Hi Gamera:

 Promise not to laugh? That's the way a LOT of vendors at train shows clear their base expenses. Like they say," Someone always needs something except the whole kit".What are ya gonna do with that kind if thinking?

Gamera

Thanks guys! It does make sense. Just seemed odd to me at the time to piece out a complete kit.

I was really glad to find an Ebay seller who had a clear parts sprue for the Trumpeter Su-25 that I had just gotten from China.  When I ordered that Su-25, things were taking weeks, sometimes months to get here.  So, when I finally got mine and then discovered the front windscreen had a big crack in it, I went right to Ebay and was lucky enough to find one a guy had in Chicago.  Beats the hell out of jumping through all the hoops to get a replacement sprue shipped from China.

Gamera

 

Thanks guys! It does make sense. Just seemed odd to me at the time to piece out a complete kit.

 

So my MBT60 was born. This was an M60 hull with the MBT70 turret. Since the counter rotating turret was a problem that gave the driver motion sickness, the driver remained in the M60 hull and the driver's capsule was eliminated from the turret.

So I bought an MBT70 turret from the seller along with the sprues necessary to detail it. The cost of the entire kit had gone through the roof.

the Baron

 

 

ajlafleche

 

Gamera

Yeah I was poking around Ebay to see what I could find and there's plenty of people selling sprues out of kits for about ten or so bucks US a pop. With each sprue separate, decals, etc they're probably making at least twice what the kit is worth- assuming they actually sell like this...  

That's actually not a bad idea...say you've lost or damaged a part beyond repair, you're options are to scrap the kit or hope the manufacturer will supply you with the part. With these guys, a modest fee and you can get back to your project in about a week.  

 

 

 

I've seen similar auctions to the ones Gamera describes-probably the same ones, and I wondered who would buy those, too.  But you make a good point, Al-it's a great opportunity for guys looking for a single part or parts on that sprue.

 

Thanks guys! It does make sense. Just seemed odd to me at the time to piece out a complete kit.

There is a site (forget the URL) that has a very extensive collection of instructions you can download for free.

ajlafleche

 

Gamera

Yeah I was poking around Ebay to see what I could find and there's plenty of people selling sprues out of kits for about ten or so bucks US a pop. With each sprue separate, decals, etc they're probably making at least twice what the kit is worth- assuming they actually sell like this...  

That's actually not a bad idea...say you've lost or damaged a part beyond repair, you're options are to scrap the kit or hope the manufacturer will supply you with the part. With these guys, a modest fee and you can get back to your project in about a week.  

I've seen similar auctions to the ones Gamera describes-probably the same ones, and I wondered who would buy those, too.  But you make a good point, Al-it's a great opportunity for guys looking for a single part or parts on that sprue.

ajlafleche

We need to take heed. All of us are sitting on massive nest eggs.

There's a guy on eBay selling model instructions sheets. No kit, just the instructions. You know, the ones we toss after building or can download for free at Scalemates. I was lookng for a Hasegawa 1/72 P-51D ($11.99 free shipping...it's mine now) and right below it was a listing for a Hasegawa 1/72 P-51D instruction sheet for $13.11. At least shipping was free. 

Gamera

Yeah I was poking around Ebay to see what I could find and there's plenty of people selling sprues out of kits for about ten or so bucks US a pop. With each sprue separate, decals, etc they're probably making at least twice what the kit is worth- assuming they actually sell like this... 

 

That's actually not a bad idea...say you've lost or damaged a part beyond repair, you're options are to scrap the kit or hope the manufacturer will supply you with the part. With these guys, a modest fee and you can get back to your project in about a week. 

Well, speaking of second thoughts; apparently with the renewed interest in the Alaska class and potential hybridizing, the stock of those kits has dropped. I've been doing all of the 'planning' stuff for my intended build and now find them out of stock. Dang!!! I still is available on some sites, but for higher prices. Oops, my bad!!! I guess I should not have waited, as now it will cost my more.

I just throw mine away and I don't give them a second thought.

I've contemplated selling a decal set or two when I go after market. I just usually forget to.

Gamera

Yeah I was poking around Ebay to see what I could find and there's plenty of people selling sprues out of kits for about ten or so bucks US a pop. With each sprue separate, decals, etc they're probably making at least twice what the kit is worth- assuming they actually sell like this... 

Yeah I was poking around Ebay to see what I could find and there's plenty of people selling sprues out of kits for about ten or so bucks US a pop. With each sprue separate, decals, etc they're probably making at least twice what the kit is worth- assuming they actually sell like this... 

ddp59

---

yes it was ended at the tine i posted so something changed on ebay between the time i posted & you posted.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-429-17-LONG-BUILT-USS-Arizona-BATTLE-SHIP-MODEL-parts-or-repair-/304054399264?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true

Winning bid:

US $535.00

+US $43.50 shipping

Approximately C $668.19(including shipping)

[ 49 bids ]

 

 

I trashed my build of that kit when I last went through my closet last fall because of the damage it had taken while in storage.  It could have been repaired, but I didn't think it was worthwhile at the time because I have a 1/700 Arizona on the shelf.   Sigh...

I bet the Anniversary has to do with inflated prices.  I have noticed the 1/700 Arizona kits are trending at a premium now as well.

Having said that, I may start listing my instruction sheets now.  Though I am unsure why anyone would ever buy when Scalemates or other vintage sites have a good number is sheets available for download.

modelcrazy

Eaglecash867 https://www.ebay.ca/itm/164990834655?oid=304054399264

Nope, still says $535.

I know that one does.  It was the link that ddp59 was posting that kept linking to one with a different price.  Good to know my link worked though.  

Eaglecash867

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/164990834655?oid=304054399264

Nope, still says $535. You'd probaly pay that getting the proper PE and Aftemarket for the 1/200 scale but that 1/500ish scale from Revell isn't worth $1.00...even built. That guy really scored.
I did sell my 1/48 F-100 on eBay a few years back for a tad over $100 and was blown away. It took most of that to ship it safely though.

ddp59

yes it was ended at the tine i posted so something changed on ebay between the time i posted & you posted.

That link you're posting keeps coming back to the $57.00 figure, but when I click on the number of bids, the $535.00 figure comes up, even though the listing number appears to be the same.  Weird.  Maybe this link will work?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/164990834655?oid=304054399264

Anyway, it looks like its a built model, and the bidding started at $0.01.  Not my place to tell anybody how much they should spend on models, but I'll bet the guy who posted the listing is ecstatic.  He probably never dreamed he could get that much for it.  Collectors be crazy!  I should know...I'm one of them...spent $125.00 recently to get a 1/72 Monogram B-36 from an Ebay seller.

Wow, good to know! I've got some instruction sheets--good thing I kept 'em!

I put my used instruction sheets into 3-ring binders in clear document protectors.

I have one for aircraft, armor, sci-fi and other (cars, boats, etc.).

I have sections tabbed off for various brands and scale.

I have scores of instruction sheets from pretty much every kit that I've built over the past 40-45 years... if I scan and post 'em them all online, I could kick the bottom out of that market.... 

yes it was ended at the tine i posted so something changed on ebay between the time i posted & you posted.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-429-17-LONG-BUILT-USS-Arizona-BATTLE-SHIP-MODEL-parts-or-repair-/304054399264?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true

ddp59

that is nothing compared to this, $535 US for Revell's 1/429 scale USS Arizona.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-429-17-LONG-BUILT-USS-Arizona-BATTLE-SHIP-MODEL-parts-or-repair-/304054399264?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true

 

That listing says the bidding has ended and it went for $57.00.

that is nothing compared to this, $535 US for Revell's 1/429 scale USS Arizona.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-429-17-LONG-BUILT-USS-Arizona-BATTLE-SHIP-MODEL-parts-or-repair-/304054399264?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true

    What do ya wanna bet his brother across the hall is selling model kits.....without instructions, just a hyperlink saying "I know a guy" LOL.