Hi :
This is partly in rebuttal to another thread , But I think it bears saying . The cost of kits has indeed risen even in the " swap and vendor" areas of model meets and flea markets . I have had folks around here tell me how valuable a kit is and so that's why they are selling it at the quoted price . Go on-line .Yup , there it is , cheaper .
Now , as to the price of a " Virgin " kit . The costs of producing those little goodies has risen too . A pound of ( " Virgin ) (unmixed,unused) plastic pellets (styrene ) has risen by over four hundred percent .The cost of oil (crude ) has risen as well .The price of raw plastic polymers has gone up too .
Now factor in labor to create the molds and the cost of metal to make them and the machines to do all this .One part could run over ten dollars Apiece to bring to reality and I am talking just a Canopy for instance .Did you know that clear styrene costs about double per piece to produce ?
Sure the cost has gone up .Have you inquired about a multi colored package nowadays ? Wow !, I almost fainted ! The point is .YES , costs have risen .Now what would you do if you were a dad and wanted to build a kit with the boy who you can't seem to get away from his games .Find out what interests him .There's a model out there somewhere . Yeah , true , it probably costs out the wazoo , but , isn't time with your offspring important enough to you ?
Enter old age ( I call it grand Auld Phartiness ) Social Security just Barely pays the bills , so what do I do ? Well , I do hit swap and vendor tables everywhere . I also hit discount tables to see if they have that kit I wouldn't or couldn't afford at full price , or like the TRUMPETER ARIZONA , get one as a gift .That said , I want the 1/200 Bismark . Not gifted , I have to save for it , and when I get to the suggested retail , The kit then will be cheaper , just like the ARIZONA
That's the only way . P.E. , Now I buy it in Bulk where I can .For instance if TOM'S has a good price on generic 1/350 rails and ladders I will buy six or eight sets . No model supplies or other stuff the next month , but I have the stuff to build now anyway . That's a fact of life ,But , you have to keep your nose on the " Collectible " Trail too . Know your subject then be prepared to pounce , paying a little more maybe , but getting that jewel you wanted .
This brings me back to the original point .Has anyone seen the price of the new Albatross SA -16- A recently ? Well , it will probably remain high .Why ? well it's of a rare subject .Rare ? You bet . The SA - 16 - B by MONOGRAM (the " Long Wing " ) is the only ,or was the only game in town with all it's inaccuracies .(if you worry about that ) .I personally don't , cause I just love anything that flies and can get wet too .
The market is driven by wish lists and purchase numbers .If you buy all the " King Tigers " of a particular type I make for instance .What am I going to do ? Pull back production or make a gazillion more based on sales numbers . Again , remember production costs .The two are inextricably linked .Always will be .
Models also sell funny .Remember when you were in your twenties and could buy say (if you lived in TEXAS ) a " Lone Star " edition Grand Marquise for instance . You won't find that option or paint package anywhere else in the country .I have run across that in models .I have found more model ships and boats in the inland states that in the port cities even . Yup , that's a fact .Go figure .
Lastly , do you want to see the hobby continue ? If so support your Local MOM and POP Hobby Shop and if you have to do this , at a Hobbytown or Hobby Lobby while badgering the manager for more .If enough do this , things do change even there . It's trends my friends .Hobbies are looked upon as trends Really ! So up the trend .
Bye !