I guess it really happened...

It's been discussed a bit over on this thread (page 3) on ModelWarships a bit by some guys who got their kits direct from Japan.

Overall, looks like a really good kit...seems that the 350th scale model ship makers have discovered a really clever strategy in making money:  Release a highly desirable base kit for $300 a pop, then release a ton of AM goodies that most folks who have already dropped $300 will feel compelled to buy, such as a wooden deck ($90), more airplanes (since the kit comes with only 9!), PE, armament upgrades, etc....before you're done, you may have more than doubled your initial outlay in dollars...this was recently done with the Akagi as well... 

If they release a 700th scale version I'll get it; otherwise, no...I did get the 700th Akagi...

I fear that this is what will happen if the new Arizona from Trumpeter is ever actually released.  But I have a feeling that this project wasn't far enough along to continue it, like the Shokaku and Akagi, when the world-wide economy tanked last year.  Yeah, no doubt they will keep saying "It's coming, some day".  I ain't holdin' my breath.  Oh well......

  Hi , MANSTEIN , I don,t know about you , but I would like to see someone to come out with a BISMARK  or TIRPITZ in a good kit . The real fun would be able to really build a really detailed model of either one .   tankerbuilder

I know the Tamiya kits of those are not recent, but do they qualify as "bad" kits? Or how about the Revell Germany recent release of the Bismark?

  MANSTEIN ---- I gotta tell you ,I don,t build many TAMIYA kits . The reasons are simple , they just didn,t ,for a long time produce what I wanted or in the scale I wanted . I,ve just recently gotten heavily into 1/350 because of the U.S.S.NORTH CAROLINA  by TRUMPETER . That kit with the p.e. from TOM,s and EDUARD is awesome !!!!! This then made me set my sights on scales other than 1/200 or larger!!! !/350 isn,t bad ,and I am impressed with what,s out there . Did you know that each BISMARK now available is slightly different than its counterpart from other companies . I think their research might,ve been goofy . I have a LINDBERG version and the AIRFIX version and they remind me of the rare pictures you see from time to time of the BISMARK and the TIRPITZ together (HOW,D THEY DO THAT ??) I will let you in on a secret , I almost bought the BISMARK by TAMIYA this morning , budget said , not only NO but ,HECK NO !!!  Next month is another story though .

  Hey guy ---- YOU are right on !! The costs for my 1/350 TRUMPETER U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA with TOM,S and EDUARD,S P.E. plus paint is already at 190.00 dollars . Oh ! And I just ordered real brass screws for it too ! The cost increase is not unusual for R.C. but in static ,well if you want to do your best WHY NOT !!!

Kits are too expensive now anyway regardless of what scale they are made in.

Hear me makers of all styrene kits!!!: It's plastic. OK? Aint a one worth what you want for it. I've been a modeller for 30 years. Prices used to be good. But now they have just skyrocketed beyond what is needed to make a profit and supply a modeller with a good kit. The prices now for a kit on the shelves is rediculous. Photo-etch (PE)? Monogram was doing that back in the ''80s for free with thier " Hi-Tech" kits. Aint a fret made today worth over $5.  It's only going to spook away what new modellers we may get in the future.

 

The "New" Hobby Boss 1:350 Arizona is the Trumpeter/Banner/Mini Hobby Kit. I got It as a Mini Hobby for $15 bucks. Average retail for it now from Hobby Boss is $43 and some change. What gives? Forget what I said about spooking away new hobbyists, they are spooking me away. I dont want to hear a load of crap about oil prices driving up the price of styrene either. either.

I have read a myriad of reasons given for the costs for kits such as tooling, research, etc. But what I want to know is why a dadburned Snickers bar that used to cost $.05 now costs $1.10!!

subfixer wrote:

I have read a myriad of reasons given for the costs for kits such as tooling, research, etc. But what I want to know is why a dadburned Snickers bar that used to cost $.05 now costs $1.10!!

...oil...

Mansteins revenge wrote:

subfixer wrote: I have read a myriad of reasons given for the costs for kits such as tooling, research, etc. But what I want to know is why a dadburned Snickers bar that used to cost $.05 now costs $1.10!! ...oil...

Hardy-har-har-har!! Smart azz.

inflation. i remember coffee crisp chocolate bars were 10 cents in the early 70's & testors model glue & paint were 19 cents at the same time, now look at the prices now.

kustommodeler1 wrote:

Kits are too expensive now anyway regardless of what scale they are made in. ::snip::  Monogram was doing that back in the ''80s for free with thier " Hi-Tech" kits. Aint a fret made today worth over $5.

While you are ranting you might want to keep in mind that distributors are a large reason costs are higher too.

And those Hi-tech Photo etch pieces... what were they, 2" square maximum? Do you honestly believe that a ship's fret of brass photo etch should be $5 or under? That's a ludicrous price to expect. You can't hardly even get the raw materials for that price, let alone charge a fair price for the time spent designing the set and then having it etched.

I think we have had this discussin before... The model manufacturers have had to invest a lot of money in technology and personnel to produce new molds for new kits (I don't think anyone still has 'little old craftsmen' in the back whittling out plugs for new molds like in the old days!), and part of this is paid for by sales of 'old-mold' kits, but not all of it.  As well, oil has skyrocketed in price (back in the '80's, oil went for $12 a barrel!), with carry-over costs in everything from transportation, to ink for the instructions.  At the same time, the currency exchange rate has clobbered the Dollar for the past 15 years at least, and given the state of the economy and the US government borrowing, that is not likely to change much very soon either.... Starting to sound like time to downsize (GHQ anyone?)!

Well, folks, I am sorry I didn't mean to rant so I just get dissapointed with the economy right now.

 

What got me started is the new flyer for Squadron and all the 1:350 kits of major ships are $130.00-$150.00+ U.S.  My goodness, look at Hasagawa's Mutsu! Marked down to $260.00

 

My factory just annnounced reduced hours, and I know I cant afford them, so I have no choice but to go looking for the e-bay specials, and hope to win. I have to build the "economy kits, the old dogs that would laugh me out of the IPMS if I could ever go in the first place.

 

The old Revell Saratoga, the old Hasagawa South Dakota and Essex in 1:700. The Italeri/RG Ronald Reagan in 1:720. And man-oh-man I hope Revell NEVER quits the 1:426 Arizona. Despite it's problems, it's fun every time.

 

And yes, I apologize about the PE frets. A lot of work goes into them, and some, not all though (study them caerfully) ARE worth the money.

No, I don't think you are really off the mark, and it IS very annoying to have to pay such high prices, and actually, I think the model companies themselves would really like to provide kits at much cheaper prices if they could possibly do so.... Keep an eye on Ebay, as it is surprising how often a usually expensive kit shows up for 'cheap' money!  I got a Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck a couple months ago for $30, and it still had the old shop tag on the box for $99, and others have similar stories I'm sure.... Even the new kits being produced will appear at reduced rates on Ebay if you are just a bit patient (I picked up an Aoshima 1/350 'Atago' for about $40 off list price as well, six months after the kit was first released!).  Keep the faith, and I hope your employment prospects for you improve very soon!!!