I am on Social Security-Why do I have to save for my next Model?

Tanker-Builder

$ 200.00 for a Car Model Before you ever build it? C'mon. I know, I know, its in what one wants.True, But no wonders many folks don't stay or begin in this modeling hobby of ours. 

$200 for a week or more (and potentially months) of entertainment is expensive?

This past summer my wife wanted to take the family to Disneyland while the oldest is still in the house and the youngest is finally of an age where he can enjoy most of the rides. Family of 4, four days in the park, motel, food, swag etc.

I won't get into all the gory details but that 4 day trip probably cost about 1/2 what I've spent on the stash over the past 17 years. 

Even for those with expensive aftermarket and high end model habits, modelling is a relatively cheap form of entertainment. Even more so when one can be satisfied with more mundane kits and / or scratchbuilds their own added detail.

waikong

Not saying model prices aren't going up, but let's all keep it in perspective. A $.69 Whopper in 1970 would be the equivalent of about $5.60 today, Last time I looked, a whopper today is around $4? So the price is actually cheaper - adjusted for inflation.

 

Partially true but it was better quality meat unlike the garbage out there now with fillers and hormones. 

Compressorman

I decided that I wanted to build a GT40 (yes of course it is because of the movie) and found a resin engine for the fujimi kit that cost $100  . If I build a GT40 it will most certainly be 'sans engine' !

 

I decided that I wanted to build a GT40 (yes of course it is because of the movie) and found a resin engine for the fujimi kit that cost $100  . If I build a GT40 it will most certainly be 'sans engine' !

Cost is a great motivator for me to stick with OOB builds. Not to mention there are plenty of kits to build that are well under the prices you mention that will entice folks to model.

I've been on Social Security for almost ten years now. Since getting back into the hobby 99% of kits I buy are bought at shows. Paying retail is something my modest little monthly benefit check won't support. The cost of kits is one reason I quit 1/48 scale. The cost of a 1/48 scale kit plus aftermarket accessories you're pushing $50 or $60 for a $30 kit. Then there's the need for space to display the finished model. So almost everything on display on my shelf is vintage 1/72 scale that I paid pennies on the dollar for. Don't think that I am whining because I'm not. This is just a reality that I know and understand and live with.

Remember having a Whopper for .69? How about Royal Castle burgers for .25? I remember my mom buying 4 full bags of groceries around 1965 or so for about $25. Salaries were crap back then but the cost of living was at a lower pace and one could actually breathe better in the financial arena. I remember my older brother in 1966 buying a 1954 Plymouth 4 door tank for $15. It had an oil leak that he used a tin can and wire hanger to collect the oil drip and was put back into the engine in the evening. He used this monster for about 3 years and sold it for $75.

I do agree that the prices of today’s models are just WAY too expensive. I have gotten some real deals at model show vendor tables and even online. The prices at hobby shops are too high for the most part.

Everyone on S.S. has the same problem. COLA does not even cover inflation. We are always behing the eight ball.

I'm cheap when it comes to modeling, I'll rarely pay more than $25 for a kit. Model shows are a great source of kits, Dragon has some pretty nice sales this time of year, and using Amazon points has got me quite a few "free" kits. 

Some of my favorite kits are 1/72 and 1/144 aircraft, and 1/72 armor, lots of great choices under $20.

Hobby mfgs  have a good feel for what the market will pay.  As long as we keep buying 2, 3, 4 hundred dollar kits, there is no reason for them not to charge that much.

I find smaller, simpler kits mostly follow inflation.  So that is what I buy.  Sure, I'd like to build more 1:200 scale ships, but I feel I cannot afford them.  Lately I am popping for more 1:700 ones- and it easier to find place to display smaller models.

I have a savings box where I throw my loose change which soon adds up.

I also use MSWord to open a document for each kit I want or would like along with extras in a table along with prices. 

I use EBay a lot for best prices and when the money is there and the item arrives then the item gets changed to green. Once all the table is green then the kit goes into my stash and on my ready to build list.

With armour my add-one are metal barrel and tracks.

With aircraft depending on the kit then is is metal barrels, cockpit set and anything else that is useful!

All done with savings and careful price surfing.

James

fox

That is precisely why I go to the shows whether I have any models to show or not. The raffle tickets are $1 each and 6 for $5. I always get $10 worth. The guys in the club do the same thing. One time, we had so much "stuff" in the trunk when we left that we had to carry our models on our laps on the way home. If you don't like what you won, you just turn around and ask "does anyone want to trade?" That's where a lot of my stash has come from. Haven't "bought" one for a long time.

Jim  

 

This is very true, I sent a $20 with a friend to a show just to put as a donation towards the charity that all proceeds because I stongly support them.  He used it to buy raffle tickets, because it was going to the charity anyway, next thing I know I'm getting an armfull of kits.  Most were not of interest to me and I'll be donating them at the next kit collection for the troops, but the one item was a ziplock back with three $15 resin figure kits.  Those by themselves made me feel like a winner!

Well;

       Excellent idea. Do That myself. That's why even if I build half and give away half, there will always be more coming in.

That is precisely why I go to the shows whether I have any models to show or not. The raffle tickets are $1 each and 6 for $5. I always get $10 worth. The guys in the club do the same thing. One time, we had so much "stuff" in the trunk when we left that we had to carry our models on our laps on the way home. If you don't like what you won, you just turn around and ask "does anyone want to trade?" That's where a lot of my stash has come from. Haven't "bought" one for a long time.

Jim  

" G "

    I am sorry. I drink a beer that costs around here a whopping  $4.75 a bottle. Last six pack I bought was Come to think of it (9 something.)

 Yer right, even suds is gittin spensive. 

Since when was it OK that beer cost $ 10 a sixpack?

I bought enough models to last my life back when I had a lot (sort of) of money. In particular Model Shipways wood kits. I'm just working off the stash right now.

TOJO72;

 I can only give you a H#%% Yeah on that comment! Plus ,when was the last time you had a ten cent cup of coffee. With numerous refills. Now at Starbucks and other places it's getting ridiculous ! Not to mention a Buck sixty a cup, at the worst restaurant in town at that ! and NO free refills either.