Kit pricing

Awww since I'm older than this thread guess I will jump in here too.

One bothersome thing about high price kits such as the HK B-17's is after dropping $300 plus for one, you can wind up spending more than that on all the aftermarket detail sets. And unless you belong to a model club where you play show and tell or attend model contests, you would be the only one admiring your build. Of course the wife would say....uh huh dear, that looks nice what are you going to do with it now? But we still lay down our money because we love the hobby.

That's an interesting comparison.  I think what irks me most about the high cost of some modern kits revolves around quality.  Some new(er) manufactures like Eduard have fantastic details and great quality at a somewhat reasonable price while others are charging $75 for a kit they reissue from 1993.  

Ever sice the USA went off the silver standard money has lost half is buying power every ten years. So a slight thought exercise:

1975: $10

1985: $20

1995: $40

2005: $80

2015:$160

Don Stauffer

The thing that bothers me today is, the dollar is supposed to be so strong currently!  I expected with that fact that imported kits might be a little less expensive right now.  Instead, I see the prices of some imports, especially those from Asia, soaring!

 

Thing is i can't say i have seen the same. The £ took a dive last June that would make a Stuka pilot panic, yet i can't say i have seen prices go up to such an extent that i have noticed.

And the $ is not especially strong against all far east currency's, especially the HKD and yen. I think there is more to it than just currency's.

fermis

 

 

PontiacRich

Anoher resurrection of this thread... 

 

How do kids get into the hobby with these prices?  How can I buy the new M40 shown on the back of this Month's FSM.  Just checked Amazon...$70 and I've got a good job and a wife with a good job, yet $70 is about 1/2 of our weekly food bill!

And a spray can of Mr. Surfacer 500/1000 at $20 each 

 

 

 

 

The kids that they were marketing to, all grew up. We have a much larger budget now too! If we want our kids to build models, it's up to us to find the deals and pass them along. The market changed and the model companies adapted to it. It's nothing like it was when we were kids and kits were on the shelves at what seems like every store you went to. I remember buying kits at the local pharmacy...I even remember seeing kits in a gas station/covenience store. Those days are long gone!

How would you market a model kit to a kid that has become accustomed to instant gratification in just about every aspect of their life? 

So what, if the hobby dies off along with us...we won't know about it anyway.

 

I get that us "kids" grew up as did our salaries.  And I get there is a segment of children that wants instant gratification.  But there is still a segment out there that we can teach to slow down, read instructions and create something with their hands.  

To that segment the high kit prices, along with the demise of the local hobby store are only keeping them on the video games and away from the hobby.

Bigfoot - yeah - today's kits are fairly expensive.  BUT.......when I look at the quality, detail, and fit of the current crop of good 1/48 scale kits (AM, Tamiya, Eduard and Fine Molds, for example) or the Wingnut Wings 1/32 scale stuff....compared to the indifferent fit, soft (or non-existant) detail of older kits.....I'd MUCH rather spend a higher price to get an outstanding "starting point" than to try to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.  Yeah....they can be expensive - but it's EASIER to build one of these kits and sit back when it's done and say....yeah....I'm good with that.

PontiacRich

Anoher resurrection of this thread... 

 

How do kids get into the hobby with these prices?  How can I buy the new M40 shown on the back of this Month's FSM.  Just checked Amazon...$70 and I've got a good job and a wife with a good job, yet $70 is about 1/2 of our weekly food bill!

And a spray can of Mr. Surfacer 500/1000 at $20 each 

 

The kids that they were marketing to, all grew up. We have a much larger budget now too! If we want our kids to build models, it's up to us to find the deals and pass them along. The market changed and the model companies adapted to it. It's nothing like it was when we were kids and kits were on the shelves at what seems like every store you went to. I remember buying kits at the local pharmacy...I even remember seeing kits in a gas station/covenience store. Those days are long gone!

How would you market a model kit to a kid that has become accustomed to instant gratification in just about every aspect of their life? 

So what, if the hobby dies off along with us...we won't know about it anyway.

That's profiteering by the middleman. Not passing along any savings due to exchange rates. The only way to bypass that is buying directly from the Far East . 

The thing that bothers me today is, the dollar is supposed to be so strong currently!  I expected with that fact that imported kits might be a little less expensive right now.  Instead, I see the prices of some imports, especially those from Asia, soaring!

Well there are still entry level kits for kids out there. Pegasus Hobbies does some great stuff that is perfect for youngsters. And of course there are still many kits still available today that many of us cut our teeth on as young modelers. But yes, the majority of the new releases today are quite pricey and geared towards the builder that wants more in a kit.

Anoher resurrection of this thread... 

How do kids get into the hobby with these prices?  How can I buy the new M40 shown on the back of this Month's FSM.  Just checked Amazon...$70 and I've got a good job and a wife with a good job, yet $70 is about 1/2 of our weekly food bill!

And a spray can of Mr. Surfacer 500/1000 at $20 each 

The model manufacturers have to put much more research and careful design in order to be compeditive today. I remember cheap kits when I was younger, their detail was coarse and clean. Do you want to go back to that? 

stikpusher

 

 

He is indeed... closer than you think....

 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

 

Wirraway

OMG- another thread resurrection- hallelujah !  

I wish Manny were here- he used to love this topic 

 

 

 

 

 

He probably is already back under a different screen name. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the subtle post he made.

 

He is indeed... closer than you think....

Totally with you.  I've had my eye on 350 scale USS Wasp and USS Iwo Jima for so long and the kits are in excess of $200 each.  I get that they're big ships with lots of features and will take a long time to build but still.. hard to get a $200 model past my wife.

Wirraway

OMG- another thread resurrection- hallelujah !  

I wish Manny were here- he used to love this topic 

 

He probably is already back under a different screen name. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the subtle post he made.

OMG- another thread resurrection- hallelujah !  

I wish Manny were here- he used to love this topic 

Is'nt the cost of oil part of the price?

Its OK jay jay, I only build 1/32 aircraft myself, some what because the detail is better represented. I have built the 1/32s B-17, Mitchell b-25, and the black widow, I am about to complete the 1/32 Do 335.....I do agree with you that new 1/32 kits are over priced, but I am patiently waiting for the 1/32 lancaster bomber, this will likely be the last 1/32 kit I will build as nothing new is comming out...I think I saw an article about a hammer and old kits

razorbacks

.................. I bought a whole bunch of Dukes of Hazzard model car kits, before they sky rocketed and am going to sell them someday, I hope, any ways, 

Upon reflection, I can recall a similar circumstance involving a gun ban a few years ago resulting in massive overtime at gun manufacturers

( and a huge surge in overtime pay for gun mfr employees ) created by demand for the banned guns prior to the law taking effect.

I cannot help but wonder if all those who are licensed to produce those General Lee replicas are ramping up production to meet the sudden demand before the contracts with Warner Brothers expire later this year.

You might want to consider selling before the market is flooded.

I noticed today that a fresh batch of MPC General Lee kits have arrived at my local Hobby Town.

Oh, yeah.

Sorta related: A shortage of Confed FLags

https://news.yahoo.com/video/mississippi-flag-fight-002404174.html

Wonder if those are made in China like the kits...........? 

LOL..................and still entertaining.

I noted that the creator of this thread last posted 2 months ago so there may yet be hope he reads the thread.

FWIW.................I would like to add an additional comment:

in previous years Barnes and Noble sales stock would sell even at the initial 25 pct off and 50 pct off amounts.

This is the first year in recent memory that I noticed little change in store stock volume until the merchandise was sold at 75 pct off.

Either folks are now much more patient or the economy isn't all it is cracked up to be................just sayin'

LOL! Another old thread brought back to life going back to 2012.

bigfoot01

What is going on with the prices of models lately! 1/72 scale single engine aircraft for $40+!?!?!? I remember when you could get a 4 engine 1/48 scale bomber for $20 and a fighter for under $10. .............

I can recall buying 1/72 Airfix single engine fighters for 29 cents........................

Of course, the detail wasn't nearly as nice as the new tool kits.

BlackTulip109

..................

The new 1/48 new tooled AIRFIX Spitfire, ME-109, Hurricane and Stuka are really nice as well as the 1/72nd scale ones and the prices are not bad

Also wanted to ad there are times when I don't want to wait and will spring for a kit.

For Instance, Airfix has a limited edition 1/72nd HE-111 all brand new tooling with a particular theme associated with it. I saw the movie "Into The White" a true story from which  the kit box art and decals represent. The detail of the kit is breattaking also a 1/48 Defiant is coming out too all welcome additions.

The prices are not too bad. E-models will probably have a good price on it when it comes out.

The new 1/48 new tooled AIRFIX Spitfire, ME-109, Hurricane and Stuka are really nice as well as the 1/72nd scale ones and the prices are not bad

Just my 2 cents worth.

Yes the prices have gone up for a whole host of reasons. But overall some of the kit prices are not too bad.

Lately I have been picking up Revell Germany 1/32nd scale kits HE-111, JU-88, ARADO the ME-109G-6 and G-10 and now a Spitfire for VERY reasonable prices.

I like what AIRFIX is trying to do the re-tooled and new tooled kits are awesome. Some of the pricing is not too bad.

As for the overpriced expensive kits I avoid them until I see a great deal on Amazon, ebay, and now e-models out of Great Britain!!

I recently picked up 1/48 Japanese ZEKE and RUFE kits for $10 a piece!!!!! and these are TAMAYA kits!!

No way I'll pay near $200 for the new 1/32 Mosquito. The Revell Germany Kit $40.00 is a really nice kit.

The deals are out there if you are willing to be patient, wait for sale prices etc.

THe industry is doing its best to survive. Airfix is doing its own in-house laser mold making(probably subcontracing the laser computer) but just the same it has brought down the price of mould making.

If you take the time to go to hobby swap meets ( which unfortunately are becoming fewer and fewer) you can find some great deals.

LOL  well said Goose.