Open up a little wider.

somenewguy wrote:

Was at the LHS this arvo, noticed that Tamiyas SLR McLaren and Enzo both went up twenty-five big ones (from $65 to$90). They had sold their last FXX since I was there a couple of weeks ago when the three were still sixty-five, but it's a safe bet that it's followed suit. Not sure if it's like that in the US or elsewhere, though. Wisely, I didn't go for them or I would've been on crutches for a while. lol

which is your LHS?

Ahh I didn't notice you were in OZ, my mistake.  I went and did a conversion on XE.com and according to it yeah even though the number is higher, its about the same actual value (Said that $90 AU is around $63 US)

And yeah ours has gone up too, last time I saw an Enzo like that was around a year ago in a LHS that was in another town, and it was around $50 then, so that'd be about the same jump (xe said $25 AU is $17 US) 

Generally, I don't notice Tamiya TOO much in local stores just because they're so much more expensive and generally are a tiny selection in the auto side, while their aircraft/armor section is mostly Tamiya.   Usually worth every penny.  For instance I've built two Ferrari 360's.. the tamiya and the revell .. yeah Tamiya was twice as much but it was just so much better. 

Right now I have three LHS.. a Micheals (national chain), a Hobby Lobby (also national chain) and erm.. I forget the name but one that's just a guy and his son running it.  They're the easiest to work with but their selection is so tiny.  For cars all their stuff is like mid-range releases, usually in the 90's, and almost all monogram/revell/amt.. the only thing they have over the other two is a good selection of fair priced Revell of Germany cars.  Micaheals doesn't carry ANYTHING Tamiya.. and Hobby Lobby.. last time I went in there a couple weeks ago they had.. 3 tamiya cars. haha

And I totally made the convo go sideways XD

Wingform, remember that you are in the states. numerical prices (not neccasarily the value) in oz are usually higher. Have those kits always been at those prices over there?

 cheers

I think your LHS just did it for fun.. or else Tamiya's site just hasn't updated the prices yet.  On there the SLR is $68, Enzo was $70 (only one that wasn't discontinued) and FXX was $71. 

I wouldn't be too suprised about either the price really going up that high or the markup at the shop.  Everything seems to be going up, even now plain old pre-painted just snap it together kits are up to like $18~$20 in most stores around here, and as much as $25 in the one random small LHS.  

But as far as price increases.. that does seem like a big sudden jump.  Over the years I've noticed models were stedily going up like a dollar or two every year, across all the brands.. but wow a $25 jump O_O