Are kits more expensive due to covid?

Transportation and logistics costs, material shortages etc., affected by covid have impacted every industry.  Plywood cost has gone through the roof, affecting home building, a leading economic indicator. 

Yes.That's the only chance for the stores and the on line vender's to hike up prices.The day of the less than 30$ regular quality model is history.

Covid has nothing to do with prices going higher,but oil does.The cost of transportation and getting supplies to manufacturers is what causes prices to go up at one end.The other is when goverments print more money then the wealth of that country can produce.This causes inflation.These two factors is what causes prices to go up.

68GT

I've noticed the bargains aren't as plentiful on ebay as they used to.

A lot of private sellers have moved to Facebook where there is no more fees. EBay has been taken over by commercial sellers. Not as many auction type sales, mostly catalog lists of their products. You can still get lucky and find a deal, but it is harder to look.

Pop open any random eBay page, and 75% of the items will be from commercial or sponsored listers.

ddp59

i've been using Testors tube glue for plastic models for almost 50yrs & will continue to use it.

 

X2. GREAT STUFF!!

Kit prices have been rising (and falling) throughout the years. When a new "super" kit that is supposed to be the "best" kit of a certain subject hits the shelves, it usually comes at a premium price and is scooped up by the folks who "have" to have the best.

Then the previous "super" kit was used to be the best of the best (but now is identified as a lesser form of life) drops tremendously in price. They are then gobbled up by the guys who are all right with a kit that "used" to be the best.

High quality armor kits have been in the $50-75 range for a number of years, long before Covid-19.

Sundry modeling supplies can vary depending on whether it is a brand name or discount no-name products.

Most of us have enough model kits to last us through a nuclear winter. It's the consumables that we need (paint, glue, etc.).

Sorry but I forgot to mention their a cheaper ways to buy tools than from the hobby store sandpaper is sandpaper and you can buy it at the hardware store WAY cheaper than at the hobbie shop. Believe it or not I find most of my tools at makeup supply shops

berd

over the last few months I have dropped around 100$(not inculding kits) to get started in the hobby is it noramlly this expensive or are prices higherdue to covid and increased demand?  

thanks 

As some others have pointed out, if you're new to the hobby or returning after a long hiatus, then current prices may shock you, especially if you've been away for a while.

But I have to ask you for more information, before I could answer:

Where did you buy kits?  New kits, via retail, and online or in a store?  Did you buy kits second-hand, and again, online, through sites like eBay, forums, etc?

Did you buy kits sold within your home country, or from outside it?

Those things all can have an impact on the price you pay for a kit.  I'm sure others can come up with others, that haven't occurred to me.

I will say that I have noticed that shipping costs from Japanese eBay sellers seem to have risen steeply, compared to what they were before the lockdowns.  I haven't noticed the same increase in prices for kits that I've bought online from HobbyLink Japan, those there has been an increase.

As far as new kits go, sold retail, no, I don't think they're particularly more expensive than when the lockdowns have started.  I have seen a small increase in the price of some kits I watch, again on eBay, but sold by overseas vendors as Buy It Now sales.  For example, a vendor I buy from has raised the price on the DoraWings P-43 kit.  He originally offered it at around $45, and with free shipping, too.  His price for that kit has risen a couple of times to $58, still with free shipping.  But that's just one sample, so I can't say that there has been a general rise in prices, since the lockdowns started.

I found them less is avaliable and out of stock more than an increase of prices. If you want it and it's in stock you better grab it or you may have to wait a while before it's avaliable again.

A hundred bucks for a single 1:72 airplane may be an indication of inflation.  For a 1:32 aircraft, no, they have been in that range for quite awhile.  If that is a ship and maybe some paint and some tools, that is not a lot of money.

I do expect some inflation from stimulus money, however.  Stimulus money is intended to increase spending, and that can trigger some inflation.  There are signs of that in the economy, so if we are not seeing it yet, we will be.  But so far it is not too bad.

i've been using Testors tube glue for plastic models for almost 50yrs & will continue to use it.

I didnt want to say that Testors glue was'nt good it is just kinda a bad glue for begining modelers. It is offererd up as A starter glue when it is actually harder too use than some of the better examples of glue such as Tamayi extra thin wich I think is the best assemblly glue made

Check out hobbylinc for tamiyas spray cans - most cans are $5.60

Tojo72

$100.00 ?? That's all ???

 

Greed is just a human trait...

Kits, no.  Paint, yes.  

A Tamiya rattle can I bought at my LHS in the Summer of 2019 has a price tag of $8.00.  The can I bought two months ago was $13. 

As I check his site again, looks like prices are now back at $8.50.  No idea why there was such a steep price spike.

I think kit prices are higher overall due to new subjects being released and/or re-released with added features all the time.  If you want lower prices and can wait 4 to 8 weeks for shipping, buying directly from pverseas vendors on Ebay is the way to go.

I've been building plastic and wood kits since 1950. There was a time you could buy a house for $1250.00, and a car for $300.00. In my first job, I made $.60 cents an hour.

Inflation is a part of our culture as we grow and move forward.

In 2003 I spent $300.00 just to get started painting urethane automotive primers, flakes pearls, and candies.

The right tools and supplies for me came over many years of enjoying this hobby.

I have 2 roll-A-ways now from Craftsman to hold all my tools and supplies.

It just takes time to gather what you need, but you can start out with pretty simple tools and a tube of TESTORS GLUE. I love that stuff, but I do have other adhesives I use also.

mostly tanks

Kit prices of course go up. Its all about supply and demand But this has been a reality of any hobby over 50 years.  I don't think the pandemic has any issue on kit prices but the fact that there is a limited number of customers allows them to charge the prices they charge.  If they where selling to a more vast customer base Im sure the prices would come down.

I've been taking this hobby seriously for the past 50 years or so, at since 1968.  So I have not seen any thing....except kit prices have gone up, not covid related at all.  Kits and paint have been increasing for years, especially kits.  It's a good thing that I bought my stash way back when they were relatively less costly and available.  Of course I remember when paint cost ten cents a bottle and kit could cost 50 cents or less.  My last kit cast $65.00 or so.

I really havnt noticed a price increase but I have noticed it takes me much longer to recieve a kit ordered from the internet E.G. Hobbylinc used to ship products within 10 days (for the cheapest postage)  Now it takes around 15 days I'm sure this is pandemic related.  PLus you said you have spent over 100 dollars in tools DON'T Pay for stuff you think you will need later just buy a kit get the small amount of tools you will need to build it ( xacto Knife#11 sandpaper, Glue (NOT Testors tube glue!!) and piant. If you are just beggining stick with Testors enamle or tamiyai paints.  Don't venture out to the valleho acrilics.  As a begginer you will be frustrated by the results. Have fun with the kit after building around of a dozen kits you will be amazed at the tool collection you have aquired. I think I probably have at least 2 grand in just building tools alone .  That includes My airbrush and commpresor

What You have spent:

      Well, I guess you could say that maybe to you they have. The truth is far from that though. Yes' kits have crept up in price. But you have to remember the cost of putting one out have risen as well. Molds cost more and the maintenance on the machines has risen. Advertising costs have skyrocketed. Remember too, the cost of those magnificent pellets that transform into our favorite kits is tied to the Petroleum Market!

What do you like to build?  I haven't noticed an increase, though I have bought a bunch during Covid

    I don't think prices are higher due to COVID. It reads that you are just getting started or returning to the hobby after a hiatus. Start up costs for even basic tools have gone up over the years due to inflation....however my opinion is it's just start up cost shock and will level off quickly once you acquire the basics. Air brushes and pressure sources to operate them have consistently been hi priced however the tools,with care, last a very long time. Cost of kits.....that is a whole different story.