Based on checking the website Nottshobbies.co.uk, it appears to be a legitimate online store specialising in miniature painting supplies, specifically drybrushing tools and accessories. The site clearly outlines its products, pricing, and customer support options. While it offers a focused range, it provides essential policies such as shipping, returns, privacy, and terms of service, which are crucial for building consumer trust.
Here’s an overall review summary:
- Website Legitimacy: Appears legitimate.
- Product Focus: Miniature painting drybrushes, dampening sponges, soap, texture palettes, and sets.
- Transparency: Clear display of shipping, returns, privacy, and terms.
- Customer Support: Offers 24-hour chat support and a contact page.
- Pricing: Prices are clearly listed for each product.
- Ethical Considerations: The products themselves (brushes, sponges, soap for hobby use) seem to align with ethical principles, as they are tools for a creative hobby and do not involve any forbidden categories. The website’s operations appear straightforward and transparent.
The site is designed to cater to miniature enthusiasts looking to improve their painting techniques, particularly through drybrushing. They offer free shipping on orders over £20 and “no questions asked, free returns,” which are strong indicators of customer-centric policies. The inclusion of a “30 Miniature Painting Tips” section also adds value, suggesting a commitment to supporting their community beyond just selling products. This focus on providing helpful content and clear policies contributes positively to its perceived trustworthiness.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
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Best Alternatives for Creative Hobbies & Tools:
When looking for ethical alternatives or broader creative outlets, particularly within the UK market, consider these options that align with beneficial and permissible activities:
- Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour Set
- Key Features: High-quality pigments, excellent lightfastness, portable sets available.
- Average Price: £30 – £150, depending on set size.
- Pros: Renowned brand, versatile medium, suitable for various artistic styles, non-toxic options available.
- Cons: Can be an expensive initial investment for professional sets.
- Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencils Sketching Set
- Key Features: Wide range of lead hardness, high break-resistance, ideal for technical drawing and sketching.
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- Cons: Limited colour range, requires good paper quality for best results.
- Daler-Rowney Simply Acrylic Paint Set
- Key Features: Good colour selection, fast-drying, water-soluble, suitable for beginners.
- Average Price: £15 – £40.
- Pros: Easy to use and clean, versatile for various surfaces (canvas, wood, paper), affordable.
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- Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine
- Key Features: Cuts over 100 materials, works wirelessly, compatible with various design software.
- Average Price: £250 – £350.
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- LEGO Creator Expert Series
- Key Features: Highly detailed, complex builds, often replicas of real-world objects.
- Average Price: £50 – £200+ per set.
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- Faber-Castell Polychromos Coloured Pencils
- Key Features: Oil-based, vibrant colours, high lightfastness, blendable.
- Average Price: £50 – £200 for sets.
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- Modelling Clay Air Dry Clay Kit
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Nottshobbies.co.uk Review & First Look
Upon a first look at Nottshobbies.co.uk, the website presents itself as a specialised e-commerce platform focusing exclusively on miniature painting drybrushes and related accessories. The homepage immediately highlights their core offerings: various sizes of drybrushes, a dampening sponge, drybrush soap, and a texture palette, culminating in starter and complete sets. This narrow focus is often a sign of a business that understands its niche and aims to serve it effectively. The aesthetic is clean and functional, prioritising product display and ease of navigation.
The site makes immediate promises regarding customer experience: “Free shipping When you spend £20+” and “Easy Returns No questions asked, free returns.” These are compelling incentives that directly address common online shopping anxieties. Furthermore, the claim of “24-hour chat support” suggests a commitment to customer service, aiming to provide immediate assistance. For a focused hobby site, these elements contribute significantly to its perceived reliability and user-friendliness.
Nottshobbies.co.uk Features
Nottshobbies.co.uk incorporates several features designed to enhance the user experience and facilitate purchases within their specific niche. These features range from standard e-commerce functionalities to value-added content for their target audience.
Product Range and Specialisation
The website’s strength lies in its highly specialised product range. Instead of offering a broad array of miniature painting supplies, Nottshobbies.co.uk focuses exclusively on drybrushing. This specialisation suggests expertise and a curated selection within this specific technique.
- Core Products:
- Notts Hobbies Small Drybrush
- Notts Hobbies Medium Drybrush
- Notts Hobbies Large Drybrush
- Notts Hobbies Drybrush Dampening Sponge
- Notts Hobbies Drybrush Soap
- Notts Hobbies Drybrush Texture Palette
- Bundles:
- Notts Hobbies Drybrushing Starter Pack
- Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrush Set
This focused inventory helps potential buyers quickly identify if the site meets their specific needs for drybrushing, reducing choice paralysis.
Customer Support and Engagement
The website prominently features its customer support options, indicating a proactive approach to addressing customer queries and issues. Bigzoltanlogistics.co.uk Review
- 24-Hour Chat Support: A clear promise of around-the-clock assistance, which is highly beneficial for customers in different time zones or those seeking immediate answers.
- Contact Page: A dedicated Contact page provides a straightforward channel for users to get in touch.
- “Get In Touch Today” Call to Action: Placed strategically on the homepage, encouraging direct engagement.
- “We’re here to help you” section: Emphasises a friendly and supportive team ready to assist, which can significantly build trust.
Transparency in Policies
Crucial for any e-commerce site, Nottshobbies.co.uk displays its policies upfront, offering clarity on transactions and customer rights.
- Shipping Policy: Details on delivery times, costs, and free shipping thresholds (£20+).
- Returns Policy: “No questions asked, free returns” is a strong policy that instils confidence.
- Privacy Page: Information on data handling and user privacy, essential for compliance and trust.
- Terms of Service: Outlines the terms and conditions governing the use of the website and purchase of products.
These readily accessible links demonstrate a commitment to transparency, which is a hallmark of reputable online businesses.
Value-Added Content
Beyond just selling products, Nottshobbies.co.uk attempts to provide value to its audience through educational content.
- “30 Miniature Painting Tips”: A link to “Get Free Painting Tips” leads to a page dedicated to improving painting skills (https://nottshobbies.co.uk/pages/30-days-30-tips-30-ways-to-improve-your-painting). This suggests a brand that cares about its customers’ success in their hobby, not just their purchases. This content can also act as a lead magnet, collecting email addresses for marketing purposes.
Nottshobbies.co.uk Pros & Cons
Analysing Nottshobbies.co.uk reveals several strengths and a few areas where it could potentially expand or improve, from a consumer perspective.
Pros
- Highly Specialised Niche: The concentrated focus on drybrushing for miniature painting means the site is likely to be a go-to for enthusiasts of this specific technique. This specialisation can lead to better product selection and deeper expertise.
- Clear and Transparent Policies: The prominent display of Shipping, Returns, Privacy, and Terms of Service policies builds trust. The “no questions asked, free returns” policy is particularly customer-friendly.
- Strong Customer Support Promise: 24-hour chat support is a significant advantage, offering immediate help to customers across different time zones.
- Value-Added Content: Offering free painting tips adds value beyond just selling products, showing a commitment to the hobbyist community. This can improve customer loyalty and perceived expertise.
- User-Friendly Interface: The website is clean, easy to navigate, and mobile-responsive, which enhances the shopping experience. Products are clearly displayed with descriptions and pricing.
- Competitive Pricing Indication: The presence of “Save £X.XX” alongside product prices suggests that they are competitive, possibly offering discounts compared to RRP, which is appealing to budget-conscious hobbyists.
Cons
- Limited Product Range: While specialisation is a strength, it also means the site only caters to a very specific segment of the miniature painting hobby. If a customer needs other supplies (e.g., wet palettes, different brush types, specific paints), they would have to go elsewhere.
- Lack of Customer Reviews/Testimonials on Homepage: While product pages might contain reviews, their absence on the homepage or as a dedicated section makes it harder for new visitors to quickly gauge social proof and product quality.
- No “About Us” Information Prominently Displayed: A dedicated “About Us” page detailing the company’s story, mission, or the team behind it could further enhance trust and connection with customers. This is often sought by consumers looking for authentic businesses.
- Absence of External Verification/Trust Badges: While internal policies are clear, the absence of third-party trust badges (e.g., Feefo, Trustpilot scores) or security certifications (beyond standard SSL) on the homepage might slightly reduce initial trust for very cautious buyers.
- “Merch” Category is Vague: The “Merch” category in the navigation might be unclear to visitors. It could potentially include non-hobby related items, which might dilute the main focus of the site if not clearly defined.
- Currency Locked to GBP: While this is expected for a UK-focused site, it means international buyers would need to convert currency mentally or rely on their bank’s exchange rates, which could be a minor inconvenience.
Nottshobbies.co.uk Alternatives
When looking for alternative platforms for miniature painting supplies or general creative hobbies, especially within the UK market, several reputable online retailers offer a wider range of products. These alternatives cater to various aspects of the hobby, from paints and tools to models and broader art supplies, often with established reputations.
- Element Games
- Overview: A very popular UK-based retailer for wargaming miniatures, paints, tools, and accessories. They carry a vast selection from major brands like Games Workshop, Vallejo, Citadel, and Army Painter.
- Pros: Extensive product range, competitive pricing, frequent sales, reliable shipping, strong community presence.
- Cons: Can be overwhelming for new hobbyists due to sheer volume, primarily focused on wargaming.
- Wayland Games
- Overview: Another leading UK online store offering a comprehensive selection of tabletop games, miniatures, paints, and hobby supplies. Known for good stock levels and customer service.
- Pros: Wide variety of brands and product types, often have new releases quickly, good customer support.
- Cons: Website navigation can sometimes be clunky, occasional stock issues on high-demand items.
- Leisure Arts UK
- Overview: While broader than just miniatures, this site offers a good range of general arts and crafts supplies, including paints, brushes, and modelling tools that can be adapted for miniature painting.
- Pros: Diverse product categories, good for sourcing generic tools or alternative paint types, often has competitive pricing on bulk items.
- Cons: Not specialised in miniature-specific products, so selection might be limited for highly niche items.
- Green Stuff World
- Overview: An international company with strong shipping to the UK, renowned for innovative hobby tools, textures, and specialty paints, including a wide array of drybrushing options and materials for dioramas.
- Pros: Unique and innovative products, high-quality tools, strong focus on advanced hobby techniques.
- Cons: Based in Spain, so shipping times might be slightly longer than UK-based retailers, pricing is in Euros but converts to GBP.
- The Army Painter
- Overview: Specialises in speed painting solutions, including their popular Warpaints range, speedpaints, and comprehensive brush sets. They have a strong presence in the UK through various distributors and their own site.
- Pros: Products designed for efficiency and ease of use, excellent for batch painting, good value in starter sets.
- Cons: Primarily focused on their own brand, so less variety if you prefer other paint lines, website is EU-based but ships to UK.
- Hobbycraft
- Overview: A major UK chain of arts and crafts stores with a significant online presence. They offer a broad range of products, including basic miniature painting supplies, modelling materials, and general art tools.
- Pros: Wide availability (physical stores and online), frequent promotions, good for beginners looking for basic kits and supplies.
- Cons: Limited selection of advanced or specialist miniature painting tools, pricing can be higher than specialist retailers.
- Amazon UK
- Overview: While not a specialist, Amazon hosts numerous sellers offering miniature paints, brushes, models, and accessories. It’s a convenient option for finding specific items or comparing prices.
- Pros: Vast selection, competitive pricing, fast shipping with Prime, user reviews provide insights.
- Cons: Quality and authenticity can vary between sellers, less curated experience than specialist hobby stores, harder to get specific advice from hobby experts.
Nationwidefencingsupplies.co.uk Review
How to Cancel Nottshobbies.co.uk Subscription
Based on the information available on the Nottshobbies.co.uk homepage, there is no mention of a subscription service for products. The website appears to operate on a standard e-commerce model where customers make one-off purchases of physical goods (drybrushes, sponges, soaps, etc.). There are no visible indications of recurring billing, membership plans, or digital content subscriptions.
Therefore, the question of “how to cancel a Nottshobbies.co.uk subscription” does not seem applicable to this website. Customers simply purchase items as needed, and there is no ongoing commitment to cancel. If a customer has signed up for email newsletters, they can typically unsubscribe by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email received from Nottshobbies.co.uk. This is standard practice for email marketing lists and is not related to product subscriptions.
Nottshobbies.co.uk Pricing
Nottshobbies.co.uk clearly displays its pricing for all products directly on the homepage and individual product pages. The pricing structure is straightforward, with each item having a distinct price point, and some offering a “Save” amount, indicating a discount from an original price. All prices are listed in Great British Pounds (£), aligning with their UK focus.
Individual Product Pricing
The individual drybrushes, dampening sponges, and soap are consistently priced:
- Notts Hobbies Small Drybrush: £5.99 (Originally £11.98, showing a saving of £5.99)
- Notts Hobbies Drybrush Dampening Sponge: £4.99 (Originally £9.98, showing a saving of £4.99)
- Notts Hobbies Large Drybrush: £5.99 (Originally £11.98, showing a saving of £5.99)
- Notts Hobbies Drybrush Soap: £5.99 (Originally £11.98, showing a saving of £5.99)
- Notts Hobbies Medium Drybrush: £5.99 (Originally £11.98, showing a saving of £5.99)
- Notts Hobbies Drybrush Texture Palette: £7.99 (Originally £15.98, showing a saving of £7.99)
It’s notable that many of these individual items show a saving of exactly 50% from an “Original Price.” This marketing strategy aims to present the current price as a significant deal. Peterpig.co.uk Review
Bundled Product Pricing
The website also offers bundled sets, which provide more value when purchasing multiple items:
- Notts Hobbies Drybrushing Starter Pack: £9.99 (Original Price £13.98, saving £3.99) – This pack includes a small drybrush and a dampening sponge.
- Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrush Set: £34.99 (Original Price £69.98, saving £34.99) – This set appears to include all the individual drybrushes and accessories mentioned, offering a substantial discount compared to buying them separately.
Shipping Costs
While individual product prices are clear, the website also highlights its shipping policy prominently:
- Free shipping: When you spend £20+
This means that for orders below £20, a shipping fee will apply, which would be calculated at checkout. For orders £20 and above, the shipping is free, incentivising customers to purchase multiple items or the larger sets to reach this threshold.
Overall, the pricing structure is transparent and easy to understand, with clear indications of current prices and perceived savings. The free shipping threshold is reasonable for hobby supplies and encourages larger purchases.
Nottshobbies.co.uk vs. Established Hobby Retailers
When comparing Nottshobbies.co.uk to larger, more established hobby retailers in the UK, it’s essential to look at their unique selling propositions, product range, pricing strategies, and overall customer experience. Nottshobbies.co.uk operates as a niche specialist, while others are broad-spectrum suppliers. Theavenue.co.uk Review
Nottshobbies.co.uk: Niche Specialist
- Focus: Highly specialised in drybrushing tools and accessories for miniature painting. This tight focus suggests expertise and a curated selection for this specific technique.
- Product Range: Limited to a specific line of drybrushes, sponges, soap, and palettes under their own brand.
- Pricing: Clear, competitive pricing, often showing significant “savings” from an original price. Free shipping over £20.
- Customer Service: Promises 24-hour chat support and “no questions asked, free returns,” which are strong customer-centric policies.
- Value-Add: Provides specific drybrushing tips and guides, directly supporting their niche.
- Target Audience: Miniature painters specifically interested in mastering or simplifying the drybrushing technique.
Established Hobby Retailers (e.g., Element Games, Wayland Games, Hobbycraft)
- Focus: Broad spectrum of hobby supplies, including wargaming miniatures, board games, traditional art supplies, and general crafts.
- Product Range:
- Miniature-Specific: Vast selection of paints (Citadel, Vallejo, Army Painter), different brush types (synthetics, sables), glues, modelling tools, scenery, and a huge array of miniatures from various manufacturers (Games Workshop, Corvus Belli, etc.).
- General Art/Crafts: For stores like Hobbycraft, this extends to knitting, sewing, papercraft, baking supplies, etc.
- Pricing: Often competitive, with loyalty programs, flash sales, and bulk discounts. Shipping thresholds can vary, sometimes higher than Nottshobbies.
- Customer Service: Varies by retailer; some offer excellent support via phone/email, others rely more on FAQs. Returns policies are standard, but “no questions asked” might be less common.
- Value-Add: May have community forums, extensive tutorials, physical stores for workshops, and diverse product reviews.
- Target Audience: Broad hobbyists, wargamers, artists, crafters, and collectors.
Key Differences and Who Benefits
- Depth vs. Breadth: Nottshobbies.co.uk offers depth in drybrushing. If you only need drybrushing supplies and want a dedicated experience for that, Nottshobbies might be your quick stop. Established retailers offer breadth, allowing you to buy everything for your hobby in one place.
- Brand Loyalty: Nottshobbies is promoting its own branded products. Larger retailers stock multiple brands, allowing customers more choice and brand preference.
- Convenience: For a single, specific purchase of drybrushing tools, Nottshobbies is highly convenient. For restocking a full hobby arsenal, a larger retailer is more practical.
- Trust and Reputation: Established retailers often have years of trading history, thousands of reviews, and a large, visible customer base, which inherently builds a different level of trust than a more niche, newer site. However, Nottshobbies’ clear policies and 24-hour support promise aim to bridge this gap.
In essence, Nottshobbies.co.uk carves out a valuable niche by specialising and offering a focused product line with strong customer service promises. For someone deeply invested in the drybrushing technique, it could be an excellent resource. However, for the general miniature painter or broader hobbyist, established retailers will offer a more comprehensive and diverse shopping experience.
FAQ
What is Nottshobbies.co.uk?
Nottshobbies.co.uk is an online retail website based in the UK that specialises in selling drybrushing tools and accessories specifically designed for miniature painting.
Is Nottshobbies.co.uk a legitimate website?
Yes, based on checking the website’s features, clear product listings, transparent policies (shipping, returns, privacy, terms), and contact information, Nottshobbies.co.uk appears to be a legitimate e-commerce platform.
What products does Nottshobbies.co.uk sell?
Nottshobbies.co.uk sells various sizes of drybrushes (small, medium, large), a drybrush dampening sponge, drybrush soap, a drybrush texture palette, and bundled drybrushing starter and complete sets.
Does Nottshobbies.co.uk offer free shipping?
Yes, Nottshobbies.co.uk offers free shipping on all orders when you spend £20 or more. Zyneparking.co.uk Review
What is Nottshobbies.co.uk’s return policy?
Nottshobbies.co.uk states that they offer “no questions asked, free returns,” indicating a customer-friendly return policy.
How can I contact Nottshobbies.co.uk customer support?
Nottshobbies.co.uk provides a contact page (https://nottshobbies.co.uk/pages/contact) and promises 24-hour chat support.
Are the prices on Nottshobbies.co.uk competitive?
The prices on Nottshobbies.co.uk are clearly displayed and often show “Save” amounts, suggesting that they offer competitive pricing or discounts on their products.
Does Nottshobbies.co.uk offer international shipping?
The website primarily lists prices in GBP and focuses on UK-centric free shipping thresholds, but it is not explicitly stated whether they offer international shipping. It’s best to contact them directly for international shipping inquiries.
Does Nottshobbies.co.uk have an “About Us” page?
A prominent “About Us” page is not immediately visible on the homepage navigation, although detailed company information might be found within their Terms of Service. Running-point.co.uk Review
Can I find customer reviews for Nottshobbies.co.uk products?
While the homepage does not prominently display customer reviews, individual product pages typically feature customer feedback, which can be checked for insights.
What payment methods does Nottshobbies.co.uk accept?
The website text does not explicitly list accepted payment methods on the homepage, but common e-commerce practices suggest standard options like credit/debit cards and potentially PayPal would be available at checkout.
Is there a loyalty program or subscription service at Nottshobbies.co.uk?
Based on the available information, Nottshobbies.co.uk does not appear to offer a loyalty program or a product subscription service; it operates on a standard one-off purchase model.
How do Nottshobbies.co.uk’s products compare to major brands?
Nottshobbies.co.uk sells its own branded drybrushing tools. Their effectiveness and quality would need to be assessed through actual use or customer reviews, as direct comparisons with established brands are not provided on their site.
Does Nottshobbies.co.uk provide painting tutorials?
Yes, Nottshobbies.co.uk offers value-added content, including a link to “30 Miniature Painting Tips” on their website (https://nottshobbies.co.uk/pages/30-days-30-tips-30-ways-to-improve-your-painting). Thecornishfoodboxcompany.co.uk Review
Is the Nottshobbies.co.uk website mobile-friendly?
The website’s design appears clean and responsive, suggesting it would be mobile-friendly and easily navigable on various devices.
What are the key features of Nottshobbies.co.uk’s drybrushes?
Nottshobbies.co.uk highlights that their drybrushes are made with “high-quality goats hair,” designed for picking out detail and stippling texture onto surfaces.
What is the purpose of the drybrush dampening sponge?
The Nottshobbies.co.uk drybrush dampening sponge is designed to keep drybrushes moist without making them too wet, which is crucial for effective miniature painting.
How does Nottshobbies.co.uk ensure brush longevity?
They offer a specially formulated drybrush soap designed to effectively remove paint and condition brushes after miniature painting, aiming to ensure their longevity.
What is the benefit of the drybrush texture palette?
The drybrush texture palette’s surface allows painters to easily remove excess paint from their brush without removing moisture, which is important for precise drybrushing. Modeface.co.uk Review
Is Nottshobbies.co.uk suitable for beginners in miniature painting?
Given their specialized focus on drybrushing and the availability of a “Starter Pack” and painting tips, Nottshobbies.co.uk could be suitable for beginners looking to master this specific technique.
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