Market for built models

Just a little reply to Migs. I have a customer that I build every single Vampirella kit available and even customize others to look like her. He once was a model builder himself and really enjoyed it. He was seriously injured in a car wreck , which made him a quadraplegic. He misses the hobby, but still likes to enjoy having these kits, statues and the like on his shelf. I dont charge him much, just enough to cover supplies , shipping, and a little time. Its really a joy to be able to do this for someone like this. And I know he apprciates it as well. He's had a page devoted to him and his collection on the Vampirella website too. Im sure there are many people out there who cannot build them or dont know how to, so there is a market for built kits. You can view his page here:
http://ds.dial.pipex.com/town/way/rbp20/statues/statue_reptile.htm

on a recent visit to a 'toyfair' looking for kits amonst all the masses of old diecast i found an old chap with a table full of built a/c kits - they were OK but nothing special, he had priced them at the equivalent of $40 to $100 each and was suprised he had not sold a single one at the end of the day !
i have seen dads buying these at other shows and fairs to keep the kids quiet for 5 minutes but prices are $1 or 2 from a box of what look like cleared and crashed built models.
Kit building is very personnel to the builder so given the time why buy them built from a stranger ?

What amazes me is the price charged by, say, Corgi, for the metal model Aircraft.
For that price I could build a much better Tamiya model for instance, and still make a nice profit for myself. There is a market for them out there, though whether it's the collector's, hoping that the value will rise if it's left unopened, or people that just want a model that won't break if it's dusted, I'm not sure.
When I look at them though, all I can see are the joint lines where the parts abutt,
Or am I being too fussy?
Yes, I've sold built models before, & plan to do it again at our companies next families day (something like a craft fair/fete) here in Riyadh. Mostly we're aviation related people, so that helps. Good packaging helps too, they want to get it home in one piece. But the real thing is price. At this level anyway, I can only expect to make, say five dollars or so per model. Having said that, like Lee I've built to commision, but usually for a mate, so again, I don't charge a lot, because I enjoy the building. Still, with the money I make I can buy more kits, Arrghh, I'm stuck in a vicious circle, ah well, I'll just lie back & enjoy it!
Pete

I build heaps of models on a contract basis - I also do aftermarket resin conversion castings. I find that it's easier to sell when I build what people want rather than build something and then try and find a buyer - subsequently, most of the stuff I do is a contract build.
I also find that it's really the journey, not the destination, that fascinates me. Once a model is finished, it really just becomes a dust collector. Sure, I've made some really hot models that I'll never part with, but getting the money for contract builds is better because it helps pay the bills..........also, many of the builds I do are really someone else's cup of tea - not really the subjects that are close to my heart.
I can't imagine purchasing a built model on Ebay, sight unseen. You'd find it's really enthusiasts (those who don't build models) who would buy a model of a subject (rather than a modeller) and they really want to see the thing up close before shelling out big bucks for a pre-built kit.
I keep a tight relationship with my clients - they often pop in to have a look at their model mid build - they're always happy with what they see and it makes them feel important to know that their "pride and joy" is being built to THEIR specifications. The impersonal, sight unseen sales are a real rarity.
Cheers
LeeTree

stoopidfish - nice analogy wrt to the picture - lol

I couldn't part with my models, I need to have a tangible product of my hardwork :) So I'm not the selling type.

You do bring up an interesting point that you might not be aware of - plastic - I wonder if my observation applies to wooden boats.

I've seen some aweful Vietnam era kits sell for decent money but there's probably more veterans from that war that are still alive who just want a conversation piece and don't care too much about the quality.

Most of THEM don't know that most of US would be honored to build them one for free.

If your trying to sell one on Ebay, you might put it somewhere other than in the plastic kits section. I haven't looked but surely there's one for memorabilia or military stuff.

I don't know of too many modelers who would buy someone else's built model 'cept maybe for research or parts. That's be like buying a picture frame and leaving the picture in it that it came with. -and that would just be creepy.

-fish

I do lots of commission work. I dont really do it though for the money standpoint. I do commission on my female figures , which I really enjoy. They can get very expensive too. Alot of the builds I do are sometimes kits that I would never buy or could not afford, so it really allows me to broaden my experiance. The money I make off of this, usually around $100 , sometimes a little more, I spend on my hobby. Which, as noticed in another forum post , some people wonder how they can afford their hobby.Well, there it is. That way, I dont have to blow my budget on what I enjoy, and then the Mrs doesnt ask me "whats in the back? how much did you spend? And yes, I do agree that people are just not willing to pay for what a build up is worth. thats why I no longer do the armor for people.

http://www.angelfire.com/art2/monsterarmor/index.html

I think you hit on the issue at hand when you asked:
"... or is it really because the hobby is more about the building than it is about the finished product?'

I would have to say it is mainly about the building for me. I've sold a few models too, but I decided to build them based on the entertainment value. I've even built a model on commission once, but I don't think I could ever become a 'professional modeller'.

Selling them just isn't as appealing to me as the creative and challenging process of building them.

I just don't think there is much of a market for built, even well built models. Don't get me wrong there is a market, I have even sold a built model here and there, but it is relatively small and usually when someone wants a model they want a specific A/C so buying one already built wont do those folks much good.

People just looking for a general representation of an A/C are probably more likely to get a glossy painted, more durable mohogany model for their desk or shelf.