locator to locate a dealer in your area.
Welcome To Great Planes Model Distributors
Serving Hobby Dealers Since 1973
Interested in becoming a retail hobby shop owner? How exciting! Or perhaps you are already a hobby dealer and want to learn more about partnering with Great Planes Model Distributors. Either way, you have landed on the right site! Great Planes can help you become successful in your endeavor.
Many dealers across the nation started off just like you — as industry-minded hobbyists, or as business people with capital, maybe even a combination of the two. They wanted to be their own boss, selling fun, recreational hobby product to consumers, and have a positive influence on their community. And, like you, they came to Great Planes to help achieve these goals. With Great Planes as your distributor, we can make it happen!
You took the first step and made the decision to become a hobby dealer. Now you need to know where to go to get the product and tools necessary to achieve success. That's where Great Planes can help. Just look at all we have to offer:
PRODUCT
Greater stock availability and high profit margin: Our central warehouse in Champaign, IL. spans an impressive 196,000 square feet and consists of over 60,000 Radio Control and General Hobby products from over 600 manufacturers! We also have a 197,000 square foot distribution facility in Reno, NV. with the same products and manufacturers for even better service throughout the U.S. This is an immense assortment of product from which our dealers can choose, keeping current on industry trends and consumer demand. Along with selection, we extend to dealers high-quality, margin-making goods from our exclusive line of manufacturers. Please see our Product Lines page for a detailed listing.
PRICE
Best prices in the industry: From our monthly newsletters to our daily sales specials to our seasonal programs and huge cash discounts, we've got you covered! Please see our Pricing page to view the many ways you'll save with Great Planes — every day!
SERVICES
The advantage of doing business with Great Planes: We consistently strive to meet and predict the needs of our dealers. Convenience of ordering, friendly and knowledgeable staff, numerous promotional materials, Access+ on-line ordering, GPDealer.com web site, Co-Op Plus advertising, Sneak Preview 30-day-free product trial, Customer Link hobby shop referral and our toll free product hot line - just to name a few! For an overview of these benefits, please see our Services and Promotional Assistance page.
DELIVERY
We get it to you FAST! Our main warehouse is located centrally in the U.S. in Champaign, Illinois, so your order is only a few days away from us to your doorstep! We also have a distribution facility in Reno, Nevada, to service the Western U.S. better. Our warehouses are divided into specific function areas designed to meet goals of quicker picking, better packing and faster shipping. Deliveries to Great Planes are checked-in and put on our shelves very quickly, giving dealers a higher fill rate (average of 90% or more) and allowing us to get the goods quickly into your store.
Our History
When we started Great Planes back in 1973 our mission was to provide dealers with great service and product, at great prices. Our emphasis was on Radio-Controlled airplanes, cars, boats and helicopters. As the R/C hobby grew, we grew with it and acquired our own manufacturers. Successfully recognized in many aspects of the R/C trade, Great Planes then realized dealers needed to carry General Hobby products. We therefore expanded our product base to encompass all interests of the industry. Great Planes acquired general hobby products such as: ready-to-run, activity crafts, science, road race, plastics, die-cast, rockets, and trains, to name just a few categories! Our expansion into all areas of the hobby allowed our dealers to stock a well-rounded hobby shop; meeting the needs of today's hobby consumer.
We also take pride in our commitment to improving daily operations; the service dealers receive with Great Planes, and the service customers receive with dealers. As such, we introduced the first on-line computer ordering system, Access+. It has enabled dealers to be up-to-date with stock availability, easy ordering, and inventory allocation. As we look to the future, we again are investing in our dealers by providing World Wide Web accessibility. GPDealer.com is a password protected web site that allows dealers to order as well as manage their account information with Great Planes any time day or night.
At Great Planes, we believe dealers benefit from the best hobby products at the best prices, backed by excellent service. In 1998, as a testament to our belief and its success, we proudly celebrated our 25th anniversary. We will continue to uphold our standards and lead dealers into the future of the hobby world. Interested in knowing how you too can enter into a partnership with Great Planes? Please see our page focusing on How to Become a Great Planes Dealer, and thank you for stopping in!
Footnote: We recognize the value and importance of the National Retail Hobby Stores Association (NRHSA) and the Hobby Manufacturers Association (HMA) to dealers individually and the industry as a whole. Check out their web sites for further information.
Great Planes Model Distributors
P.O. Box 9021 ◊ Champaign, IL 61826-9021
Telephone: 800-637-7660 ◊ 217-398-3630
E-mail: gpinfo@gpmd.com
Copyright © 2005-2006 Great Planes Model Distributors